LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

No.„«i-»'Tt?r:v^_:-^ DATE 4 -/?^-_'i_

sou

6^:Us^^.U.^<^>X^

mo

July 2, 1910.]

THE

GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

®IccIi1d IHustiatcb lourual

OF

HORTICULTURE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS.

(ESTABLISHED IN 1847. J

VOL. XLVll.-THIRD SERIES.

JANUARY TO JUNE, 1910.

LONDON :

41 WELLINGTON STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C.

1910.

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

(xlfefe

[JULT 2, 1910'.

INDEX OF CONTENTS

JANUARY TO JUNE, 1910.

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

AALSMEER, forced flower trade at,
37

Aberdeen Agricultural College, 154

Aberdeen, Calceolarias at, 3b5

Abies Douglasii as the tallest tree
in the wurld, 203

Abies Webbiaiia, 54

Acacia on French railway banks,
338, 409

Acanthus montanus, 100

Adaptation ot the plant to the soil,
143, 206

Adonis amurensis, 82

Agave Elemeetiana flowering at
Kew 201 ; A. Scolymus and its
allies, 422

Agricultural Science Committee, 427

Agricultural Society's Liverpool
show, 136, 433

Agriculture at Aberdeen, 154

Agriculture, Board of. and insect
pests and fungous diseases, 332,
337 ; tropical, and Colonial deve-
lopment, 317

Aldenham House, Elstree, 3. 29 ;
tine specimen of Cotoneaster
Simonsii at, 123 ; of Berberis
stenophylla at, 345

AUamanda Hendersonii at Windle
Hall gardens, 29

Allard, Mr. E. J., appointment at
the Innes Horticultural Institu-
tion, 180

Allolobophora submontana, 74

Almond, flowering of the, 185

Alpine garden, 65. 133, 195, 212,
274, 294, 314, 327, 403, 424

Alpine plants, a lecture on, 234 ;
exhibited by Sir Everard Ham-
bro, 248; for granite dust, 176;
roots of home and imported, 195,
266, 283, 339

Alpinist, a lady. 169

Amaryllis (see Hippeastrum)

Amateur i;ardener, definition of an,
308

America, e.xperimental greenhouses
in, 299 ; gardening employment
in, 122 ; inspection of nursery
stock entering, 248 ; warty
disease of Potato in, 283 ; Govern-
ment distribution of seeds in. 433 ;
notes from, 228, 328

American gardening papers, ad-
dresses of some, 224

American Gooseberry-mildew in
Norfolk, 335

American Lilies, 242 ; thorns, new,
60

Ammonia, effect of, on germina-
tion, 349

Ampelopsis Veitchii and Rhus Toxi-
codendron, autumn colouring of,
313, 409

Androsace spinulifera in China, 27

Anemone, some rust diseases of, 67

Anemone sulphurea, imported and
home-raised roots of, 195. 266,
283. 339

Annuals and Directories, garden, 25

Anona reticulata. 419

Antirrhinum, colour-inheritance in,
417 ; majus at Upsala Botanical
Garden, 100, 140

Antitoxins, injecting, in plants, 82

Ants in greenhouses killed by a
sprinkling of nicotine, 31

Apiary, the. 23. 55, 87, 135, 167,
214, 279, 315, 367, 40,t

Apple and Pear blossom, the fertili-
sation of, 310

Apple blossom, ctAcur in, 345. 371,
409; the fertilisation of, 310

Apple canker caused by brown-rot
fungus, 327

Apple-spraying calendar, an, 41

Apples : Allanbank Seedling, 32 ;
Golden Noble, 36 ; Lane's Prince
Albert, 371 ; Lord Hindlip, 170 ;
Maggie Grieve, 13; the training
of cordon, 144, 176 ; cider from
disinfected, 282; late culinary,
234 ; late dessert varieties of, 148,
170, 178, 220

Aquilegia alpina, 170

Arbor day at Letchworth, 163; in
Ireland, 57

Aristolochia gigas var. Sturtevantii,
251

Armstrong, E. F. (The Simple
i'arbo/i i/diates and the Gluco-
sidfs), 230

Arsenic, the use of, in horticulture,
60

Artificial aids to forcing, 368

Asparagus, culture of, 419 ; forcing,
48

Asphalt paths, to repair, 144

Asters, Hon. Edith Gibbs as a pot
plant, 44 ; Tradescantia as a gar-
den plant, 69 ; the cultui'e of
perennial, 244

Aucuba, propagating the, 80

Auricula " Warley," 274

Australia, fruit production in, 202;
Roses in, 265

B

Bacteria, soil, effect of sunlight

on, 168 '
Bank holidays and flower shows, 251
Bantry House, Ireland, 209
Bark of vines, removing the loose.

Baron Schroder's legacies to garden-
ing charities, 359, 434

Barr Bros.' plant stand, 340

Barr memorial, the, 41, 57, 153

Basic slag for vines, 340

Battersea Paik, flowers at, 333

Beans for winter cropping, 14 ; Run-
ner, for exhibition, 165; Soy, 238

Beaumontia grandiflora in Natal,
42 ; B. g. superba, 423

Bees, the management of, 23, 55, 87,
135, 167, 214, 279, 315, 367. 405

Beet culture for Sugar in England,
57, 265

" Beagle," relic of the, 333

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, 12 ; new
American forms of, 185 ; Peter-
son's Glory of Cincinnati, 185

Begonias, winter-blooming, 12

Belgian Orchid growers, a society
of, 153

Belsize Court, Hampstead, Orchids
at, 242

Belvoir Castle gardens, the winter
at, 282

Benevolent Institution, Gardeners'
Royal, 25, 405; (annual meeting)
78 ; legacy to, 369 : (Worcester
Auxiliary), 74; (festival dinner)
434

Bennett, Mr. E. N.. appointment at
Board of Agriculture, 8

Bequests to gardeners, 55, 74

Berberis dulcis, a large bush of. at
Monreith, 4C)9 ; B. dictyophylla,
18 ; B. stenophylla, at Aldenham
House gardens. 345 ; at Harborne
Hall gardens, 409 ; at Lilford Hall
gardens, 370 ; as a hedge plant,
388

Berlin. Botanical Garden at, 428;

small holdings at, 41
Bermuda, gardening in, 154

Bird sanctuarv in the Brent Valley,
154, 188, 427

Birds and vermin, prevention of
cruelty in the- destruction of, 88

Birmingham, descriptions of the
Botanical Gardens, 169 ; flower
shows at, 254 ; French garden ex-
hibit in Warley Park, 282, 350,
368

Bjfirnson, the poet, arid spade work,
299

Black scab of Potato, spread of, 137

Blatta orientalis (Cockroach), 43

Blossom, retarding fruit tree, 203,
252 ; the season's, 309 ; fertilisa-
tion of Pear and Apple, 310 ; pro.
tecting Peach, from frost, 132,
252, 284, 320

Bolivia, exploration of, 56

Books, Notices of:- A Book
about Sweet Peas ( Waller P.
Wright), 85: A History of Gar-
dening in England [Hon. Mrs.
Evelyn Cecil), 213; All About
Sweet Peas (Ituhert Sydenham),
41; Bees for Profit and pleasure
(//. Gear,/). 291 ; Botanical Maga-
zine, 9, 122, 153, 248, 299, 408;
British Floral Decorations (R. F.
Fellon), 399 ; British Fern Gazette
(C. r. Drucry), 41; Carnation
Year Book (/. ,S'. Brnnton), 233;
Common W'eeds of the Farm and
Garden (Harold C. Long and
and John F'erclral), 152; Culture
of Vegetables and Flowers (Svt-
ton Jk Sons), 275; Der Konigliche
Botanische Garten und das
Konigliche Botanische Museum Zu
Dahlem (Dr. Engler and Dr.
Urban), 114 ; Flora of Costa Rica
(Carlos WerckU.), 180; Fruit
Ranching in British Columbia (J .
T. Bealhy). 36; Fruit-tree Prun-
ing {G. Quinn), 275; Fungous
Diseases of Plants (B. M. Dug-
gar), 200 ; Gardening Difficulties
Solved {//. H. Thomas), 148;
Garden Life Year Book and
Who's Who in Horticulture, 122 ;
Garden Planning, (W. S. Rogers),
29"J ; Hardy Fruit Culture for
Amateurs (S. T. Wright), 147;
Hayward's Botanist's Pocket
Book (G. Claridge Druce), 85;
How to Use Nitrate of Soda (Dr.
Bernard Dyer), 282 ; Kearton's
Nature Pictures, 282 ; La Sub-
region Fitogeografica Costar-
ricense (Carlos Werckle), 180;
La Vie a la Campagne, 427 ;
Mushrooms and their Oultivation
(T. W.^ Sander.'i), 147 ; My Gar-
den Diary (Messrs. Sntton d-
Sons). 41 ; One and All Garden-
ing IE. 0. Greening), 26 ; Pansies.
Violas, and Violets (William
Cuthbert.«on), 399, 428; Practical
Rose-growing in All Forms (F. W.
Dodds), 68; Present-day Garden-
ing (series), B. Hooper Pearson,
364, 399 ; Publications received,
10, 26, 58, 74, 89, 123, 154,
169, 201, 213, 250, 283, 299, 318,
334, 370, 387, 408; Receipts for
the Million (Alfred Pink), 292;
Report of the Woburn Experimen-
tal Fruit Farm (Duke of Bedford
and Spencer U. Pickering), 111;
Rock Gardens and How to Make
and Maintain Them (Lewis Mere-
dith). 333; R.H.S. List of Orchid
Awards, 317 ; Sweet Pea Annual
(C. H. Cuflis), 105; Sweet Peas
(Horace .7. Wright), 364; The
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
(7'. Humphreys), 169; The Book
of Flowers IKatherine Pynan
and Francis Maitland), 101 ; The

Book of the Sweet Pea (D. B.
Crane), 85; The Flora of New
Guinea (H. A. Lorentz), 156; The
Ideal Garden (H . H. Thoma.i),
245; The Simple Carbo-hydrates
and the Glucosides (E. F. Arm-
strong), 230; The Small Garden
Beautiful (.4. C. Curtis), 26; The
Vegetable Grower's Guide (.John
Wright and Horace J. Wrighl),
4 ; Trees of California ( II illis
Linn Jepson), 67 ; Uitkomsten der
Nederlandsche Nieuw Guinea Ex-
peditie in 1907 (//. A. Lorentz),
136; Web-ter's Forester's Diary
and Pocket Book (A. D. Web.fler),
25 ; Weekly Telegraph Gardening
Book, 354 ; W'ells's Book on the
Culture of the Chrysanthemum
W. Wells), 213 ; Year Book of the
Country Gentlemen's Association,
369 ; Zur Hochgebirgsflora von
Santo Domingo (Dr. Urban), 254

Books, old garden, reviews of some,.
33, 113, 273, 377

Bordeaux Mixture, the, 197 ; intro-
duction of, into this country,
203 ; the Woburn method of em-
ploying, 177

Botanical garden in East Java, a,
312

Botanical Magazine plates, 234

Botanical nomenclature, 426

Botany, Brussels International Con-
gress of, 185

Breeding for timber, 257, 276, 298,.
338

Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary, 154,
188, 427

British Empire, fruit production in-
the, 186, 202

British Museum, changes in the staff
of the botanical department at
the, 58

Broom, the pink-flowered, 82

Brown-rot fungus causing canker in
Apple trees, 327

Brunton, J. P., The Carnation
Year Book, 233

Brussels International Congress of
Botany, 186 ; of Horticulture, 282,
289

Brussels International Exhibition,
218, 300, 316, 340

Buenoa Avres Exhibition, the, 74,
249

Buitenzorg Botanic Garden, Java,
Palms at, 137

Bulbophyllum Binnendijkii, 84

Burford, Dorking, Orchids at, 30

Butler, Mr. Ed., long service of, 333

Button-hole holder, a new, 91

Cabbages, spring, 132; trials of,

281, 423
Cacti, Mexican, 216
Calathea crocala, 312
Calanthe, the culture of, 378
Calceolarias at Aberdeen, 386
Cambridge, forestry at, 360
Campanula Hendersonii, 65
Camphor, the production of, 218
Canada, Dominion Experimental

Station, 27 ; seed imports into, 265
Canadian park of 5,000 square

miles, 74
Canary Islands, notes from the, 343
Canker, frost, of the Menzies'

Spruce, 58
Canker, " New York," in England,

258 ; of Apple trees caused by

brown r.^t fungus, 327

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[Jdly 2. 1910. 11.

Capparis spinosa difficult to culti-
vate, 234

Cardiff public trout hatcheries, 185

Carlina acanlhifolia, 68; 0. acaulis,
65

Carnations : Lady Hermoine, 146,
388; R. F. Felton, 196; perpetual-
flowering, the stopping of, 203;
" Souvenir de la Malmaison," cul-
ture of, 179 ; stimulants for, 178 ;
the cultivation of, by the "bench"
system, 151, 178 ; novelties at the
spring show of, 428

Carpet bedding, a simple method of
obtaining designs for, 200

Carruthers, Dr. William, 25

Carter, Mr. Richard, 283

Carter & Co.'s, Jlessrs. J., new
seed warehouse, 55

Cassiope at Glasnevin. 379

Catalpa, the, in Illinois, 74

Catalpas, the, 100

Cattleya Enid var. Karthausii, 349

Cecil, Hon. Mrs. Evelyn (A Hislonj
of Gardening in Emjlnnd), 213

Cedar of Lebanon, value of the tim-
ber of, 240

Celmisia spectabilis as a weed in
New Zealand, 408

Certificated Fruits and Vege-
tables:— Apples Wagener, 270;
William Crump, 45 ; Strawberry
Mark Twain. 432; Tomato Scar-
let Drop, 412

Certificated Plants; — Anemone
nemorosa AUenii, 303 ; Anguloa
Cliftonii, 77 ; Auriculas ; Canary
Bird, 303; Dorothv Cults, 303;
Mai, 303; Phyllis Douglas, 235;
Eoxbui-gli, 26s; Wailey, 266; Be-
gonia Rose Queen, 360 ; Bifrenaria
bicornaria, 354 ; Brasso-Cattleya
Wellesleyie, 103 ; Calathea crocata,
205; Carnations; Edith Waters,
391 ; Lady Carlisle, 271 ; Ladv C.
Waring, "412; May Day, 414;
Mikado, 271 ; Mrs. C. T. Raphael,
303; Mrs. E. Martin Smith. 391;
Pink Delight. 414 ; .Mrs. Tatton,

142 ; Queen Marv. 391 ; R. F. Fel-
ton, 205 ; Superior. 414 ; Cattleya
Dusseldorfei Undine " Westonbirt
variety," 304; Cattleya Lawren-
ceana'Mary Regina. 353; C. Men-
delii Pearl McBean, 304; C.
M. Princess Victoria, 353; C. M.
Queen Maud, 354; C. Mir-
anda Westonbirt variety, 77 ; C.
MossiiE Magali Sander, 354 ; C.
Percivaliana Westonbirt variety,
108; C. Robert de Waverir Wes-
tonbirt variety, 205 ; C. Schniderae
The Prince. 143; C. Trian«

'Magali Sander, 77; Cineraria
(Veitch's strain). 236 ; Clivia King
George V.. 391 ; Crinum purpu-
rascens, 107 ; Cymbidium Lowgri-
num Rosslyn variety. 173 ; Cypri-
pediums : " Atlas, "45 ; Bantam,
45 ; Leeanum E.xcelsior. 108 ;
Lord Wolmer, 77 ; Cytisus x
Dallimorei. 360; Delphiniums:
Purple Velvet, 431 ; Theo-
dora, 431 ; Dendrobiums : Arcua-
tum, 108; Duchess of Albany,
108 ; Mrs. Fenton Arnton. 143 ;
Disa lacera multifida. 143; D.
venusta, 304 ; Diuris longifolia,

143 ; Epi-Cattleya Nebo. 173 : E_r-
langea tomentosa. 45 ; Fritillaria
imperialis var. chitralensis, 171 ;
Heliotrope Favourite, :391 ; Hippe-
astrums Calypso. 268 ; Cardinal
Wolsey, 268; Gereant. 268;
Hydrangea hortensis Mme. Emile
Mouillere, 303 ; H. h. ornement,
303; Irises: albo purpurea Col-
chesterensis, 431 ; fulvala, 431 ;
Duchess Sarah. 412 ; Isoline, 391 ;
Italia, 391 ; Kalanchoe X kew-
eneis var. Excelsior, 431 ; Laelio-
Cattleya Aphrodite var. Mark
Hanibourg, 354; L.-C. Goldfinch
Westonbirt variety, 173; L.-C.
luminosa magnifica, 354; L.-C.

Trimyra, 205 ; Lonicera pileata
236 ; Lycaste peruviana, 364 ; L.
Skinneri armeniaca, 45 ; L. S. hel-
lemensis, 237 ; Macleana insignis,
303 ; JIarguerite Mrs. F. Sander,
360, 411 ; Megaclinium fuscum,
237; U. Triste, 237; Mer-
tensia echioides, 391 ; Miltonia
Bleuana Hessle var., 304; M.
Memoria Baron Schriider, 353 ;
M. Phalsenopsis McBean's variety,
270 ; M. vexillaria var. Snowflake,
392; Narcissi; Aiichoriie, 300;
Challenger, 305; Chantecler, 340;
Colleen, 303 ; Cooksoniae, 303 ;
Firetail, 305, Glory of Haar-
lem, 340 ; Glory of Wassenaar,
340 ; Poeticus Kingsley, 305 ;
Mathew Arnold, 269 ; Snow
King, 306; White Star, 306;
Odoutioda Charlesworthii var.
Theodora, 304; 0. Gattoniensis
Rosefieldiensis, 392 ; 0. Good-
sonise, 237; 0. King George V.,
355; 0. Royal Gem, 354; O.
St. Fuscien var. Imperator,
392; 0. Vuylstekea; Walton
Grange variety, 431 ; Odon-
toglossums : ardentissimum Nor-
man Cookson, 237 ; Arnoldia-
num, 269; Black Prince, 143;
Ceres, 143 ; Ceres Goodson's
variety, 237; Cravenianum, 173;
crispum Magnum Bonum, 304 ; c.
St. Fuscien. 270; eximium E. C.
Rogerson, 143 ; e. Emperor, 354 ;
e. Empress of India, 353 ; Law-
renceanum, 270 ; Memoria King
Edward VII., 353; Promereus,
354 ; regale rosefieldiense, 269 ;
Ro.ssianie rubens, 270 ; splendens.
143 ; Osmunda palustris crispato-
congesta, 303 ; Pelargonium White
Queen, 391 ; Phaio-Calanthe
Baron Schroder, 173 ; Phaius
Cooperi, 45; Phalsnopsis ca.>ita
superbissima. 237 ; Pleurothallis
tridentata. 237 ; Polyanthus Lad-
ham's Brilliant. 303 ; Primula
Maximowiczii. 268; P. viscosa,
268 ; Pyrethrum Queen Mary, 411 ;
Snow Queen, 391 ; Ranunculus
Evening Star, 391 ; Rhododen-
drons : Alice, 350 ; primulinum,
205; Princess Juliana, 360;
sinense Floradora, 360 ; Rhus
typhina laciniata. 350 ; Robinia
Kelseyi. 391 ; Roses : Duchess of
Westminster, 350 ; Excelsa. 360 ;
Freda, 431 ; Lady Hillingdon. 172 ;
Sarracenia Willmottte, 360 ; Saxi-
fraga hybrida pulchella grandi-
flora. 305: S. scardia obtusa, 172:
Schizanthus " Veitch's strain,"
303 ; Shortia uniflora grandiflora.
172 : Sobralia Charlesworthii. 353 ;
S. Cliftoniae, 259 ; Sophro-Laelio-
Cattleya Hon. Barbara Wilson,
237; "Sweet Peas: Marjorie
Hemus, 391 ; Paradise Cerise. 391 ;
Ivanhoe. 431 ; Sunproof Crimson,
431 ; Orange Paradise. 412 ; Prince
of Orange. 391 ; Tulips : Alice
Roosevelt, 322; General de Wet.
322 ; Louis Pasteur, 322 ; Oranje
Boven, 340 ; Princess Juliana,
322

Ceylon, lecture on, 62

Chaffinch's nest, a, 371

Challis, Mr. T., receives a present
from the German Emperor, 349

Chapman, Mr. H. J., awarded the
Veitch Memorial Medal, 74

Charities, gardening. Baron Schro-
der's legacies to the, 369

Chenopodium amaranticolor m
France. 387

Children's gardens. 358

China, perils of plant-collecting in.
325, 344 ; the Lichiang range
in, 202

Chionanthus retusus in Highland
Park, Rochester, U.S.A., 328

Christmas Roses in March, 170

Chrysanthemum Chas. Longley as
a late variety, 22

Chrysanthemum sports, how to in-
duce them, 90

Chrysanthemiims : Anemone-
flowered, the best varieties of, 37,
210 ; at Christmas, 21 ; culture of,
14: late-blooming. 11, 21, 43, 51,
105, 125; trial of single, 153
Cider from disinfected Apples, 282
Clematis, grafting the, 48
Clerodendron fallax, culture of, 133
Coat-flower holder, a new, 91
Cockroaches in plant houses, to de-
stroy, 43
Cocoa disease (Diplodia cacaoicola),

122
Codlin moth, to destroy, 250
Coelogyne cristata with 1,400
blooms, 40 ; C. Lawrenceana, 335 ;
C. pandurata in the W. Indies, 70
Cola acuminata, 30
CoUembola as injurious insects, 387
Colonial notes. 38, 159, 293
Colour in Apple blossom 345, 371,

409
Colouring of Ampelopsis and Rhus

Toxicodendron, 318. 409
Colour-inheritance in Foxgloves, 417
Colour scheme for flower-beds, 255
Colours in flowers and insects, 231
Coltsfoot and rich soil, 170
Columbines, 387 ; raising from seed,

192
Concert, the " Geo. Monro," 25
Congress, fruit, at He.\ham, 89,
249; gardeners', a proposed, 220;
Brussels International Botanical.
185 ; Brussels International Horti-
cultural, 282, 289; Paris Rose,
334, 393
Conifers, effect of gales on newly-
planted, 335
Cordon Apples, the best method of

planting, 144, 176

Cordyline australis seeding at Pen-

carrow, 283 ; in an Irish garden,

251 ; in Wigtonshire, 266 : in

Rotherfield Park, Hampshire,

255 ; at Killarnev House gardens,

Co. Kerry, 295

Cordylines. the propagation of. 196

Cork-wood tree, the (Leitneria flori-

dana), 228
Cornus canadensis, 363
Corvdalis cheilanthifolia at Jlon-

reith, 220
Corvpha umbraculifera, 425
Costa Rica, the flora of. 180
Cotoneaster Simon.<ii. 123, 245; at
Haford, 59 : at Aldenham House
gardens, 123 ; exceptional num-
bers of berries on. 140
Cottage garden at Hitchin, 90
Cotton, the wild Mombasa, 122
Crane, D. B. (The Book of the

Sweit Pea). 85
Cratiegus Arnoldiana, 129; C. Ar-
kansana. 129 ; C. Champlainen-
sis. 129 ; C. Ellwangeriana. 129 ;
C. FuUeriana, 129; C. mollis,
129 ; C. punctata and C. orienta-
lis, 388; C. radi,ans, 129
Crataegus, new American species

of. 50
Crawfurdia Trailliana in the Salwin

Valley, China, 44
Crinodendron (see "Tricuspidaria")
Crinum Powellii, 262; C. pur-

purascens, 114
Crocus, an abnormal. 132
Cruelty to birds and vermin, 88
Cucumbers and Jlelons, the fertili-
sation of, 208, 252, 255, 284, 295.
338
Cucumbers, manure for. 308
Cultural memoranda, 12, 131, 155,

194, 244, 275 313, 381, 429
Culture of Carnations by the

" bench " svstem, 161
Curtis. A. C. 'iThe Small Garden

Beniififul). 26
Custard Apple, the Netted, 419
Cuthbertson, William {Paiisies,

Viulax, and Violets), 399
Cyanide of potassium, fumigating

with, 283
Cyaniding plant-houses, damage to

plants in, 295, 345
Cyclamens, crested. 233
Cyclamens, the culture of, 131
Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum, 405

Cynometra trinitensis as a shade

tree, 251
Cypripedium Actaeus varieties, 117 ;

C. montarium, 355 ; C. Mrs. F.

Sander, 19
Cypripediuras, hardy, the culture

"of, 32, 48
Cyrtopodium cristatum in the West

Indies, 91
Cytisus X Dallimorei and heredity,

397 ; C. pruliferus in the Canary

Islands. 343

D-iFFODiL season, the, 311
Dahlia Chisolmii, hybrids from, 234
Dahlia conference, a, 173
Dahlia society, a German, 249
Dahlias, trials of, 187, 333; Cactus

and pompon, 52, 170 ; for exhibi-
tion, 173 ; for garden decoration,

173, 209 ; methods of exhibiting,

174 ; the propagation of, 181 ; to

flower, early, 188, 221
Daphne cneorum in the Wisley gar.

dens. 21
Delphinium sulphureum. 370
Demonstration trains in America,

217, 255
Dendrobium Duchess of Albany,

138 ; D. Phalienopsis Chew Manor

variety, 117 ; D. transparens. 365
Denning", Mr. W., the late, 185, 240
Dessert Apples, the best late, 170,

178
Destructive Insects' and Pests'

Order of 1910, 332, 337
Development Act and horticulture,

184. 335 ; appointment of Mr.

A. D. Hall on Committee of, 298
Devon, South, spring flowers in,

370 ; weather in, 295
Digging. Mr. Thomas Canning on,

249. 318, 410
Diplodia cacaoicola, a disease of

Cocoa, 122
Di[)loma in gardening, need for a,

139
Disa polygonoides, 329
Disas, blue-flowered, 210
Disease of Picea, a new. 57
Disease, Plane trees a cause of, 348
Disease - producing microbes and

plant tissues. 316
Diseases of plants, 200 ; experiments

in curing, 82
Diseases, rust, of Anemones, 57 ;

submitted to Kew for investiga-
tion in 1909, 122
Disinfected Apples, cider from. 282
Dobbie & Co.'s. Messrs., removal to

Edinburgh, 9
Dodds. F. W. (Practical Base

Growing in all Forms), 58
Douglas Fir as the tallest tree in

the world. 203
Dover House, Roehampton, 225, 388
Dracunculus vulgaris, 198
Dropmore, storm at, 140
Drought or frost causing injury to

plants, 24, 51
Druce. G. C. (Haiiward's Botanists'

Pocket Book), 85
Druery, C. T. (British Fern

Gazette), 41
Dublin, the Herbert Park at, 200
Dutrgar, B. M. (Funrjus Diseases of

Plants), 200
Dunfermline flower show. 218

E.iST BtiRNHAM P.1KK, cricket match
at. 385

Edelweiss, the cultivation of. 407 .

Edinburgh, a new park at, 407 ; hor-
ticultiiral societies, proposed
union of, 41 ; Botanic Garden,
Pratia angulata and Lobelia Lin-
n.-Boides in, 98 ; Spring Flower
Show, 154

343^-2:

iv. The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[July 2, 1910.

Eelworra destroyed by heat sterili-
sation, 318
Electricity, forcing plants by, 406
Engler, Dr. (The. IJaldem Botanic

Garden), 114
Epilobiunis, the smaller, 213
Epistephiums in the West Indies, 91
Eria rhyncostyloides, 378
Eriodendron anfractuosum (Mom-
basa Cotton), 122
Erlangoa tomentosa, 116
Escallonia floribunda at Glasnevin,

53
Essex farmers' visit to Ireland, 359
Eucalypti, Australian, height of, 203
Eucalyptus amygdalina, the height
of, "69 ; E. cordata, 168, 185 ; in
Tasmania, 169
Eulophia lurida, 117
Eupatorium RaffiUii, 10; synony-
nuis with E. atro-rubens, 43 ; E.
Weinmannianum as a hardy sub-
ject, 5
Examination of park employes, 105
Exhibition at Florence, 137
Exhibition, Brussels International,
218, 300 ; proposed international
216, 220; the Japan-British, 154,
185; vegetables for, 296. 319,
339, 409, 429
Exhibitions: do they pay? 220
Experimental greenhouses in

America, 299
Experiments with nitro-bacterine at

Wisley, 248
Exploration of Bolivia, 56

Farmers, Essex, visit to Ireland,
369

Fasciation in Liliums, 203

Felton, R. V. {British Floral De-
co-rations), 339

Fernery, the, 293, 419

Fern growing in an inverted bottle,
44, 69

Ferns, temporary variation in, 419

Fern, the scented, 293

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucum-
bers, 208, 252, 266, 284, 295, 338 ;
of Pear and Apple blossom, 310

Finsbury Square, proposed public
acquisition of, 350

Flax industry in Ireland, 26

Floods in France, 136

Floral decorations at Leeds, 250

Floral literature, old French, 285

Flora of, Costa Rica, 180; of
Gazaland, 394 ; of Mont Cenis,
241 ; of New Guinea, 136 ; of Santo
Domingo, 264; of the Meije, 252

Florence horticultural exhibition,
137

Florist and Fomologist, 32

Florists' flowers. 37, 52, 69, 83, 181,
195, 210, 229, 326

Flower-beds, colour scheme for, 256

Flower-gardening for children, 358

Flower garden, the management of
the. 6, 22, 39, 55, 71. 86. 103, 118,
134. 150, 167, 182 198, 214, 231,
247, 263, 279. 295, 314, 350, 346,
366, 384, 405, 425

Flowers at Battersea Park, 333

Flower show, children's, at Dun-
fermline, 218

Flower shows and bank holidays,
251 ; at Birmingham, 264

Flowers in season.^ 88, 154, 185, 200,
333, 427

Flower trade, forced, at Aalsmeer,

37
Forcing, artificial aids to, 368
Forcing-house for Roses, 148
Forcing plants by electricity, 406
Foreign correspondence, 37, 67, 343,

384, 402
Forestry, 335; at Cambridge, 350;
German criticism of British, 41 ;
Indian State, 186
Forest trees, effect of recent gales
on, 335

Formal gardening, a curious aid to,

200
Forrest, Mr. George, 57; experi-
ences whilst plant-collecting in
China, 325, 344
Foster, Mr. T., presentation to, 407
Foxgloves, colour-inlieritance in, 417
Foxiiill, Reading, 186
Frame-culture 'of Violets, 194
France, the floods in, 135
Francheschi, Dr., retirement of, 41
Frankfort, Palm garden at, 17, 35
Fream memorial prize awarded to

iSIr. James Garnett, 425
Freeman, Mr. Josiah, retirement of,

105
Freesia Armstrongii, history of,
155 ; synonymus with F. I'ubella,
169
Freesias, cultural note on, 155 ; from
seed, 76, 124, 139, 155; origin of
some hybrid, 115
French floral literature, old, 285
French gardening, commercial side
of, 311; exhibitions of, 69, 89,
105, 218
French garden, notes from a, 12,
38, 85, 115, 155, 219, 290, 246,
354, 410 ; exhibited in Warley
Park, Birmingham, 282, 350, 368
Fritillaria pallidiflora, 378
Frost and drought in winter, 24, 61
Frost canker of the Menzies Spruce,

58
Frost in South of Scotland, effect

of, 283
Frost, protecting Peach flowers
from, 132 ; the resistance of
plants to, 121
Fruit congress at Hexham, forth-
coming, 89, 249
Fruit cooker, a vacuum, 48
Fruit crops, prospective, 370, 389,

409
Fruit-growing in Mid-Ulster, 233 ;
in the Ridgmont Experimental
Station, 32
Fruit, production of, the British
Empire, 137, 154, 186, 202 ; regis-
ter, 35, 178 ; topics, some, 361
Fruits under glass, 7, 23, 39, 55, 71,
86, 102, 119, 135. 150, 167, 181,
199, 215, 231, 246, 263, 278, 297,
314, 331, .347, 367, 384, 405, 425
Fruit trees, the blossoming of, 309,
346 ; effect of grass on. 13, 31, 43,
137, 139 ; grafting of, l99 ; harden-
ing unfruitful, 83; injuries to,
from spraying, 386 ; j\lr. Bogue
Luffman on the culture of 157,
169, 187 ; records of the periods of
leaf-bursting in, 227; retarding
the blooming of, 203, 252 ; pests
of, 309 ; on walls, the pruning of,
203; pruning newlv-planted, 208,
253, 266, 284, 295, 338 ; spraying.
81 ; suckers on, 5 ; the roots of, 55
Fruit year, a market grower's, 19
Fumigating with cyanide com-
pounds, 283. 295, 345
Fungicides. 197 ; exjjeriments with,

at Woburn, 177
Fungi, the edible British, 137
Fungus pests, notifiable, 332, 337 ;
on Carnations, 178

G.1L.\NTHUS Elwcsii and other Snow-
drops. 106, 124, 157

Gales, effect of. on forest trees, 335 ;
in Lincolnshire, 140

Gardeners, bequests to, 56. 74

Gardeners' Company petition the
City Corporation, 317

Gardener's golden wedding, 285 ;
long service, 333

Gardenia Thunbergii in the West
Indies, 70

Gardening employment in America,
122

Gardening, outdoor, and young gar-
deners, 295, 338 ; in Bermuda,
154 ; on railways, underground, 58

Garden pictures, 13

Garnett, James B., awarded the
Fream memorial prize. 426

Gazaland, the flora of, 394

Geary, H. [Bc'S for Fro/it and
Fhasure), 292

Gentiana scabra, 136

Gerbera Jamesonii, the culture of,
272

German criticism of British fores-
try, 41

German Dahlia society, a, 249

Germination, effect of ammonia on,
349 ; of Sweet Peas, 185

Gesneras as winter-flowering plants,
91

Gibbs, Miss L. S., ascends Mount
Kinabalu, 169

Gladiolus, the. in America, 332; G.
primuliniis, 244, 265

Glasnevin, Escallonia floribunda at,
53 ; notes from. 82, 579, 421

Glengariff Castle, Ireland, 209

Gloxinias, the culture of, 115 ; under
cool treatment, 156

Glycine hispida (Soy Bean), 42

Gooseberry-mildew," American, in
Norfolk, 355

Gooseberry, two new diseases of, 428

Grafting fruit trees, 199; the Cle-
matis, 48

Grain, fine for placing poisoned, 249

Granite dust, Alpine plants tliat
succeed in, 175

Grapes, keeping late, 588

Grass, effect of, on fruit trees, 13,
31, 45, 157, 159

Greenhouse-roofing, a new evstem of,
415

Greenhouses, experimental, in

America, 299
Green, why plants arc, 40, 61

Guernsey, notes from, 52
Gunnera scabra at Heythrop gar-
dens. 546

Giissow, Mr. Hans, appointed Bota-
nist to the Canadian Government,
27

HA.tRLEM Jubilee flower show, 155,

271, 281, 522
Haemanthus Katherinse, 21
Hampton Court gardens in May, 317
Hardy flowers at Kew 420
Hardv fruit garden, the, 6, 22, 58,

54,'71. 85, 102, 119, 155, 151, 166,

183, 199, 215, 231, 247, 265, 279,

297, 515, 551, 347, 567, 584, 405,

424
Hardy winter flowers, 115
Hawthorns, new, arborescent .species

of. 129
Hechtia, species of. 384; H. ar-

gentea at Kew, 332
Helleborus niger flowering in March,

170
Hemerocallis X Sulphur Queen, 562
Henkel, Mr. F.. 122
Herbert Park, Dublin, 200
Heredity of sex, theories on, 154
Herrington, Jlr. Arthur, 185
Hexham, forthcoming fruit show

and congress at. 89. 249
Heythrop, Gunnera scabra and Myp-

sotidium nobile at, 546
Hillhouse, Prof. W., the late, 105
Hippeastrum Calypso, 290
Hippeastrums. garden varieties of,

326; at Chelsea, 259
Holford, Sir George L., 386
Holyrood Palace open for public in-
spection, 407
Honey, packing section, 23
Horticulture and the development

grant, 184 ; Brussels congress of,

282, 289
Hoiilletia Sanderi, 206
Houtte, Louis van, centenary cf
birth of, 282, 299, 349, 370, 386
Hvacinth with 250 flowers. 249
Hybrid Iris, 399; Freesia, 115;

Richardias, 165
Hybridisation versus selection, 229

Hybrid of Narcissus cyclamineus
"and N. obvallaris, 200

Hydrangea hortensis, new varieties
of, 313

Hydrocyanic gas, damage by, 283,
295, 545

Hypericum japonicum at Govern-
ment House, Trinidad, 91

Importation of nursery stock in
America, regulations for, 248

Improvement of crops by selection,
200

India, State forestry in, 185

Inheritance of individually-acquired
cliaracters, 334

Injection, stem, disease curing by,
82

Innes Horticultural Institution, ap-
pointment of Mr. E. J. AUard as
garden superintendent, 180

Insecticide. Laurel leaves as an, 202,
295, 318, 559, 371

Insecticide, liquid, danger to opera-
tor. 51

Insect pests and fungus diseases,
compulsory notifiable, 352, 537

Insect pests, CoUembola as, 587 ; of •
Carnations, 178

Insects and colours in fliowers, 281

Insects in Orchid houses, to destroy,
576

Intensive culture exhibition, 218; at
R.H.S. Hall, 69; at Birmingham,
282, 550, 568

International exhibition, the pro-
posed British, 216, 220, 235, 237,
318, 554

Inventions, new, 540, 416

Ipomoea (Exogonium) purga, 21 ;

hardiness of, 45
Ireland, arbor-day in, 57 ; Potato
crop in, 26 ; the Flax industry in,
26
Iris acutiloba x I. Korolkowii, 399 ;
I . X Cengialti, 599 ; I. BuUeyana,
418 : I. Forrestii. 418 ; I. hybrida
Isolene, origin of, 409 ; I. reticu-
lata histrioides major, 69 ; I. Will-
mottiana. 564 ; I. Wilsonii, 418
Ixora lutea and I. odorata in the
West Indies, 70

Japan-British exhibition, 154, 185,
200 ; Japanese gardens at, 243 ;
Women's Congress at, 298

Japanese Chrysanthemum, the best ,
kinds of, 210

Java, a botanical garden in, 312 ;
plant growth in, 245

Jepson, Willis Linn (Trees of Cali-
fornia), 67

Jubilee of a flower show, 124

Kelway's, Mr. W^. portrait, at the

Royal Academy. 554
Kew, Agave Ele'meetiana flowering
at, 201 ; appointments at, 185 ;
conditions of employment as gar-
dener at, 416 ; plant culture at,
176 ; Rehmannia angiilata flower-
ing at, 109 ; Rosa gigantea flower-
ing at, 370 ; visitors to, 121 ; win-
ter flowers at, 113 ; hardy flowers
at, 420 ■ .

Kew gardeners' social evening, 57
Kew Guild, the, 41, 316, 369
King Edward VII., deatli of. 316;
floral tributes at the funeral of,
550
Kirk, Mr. Alexander, retirement of,
168

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[July 2, 1910.

Kitchen garden, work in the, 5, 22,
39, 55, 70, 87, 103, 118, 133, 151,
166, 182, 197, 215, 230, 247, 252,
278, 297, 315, 330, 346, 367, 385,
404, 425

Knipliofia uvaria, an erect-flowered
form of, 35

Labour Exchanges, 249
Laelia x cliamonicensis, 365
Laird, Mr. J. \V., presentation to,

185
La iMortola, notes from, 145
Land pui'chased for small holdings

in C'heshire, 316
Land.scape gardening competition, a,

295
Larch canker, susceptibility of Japa-
nese and Western Larches to, 58
Lastrea montana, 293
Laurel Leaves as an insecticide, 282,
295, 318, 339, 371

Law Notes: — Ab.sconding Debtor,
308 ; Assessment of glasshouses,
137 ; Claim for death wliilst Or-
chid collecting, 79 ; Compensation
for death from lockjaw, 91 ; Cor-
rupt ])raitices, trial of a nursery-
man for alleged, 138, 176, 223,
267; Destructive Insects and
Pests' Acts, 332, 337 ; Dishonest
dealing in Primroses, 324 ; Fine
for placing poisoned grain, 249 ;
Flower show dispute, VM; Hamil-
ton V. Edmonton Union, rating
appeal, 137 ; lujuuction granted
against the sale of Bellthorpe's
Prolific Pea, 112; Market-gar-
deners' claim for compensation on
removal 123; Nurseryman's
failure, 191 ; Sale of poisons, 435

Law.son, Mr. James, 265

Leamington flower show, 9

Leeds, floral decorations at, 250

Legacies to gardeners, 74

Leitneria floridana, 228

Leonardslee gardens open to the
public, 333, 368; weather at, 170

Leontopodium alpinum, the culture
of, 407

Leptospermum Chapmanii in a Cor-
nish garden, 409

Lettuces for a succession, 11

Letchworth, Arbor day at, 168

Lichiang range, China, 202

Light, influence of, on the germina-
tion of seeds, 299

Literature, old B'rench floral, 285

Lithospermum prostratum Heavenly
Blue, 371

Lithospermums, a note on some, 212

Lilies, Oriental and American, 242

Lilium, a fasciated, 176, 203 ; L. sul-
phureum, 262

Liverpool, horticultural show at,
153, 433

Lobelia Linnaeoides in the Edin-
burgh Royal Botanic garden, 98

London County Council parks, ap-
pointment of chief officer in the,
25. 43, 104, 109. 124, 138, 156;
changes in the, 427

Long, Harold C, and John Percival
(Common llVprfs of the Farm and
Garden). 152

Lorentz, H. A. (The Flora of New
Guinea), 136

Lunaria biennis var. coi-cyrensis, 255

Lunt, IMr. Thomas, 265

Lupinus arf,'enteus at Glasnevin, 421

Lj'caste gigantea labello-viridis, 210

Lycoris am-ea in China, 12

Lytham Hall, Orchids at, 298

M

Madresfield Court gardens and
the Roval Gardeners' Benevolent
In.stitution, 349

Madeira Island, watercolour paint-
ings in the, 334

Maitland, Francis and Katherine
Pynan (2'he Book of Flowers),
101
Mclndoe, the late i\Ii-. J., 203;
awarded the Veitch iSlemorial
Medal, 74
McLeud, Mr. J. F., 355, 388
Manure, potassium silicate as a,
333 ; for Cucumbers and Tomatos,
308; for Plum trees, 137
jManuscript, an old garden, 377
Market gardeners' claim for im-
provements, 123
Market-growers' fruit year, a, 19
Marguerites, new varieties of, 403
Masters' Memorial Lectures, 142,

206
Mealy bug on Peaches, destruction

of, 256; on vines, 293
Medlar jelly, to make, 32
Meije, flora of the, 252
Melons, the fertilisation of, 208, 252,

265, 284, 295, 338
Memorial, the " Peter Barr," 41, 57
Mexican Cacti, 215
Mildew, American Gooseberry, in

Norfolk, 333
Miles, Mr. \V., appointment of, 387
Monreith, Galanthus Elwesii at,
124 ; winter-blooming plants at,
82; Corydalis cheilanthifolia at,
220 ; effect of past winter on
' plants at, 422
" Monro," Geo., Concert, 25
Mont Cenis, the flora of, 241, 259
Moorman, Mr. J. W., retirement of,

427
Mountain flora of Santo Domingo,

264
Munro, Mr. W., retirement of, 408
Muscari azureus, early blooming

of, 106
Mushrooms, edible British, 137
Myosotidium nobile at Heythrop
Gardens, 345

N

Narcissus Cooksoniae, 337 ; N. Col-
leen, 537 ; N. Cyclamineus crossed
with N. obv'allaris, 200; N.
Tamerlane, 276; N. Tita, 276

Narcissus season, the, 311

Nasturtium in America, popularity,
of, 218

Naturalists' league, young, 320

Neckham, Richard, the garden of,
273

Neill prize awarded to Mr. Alexan-
der MacMillan, 387, 405

Nerine Bowdenii, the culture of,
208

Nests, a thrush with two, 345; a
chaffinch's, 371

New Guinea, the flora of, 136

New York Canker in England, 258

New Zealand, Celmisia spectabilis as
a weed in, 408 ; fruit production
in, 202; sand dunes in, 10;
Stewart Island, 56 ; the shrubs of
North Island, 118; the trees and
shrubs of. 97, 118, 131

Nitrate of soda, how to employ, 282

Nitro-bacterine, experiments with,
at Wisley, 248

Nitrogen compounds in rain and
snow, 191

Nomenclature, botanical. 425

Nonin, il. Aug., honour for, 385

Notospartium Carmichelise at Glas-
nevin, 82

Novelties, plant, of 1909, 1, 27; in
Culinary Peas. 67

Nurs-gardens, what are, 112, 128

Nursery Notes: — Bnrr & Sons,
Surbiton, 383 ; Carter, .James, &
Co., Forest Hill, 180; Stredwick,
James, & Son, St. Leonards, 250;
Sutton & Sons, Reading, 154 ;
Veitch, James, & Sons, Ltd., Chel-
sea, 259 ; Wallace, R., & Co., Col-
chester, 383

Nursery stock, importation of, in
America, regulations for, 248

Nymphaea lotus, 83

Nvmphaeas, hardv, at Walmsgate
Hall, Louth, 380

Oaks dying, 429

Obituary : — Ashby, John, 158 ;
Barnshaw, James, tO ; Best,
James, 13'7; Bide, Richard, 306;
Blake, Richard, 158; Boyle,
Arthur, 272; Burn, John I'ugh,
137 ; Burris, George, 324 ; C*lvat,
Ernest, 375; Cannell, Henry,
Jun., 414; Caselton, Gordon, 316;
Chalwin, H. J., 305; Cocks,
Jonathan, 95 ; Connold, Edward
T., 47; Crichton, A. B., 434;
Culverwell. William, 434 ; Den-
ning, William, 240 ; Drewett
O. Drewett, 191 ; Euilioven,
Major, 306; Ford, Jlrs., 174;
Giljbs, Mrs. E., 174 ; Hartley,
Abraham, Dean, 272; Hav, John,
272; Hillhouse, Prof. W., 96;
Ker, U. Wiisou, 30G; Long, Wil-
liam, IG ; MacOwan, Dr. Peter.
57 ; McCorcjuodale, Dugald, 158 ;
Mclndoe, James, 191, 207;
Monro, uilliam tjcott, 137 ; Nut-
ting. William James, 414 ; Plow-
right, Dr. Charles Bagge, 286;
Ryan, Thomas, 240 ; Saunders,
George Sharp, 272; Schroder,
Baron John, Henrv, William,
280: Seelisch, Otto, 435;
Shedden, John, 272; Shore,
Richard, 96 ; Simpson, John, 80 ;
Smith, Charles, 158; Smith,
Robert, 54 ; Stirrat, Alexander,
128; Stopps, John, 128; Strick-
land. Sn- Cliarles, 31 : Ward,
A. H., 427; Watkins, John,
96 ; Wright, Dr. Edward Percival,
174

Octolasion gracile, a garden worm,
381

Odontoglossum Gladys var. H. W.
Cheal, 205 ; 0. ardentissimum
Norman Cookson, 242; 0. Thomp- .
sonianum Gatton Park variety,
205

Olearia chathamica and Leptosper-
mum Chapmanii in a Cornish gar-
den, 409

Oncidium iridifolium in the West
Indies, 91

Ononis fruticosa, 420

Ontario, Peach culture in, 386

Orange, Washington Navel, prob-
able origin, of the, 343

Orchards and vineyards in the
British Empire, acreage of, 165

Orchid houses, the, 7, 23. 39, 54. 70,
85. 102, 119, 135, 150, 166, 181,
199. 214, 230, 246, 253, 279, 315,
331. 347. 356, 385, 404, 424; to
destroy insect pests in, 376

Orchid notes and gleanings, 30, 84,
117, 210, 242, 294, 329, '365, 378

Orchids at Belsize Court, Hamp-
stead, 242 ; at Burford, Dorking,
30 ; at Rosslvn, Stamford Hill,
147 ; at Lytham Hall, Lytham, 298

Order of Board of Agriculture relat-
ing to insect pests and fungus
diseases, 332, 337

Ordnance Survey and salaries, 427

Oriental and American Lilies, 242

Orphan Fund, Gardeners' Royal,
333 ; legacy to, 359 ; (annual meet-
ing), 126; (annual dinner), 372

Ostrowskia magnifica, 400

Ottawa experimental farm, 27

Ourisia Cockayniana, 314

Outdoor gardening and young gar-
deners, 295, 338

Oxlip, the true, 409

P.EONiA moutan, 250

Paintings, Miss Ella du Cane's. 334

Palm-garden at Frankfort-on-the-

Maine, 17, 35
Palms in Cultivation at Buitenzorg,

137
Pampas grass and Tritomas asso

ciated, 234

Pansies and Violas, 428, 432
Paris International Show, 373
Park of 5,000 sc^uare miles in

Canada, 74
Parks, L.C.C., appointment of chief
officer, 25, 43, 88, 109, 124, 138,
156; changes in the, 427; public,
the management of, 7, 38, 103,
151, 185
Path, asphalt, to repair an, 144
Pathology, Kew report on, 122
Peach bloom, protecting, from frost,

132, 221, 252, 284, 2,20
Peach trees, culture of, in Ontario,
386; the value of lifting, 90;
mealy-bug on, 256 ; thinning the
fruits of, 275
Pear and Apple blossom, the fer-
tilisation of, 310
Pear and Plum trees on a south wall,
observations of the cropping of, 31
Pears : Danas Hovey, 67 ; Lucy

Grieve, 388
Pearson, R. Hooper (Present-Day

Gardening Series), 354, 399
Peas, early, 196 ; novelties in, 57
Pencarrow Gardens, worms in, 294
Percival John and Harold Long
(Common Weeds of the Field and
Garden), 152
Perfume-producing plants, 255
Pests, battle with, 351 ; control of,
in .Marvland, U.S.A., 402; of fruit
trees, 309
Peziza Willkommii causing Larch

canker, 58
Phalajnopsis in a San Franciscan

nursery, 421
Phlox pilosa, the true, 318
Phloxes, the spring-flowering, 274
I'hyllarthron comorense in the West

Indies, 70
Picea, a new fungus disease of, 57
Picea sitchensis, trost canker of, 58
Pickering, Spencer U. [Eleventh lie-
port of the Woljiirn Experi-
mental Fruit Farm), 177
Pictures, garden, 13 ; Mrs. Har-

trick's, 428
Pink, Alfred (Recipes for the Mil-

li'/n). 292
Plan, a prize garden, 293 ; of carpet
bedding, a novel method of ob-
taining, 200
Plane trees and disease, 348
Plant, adaptation of the, to the soil,
143, 206; collecting, the perils of,
325, 344 ; diseases, 200 ; notes, 5,
21, 100, 133, 262, 312, 579, 423;
novelties of 1909, 1, 27
Plant-breeding methods applied to

trees, 257, 276, 298, 338
Plant-growth in East Java, 245
Planting vines, 313

Plant Portraits: — Acantho-
panax Henryi, 299; Agave
Franzosinii, 408 ; Agonis margi-
nata, 122 ; Aquilegia alpina, 153 ;
Campanula iJeauvcrdiana, li'S;
Cirrhopetalum biflorum, 408 ;
Coelogyne Mooreana. 122 ; Cornus
florida var. rubra. 299 ; C. Nut-
tallii, 248 ; Cymbidium insigne,
299; Dipelta Honbuuda, 248 T D.
ventricosa, 9 ; Eria rhodoptera, 9 ;
Fouquieria spleudens, 408 ; Iris
minuta, 9 ; Kahnia cuneata, 408 ;
Nothofagu-; antarctica var ulisi-
nosa, 299 ; Notylia trisepala, 153 ;
Ourisia jnacrop-'yllM.. y ; Pitto-
sporum Colensoi, 153 ; Populus
nigra var. betulifolia, 122; Pri-
mula Forrestii. 'J'J'.I ; R-lnnannia
Henrvi, 153; Rhododendron Har-
rovia'num, 248; R. Keiskei, 122;
R. mucroniilat.MMi, 153; Saxi-
fraga Grisebachii, 248 ; Scutel-
laria violacea, 408; .SjTinga Bret-
schneideri, 9 ; Typhonodorum
Lindleyanum, 248

Plant stand, a useful, 340

Plant tissues and disease-producing
microbes, 315

Plants, damage to, by drought
through frost. 25. 61 ; for an un-
healed vinery, 192; forcing, by
electricity, 4()6

Tl,

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[July 2, 1910.

Plants, New and Noteworthy;

Aster Falconeri, 398; Calanthe
iilacina, 66 ; Callista v. Dendro-
bium, 19, 34; Hoya Darwinii, 66;
Iris iSulleyana, 418; I. i'orrestii,
41B ; I. " lisbonensis, 146; I.
masia, 99, 146; I. Wilsonii,
418; MaxiUaria Johniana, 66;
Narcissus X Fosteri, 342 ; Felliea
camboidiana and its bulbils, 34 ;
Rhododendron Benthamianum, 4 ;
R. Harrovianuni, 4; R. Primu-
linum, 4 ; Zygopetalum chloran-
thurn, 162
Plants, reason for green colour in,
40 ; resistance of, to frost, 121 ;
uncommon wall, 250 ; under glass,
the culture of, 6, 23, 38, 54, 71, 87,
102, 119, 134, 150, 167, 182, 197,
215 230, 247, 262, 278, 296, 314,
330, 347, 366, 385, 404, 425
Platycerium alcicorne, a remarkable
plant of, 88; at Broome Hill
Bank garde.ns, 124
Plum and Pear trees, cropping of,

on a south wall, 31
Plum trees, manuring of, 137 ; the

culture of, 381
Poisoned grain, fine for placing, 249
Pollen, glass phials for preserving,

74
Polygonum, garden species of, 123 ;

P. capitatum, 187
Polystachya bracteosa, 205
Poppy, Shirley, in South Africa, 298
Portrait of Mr. W. Kelway, ex-
hibited at the Royal Academy,
334
Post, a gardener's onerous. 157
Postponement of meeting and shows
caused by King Edward YII.'s
death, 316
Potassium silicate as a fertiliser, 333
Potato, corky scab of, 122 ; wart-
disease of, 13 ; wart-disease in
America, 283 ; crop in Ireland, 26
Pratia angulata and Lobelia Lin-
naeoides in the Edinburgh Royal
Botanic garden, 98
Primula anisiaca, 294, 388; P. den-
ticulata in China. 152 ; P. For-
restii and other Chinese species,
the wintering of. 139, 157; P.
General Stewart, 281, 318; P. ob-
conica, improvement in, 29, 221 ;
P. sonchifolia in China, 53
Prismatic roofing for glasshouses,

416
Promise and performance of the

fruit setting. 346
Propagating the Aucuba, 80; the

Dahlia, 181
Protecting Peach blossom. 132, 221.

252, 284, 320
Pruning newlv-planted fruit-trees,
157. 203, 208. 234. 253. 266, 284,
295, 338
Pruning, notes on, 20; voung
vines, 51, 69, 89. 106. 124', 140.
169, 187; Rhododendrons, 245:
Roses, 163 ; the physiology of.
299 ; wall trees the first vear after
planting, 157, 203. 234 '
Pterocarpa, the genus, 291
Punch, King Edward Memorial

Number. 316
Pynan, Katherine, and Frances
Maitland (Tha Booh of Flower/),
101

QuiNK, G. (Fruit-t.-ep Pruning), 275

Rabbits not injuring tarred trees.
335

Railways, gardening in under-
ground, 58

Rain and snow, nitrogen com-
pounds in, 191

Rainfall in 1909, 57

Rampton Manor. Lincolnshire,
severe gales at, 140

Ranunculus Seguieri, 403; R. par-
nassifolius, 4u3

Reading. University College, depu-
tation from, visits America, 283

Rehmannia, a hybrid, 189 ; R. angu-
lata in the greenhouse at Kew,
109

Retarding the l^looming of fruit
trees, 252

Rhododendron lucidum in China,
121 ; R. (Azalea) indicum Hexe,
262 ; R. Mrs. Fenton Arnton, 149 ;
R. primuUnum, 228 ; R. racemo-
sum in China, 343 ; R. Thomsonii,
402; R. Veitchianura, 339; R.
Veitchianum, forms of, 379

Rhododendrouis, culture of, 429 ; the
cutting back of, 245 ; choice gar-
den varieties of, 342 ; at Regent's
Park, 350, 427 ; three new Cnniese
sjjecies of, 4

Riviera garden, plants in a, 385

Roofing, prismatic, 416

Rook, feeding habits of the, 334

Root-systems of imported and home-
raised plants of Anemone sul-
phurea, 195, 266, 283

Roots of Alpine plants, 339

Roots of fruit trees, the, 65, 169

Rosa gigantea flowering at Kew. 370

Rosary, the. 18. 75, 99, 130, 148.
163.' 194, 226, 292, 259, 363, 379,
402

Rose Congress, Paris, 334, 393

Roses Entente Cordiale, 10 ; Lyon,
283 ; climbing sports of, 194 ; con-
fusion in names of, 259 ; exhibi-
tion, 363 ; house for forcing, 148 ;
in Australia, 265 ; interesting
sports amongst, 75 ; in towns,
363 ; Miss Willmott's book on,
350 ; notes on varieties of, 163 ;
some new, 130, 148, 402 ; sports,
194 ; the culture of, in brick pits,
379 ; weeping, 194

Rossdohan and other Irish gardens,
209

Rosslvn, Stamford Hill, Orchids at,
147"

Rothamsted experimental station,

8, 427 : weather at, 59, 69
Royal Botanic Society and the
R.H.S.. 8, 26, 40

Royal Horticultural Society's exami-
nation of park employees, 105
R.H.S. Gardens Club.' 234, 350
Rust diseases of Anemone, 67

Saffron, 410

Salvia semiatrata for planting in
the sub-tropical garden, 170

Sand Dunes of New Zealand, the,
10

Sanders, T. W. {Mushrooms and
their Cullivalion), 147

Santo Domingo, the mountain flora
of, 264

Saughton Park, Edinburgh, open-
ing ceremony at, 407

Saxifraga Burseriana magna, 164 ;
S. Falconside, 294; S. Falconside
and others, 346 ; S. oppositifolia
latina, 294; S. o. speciosa, 294;
S. pedatifida Prostii, 403 ; S. pede-
montana cervicornis, 403 ; S.
Rhei, 327

Saxifrages, two uncommon. 40j

School gardens, 101, 255; in
Southern Scotland, 139

Schroder, Baron, the late, 298

Scientific Committee: — Acacia
dealbata, two forms of, 157 ; Al-
bino Orchids, hybrids of, 62 ;
Alder, scale on, 188; Algae in
water trough, to destroy, 221 ;
Amaryllis hybrids, 189 ; Aspara-
gus, fasciation in, 189; Auricula,
a semi-double flowered, 320 ;
Azalea mollis. Lichens on, 157 ;
Azalea gall, tlie, 157 ; Bean seeds,
pigments in, 188 ; variation in, 51 ;
Beech, a malformed, 189 ; bulbs

failing to flower, 125 ; Calllcoma
serratifolia in the Azores, 253 ;
Carpentaria californica with
forked mid-rib, 221 ; Cheiranthus.
hybrid of, 410 ; Cineraria, infer-
tile, 285 ; Crocus chi-yeanthus,
variation in, 125 ; C. sativus, 410 ;
Cyclamen, a virescent, 61 ; C.
Coum with seven petals, 157 ; C.
ibericum ruseum, seedlings of,
125 ; 0. latifolium, wild form of,
93; 0. 1. from Palestine, 221;
C. 1., new types of, 125; Cypri-
pedium, malformation in, 167 ;
Kiioaendron aufractuosum, a wild
Cotton plant, 62 ; Exobasidium
Japonicum causing Azalea gall,
i6i ; Fasciation in Asparagus,
189 ; in Russelia, 125 ; Ferns,
variation in, 61 ; fungus on a
Chelsea church roof, 4iU ; Hya-
cinth bulbs failing to flower, 188 ;
Ilex Perneyi flowering, '2jb , In-
dia, Opuntia in, 253 ; Iris with
bearded standards, 410 ; Isoloma
eriantliuni. \l-i : Lielieus on Azalea
mollis, 157 ; Lilac sporting, 189 ;
Malformed Beech, lot) ; Uypripe-
dium, 157, 188 ; Odontoglossum,
320 : Primula sinensis, 125. 157 ;
midribs, the branching of, 221;
Nomenclature ot garden plants, 61,
ilU ; O.lontoglossum malforma-
tion in, 320 ; Opuntia in Queens-
land and India, 253 ; Orchid,
albino hybrids of, 52 ; Osmanthus
Delavayi, flowers of, 253 ; Pig-
ments in Bean seeds, 188 ; Poly-
anthus hybrids, 320 ; Polygonum
alpestre and P. amphibium, 61 ;
Populus tremula, a moiuecious,
253; Primulas, hybrid, 410; P.
Ma.ximowiczii, 221 ; P. sine.isis,
malformation in, 125, 157; Prit-
zel's [Iconum Bolanicarum In-
dex), ^'21 ; Queensland, Opuntij,
in. 253 ; Rehmannia x Briscoei,
189 ; Rose de Madera, 410 ; Russe-
lia juncea, fasciation in, 125 ; Rust-
preventing wood, alleged, 157,
1S9 ; Saftron, 410; Sanx cinerea
with male and female catkins,
221 ; Saunders, the late Mr. G. S.
285, 320 ; Saxifraga Geum, seed-
lings of. 410 ; S. longifolia at-
tacked bv Puccinia saxifragio,
188; S. Rhei, seedlings of, 520;
scale on Alder, 188 ; Sedum Tele-
phium, variegation in, 285; Stre-
litzia, a hybrid, 189 ; suckers on
Plum trees, 18'J : Tulips,
branched. 253 ; Variation in Ferns,
61 ; in Bean seeds, 61 ; variega-
tion, intermittent, 285 ; Viola
hirta, seedlinas of, 221 ; Willow
monoecious, 253 ; wood alleged to
prevent rusting in iron, 157, 189
Sclerotinia fructigena causing can-
ker in Apple trees, 327
Scotland, South, effect of last win-
ter's frost in, 283
Sea-Bean, the, 15
Seeds, Canadian imports of, 265 ;
transparent packets for, 283 ;
Messrs. James Carter's new ware-
house for, 56 ; distributed free by
U.S.A. Government, 333; influ-
ence of light on the germination
of, 299
Selection, improvement of crops by,

200; rcrsus hybridisation, 229
Senecio Doronicum, 424
Sequoia gigantea the tallest trees in
the world, 59 ; S. sempervirens
380 feet in height, 203
Sewage farms, plants grown on, un-

contaminated, 316
Sex, theories on heredity of, 154
Shakespeare Festival Celebrations,

233
Shirley Poppy in South Africa, 298
Shrewsburv flower show, new classes

at the. 122
Shrubs of New Zealand, 97, 118. 131
Sickness following the use of liquid

insecticide, 61
Silene Schafta as a garden plant,
265

Small Holdings in Cheshire, large
purchase of land for, 316 ; in Ber-
lin, 41

Snake and thrush, 428

Snow, nitrogen compounds in, 191

Societies: — Aberdeen Chrys.,
78; Aberdeen University Agri.,
94; Aigburth Gardeners', 53;
Banbury an J i^ist. Uardeners',
53, 207; Bath and Dist. Gar-
deners', 62, 144, 207, 323; Bir-
mingham Botanical and Hort.,
411; Bournemouth Hort., 254;
Bristol and Dist. Gardeners', 63,
127, 254, 256, 288; British Gar-
deners' Association, 127 ; (annual
meeting), 371 ; (London branch),
63, 127, 114,207,306, diO; Ciroiti
Gardeners', 15; Chester Paxton,
46, 127 ; Cornwall Daffodil and
Spiing Flower, 270; Crovdon and
Dist. Hort., 46, 127, 288. '432 ; De-
bating, 15, 46, 63, 323, 395 ; Devon
and Exeter Hort., 286; Devon
Daffodil and Spring Flower, 235 ;
Dutch Bulb Growers, 127, 153,
281, 340 ; international exhibition,
222, 271, 322; E.stree and Bore-
ham Wood Hort., 127, 207, 256,
395 ; Falmouth Flower onow, oOo;
German Dahlia, 249 ; Ulamorg^tn
Daffodil and Spring Flower, 285 ;
Guildford and 'Dist. Gardeners',
127, 144, 266. 288, 323 ; Horticul-
tural Club, 25, 62, 74, 189, 285;
(annual dinner), 143 ; Hungarian
Hort. 340; Kent, ouirey, aud Sus-
sex Daffodil, 285; Leeds Profes-
sional Gardeners', 126, 190; Lin-
nean, 74. 105, 158, 168, 218, 238,
249, 286. 323, 394 ; Liverpool Hort.,
254; Mancliesier and xn. of Eng-
land Orchid. 14, 77, 125, 190, 339,
432; Midland Daffodil, 305; Nat.
Auricula and Primula, 304; (.Mid-
land section), 249, 320 ; Nat. Chryfi.
62, 93. 153, 221, 281 ; (annual meet-
ing), HI; Nat. Dahlia, 90, 173,
333 ; (annual meeting), 14 ; Nat.
Fruit Growers' Federation, 158 ;
Nat. Vegetable. 41, 105. 30b, 423 ; .
Newbury Gardeners' J95 ; Nursery
and Seed Trade Assoc, 238; Nur-
sarymen, i\larket-Gardeners' and
General Hailstorm Insurance Cor-
poration, 2(U; PerpeLLiat-i: lower-
ing Carnation, 413 ; Reading Gar-
deners', 15, 63, 127, 256, 288;
Reading Rose, 190 ; Royal -Agri-
cultural. 433 ; Royal Caledonian
Hort., 63. 154; (spring show),
270 ; Roval Cornwall. 432 ; Royal
Counties" A u'ri.. 392; Roval Hort.,
44, 61, 76, 91, 107, 'l25. 141,
153, 158, 170, 188, 204, 221,
235, 253, 267, 285, 302, 320,
389, 410, 430 ; (annual meeting).
104, 108 ; (Temple Show), 351, 369 ;
Royal Hort. of Ireland. 185. 286;
Roval Meteorological, 40. 77, 105,
143', 158, 285, 372; Royal Nat.
Tulip (.Southern section), 371 ;
(Northern section), 394 ; Royal
Oxfordshire Hort., 433 ; Salisbury
and Dist. Gardeners' 127 ; Scot-
tish Hort., 78, 125. 190, 253, 323;
Selborne, 105, 368 ; Sevenoaks
Gardeners', 323 ; Shinfield Cottage
Gardening, 207; Shropshire Hort.,
207; Societe Fran^aise d'Hort. de
Londres, 94 ; Societe Nationale
d'Hort. de France, 373, 393;
Southampton Royal Hort., 125;
Stirling and Dist. Hort., 15, 63,
127, 288 ; Surveyors' Institution,
89; Torquay Gardeners', l21 ;
Ulster Hort,, 62; United Hort,
Benefit and Provident, 270, 323;
(annual meeting) 190 ; Warij ave
and Dist. Gardeners', 15, 256, 288,
323; York Florists', 62 ; i'orkshire
Gala. 411, 427
Soda Bordeaux, a fungicide, 197
Soil, adaptation of the plant to the,
143, 206 ; sterilisation of, by the
sun's heat. 168
Solanum Wendlandii in Ce.vlon, 11 ;
as a greenhouse plant, 32

The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[July 2, 1910. vii.

Solanum nigrum in the West Indies,

38
Sophro-Lielio-Cattleya X Thalia,

294
South Africa, fruit production in,

165; Shirley Poppy in, 298
South Eastern Agricultural College,

89
South-west, spring flowers in the,

341
Soy Beans, 42. 238
Spade digging, Mr. Thomas Chan-

ning on, 249, 318, 410
Speechly and his books. 193, 211
Sphseropsis maloriim. " New York

canker disease, 258
Spice and perfume-producing plants,

265
Spier, John, proposed memorial to,

369
Spinach, the Carter, 295
Sports, how to induce them in
Chrysanthemums, 90 ; some inter-
esting Rose, 75
Spraying, a calendar on, 41 ; demon-
stration at Udimore, 121 ; fruit
trees, some experiments in, 81 ;
injuries from, 384
Spring Cabbages, trials of. 423
Spring-flowering Phloxes, the, ?74
Spring flowers at Monreith, 82; at
Wisley. 228; in the south-west,
341 ; in the eastern counties. 429
Stafford, Victoria Park in, 154
State forestry in India, 186
Stephanotis, variation in seedlings

of, 403
Sterilisation of soil, the, in India by
sun-heat, 168 ; for the destruction
of eel-worm, 318
Stewart Island, New Zealand, 56
Storm at Dropmore, 140 ; at Ramp-
ton Manor. 140
Stove, temperature of the, 295
Strachey, Mr. E., appointment of, 8
Strawberry crop, the season's, 389
Strawberries Fillbasket and Givon's
Late Prolific, 105; the best varie-
ties of. 140; earlv. out-of-doors,
420
Street trees, hindrances to, 101 ; the

management of, 232
Strelitzia. a hybrid, 217
Strickland, the late Sir Charles, 59
Stuartias, the, 195
Stylophorum japonicum, 314
Suckers, the nature and cause of, 5
Sugar, Beet-growing for, 57, 265
Swanlev Horticultural College, 233
Sweet Pea, Lady G. Hamilton. 106
Sweet Peas, germination of, 185 ; in
tubs, 181 ; new varieties of, 83,
195 ; new method of growing, 10
Swine fever, departmental commit-
tee on, 264

Tagasaste, a forage plant in the

Canary Islands, 343
Talipot Palm, tlie, 426
Tarred trees and rabbits, 335
Temperature of the stove, 295
Temple flower show, the, 348, 351,

369
Tennis court, plan of a, 224
Thalictrum aquilegifolium, 211
Thinning Peaches, 275
Thomas, H. H. ((rardening Difficul-
ties Solved), 148; (The Ideal Gar-
den), 245
Thomson, David, the late, 218
Thorns, new American, 60
Thrip, yellow, on vines, 396
Thrush with two nests, 345 ; and

snake, 428
Thunderstorm damages R.H.S. Hall,

435
Tibetan forest, flora of a, 202
Timber, breeding for, 257, 276, 298,
338 ; from Cedar of Lebanon,
value of, 240
Tomatos, manure for. 308
Trains, demonstrations in, 217, 265
Trees and shrubs, 5, 18, 53, 100. 195,
245, 291, 402; of New Zealand,
97, 118, 131
Trees, hardening unfruitful, 83 ; lec-
ture on the study of, 220 ; old age
in, 189 ; plant-breeding methods
applied to, 257, 276, 298, 338;
street, 101, 232; the tallest, 69,
203
Trial of Cabbages. 281, 423; of

Dahlias, 187, 533
Tricuspidaria, 5; T. dependens, 75
Tritomas and Pampas Cirass. 234
Tropical agricultural and Colonial

development. 317
Trout hatcheries, the Cardiff public,

185
Tubs, the growingof Sweet Peas in,

181
Tulipa variations in the flowers of,
291 ; T. biflora var. turkestanica,
85

U

Ulster, fruit-growing in. 233
Underwood, the sale of, 335
University College, Reading, sends

a deputation to America. 283
Urban. Dr. (Zur Hochqehirgxflora

von Santo Domingo), 254
Urocvstis violiB, a disease of Violets,

160

V

Vacuum fruit cooker, a, 48

Valeriana saliunca, 195

Vanda coerulea in the South Shan
States, 249 ; V. suavis pallida
Cliftonii, 298

Vanillism, a skin disease due to
Vanilla planifolia, 140

Vegetable culture exhibition, 296,
319, 339, 409, 429

Vegetables, 11, 67, 132, 166, 196,
296, 419

Vegetation, records of the compara-
tive stages of, in spring, 227

Veitch Memorial Medallists, new, 74

Veitch's, Mr. Harry, portrait pre-
sentation, 72

Ventnor, a note from, 234

Victoria Park, Stafford, 154

Vinery, plants for an unheated, 192

Vines affected by lightning, 429 ;
basic .oJag for, 340 ; mealy-
bug on, 293 ; peeling the loose
bark from, 90; the pruning of
young, 51. 69, 89. 106. 124, 169,
187 ; planting. 313 ; yellow thrip
on, 396

Viola, a beautiful winter-blooming,
314 ; V. gracilis, 133 ; V. hetero-
phylla. 133

Violet affected with Urocystis
violae, 150 ; V. Mrs. Arthur at
Barton Hall gardens, 185 ; culture,
251 ; in frames, 194

W

Walker, Mr. James, 233
Wallflower, old English double, 234,

266
Wallichia disticha at St. Clair, West

Indies. 251
Wall plants, uncommon, 250
Wall trees, priming newlv-planted,

157, 203, 234
Walmsgate Hall. Louth, 261 ; Water

Lilies at, 379
Warlev Park, Birmiuiihani. French

garden exhibit at, 282, 350, 368
Warley Place gardens open for pub-
lic inspection, 370
Wart disease of Potato, 13, 137; in

America. 283
Water-lilies, hardy, at Walmsgate

gardens, 379
Watkins and Simpson, Messrs., 25
Waverin, Mr. Theodore, 264

Weather at Leonardslee, 170; at
Rothamsted in 1909. 59 69; in
South Devon, 156, 295, 318

Webster, A. D. (Fore.^fers' Diary
and Pocket Book), 26

Wedding, a gardener's golden, 283

Weeds of fann and garden, 152, 170

Weeping Roses, 194

Weismannism, on the waning of, 334

Wells, W. [Culture of Chrysanthe-
mum f). 213

Welwitschia mirabilis in Damara-
land, 49; branches of, 210

Werckle, Carlos (The Flora of
Costa Rica). 180

West Indies, the, 70, 91, 251; com-
mittee, 122 ■ ■

Wheat crop of 1909, 20

White, Mr. W. H.. awarded the
Veitch Memorial Medal, 74

Wilton House. Salisbury, 362, 382

Wimbledon Common, proposed addi-
tion to, 106

Window-boxes, 535

Windsor Rose show, 74

Winter, hardy flowers of, 113 ; notes
from a Yorkshire garden, 124 ;
effects on vegetation at Jlonreith,
422

Wisley, experiments with nitro-bac-
terine at, 248 ; spring flowers at,
228

Woburn, Bordeaux mixture as used
at. 197 ; experiments with fungi-
cides at. 177; formulae for fungi-
cides, 197

Wolverhampton Floral Fete, 185

Woodgate, George, retirement of,
281

Woodlice, to trap, 308

Worms, new garden, 74, 329, 381;
in a Cornish garden, 294

Wreaths at King Edward VU.'s
funeral, 350

Wright, Horace J. (Sweet Peas), 364

Wright, John and Horace J, (Vege-
table Growers' Guide), 4

Weight, John, presentation to, 105

Wright, S. T. {Hardy Fruit Cvl-
ture for Amateurs), 147

Wright, Walter P. (.4 Book About
Sweet Peas), 85

Wye Agricultural College, 89

Wythes, Mr. George, 233

Y'OEKSHiRE Gala, 427

Y'orkshire garden, winter notes from

a, 124
Young naturalists' league, 320

SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS.

Alpine plants, Sib Eveeard Hambeo's gold medal exhibit of
(April 16)

Cattleya Enid var. Karthausii (May 28)

China, view of the Licbiang range in (March 26)

Ccelogyne cristata, a plant op, bearing 1,400 BLOOMS (January 15)

Cobypha umbraculifera, the. Talipot Palm (June 25)

Dover House, Boehampton (April 9)

Eucalyptus ccedata (March, 12)

FoxHiLL, Reading, views of the residence akd Rose garden at
(March 19)

Feankfort-on-tbe-Maine, Victoria eegia growing in the Palm-
garden AT (January 8)

Gentiana scabea (February 26)

Hecbtia aegentea (May 21)

Marlborough House (May 14)

Plattceeium alcicobne in Me. Simpson's garden, Fennymere, Eaijko

(February 5)
Primula denticulata in China (March 5)

Rehmasnia angulata in the greenhouse at Kew (February 12)
Rhododendron licidum in its Chinese habitat (February 19)
Riviera garden, a view in a (June 11)
Schroder, Baeon John Henry William, portrait of the late

(April 30)
Tibetan forest, vnEW in a (March 26)
Vanda suavis pallida Cliftonii (May 7)
Veitch, Me. Harry James, from a painting by Hugh G. Bivlebb

(January 29)
Walmsgate Hall, I octh, view in the gardens at (April 23)
Welwitschia mirabilis in Damaraland (January 22)
Wilton House, Saiisbury, views in the Italian garden at (June 4)

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

Vlll. The Gardeners' Chronicle,]

INDEX.

[July 2, 1910.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

AoAPANTHUS umbellatus albidus,
134

Agave Elemeetiana flowerinf; in the
Succulent-house at Kew, 201 ; A.
Franzosinii, flowers of, 408

Aldenham House, views in the gar-
dens at, 2, 3 ; Michaelmas Daisies
at 9

Allard, Mr. E. J., portrait of, 180

Allolobophora submontana, a gar-
den worm, 74

Alps, view of Pointe des Ecrins from
the Meije. 252

Androsace Henryi, a pot plant of,
345; A. spinvilifera flowering in
China, 27

Anemone sulphurea, roots of home-
raised and imported plants of,
194

Antirrhinum inajus at Upsala
Botanical Garden, 100

Apples affected with the brown rot
fungus, 327

Aristolochia gigas var. Sturte-
vantii flowering in Ceylon, 251

Aster Falconer!, 398

Auricula Warley, 274

B

Beaumontia grandiflora in the

Natal Botanic Gardens, 42 ;

flowers of, 43
Beckett, Mr. E., portrait of, 6 ^
Bench, propagating, for Carnations,

161
Brussels Exhibition, views in the,

310, 311, 313
Bulbils of Pellsea cambodiana, 34
Bulbophyllum Binnendijkii, 84

Calanthe lilacina, 66
Calvat, Ernest, the late, 375
Canker in Apples produced by

brown-rot fungus, 327
Canker, " New York," Pear branch

affected with, 258
Cannell, Mr. Henry, Junr., portrait

of the late, 414 ^
Carlina acanthifolia. 68
Carnations : Empire Day, 413 ; En-
chantress as grown by Mr. W.

H. Page, 163 ; Lady Hermoine as

a pot plant, 388 ; Mrs, Tatton,

146; R. F. Felton, 196; Mrs, E,

Martin Smith, 422
Carnations, a box of, as packed for

market, 179 ; grown on benches, a

house of, 162
Cassiope fa,stigiata flowering at

Glasnevin 379
Cedar at WUton House, Salisbury,

383
Cercis Siliquastrum in Dover House

gardens, 227
Chimonanthus retusus in Highlands

Park, Rochester, U.S.A., '328; a

flowering spray of. 329
Cinerarias exhibited by Messrs. Sut-
ton & Sons at the Temple Show,

356
Coelogyne Lawrenceana, 335
Col; acuminata (Kola nut), 30
CoriiU' canadensis in flower at Kew,

362
Cottage garden view in Hertford-
shire, 90
Cratiegus EUwangcriana in Roches-

ter.'U.S.A.. 130; C. integriloba,

spines and leaf of, 60
Crawfurdia Trailliana growing in

the Salwin Valley, China, 48
Crichton, A. B., portrait of the

late, 434
Crinodendron (see Tricuspidaria)
Crinura purpurascens, 114
Crocus with abnormal, fleshy leaves,

132
Culverwell, William, portrait of the

late, 434

Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum, a

fine plant of, 407
Cypripedium Mrs. F. Sander, 19 ;

C. pubescens and C. spectabile as

shown by Jlessrs. Baker at the

Temple Show, 369

Daphne Cneorum in the R.H.S.

Gardens, Wisley, 21
Dendrobium Duchess of Albany,

139 ; D. Mrs. Fenton Arnton, 149
Denning, William, portrait of the

late, "^240
Design, a prize garden, 292, 293
Donoghue, Mr. J., portrait of, 5
Dover House, Roehampton, views in

the gardens at, 225, 226, 227
Dracunculus vulgaris, 198
Drewett 0. Drewett, portrait of the

late, 191
Dunn, Mr. John, portrait of, 6

Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden,

Pratia angulata and Lobelia Lin-

nseoides at, 98, 99
Eisenia glandulosa, a new garden

worm, 330
Eria rhyncostyloides, 378
Erlangea tomentosa, a plant of. 117 ;

inflorescence and floral details of,

116
Escallonia floribunda, 53
Eupatorium RafliUii, 10

Forrest, Mr. George, portraits of,

in China, 326, 344
Frankfort-on-the-Maine, rosary in

the Pahn-garden at, 36 ; interior

of the Palm-house, 17, 18
" French " garden, views in a, 219
Fritillaria imperialis var. chitralen-

sis, 171

Garden design, a prize, 292, 293
Gladiolus primulinus, a hybrid of,

244 ; young corms of. 245
Goodacre, Mr. B., portrait of, 7
Grafting, crown or rind, 199
Giissow, Mr. Hans, portrait of, 25

H

Haarlem Exhibition, view in the,

222
Hemerocallis X Sulphur Queen, 352
Hippeastrum calypso, 290
Houtte, Louis van, portrait of, 282

I

Iris X Cengialti. 399 ; I. Forrestii,
418 ; I. Willmottiana flowering at
Glasnevin, 364

Ixia Lady Slade, 425

Japanese garden at the Japan-
BritLsh Exhibition, 243 ; exhibited
at the Temple Show, 358

K

Ker, R. Wilson, portrait of the
late, 305

Kew Gardens, view in the Succu-
lent-house at, 201

King Edward YII. at the opening
ceremony of the R.H.S. Hall, 317

Kniphofia, an erect-flowered, 35

Krelage, Mr. E, H,, portrait'of, 322

LiTHOSPERMUM Gastonii and L,
graminifolium in Walmsgate Hall
gardens, 212, 213

Lobelia Linnseoides in Edinburgh
Botanic Garden, 99

Lonicera pileata, flowering shoot of,
236

Lunt, Mr. Thomas, portrait of, 265

Lycorus aurea growing in the Sal-
win Valley. China, 12; a flower-
spike of, 13

M

Macmillan, Mr. Alex., portrait cf,

406
McCorquodale, Dugald, portrait of

the late, 158
Mclndoe, James, portrait of the

late, 206
McLeod, Mr. James Findlay, por-
trait of, 365
Meije, view of Pointe des Ecrins

from the, 252
Mertensia lanceolata, 390
Michaelmas Daisies in Aldenham

House gardens, 9
Miltonia Bleuana Queen Mary, 351 ;

M, Memoria Baron Schroder, 355

N

Nascissus Cooksonise, 336 ; N. Col-
leen, 337; N. X Fosteri, 342;
N. Tamerlane, 275; N. Tita. 277

Natal Botanic Gardens, Beaumontia
grandiflora in, 42

Nutting, the late W. J., portrait
of, 414

Nymphffia alba rosea, N. Ellisiana,
and N. odorata rosea at Walms-
gate gardens, Louth. 380, 381 ; N,
lotus Australian variety, 83

Odontioda King George V., 349
Odontoglossum ardentissimura Nor-
man Cookson, 242 ; 0. Memoria

King Edward VII., 353
Ononis fruticosa in Messrs. Robt.

Veitch & Son's Nursery, Exeter,

420
Opuntia ficus indica fruiting in a

Riviera gardtn. 387
Orchids at the Temple Show, 352.

354 _
Ostrowskia magnifica flowering in

Devonshire, 400; a flower of, 401

Palm-g.\rden at Frankfurt, 18 ; in-
terior of the Palm-house, 17 ;
rosary in the, 35

Pansy - garden at Sandringham
House, 319

Paris Show, exhibits at the, 373,
393

Pear Danas Hovey, 57

Pear branch affected with " New
York " canker, 258

Pelliea cambodiana with bulbils, 34

Pettigrew, :\Ir. W. W., portrait of, 7

Phalscnopsis Schilleriana in a San
Franciscan nursery, 421

Plan of a garden, a prize, 292, 293

Pointe des Ecrins from the Meije,
352

Polygonum compactum at Kew, 123

Pratia angulata at Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Ciardens, 98

Primula IMaximowiczii, 221 ; P.
obconica, a large-flowered form of,
28 ; P. sonchifolia in China, 58

Propagating bench for Carnations,
details of a, 161

Ranunculus Evening Star, 429

Rehmannia Henryi, 189 ; R, x Bris-
coei, 188

Rhododendron primulinum, 229 ;
R. racemosum flowering on tlie
Tali range, Yunnan. China, 343

Richardia. a hybrid, 165

Riviera garden, Opuntia ficus in-
dica fruiting in a, 387

Robinia Kelseyi, a flowering tree of,

391
Rock-garden e.xhibited by MM.

Vilmorin, Andieux et Cie, at the

Paris Show, 373
Roots of imported and home-raised

plants of Anemone sulphurea, 194
Rose " Excelsa " as exhibited at the

Temple Show, 357 ; R. ilrs. F. W.

Flight in a bed of Viola William

Neil, 194
Rose-house, section of a forcing, 148
Roses at Dover House, Roehampton,

225 ; exhibited by Mon. Aug.

Nonin at the Paris Show, 393
Royal Horticultural Society's Hall,

scenes at one of the spring meet-
ings in the hall at the, 183

S

Sandringham Hou.se, Norfolk, 319 ;
Pansy garden at, 319

Saxifraga X Boydii as shown by Sir
Everard Hambro. 249; S. Bur-
seriana magna, 164

Searle, Mr. A. R., portrait of, 6

Simp.son, John, portrait of the late,
80

Solanum Wendlandii in the Pera-
deniya Botanic Garden, 11

Sphseropsis malorum " New York "
canker disease, 258

Spraying machine, a, 121

Stephanotis seedlings, variations in,
403

Street, section of a, showing hind-
rances to tree roots, 101

Strelitzia, a hybrid, 217

Strickland, the late Sir Charles, por-
trait of, 59

Temple Flower Show, exhibits at
the, 349, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355,
356, 357, 358, 369, 370
Tennis court, plan of a, 224
Thalictrura aquilegifolium album,

211
Trees, street, section of a road show-
ing hindrances to roots of, 101
Tricuspidaria dependens, 75
Tulipa biflora var. turkestanica, 85

U

Upsala Botanical Garden, Antir-
rhinum majus at, 100

Urocystis violae, a disease of Vio-
lets, 150

Violet affected with Urocystis
violse, 150

W

Walmsgate Hall, Louth, views in
the gaVdens at, 260, 261 ; Litho-
spermums Gastonii and gramini-
folium in, 212, 213 ; Nymphieas
at, 380, 381

Water-Lilies, hardy, at Walmsgate,
380, 381

Water-Lily, an Austi-alian variety
of, 83

Waverin, Mr. Theodore van, por-
trait of. 264

Welwitschia mirabilis showing the
rudimentary branches, 210 ; male
flower of, 49 ; male and female
cones of, 50 : a seedling, 51

W'hite, Mr. W. H., portrait of, 7

W'ilton House from the river Nad-
der, 382 ; one of the celebi-ated
Cedars at, 383

Worm, a new (Allolobophora sulv
mon tana), 74

Worms, new garden, 74, 330, 381

York Cottage, Sandringham, 321

January 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

1

THE

dlarbeners'CbronicI

no. l.SOl.—SATUBDAY, January 1, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Aldenham House, Hert-
fordshire

Apple Maggie Grieve ...

Books, notices of —
Botanical Magazine ...
The Vegetable
Growers' Guide

Chrysanthemums 11,

Cultural Dienioranda —
Winter Begonias

Dobbie & Co.'s removal
from Rothesay

Eupatorium Rafflllii

EnpHtoriuni Weinmanni-
anum

"French" Garden,
notes from a

Garden pictures ...

Grass on trees, the effect
of

Ijeamington flower show

Lettuces for succession...

Lycoris aurea

Novelties of 1909

Obituary —
Long, William

Plants, new or note-
worthy-
Three Chinese species
of Rhododendrons...

Rothamsted Experiment
Station, the

Sand dunes of New Zea-
land

Societies —

Linnean

Manchester and North
of England Orchid...
National Dahlia

Royal Botanic

Royal Hrrticultural ...

Solannm Wendiandii in
Ceylon

Suckers ... ,

Sweet Peas, new method
of growing

Trees and shrubs —
Tricuspidaria ...

Wart disease of Potatos

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, the ...
Fruiis under glass
Hardy fruit garden, the
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orchid houses, the
Plants under glass
Public parks and
gardens

Winter Beans

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Aldenham House, Hertfordshire, views in the gardens

at 2,3,9

Eupatorium Raffillii 10

Lycnris aurea 12, 13

Portraits of E. Beckett. 6 ; John Donoghuo, 6 ;
John Dunn, 6 ; B. Goodacre, 7 ; W. W. Pettigrew, 7 ;

A. R. Searle. 6; and W. H. White 7

Solanum Wendiandii in Ceylon 11

NOVELTIES OF 1909.

IN the past year tlie proportion of Orchid
hybrids amongst the new plants has been
greater than ever, the number of intro-
duced species being comparatively small.
The botanist, however, may take pleasure in
the fact that there is an increased interest in
the botanical species which from time to time
find their way to the famous collections of
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., Sir
Jeremiah Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Mr. J.
Talbot Clifton, and others who delight in the
quaint beauties of the less showy kinds, such,
for instance, as may be seen in large numbers
in the collections in the Royal Botanic Gar-
dens at Kew, Glasnevin, and Edinburgh.

Ck)l. G. L. HoLFOBD. C.I.E., C.V.O., takes the
lead against all comers in the number and excel-
lence of the hybrids raised at Westonbirt.
During the year Col. Holford was awarded
First-class Certificates for LEelio-Cattleya Pizarro
Westonbirt variety and Holford's variety (L.
Jongheana x C. Dowiana aurea); L.-C. Jlikado,
a finely-coloured hybrid of unrecorded parent-
age; L.-C. Barbarossa, Cypripedium Earl of
Tankerville, Cattleya Triahse Mooreana, C.
Schroderse " The Baron," and the large and
finely-coloured C. llossiae Countess Grey.
Awards of Merit were obtained for Lielio-
Cattleya Goldfinch superba, L.-C. Goldcrest, and
L.-C. Golden Oriole Westonbirt variety, all with
rich yellow colour predominating ; L.-C. Pac-
tolus, Cattleya Maggie Raphael Westonbirt
variety, C. Dirce superba, C. Mossiae A. Dim-
mock, distinguished by its large flowers and

broad white margin to the lip ; Dendrobium
Schneiderianum Westonbirt variety, Brasso-
Cattleya Digbyano-Mendelii perfecta, a hand-
some blush-white flower; Cypripedium Cynthia,
C. Beacon, C. Alabaster magnifica, Odontoglos-
sum Sylvia Westonbirt variety, and Vanda
Watsonii. V. Watsonii and the allied species
V. Kimballiana is grown with unusual success
at Westonbirt.

Scarcely less interesting than the novelties
from Col. Holford's collection were the many
fine specimens contained in the marvellous
groups staged by his grower, Mr. H. G. Alex-
ander. Among these were Cymbidium eburneo-
Lowianum, with 32 spikes and a plant of the
reverse cross with 19 spikes; Cattleya Enid
Westonbirt variety, with seven flowers on a spike ;
and Odontoglossum Pescatorei, with 153 flowers.
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O.,
Burford (gr. Mr. W. H. White), included the
following among his best hybrids which gained
awards: Odontoglossum loochristiense aureo-
fulvum, so remarkable for its fine colour : Lslio-
Cuttleya Feronia (C. Enid x L.-C. Haroldiana),
of glowing colour; and the blush-white L.-C.
Frederick Boyle var. Kerchovea;. Sir Trevor
Lawrence's favourite species include the remark-
able Angrtecum e.xpansum, A. stylosum, the
very singular A. forcipatum, Epidendrum densi-
florum, Brassavcla Martiana, iMegacliniura pur-
pureo-rachis. with its singidar strap-like in-
florescence and ranges of insect-like flowers ; the
elegant little Cirrhopetalum vaginatum, and the
singular and handsome C. longissimum, with a
slender head of pretty white and rose-coloured
flowers approaching a foot in length.

Sir Jeremi.vh Colm-\n, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park, Surrey (gr. Mr. CoUier), whose well-grown
collection embraces some fine home-raised
hybrids, ma7iy excellent varieties of species, and
a large number of curious Orchids, showed the
charming Dendrobium Lady Colman, a model in
form and of delicate colouring, surpassing any
of his former hybrids. His novelties in species
included the pure white flower, Spathoglottis
plicata alba, and Dendrobium taurinum Col-
manii, for each of which an Award of Merit was
given, the same recognition being made to
Cattleya Mossiae Gatton Park variety and Cirrho-
petalnm fascinator. Botanical Certificates were
obtained for Phaius pauciflorus, Xephelaphyllum
pulchrum, Gongora quinquenervis, and the
singular Bulbophyllum lemniscatoides.

The late Norman C. Cookson, Esq., whose
loss orchidists have to mourn, leaves behind
as a record of his cleverness and enthusiasm :
Odontioda Bradshawia; Cookson's variety, which
was likened to a cinnabar-scarlet 0. crispum,
and which secured a First-class Certificate on
May 9; the finely-coloured O. percultum Cook-
son's variety, 0. ardentissimum Norman Cook-
son; Phcebe (First-class Certificate, February
9), and Odontoglossum crispum Angela. The
interest in the Oakwood collection is maintained
by Mrs. Cookson (gr. Mr. H. J. Chapman), and
several excellent hybrids have been shown since
Mr. Cookson's decease.

H. S. GooDSON, Esq., Fairlawn, West Hill,
Putney (gr. Mr. G. E. Day), who prefers showy
Orchids with plenty of bright colour, obtained
First-class Certificates for Odontioda Ernest
Henry (0. Queen Alexandra X C. Noezliana),
Odontoglossum Goodsonu (0. Uro-Skinneri x
Pescatorei), a very distinct and pretty hybrid,
and the white-petalled Cattleya Hardyana The
Baron ; also an Award of Merit for one of the
richest Lselio-Cattleyas, known as Black Prince,
and a similar award for Odontioda Goodsoniaa,
a rich scarlet bloom with narrow lines of cream-
white.

R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Christ-
church Road, Streatham (gr. Mr. Black), has

been specially successful with brilliant Sophro-
Cattleyas. He has received awards for S.-C.
Thwaitesii and S.-C. Blackii, the former a cross
between S. grandiflora and C. Mendelii and the
latter from S. grandiflora and C. Hardyana.
Both have rich, dark scarlet flowers. A Certi-
cate of Appreciation was obtained for the
remarkable Dendrobium atro-Brymerianum ; and,
among many other e.xcellent things shown from
Chessington, the selection of the pretty mauve-
purple Odontioda Thwaitesii, which secured a
First-class Certificate in July, 1908, has several
times been presented so improved in size and
colour as to well warrant the distinction.

J. GuRNEY Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Jlr. J. Davis), secured awards
for the brightly-coloured Sophro-La-lio-Cattleya
Olive (S.-L. Psyche X C. Enid), Odontoglossum
amabile Fowlerianum, and 0. Wyonianum, both
attractive hybrids. The deep scarlet Odontioda
Keighleyensis Fowler's variety obtained a First-
class Certificate as recently as December 21.

Fergus Menteith Ogilvie, Esq. (gr. Mr.
Balmforth), obtained a First-class Certificate for
Cattleya TriauiE Grand Monarch, a noble flower.

De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks,
secured First-class Certificates for Odontoglossum
Theodora (Rossii rubescens x triumphans), and
the beautiful Odontioda Vuylstekea; Crawshay-
anum.

Awards of Merit were given to J. Forster
Alcock, Esq., Northchurch, for Cypripedium
Leander Exhims variety and C. Euryades New
Hall Hey variety; to W. Thompson, Esq. (gr.
Mr. Stevens), for Cypripedium Our Queen ; and
to G. F. Moore, Esq., Bourton-on-the- Water (gr.
Mr. Page), for Cypripedium Bridgei magnificum
and C. Curtmanni (Mons. de Curte x Beek-
mannii), both handsome Cypripediums.

Mr._ F. W. Moore. M.A., of the Royal
Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin, has sent from the
remarkable collection of rare Orchids in the
famed Dublin gardens some of the very singular
plants that have bloomed there. Two of the
most remarkable of these were Dendrobium
muricatum and Monomeria barbatrt, and a
Botanical Certificate was awarded in each case.

W. Waters Butler, Esq., Edgbaston, Bir-
mingham, who has a fine collection of Cattleyas,
secured an Award of Merit for Cattleya
Warscewiczii W. Waters Butler, a fine and
richly-coloured form.

Nurserymen.
i\Iessrs. Ch.^rles WORTH & Co., Hay wards
Heath, have shown a very large number of new
Orchids in the groups which they have staged
at nearly all of the meetings of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. Of the nine novelties which
secured First-class Certificates the superb Lajlio-
Cattleya Nelthorpe Beauclerk, shown on Novem-
ber 23, and the Brasso-Cattleya Cliftonii mag-
nifica, of March 9, were among the best. The
others were Sophro-La;lio-Cattleya Marathon
var. Vesuvius, Laelio-Cattleya Eurylochus, L.-G.
Felicia, Odontioda Lutetia, Cattleya Perci-
valiana Charlesworthii, the dark-coloured Onci-
diura Charlesworthii, and the elegant CLrho-
petalum pulchrum Cliftonii, all of the iiighest
value as garden plants. Awards of Jlerit were
obtained for Odontioda Keighleyensis, Epi-
Lslia Lionetii, with good rose-coloured flowers;
Cattleya Mrs. Pitt superba, and Zygo-Colax
Charlesworthii, the variety rubida of which
secured a well-merited First-class Certificate on
December 21. The firm also showed the interest-
ing Miltonioda Harwoodii (IM. vexiUaria x C.
Noezliana), for which a Certificate of Apprecia-
tion was given, Oncidium hybridum, Pleuro-
thallis Birchenallii, and many other rare species.
Messis. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, who have
never relaxed their efforts to secure new

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 1, 1910.

Orcliids, have been very successful in importing
godil forms of many showy Orchids, the best of
which is Dendrobium Sanderse. This has a free
growth and good habit, the leafy stems being
surmounted by arching sprays of large, white
flowers, with some delicate purple lines extend-
ing from the sap-green base of the lip. It was
^iwarded a First-class Certificate on August 13.
The large, clear white Cattleya Schroderte Mrs.
v. Sander and the finely-coloured Lselio-Cattleya
Martinetii The Prince also secured First-class
Certificates. Other awards to Messrs. Sander &
Sons were for Lselio-Cattleya Invincible, a very
fine, dark flower; Vanda ccerulea Dreadnought.
Odontoglossinn ardentissimum Starlight, which
is a remarkable instance of continuation of
parental characters, its flowers having the small
purple specklin" as in one of its parents, namely,
0. crispum Starlight; 0. Dreadnought, a very
large yellow and red-brown flower, with an e.\-
ceptinnally fine lip ; Miltonia Bleuana Sander's
variety, Cattleya Mossise Wageneri Sanderie, a
fine, clear white flower ; the very distinct Cypri-
pedium Lion, shown on December 7 ; the superb
albino-like C. Mrs. F. Sander, which secured a
First-class Certificate on December 21 ; and the
white Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Sander's variety.
Among the many species shown by the firm
Megaclinium Arnoldianum and Chytroglossa
Marileoniaj were selected to receive Botanical
Certificates.

Messrs. Jas. 'Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, Chelsea, the pioneers of Orchid
hybridisation, still pursue this work at their
Langley establishment, where good results con-
tinue to be obtained. Cypripediums have been
prominent, especially varieties of C. elatior
(Leeanum x Baron Schroder), which are remark-
able for their fine form and variation. The last
variety, named Rex, is a model flower. The
rare Disa polygonoides and some others also
flowered with Jlessrs. Veitch during the year.

Messrs. Wooee, Ltd., Rawdon, Yorks., have
shown many good Orchids during 1909, their
Dendrobium acuminatum, which obtained a
First-class Certificate and was illustrated in the
Gardeners' Chronicie, August 28, being a most
beautiful novelty. The same firm showed a
Snely-flowered specimen of Coelogyne asperata.

Other certificated plants recorded from various
raisers are Cycnoehes peruvianum Tracy's
variety, from Mr. H. A. Tracy; Cymbidium

Woodhamsianum Orchidhurst variety, from
Messrs. Armstrong & Brown ; the fine, white,
wax-like Cypripedium Boltonii, from Mr. Wm.
Bolton ; Cattleya Schniderfe Irene, from Mr.
Jensen ; Eria ornata and the charming Cattleya
Rhoda conspicua, from Messrs. Stuart Low & Co. ;
Oncidium pumilum, 0. barbatum, and Bulbo-

magnificent flowers Mons. le Comte de
Hemptine showed at the Orchid Committee
meeting on November 9 Lselio-Cattleya Baroness
Schriider var. Mme. Henriette. This novelty
has a purple-feathered line on the petals and
was given an Award of Merit. At the last
meeting of the R.H.S. Orchid Committee in the

Fig. 2. — PORTION of water-garden at aldenham house.

phyllum hirtnm, from Mr. Gurney Wilson ; and
Oncidium Retemeyerianum and Sigmatostalix
Elite, from Mr. Birchenail, being of the same
class.

Continental Exhibits.
Mons. Chas. Vuylesteke, of Loochristi,
Ghent, showed some superb Odontoglossums at
the Temple Show, and received First-class Certi-
ficate« for O. Mirum Emperor of India, 0.
Aglaoi?, and O. Princ:':3s Victoria Alcxanuia, all

Fig. I.-

\Phntograph hv H. N. Kin
-BED OF SWATNSONIA AND LANTANA IN ALDENHAM HOUSE GARDENS.

year, Mons. Firmin Lambeau, of Brussels,
obtained a First-class Certificate for the finely-
coloured Laelio-Cattleya Firminii.

The following Orchids are among those illus-
trated in the Gardeners' Chronicle during
1909 :—

Agra^cum Augustum, Supp., Feb. 6.
Angr^ecum Kotschyi, Sept. 25, p. 221.
Angrscum sesquipedale, June 15, p. 309.
Brasso-Cattleya Cliftonii, Jan. 16, p. 34.
Bulbophyllum Dayanum, Mar- 27, p. 194.
Bulbophyllum lemniscatoides, Jan. 30, p. 68.
Bulbophyllum saurocephalum, Oct. 9, p. 243.
Calanthe Dominvi, Supp.. Nov. 13
Cattleya Iris King Edward VII., Oct. i6, p. 258.
Chondiopetalum Fletcher!, Jan. 2, p. 9.
Coelogyne asperata (Lowii), July 17, p. 34.
Coelogyne cristata at Earl Cawdor's, July 31, p. 75.
Cycnorhes with male and female flowers, Jan. 9, p. 26.
Cycnoehes pentadactylon, male and female flowers,

Jan. 9. P- 27- ^ . .

Cycnoehes peruvianum Tracy s variety, May 15, p. 309.
Cycnoehes Warscewiczji, male and female flowers^

Jan. 9, p. 29.
Cypripedium Earl of Tankerville, Feb. 13, p. 101.
Cypripedium parviflorum, C. Thunbergii, C. ventri-

cosum, Oct. 2, pp. 2J7, 228, 229.
Cypripedium tibeticum and C. margaritaceum, Supp.^

Dec. iS.
Dendrobium acuminatum, Aug. 28, p. 150.
Dcniirobiura Sanderap, June 12, p. 374
Dendrobium spcciosum, Mar. 13, p. '165.
Disa crandiflora. group, Aug. 28, p. 154.
Eulophiella Elisabetha?, June 26, p. 407.
Laelio-Cattleya Elinor, Supp., Feb. 20.
Lselio-Caitleya Felicia, Feb. 13, p. 100.
Ltclio-Cattleya Lustre gigantea, Supp., Mar. 13.
Lselio Cattleya Pizarro Westonbirt variety, Supp.^

April 10.
Megaclinium purpureo-rachis, May 8, p. 203.
Odontioda Bradshawiae Cookson's var., Mar. 13, p. 174.
Odontioda Chelseiensis, May 29, p. 348.
Odontioda Ernest Henry, May 22, p. 3.-1.
Odontioda GoodsoniEe, Mar. 27. p. 195.
Odontoglossum ardentissimum Phoebe, Feb. 27,
Odontoglossum crispo-Harryanum with 125

Feb. 27, p. 133.
Odontoglossum crispum .\anthotes var. Mrs.

Ogilvie, April 24, p. 258.
"^dortoglossum Magali Sander, Jan. 16, p. 37.
Odontcslossum percultura varieties, Sept. 11, p. 180.
Odontoglossum Smithii, April 3, p. 212.
Odontoglossum Theodora, April 24, p. 269.
Odontoglossum Wyonianum, April 3, p. 211.
Oncidium abortivum, Nov. 13, p. 322.
Oncidium Charlesworthii, June 12, p. 377.
PhalfF-nopsis gigantea. May 15, p. 306.
Pleurothallis Birchenallii, June 19, p. 391.
Vanda ciTrulea, specimen, Supp., April 24.
Vanda teres, Mr. Rothschild's group, June 5, p. 3O5.

f'7'o he continued.)

p. 132.
flowers.

F M.

Januaey 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

ALDENHAM HOUSE.

(Continitcd Jrom vol. xlvi., p. 429.)
The portion known as the wilderness is one of
the most charming features of the Aldenham gar-
dens. Part of the site was originally a wood,
through which one of the carriage drives passed
to the St. Albans Road. The wood was well
stocked with Oak, Elm, Lime and Scots Fir.
On the north side of the wood the park skirted
down to the lake, which was formerly a natural
pond of much smaller dimensions than the pond
now existing. On the north side of the wood and
carriage drive the park formerly joined the road,
but the greater part of this portion of the park
has been added to the wilderness at the rate of
10 acres each year. The wilderness is broken up
into areas by grass paths, which extend in
straight lines at various angles, and have the
effect of throwing into prominence handsome tree
steins, statuary, stone seats, well-heads or hand-
some gates.

There are miles of grass walks, which in the
summer are delightful promenades. These have
been specially made that they may be in a con-
dition for use at all seasons of the year. As the
land at Aldenham is naturally heavy arid reten-
tive of moisture, the soil was excavated, and a
foundation of stones and rough gravel put in.
Over this a thin layer of soil wa.s applied for re-
laying the turf. The result is that the paths are
green, firm, and dry at all sea.sons of the year.
In the wilderness a special feature is made of
grouping shrubs and trees, a subject in which
the Hon. Vicary Gibbs takes the deepest in-
terest. The grouping is done on a large
scale for obtaining bold effects. Some species
are cut down annually to within a few
inches of the soil to induce them to make extra
strong sucker-like growths of a tropical appear-
ance. Imagine 50 plants of Paulownia im-
perialis making an annual growth of 10 feet
after such treatment ! Other species treated
similarly include golden and red-barked Willows,
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, Spirsea Dou-
glasii, Populus canadensis, Cornus sanguinea,
Rhus glabra, the golden Elder, and the Snow-
berry (Symphoricarpus racemosus). The Snow-
berry usually produces plentiful crops of its white
berries.

Among massed subjects that are nat cut
down I can only enumerate a few of those
most desirable : — Exochorda grandiflora, For-
sythia suspensa, Rhus Cotinus, Berberis Aqui-
folium, Spiraea prunifolia fl. pL, Cotoneaster
Simmonsii, Rosa rugosa, Rosa rubrifolia, the

Be-

Heliotropes, tuberous and fibrous-rooted
gonias, Calceolarias and similar plants.

The bed of Swainsonia galegifolia alba, with
Lantana delicatissima as a carpet (see fig. 1)
was very effective last season. A covered arch-
way extends over the path leading from the

^ .>i^-. -*^^:r • Am .

■'.■■-'•Vi, SM

r—^

FiG. l^. — FLOWER BORDERS IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN AT ALDENHAM HOUSE.

double-flowered Furze, Berberis vulgaris pur-
purea. Hypericum calycinum and the Sea Buck-
thorn (Hippophje rhamnoides), which produces
fine crops of berries.

The flower-garden is situated on the eastern
side of the house. It is encircled with a low
brick wall. The beds are margined with cement-
coloured edgings, the space between being
covered with gravel. In summer time rich dis-
plays are made with Fuchsias, Pelargoniums,

^

I m

A

..^JS9»^\

*-5ap»«r;.

Fig. 3. — ONE OF the many bridges in aldenham house gardens.

flower-garden. It is made of iron trelliswork. and
is furnished with Aristolochia Sipho, Honey-
suckles. Roses, Clematis Jackminnii, and
Virginian Creeper. In the autumn, when
most of fhe foliage is red, the effect from the
dwelling-house is gorgeous. Next to the
flower-garden and at the foot of a low ter-
race slope, is the Rose garden encircled by
a neatly-clipped Yew hedge. The beds are of
large size, but each contains only one variety of
Rose. In this way masses of distinct colours are
obtained. Such varieties as Mme. Abel Chate-
nay, Victor Hugo, Alister Stella Gray, Caroline
Testout. Gustave Regis, and Lady Battersea are
the leading sorts. Many Roses are grown in
other parts of the garden, merely for the produc-
tion of flowers for cutting, notably on a low iron
fence some 400 yards in length dividing the wil-
derness from another part of the garden. This
fence has been covered with climbing varieties,
such as Lady Gay and many Wichuraiana
liybrids.

The water-gardens are extensive and very beau-
tiful. Apart from the large lake already men-
tioned, a stream commences on the north-west
side of the mansion and meanders through the
grounds for almost half a mile. In places it is
only a few feet in width, then it widens out
into large pools, such as that shown in the Sup-
plementary Illustration in last week's issue. The
irregular margins are planted with groups of
such subjects as Alisma natans, Butomus umbel-
latus, C'altha palustris, Typha angustifolia,
Pontederia cordata, Menyanthes trifoliata. Poly-
gonum cuspidatum and P. sachalinense. Nym-
phseas include many of Mons. Marliac's hybrids,
such as albida, carnea, chromotella and rubra
punctata. Japanese Irises succeed admirably.

The rockeries and watercourses were made by
Mr. J. Pulham, under the direction of the Hon.
Vicary Gibbs, who designed the bridges.
A fine feature is that of a double avenue of
Thorns and Poplars on grass extending parallel

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[jAxr-iBT 1, 1910.

to the moats in a northerly direction towards an
entrance, where handsome wrought-iron gates
with stone pillars have recently been erected.
The Poplars may be taken away, when the
Thorns have grown sufficiently large.

Herbaceous perennial plants are given very
great consideration. Fig. 4 shows a wide border
on each side of the central path in the kitchen
garden, extending north and south. This is
crossed by a similar border extending east to
west. The Aldenham collection of ilichaebnas
Daisies is probably unsurpassed in this country.
The view reproduced in fig. 12 shows a small
portion of the Aster or Michaelmas Daisy border,
which is some 150 yards long and, in places, 15
yards wide. The front row is planted with varie-
ties of a semi-weeping habit of growth, which
jiroduce a gorgeous effect when the plants are
fully in flower, the effect being increased by an
upright edging of a green Saxifrage 1 foot high.
.\mple space is given each plant to develop in a
natural manner, and it can easily be understood
what a gorgeous sight this bank of 300 plants,
representing 70 distinct varieties, produces
nhen fully in flower. ^Nlr. Beckett com-
menced cross-breeding by employing such
.sterling varieties as cordifolius, ericoides and
Coombe Fishacre. ilr. Beckett's variety known
as the Hon. Edith Gibbs is, perhaps, the finest
of all Michaelmas Daisies. It grows 5 feet in
height, is semi-drooping in habit of growth, and
flowers from within a few inches of the ground,
the colour of the flowers being pale blue. Mr.
Beckett has another batch of new varieties this
vear. including Bianca, a pure white form re-
sembling horizontalis diffusus. Last year he ex-
hibited the large-flowered, pale-blue form known
as C'lima.':. E. Mobjneux.

(To be continued.)

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

" A Great Book on Vegetables.

The publication of the second volume of The
Vfijriable Growers' Guide concludes the most
elaborate and exhaustive work on vegetables ever
pioduced in this country. The high character
of the book, to which we referred when noticing
the first volume, has been maintained. Paper,
type, and binding are all that could be desired,
the publishers having spared no expense in pre
senting the work in a creditable style.

The volume comprises 350 pages, illus-
trated by 15 coloured plates and numerous
diagrams. Much space is devoted to green crops,
including Cabbages, Borecole, Brussels Sprouts,
and Savoys, with Cauliflowers and Broccoli. To
these iuLportant vegetables 154 pages are allotted,
and the details of cultivation are treated in a
thorough and systematic manner, the first section
in each case dealing with the methods adopted
in private gardens and the second with com-
mercial production, market gardening, and inten-
sii'e cultivation generally. Information is thus
provided to meet the requirements of all classes
of readers, a fact that considerably increases the
value of the book for purposes of reference.

Other crops which receive adequate attention
III this MjUime are Celery, Asparagus, Rhubarb,
Mushrooms, salads and herbs, the chapters deal-
ing with these being full of interest to growers.
Such subjects as exhibiting vegetables, intensive
cultivation or French gardening, and experiments
with vegetables are also treated upon. A calen-
dar for each month in the year occupies 52
pages. There is an admirable index of 30
columns containing about 1,500 entries. The
latter well indicates the exhaustive character of
this excellent woik, which is cordially recom-
mended to gardeners and others interested in
vegetables.

* Th€ Vegetable Grcu-ers' Guitie, vol. ii. Bv John Wright,
V.M.H., and Horace J. Wright. (London :' Virtue & Co.)
Price £1 Is.

NEW CHINESE RHODODENDRONS.
Towards the end of the spring of the present
year Messrs. James Veitch & Sons sent to Kew a
number of Chinese Rhododendrons in flower,
raised from seed collected for the firm by Mr-
E. H. Wilson, and they were put into my hands
for determination. Among them were several
which I could not identify with any published
species. Names were given to these, and de-
scriptions were partly drawn up, while the speci-
mens were fresh, with the intention of complet-
ing and publishing them as soon as possible.
Other work prevented this from being done at
once, and the descriptions were forgotten from
time to time. This is the explanation of their
tardv appearance. Three of them are here de-
scribed in as complete a form as the material
and information will permit.

♦RHODODENDRON PRI.MrUNCM,
Hemsl.

Of this species there are no dried specimens
in the Wilson collection at Kew, but Messrs.
Veitch state that it grows from 1^- to 2 feet
high, flowering when only a few inches high. It
is a densely-branched evergreen, the branches
thin, and the whole plant, except the coroUa,
more or less beset with elegant scales. Leaves
crowded, overlapping, recurved, persistent,
leathery, ovate-oblong, i to § of an inch long,
apiculate. rounded at the base, bullate. margin
recurved, dark green above and shining between
the scales, pale beneath and concave ; stalk about
l-12th of an inch long. Flowers yellow, about
an inch in diameter, 3 to 5 clustered at the tips
of the branches : stalks ^ to 4 of an inch long,
slronsrly recurved. Calyx somewhat two-lipped,
herbaceous : lobes slightly unequal, ovate, about
i of an inch long, acuminate, at length recurved.
Corolla almost regular and rotate ; lobes rounded,
iinduiate : throat slightly hairy. Stamens 10,
equalling the corolla ; filaments thickened below
the middle and slightly bearded.

This species is remarkable in having an almost
rotate, yellow corolla ; hence the specific name.
R. primulseflorum, Franchet, differs in having
ob'iong. distinctly-stalked leaves, and in the
corolla being tubular, the tube longer than the
lobes.

+R. HARROTIANUM, Hzmsl.

This is one of a number of closely-allied
Chinese species of small stature, having small
leaves and small flowers, in colouring not unlike
those of R. Ponticura. It is an evergreen shrub Ij
to 2 feet high in cultivation, lepidote in nearly
all parts, including the outside of the corolla ; at

* Rhododekdrox PRIMULINCM iHentsL), species nova ;
inter species minores ob calycem amplum et coroUam
flavam fere rotatam insignis.

Fruticulus 45-60 cm. altus. prseter corollam fere
undique pulchre lepidotus, dense ramosus. ramis tenui-
bus. F:>liti confertissima, imbricata, recurva, coriacea.
persistenlia ; lamina ovato-ob!onga, i-r cm. longa, apicu-
lata, basi rotundata. bul'ata, margine recurva, utrinque
crebre lepidota. supra atroviridia, inter lepides nitida,
canaliculata. subtus concava, pallida; petioius 2-3 mm.
longus. Floras 3-5 in apicibus ramorum pedicellali.
pedicellis 4-7 mm, longis arete recur\'is. flavi. Calyx
subbilabiatus, herbaceus, lobis levi'.er inaequalibus, ovatis,
4-6 mm. longis, acute acuminatts. dcmum recurvis.
Corolla fere rcgularis, subrotata, circiter 2-5 cm.
diamctro. baud lepidota, lobis rotundatis undulatis,
fauce villosula. Stamina io,~coroll3m aequantia, 61a-
roentis paulo supra basin etvinfra medium incrassatis
barbatulis, cetcrum glabris. Orarium 5-loculare ;
stylus cum ovario 16-17 mm. Icngus. infra medium
puberulus. Capsula ignota. — Chinae occidentaiis incola.
Legit E. H. Wilson. 1773

t Rhododendron Harroviakum (Hemsl.), species nova
ex a&nitate R. beliolepidis, Franch., a qua differt
foliis angustis minus distincte aptculatis, corollae lobis
acutis et staminibus exsertis.

Frutex 60-90 cm. altus; rami recti, rigidi, primum
lepidoti, iuternodiis quam petiolis vix brevioribus.
Folia petiolata. persistcntia, coriacea, patentia ; lamina
lineari-lanceolata, 3-7 cm. longa, obscure apiculata,
basi cuneata, margine recurva; supra atroviridia, nitida,
laevia ; costa impressa. subtus creberrime lepidota, lepi-
dibus parvis, cosra valida elevata ; petioius crassi-
usculus, 4-8 mm. longus. Flores 3-5 in ramorum api-
cibus aggregati, pedicellati, pedicellis crassius culis
saturate rubris albo-lepidotis, 1.5-2 cm. longis. Calyx
brevissimus, obscure lobatus vel fere truncatus. Corolla

least when the parts are young. Leaves distinctly
stalked, spreading, coriaceous, narrow-lanceolate,
1 to 2j inches long, obscurely apiculate, cuneate
at the base, margin recurved above dark green,
shining, naked, midrib channelled, densely
clothed with small scales below. Flowers 3 to
5 together at the tips of the branches ; stalks
thick, deep red, 5 to | of an inch long. Calyx
very short, and zilmost truncate. Corolla cam-
panulate, about an inch in diameter; lobes broad,
acute : tube deep purple-red on the outside and
furnished with white scales : lobes violet-purple ;
interior of corolla violet-purple spotted with yel-
low in the upper part. Stamens 10, exceeding
the corolla ; filaments bearded below with a ring
of long, spreading hairs.

Messrs Teitch first sent to Kew specimens of
this species in 1907, bearing the number 3942,
Wilson, unless some mistake has been made ; but
Wilson's herbarium specimens of the same num-
ber are different. Discrepancies of this kind
might easily occur in collecting flowering speci-
mens and fruiting specimens of what appear to
be the same species in the field.

The name is given in compliment to Mr.
Harrow, manager of ^Messrs. Yeitohs Coombe
Wood Nurseries, and a most enthusiastic culti-
vator of the rich collections under his charge.

JR. BENTHAMIANTTM, Hemsl.
This belongs to the same group as R. Harru-
vianum. Hemsl, and R. coombense, Hemsl iliol.
Mag., t. 82801, to both of which it is, indeed,
very closely allied, differing from the former in
the shorter, ovate, lanceolate leaves, green pedi-
cels, irregularly-lobed calyx, and in the flowers
being purple throughout, whilst the latter hai
pink flowers, associated with stamens shorter than
the corolla. It is also near R. heliolepis,
Franch., but that has relatively large leaves
and larger flowers, with broader corolla lobes.
Generally speaking, the calyx of a Rhododen-
dron affords a character which can be used
in defining the species, but that of R. Ben-
thamianum varies in the same truss of flowers.
Sometimes all of the lobes are well-developed,
linear-lanceolate, acuminate, and the longest
nearly a quarter of an inch long ; sometimes only
two or three are thus developed, the rest being
reduced to very short deltoid teeth. Occasion-
ally they are all reduced : they are always scaly,
but rarely ciliate, except in one specimen, bear-
ing the same number, in which they are all very
short and rounded and distinctly ciliate. But
this, probably, is not the same species. R. Ben-
thamianum is an evergreen shrub 1 to 2 feet
high, with rather thick, rigid branches, leafy
at the tip only. Leaves crowded, coriaceous,
ovate-oblong, or sometimes almost oval, 1 to 2
inches long, rounded at the base, shortly apicu-
late, scaly on both surfaces at first, later

campanulata, 2-2.5 cm. longa, lobis latis acutis, extra
tubo saturate nibro-purpurea. albo-lepidota. lobis vio-
laceo-purpureis, intus violaceo-purpureis, lobis superior:-
bus flavo-macul,atis. Stamina 10, exserta, inaequalia,
longiora usque ad 3.5 cm. longa ; filamenta supra basin
et infra medium zona piiorum longorum patentium
ornata, ceterum glabra. Ovarium 5-loculare. crebre
lepidotum ; stylus glaber, cum ovario circiter 3-3.5 cm.
longus. Capsula non visa- — Chinae occidentaiis incola.
Legit E. H. Wilson.

J Rhododendron B£NTHAM1.\kum (Hemsl.), species
nova R. heliolepidi afftnis, differt foUis floribusque
minoribus.

Frutex ramosus. 30-50 cm. altus.- ramis brevibus
rigidis, baud lepidotis vel lepidibus cito deciduis.
Folia ad apices ramorum conferta, petiolata, persis-
tentia, primum utrinque lepidota ; lamina coriacea,
ovato-oblonga vel interdum fere elliptica, 3-5 cm. longa,
basi rotundata, brevissime apiculata. supra laevia,
. creberrime minuteque verrucosa, atroviridia. nitida,
costa impressa, ven'S immersis obsoletis, subtus lepi-
dota, inter lepides brunneos albida ; petioius crassus,
3-5 mm. longus, corrugatus. Flores usque ad 8 in
ramorum apicibus aggregati. sed saepius pauciores,
pedrcellati, pedicellis graciliusculis 5-10 mm. longis
albo-lepidotis. inter lepides viridibus- Calycis lobi
variabiles, semper plus minusve inaequales. lepidoti,
nunc omnes bene evoluti, lineari-lanceolati, longiores
6-7 mm. longi, nunc 2-3 tantum evoluti. rarius omnes
rotundati, brevissimi vel fere obsoleti. Corolla late
campanulata, circiter 5 cm. diametro, rubro-violacea,
extus albo-lepidota, intus postice brunneo-maculata ;
lobi lati, rotundati, undulati. Stamina 10. alterna
breviora, longiora corollam aequantia ; antherae auran-
tiacae. Ovarium 5-Ioculare, crebre lepidotum ; stylus
glaber. stamina vix excsdens. Capsula ignota. — Cbinae
occidentaiis incola. Legit E. H. Wilson, 1878, 1235.

Januaby 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

glabrous above, dark green, shining, minutely
wrinkled, veins inconspicuous, white underneath
between the brown scales; petiole very short,
thick, corrugated. Flowers sometimes as many
as eight in a clust«r, but usually four or five, on
rather slender stalks, about 5 inch long. Calyx-
lobes very variable, as described above. Corolla
broadly campanulate, about 2 inches across, uni-
formly pale violet-purple, with white scalee on
the outside and brown blotches in the upper
part of the inside ; lobes broad, rounded, wavy.
St<un«ns 10, not exceeding the corolla ; fila-
ments bearded below the middle. Style glabrous.
W. Batting Hemsley.

PLANT NOTES.

EUPATORIUM WEEvMANNIANXM.
This late-flowering, South American plant will
withstand the winter in favoured localities,
such as districts south of London, or near
the sea coast. The plant is shrubby or sub-
shrubby, and is valuable for its late flowers,
when frost has destroyed almost all others in
the open. In a Sussex garden in November,
I was impres.^ed by the beauty of a Ijandsome
bush of this Eupatorium several feet across. The
plant was growing in a border without protec-
tion in the greatest luxuriance, the soil being a
heavy, greasy clay, and it had been there since
it was quite a small specimen. It was covered
with its fragrant inflorescences, every twig and
branch from the ground level to a height of
4 feet bearing numbers of blessoms. When
grown under glass the petals are nearly white,
but in the open they assume a pink tinge, which
renders the plant even more conspicuous. Un-
touched by the frosts, this Eupatorium gave
promise of a display until the end of the month.
E. H. Jentim.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

TRICUSPID ARIA.
TlTE plant generally known as Crinodendron
Hookerianum, or C. Hookeri, has borne
several names. In Xicholson's Dictionary of
Gardening it is given the title of Tricuspidaria
hexapetala, but in the century supplement of
that work we read " Tricuspidaria dependens is
the correct name of T. hexapetala." Still later
another alteration was made, a new white-
flowered shrub that had been found being held
to be entitled to the name of Tricuspidaria de-
pendens, and Crinodendron Hookeri was forth-
with styled Tricuspidaria lanceolata. Though
first imported into this country from Chili several
years previously, it was not distributed untU
1881, and for some time it remained very rare in
gardens. The species was at first considered
merely a greenhouse plant, but. on being tried in
the open in the warmer localities, it was found
to be fairly hardy and to succeed admirably out-
of-doors. It is now largely grown in the south
of England, in Ireland, and on the west coast of
Scotland. This distinct and beautiful shrub is
hard and stiff in growth and its leaves,
which are about 3 inches in length, are
dark green, wrinkled and serrated at the edges.
The flowers are urn-shaped and of a bright, rosy-
crimson colour. They hang by very long stalks,
and a plant in full bloom is an extremely attrac-
tive object, being unlike any other shrub in
flower. The blossoms are thick in texture and
retain their freshness for a considerable time,
a singular feature being the remarkably long
period that the flower-buds take to attain their
full size. They are produced from the axils of
the leaves and are formed early in the autumn,
but do not expand until the end of the following
JIay. There are many fine specimens in gardens,
one of the best being, probably, that in the

garden that belonged to the late Rev. Henry
Ewbank, at Ryde, Isle of Wight. This is
about 10 feet in height, as much through,
and, when loaded with countless, drooping
blossoms, is a marvellous sight, appearing
crimson from a little distance. There are
said to be even larger examples in Ireland.
Plants have borne seeds freely in some gar-
dens. One good point about this shrub is that
it blooms in a very small state, plants under a
foot in height often carrying several flowers.
Cuttings are not at all difficult to strike if
formed of the half-ripened shoots, placed in well-
drained pots of sandy peat and kept in a close
propagating case in gentle heat until rooted.
Propagation may also be effected by layers. In
the open this species appears to do best in a
compost of fibrous peat mixed with loam and a
liberal proportion of sand. The new Tricuspi-
daria dependens bears drooping, white, bell-
shaped blossoms, the mouth being prettily fringed
and open, not almost closed as in T. lanceolata.
There is a fine specimen fully 10 feet in height in
Cornwall. Up to the present it does not appear
to have bloomed freely, and in this respect has
compared unfavourably with T. lanceolata,
which generally flowers profusely. It is said,
however, that dried branchlets of T. dependens
have been seen covered with blossom, so that it
is to be hoped that this species wiU eventually
flower more abundantly. It is a native of Chili,
and appears quite as hardy as the better-known
T. lanceolata. Wytidhnm Fifzhrrhfrt, S. Devon.

SUCKERS.

SccKEBS occur where there is a check to the
sap and an excess of air in the soil. Bury a
shoot and it makes roots ; expose a root and it
produces shoots. These opposite results are due
to a change in the composition of the sap within
the buried and exposed parts. The roots of some
trees cannot form wood buds beneath the sur-
face, but those of others are more resourceful,
and can make buds which provide an upward
growth in the form of suckers. In all cases
suckers arise in response to influence of air, light
and sun heat. It may be noticed that suckers
spring almost entirely from the top sides of roots ;
that they occur only within the free and aerated
depths ; that only horizontal roots yield suckers ;
and that where a root rises and falls, the highest
points alone develop wood buds and send forth
shoots. Further, old trees sucker most, because
their roots have so filled the soil as to force many
near the surface, and where they come directly
under the influence of air, light and sun heat.

Shallow, extra-stiff, cold and wet soib may in-
duce suckering. since roots cannot long sur\ive
if placed beyond the reach of air. and any obsta-
cle which prevents their working down or which
forces the tree to throw roots near the surface
has the effect of promoting suckers. Hence there
are many natural causes of suckering. It is, in
fact, a mode of propagation, but when we come
to deal with domesticated trees we find that the
suckering nuisance is much aggravated by man.

Some stocks, as the Mussel Plum and the White
Thorn, have an innate tendency to throw suckers,
their roots possessing the power of forming wood
buds at greater depths in the soil than is com-
mon to most trees. If a stock is used with a
tendency to sucker, we should know what class
of soil, mode of planting, and after-treatment will
cause the tree to have a clean and snckerless root
system.

Apart from defective stocks, suckers are often
due to faulty treatment of the soil and severe,
ill-balanced pruning.

Careless digging also promotes suckers by
allowing too much air to the roots and by caus-
ing wounds, whence bud-forming sap accumu-
lates to produce suckers. Since a tree draws
little or no sustenance from the soil over the
heavy roots, nothing is gained, but much injurj-
may be done, by deep digging all the soil within
the root range, that is, if the tree is liable to

suckering. In sach case, the weeds and litter
skinned off and a covering of clean, new earth
given in exchange will prove a much safer plan.

As cure depends on a knowledge of cause,
the cultivator should discern every influence
by which suckers are brought abcvt. The forest,
hedgerow, and park specimens are as fertile in
illustration as the trees of the orchard and gar-
den— often more so — and many people fail to
learn their lesson because they do not look be-
yond the garden wall.

We may note that, as a tree ages, its roots
come nearer the surface. They do not grow up,
but the soil wears down and away. It is mainly
from this cause that old trees are induced to
throw suckers. Another reason is that their
balance is upset by faulty circulation, for, as the
bark hardens on the trunk and heavy branches,
ligatures are formed, below which fluxes, or ex-
cessive accumulations of sap, occur, and. as these
reduce the action of the leaves upon the roots,
the sap of the latter alters till they are able to
set about forming shoots and leaves for them-
selves.

Where the soil is frequently made up, the
head pruning well done, and the surface kept
free of heavy roots, suckers are not likely to
prove a nuisance. It is within the power of the
cultivator to compel roots to confine their activi-
ties to normal extensions within the soil.

The most serious point — where fruit trees are
involved — lies in preventing suckers without
throwing the trees out of fruit, for the deeper
the root system the -more crude and incapable
is the sap of forming fruit-bearing wood. The
most fruitful sap is obtained from fibrous roots
growing in aerated soil, and, if a tree is limited
to a deep root system, it will invariably make a
coarse head and bear irregular crops of poor-
quality fruit.

Thus, in preventing suckers, we may also pre-
vent fruiting. It has been explained in other
words that suckers tend "to throw a tree out of
bearing, because they intercept the sap which
should go annually to form new head growth and
sustain and fructify existing buds. The harm
done by suckers is in proportion to the leaves
they make. Thus, many sucker leaves sustain
and extend the profound roots, and so alter their
sap channels as to cut off supplies from much of
the head of the tree. If suckers are not allowed
to make leaves, they weaken, rather than
strengthen, their parent roots, and it is often
wiser to keep them down by two or three clear-
ings in spring and early summer than to remove-
the roots furnishing them, since this course may
leave the tree a deep and barren root system.

^\Tiere suckers spring from the bases of
trunks, or from hea\'y surface roots which may
not be removed, the parts should be covered
with a depth of soil sufficient to change the
nature and disposition of the sap within the
parts. Three, six or even nine inches may be
necessary, according to the kind and condition
of the tree and the nature of the soil and general
circumstances.

Xo tree of bearing age can be injured in any
way by a heavy soil dressing over its main roots,
or as a pile around the base of the stem. The
only part of the soil which calls for free aera-
tion is that over the fringe of the root system.
A heavy and wide bandage is a safe means of
preventing suckers at the junction of head and
root bark — at the base of the stem.

To make a businesslike job, bare the roots
sufficiently to cut off each sucker with a piece
of root bark, or, if the suckers are very
numerous, cut back the roots which produce
them. Then, over such roots as may be left, put
a layer of clay or close soil, and, after filling in,
top-dress the surface with a few extra inches uf
new material. Old matted hay or bagging make
capital mulches for this work, as they darken the
soil, keep off the air and sun heat, and dispose
the roots to act in a normal fashion. A slight
covering of soU wiU prevent the mulch from
looking untidy. C. Bogue Luffminn. ■'

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 1, 1910.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghui;, Gardener to Joseph Pr keksgill, Esq.,
Harden Hiil, Weetvvood, Yorkshire.

Th( plant houses. — It is especially desirable
that the glasshouses should be kept scrupidously
cleau during the winter mouths. The glass itself
needs cleansing both inside and out at frequent
intervals, and the woodwork must be cleaned
occasionally. If mealy-bug is present, adopt

measures to
t h o roughly
^^^^^^^^^^ eradicate

^ y^^^^^^B^^I^ the pest,

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ now that

A^^^^^^^^^^^^K^ time can

well be
afforded for
the w 0 r k,
when many
of the plants
are leafless
and dormant.
In cleansing
the w o 0 d-
work, scrub
every part
with hot
water a n d
soft- soap
mixed with
a little
paraffin,
using one
wine-glassful of paraffin to each gallon of
water. If any of the houses are to be
repainted, the present time affords a favourable
opportunity for doing the work. When the
structure has been thoroughly cleansed, the
plants may be overhauled, sponging or syring-
ing them with some insecticide as may be neces-
sary. Any plants which have ceased to be of
value in the decorative houses mav be removed
to the propagating house to furnish cuttings for
stock purposes. After everything has been made
clean and tidy, rearrange the plants to the best
advantage.

77k> stdiie. — Even the occupants of the stove
need a season of comparative rest during the
short days of winter, when the temperature
should be slightly lowered and the atmosphere
kept somewhat drier, until the early part of
February. For the present an atmospheric tem-
perature' of from 65° or 70"^ will be suitable, but.
whenever it exceeds the latter figures, the
svringe should be used during the forenoon.
During very cold weather, when extra warmth
is required from the hot-water pipes, the staging
and paths must be damped at intervals during
the day to counteract the dry heat from the hot-
water system.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine. — Plants which
have finished flowering will provide a supply
of early cuttings, which usually produce the best
specimens. Select the finest plants for stock
purposes, and cut back the old flower-stems, but
be careful to retain a fair amount of the foliage.
After the plants have been made tidy and clean,
place them in a structure having an atmospheric
temperature of about 55°, arranging them near
to the glass. Keep the roots moderately dry
until the new shoots appear. Plants of this Be-
gonia and its varieties may be propagated by
means of leaves, and plants thus raised are the
most easily cultivated. The leaves should be in-
serted singly in thumb pots, and afforded bottom
heat until shoots have formed, when they may
be placed near to the glass.

Euphorhia (Pomsetlia). — Plants of Euphor-
bia pulcherrima which have finished flowering
should be encouraged to ripen their shoots by
gradually decreasing the amount of moisture at
the roots. When all the foliage has fallen, and
growth is dormant, they should be placed in
their resting quarters. Examine them occasion-
ally to see that the bark is not shrivelling.

(rioxinia. — Select some of the best tubers that
ripened early, and place them just as they are
without repotting on a shelf near to the glass.
All that is necessary is to remove a little of the
surface soil, and replace it with some rough,
fibrous loam and peat, mixed with a little dry
cow dung. When the flower-buds appear, apply
a slight top-dressing of bonemeal and let alter-
nate waterings be carried out with weak liquid
manure.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

li\ .\. R. Skarle, Gardener to tlie Marquis of .North-
ampton, Castle .^sliby, Northamptonshire.

The fruit-room. — Examine carefidly all Apples
and Pears, and remove any which show the least
sign of decay. If any are found to have decayed
so badly as to cause a damp spot on the stag-
ing, see that it is made thoroughly dry before
placing more fruit thereon. When the outside

c o n d itions
are favour-
able, a little
air may be
admitted
each day,
and, should
there be an
e X c e p -
tionally fine
day, the door
may be left
open for an
hour occa-
sionally, in
o r d e r to
t h o roughly
change the
air. Should
the fruit-
room con-
t a i n win-
dows, these
must be well
packed up with mats or straw from within as a
safeguard against frost. See that the varieties
of fruit are used at the right time, and endeavour
to prolong the supply over as long a period as
possible. Dessert Apples and Pears should be
wiped with a soft cloth before they are sent to
the house.

Bnot-pruniixj and planting. — This work
should be proceeded with whenever the weather
is suitable. Carefully remove any broken or
damaged part with a sharp knife, making the
cut to face the operator, so that the roots will
have an upward tendency : this method of root-
cutting I have applied to most kinds of fruit
trees, and have found it very effective, causing
a mass of roots to come quickly to the surface.

The past season. — The cold and comparatively
sunless autumn has been unfavourable to the
ripening of the shoots, which, in some instances,
are still green and sappy. Should there occur
such severe weather as was experienced in
Jainiary last year, many trees may suffer con-
siderable damage. In the meantime, it may be
noted with satisfaction that there is a plenti-
ful supply of fruit-buds on most of the trees.
Owing to heavy rains, it was impossible to do
much planting in the autumn ; therefore, many
trees have still to be planted.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenhain House, Hertfordshire.

Preparation of -foil. — Break up any portions
of the flower garden that are still bare, and leave
the surface in as rough a condition as possible,
that a good tilth may be obtained when the time
arrives for sowing or planting. Deep cultivation

13 as neces-
sary in the
flower gar-
den as it is
in the culti-

V a t i 0 n of

V e g e tables.
There fore,
turn up the
ground to a
good depth,
either by
trenching or
deep dig-
ging, and
work in a
liberal quan-
tity of rotted
manure
where the
ground is in
a poor con-
dition, giv-
ing the sur-
face a good covering of soot as the work
proceeds; the soot will have stimulating pro-

perties, and prove a valuable agent in cleans-
ing the ground. These remarks specially
apply to those quarters intended for such
subjects as Dahlias, Delphiniums, Phloxes,
Pentstemons, Sweet Peas, and other summer-
flowering subjects that require rich soil and
deep-rooting medium. If these conditions are
provided, and a good mulching given the crops,
they will the better withstand drought. In
many gardens some ground _ alteration is
taking place- at this season, such, for in-
stance, as the formation of new shrubberies.
In certain cases it is useful to remove soil from
the flower-beds and utilise it for the .shrubberies.
Those beds or borders m which it is impossible
to alter the rotation of crops, and, therefore,
have to be used for similar plants year after
year, become partially worn out. The old soil
should be taken out to a depth of at least 2 feet
5 inches. If the natural soil is of a
heavy nature, a layer of broken bricks or
similar material, to the depth of 4 or 6
inches, should be placed in the bottom of the
trench. Cover this layer with some of the
coarsest soil or long, fresh manure. The best
soil for filling the beds is loam cut from an old
pasture and stacked for 12 months before use.
There will be less trouble with weeds if the soil
has been stacked for this period. If the loam is
uf a fairly fibrous nature, little else will be re-
quired during the first season. If, however, it is
of a heavy, tenacious character, some well-de-
cayed vegetable matter and coarse road sand or
rubble should be employed to lighten it. JNIake
the soil firm in the trench, and place sufficient,
so that it will be fairly level when it has settled.
If the ground is soft when this work is done,
stout boards or planks should be used to support
the traffic.

Transplanting shrubs. — Whenever the weather
permits, opportnnity should be taken to push on
with this work. Small plants may be removed
now without much trouble, but in the case of
large specimens, a good ball of earth must be
kept intact about the roots. In all cases the soil
should be forked up deeply before placing a tree
in its new position.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Forewords. — In giving directions for the man-
agement of kitchen gardens, I shall be guided
by work done at W^indsor under my own direc-
tion. But it must be borne in mind that soils
and situations are important factors in growing
crops of all kinds ; therefore, every gardener

must deter-
m i n e for
himself how
far sue h
circum-
stances must
affect h i s
own p r a c-
tice.

Seed s. —
Prepare and
despatch the
orders for
seeds as soon
as possible.
Select a few
novelties for
trial, but do
not discard
proved varie-
ties until
the new
kinds have
been tested.
Potatos. — Much of the success with this crop
depends upon the proper selection of the seed
tubers. It is not too early to place sets of the
early varieties in trays or shallow boxes. Select
tubers of a moderate size, and place the boxes
in a cool, dry shed, where there is plenty of
light and air. In such conditions the tubers
will form short, stout shoots. It is a common
mistake to place seed Potatos in too much
warmth. May Queen, or a similar variety may
be planted as early in January as possible,
putting them in a cool pit in light, rich soil
12 inches in depth. Make the rows 20 inches

January 1, 1910.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

apart, and place the tubers 10 inches rpart in
the rows. Plant them so that the young shoots
are just covered with the soil, taUmg care not to
injure or break them. When the shoots appear
above the ground, afford ventilation to keep the
growths short and sturdy.

Frrnr/i Bean-'. — Sow seeds in 7-inch pots, and
cultivate the plants in a temperature of 65°.
Under proper treatment pods should be ready for
gathering about January 25. Three-parts fill the
pots with rich soil, and sow si.x or seven Beans
in each pot. When the young plants are a few
inches high, they should be earthed-up and
staked. Syringe them frequently. Ne plus ultra
and Osborne's Forcing are old and good varie-
ties for this early crop.

Cniilifowr. — If the stock of autumn Cauli-
flower is short, a sowing of some early variety
should be made about the middle of January.
Raise the plants on a hot-bed. and place them
close to the gla^s. If the young plants are
pricked off as soon as they are large enough,
and afforded liberal treatment, they will be
ready for planting on a south border in the open
early in April.

FKUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GodDACRF, Gardener to Sir Ei<NtsT Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, NewiiiarUel.

Fruit Irfes in pots. — Jlost kinds of fruit can
be successfully cultivated in pots. Their chief
requirements include a lofty, well-ventilated
house, even temperatures, regular and careful
watering and feeding, and a little extra atten-
tion during the flowering period. The best com-
post for fruit
trees in pots
is one con-
sisting of
three parts
fibrous loam
to one part
leaf soil, old
mortar rub-
ble and dry
cow dung.
R e p o tting
sliould only
be done
every second
or third
year, but the
trees should
be o V e r-
hauled in
October, for
the puracse
of making
tlie drainage
good and applying a liberal top-dressing to those
trees not requiring repotting. The foil should
be rammed very firm in the pots. I append lists
of varieties specially suited for this form of cul-
tivation.

/'hini-'. — The best twelve varieties in their
order of ripening are as follow ; — Brandy Gage,
OuUin's Golden Gage, Early Transparent
Gage, Early Green Gage, De Montfort,
July Greengage, Transparent Gage, Golden
Tran.sparent Gage, Kirke's. .Jefferson, Late
Orange, and Coe's Golden Drop. The
house should be closed and a temperature of
40° to 45° maintained at night, rising to 50°
when the trees are in flower. At that stage the
atmosphere should be kept moderately dry, giv-
ing as much air as is possible without creating
draughts or unduly lowering the temperature.
Pollination should be done each day about noon,
when the pollen is dry. When the fruits have
set, the temperature may be again raised 5°.
and later, when the fruits have formed stones,
hard forcing may safely be practised until
the fruits begin to colour. When that stage is
reached, a drier, cooler atmosphere should be
maintained in the house, with plenty of air, for
if allowed to ripen in a hot. moist atmosphere,
the fruits have little flavour.

Apricot-". — Moorpark or Hemskerk are the best
varieties for pot culture ; they may be treated in
the same manner as advised for Plums.

Cherrie.s. — The best twelve Cherries are :
Early Rivers, Belle d'Orleans. Bigarreau de
Schreken, Biearreau Nanoleon, Frogmore Early
Bigarreau, Mav Duke, Governor Wood, Noble,
Elton Heart, St. Margaret, Black Eagle, and
Black Tartarian. Cherries require a division to
themselves, as the trees will not stand fire-heat

until after the stoning stage. The house may
be closed, and a temperature of 40° to 45°
maintained at night, but this must not be ex-
ceeded until the trees are in flower, when it
may be raL-^ed 5° during severe weather. It is
wise to let the atmospheric temperature fall 5°,
as too much fire-heat causes the buds to drop.
On bright days the house may be shut up and
syringed about 1 p.m., so as to make the most
of the sun-heat. Syringing must be discon-
tinued when the fruits commence to swell for
the second time, directly after stoning, or many
of them will split.

Peaches and Xecturines. — All the varieties
usually grown under glass will succeed well in
pots. These I find very useful if grown in tlie
same house as permanent trees, materially hel])-
ing to maintain a supply and greater variety.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. VV. Pettk.rkw, Superintendent of City Parl<s.
Cardiff, Glamorganshire.

Park Ppadinij-rooms. — Park authorities who
have adopted the Public Health Amend
ment Act, 1907, have the right to put
into operation many important and useful
powers which, in most instances, have been
allowed to remain latent. From the educational

point of
view, by far
the most
imj)ortant of
these is the
r i g h t to
liuilil :i ri il
in a i n t a i n
leading-
rooms in
public parks.
1 li c f a r-
r e a c h i n g
p 0 s sibilili s
. outained in
;his provi-
.^ion of the
.\ c t c a n
hardly be
realised on a
first c o 11-
sidcration.

Purjo^c'^ to
be server/. —
As a rule a reading-room is associated
in one's mind with an institution where
idle people congregate to read and discuss
the daily and "weekly newspapers, together
with thc"gosL-ip of the "locality. This is not the
concejition we have of park reading-rooms. It
public money is to be spent on these, then
their aim and use should be entirely educa-
tional and newspapers and light literature should
find no place within them. All the books and
periodicals should have more or less refer-
ence to natural history, and especiilly to such
dipartments of it as may be studied in the
adjacent grounds of the "park- Photographs,
drawings, diagrams, specimens and models
.■should all be called into use, with the same ob-
ject in view, namely, to interest and enlighten the
visitors. It is needless to point out what a help
a reading-room desip.iied and maintained on these
lines would be to teachers requiring to give
Nature study lessons to their pupils — material,
books, and "illustrations would all be at their
command.

Cost of maintenance. — Such an institution as
here outlined need not be a heavy drain on the
financial resources of the parks department. In
the first place it need not be open during the
whole of the time the park is accessible to visi-
tors nor during the whole year. In the
second place, as a valuable adjunct to the free
libraries, it would deserve support (both by way
of material and money) from the sources whence
these institutions derive their income.

The hiii/ding. — Even the building used as a
park reading-room could itself be made of con-
siderable educational value. There are at pre-
sent so few- specimens of old-fashioned buildings,
even in the ancient towns and cities — much less
th-^ modern ones — of this country that when
premises are required for reading-rooms or
sim-lar ptiroo-es in the parks, they might well
be constructed as models and examples of build-
ings typical of diffeient periods of history, rather
than according to modem ideas of architecture.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. \\ ml i;. Otcliid Grower to Sir TuiivoiJ Lawkknce,
liart,, Burfurd, Surrey.

Affording water, di-c. — Through lack of suu-
s'line, many deciduous Orchids failed to complete
their growth till late in the season, conse-
quently they did not mature satisfactorily.

Some plants,
which should
have shed
their foliage
s e V e r a i
months ago,
have their
leaves stiU
fresh and
green. In
these c i r-
c u instances,
the plants
require ex-
c e p t i o n a 1
treat ment.
The greatest
mistake pos-
sible is that of
affording too
much water
at the root,
with a view
to forcing the
pseudo-bulbs to liecume plump and hard ; such
treatment is likely to destroy the roots. The
best thing to do is to keep such plants on the
dry side, and in a rather dry atmcsphere
of moderate temperature, admitting a little
air on favourable occasions, especially dur-
ing the warmer parts ( f the day. The student
will do wisely if he passes over until the next
time for watering any plants which, on examina-
tion, he has a doubt as to their being exactly wet
or dry. In the warmest division (East Indian
liousej, such evergreen epiphytal Orchids as
Aerides, Saccolabium, Renanthera. Angraecum,
and Sarcochilus require water in sufficient quan-
tities to prevent loss of foliage. When the Sphag-
num-moss on the surface assumes a whitish-
green colour. it will show that water
is required, therefore sprinkle the surface
with a fine rose watering-can. The species
of Phalsenopsis should receive similar treat-
ment, but. in addition to sprinkling the sur-
face moss, it is necessary to moisten around the
sides of the baskets, where many of the roots
cling. Cypripediuins of all kinds will rt quire
water whenever they appear to be in the least
dry. Cattleyas and Laelias require less moisture
at the root now than at any other season, ex-
cepting those plants which are now making their
growth or developing flower-spikes. The object
is to induce the formation of roots, but not
growth, and. to do this, afford just sufficient
water as will keep the pseudo-bulbs and leaves
fairly plump. The tall-growing Vandas of the
V. tricolor and V. suavis sections occupy the
cooler end of the Cattleya house, and now that
the plants are rooting freely they should be
afforded sufficient water to encourage the Sphag-
num-moss to grow luxuriantly. Terete-leaved
Orchids, as Vanda teres, V. Hookeriana. V. iliss
Joaquim, Leptotes bicolor. Scuticaria Steeiii, S.
Hadwenii. Aerides vandarum, Dendrobium tere-
tifoUum. Angrscum Scottianum, Brassavola Per-
rinii, B. stricta, several Oncidiums as 0. Sprucei,
0. juncifolium, and 0. rotundifolium : Luisio
Psyche. L. volucris. L zylanica. and L. Amesi-
ana require just enough water to prevent shrivel-
ling. There are also many small-growing genera
as Paphinia, Polycynis, Burlingtonia, Walnewa,
Comparettia, Promeii:i?a. Rodriguesia, lonopsis,
Bulbophyllum. and Cirrhopetalum that need to
be water"ed occasionally to keep them from perish-
ing. The various genera which occupy the cool
houses, as Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Masde-
vallia, and JMaxillaria are in a growing condition
almost at all times ; these should be watered often
enough to keep the compost moist.

Temperatures. — The atmospheric temperatures
of the houses at night during January
should be as follow -.—East Indian !iou.<e, 60° to
65° ■ f'att/ei/n or intermediate. 55° to 60° ; Me.ri-
can'. 55° ; and coo! lioii-<es. 50°. In exceptionally
severe weather a few degrees less heat will bo
advisable. It matters little how much tempera-
ture rises during the day from sun-heat, pro-
vided there are "[jroportional quantities of freslt
air and moisture.

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[January 1, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
lor immi)!^, should be attdrcsscd to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communtcadons should be written on onk side only of
THH FAPER, scnt as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. J/ desired^ the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith,

Special Notice to Correspondents.— TAe Editors do not.
iindalake to pay for any contributions or ilJust>attons, or
to return unused communicatiotis or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors ao not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, oj
gafdnis, or of remarkable plants, jlowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Local News.— Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendingtn
the Editots early intelligence oj local events likely to be of
lutetest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

Newspapers.— Cof>£s/'0«rfeH/s sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR JANUARY.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4— Scollish Hort. Assoc, meee.
MONDAY, JANUARY 10-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exam, of Public Park employes, at
10 a.m. Surveyors' Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben.
& Prov. Soc. Com. meet, Reading Gard. Assoc. Ann.
Meet.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Hort. Ciub, lecture by
Mr. Alexander, on "The Gardens of Ceylon," at
Hotel Windsor, 6 p.m. Barr Memorial Com. meet.
Brit. Gard. Assoc. Ex. Council meet.
THURSDAY. JANUARY 13—

Londfjii Branch of B.G.A. meet.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14-

Ann. Meet. Kent County Chrys. Soc. at Lee Green, at
8 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20—

Gard. Roy. Benev, Inst. Ann. Meet, and Election of
Pensioners at Simpson's Restaurant, Slrand, 2.45 p.m.
Friendly sup] er in tlie evenin}:. Linnean Soc. meet.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21- Roy. Inst. Lecture.
MONDAY, JANUARY 24— Surveyors' Inst, meet;
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Miss E. Arniitape on " Intensive Cultivation of Vege-
tables in Madeira.")
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29-

Ann. Dinner of Soc. FiaiK;. d'Hort. de Londres at Cafe
Ro>al.
MONDAY, JANUARY 81—

Cantor Lecture at Royal Society.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fitly Years
at Greenwich— 38-2°.

Actual Temperatures:^

London. — Wcdticsciay, December 29 (6 p.m.); Max. 45°;
Min. 42''.
Canieiiets' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — Tliurstinv, December
30 (10 A.M.): Bar. 30-4; Temp. 42'' '; Weather—
Foggy.
Provinces. — Wednesday, December 29: Max. 47" N.W.
Ireland ; Min 33'- Durham.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and FRIDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, Herbaceous and Border Plants, Lilinms,
&c., at 12; Roses, at 1.30, at (,7 & 68. Chcapside, E.C.,
by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

New and rare Perennials. Miscellaneous Plants and
Bulbs, at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at l.SO; trade
sale of Japanese Liliums at 2.30; Palms and Plants at
5, at 67 & 68 Cheapside, B.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

Imported and Established Orchids in variety, at 67 & i)^^
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The important part played 133'
Rothamsted the Rothamsted Experiment
Experiment Station in the development of
Station. .■/> • ' i^

wientins agriculture is recog-
nised throughout the world. Since its founda-
tion by Messrs. Lawes & Gilbert in 18-1,3 it
has been in the foremost rank of agricultural
research institutions. From the clays when
it played a leading part in solving the niv,'?-
ttry of the source of nitrogen to plants, till
the pre.sent time, it hiis continued to make
contributions to knowledge which have ad-
vanced science and assisted practice. At no
time during its long and distinguished career
has the station been more active than it is

now in the investigalions of the problems,
particularly those appertaining to the soil,
which concern the agriculturist and horticul-
turist.

This being so it might be supposed that,
whatever was the case with younger and less
proVed institutions, the endowment of Roth-
amsted would be adequate for its require-
ments. Far from this being the case, it is a
fact that the income available for the work of
the station is less than th-at enjoyed by any
one of the 52 separate experiment stations
attached to the several states of the American
Commonwealth.

Thus, although no State experimental
station exists in this country, our only insti-
tution, which, by its work, has won for itself
w-orld-wide recognition, is allowed to depend
for its resources on private munificence, on
the support of one of the great City com-
panies and on casual subscriptions. We are
not aware that Rothamsted receives any sup-
port whatever from the State, but in any
case, it must be admitted that for the
work of Rothamsted to be curtailed fiu- lack
of funds is a reproach to the whole com-
munity.

Despite the fact that the society for extend-
ing the Rothamsted experiments was founded
in 1904, and notwitlistanding the activity of
this society, the collected donations which it
has received amount only to £500 and :innual
subscriptions to about £150.

It is impossible to believe that this is a
measure of the recognition by the public of
the services which the station is rendering.
Rather it must be taken as one of the most
striking of many indications that insufficient
consideration is given to the pressing need
for the investigation of problems which con-
cern the national life and well-being. The
State leaves such matters too mucii to private
munificence, and the demands are so varied
and heavy that our institutions are apt to
suffer.

If Rothamsted were in any other country
of the civili.'»ed world, it would receive an
adequate measure of State a.ssistance. The
fact that it is not under State control should
be no bar to its receiving such aid.

We claim to be a nation of practical men
and not of pedants, and yet by heedlessness
we fail to invest a few hundreds a year in an
enterprise which, even now, handicapped as
it is by lack of means, is equal to any experi-
ment station in the world. We hope that
before long Rotham.sted may receive a sub-
stantial grant from the Treasury, and we
W'ould urge on the Board of Agriculture the
importance of its taking the initia':ive in
securing such a grant.

To state the objects for which funds are
required is to demonstrate the urgency of the
need. They include :. an. increase of land for
experimental purposes; a permanent endow-
nent for the bacteriological laboratory, equip-
ment of the botanical and pathological de-
partments, and also the investigation of
imimal nutrition.

The present staff has proved its capacity to
elucidate in brilliant fashion the problems of
the soil in relation to the growth of crops. It
is certain that, with more adequate support,
it would contribute in a notable degree to the
solution of outstanding problems in other de-
partments of agriciiltui'c and horticulture.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meetinp; of the Committees of this Society will
take place on Tuesday, January 11, in the
Society's Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster.

Linnean Society. — The next general meeting
of the Society will be held on Thursday,
January 20, at 8 p.m. It -will be devoted to a
discussion on the origin of vertebrates, in which
the following gentlemen will take part: — Dr.
Gaskell, Dr. Gadow, Mr. Goodrich, Professor
Starling, Professor MacBride, Dr. Smith
Woodward, and Professor Dendy.

The Royal Botanic Society. — We have
received the following letter from the secretary
of the Royal Horticultural Society : —

Subjoined is a copy of a letter to-day sent to
the chairman of the Royal Botanic Society, in
reply to the memorandum received by us from
him, dated December 7, in connection with the
efforts which have been made by the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, with the object of securing a
continuance of the Regent's Park Gardens and
safeguarding the rights and privileges which the
Fellows of the Royal Botanic enjoy at present
therein. — Faithfully yours, W. Wilks, Secretary,
December 22, 1909.

[COPT.]

S. Pembroke Stevens, Esq., K.C.,

Chairman of the Royal Botanic Society.
Dear Sir, — Having considered the Royal
Botanic Society's memorandum of December 7,
together with that which was drawn up at Mr.
Pe.mbroke Stevens's request by the secretary of
the Royal Horticnlttlral Society on Wednesday,.
November 25, as a precis and record of the-'
various proposals and suggestions which had been
made on one side or the other at the meeting of
the joint committee of the two societies, the
President and Council of the R.H.S. wish, in the
first place, to congratulate the President and
Council of the R.B..S. upon their anticipated
emergence from the critical position set forth in
their circular of November 6. In view of such
happy prospects, it does not appear to be either
necessary or desirable to continue negotiations
begun under an entirely mistaken idea produced
by the circumstances which led to the circular of
November 6. Also, it does not seem worth while
to enter upon any of the points raised in the
R.B.S. memorandum of December 7, except to
say this, that the memorandum drawn up on
November 26 by the secretary of the R.H.S. at
Mr. Pembroke Stevens's request was in no-
sense to be regarded as a scheme emanating from
the R.H.S., but simply and solely as a memo-
randiun incorporating the general tenour of the
principal suggestions which had been made on
one side or the other at the preceding meeting,
and that it was not therefore surprising if a con-
geries of suggestions contributed by a number
cf persons should not represent a workable whole.
It is needle.ss to point out that such a memoran-
dum binds neither society ; it is merely a precis
and record of the chief points brought under re-
view, and suggested at the meeting. Should,
however, the " difficulties " apprehended on
November 5 unfortunately recur, the R.H.S.
will be prepared to consider any reasonable pro-
posal for preserving the Gardens for their pre-
sent uses, and continuing to all Fellows and
debenture holders of the Botanic all their exist-
ing rights and privileges therein. — Believe me
to be, faithfully yours, W. Wii.KS, Secretary
R.H.S. By order of the President and Council.

The Board of Agriculture & Fisheries.

— We are informed that Sir Edward Strachey,
Bart., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, has ap-
pointed Mr. E. N. Bennett, M.P., to be his
Parliamentary private secretary (unpaid), and
Mr. Edward Stbachey as his official piivate
secretary.

January 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

"The Botanical Magazine."— The issue for
Jiiiiuai-y contains descriptions and illustrations of
the following plants : —

Syringa Bretschneideri, tab. 8292. — Seeds
of this species were introduced to Paris from
Northern China about 1880. Examples in the
Kew collection have been received from
sources under the diverse names S.
var. rosea, S. villosa, S. Josikaea var.
.ind S Bretschneideri. According to
E. Brown, the species now described is
most nearly allied to S. Josikiea, Jacq., but this
latter species has glabrous leaves, and more
deeply coloured flowers, therefore S. Bret-
schneideri is accorded the separate recognition
given it by Mons. Lemoine in 1900. The finest

various
Emodii
eximia,
Mr. N.

not a showy species, I. minuta deserves to be
included in Iris collections. Dr. Staff states
that the plant promises to be fairly hardy. The
flowers are yellow, and the flowering growths are
about 9 inches in height.

Dipelta VENTRicosA, tab. 8294. — This species
is a native of Western China, where it and D.
yunuanensis were found by Mr. E. H. Wilson
growing at an altitude of 8,500 feet above sea-
level. D. ventricosa differs from every other
species in having the purplish-red corolla widely
inflated at the base. In the Goombe Wood Nur-
sery of Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, this new
species has formed a handsome shrub, and it
promises to be a good garden plant, being quite
hardy and of easy cultivation.

lip, the other parts of the flower being white.
Mr. RoLFE, in his note now published in the
Botanical Maijazine, makes Eria Laucheana, de-
scribed by Dr. Kbanzlin, in Gardeners'
Chronicle,' June 25, 1892, p. 809, to be identical
with E. rhodoptera, which species he describes
as being nearest to E. Dillwinii.

Removal of Messrs. Dobbie & Co.s
Business from Rothesay.— The annual social
meeting of tlie employes of this firm took place
on the 17th ult., at Rothesay, there being about
123 employes and friends present. Mr. Wm.
CuTHEERTSON, J. P., who presided, explained the
reasons why the removal of the business to Edin-
burgh had been determined upon. He related

Fig.

example in the Kew collection is 10 feet high,
and as much through, but it promises to become
considerably taller. The flower panicles are ' 18
inches high and 12 inches across. The species
flowers early in June, when most varieties of
the common Lilac have faded.

Iris minuta, tab. 8293. — This plant is known
only in a cultivated state, but, says Dr. Staff, it
is generally assumed to be the plant described by
Franctiet and Savatier as I. minuta. The plate
lias been prepared from a plant obtained for the
Kew collection from the Yokohama Nursery Co.,
in 1908, but Mr. W. E. Ledger appears to have
cultivated the species in his garden at Wimble-
don some time previously. It is cultivated at
Kew in a pot, in an unhealed frame. Whilst

-MICHAELMAS DAISIES IN ALDEXHAM HOUSE GARDE.KS
(See p. 4.)

tP/io/nfmftft ^J■ H. N. Kitts-

OuRisiA MACROPHYLi.A, tab. 8295. — This plant
is a native of New Zealand, and was figured in
Gardeners' Chronicle, June 19, 1909, fig. 172,
from a photograph of a plant raised in the
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, from seed
obtained from New Zealand in 1907. The flower-
buds on first opening are faintly pink, but the
expanded flowers are white. The Edinburgh
plant flowered in the middle of March in an
unheated frame.

Eria rhodoptera, tab. 8296. — This species
was first described by Professor Reicheneach in
Gardeners' Chronicle, November 4, i882, p. 586,
from flowers obtained from Messrs. Henderson
& Sons, Pineapple Nursery, Maida Vale. This
species is remarkable for its crimson petals and

the history of the firm from the time when tht
late Mr. Jas. Doebie commenced to sell vege-
table seeds in Renfrew, and after the business
was removed to Rothesay, in 1875. The develop-
ment has been so great that in order to carry
on the present postal business it was necessary to
remove to a centre having better postal and rail-
way communications, for at Rothesay the last
dispatch of parcels by post or rail is 4.30 in the
afternoon. Other speeches were made by Pro-
vost Miller and Councillor Fife.

Leamington Flower Show. — The exhibi-
tion held at Leamington last year proved such a
success, that the committee has made several
important additions to the schedule for 1910.

10

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Januahy 1, 19101

Notwithstanding last year's show was a new ven-
ture, there remained, after paying all liabilities,
a balance of £50. The guarantee fund of nearly
£700 was not needed. For the present year four
challenge cups, each of the value of 25 guineas,
including one from the Mayor, Mr. Alfred
Holt, have been presented to the Society. These
will be awarded respectively, for the best non-
competitive exhibit, a coflection of fruit, a display
of Roses occupying 12 feet by 4 feet, and for 25
distinct kinds of hardy gai'den flowers.
Another cup of lesser value is offered for four
dishes of fruits. A first prize of £20 is offered
for a group of plants. The officers include the
Mayor, who is president, and several borough
councillors. The show will take place in
the Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa, on
Wednesday and Thursday, July 27 and 28. The
secretaries are Councillor H. V. Richards and
Mr. Leo Rawlinson. Entries for the exhibition
will be received by Mr. J. T. Hayes, superinten-
dent of the Leamington parks and gardens.

A New Rose — " Entente Cobdiale.' —

Among various Ro.ses chronicled in the Rerne,
Horticole as having been introduced into com-
merce last year by M. Pernet-Ducher, of Venis-
sieux, near Lyons, is a Hybrid Tea named
Entente Cordiale. Its parents are Mme. Abel
Chatenay and Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, and the
seedling is said to possess the vigour and florifer-
ousness of the former variety. The flowers are
laige, full and globular, cream or " sulphur "-
white, with the tips of the petals lightly tinted
with carmine.

The Sand Dunes of New Zealand form
the subject of a report by Dr. L. Cockayne to
the Government of the Dominion, from which
we learn that over 300.000 acres of land in New
Zealand are covered with moving sands. These
figures will doubtless come as a surprise to most
persons, even to those familiar with the sand
dunes of Europe. The New Zealand sand dunes
are not confined to the coast districts, though
these are by far the most extensive. There are
290,000 acres in the North Island, and nearly
184,000 acres in the Auckland district alone.
Dr. Cockayne's report deals with the whole
subject, as to causes, effects, and reclamation
results obtained in various countries. In New-
Zealand hitherto the losses have far exceeded
the gains, mainly in consequence of ovei'-grazing
and burning the vegetation. The principal
native dune plants are : Spinifex hirsutus, Scir-
pus frondosus, Euphorbia glauca, Carex pumila,
and Calystegia Soldanella, which are sand-
binders; and Coprosma acerosa, Pimelea
arenaria, Cassinia leptophylla, C. fulvida, C. re-
torta, Festuca littoralis, Calamagrostis Billar-
dieri, and Scirpus nodusus, which are sand-
collectors. Dr. Cockayne has come to the con-
clusion that " the final treatment of (New Zea-
land) dunes should a.ssuredly be afforestation."
The report is illustrated.

Publications Received. — Crop Bulletin

103. (Ontario Department of Agriculture,
Bnreau of Industries, Toronto ) (November, 1009.)
— Report of the Farmers' Institutes of the Pro-
vince of Ontario, 1 908. P/irt I. (Published by
the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.) — CuftiW-
tion and Preparation of the Calabash Pipe
Gourd, by Joseph Burtt-Davy. Being a reprint
from the Farmer's BuUetin, No. 95. (Published

by the Transvaal Department of Agriculture )

The Sunflower : Its Uses and Cultivation, by
Joseph Burtt-Davy. Being a reprint from the
Fanner's Bulletin, No. 83. (Published by the
Transvaal Department of Agriculture.) — Prickly
Pear and the Spineless Cactus for Stock Food,
by Joseph Burtt-Davy. Farmer's Bulh'tin, No.
90. (Published by the Transvaal Department of
Agriculture.) (The Government Printing and
Stationery Office, Pretoria.)

EUPATORIUM RAFFILLII.

This plant will prove one of the most valuable
members of the genus. It requires warm green-
house treatment, and flowers in lato winter, like
E. ianthinum, to which it is closely allied.
Cuttings of the young shoots root readily in a
close ^ propagating frame during spring and
suiumer. The earlier-rooted plants should have
the points removed when they are 4 or 5 inches
in height in order to induce them to form bushy
plants. The later-rooted cuttings should be
grown on without stopping, and they will then
produce each a large tei'minal flower-head. The
potting soil may consist of equal parts fibrous
loam, peat, leaf-mould, and plenty of coarse sand.
Large bushes may be obtained by shortening the
growths after flowering, shifting them into

5 inches across, whilst the flower-heads of
the side shoots vary according to the vigour of
the shoots. Their colour may perhaps be best
described as purplish-lilac.

E. Raffillii is supposed to be a native of Central
America, but its origin is uncertain. For years
it has been cultivated in the Birmingham
Botanic Garden as E. ianthinum. .1. 0.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

THE NEW METHOD OF GROWING
SWEET PEAS.

The old method was to draw out a drill with
the hoe in the garden, sow the Peas along the
bottom of it, cover u-j and leave the rest to

Fig. 13. — EUPATORIUM raffillii

iPhotngrafh by C. P. Raffdl.
FLOVVEKS PURPLE.

larger pots when they have started into growth
again.

Compared with E. ianthinum, the subject of
this note is much more vigorous in growth,
attaining a height of 3 feet or more in one year.
The young branches, leaf-stalks, veins on the
undersides of the leaves, and the involucre bracts
are all freely clothed with red-brown hairs,
which give the plants a distinct and ornamental
appearance. The thick, fleshy leaf-stalk averages
3 inches in length, the leaves being 7 inches to
8 inches long, and 5 inches to 5 inches
wide, dark glossy green above, pale green
beneo.th, and very hirsute The central
terminal flower-head (see fig. 13) is often

chance and Nature. The new method is as fol-
lows : In the month of January pots are prepared
and filled with a good loamy compost and the
seeds are sown with every care in a temperature
of 50° to 60°. Some growers prefer sowing single
seeds in small 50's, others prefer to put four or
five seeds in large 60's or 48's (5-inch pots). As
soon as the plants get an inch or so in height,
the pots should be placed near the glass and in a
light, airy situation. When the plants arc
3 inches tall, small twiggy growths of hazel or
other wood are placed round the pots to keep
the plants on their feet and prevent them bend-
ing over.

Whether the tops should be pinched or not 's

January 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

11

a question often debated. The best answer is
this : Study the plants, and if laterals break
near the ground leave well alone. Some sorts
seem inclined to run up and not break ; these
should certainly be pinched when 4 inches high.
In March the plants must be removed to a cold
frame and gradually hardened for planting as
early as possible in April. They can be grown
well in clumps or lines, whichever suits the con-
venience of the garden. Clumps are very often
made in the following fashion : — Four long stakes
are placed in the prepared ground in the form rf
a 20-inch square. Galvanised sheet wire netting
is obtained and cut into 5 feet lengths. The^e
are put round the stakes in the form of a circle
and made secure to them. Four, never more
than six, plants are planted round the outside
of the wire circle, and the growths are trained
up straight and regularly all round. By having
the posts or stake,s 9 or 10 feet high, and adding
circles of wire as the plants grow, these latter
easily reach that height and become magnificent
objects.

It is well that this new plan of growing has
come into practice, because reliable seeds of the
best Spencer varieties, which are all the lage
nowadays, are scarce, and therefore expensive.

As to the best varieties, there can be
no better guide than the recommendation of
the Floral Committee of the National Sweet
Pea Society. Their principal recommendations
are: — White: Etta Dyke and Nora Unwin.
Primrose : Clara Curtis and James Grieve.
Cream pink: Constance Oliver. Pink: Countess
Spencer. Orange: Helen Lewis. Carmine:
John Ingman. Crimson : The King. Laven-
der: Frank Dolby and Mrs. C. Foster. Mauve :
The Marquis. Picolee-edyed : Elsie Herbert and
Jlrs. C. W. Breadmore. liicolor : Mrs. A.
Ireland. Mnrhled: Helen Pierce. Enthusiast.

LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Twenty years ago it was a difficult matter
to have Chrysanthemums in flower at this
season, principally because suitable late-bloom-
ing varieties were scarce. Now, however, there
is an abundance of first-rate varieties that flower
almost naturally in December. They include
almost all shades of colour, and the large
selection provides a difliculty in knowing
which to grow. The following list has been com-
piled as representing some of the best for the
purpose. White-flowered sorts are, perhaps,
most appreciated, and it is difficult to name
one better than Niveum, which bears pure white
blooms on stiff stems. Mme. R. Oberthur
is also a white variety, the lightly-curling
florets adding to its charm. The Queen is an-
other desirable white sort, as also is Florence
Davis, although the latter has a tinge of green
in the central florets. Mme. Edmund Roger is
even more pronounced in its green tinge on a
white ground. For these who prefer a white bloom
with a creamy tint, nothing is finer than Mrs.
J. Thompson : the loosely-incurving blooms are
produced on extra stiff stems. Another creamy-
tinted variety is Princess Victoria, a shapely
bloom with refiexing florets. Western King is
well known, and it cannot be discarded. Queen
of the Exe is white, with a pleasing pink tinge.

Amongst yellow kinds, Yellow Thompson is
valuable for those who need a flower not particu-
larly deep in its tint, but W. H. Lincoln, Negoya,
King of Plumes, Frangois Pilon, and AUman's
Yellow are all deeply tinged ; in fact, most of
them are orange-yellow in tint.

Amongst brightly-coloured sorts may be men-
tioned Violet Lady Beaumont and Cullingfordii .
still a brilliant variety. Amongst bronze-shaded
sorts, Lord Brooke stands prominent with its
extra stiff stems. Tuxedo, of terra-cotta bronze
shade, is still desirable, although quite oid.
Beauty of Sholing, bronze and gold, with its
reilexing florets, is attractive. ]'J, MnJi/neiix.

VEGETABLES.

LETTUCES FOE A SUCCESSION.

Although the varieties of Lettuce are ex-
ceedingly numerous, the three kinds men-
tioned below are, under proper culture,
sufficient to provide a succession for 12
months. With a few frames provided with
a little bottom heat, it is possible to pro-
duce in 12 weeks splendid heads quite equal to
any imported at this season. The cost is small,
for very little heating material is required, and
as soon as the Lettuces are cut, the frames are
available for other crops, such as Marrows.

Golden Ball. — This is one of the best varie-
ties for early supply. It is a quick grower, and
forms very firm hearts under glass. The leaves
are very tender, and all of them can be made
use of. The first sowing should be made at the
end of December in medium heat. Sow the
seeds thinly in boxes, for, when planted thickly,
the seedlings become drawn, and this must be

sembles the Drumhead type, but is quite dis-
tinct. Grown on rich ground, the plants attain
to a very large size ; they are, however, not
coarse, but tender and crisp. For withstanding
the hot and dry weather without bolting this Let-
tuce is especially valuable. There may be others
as good, but none better. The leaves are curly,
and slightly tinged with reddish-brown on the
edges. The first sowing should be made during
the first week of IHarch, and successional batches
sown till the end of June. By sowing early in
August and transplanting in frames this variety
will give a late but useful crop.

Marvel.- — For autumn and winter supplies this
will be found an excellent variety. The plant
is very hardy, and when well grown is adapted
for lifting and placing in frames. The outside
foliage is brown, the heart leaves being of a
creamy tinge. The first sowing should be made
in July, and the second about the end of August,
This last sowing will provide plants for lifting
into frames or cold houses. This second sowing
is too late for gardens in the north Midland

Fig. 14.

[Photograph by H. F. Macmillan,
-SOLANUM WENDLANDII IN THE PERADENIYA BOTANIC GARDENS, CEYLON.

avoided. As soon as the seedlings are large
enough they should be transplanted into other
bo.xes. An early vinery or Peach-house is a
capital place for them after they are pricked
off. Keep them as near to the glass as pos-
sible to ensure sturdiness. Meanwhile, the
frames should be got in readiness for their final
planting. The hot-bed should be made of two-
thirds leaves and one-third stable manure ; the
leaves will counterbalance the great heat of the
manure, making the bed milder and more last-
ing. About 6 inches of good soil on the bed is
required for planting. It should consist of half
rotted manure and half soil, well mixed together.
The surface should be not more than 6 inches
from the glass. Sow for succession in January,
and again in February, for earliest outdoor plant-
ing on warm borders. When the earliest out-
door batch is planted at the end of JIarch and
beginning of April, it will be found to be a
capital plan to cover the border with herring
nets, as these will keep away the sparrows and
other birds, and act as a protection against frost.

Supreme. — This variety is one of the finest
Cabbage Lettuces for a summer crop. It vc-

counties, where it is best done from the begin-
ning of July until a fortnight later. E. O.
Pooley, Gnaton Gardens, Y ealmpton.

SOLANUM WENDLANDII IN CEYLON.

The giant among the climbing species of
Solanum is S. Wendlandii. It is a hand-
some plant, with large, deeply-cut, succulent
leaves, and is a striking object when in
full blossom, bearing large trusses of lilac-
blue flowers, with large, yellow anthers. It
is a vigorous grower and a free bloomer,
thriving best in an open, sunny situation,
without shade, and hence is especially adapted
for growing on arches, trellises, &c. The plant is
a native of Costa Rica, and is named in honour
of Dr. Wendland. who first sent it to Kew in
1882. It flowered there in 1887, when it was
figured in the Botanical Magazine (t. 6914). In
1894 it was introduced to the^Peradeniya
Botanical Gardens, and it is now a popidar orna-
mental plant in Ceylon, where it thrives from
1,000 feet to 5,000 feet above sea-level. S.
Wendlandii is a familiar stove plant in Britain.

12

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 1, 1910.

LYGORIS AUREA.

Lycoris aurea, Herb., is a well-known and
beautiful Chinese species. It was introduced
from China towards the end of the eighteenth
century. In company with Lycoris radiata, it is
much cultivated by the Chinese as an orna-
mental plant, but, unfortunately, with us it is
anything but a free fiowerer.

Though it is in cultivation around practically
every city and village in Western Yunnan, I
only found it really wild in two districts. First,
to the north-west of the city of Tengyueh-ting,
where it occupied several miles of an old lava
bed ; secondly, in the Salwin valley, about
26° 30' N., growing amongst dwarf scrub and
always below the high-water level of the rainy
season floods. In this latter place I obtained the
photograph reproduced in fig. 15. 0. Forrest.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH " GARDEN.

The rains have greatly impeded all work in
the " French " garden, and the soil for placing
in the frames is in a very bad condition.

AVe have, however, started hot-beds for forc-
ing Radishes, Carrots and Lettuces. When one
bed is completed and the soil is made level in
the frames, we shall sow the Radishes (Early
Forcing French Breakfast) at the rate of a
i ounce of seeds to each frame. The Carrots
(Early Parisian) will be sown at the rate of one-
sixth ounce of seeds per frame, and they will
be covered with 1 inch of finely-sifted soil lightly
pressed down.

Next, six rows will be marked out for the
Lettuces and the frames covered with the lights.
Four or five days later, when the fermentation of
the manure begins — whicli may be seen by the
drips on the glass — the Lettuces (Little Black
Gott) will be planted, putting 42 plants in each
light These Lettuces have been grown under
the cloches during the winter. They are not set
very deep in the soil, as this would cause decay
in the bottom leaves.

If the Cauliflowers have not grown satis-
factorily during the winter, seeds of the variety
Driancourt can be inserted among the Carrots in-
stead of Radishes. If Lettuces are required for
a succession, sow seeds of All the Year Round
and Paris White in the same way as the Cauli-
flowers. These crops, however, will be too late
to command a remunerative profit when grown
for market.

The seedlings must be pricked out late in
January on a mild hot-bed to inure them to the
ventilation they will require in February.

When preparing the hot-beds, it is necessary
to keep sufficient frames and lights in hand for
the raising of seedlings in spring. For a gai'den
with 400 lights and 2,000 cloches, 36 lights will
be ample for the purpose.

The making of- the hot-beds, provided every-
thing was got ready last month, should not take
more than four weeks in favourable weather.

We are planting in some of the cold frames
25 Lettuces of the variety Passion, and, in others,
30 of the variety Little Black Gott. Before plant-
ing them, Radish National, a round, white-
tipped variety, bigger than the French Breakfast,
is sown in the frames.

Carrots are never sown in cold frames with
Lettuces, as they require much space before the
Lettuces are ready for market. Some growers
plant, in February, eight Cos Lettuces (Paris
Grey) in cold frames among the Cabbage Let-
tuces, with good results.

As soon as cloches are at liberty the Cos Let-
tuces, Green Flat of Paris, are pricked out for
the third time, five being planted under each
cloche. This operation is often neglected, but
when practised better plants are obtained.

As soon as possible, we shall prepare the out-
of-door beds, which were dug early in November,
for planting the Lettuces Passio7i and Palatine.
When the beds are raked over. Radishes or

Spinach will be sown, and a layer 1 inch deep
of decayed manure will be placed over the seeds.
We are forking the soil about and mulching
Strawberry runners planted in September. These
will form plants for forcing in 1911. P.
Aquatias.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

WINTER BEGONIAS.
It is well-nigh impossible to over-praise the
Gloire de Lorraine type of Begonia as a deco-
rative subject for the Christmas season. Plants
2 or 3 feet in height, and nearly as much
through, in 6 or 8-inch pots with their coral

colour. Alba grandiflora provides a good white,
and is very floriferous, and Turnford Hall is a
white variety slightly shaded with pale pink.
It is surprising the length of time these varie-
ties remain of decorative use when treated pro-
perly. Aphis may prove rather troublesome to
them unless the structure is fumigated every
alternate week.

When plants of the Gloire de Lorraine type
have finished flowering they should have their
growths cut back to within 6 inches of the base,
and the water supply much reduced. If syringed
frequently they will produce young shoots from
the base, and these form the best cuttings. These
root easily in sand or leaf-soil, either in pans,
pots nr dibbled in a propagating box. They should

[I'hologynph by G. turrcst.

Fig. 15. — LYCORIS aurea growing in the salwin valley, china.

pink flowers, almost hiding the foliage, show
up well under artificial light. They need much
care in watering, and must not be placed ux
positions exposed to cold draughts. I find the
plants keep much better when elevated on pots,
in an atmosplieric temperature of 55° at night,
so that the warm air can freely circulate be-
tween them. The original Gloire de Lorraine
compares with any of its rivals as regards bright-
ness of colour, although the newer variety, " The
King," has much to recommend it, being more
vigorous, and having larger, though less pen-
dulous, flowers. Mrs. L. de Rothschild is a
very free-flowering variety, and has larger
flowers than the type, but they are lighter in

be kept moderately moist and close until rootedi.
Let the shoots be some 2^ inches long before
taking them off.

The new hybrid winter-flowering section,
partly bulbous and partly fibrous-rooied, and in-
cluding such varieties as Winter Cheer, John
Heal, Mrs. Heal, Elatior, Winter Glow, Clib-
ran's Pink, and Beauty of Hale are all mare or
less beautiful in their varied colours. Though
not of such a decorative habit as the Gloire de
Lorraine type, they add a brightness to an in-
termediate stove during the winter months.
The.se require more careful management than the
Lorraine type to keep the plants from year to
year, and they are not quite so easily propagated.

January 1, 1910. J

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

13

But with judgment in the watering dur-
ing their resting season they produce, from April
onwards, a fair quantity of growths from the
axils of the leaves, which, if rooted, form good
plants by the following winter.

Another winter and spring-flowering Begonia
is Gloire de Sceaux. This bears rosy -pink flowers
very freely, and for its highly ornamental foli-
age alone deserves a place in the stove. Presi-
dent Carnot is a strong grower, bearing huge
panicles of rosy-pink flowers, which show to
much advantage when trained to the roof. By
rooting cuttings at short intervals it is possible
to have this variety in bloom throughout the
year. April and May are the best months to
propagate all the Begonias I have mentioned.
J . Mciyne.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

Wart Disease of Potatos. — In a report
which recently appeared in the Times, of experi-
ments made on behalf of the Board of Agricul-
ture at various centres, the following varieties
were recommended for cultivation in infected
areas : — Langwonhy. What's Wanted, Golden
Wonder, Sutton's Abundance, Findlay's Con-
quest and Snowdrojj. The variety last named
had failed in some cases, owing, it is supposed,
to the seed tubers not being true to name.
This is not surprising, because Snowdrop re-
sembles the variety Sir John Llewellyn very
closely, although here Snowdrop is certainly the
better of the two. The following varieties were

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Effect of Grass on Trees. — When I
first read Mr. Spencer Pickering's account on the
effect of grass on trees, in the report of the
Woburn Fruit Farm, I was much struck by the
fact that the subject had, apparently, been so
little investigated ; because, to the fur'ester and
arboriculturist, it is of the veiy utnicst importance
to know how to deal with land already overgrown
by grass, or liable to become so, bifjre newly-
planted trees are established. Although Mr. Pick-
ering's observations have been confined mainly —
if not entirely — to fruit trees, and I do not wish
in any way to controvert
them, I am sure that they are ^_^

not equally applicable to
many forest trees, to all kinds
of soil, or to all kinds of
grass. I never take a walk
in my plantations without
noticing that, thougli some
trees, of which Sycamore,
Wych Elm, and Ash are ex-
cellent examples, remain for
years without making any
progress in grassy land, yet,
that self-sown seedlings of
the same species often come
away vigorously under sinu-
lar, or apparently similar,
conditions ; whilst many Coni-
fers, among which Corsican
and Scots Pine are notable
instances, not only do not
Ecem to mind the grass, but
actually grow more vigorou.5ly
after being planted out of
it, than they have done in my nursery
where Corsican Pine, at any rate, grows very
slowly and badly, and seems, in its infancy, to
suffer from chlorosis, dne to the excess of lime,
in the form of carbonate, which is present on the
oolite formation. It would be unsafe to form any
opinion on this involved and difficult question
from experience gained only on such a soil as
mine ; but, until we do know a great deal more
about it, we shall not be in a position to estimate
the approximate cost of establishing plantations
of hardwoods on soils subject to grass. The cost
of keeping the ground clean would usually, in
the case of economic plantations, be prohibitive ;
whilst, in the case of fruit trees, it may, and
probably would, be repaid by the production of
fruit. At the same time. I must say that I
have seen, in Kent and Buckinghamshire, Cherry
orchards containing trees of great size and age
laden with fruit, though the land was and always
had been in grass, and it is obvious that, what-
ever may have been the effect of grass on park
trees in their youth, many of the very finest and
largest trees in the kingdom grow in grass. Some
of the best orchards in Herefordshire are also in
grass. It is, therefore, much to be hoped that
some carefully-planned experiments should be
maae and continued l->r at least 10 years on
various kinds of soil ; and with trees of as many
genera as possible, with the object of throwing
more light on this most impoi'tant question. The
Duke of Bedford has already, at Mr. Spencer
Pickering's suggestion, made a Deginning, and I
have reason to hope that the Royal Agricultural
College at Cirencester will carry out similar ex-
2)eriments. H. J. Ehvcs, Cohshoine.

it, and grow no others where the land is
infected. It will be necessary in future to exer-
cise great care in purcha.sing seed Potatos. For-
tunately it is not necessary to purchase tubers ni
all cases for I have a stock of Snowdrop which I
have grown for 26 years, and it shows no signs of
deterioration ; if the cultivation is gooa, the soil
suitable, and due care is taken of the seed tubers,
it will be found in most instances that nothing is
gained by obtaining seed from other sources. 11'.
H. Divers, Bdvoir Castle Gardens, Grantham.

Apple Maggie Grieve. — In the notice of
the exhibitioti of Apples at the Woburn Fruit
Farm (see p. 432), it is stated that amongst the
best varieties was that known as Maggie Grieve.
This is one of the many Apples raised by myself.
It is a first-class culinary variety and a free
bearer. The fruits are of a rich crimson colour.
This variety should be in every collection. Jas.
Grieve, Bedbraes, Edinburgh.

Garden Pictures. — Not only has gar-
dening undergone great developments in recent
years, but several artists have made a speciality
of garden subjects, and some
weil-illustrated books have
been published on English
gardens by the three-colour
process. One of the best of
these books is that by Mrs.
AUiiiglian. who has long been
known as an extremely clever
pointer of garden scenes ; but
her drawings novv command
very high prices. Not so
are the beautiful water

Fig. i6. — inflorescence of lycoris aurea:
flowers orange-yellow.

(See p. 12.)

found to be infected with the disease, and should
not be planted on infected land : — Up-to-Date,
Northern Star, King Edward VII., Eldorado,
Royal Kidney, British Queen. Talisman, Epi-
cure, Sharpe's Express, May Queen, and Ninety-
fold. This information is useful, as the
disease may eventually be stamped out if
ws can find varieties that are immune to

colour drawings of Hampshire and other
gardens by Mr. Reginald West, a clever young
artist, who painted in the Cornish school
until he mastered the tints and characteristics of
that picturesque coast. Mr. West, who lives near
Christchurch, has just had a successful exhibi-
tion of some of his work at Bournemouth, where
his delicate and accurate drawings have been
much admired. A few notes upon some of his
garden pictures may be interesting to readers of
the Gardeners Chronicle, and all who are
interested in the subject would do well to take
any opportunity they find for seeing examples of
this kind of work from the brush of one who so
faithfully and beautifully portrays what he sees
in the various gardens he visits. Among the
best of the drawings exhibited was that of the
Heron Court Garden, one of a pair bought by
the Duchess of Westminster, who has commis-
sioned Mr. West to paint at Eaton Hall next
summer. Sn this picture is a beautiful belt of
blue Delphiniums against a rounded wall of red
brick, carefully drawn and rich in tone. A " Gar-
den near Christchurch " shows brilliant masses of
Marguerites, yellow Mulleins, and tall Loosestrifes
against a background of trees in all their summer
glory. Mr. Reginald West is particularly happy
in his pictures of Azaleas and Rhododendrons,
and there are also several clever effects of
Michaelmas Daisies and one beautiful bed of
Tulips, which are exquisitely transparent m
their rendering. Two or three of the views were
taken in Mr. Prichard's nurseries, with the
fine old Christchurch Priory in the distance.

14

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 1, 1910.

The artist is becoming well-known for his draw-
iiins of topiary work, several beautiful specimens
of which called for special attention at Bourne-
mouth. His rendering of these old-fasliioned
closely-cut Yew and Holly hedges is very clever.
On© of the best of that series, a garden at
Brockenhurst. had a circular pool of Water-lilies
ni the foreground, which was so sketched as to
appear half cut off in the front of the picture.
//. S. T.

Winter Beans.— I am forwarding a plant of
Climbing Frcjich Bean, bearing a second crop
of pods, also a small bundle of pods gathered
from similar plants, showing the value of this
variety for autumn and winter use. I have grown
this Bean for many years, and have found it
superior to any other kind for late sup-
ply. The seeds were sown in 3-inch pots
on August 14, and the plants raised in an
intermediate temperature until they had
filled the pots with roots, when they were
transferred to 5-inch pots. They were placed in
their fruiting quarters about the middle of Sep-
tember; at the same time they were shifted into
8 inch pots, filled to a little less than half their
depth. The compost consisted of two parts loam
and one part manure from a spent Mushroom-
bed and leaf-mould, with sufficient sand to keep
the whole porous. They were arranged in single
rows on either side of a span-roofed house, one
plant in each pot, the stems being trained, at a
distance of 1 foot apart, to the trellis. The first
fruits were gathered on October 18, and since
then I have gathered on 35 occasions. After No-
vember 14, the plants ceased bearing for a few
days ; then they developed fresh flowers in
abundance, many being borne on the old fruiting
spikes. I commenced to gather from this second
crop on November 30, and have done so every
alternate day since. The plants average 9 feet
in length, and are healthy and strong. During
tiie fruiting period, the roots are top-dressed with
fresh compost, to which has been added a little
soot, bonemeal and fertiliser. This is done
about every 10 days, or as soon as the roots have
grown through the previous top-dressuig. The
temperature of the house from the middle of Sep-
tember until the end of October is about 60° at
night, and from 60° to 65° by day ; but ventila-
tion is freely afforded on all favourable occasions.
During November and December, the tempera-
tiu-e ranges from 57° to 60° at night-time, and
from 60" to 65° by day. We never allow the
hot-water pipes to become overheated, and we
damp the atmosphere freely during favourable
weather to prevent red spider. G. Hatch,
Carenhani Park Gardens. Decemher. 1909.

Chrysanthemums. — Mr. Chas. Herririge
states (p. 383) that the soil for the final potting
should consist of " loam, pulled to pieces by the
hands." I consider this a great waste of labour,
and unnecessary for the production of good
Chrysanthemums. Loam chopped with the
spade is quite as good, and it is a ten times
quicker method. He also writes. " place them m
a temperature of 60° on a shelf in a cool green-
house." A temperature of 60° would cause Chry-
santhemum cuttings to become drawn and weak
in their early stages. Then he says, " the ne.xt
shift must be into 6-inch pots." I think few
Chrysanthemum growers will agree with the
practice of moving the plants direct from
the thumb pots to 6-inch pots. Again, he
■<vrites, " they should be removed to a cold
frame about the middle of March." This is
rather a sudden change, and one likely to
cause mildew and rust. Finally, in order
to obtain a good, well-flowered, decorative plant,
it is necessai-y to commence operations as early
in the year as possible. Jamas )V i nrkester ,
Windle HaU Gardens, St. Helens, Lanes.

SOCIETIES.

SCHEDULE RECEIVED.

Bournemouth Horticultural Society's spring show,
April 5. 6. Secretary, C. W. Barrett, Lucerne, Fenton Road,
West Southbourne, Bournemouth.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

December 15. — Committee present: Messrs. E.
Ashworth, R. Ashworth, Arthur, Cowan,
Cypher, Holmes, Keeling, Parker, Shill, Thorp,
Ward and Weathers.

S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mv.
Shill), exhibited a remarkably fine collection of
rare Cypripediums, for which a Gold Medal was
awarded. The group included C. X Lyon, a
finely-shaped flower, with rich colouring in the
dorsal sepal ; C. X Beryl West Point var., C.
X Leeanum Corona, C. X F. W. Ashton, a
form of C. X eboraicum with a bold, well-marked
dorsal sepal ; C. X Leeanum Corona West Point
var., C. X Thalia var. giganteum, C. X Priam,
C. X Actfeus var. Miss Cann, the rare C. " jNIrs.
Gary Batten," which is a form of C. villosum,
and several choice forms of G. X Archimedes
and C. X San-ae-der». G. X eboraicum West
Point variety was awarded a First-class Certi-
ficate.

Mrs. S. Geatri.x received a First-class Certi-
ficate for C. X Actseus var. A. J. Balfour.

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden (gr. Mr.
Weatherby), was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal
for a group of Odontoglossums, which included
well-grown and well-flowered forms of 0. cris-
pum.

Drewett 0. Drewett, Esq., Riding-Mill-on-
Tyne (gr. Mr. Renwick). exhibited a number of
Cypripediums. An interesting plant was seen
in C. insigne var. crassifolium. The flower had
indications of some influence other than that of C.
insigne, and was not acknowledged by the Com-
mittee to be a variety of that species. C. insigne
var. Thompsonii received an Award of Merit.

W. R. Lee, Esq., Hey wood (gr. i\lr. Corser),
was awarded a Silver Medal for a group of Cypri-
pediums, many of the jjlants having previously
received Awards. C. X Marjorie Lees var. and
G. Charlesianum Lees var. were voted Awards of
Merit on this occasion.

J. McCartney, F^q., Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes),
exhibited Lselia anceps var. Ballantineana.

Glive Cookson, Esq.. Wylam-on-Tyne (gr. Mr.
Chapman), staged a group of plants, in which
were three remarkable specimens of Cypripe-
dium, viz., C. x Leeanum var. Clinkaberrya-
num, C. insigne Sanderae and C. insigne puncto
violacea. A Silver Medal was awarded for the
good cultivation seen in these plants. First-class
Certificates were granted to Odontoglossum X
ardentissimum var. Phoebe, Odontoglossum X
Clive, a magnificent hybrid, the parentage cf
which is not recorded ; and 0. crispum var.
Chapmaniie, a home-raised, spotted form of good
quality. Calanthe X Gildenii, C. X Harrisii,
and Cypripcdium Hera Oakwood var. received
Awards of Merit. A Silver-gilt Medal was
awarded to the general display.

J. Leem.'Inn, Esq., Heaton Mersey (gr. Mr.
Smith), exhibited Gypripedium insigne var.
Gloire d'Audergheim, a distinct yellow form.
The Committee conferred an Award of Merit.

R. Le Doux, Esq., West Derby (gr. Mr.
Fletcher), was awarded a Silver Medal for a
group containing several distinct Odontoglos-
sums, of which 0. crispum var. I\[iss Lawrence
Hignett, 0. c. Miss Florence Boundy and Gypri-
pedium X eboraicum Le Doux's variety received
Awards of Merit.

Mr. C. Parker, Ashton-on-Ribble, was
awarded a Silver-gilt Medal for a good group of
Cypripediums, and Cultural Certificates for three
well-grown specimens. This collection of plants
came under the section shown by amateurs who
grow without professional aid, and was a most
meritorious display.

Jlessrs. \. .T. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill,
Bradford, exhibited a small group, in which was
Phaius amboinense, a new plant, which received
a Botanical Certificate.

J. T. Clifton, Esq., Lythara (gr. Mr. Float),
was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal for a group of
varied Orchids, including a large number of in-
teresting botaniciil specimens. Brasso-Cattleya
Thorntoni \-ar. Mrs. Talbot Clifton was awarded
a First-class Certificate.

J. H. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Cor-
ney), was awarded a First-class Certificate for
Odontioda x Bradshawise Beech's variety.

Mr. H. Arthur. Blackburn, received an
Award of Merit for Cypripedium X Leeanum
Arthur's variety.

Silver Medals were awarded to H. J. Bromi-
LOW, Esq., Rainhill (gr. Mr. Morgan); Mr.
Galloway, Great Horton, Bradford; Messrs.
Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham ; 0. 0. Weigley,
Esq., Bury (gr. Mr. Rogers) ; the Liver-
pool Orchid & Nursery Co., Gateacre, for ex-
hibits of Cypripediums ; and Messrs. Mansell &
Hatcher, Rawdon, Leeds, for a general display of
plants.

Other exhibitors were A. Wareurton, Esq.,
Haslingden; Mr. D. McLeod, Chorlton-cum-
Hardv; and Mr. Birchenall, Alderley Edge,
P. W. ^J___

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

December 21. — The annual general meeting of
this Society was held at the Hotel Windsor,
Mr. E. Mawley, V.il.H., president, in the chair.
The annual report was read by Mr. E. F. Hawes,
joint hon. secretary, and the financial statement
by Mr, G, E. Wilkins, treasurer,

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT.

*' It had long been felt that there was no room for two
societies devoted to the interests of the Dahlia, and the
committee are glad to be able to record the amalgamation in
December last of the London Dahlia Union with the
National Dahlia Society. This year two shows have been
held, one at the Crystal Palace on September 2 and 3; the
other at the Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, on September
21 and 22. The wet, cold summer was altogether unfavour-
able to Dahlias, and the early show suflfered considerably
owing to the late season.

At the second show at the Botanic Gardens, practically
all the classes were well contested, and the attendance was
most satisfactory. The total number of entries for the two
shows was 387.

Altogether some 150 new varieties were submitted to the
Society, and ten certihcates were aw-arded : four at the first
show, two at the second, and four by a joint committee of
the Royal Horticultural Society and National Dahlia Society.
Twenty certificates were awarded to new varieties last year ;
fifteen in 1907.

The Committee paid a visit to Slough and inspected the
trials of Pompons in Mr. Charles Turner's nursery. Several
varieties obtained three marks as garden Dahlias and others
Rained three marks as exhibition varieties. These are named
below. The coniinittee wishes to acknowledge its in-
debtedness to Mr. Turner for his valuable assistance in
conducting this trial.

Arrangements are being made to hold two exhibitions
during lyiO : one at the Crystal Palace on September 8 and 9,
and the other at the Royal Botanic Gardens on (if possible)
September 20 and 21.

It has been further arranged to hold a conference on
Dahlias in March, at the Essex Hall, Essex Street, Strand.
This, it is hoped, will have the effect of stimulating interest
in the Dahlia world.

For the iirst time this year the N.D.S. offered prizes for
PcBony-tlowered Dahlias, also for garden Cactus varieties,
and further decided lo award certihcates to any new Cactus
varieties considered to be suitable fur garden decoration.

Three new sections are emmierated ni the Supplement for
1910, namely, Pieony-flowered, decorative, and collarette,
with a list of the most useful varieties under each particular
heading.

Three marks were awarded as the result of the Pompon
trials at Slough to the following exhibition varieties: —
Edith Bryant, Daisy, Clarence, Mars, Douglas, Cyril, Portia,
Montague Woollen, Ideal, Orpheus, Nellie Broonihead,
Nerissa, Tommy, Keith, and Adela. The following garden
varieties also received awards : Darkest of All, Daisy, Mars,
I'alcon, Iris, Portia, Montague Wootten, Ideal, Isabel,
Romulus, Silvia, Nerissa, Tommy, Keith, White Aster,
Whisper, Vara, Zerlina, Virginale, and Adela."

The President stated that this was the first
year of the amalgamation of the two societies,
and, although it had been a very trying and diflS-
cult season, yet the results were satisfactory. The
combined Society was now getting into a straight-
forward working condition. He empha.sised the
necessity of raisers of new varieties using their
best endeavours to procure Dahlias that would be
suitable both for garden decoration and exhibi-
tion, as this was of great importance to the
future of the Society. Messrs. Gordon, Cheat,
.Mortimer and Stephens made some remarks, and
afterwards the report and balance-sheet were
adopted by the meeting. The balance-sheet
showed that the receipts from all sources had
amounted to £194 17s. lid., and the expenditure
was only 18s. 3d. short of that sum. TThe prin-
cipal sources of income were : Subscriptions £89
lis. 6d., grant from the Crystal Palace Co.
£25, gate money £22 15s., and advertisements in
schedule £17 lOs. 6d. Of the £194 17s. lid.
.shown on the expenditure side, as much as £129
8s. 5d. was expended in prizes.

On the motion of Mr. John Green, Mr.
Edward Mawley, V.M.H., was elected president
for the ensuing year. Messrs. W. Stephens and
C. E. Wilkins were added to the list of vice-
presidents, in place of Mr. .J. T. Bennett-Poi; and
Mr. John Green.

The General Committee were re-elected, Messrs.
J. Harrison Dick. C. Lucking, and T, Jones tak-
ing the places of Mr, Stephens, who was elected

Januaby 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

a vice-president, and Messrs. A. Dean and W. T.
Frost.

On the motion of Mr. S. Mortimer, Mr. E.
F. Hawes was elected secretary for the ensuing
year, Mr. H. H. Thomas, who acted as joint sec-
retary for the past year, having resigned. Mr.
John" Green was elected to the post of treasurer,
and Mr. W. Stephens auditor.

At a meeting of the General Committee, held
immediately following, the Executive Committee
were re-elected, with the substitution of Mr. C.
E. Wilkins for Mr. John Green, who was now
an ex-officio member as treasurer. Mr. G. Gordon
was elected chairman of the Executive Com-
mittee.

THE WEATHER.

IVIARKETS.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

STIRLING AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.

• — A well-atteiuled meeting was held on i->eceinber 14, wlien
Mr. M. Chapman, Torbrex Nurseries, Stirling, lectured on
" The History and Introduction of Fruit-beanng Trees and
Plants into Britain." Eleven noniinations were made for
.'iiembership. The oflficers for 1910 were nominated for
election at the annual general meeting to be held in
January.

CARDIFF GARDENERS*.— A meeting was held at
the Sandringham Hotel, on the 2lst ult., under the presi-
dency of Mr. Mark Toy. Mr. Home, gardener to Major-
General Lee, The Mount, Dinas Powis, read a paper on
*' The Cultivation of Winter-flowering Begonias." The
paper dealt fully with the propagation and general treatment
of these popular plants. Mr. Home advocated the propaga-
tion of this Begonia by means of leaves, as this system gave
the best results. Mr. J. Julian will address the luembers on
January 4, on "The Lifting and Transplanting of Trees and
Shrubs."

WARGRAVe AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

The last meeting fjr 1909 took place on Widnesday, De-
cember 15, when Mr. VVni. George, gardener to Mrs,
Tuckett, Yeldhall Manor, read a paper on *' Ui-eful Flower-
ing Shrubs." Among the subjects mentioned by the lec-
turer were Pyrus japonica, Forsythia, Ribes, Berberis,
Magnolia, Prunus sp., Lilac, Broom, Rhododendron r.inense,
Philadelphus, Guelder Rose, Viburnum Tinus, Spiraea,
Weigela, Deutzia, Kerria, and Veronica. The habits of
growth, cultivation and propagation of each of these shrubs
were brought under notice and a good discussion followed.
The officers for the ensuing year were nominated in accord-
ance with the rules of the association.

READING GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.— The

final meeting of the session was held on Monday, December
20, when one of the largest gatherings of members at these
meetings assembled in the Abbey Hall, under the chairman-
ship of Mr. A. Y. Bailey. The nomination of officers for
the comiTig year was the first business, and afterwards
Mr. E. Hickey, Maiden Erieigh Gardens, gave a lecture on
" How to Plant a Bush Fruit Garden, 44 Yards Square."
The lecturer gave full instructions as to the preparation and
planting of the ground and the culture generally of Goose-
berries, Red, Black and White Currants, Raspberries and
Loganberries. He also gave a comprehensive list of the
i)iist varieties of each fruit, stating fully the qualities and
characteristics of the different trees, and concluded by
giving advice on the prevention and eradication of many of
the pests of these bush fruits. The annual general meeting
of the association is fixed for Monday, January 10, 1910,

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

SEEDS.

Dickson & Robinson, Cathedral Street, Manchester,

Ed. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge.

Wm. Fell & Son, Market Square, Hitchin, Herts. (Sweet

Peas).
TooGOOD & Sons, Southampton.
LrTTLE & Ballantyne, Carlisle.
T. Methven & Sons, Edinburgh.
Arthur S. Ritchie & Co., Belfast.
W. Laing, Sutton, Stirrey.

The .^GRICl'LTl'RAL AND HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION,

Ltd. ("One and All"), 92, Long Acre, London, W.C.
DoBBiE & Co., Rothesay.

MISCELLANEOUS.

\V. Si. F. Poat, Richmond, St. Sampson's, Guernsey —
Tomato plants grown in steam sterilised soil.

Isaac Godber, near Bedford — Market Chrysanthemums,

BouLTON & Paul, Ltd., Norwich — " French " Garden
Requisites.

FOREIGN.

The Nippon Engei Kaisha, Ltd. (The Japan Horticultural
Co.), Settsu, Japan — Wholesale.

Sluis & Groot, Enkhuizen (Holland)— Seeds.

Carl Beck & Co., Quedlinburg— Seeds.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. A. Gibson, for the past 6 years Gardener to Mrs.
MicKLETHWAiT, Zeals House, Wiltshire, as Gardener
to the same lady at Sandford Mount, Charlbury. Oxford*
shire. (Thanks for 2s. sent for R.G.O.F. Bo.\.— Eds.)

Mr. A. DuRBiDGE, formerly Gardener to Sir Bampfvi.de
FrLLER, The Hermitage, \\jke, Winchester, as Gar-
dener to Sir Henry Miles, Bart., Leigh Court, Abbots
Leigh, Bristol,

Mr. Hugh Robertson, for the past 5 years resident superin-
tendent of Baxter Park, as superintendent, secretary, and
treasurer to the Western Cemetery Company, Dundee.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending December 25, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was very unsettled, especially in the earlier
half of the week, when heavy falls of rain occurred in
utost of the southern districts, and severe snowstorms
finther north. The latter appear to have been heaviest
over the north and midland counties of England. Thunder
and lighuiing were experienced in Wales and the noith-
west of England on Sunday night.

The tempcrattue was below the average, the deficit
amounting to rather more than 6*^ in Scotland E. and W.
and Ireland S., and to more than 7° in Scotland N. In
England E. the divergence from the normal was only 0 8".
The highest of the maxima occurred pretty generally on
the 23rd, but at some western and northern stations on
the 25th i they ranged from 50" in the English Channel
and 64" or 53" in most of the English districts to 49** in
Scotland N. and to 48 in Scotland E. The absolute minima,
which were recorded mainly on the 20th or 21st, were
extremely low. In thj Midland Counties and Ireland S.
(at Bawtry and Kilkenny) the thermometer fell to 8", in
England S.W. (at Llangammarch Wells) to 9", and in many
other parts of the Kingdom to between 10" and IS'^. The
lowest grass values were 5" (on the snow) at Worksop, 4**
at Bahnoral, 5^ at Buxton, G"^ at West Linton, 7" at Armagh,
9" at Hereford, and 10" at Crathes, Hull, and Dublin.

The mean tern per at'.ire of the sea.— M every station except
Aberdeen the water was colder than during the correspond-
ing period of last year, the difference bemg more than 7"
at Kirkwall, and about 5" in several other places. The
means for the week ranged from 47" at Newquay, and
464'-' at SeaJield to rather less than 40" at some places on
the north-cast coast of Britain, and to 37"8° at Kirkwall.

The rainjall exceeded the normal in all districts except-
ing Scotland E., but the excess was very slight in Scotland
N. and VV., as well as in the English Channel. Over England
and Ireland generally the amount was very large, the
heaviest individual falls occurring on Tuesday, when
amounts ranging between 10 and 15 inch were collected at
many western and southern stations, and as much as
2 0 inches at Torquay, I'B inch at Falmouth, and 1'7 inch at
Plymouth.

The bright sumhine was more than the average, the excess
being very trifling in the English Channel, but large over
the country as a whole. The percentage of the possible
duration ranged from 39 in England E., 37 in England N.
and S., and 35 in Scotland E., to 24 in the English Channel,
and to 18 in Scotland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending December 22.
A cold and wet week.--\Jn{i\ to-day, when the temperature
in the thermometer screen rose to 51°, there had not been a
single unseasonably warm day for 11 days. The last few
nights have been very cold, and on the night of the 20th,
the exposed thermometer registered 17" of frost — the
lowest reading indicated by that thermometer since the
middle of March. The ground is now 2" colder at 2 feet
deep, and 4" colder at 1 foot deep than is seasonable. Rain
or snow fell on 5 days during the week, and la the total
depth of an inch. During the week 2i gallons of rain-water
came through the bare soil percolation gauge, and 3J gallons
through that on which short grass is growing. During the
early morning hours of the 22nd there was a silver thaw,
owing to rain falling on the ground while still frozen, which
made the roads for a time very slippery. The sun shone on
an average for 1 hour 18 minutes a day. or for 8 minutes a day
longer than is usual at this period in December. During
the 8 days ending the 17th no sunshine at all was recorded.
The wind has been rather variable in strength, but at no
time did the mean velocity for any hour exceed 12 miles.
The average amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m.
exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by 6 per cent.
The last Rose bloom of the year growing on a plant in the
open ground in my garden was destroyed by frost on the
21st inst., which is exactly a week later than the average
date of its destruction in the previous twenty-three years.
E. M., Betkhamsted, December 22, 1900.

Week etuiing December 29.
A very warm Wfcft.— The last eight days have all been
warm for the time of year, and on five of them the highest
temperature in the thermometer screen exceeded 50". The
night readings, on the other hand, proved very variable, the
exposed thermometer on three nights never falling below
40", while on two others the same thermometer registered
respectively IP' and 14" of frost. The ground temperatures
have risen rapidly during the week, and are at the present
time 1" warmer at 2 feet deep, and 4° warmer at 1 foot deep,
than is seasonable. Rain fell on all but oLie day of the week,
but only to the total depth of less than lalf an inch. During the
week 4f gallons of rain-water came through the bare soil per-
colation gauge, and 3\ gallons through that on which short
grass is growing. The sun shone on an average for 1 hour
47 minutes a day, or for half an hour a day in excess of the
usual duration at the end of December. The winds were, as
a rule, high, and in the windiest hour the mean velocity
reached 18 miles— direction w est. There was about a season-
able amount of moisture in the air at 3 p m. E. A/., Berk-
havntcd, December 29, 1P09.

COVENT GARDEN, December 29.

[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers. Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Acacia longifolia
per bunch

— mimosa, p. dz.
bunches

Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fielderi, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (var.)

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

— " Malmaisons,"
p. doz. blooms

Camellias, per doz.
Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Daffodils, per bch.
Euchal^s grandi-

flor , perdozen

blo' iiis
Gardenias, per doz.
Heather (white),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bchs.
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac (French) p.

bunch

Lilium auratuni

per bunch

— longifloruni ...

— lane i folium
rubrum •

— album

Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

s.d. s.d.

0 9-10

12 0-15 0

10-16
4 0- ti 0
4 0-60

3 0-40
16-20

6 0-80
16-26

12 i>^4 0
10-16

4 0-00

3 0-40

0 4-06

10 0-15 0

2 0-30

4 0-50

2 0-30
4 0-60

16-26

2 0-26

8 0-10 0

Lily of the Valley,
extra quality ...

Marguerites, p. dz.
bunches white
and yellow ...

Mignonette, per
dozen bunches

Narcissus Paper
White, per dz.
bunches

— Soleil d'Or ...
O donto glossum

crispum, per
dozen blooms
Pelargoniums,
show, per doz.
bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atricana
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i 11 A.
Victoria

— C. Mermet

— Liberty

— Miiie.Chatenay

— Mrs. J. Laing

— Richmond

— The Bride ...
Spiraea, p. dz. bchs.
Slatice, p. dz.bchs.
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms
Violets, per dozen

bunches
-- Parma

s.d. s.d.
12 0-15 0

3 0-40

2 (^ 3 0

3 0-40

4 0-50

6 0-80
6 0-80

16-26

2 0-30

3 0 4 0

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0- H 0
3 0-00

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0-50

2 0-40

3 0-40

0 3-04

2 0-30

4 0-50

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cunea-
lum, per dozen
bunches .. 6

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz. 8

— — medm.,doz.
bunches ... 12

— Sprengeri ... 0
Berberis, perdozen

bunches. ... 2
Croton leaves, per

bunch 9

Cycas leaves, each 1
Ferns, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish) 2

— (French) ... 0
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches 2

d. s.d.

0-9 0

0-12 0

0-18 0
9- 1 6

6-3 0

0-12 0

0-2 0

0- a 0

6-0 9

0-2 6

s.d. s.d.
Grasses (hardy),

dozen bunches 10-30
Hardy foliage

(various), per

dozen bunclies 3 0-90
Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-26

— long trails per

bundle 0 9-16

— short green,

perdz. bunches 1 G- 2 6
Moss, per gross ... 4 0-50
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved...

— French
Oak foliage, perdz,

bunches
Smilax, per dozen

trails

Vine leaves, per

doz. bunches... 10-16

4 0-60
10-16

12 0-15 0
6 0-80

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

Ampelopsis Veit-
chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldii, p.
dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger

Araucaria excel sa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— tenuis simiis
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire de

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ...
Bouvardia?, per

dozen

Chrysanthemums,

per doz.

— special plants..
Cinerarias, per doz.
Clematis, per doz.
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen...
Crotons, per dozen

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60

9 0-12 0
4 0-60
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

I'S 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0
30 0-42 0

12 0-18 0

5 0-80

8 0-12 0
18 0-30 0

6 0-12 0
8 0-90

18 O-30 0
18 0-30 0

Cyclamen, per doz. 8
Cy per us alterni-
folius, dozen ... 4

— laxus, per doz. 4
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9
Erica gracilis ni-
valis, per doz. 10

— hyemalis ... 9

— small plants ... 3
Euonymus, perdz.,

in pots. . .. 3

— from the ground 3
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8

— in small and
large 60's ... 12

— in 48"s, per
dozen 4

— choicer sortG... 8

— in 32's, per
dozen 10

Ficus elastica, per
dozen 8

— repens, per dz. 6
Grevilleas, per dz. 4
Isolepis, per dozen 4
Kentia Belniore-

ana, per dozen 15

— Fosteriana, per
dozen .. ... 18

Latania borbonica,
per dozen ... 15

Lilium 1 o n g i -
florum, per dz. 18

d. s.d.
0-12 0

0- 5 0
0-5 0

0-24 0

0-15 0'
0-15 0'
0-5 0

0-8 0

0-6 0

0-12 0

0-20 0

0-6 0
0-12 0

0-10 0
0-8 0
0- l^ 0
0-6 0

0-24 0

0-30 0

0-21 0

0-30 0

16

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 1, i910.

Plantain Pots, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices CConMj,

s.d. s.d.
L il i u m lancifol-

mm, per. doz. 18 0-30 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90

Poinsettias, p. doz.
Selaf^inella, p. doz.
Solanums, per doz.
Spirsea ]aponica,

per do?pn
Veronicas, per doz. 3 0-60

s.d. s.d.
9 0-18 0
4 0- ti 0
6 0-10 0

6 0-90

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples Newtown
(U.S.). per bar-
rel 18 0-25 0

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :

— Ribston Pippin 14 0 16 0

— Blenheim Pip-
pin

— King of the
Pippins

— (English), per
bushel :

— Peasgood's
Nonesuch

— Annie Eliza-
beth, p. bushel

— Allington Pip-
pin

— Bramley's Seed-
ling

— Dumelovv's
Seedling (Wel-
lington)

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Queen ...

— Warner's King

— BIenheimOrange3 0-4 6

— Lord Derby ... 3 6-46

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, J-sieve 5 0-80

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case :

— Oregon

— Californian

— British Colum-
bia 12 0-lB 0

15 0-17 0

16 0-18 0

4 6-60

5 0-60

3 6-40

40-5 0

3 6-50

4 0-

3 6-

4 0-

11 0-13 0
9 0-11 6

Avocado Pears
bananas, bvmch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extia „ ...

— Giant ,, ...

, -~ Red coloured...

— Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica „ ...

— Loose, per dz.
Custard Apples .„
Grape Fruit, case
Grapes, per lb. :

— Gros Colman...

— English Ham-
bros

— Alicantes

— Muscatof Alex-
andria

5 0-10 0

5 6-60
5 6-60

7 0-80
9 0-11 0

4 6-60

8 0-90

5 0-56
0 6-10
4 0-60

9 0-12 0

0 9-13

0 5-10
0 3-10

010- 2 6

s.d. s.d.

16-26
14 0-20 0

9 0-11 0
9 0-11 6

16-19

36 0-40 0

30 0-23 0

32 0-33 0

0 3i 0 4

Grapes, C anon
Hall, per lb....

— Almeria, per
barrel ...

Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— (Naples), case U 0-lB 0
Limes, per case ... 3 0
Lychees, per lio.'i...
Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag

— Brazils, new,
percwt.

— ■ Barcelona, bag
— ■ Cob, per lb. ...

— Cocoa nuts. 100 10 0-14 0

— Walnuts(French),

per bag ... 5 0-56

— Chestnuts (Ro-

dor), per bag... 6 0-70

— (Italian), per

bag 16 6-18 0

Oranges —

— Denia, per case

(4-20) 10 0-14 0

— Valencia, per

case (420) ... 7 0 10 6

— (Almeria), case 9 0-12 0

— Jamaica, per

case (176) ... 9 6-10 6

— „ (200) ... 9 0-96

— Mandarine,
Florida, p. case 15 0-16 6

— Mandarine, per
box

— Tangerine, per
box

Pome^i^ianates, per
case

— per box
Pears (Californian) :

— Doyenne du
Cornice, p. box 10 0-13 0

— Oregon Winter

Nelis, per case 15 0-16 0

— (French), Doy-
enneduConiice,

per crate ... 9 0-10 6

— Catillacs (Dutch),

0 7-10
13-16

6 6-76
2 3- 2 6

per basket

— Persimmons, p.
box (12)

Pineapples, each ...

— (Natal), per dz.

Vegetables : Averatfe Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d
19-20

4 0-46
0 8-0 10

10-13
3 0-50

ArtichoIces(Globe),

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Beans (French),

boxes

— Madeira, per
basket

Beetroot. perbushel 16-23
Cabbages, p. tally 4 0-56
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed

Cauliflowers, tally

Celeriac, per doz.

Chicory, per lb. ... 0 3-0 3^

Cucumbers, p. doz. 6 6-90

Endive, per dozen

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

Leeks, 12 bundles

Lettuces (French),

per dozen

8 0-10 0

2 9-30
2 9-30
16-20
5 0-70
16-26

13-11

1 0-
1 6

1 2

0 9-10

Mushrooms, per lb.

— broilers
Mustariland Cress,

per dozen pim.
Onions (Lisbons),
per box

— (Dutch), p. bag

— pickling, pec
shel...

2 0-23

1 0 —

2 0-50
4 0-60

s.d. s.d.
0 7-08
0 5-06

1 0

6 6-76
3 6-46

3 0-40

Valencia, p. case 6 6-76

Parsley, J^ sieve ... 2 0 —
Potatos (English),

per bag ... 2 6-46

Radishes (French),

per doz. bunches 1^16
Seakale, per dozen

punnets ... 16 0-18 0

Spinach, J sieve ... 2 6-30
Stachys tnberosa,

per lb 0 3* —

Tcmitos (English),

per 12 lbs. ... 3 0 —

— (English), s.s... 2 6 —

— second quality 10 —

— Teneriffe, per
package ... 10 0-14 0

Turnips, bag ... 2 0-23

Watercress, p. flat 4 0-66

Remarks. — No consignments of .American Apples have
been received during the past week and the remainder of
the previous shipments are being sold at reduced prices.
Oranges are cheaper, with the exception of the finest fruits.
English Grapes generally, though a little firmer in price,
are still plentiful. Pineapples have been fairly cheap this
Christmas. Some good English Tomatos have been received.
Canary Tomatos are arriving in better condition. Red
Bananas arrived to-day from the West Indies and sold readily
at good prices. Cucumbers are dearer. The Christmas trade
generally was only moderate. This week the market is
quiet. E. H. i?., Covent Garden, Wednesday^ December 29,
W09.

Potatos.

percwt.

Lincolns— s.d. s.d.

Sharpe's Express... 3 0-33

" " 3 3-40

3 3-39

.29-30

Bedfords—

)iritish Queen
Up-to-Date ...

percwt.

s.d. s.d.
... 3 0-36
... 3 0-36

Blacklands ..

... 2 6-29

Dunbars—

Maincrop ...
Up-to-Date...

... 5 9- 6 0
... 4 6-50

Lincolns —

Epicure

... 2 9-30

Up-to-Date .
British Queen
Royal Kidney

Rents—

Sharpe's Express .
May Queen ...
Up-to-Date ...

8 0-36
3 0-36
3 3-40

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

The Christmas trade did not prove very favourable,
Uusiness on Thursday xvas bad owing chiefly to the
weather, and buyers were cautious on Friday, as their
shops would be closed on the three following days.

Cut Flowers.
Chrysanthemums have been abundant this Christmas.
Mme. Felix Perrin and the varieties that have originated
from it are splendid kinds for Christmas flowering; and
Framfield Pink, Heston White, and Winter Cheer are good.
Some of the newer sorts which have been describt-d as
late, have proved lo be mid-season varieties. Carnations
are remarkably good. Tlie new crimson '' Parola " has
been making 5s. per dozen blooms. The average price for
best flowers of other sorts being from 3s. to 3-. 6d. per
dozen blooms. Beacon is a favourite amon;:st scarlet
varieties. There is no while kind to surpass While Per-
fection for this reason of the year. Lilinms Generally, are
not of the best quality, many blooms have apparently l)een
unduly forced, and consequently they ;ire thin and weak;
their prices are low. Callas have been much cheaper during
the past few weeks. Roses are fairly plentiful, but much
higher prices are asked for blooms of best quality. Some
moderately good red Roses are arriving from France but
they are not satisfactory, as they soon lose their colour and
the petals drop. Ranunculus, Violets, Anemones, Margue-
rites, and White Lilac are all good. Lily of the Valley,
Tuberoses, Narcissi Paper White, and Soleil d'Or are
seen in quantities. English grown samples of Trumpet
Major Daffodils have a high value.

Pot Plants.

Since Christmas there has been little demand for pot
plants, and even last week the trade in them was very quiet.
On the Friday before Christmas most growers sent their
surplus stocks back to the nurseries. Chrysanthemums are
not quite so plentiful. Ericas are good and well flowered.
The tall pyramidal plants of E. melanthera are very
attractive. Supplies of E. gracilis hold out well. Tulips
are cheaper. Solanums have not been much in demand.
A little later we may expect a better trade in pot plants, but
for the present there will be many empty stands. A. //.,
Covent Gardcji, December 29, 1909.

(l^bttuarjj.

William Long. — The death of this gardener
occurred on December 15 at Brislington, Bristol,
at tlie age of 75 years. Jlr. Long was a promi-
nent e.xhibitor at flower shows, and won many
prizes for stove and greenhouse plants at the
Bath and other flower shows. He was especially
skilful in the cidture of Rhododendron indicum,
and he often won the 1st prize for 12 pyramidal-
shaped specimens at the Bath Horticultural
Show. Deceased leaves one son, who has been
for 17 years head gardener to Sir R. T. Hermon-
Hodge, Bart., M.P., Wyfold Court, near Reading.

CorrMfoondenU

Remarks. — Trade is slow, beinc influenced by the mild
weather and the holidays. Stocks in London are still larse.
Prices are about the same as those of last week. Edward J .
Newborn, Covent Garden and St. Fancras, December 29, 1909,

Agricultur.-il Instruction : 31. M. Insert an
advertisement.

Casc.ira Bark : /. IF. //. This drug is ob-
tained from a Californian species of Rhamnus.

Celery : North Dei-on. We expect the cause of
your Celery being malformed in the way de-
scribed is tire method by which the carthing-up
is carried out. Care should be exercised to place
the soil firmly around the base of the plant,
keeping the stalks quite close together. Some
varieties are very much more prone to be
affected in this way than others, especially
those which have a tendency to spread out their
foliage whilst growing.

Compensation : G. B. Although there seems to
be no reported legal decision dealing with the
precise point, we consider that, under the cir-
cumstances stated in your letter, your neigh-
bour is liable to pay you damages. He would
not be able to plead that it was an" inevit-
able accident " or " an act of God." He chose
to keep on his premises a thing which he knew
endangered your property, and, therefore, he
should be treated as having done so at his
own risk.

Covent Garden Flower Market: ConMant
Reade.r. From the present time until April
the Market will be open for business on Tues-
days, Thursdays and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to
9 a.m. for the sale of plants and cut flowers.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays it will
, open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 a.m. for the
sale of cut flowers only. During April it is
open for the sale of plants and flowers every
morning from 5 to 9 a.m. In May and June

the opening hour is 4 o'clock a.m. on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays, and other mornings
at 5 o'clock. In August the short hours are
resumed, snd no plants are sold on by days,
excepting a few days before Christmas. There
are many stores outside the flower market
where cut flowers may 'be purchased up to
quite late in the day, but very few have
plants, although Mes.=rs. Rochford & Sons is
an exception. In the foreign, or what is gen-
erally known as the French flower market,
the time of closing varies. If consignments are
known to be on the road, it is kept open long
enough to do what business is possible after
their arrival, which may be from 9 to 10 a.m.

GsEASE Bands: J. 11'. //. These can be ob-
tained from the horticultural sundriesmen.
Consult our advertising columns. The glass
can be cleansed by means of a mop and warm
soapy water.

Names of Fruits: G. N. S. 1, Glou Morceau ;

2, Beurre Ranee ; 3, Easter Beurrc ; 4, Stone's
Apple (syn.) Loddington Seedling.

Names of Plants: Interested. 1, Adiantum
tenerum ; 2, A. cuneatum ; 3, A. gracillimum ;

4, A. Pacotii ; 5, A. Capillus- Veneris. Stove
plants : 1, Plumbago rosea ; 2, Cordyline (Dra-
caena) concinna ; 3, C. Lindenii ; 4, C. Sanderi-
ana ; 5, C. indivisa; 6, Zebrina CTradescantia)
repens. — Cyp. Cypripedium Leeanum, with
white dorsal sepal spotted with purple, and
Cypripedium Murillo (Boxallii X Argus). — '
F. R. H. 1, Oncidium Forbesii ; 2, Oncidiura
prietextum ; 3, Ada aurantiaca ; 4, Odontoglos-
sum blandum ; 5, Odontoglcssum Coradinei ; 6,
Aerides odoratum. — Foreman. 1, Cupres.-.us
sempervirens : 2. Cupre.-^sus Lawsoniana lutca ;

3, Osmanthus illicifolius ; 4, Berberis Darwiiiii ;

5, Pieris (Andromeda) japonica ; 6, For.sythia
suspensa.

Primula obcontca : Zi". P. No disease is pre-
sent. The trouble is due to excess of moisture
about the plants.

Respectful Reader : J. S. 1. The answer to
this question depends on so many varying con-
siderations— as the age and nature of the trees
and the soil, &c. — that it is impossible to give
you a reply in general terms without very full
details of the circumstances of the case. 2 and
3. By the common law, " whatever is planted
in the soil goes with the soil," and, therefore,
the general rule is that things planted imme-
diately become the property of the ground land-
lord. Nurserymen have, however, the right to
remove trees and shrubs planted, this being
necessary to their trade. Market gardeners
also have special privileges, including the
right, on giving up possession, to claim com-
pensation from the landlord for fruit trees, &c.,
permanently set out. In your own case, how-
ever, we gather that you are merely taking a
house with a well-stocked private garden, and,
if this is so, the outgoing tenant must leave
the trees behind, and has no right to sell the
trees to you, unless his landlord has given him
permission to take them away. This subject
was fullv discussed in the Gardeners' Chroniele
of December 29, 1906.

Sea-bean : W . G. & Co. The seed is that of
the yellow-flowered Cow-itch (Mucuna urens),
a twining plant of Leguminosae, native of the
West Indies and tropical South America. The
pods are marked by transverse rib:?, and are
partially covered with stinging hairs. The
seeds commonly known in the West Indies as
" horse-eye beans " are often carried by ocean
currents, and thrown ashore in temperate coun-
tries, where they are known as " sea-beans,"
They are easily poli::hed, and are used for orna-
mental purposes, such as bracelets.

To Destroy Ants: //. /'. See reply to R. A.
in the last issue, p. 440.

Will : Anxious One.. The will is valid if signed
by two or more witnesses, but these should not
include a legatee or the wife or husband of a
legatee.

Communications Hcceived.-W. Thorpe— L. E. S.—
W. E.-J. McP.— W. W.-R. C. (next weekl-E. H. R.—
J. E. T.— T. Humphreys— J. O. B.— Mark W.— Dr. K.—
W. E. B. (too late for this issue)— A. Wells— W. J. J.—
G. S.— H. H. W. P. -J. C. -P. R. E.— F. W. P., California
— A. &B,, Ltd.— B. G.— J D.— Hnch M.— K. D.— E. H. R,—
A. D. Hall— J. Belot, Liege-C. H. V.— John S.-John D..
—John W.-H. 8. -J. W.— Dr. D., Beiiin-F. J. C—
J. D. G.— W. S. B.— 8. B. L.— E. M.- John F., Ltd.—
J. G. W.-W. C. G. L.-W. P. R.

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CO

January 8, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

17

THE

dkibcncrs'Cl)roniclc

No. l^QB.—SATVBDAY. January S, 1910,

CONTENTS.

AldenTiam Hoose gar-
dens 29

Allamaiida Hendersonii 29

Androsft<re spinnlhera — ?7

Annuals ajid dii-eotories 25

Ants in gi-et'nhouses .- SI

Apple Allanbank Seed-
ling 31

Books, noli^es of —
The Rniall Garden

BeJiuiiful — „, 26
Publicalions received.. 26

Botauio Society, the
Royal 26

Canadian experimental
farm 27

Carruthers, Dr. ... ... 25

Cola acuminata 80

Cypripedium " Mrs. F.
Banacr" 19

Dap li n e Cneorum at
Wisley 21

Drought during frost, the
effect of, on plauts ... 24

Flux industry in Iielond,
the 26

Florists' flowers-
Late Chrysanthemums 21

Frankfort, Palm garden
at ... 17

Fruit at the Ridgmont
Experimental Fruit
Fai-m 31

Gardeners' Royal Bene-
volent Institution ... 25

** Geo. Monro" charity
concert ... 25

Grass, the effect of, on
tre-8 ... - ... 31

London parks, the ,.. 25

Market frn it-grower's

year, a

NoTilties of 1909
Ohitnary—

Siricklond, Sir Charles
Orcliids at Burford
Peax and Plum trees on

a south wall

Plani notes —

HiPinanthnsKatheriniTp

Ipoiroea tEiogonium)

purga — '

Plants, new or note-
worthy—

Callista v. Dendrobiuiu
Potato crop in Ireland,

the

Primula obconica, im-
provement in

Rosary, tbe—

Cultural hints for

January

Societies —

Horticultural Club ...

Royal HortitMiltural ...

Surveyors' Institution,

the

Solaaium Wendlandii ...
Tr^es and shrubs—

Berbeiis dictyophylla
Week's woik. the —

Apiary, the

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under glass

Hardy fruit garden, the

Kitchen garden, the ...

Orobid houses, the ...

Plants under glass
Wbeat crop at Rothaui-

stcd in 1 09

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Androsace spinulifera f.owering in its native habitat in
China

Cypripedium Mrs. F. Sander

Cola acuminata ... ...

Daphne Cneorum in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley ...

Palm garden at Frankfort, views of {also Supple-
mentary Illustration) 17,

Portrait of Mr. Hans Gtlsscw ... ^

Primula obconica, large flowered variety of

THE PALM GARDEN AT
FRANKFORT.

(See figs. 17 and 18 and Supplementary Illustration.)

THE Palm garden at Frankfort-on-the-
Maine is one of the famous gardens of
the world. Unlike most gardens of its
kind, it is managed on strictly commercial
lines by a business company, which fact ac-
counts for the various forms of amusement
which are not usually associated with a
botanic garden. But the visitor to the indoor
plant department would never imagine the
management was of this kind, for the collec-
tions of Cactaceous plants, Palms, C-rchids,
and other species are excellent in variety and
superior to those found in many botanical
gardens. It is these features which, to our
mind, make the Frankfort garden remark-
able. It might have been expected that
an indoor garden, founded and main-
tained expressly for tha entertainment
of the public, would consist of great
batches of the commoner and more showy
plants. That this is not the case at Frank-
fort may be taken ag a proof of the intelli-

gence of the inhabitants, for in its present
form the garden is an unqualified success.
Therefore, this German garden is not without
its lessons for people in tliis country.

Its history has many points of interest. In
1866, after the war with Austria, Duke Adolf
of Nassau moved his seat of residence from
Biebrich to Frankfort, leaving behind him his
famous collection of Palms and other plants at
Biebrich. At this stage several shrewd busi-
ness men, knowing the tastes of the
inhabitants, thought it would be a fine thing
for Frankfort if the coUet-tion could be pro-
cured to form a winter garden. Accordingly
negotiations were started with the Duke,
who valued his property at £13,000. A
company was formed, and in a very
short time a sum of about £17,000 was
collected. la tlie meantime the Duke,
" on account of the hospitality shown to
him at Frankfort,"' to quote the words of a
guide-book, had lowered the price from
£13,000 to £6,500, so that after buying the

garden than are displayed therein. The Palm
house already mentioned was buiit in 1871.
Its dimensions are: Length 170 feet, breadth
100 feet, and height 50 feet; although an
excellently designed houss for providing
proper cultural conditions, its height is in-
sufficient to accommodate some of the larger
specimens.

Some of the Palms are planted out, and
where pots are needed they are plunged and
cleverly hidden by the carpet of Selaginella.
which covers the main portion of the beds.

The central lawn, as it were, of Selaginella,
has a curious appearance to Englishmen who
have . not travelled on the Continent. It
almost seems a waste of space, in an expen-
sively constructed and heated building like
the Palm house, to devote a considerable area
to the growth of Selaginella apoda minor ; but
in the Dahlem Botanic Garden, and in some
other public gardens in Germany, there is a
similar arrangement, and it has a natural effect
that is not found in hothouses in this country

Fig. 17. — INTERIOR OF THE PALM HOUSE AT FRANKFORT,

plants the company had a sufficient sum left to
bu}' land and erect houses. A commission was
sent to Brussels, Ghent and Kew to get ideas
for forming the garden, and subsequently de-
signs and plans were made by Siesmayer, a
landscape gardener, of Frankfort. ' The first
plant house to be built was the Palm house,
which was attached to the res-taurant, and
was destined to receive the major portion of
the Duke's collection. This structure, with
five other smaller span-roofed houses, was
built in 1871, and served to accommodate the
whole of the indoor plants. In 1904 seven small
houses 30 yards long were built for nursery
purposes, and in 1906 a commodious range of
13 modern houses was erected.

The Houses.

By far the most interesting feature of

Frankfort is the indoor department, and we

have never seen healthier or better-grown

plants either in a trade, botanical, or private

The Palms are grouped together as in borders,
the lawn of Selaginella commencing among
the outennost plants of the group, and, ex-
tending into the open, has exactly the same
eff^ec-t as outdoor groups of tropical trees and
shrubs cultivated on a lawn. In this house
the paths are of red gravel, and tiiey wind
about in such a manner that the visitor walks,
beneath a canopy of lofty Palms, &c.

The collection of Palms is a fine one, as the
name of tbe garden might imply, but besides
these there are many other tropical plants. A
few of the finest specimens include Howea For-
steriana (30 feet), Livistona australis (45 feet),
Pandanus furcatus, Caryota Rumphiana,
Arenga saccharifera (48 feet), Sabal umbra-
culifera. Phoenix S3lvestris, and Cocos flexu-
osa. A novel feature consists of a Fern-clad
grr/tto and waterfall, which serve to enhance
the general effect and to keep the atmosphere
moist. We were informed that many plants
in this house were injured by a fire which.

18

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

occurrtKl in 1870, so tliat a large part of the
original Biebricli collection was destroyed.

The other houses are quite modern, and
consist of a corridor with a domed central hall
200 feet long, out of which 13 span-roof houses
lead to the right and left. They were built in
1905, and contain all the latest improvements
in the way of heating and ventilating ar-
rangements. Houses I. and II. contain
a. collection of stove plants, consisting
chiefly of Coditeums (Crotons), Cordylines
(Draca?nas), Aroids, and Palms. In summer
these are removed either into other houses
or to the outside department, and their place
is taken by greenhouse plants. House III.
contains decorative flowering plants such as
Lilies, Hippeastrums, &c., in the summer, and
forced Roses in the winter-time.

The Victoria regia house shown in the Sup-
plementary Illustration is No. IV. Its
dimensions are : — Length 80 feet, and breadth
50 feet. It contains an oval tank 45 feet long
and .30 feet wide, with four small comer tanks
for swamp plants. Besides the Victoria regia
a number of tropical Nymphseas are grown,
the general effect being very good.

In House V. is a well-grown collection of
Anthuriums, Aroids, Cordylines and Ferns.
The Anthurium Veitchii is a splendid speci-
men ; in fact, we do not remember ever to
have seen a finer. The Platyceriums were also
in excellent condition at the time of our visit
in April last.

(To be continued.)

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL HINTS FOR JANUARY.

The wet weather has delayed planting opera-
tions. Frosts also have appeared, and this
will have the effect of causing the postpone-
ment of further planting until Februai-y or even
later. Unplantcd cuttings of Manetti and other
stocks claim the first attention. They should be
planted two-thirds of their depth and the ground
about them made very firm. Cuttings of Roses
inserted during October have become loosened
in the ground by the frost, therefore tread the
soil well up to them again, and place a good
mulch of fermented manure along the rows.
Standard and dwarf Briars planted during the
autumn should also be given a similar dressing
of manure.

Material used for protecting the plants during
severe weather should be of a light nature and
used as dry as possible, so that the air can pass
freely through it. It is necessary to have the
material at hand, as it will not do to take any
risks in this matter, especially with tender sorts,
because the shoots are very unripe and sappy,
owing to the unfavourable weather last season.

Now that we have entered upon the New Year,
and the days will soon be lengthening, the atmo-
spheric temperature of the forcing house may be
increased to 55°. With this additional warmth
a little fresh air can be admitted on the south
side of the house during the middle of the day ;
and an occasional syringing on bright mornings
will prove beneficial. Close the ventilators early
in the afternoon. Be careful not to e.xeeed the
temperature recommended, or undue forcing
will result in drawn and weakly shoots.
Sturdy growth is favoured by sunlight, therefore
the plants should be placed close to the glass.
When the weather is dull, lightly damp the floor
and stages instead of syringing the plants, as it
is necessary to mair.tain a humid atmosphere, but
not a saturated one. Keep down aphis by
means of fumigations, and if one dose of medium

strength is insufficient to destroy all the green fly
present, follow it up with another fumigation
early the next morning. This is a safer and
more effective method than using a very strong
preparation at long intervals, as excessive doses
are liable to produce injury. When the flower-
buds appear, afford the plants a little artificial
manure. Each 6-inch pot may be given a small
teaspoonful, about twice weekly, of a mixture
containing the following stimulants : 2^ ounce?
of superphosphate, Jj ounce sulphate of ammonia,
i ounce of nitrate of soda, and j ounce of sul-
phate of potash. This dressing can be alter-
nated occasionally with weak liquid manure,
say, about every fourth watering.

Towards the end of January the remainder of
the stock of established Roses may be brought
into heat from the cold house. After the ])lants
are lightly pruned place them on a layer of fine
ashes at the cooler end of the house, keeping
them, for the present, rather dry at the roots.
When the buds begin to swell, ply the syringe
amongst the pots and the shoots early on bright
mornings. Roses of the Tea and Noisette sec-
tions will succeed in a higher temperature than
those of the Hybrid Perpetual class, and should,
therefore, be staged in the warmer part of the
house. These must also be pruned more spar-
ingly than the stronger-growing Hybrid Per-
petuals ; all that is required is the removal of
the soft and weakly shoots. The above remarks

List of Roses for Spring Planting.

The following varieties, whether planted as-
standard or dwarf specimens, may be relied upon
to give satisfactory results. They are mostly of
\igorous growth and flower freely. The colours
represent a good selection : — Hybrid Teas :
Caroline Testout, Kaiserine Augusta Victoria,
Mme. Abel Chatenay, Lady Battersea, Papa
Gontier, and Mrs. W. J. Gi'ant ; Tea : Mme.
Hoste, Lady Roberts, The Bride, Homere,
Maman Cochet, Perle des .Jardins ; Hybrid Per-
petuals : Hugh Dickson, Dupuy Jamain, Frau
Karl Druscliki, Mrs. Sharman Crawford, General
Jacqueminot, and Merveille de Lyon.

Roses planted out under glass are starting to
grow freely. With sunshine the temperature may
be allowed to rise to about 65°. At such times-
the ventilation should be increased during the
day, and on waiTU nights the ventilators may re-
main open slightly. As the season advances a
moister atmosphere shoidd be maintained about
the plants. J. D. G.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

BERBERIS DICTYOPHYLLA.

This Barberry is still a comparatively rare-

plant in gardens, although discovered by the

Abbe Delavay as long ago as 1886. He records it

as growing at an elevation of 5,000 feet on the

Fig. i8. — ixterior view of the palm house at fkankfort-on-the-maine.

apply to establi.shed plants potted up late in
spring. As the plants develop it will be neces-
sary to guard them against the maggot that
infests the bud and foliage.

Plants potted during October may, about the
20th of this mouth, be placed under glass, select-
ing a cold house or frame.. The shoots should
be pruned somewhat .severely, in order to induce
the bottom buds to break freely without exces-
sive forcing.

Grafting Roses.

The grafting of Roses with dormant scions
under glass will soon be brought to a finish.
When the plants are ready for transferring from
the propagating frames into the house, the
frames may be utilised for soft or herbaceous
grafting. A supply of scions may be obtained
from the forcing house, where the shoots will
soon be sufficiently ripe for the purpose. The
tops of the shoots from the earliest winter-
grafted Roses are also suitable. In the case of
new and rare varieties this latter system offers
great facilities for increasing the stock, as each
single bud with a leaf can be used for budding,
and the terminal growths, although soft and un-
ripe, for grafting. Roses of the Tea, China, and
Noisette types do best grafted on the Briar and
de la Grifferae stocks, whilst the H.P.s, Bour-
bon, and allied Roses should be worked on the
Manetti or Briar stocks.

Fanyangshan Mountain, in the province of
Yunnan, China. The plant first reached this
country from France, and is figured in the
Biitariiral Magazine, tab. 7855, issued in 1902.
It is nearly allied to the Himalayan species, B.
angulosa.

The specimen which suggested the writing of
this note is an erect bush, 5 feet in height, and
deciduous. At the present time, December 1,
the rich autumn tints of the leaves make it the
most conspicuous of all the Barberries ; orange-
red will, perhaps, best describe the colour. The
vigorous young stems are glaucous white, thus
adding materially to the beauty of the plant.
The drooping, bright red berries contain maturo
seeds, providing a ready means of propagation.
The fruits usually ripen in October, although a
number are still hanging on the bush.

The leaves vary from ^ inch to 1 inch in length,
the largest being about half an inch wide. They
are produced in tufts, or small rosettes, at inter-
vals of about half an inch along the stem. Obo-
vate in shape, they are pale green above and
glaucous-white beneath. The pale yellow flowers
are .ibout half an inch in diameter, produced
from the tuft of leaves in May, usually solitary,
but occasionally two from the same tuft of leaves.

Barberries thrive in ordinary garden soil,
growing especially well in a rich, medann loam.
A. O.

January 8. 1910 ]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

19

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

CALLISTA V. DENDROBIU:\r.

I AM pleased to be able to give Dr. Kranzlin
:Bome additional information respecting the Cal-
lista amabilis Lour (see Gardeners' Chronicle,
December 25, 1909, p. 431), the specimen of
which is in the Botanical Department of the
Natural History section of the British Museum
at South Kensington.

The specimen is of a Dendrobium, and either
D. thyrsiHurum or some near ally, and conse-
■quently not open to consideration in reference
to the plant wliich flowered with Dr. Gold-
schmidt, and which Dr. Kranzlin
identifies with Callista amabilis.
Dr. Goldschmidt's plant, of
which I have seen a photograph
showing flowers and plant, is, so
far as I can judge without see-
ing the flowers themselves, Den-
drobium aduncum. Hook., fUs
^he^coglossum, Rchb.), Sot.
Mag., t. 6781 (not of Lindl., Bot.
Beg., t. 15), and which bears
not even the remotest resem-
blance to the specimen of Cal-
lista amabilis Lour, which, as I
stated in my brief note {Gar-
deners' Chronicle, p. 393), might
well be called Dendrobium ama-
bile. To return to the specimen
of Callista amabilis in the Natu-
ral History Department, South
Kensington, it always seemed
familiar to me, the clavate three
or four-leafed pseudo-bulb with
its coriaceous leaves at once
suggested that form of Dendro-
bium thyrsiflorum (Gardeners'
Chronicle, March 26, 1892) im-
ported by Messrs. Sander from
the extreme border of the Shan
States, and well on the way to
Cochin China, given as the habi-
tat of Callista amabilis. The
basal part of the inflorescence,
with its cliaracteristic bracts, is
still attached to the pseudo-bulb,
the apical half being gummed be-
side it. The flowers are all de-
tached, and more or less decayed,
but Dr. Rendle, the director of
the botanical department, with
his usual kindness, caused one of
them to be immersed in warm
water, and an examination of the
expanded. though imperfect,
flower seemed to leave no doubt
about its being very close to
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, if not
actually the plant we have in
gardens under that name, and
which some authorities place as
a variety of D. densiflorum
Jamei C'Brirn.

A MARKET FRUIT-GROWER'S YEAR.

The almost continuous rainy weather of De-
cember was a fitting climax to the meteorological
conditions of a dismal and unseasonable year.
My measurement of rain for the month up to the
morning of the 28th is 6.89 inches, making the
year's total just under 35 inches, a quantity
which will probably have been exceeded before
the New Year comes in. This total has not
been approached in any but one of the eight pre-
ceding years of the present century, the excep-
tion being the exceedingly wet year 1903, when
I measured 37.16 inches. That year was the
wettest on record at Greenwich. Moreover, it
is to be observed that the rainfall of the latt«r

wished to try -the experiment of "puddling"
trees in, there have been ample opportunities.
Having a few rows of trees to plant, in order to
finish a field, I had them put in after a frost,
when the land was in a comparatively solid
condition for digging the holes. But when the
earth dug out had thawed completely under the
influence of bright sunshine, it was mud, and
as this was trodden over the roots, tliere was as
complete a puddling as could be desired by a
disciple of the Woburn school. These rows have
been labelled, in order to see how the trees
flourish. Since this operation was carried out,
we have been waiting in vain for an opportunity
of proceeding with the planting of Black Cur-
rants among the trees. Some planting of Plums

CYPRIPEDIUM MRS. F. SANDER.

The illustration in fig. 19 represents a flov.-cr
of a Cypripedium raised by Messrs. Sander &
Sons, St. Albans, between their C. Eve and C.
insigne Sanderte. C. Mrs. F. Sander was awarded
a First-class Certificate at the Royal Horticultural
Society's meeting on December 21, 1909. The
parentage of C. Eve, which was also raised by
Messrs. Sander, is not positively known, but it is
supposed to have resulted from C. aureum Sur-
prise crossed with C. insigne Sanderae. Therefore,
the albino element is strong in the seedling,
which is certainly one of the finest hybrids of its
class. The dorsal sepals are pure white, with a
small emerald-green base ; the petals and lip
pale greenish-primrose-yellow, slightly tinged
and marked on the petals with pale purple.

Fig. ig. — cvpripedu'm mrs. f. sander.

(Awarded R.H.S. First-class Certificate on December 21, 1009.)

half of 1909 was over 24i inches, or nearly an inch
greater than that of the corresponding period of
1903. This quantity for six months is nearly
a year's average, and it exceeds the totals for
the years 1904, 1902, and 1901. Anything like
the state of slush experienced during nearly the
whole of December I have never known before.
The land was completely full of water, which
stood on the surface of flat fields for days at a
time, while many low-lying fields were flooded.
Under such circumstances as those described
above, it is hardly necessary to state that the
planting of fruit trees and bushes has made
but little progress since November. If anyone

and Black Currants on other land also awaits a
favourable opportunity.

The loss of time caused by the rainy weather is
a serious matter. It is no exaggeration to state
that fully a month's work that would have been
completed under favourable circumstances is in
arrear.

A Point as to Planting.
As the plan of harrowing a field and marking
it out for planting with a ridging plough witliout
its breasts has been recommended in a previous
article, an admission of its disadvantage in
f.ich a season of flooding rains as the present

:0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

must be freely made. If the field under con-
sideration had been left as it was ploughed, and
planted by means of a measuring line, the land
would not have been nearly as wet on the surface
as it was after the harrowing. The weeds that
came up after the ploughing would have been
left unchecked, and the regularity in the rows
and distances of the trees and bushes would have
been less nearly perfect than they are ; but if
I had known what a mess the field would get
into, the plough furrows would have been lefi
undisturbed. As it is, the best of a bad job
has been made by opening furrows between each
two rows of trees or bushes with the ridging
plough with its breasts on, while water furrows
have been also made in the proper positions for
carrying away surface water. This plan is regu-
larly pursued after a fruit plantation has been
■cultivated by horse power for the last time in
the autumn, and when it is done while the land
is in dry condition, it keeps the soil free from
stagnant water.

The Weather and Fungus Diseases.
It is to be feared that the wet season will lead
■up to an e.xtraordinary development of fungus
diseases, such as scab and brown rot. The year
was damp throughout after February, rain being
frequent even in months when the total rainfall
was small, so that the diseases mentioned had
full encouragement. Many young shoots of Cox's
•Orange Pippin are covered with scab, and will
have to be cut back severely in consequence, the
cuttings being carefully collected and burned.
At present hardly any scab has been noticed on
the young wood of other varieties ; but all will
be sprayed in the latter part of February with
4 lbs. of copper sulphate alone to 100 gallons of
■water.

Bur.LPINCHES AND BUDS.

There are too many bullfinches about this sea-
son, and the troublesome little pests have started
■on the disbudding of Red Currants and Goose-
berries. A few of the birds have been shot and
others trapped, and no opportunity of killing these
birds will be lost. At present, they have not
started on Plum buds, but Greengage trees, which
are particularly attractive to them, are inspected
nearly every day, in order that spraying with
lime and sulphur wash may be carried out as
soon as an attack begins. Gooseberry bushes
in one field must be sprayed at once. This lime
and sulphur wash, the most messy of all spray-
ing mixtures to prepare, and the most difficult
to get into good condition for going through the
sprayer, is now prepared by Messrs. Walter Voss
& Co. This fact is mentioned in order to save
fruit-growers from a very unpleasant prepara-
tion. With proper apparatus for boiling and
straining, the mixture can be made much better
than it can be at home, and it was on my sugges-
tion thst Messrs. Voss & Co. began to prepare it.
For spoiling suits of clothes, the home-prepara-
tion of this wash is unequalled. It should be ap-
plied on a dry day, and so long as it sticks on the
bushes it keeps birds off. After a few heavy down-
pours rf rain, however, the spraying may need to
be done a second time. In some winters — the last
one, for example — birds do not attack Goose-
berry or Plum buds to any extent worth notice.
Therefore, it is not necessary to spray until an
attack has been begun. Then not a day's delay
should be allowed, and this indicates the advan-
tage of having the wash ready-made and in

stock.

Some Notes on Pruning.

Like all other work in the open, pruning has
"been hindered a great deal by the rainy weather,
and there is more than usual to be done, because
the past season encouraged wood growth even
on old Apple trees which do not usually make
much extension The effects of the tremendous
:aphis attack of 1909 also necessitates more cut-

ting back of young trees than would otherwise
be desirable. It is pitiful to notice the condi-
tion of some fine young trees planted, in one
case, three years ago, and in another, four.
Growths that would have been vigorous, clean,
and well-directed for furnishing the trees are in
some cases twisted and covered with unhealthy
buds, .and need to be cut back unsparingly.
An experiment in stripping off the leaves smo-
thered with aphides last summer on some shoots
and crushing the pests in the process, seems to
have done some good. Fresh leaves soon covered
the shoots, which are in sounder condition than
those which were left unstripped. It is disap-
pointing to find that Bramley's Seedling, sup-
posed to be less liable to damage from the aphis
than most other varieties, has suffered badly.
Beauty of Bath is another victim, but that is not
surprising, as it is always a favourite of the pest.
Domino is another variety much injured.

The amount of judgment required in pruning
different varieties of Apple trees is always
brought into prominence when the work is in
progress. Some varieties, including Gascoyne's
Scarlet, Royal Jubilee, Bramley's Seedling,
Warner's King. Charles Ross, Early Julyan, and
Cox's Orange Pippin, shape themselves with very
little guidance when not disturbed by the aphis.
In the cases of the two first-named varieties, very
little beyond thinning, and not much of that,
has been necessary for trees planted three years
ago. A few of the main branches require
shortening, but chiefly to make fresh extensions
point in the right direction ; otherwise, the
branches are stout enough to be left alone.
Lane's Prince Albert, Allington Pippin, Beauty
of Bath, Domino, Irish Peach, Worcester Pear-
main, and Duchess of Oldenburg, on the con-
trary, require a great deal of pruning, though for
different reasons. Lane's Prince Albert is a pro-
ducer of feeble and spiky growths, too often
pointing downwards, and these, for the most part,
need to be cut to buds pointing upwards, while
a good deal of clean thinning, as well as some
spurring, is necessary. Allington Pippin has
furnished itself with plenty of long growths,
mostly, however, somewhat slender, and sloping
away from the prevailing w-ind, so that some of
them bend right across the centre of a tree.
Nearly every shoot has to be shortened and
directed for fresh growth. There are also
numerous laterals sticking out straight or point-
ing downwards. Many of these in the interior
require cutting off closely. There is no need to
spur Allington Pippin to any great extent, as it is
certain to have an abundant crop in most seasons
from naturally-formed fruit spurs. Beauty of
Bath grows unequally, some branches being
twice as thick and vigorous as others, and, as a
rule, they are too thinly disposed on young trees.
Domino smothers itself with natural fruit spurs
and weak, internal growths. Like Allington
Pippin, it is in peculiar need of summer pruning
or disbudding. Irish Peach has made a lot of
lanky growths, which must be cut back severely.
It is", perhaps, the most difficult of all Apples to
prune, because it fruits mainly on its terminals.
Therefore pruning cuts away much possibility of
fruit, while lack of pruning leads to the forma-
tion of long and pendulous branches. The
proper plan of dealing with it. appears to be to
prune it somewhat severely when young, in order
to get it well furnished with sturdy branches,
and then to do little to it beyond thinning.
Worcester Pearmain will grow to a thicket in-
ternally if its shoots are not thinned severely.
Duchess of Oldenburg is very troublesome in
making growths pointing inwards, and thus it
needs cutting back to buds pointing outwards,
and thinning, for some years after the planting.
One of its few merits is that it is with me almost
exempt from aphis attack. A SoulJiern Grower,
Dcruiiber 2S, 1909.

THE WHEAT CROP OF 1909.

The experiments on Wheat are among the
oldest of those conducted at Rothamsted. Bread-
balk field has been under arable culture for at
least two or three centuries. It grew its last
Turnip crop in 1839 ; this was followed by Barley,
Peas, Wheat and Oats. The last four crops were
grown without manure.

The continuous growth of Wheat commenced
in 1843, and has since proceeded without inter-
ruption, so that the crop of 1909 was the sixty-
sixth crop of Wheat in succession upon this field.
The cultivation of the land has been that usual
in the district ; there has been no deep ploughing.
During the course of the experiments the variety
of Wheat sown has been changed three or four
times ; latterly Square Head's Master has been
sown, a fresh stock of seed being procured each
year. The area of the plots, of which there are
20, is in nearly all cases one-half acre. The
Wheat is drilled in October, weather permitting,
2 bushels of seed being used. In the spring
and early summer great care is taken to remove
weeds, the most troublesome of which is the
grass Alopecurus agrestis (Slender Foxtail).

The meteorological records at the Rothamsted
Agricultural Station show that in the harvest
year, September 1, 1908, to August 31, 1909,
there was in this district 325 tons of water per
acre less than the average quantity of the past
55 years; March, June, July and August being
the only months which recorded an excess of
rainfall. In fact, it was more the result of the
continuous rainy days, the small amount of
bright sunshine, and the low mean temperature
than the excessive rainfall in June, July and
August, which injured the grain crops and added
so considerably to the cost of harvesting.

The following table shows the produce of
Wheat, and the weight per bushel of dressed
grain on some selected plots of the permanent
Wheat field at Rothamsted, Herts, in 1909, com-
pared with the average on the same plots : —

Dressed Grain per Acre, and

Weight

PER BtiSllFL.

Dressed

Weight per

Grain.

bus

hel.

Description of Manures

per acre.

Aver-

Aver-

1909.

age
Quan-
tity.

1909.

age
Weight.

Plot.

Bushel.

Bushel.

lbs.

lbs.

8. Without manure for

70 years

%

13J

60-8

5S-6

2. Farmyard dung 14

tons

33J

35i

61-0

606

5. Superphosphate and.

potash

105

15

605

50-6

6. Superphosphate,

potash, andaOOIbs.

sulphate ammonia

ni

24

59 2

eo-3

7. Superphosphate,

potash, and -lOOibs.

sulphate ammonia

29

33

68 8

60-1

8. S u p e r p h 0 s p h ate,

potash, andtiOOlbs.

sulphate ammonia

321

37J

595

59 8

9. Superphosph ate,

potash, and 275 lbs.

nitrate soda

241

273

59 9

591

16. Superphosphate,

potash, and 550 lbs.

nitrate soda

265

32J

59-4

61-2

I'he foregoing data shows that the produce of
Wheat in 1909 is in every case below the average
yield, ranging from 2 bushels deficient on the
plot receiving farmyard manure to nearly
7 bushels deficiency on Plot 6, with the small
quantity of ammonia salts. The weight per
bushel "is variable, in some cases being slightly
above average, v/hile in others it is somewhat
below average weight. Owing to the insuffi-
ciency of warmth during the ripening period,
none of the Wheats in the experimental field are
properly developed, and they will yield, there-
fore, a large proportion of bran when milled into
flour. The quantity of straw produced by the
plots ranges from 50% cwt. per acre on Plot 2,
with the farmvard dung, to 9^ cwt. per acre oil
Plot 5, without manure. The proportion of otlal

January 8, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

grain to dressed is generally large, being in some
cases about 30 per cent, of the whole. The pro-
portion of grain to straw ranges from 30.4 to
58.7 per cent.

It is noteworthy that, under such extreme
conditions of soil exhaustion as prevail on Plot 3,
which has received no manure of any kind for the
past 70 years, the quality of the grain does not
suffer ; last year it weighed over 63 lb. per bushel,
and when converted into flour made as good
loaves of bread as the grain from any other plot.

The value of a supply of potash in the manu-
rial mixture was very apparent in the Wheat re-
sults this year. One plot to which sulphate of
potash was applied gave an increase of 9^ bushels
of Wheat per acre, and 10 cwt. of straw, while
another plot gave 12| bushels of grain and 13 cwt.
of straw over plots which received phosphoric
acid and nitrogen but no potash.

Nitrogenous manures being by far the most
costly a farmer has to purchase, it is important
to remember that economy in their use depends
a great deal on there being a sufficient supply of
available phDsphates and potash in the soil.
J . J. WlUis, Harpenden.

PLANT NOTES.

IPOMCEA (EXOGONIUM) PURGA.

In a garden near East Grinstead I saw a plant
of this species flowering profusely at the end of
October, although the year was remarkable for
little sunshine. The plant has reached a height
of 12 to 15 feet, and it was flowering in profu-
sion. It was trained with Roses and other
climbers on a home-made trellis of Chestnut
wood. I had previously seen the plant in
flower when not more than six fully-expanded
blossoms could have been counted at any one
time, but on this occasion it was wreathed with
its Convolvulus-like blossoms of a deep claret or
purplish-red colour. The plant, like other
members of the Bindweed family, has a twining
habit of growth. In Nicholson's Dictionary
of Gardening the plant is described as " Stove
evergreen climber," but it is less tender than is
generally believed. The only protection the
plant in question is afforded consists of a winter
covering of ashes about the base.

Seeing that the winter of 1908 9 was of some

mens and living bulbs came. One pot had twc
umbels of bright orange-scarlet flowers and the
other two had five and six large umbels respec-
tively. The flower-scape is lateral from a scaie
of the bulb, while the large and well-developed
leaves, in perfection contemporaneously with the
flowers, are carried by a special stem as in several
other species of the genus. The segments of the
flowers are broader than those of H. multiflorus,
spreading or slightly reflexing, so that the flowers-
are much more conspicuous than in those species
where the segments are erect and densely
crowded. The umbels vary from 6 inches to
7 inches in diameter- when fully expanded, so
that six of these in a 9-inch or 10-iuch pot have
a splendid effect in a house. It is the most-
easily cultivated species of the section. J . F.
[H. katherinae formed the subject of the Supple-
mentarv Illustration in the issue for February 1,
1908.— Eds.]

Fig. 20. — DAPHNE CNEOKUM IN THE R.H.S. GARDENS AX VVISLEY.

DAPHNE CNEORUM.

This dwarf, trailing shrub is a native of cer-
tain mountain ranges in Europe, and is especially
abundant in Austria. It produces terminal um-
bels of bright pink, fragi-ant flowers during
April and May, and, in some seasons, again in
September. The plant shown in fig. 20 is grow-
ing in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural
Society at Wisley, where it is planted in an open,
sandy soil, in a fairly dry situation. The plant
is an evergreen, procumbent shrub, and seldom
exceeds 9 inches in height. Propagation is easily
effected by means of layers ; but these require a
considerable time before they are ready for
planting.

An annual top-dressing of loam, peat, and
sand about the roots has the effect of inducing
fresh roots to form from the base of the woody
stems.

The specific name Cneorura has been applied
to D. caucasica, and also to D. striata. The for-
mer has axillary clusters of white flowers, and
the latter differs from D. Cneorum in being
erect and entirely glabrous. Daphne Cneorum is
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 313. -Y.

severity and last year one of the coldest
for some seasons past, there should be no diffi-
culty in succeeding with it in other parts of
the country. The plant furnishes the Jalap of
commerce : it is a native of the woods about
Xalapa, in Mexico, where the tuberous, purgative
roots are collected and dried for medicinal pur-
poses. E. H. Jenkins.

H^MANTHUS KATHERIN.?<:.
This plant is the finest of the section Xe-
rissa, to which it belongs, being of surpassing
beauty. It was first described in the Gardeners'
Chronicle for May 26, 1877, p. 656, by Mr. J. G.
Baker, who compares it with H. multiflorus,
another brightly-coloured species belonging to
the same group, but coming from West Tropical
Africa. H. multiflorus w^as figured in 1608, that
is 302 years ago. H. Katherinse was discovered
by Mrs. Katherine Saunders, after whom it was
named at least eight years subsequent to the
discovery. I was delighted, on a recent occa-
sion, to see three potfuls of bulbs of this
fine plant in the conservatory of T. Simpson,
Esq., Fennymere, Castlebar Hill, Ealing. The
bulbs were sent home by his son from Durban,
South Africa, whence the first dried speci-

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.
To have good Chrysanthemums at Christmas
time and early in the New Year, much care is
required in their culture. The varieties enu-
merated below are suitable for the purpose.

White-blooming varieties should include Hes-
ton White (a sport from Winter Cheer), which"
is the best and most reliable white Chrysanthe-
mum I have grown : it can be had in good con-
dition from Christmas till February. It grows to
a height of about 4 feet, is robust, and is
seldom attacked by mildew. Mrs. J. Thomp-
son is a well-known variety, growing a little
taller than Heston White. When kept out-of-
doors late, the plant does not keep its foliage
well, and the buds are liable to decay. Snow-
flake is another good white Chrysanthemum, with
a green tinge in the opening flowers. When
grown in 6-inch pots, it is suitable for placing in
vases or similar receptacles. The plant grows
about 3 feet high.

Of pink kinds. Winter Cheer (a sport from
Fra.nfield Pink) is most reliable. Its height is
about 4 feet. A. J. Balfour is a good variety,
which I find does better in 6-inch than in larger
pots. It is much lighter in colour than Winter
Cheer, which is a very deep pink. The height
is 3^ feet.

A selection of the best yellow varieties includes
Yellow Mrs. Thompson (a sport from Mrs. J.
Thompson), a pale, glistening yellow, one of the
best of its colour ; and Allman's Y'ellow, of deep
tone, whose rather small flowers are borne on
long, wiry stems, and last well into the New
Year; height about 5 feet. Nagoya is a large,
deep-yellow flower : it is best disbudded, being
then exceptionally fine about Christmas. The
plant is a robust grower, attaining to a height of
about 4 feet. King of Plumes : this is one of the
best of the thread-petalled varieties for late
flowering ; the colour is a pale yellow. The
blooms, when fully expanded, keep in good con-
dition longer than those of any other variety.
Treasure is a good deep-yellow, small-flowered,
single variety for this season.

The best of the bronze shades is Tuxedo : it is
a beautiful flower, with a tinge of red, which
.shows especially brilliant under artificial light.
The long, wiry "stems and robust constitution are-
additional qualities; the height is 5 feet.

As to crimsons : W. J. Crossley lasts well
into the New Y'ear. The plant is robust, pro-
ducing very dark-crimson blooms ; height 5 feet.
Dorothy Seward is an old variety, but I always
find it"u,seful for blooming at this late season.
Red Canning is much dwarfer than the two
last-named varieties. It succeeds best in 6-inch
pots ; height about 3 feet.

My practice in growing late Chrysanthemums

is to take the cuttings any time from December

■ till March, and to dip them in a quart of soft

water, in which has been placed a teaspoouful of

99

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

sofc soap and a piece of sulphide of potassium
about the size of a Hazel Nut, before potting
them. The plants are stopped when about 5 inches
high, and again when the young growths are a
few inches long ; the last stopping ia done about
the middle of July. Twice during the growing
season, and again just before they are housed,
the plants are sprayed with 1 ounce of sulphide
of potassium dissolved in 2j gallons of rain-water.
A very fine sprayer is used, the undersides of the
leaves being well wetted, but as little moisture
as possible is allowed to lodge in the tips of the
plants. They are stood in the sunniest posi-
tion possible, with a fair amount of room between
each pot, to secure well-ripened growths and to
check mildew. Some vai'ieties succeed best in
5-inch pots, and even the strongest-growing
varieties do not require larger than 9-inch pots.
When out-of-doors the plants are protected
during cold weather by spare lights fi.xed
up on the north side of a fence. When
the flower-buds are about the size of a small Pea,
the plants are placed under the lights. They are
well covered during frosty nights. Plants that
are frozen, although they apparently recover,
often fail to open their flowers, the buds going
black inside. The plants are given a little fer-
tiliser or soot-water twice a week. All dead
leaves are picked off, and all side shoots removed.
This latter operation is important, for if the side
shoots are aflowed to grow, the selected bud or
buds often fail to develop, and the side shoots
form a mass of growths that are too weak too fur-
nish fine flowers. Failing lights, I have made a
tarpaulin serve the purpose of protection. The
plants are brought into the plant-house about the
middle of November. They are fumigated when
first housed, and again three days later, to de-
stroy thrip. Abundant ventilation is given
whenever the state of the weather will allow.
The night temperature should range from 45" to
50°. which is sufficient to keep them growing
steadily. J. liawHn;)s, Bidgemount Garclen-f,
Kn field. [Blooms of the varieties enumerated by
Mr. Rawlings accompanied his notes. — Eds.]

There is hardly any better test of the

merits of a late variety than that it should be
largely grown by market men. I have just seen
quantities of superb flowers for the time of the
year of the varieties Mdlle. T. Panckoiike. Prin-
cess Victoria, Mr. J. Thompson, Snowdrift, and
Heston White, the last-named variety in trusses ;
these are all white varieties. The finest yellows
were Fi-angois Pilon and Nagoya, and the best
pinks Winter Cheer and A. J. Balfour. As Mr.
Molyneux mentions four of these in his selection
(sfe p. 11) it is obvious they are first-class.
Nagoya is a really lovely rich yellow, incurved
variety, and F. Pilon a brilliant yellow, reflexcd
flower. Country growers needing specially late
varieties can hardly do better than follow the
selections of growers for the London market.
A. T).

One of the best varieties for late

flowering is Charles Longley. It makes a splen-
did bush for house decoration, produces first-
class flowers for cutting purposes, and the
blooms never fail to open freely and well. Its
colour may be described as rosy-purple. It is
very effective either by day or under artificial
light. I send a few flowers for your acceptance.
James Winchester, W'indle Hall Gardens, St.
Helens, Lancashire.

The Week's Work.

being the earliest trees to flower, should receive
first attention in the way of pruning and train-
ing ; but before this is commenced, a piece of
rough trellis-work should be placed on the border
for the operator to stand upon. This is much
better than a plank in wet weather. Assuming
that pinching was carried out during the summer,
there will not be any severe pruning necessary at
present. The longer spurs may be shortened to
within two or three buds at the base of the
shoots, and all dead branches should be cut back
to the sound wood, carefully smoothing over the
cut with a sharp knife. If any dead branches
have to be removed it will alter the balance of
the tree, and the branches should be re-
arranged in order that they may be trained evenly.
The young shoots should be left their entire
length, as the Apricot resents severe pruning.
Supposing the wall to be provided with wires,
the operator should first tie in the main
branches at an equal distance apart with tarred
fillis (this is softer than tarred cord). The re-
maining branches and shoots should be fastened
in position with good raffia, which should be
well twisted in order to be additionally strong.
Be careful to keep all shoots pointing in the
correct direction, and cut the ties fairly short, in
order that the trees may have a neat appear-
ance. If the method of training is <hat of nail-
ing, the operator should first remove all the old
shreds. For the new shreds, leather cut in
strips is the best material for fastening
the larger branches, and is very durable.
Cloth sidreds should be used for the smaller
shoots ; these latter ..may be purchased from
the local tailor, an'd can be cut up during
wet weather. When the training is completed,
remove all the rubbish from the border and
syringe the trees thoroughly with ah insecticide.
Apply the liquid with force to wet every crevice
in the wall. Spraying is best done in the morn-
ing of a fine day, in which case the trees will be-
come dry again before night. The remarks
already niaderegarding top-dressing will apply to
the Apricot. This fruit tree requires a calcareous
soil, and it may be necessary to add an extra
quantity of lime and lime rubble to the compost.
General work.— Take advantage of frosty morn-
ings for wheeling and carrying manure and soil
into various quarters of the garden, where these
materials will be needed for the renovation of old
borders, or for planting purposes. If birds are
troublesome to the buds of Currants and Goose-
berries, syringe the bushes with some distasteful
mixture, "or dust them over fir.st thing in the
morning with fine soot and lime.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Jlenovatinc) wall trees. — Fruit trees growing
again.st walls, and that have showed signs of ex-
haustion owing to heavy cropping or other causes,
may be stimulated by a liberal top-dressing.
First of all, remove, by means of a fork, 3 or 4
inches of soil from the surface. Then spread out
the roots very carefu. , , and cover them with
some good, fresh loam, containing a good sprink-
ling of i-inch bones and bonemeal, also finely-
broken old mortar rubble or plaster. JIake this
compost very firm with the feet or a large
wooden rammer, and afterwards apply a
thorough watering with diluted liquid manure.
After the pruning and training operations have
all been finished, the trees may then be given a
liberal mulch of farmyard manui-e.

Apricct trees. — These growing against walls

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckutt, Gardener to the Hon. \k akv Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Herlturdsliiie.

Summer beddin;/ plants.— It is not too early
to commence preparations for the summer bed-
ding, for the success of this form of gardening
depends to a very great extent upon the size
and good condition of the plants at the time
they are put out into the beds. Well-grown
plants of good size and properly hardened will
produce a better effect than double the^ number
of smaller and indifferent specimens. The style
of summer beddhig at present popular is very
different to that which was practised 30 or 40
years ago. In most respects the change is for
the good, as the present system furnishes more
varied and, therefore, more interesting effects.
Many plants which in those days were cultivated
exclusively in the cool greenhouse are now found
to succeed out-cf-doors during summer, and it is
to these plants that the modern flower garden
owes much of its attractiveness. Most of the
plants which were rooted from cuttings last sum-
mer should be potted during the next five
weeks, putting them singly into 3-inch or
5-inch pots. If this is done, and they are kept
in a warm atmosphere they will make excellent
specimens by the time they are required for
planting. Amongst the most suitable of the
class of plants that I have referred to are the
following : Swainsonia galegifolia alba, a delight-
ful plant for bedding purposes if the specimens
are a good size when planted out. A bed
planted with this species at Aldenham House
was illustrated in the last issue of this journal.
The Swainsonias should be potted singly at once,
and given another shift into 6-inch pots about
the first week in April. Streptosolen Jamesonii
is another charming plant for the flower garden
and requires similar treatment to the Swain-

sonia. This plant is well adapted for forming
low standards. Laiitanas, especially L. deli-
catissima, are to be recommended. Fuchsias of
sorts, Plumltago capeiisis, Abutilon, Aloysia
citriodora, Iresine Lindenii, Salvias of sorts,
Calceolaria amplexicaulis and C. Burbidgei, and
many similar subjects are valuable.

Pelargonium. — Those plants which were
rooted singly in small pots in autumn should be
shifted into 5-inch pots. Paid Crampel. which
is one of the best of the scarlet-flowered varie-
ties, answers especially well to this treatment.

Propagation. — JMany of the softer-wooded
plants make better specimens if cuttings are
roc ted after the commencement of the New Vear,
and cultivated without a check. This work may
now be commenced in a propagating house or
pit; care must be taken to provide the pots or
boxes with drainage, employing a light, sandy
compost for the rooting medium and covering the
surface with a layer oif sand. The newer bedding
varieties of Verbena have a free-flowering habit
and the colours of the flowers are charming, but
any varieties or plants showing the slightest
trace of disease should be rejected. Other plants
that may be ti-eated in this manner are Alter-
nanthera. Coleus, Mesembryanthemum, Tropseo-
lum, Alyssum, Ageratum, Lobelia, Fuchsia, and
others. Seeds may now be sown of both tuberous
and fibrous-rooted Begonias, also of Wigandia,
Melianthus major, Grevillea robusta, Musa, and
Caniia.

Old specimen plants. — If specimen bedding
plants are preserved from year to year, they
flower very profusely. The best structure to
keep them in during the winter is a cool house
or pit, in which sufficient heat can be employed
to prevent frost. The plants should be kept
moderately dry at the roots at the present, but
they may' be encouraged to commence growth
again at about the middle of February.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Gaiden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

SeaJeale. — The crowns intended for forcing
should be lifted and stored in some sheltered
corner until required. Seakale is easy enough to
force, provided it is not subjected to excessive
heat at the commencement. It may be forced
either in pots or boxes in any dark chamber, if
only an occasional dish is required, but if large
supplies are necessary, it is better to force the
crowns in heated pits that have shutters fitted to
them for excluding light. The pits should con-
tain a hot-bed of leaves for supplying bottom
heat. The bed of soil should be 8 inches deep,
rich, and rather moist at the time it is used, in
order that water may not be necessary for some
time. The temperature of the bed must never
rise beyond 75"^, or the Seakale will suffer con-
siderable injury. We force at Frogmore at least
14,000 crowns each season in the manner I have
described. Provided there is a bottom heat of
70°, the produce from each pit should be cleared
in about three weeks from the time of planting
the crowns. When the roots are lifted from the
ground, care should be taken to save as many of
the rootlets as will be necessary for planting next
season. These rootlets should be about 8 inches
in length, and be cut clean through with a knife,
and afterwards be laid horizontally in a trench on
a south border, where they should be covered
6 inches deep with light soil. By April they
will have commenced to form crowns, and it will
be necessary to plant them out in well-prepared
soil in rows 2 feet wide, allowing 1 foot from
plant to plant in the row. When the young
shoots appear above the ground, they must be
carefully thinned, leaving only one crown to each
plant,

Asp'iragus. — Strong roots of Asparagus suit-
able for forcing can be grown in four years from
seed, or the roots in the oldest bed may
be taken up each year for the purpose of
forcing ; the latter system is practised at
Frogmore. This method makes it necessary
to form fresh beds every spring, but
the system is found to answer perfectly well.
In the forcing of Asparagus the heat should not
exceed 70", or the growth will be spindly and
thin. If forced Asparagus is needed in large
quantities, a pit must be set apart for fhe pur-
pose, and preference given to one that can be
warmed when necessary with fire-heat. A bed of
leaves, or other fermenting material, should be
formed in the pit to a depth of 4 feet ; this will

January 8, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

afford sufficient bottom heat for three successive
batches of crowns, provided a little fresh ftr-
menting material can be mixed with the old bid
each time new roots are introduced. Before tiie
niots are placed in their forcing quarters, a la;,er
of rotted manure 2 inches deep should be placed
over the beds, covering this with a small quan-
tity of line soil. The Asparagus roots should Ije
placed as closely together as possible, covering
them with 1 inch of sifted leaf-soil, and watering
them liberally with the water warmed to 75^.
After a few days, the young shoots will begin to
show, when the covering should be increased to
a depth of 4 inches, using finely-sifted leaf-
mould. No further watering will be necessary.
The crop should be ready to gather within three
weeks of the commencement of forcing.

Frencli Jkans. — In last week's notes, January
25 should have read February 25, this latter being
the date when pods should be ready for gathering
from plants raised from seeds sown at the present
time.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GoODACUK, Gardener to Sir Iiunest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Melons and Ciicumhas. — Sow seeds for the
first crop of Melons. The cotyledons issue from
the thick end of the seed, therefore this end
should be placed uppermost m sowing, otherwise
the j)lauts are liable to be deformed at a very
early stage. Place two seeds in a small pot, and
|)lunge the pots in a hot-bed. As canker rarely
attacks the stem below the cotyledons, young
Melons are all the better if they are 3 inchis
or 4 inches high before the fiiat rough leaf
forms ; another advantage is that this length of
stem allows ample room for applying top-dress-
ings without having to bury the lowermost leaves.
When the plants have reached this height, pinch
out the weaker one and support the other by
means of a small stake. Place the pots near to
the glass in an atmospheric temperature of 70^
Seeds may also be sown of Cucumbers in the
same manner as Melons, and successional sowing.''
may be made every six weeks.

Toma/ox. — Sow Tomato seeds thinly in pots
or pans filled with light, porou.s soil, and place
them in a heat of 65" to 70°. When the plants
have made the first rough leaf, prick them off
into small pots. Do not allow them to suffer
check at any stage, but grow them steadily on
until they are ready to be placed in the final
pots or beds. At that stage the fruits of the
first flower-truss should be set.

Shawherrieii. — Place batches of Strawberry
plants in heat at regular intervals according to
the requirements of the establishment. Wash
the pots, and top-dress the plants with a safe
fertiliser, before placing them indoors. It is a
good plan to water the soil with clear lime
water in order to get rid of any earthworms that
may be present in the pots.

Pot vines. — The early vines started in Novem-
ber are growing freely. If the canes were tied
down in a horizontal or circular position, until
the buds commenced to grow, they may now
be trained in their permanent places on the
trellis. As soon as the inflorescences are
visible, pinch the shoots at the second leaf be-
yond the flower. Let the atmospheric tempera-
ture be about 55° to 60", and admit air on
favourable occasions, but close the house at
noon, and at the same time syringe the house
and vines with tepid water. Take care to pre-
vent excessive heat during the night, and even
during the day so far as it arises from hot-
water pipes, as this would tend to weaken the
growth.

Ppj'manenf lines. — The vines which are re-
quired to ripen their Grapes in June must now
be started. The house may be closed, and a
temperature of 45° maintained at night. Syringe
the rods daily and damp the paths. Vines
usually break more kindly if a small bed
of leaves or manure is placed in the house. This
fermenting material, which will gi^e off a certain
amount of both heat and moisture, should be
turned over daily. If this method is adopted,
less syringing will be necessary.

Vine eyes. — These may be inserted during
January. Select well-developed buds or eyes and
place them in small pots containing sandy soil.
Plunge the pots in a frame where there is a
gentle bottom heat, and remove superfl.ious mois-
ture from the glass of the frame each day by

means of a sponge or cloth. W'hen young shoots
have been made ^ inch long, remove the plants
from the frame, and place them near to the
glass in an atmospheric temperature of 60° to
55^. Plunge the pots in leaves or tan.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to josEl'H I'ickkksgill, Esq.,
Harden Hill, Weetwood, Vurksbtre.

The conserixitory. — Now that the Christmas
season has passed with its usual drain upon the
resources of the decorative department, every
effort must be made to maintain the conservatory
as bright as possible. Fresh introductions
should be tastefully arranged, disposing them
thinly iir order to allow free circulation
of light and air. See to the immediate re-
moval of decayed and dead flowers as often as
may be necessary ; admit air on all favourable
occasions, and maintain just sufficient artificial
heat to prevent excessive dampness. The plants
should be examined carefully each day for water,
but only those should be watered that actually
require it. The creepers and climbers will need
to have the weak. growths removed, and those
remaining thoroughly cleansed and afterwards
trained over the available space. The most im-
portant point to remember in the treatment of
such plants is that overcrowding is certain lo
result in comparative failure. The borders
should have the old soil carefully removed down
to the roots of the plants. The drainage should
be examined, and afterwards a top-dressing
should be applied, using a compost specially suit-
able for the particular plants.

The foicinij houses. — Amongst the bulbous
plants suitable for early forcing are Tulips, Nar-
cissi, and Hyacinths, but any that are selected
for this purpose should be thoroughly well rooted
before they are introduced to heat. Hyacinths
and Narcissi require to be forced more moderately
than Tulips, but, after the flower-buds can be
seen, the t<>mperature may be increased until the
development of colour commences, at which stage
the plants should be removed to cooler condi-
tions. The earliest batch of Freesias are now
showing their flower-spikes, and may be given
an occasional watering with clear soot-water and
weakly-diluted water from the farmyanl. Eacli
growth must be neatly staked and looped up with
green raffia. Az.ileas are amongst those shrubs
which respond most easily to early forcing. Then
there are Lilac, Prunus triloba. Staphylea col-
chica. Viburnum plicatum. Spiraea confusa, and
Laburnum. Batches of Astilbe (Spiraea) astil-
boides and A. japonica may be introduced into
heat at intervals of a few days. Lily of the
Valley can now be forced either from Berlin
crowns or crowns grown in the home garden.
The flowers from these newer crowns will be
more fragrant than those which have been ob-
tained from retarded crowns.

Hippeastrums. — An early batch of Hippeas-
trums may be placed in gentle warmth, select-
ing bulbs which ripened earliest. The bulbs
should be allowed to remain in the same pots,
but the surface soil should be removed, replacing
it with a compost of fibrous loam and peat, with
which a small quantity of coarse sand and a few-
small pieces of charcoal are mixed. After these
plants have bliximed, they should be kept sepa-
rate from the main stock, with a view to giving
them more stimulants during their period of
growth, and afterwards putting them aside for
repotting. It is not advisable to keep the same
bulbs for forcing each vear.

tho Cattleya house will be warm enough, but
when the buds are well advanced, the plants
should be removed to the lightest side of the
East Indian house. During the flowering season
the plants will require water only at long inter-
vals, but when new roots are seen pushing from
the base of the growths, a gradual increase of
water may be afforded. Other varieties, as D.
Curtisii, D. Dominianura, D. signatum, D.
Wiganiae, D. burfordiense, D. nobile, D. Ains-
worthii, D. splendidissimum, D. Schneiderianum,
D. cybele, D. Thwaitesiie, D. Chessingtonense,
D. chryseum, D. melpomene, and D. melanodis-
cus, which do not usually start into premature
growth, may be brought from their cool resting
quarters, when the flower-buds are showing pro-
minently at the nodes, into a house having a
rather dry atmosphere and intermediate tem-
perature, such .as the Cattleya house. Later,
when the flower-buds are well advanced, the
plants should be removed to warmer conditions.
Afford only sufficient water to keep the pseudo-
bulbs plump. Such species as D. cretaceum, D.
crepidatum, D. Parishii, D. Pierardii, D.
Boxallii, D. transparens, D. lituiflorum, D.
primulinum, D. superbum, and others which are
still at rest should be kept dry till the flower-
buds show, when the plants should be placed
in a warm, moist atmosphere. The tall-growing
species, as D. fimbriatum, D. dixanthnin, D. cla-
vatum. D. moschatum, D. Paxtonii and D. cal-
ceolus should be kept in a house where the night
temperature is about 50° to 55°, and be kept
moderately dry at the root, but immediately
the flower-spikes appear the plants should be
brought into the warmest house. D. Dal-
houseianum is also a tall-growing species, and it
needs the temperature of the warmest house at
all seasons. The plants, while at rest, should
be kept dry, but the pseudo-bulbs must not be
allowed to shrivel for want of water, for, though
conducive to free flowering and large spikes of
bloom, shrivelled plants grow but weakly
afterwards. The distinct D. albo-sanguineum
is now finishing its season's growth ; it
thrives well when suspended in a light
position in the Cattleya house, where it
should' remain at all seasons. Keep the pot-
ting materials well on the dry side, until the
flower-spikes begin to push out from the pseudo-
bulbs, when the roots may be kept moderately
moist. D. Falconeri must now only be given water
often enough to prevent undue shrivelling. Keep
it close to the roof-glass of the Cattleya house, and
.syringe the plants all over once a week. D. Fal-
coneri giganteum is probably a natural hybrid,
with D. Wardianum as one of its parents, and
should be treated in every respect as advised for
that species. The curious D. tetragonum is now
flowering in the cool intermediate house, which,
appears to be the most suitable place for it.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W, H. White. Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Dendrobium. — For flowering in late winter
and early in spring, few Orchids are more valu-
able than Dendrobiums. At the present time
many of these plants ai-e showing their flower-
buds, and some, as D. Wardianum, D. crassi-
node, D. micans, D. Aspasia, D. Euryclea, D.
Euterpe and D. Clio, are starting into growth,
but the grower must not be tempted to afford
them much water at the root, or the young
shoots will grow too rapidly and prevent the
development of flower-buds. These early

growths will remain almost stationary for a
long time if the pla.nts are kept moderately dry
and in a well-ventilated house. For the present

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.

Parlcing section honey. — Many beekeepers find
some difficulty in packing the sections for safe
transmission by post. It may be pointed out
that only those sections which are well filled from
side to side, and, likew-ise, equally well sealed,
will travel without mishap. Generally .speaking,
not more than six sections should be put in one
package. They should be placed in cheap folding
card cases first, to keep them free from dust and
other impure and injurious matter. The sections
should then be arranged in two threes, side by
side, placing two pieces of thin board or stout
cardboard, exactly the length of tw-o sections
and the width of one. and securing them firnily
together. Before wraijping the package in brcwii
paper, place about the sections some crumpled
buffers of newspapers. I have sent some hun-
dreds of sections packed in this manner through
the post, and have never had a mishap. In
packing for transit by rail, it is well to place in
a strong box a bed of crumpled newspapers, not
less than 3 inches in thickness. In this the sec-
tions, having been treated in a similar manner to
those intended for the post, should be arranged,
but round the sides and ends there should he a
3-inch space filled tightly with crumpled news-
papers. Pack tightly at' the top, then screw or
nail on the lid. Label the package plainly and
securely. If the box is provided with rope
handles so much the better. It is not wise to
place more than three or four dozen sections in a
single package.

24

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Illustrations. - The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, oj
gardens, or of remarkable plants, /towers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exam, of Public Park employed, at
10 a.m. Surveyors' Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben.
& Prov. Soc. Com. meet. Reading Gard. Assoc. Ann.
Meet,
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Lecture at Hort. Club,
by Mr. Alexander, on "The Gardens of Ceylon,"
at 6 p.m. Barr Memorial Com. meet. Brit. Gard.
Assoc. Ex. Council meet,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13—

London Branch of B.G.A. meet.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14-

Ann. Meet. Kent County Chrys. Soc. at Lee Green, at
8 p.m.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 37-9°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday, January 5 {6 P.M.): Max. 43°;
Min. 40°.
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London.— T^iwrsrfav, January 6
(10 A.M.) : Bar. 30-5 ; Temp. 42° ; Weather—
Dull.
Provinces. — Wednesday, January 5: Max. 43^ VV.
Ireland ; Min. 30° Durham.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, Perennials and Hardy Border Plants at
12 ; Roses and Fruit Trees at 1.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,
E.C., by Prolheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY -

New and rare Perennials, Dutch Bulbs, &c., at 12;
Roses and Fruit Trees at 1.30 ; Palms, Azaleas, &c., at
5, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
Sale of Fruit Trees and general Nursery Stock, at the
Royal Nurseries, Bush Hill Park, N., by order of
Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., at 11, by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

Hardy Border Plants and Perennials, Dutch Bulbs, &c.,
at 12; Imported and Established Orchids, at 12 45;
Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,
E.G., by Protheroe & Morris.

For the third successive winter
Is it Frost most gardeners are watching

OP

Drought .:>

the weather with close atten-
tion, not unmingled with fore-
bodings. The past year has been sunless
to an exceptional degree, and, though the
late autumn was not quite so mild as
in 1907 and 1908, yet plants are meeting
the winter in a very soft, unripened condi-
tion. Should some really severe weather
come in Januar}', we may expect destruction
as widespread as it has been during the last
two winters, unless special care is taken to
protect the susceptible occupants of the gar-
den. It is, however, rash to prophesy, for
every gardener wiU have many recollections
of plants, generally regarded as tender, pass-
ing unhurt through intense and long-con-
tinued frost ; whereas, on other occasions, a
single day of quite a moderate degree of cold
has destroyed plants usually regarded as
hardy. An explanation may possibly be found
in the fact that in a very large number of
cases frost is only indirectly the destructive
agent; the plants really perish of drought,
their regular water supply being cut off, for
at the low temperatures the power of roots
to absorb water is reduced to an extraordi-
nary degree. Of course, there are many
plants which are actually killed by the plas-
molysing action of cold, aided, perhaps, by
the mechanical action of the sap expanding
as it freezes and bursting the tissues. When
the Dahlias and Tropfeolums perish with the
fir.st autumnal frost there is no doubt as to
iv'hat has caused the damage, and many other

herbaceous plants are killed as soon as
they are frozen. That killing by frost is not
due simply to the bursting of the tissues by
the expanding ice, is proved by the fact that
there are many plants which may be frozen
solid without taking any harm, as though
their sap could be turned into ice without
causing any rupture of the cells. However,
putting aside the really tender plants, which
must be prevented from freezing in order
that they may survive the winter, we have in
mind rather the case of Tea Roses and their
like, plants which evidently can stand a great
deal of cold, but which are so given to dying
off unaccountably in certain winters that
the wdse gardener gives them a certain
amount of protection. It is well known that
a good covering of snow will enable such
plants to pa.ss through the longest and sever-
est frosts, and the gardener, to attain the
same end, will either earth them up, cover
them with dead lea\'es, or with a heavy mulch
of strawy manure, or even content liiniself
with working some straw, Bracken or Spruce
boughs among the plants.

Now, in the case of Tea Roses and similar
plants, we feel convinced that winter killing
is generally due to drought, and that the
effect of the protection is not to keep the
plants warm, but to check the evaporation
from the surface of the shoots.

Even through the winter the living shoot
of a plant is alwaj-s giving off a certain
amount of water-vapour. This is especially
the case when the shoot is soft and unripened.
The water thus lost has to be made good by
roof^absorption. The rapidity of the evapora-
tion will depend on the dryness of the at-
mosphere surrounding the plant, and the air
is generally saturated in the soft, warm
days of winter, but often extremely dry dur-
ing a hard frost. We can see the drying power
of the air during a frost by the way clothes
v.i\\ dry when hung out, even though they
may begin by freezing into boards, and by
the disappearance of ice from paths, though
no sun falls upon them. The rate at which
evaporation takes place from any object is
also very much dependent upon atmospheric
conditions ; if the air be both dry and rapidly
renewed, the amount of water taken from an
exposed body may become very great. Now,
wind and frost do not generally go together,
but it does happen sometimes that a bitter
east or north wind springs up when the
ground is frozen, and it is just at such times
that the gardener must be on the look-out for
damage. Evaporation then becomes very ac-
tive from the exposed shoots of the plant, and
if the ground is at the same time frozen the
roots are incapable of taking in water, .so
that there is nothing to balance the loss from
the shoots. The taking in of water by the
roots is not a mere mechanical process, but
a vital action, depending upon the living
cells and ceasing when their activity is sus-
pended, as it is at temperatures near or below
the freezing point. If, then, the shoots of a
plant keep losing water for a few hours in
this fashion and none comes in to replace
the loss, they eventually wither and are
killed just as would happen if they were ex-
posed to a fierce, drying sun with the soil
short of water. The ease with which the plant
loses water is intensified by the fact that the
cold also plasraolyses the cells of the plant,
causing them to shrink up and part with some

of their water, whereupon such water will be
much more readily removed by evaporation
than if it had remained in connection with the
protoplasm. A little consideration will show
that this point of view explains a great many
of the features of winter killing, though
doubtless not all. In the first place, the worst
damage is not done by the lowest tempera-
tures, but, when wind comes with the frost.
We have a vivid recollection of a particular
day of wind and frost two winters ago, which
killed many delicate plants that had survived
previous colder days. The young, soft wood
always suffers most, because the soft tissues
can pass water on so much more readily
to the evaporating surface, and the rate
of loss is thereby greater. Then, again,
the effect of such protection as a handful of
Bracken stuffed into the head of a bush, a
bundle of straw tied over a Standard Rose,
or even a mulch of stable litter on the ground
can only be not to keep the plants warmer,
but to protect them from evaporation.
In the long winter nights there is ample
time for the temperature inside the protected
head of a Standard Rose tree to fall as low
as that of the air outside ; it is only under a
deep mulch or a thick coating of snow on
the ground that the temperature may be ex-
pected to be appreciably higher than on the
surface. But all these coverings will play a
great part in checking evaporation, both by
keeping off the wind from the shoots of the
plant and by surrounding them with material
which is itself giving off a little water-vapour,
as snow, for example, does at man}' degrees
below freezing point.

Just in the same way we may often notice
the effect of shelter hedges in saving plants
from destruction by frost ; the temperature
will not have been much higher, except imme-
diately beneath the hedge, where the ground
is protected from radiation ; it is the checking
of the wind that has saved the plants. Of
course, lessened evaporation does mean a
somewhat higher temperature, because heat
is always withdrawn from the body that is
drying up, still such temperature-differences,
as are due to this cause are too small to make
the difference between destruction and sur-
vival.

One last illustration we may take : the worst
results of a frost are always expected when
bright sunshine follows, so that the frozen
tree or shrub is suddenly thawed by the warm
ravs of the sun. The damage is usually set
down to the disorganisation of the tissues
which ensues from the sudden thawing, but
it any break up of the tissues does occur, it
must happen at the moment of freezing, for
water expands in the act of turning into ice,
not when thawing afterwards. If you have
a water pipe frozen, the burst has taken place
as the water froze, and there it will be how-
ever carefully and slowly you tliaw the ice
out afterwards. The destructive action of the
evm comes probably from the increased eva^
poration it sets up from the shoots of the
plant at a time when the roots are" still in-
active through the cold. The best chance
of saving such a plant is well known to
be to spray it with water at once while it
is in its frozen state, for if it can only be
kept wet the sun's rays have no ill effect.
We remember one May morning, after an un-
timely frost of 12° or 14° on the grass, goinfi;
out early to look at a bed of Tulijis in full

January 8, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

25

flower ; as the sun came on the bed they began
to nilt and bend, until about 8 o'clock all the
flower-heads were lying on the ground and
the leaves were soft and flaccid; in this case
there could be little doubt but that the plants
were suffering from drought rather than from
frost.

Of course, as we have said above, we do
not suppose that drought brought about by
evaporation when the roots are inactive is the
only factor in winter killing, but it is an
important factor, the proper appreciation of
which is a great help in arranging means of
protection for the winter. We need not fear
piling up damp materials round our Tea Roses,
because we want to maintain a moist atmo-
sphere round them ; all the same, thick cover-
ings are unnecessary. What we are aiming
at is shelter, not warmth, and a piece of paper
will keep off the wind as effectively as a thick
thatch of straw.

The London County Council will

The Chief shortly make an appointment to

Officer of t],g po,t „f (jiij^f Officer of the

the London _ , „ . i rni • a

Parks. Parks Department. The 'import-
ance of this post may be judgeil
from the fact that the chief officer has the
responsibility for the laying out and manage-
ment of all the parks, gardens and open
spaces which are maintained by the Council.
His work includes the supervision of the con-
servatories, and he is responsible for the dis-
cipline of the staff' employed in the parks-
service. Inasmuch as there are no fewer than
114 parks, gardens and open spaces, the total
extent of which amoimts to upwards of
5,000 acres, and inasmuch as the park.s-service
employs nearly a thousand men, the post of
chief officer is onerous. We are glad to ob-
serve that one condition of the appointment
is a knowledge of surveying, landscape gar-
dening, forestry and horticulture. Though
why horticulture, which embraces surveying
and landscape gardening, should be placed
last in the series of required qualifications is
not clear. The position should certainly be
filled by a trained gardener, one who not only
understands the laying out and maintenance
of public parks, but who also possesses a wide
knowledge of trees and shrubs.

AVe do not know what steps the Council
proposes to take in order to obtain expert
advice in the important task of selecting the
right man, though it is evident that some ad-
vice of the kind is essential. All London
is interested in the Council parks, and appre-
ciates the large amount of excellent work
that has been done since the parks passed
under the control of the Council. Hence it is
in no grudging spirit that we saj' that there
is still no little room for improvements,
especially in the direction of greater variety
of treatment. Particularly we should like
to see a serious attempt made to increase
the number both of tree species and of shrubs
and trees planted for autumn and winter
effect. The difficulties which have to be met
are innumerable, and the results which have
been obtained, in spite of these difficulties,
are so excellent as to make us confident that,
with the appointment of a first-rate horticul-
turist who has specialised in park-manage-
ment, the London jiarks w ill become in a few
years as fine as any in Europe. AVe under-
.stand that applications from candidates must
be made by the 17th inst.

Horticultural Club. — The next hou.se
dinner of the club will take place on Tuesday,
January 11, at 6 p.m., at the Hotel Windsor,
when Mr. J. A. Alex.\nder will give a lecture
on "The Garden of the East^Ceylon's Isle."
The lecture will be illustrated by original lantern
slides.

The Gardeners' Royal Benevolent In-
stitution.—The voting papers for the election
on the 20th inst. have just been issued. They
contain the names of no fewer than 72 applicants
for pensions. It is di.stressing to learn that from
this great number only 20 vacancies are to be
filled, although it may be hoped that a few
additional pensioners may be selected imme-
diately after the election. Circumstances prove
only too obviously that this great Institution is
in need of a larger measure of support. However,
there is one satisfactory feature of the present
lists, for they appear to show that a larger num-
ber of gardeners are becoming life members or
subscribers to the Institution. Amongst the 72
applicants there are 60 _who are subscribers, or
the widows of subscribers. Five are ovtr 80
years of age, and 24 exceed the age of 70. But
the greater number of applicants are younger men
who, for various reasons, have become prema-
turely broken down in health, and thus rendered
incapable of contiuuuig their employment. It
is scarcely necessary to dwell on the hopeless-
ness of such cases unless they can be given such
a pension as that, which the Gardeners' Royal
Benevolent Institution distributes. The Institu-
tion is doing a noble work, and everything that
can be done should be done, to support and
sustain the executive in the trying circum-
stances shown in the lo:ig list of candidates.

George Monro Concert Committee. —

The balance-sheet for the 13th aiuuial concert,
held on February 25, 1939. is before us, and we
note that the receipts were £289 3s. 6d..
including cash in hand £61 10s., whilst the dis-
bursements were £226 5s. lOd., leaving a balance
of £62 17s. 8d. Grants of £50 8s. have been
made to charity organisations, including £15 ISs.
to the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution
and £10 lOs. to the Wholesale Fruit and Potato
Trades Benevolent Society. The next concert
will take place on Thiu-sday, February 17, at the
.Queen's Hall, Langham Place, W. There will be
an excellent programme of vocal and instru-
mental music, including performances by the
band of the Coldstream Guards.

Dr. William Carbuthers, F.R.S., writes
us as follows from the London Botanical Labora-
tory and Seed-testing Station, 44, Central Hill,
Norwood, S.E. :— "My partner, Mr. H. T.
Gtjssovv, having been appointed Botanist to the
Agricultural Department of the Government of
Canada, I have resolved to retire from seed-
testing and plant-disease work. Prof. Biffen,
M.A., of the Agricultural Department, The Uni-
versity, Cambridge, has been appointed to suc-
ceed me as Botanist to the Royal Agricultural
Society of England. He is organising his labora-
tory and assistants so as to take over the work
of this firm also. All communications should
now be addressed to him at Cambridge."

A Trade Pamphlet. — We have received from
Messrs. Watkins & SuirsoN a copy of a
pamphlet containing illustrations of the firm's
trial grounds, seed offices and warehouses, also
portraits of the governing director. Mr. Alfred
Watkins, and the more important members of
the staff. This wholesale seed business was
established in 1876, and has recently been formed
into a private company, but, we are informed,
there has been no public issue of shares, nor
outside capital introduced.

Annuals and Directories. — The crop of
Garden Annuals, Almanacs, Directories, Year-
books, and similar works of reference is larger
this year than ever. Amongst the most valuable
of these to the horticulturist are the gardeners'
address-books. Besides giving the names of the
gardeners, these contain separate lists, giving
the name of their employers' residences, which
are also enumerated again under the respective
counties, so that it is an easy matter to trace an
address.

The Horticultural Directory and Year-book
is issued for the fifty-first time. In addition to
the addresses, the work contains many pages of
garden receipts and hints, but these need con-
siderable revising to bring them up to date ;
some of the receipts for fungicides and insecti-
cides being out of date. The work contains a
list of plants, fruits, and vegetables certificated
by the Royal Horticultural Society, National
Chrysanthemum, National Rose, and National
Dahlia Societies, from October, 1908, to Sep-
tember, 1909. The list of nursery and seed firms
will be found useful ; these are enumerated alpha-
betically and again under each county. The
addresses of important nursery and seed firms
on the Continent and in America are also given.
The volume includes information upon the prin-
cipal gardening societies, the mutual improve-
ment and debating associations, and the principal
public parks and botanic gardens.

Garden Annual and Address-booh.— Thh also
gives the names of the principal gardens of the
United Kingdom with those of the occupiers
and gardener. Novelties in plants, fruits, and
vegetables certificated during 1909 are described ;
this part of the work has been considerably ex-
tended, the awards from some of the principal
provincial societies being now included. There is
a useful almanac at the beginning of the book,
and opportunitity is there taken to enumerate sea-
sonable garden operations for the various months.
The addresses of nurserymen and secretaries of
societies are included.

The Live Slock Journal Almanac appeals
more to the farmer, but there is much in it that
is of interest to the small-holder and garden
bailiff, especially the chapters on poultry and
eggs, pigs, and breeds of dogs.

Vinton's Agricultural Almanac and Diary
contains many pages of useful statistics, which
show at a glance the year's crops, average
market prices, value of various foods, manurial
value of feeding stuffs, wages and discount
tables, and similar valuable data. Many of the
pages are reserved for notes, and these are ruled
so that events can be recorded each day.

Who's Who has become indispensable as a
work of reference. If the address and proper
title of a person prominent in the eye of the
public is required, together with a biography
in miniature. Who's Who will supply the
information. A companion vol'ame. Who's Who
Year-book, is a compendium of information con-
cerning persons connected with the public service,
from the King to the borough recorders. The
comprehensive nature of this little book is seen in
the lists of the principal Royal and other societies
and their secretaries, University professors, race
meetings, railways, clubs, ambassadors, county
councillors, schools, &c.

y/i-e Writers' and Artists' Year-booh forms
another work of this series. It contains the lists
of journals and magazines, publishers, press-cut-
ting agencies, literary agents, colour-printers,
and art agents.

A more pretentious volume is the English-
woman's Year-book. In dealing with the vari-
ous occupations of women, agriculture and

26

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, ;9iO.

horticulture have their places. Under the former
headin^r, details concerning the employment of
women in market-gardening and fruit-picking
are given. Concerning the training of lady gar-
deners it properly states that it is not pos-
sible that any girl can learn in two, or even
three, years to become a first-rate gardener. The
list of garden colleges and schools for women is
a fairly long one, and includes several institu-
tions where the forcing of vegetables by what
is known as the intensive system of cultivation
figures largely in the curriculum. On such ques-
tions as education for women, the Civil Service,
pastimes and sports specially suitable for
women, literature, philanthropic work, chari-
ties, and kindred subjects, this work affords
many useful particulars.

An almanac and directory is issued by the
Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon
Co.. Ltd., Gloucester, for the fifteenth year.
From the short history of Gloucester we learn
that much business is still conducted in the
municipal markets, and that the ancient custom
of hiring farm servants still takes place on the
first, second and third Mondays after Barton
Fair, which is held on September 28 and 29.

One and All Gardening. — This little work is
issued by the Agricultural and Horticultural
Association (One and All). It contains several
cultural articles by the late D. T. Fish and
RiCH.'lRD DE.-iN. A very readable article on the
Outdoor School is from the pen of W. Francis
Rankine. The Hon. A. J. Stanhope writes ou
some legends of plants.

Webster's Foresters' Diary and Foclet Bool-. —
The eighth edition provides ample room under
each day of the year for recording event.':,
and several of the pages at the back are ruled
for a cash account. There are more than 70
pages of short notes relating to trees and
forestry in general, and a list of foresters anl
assistant foresters. The book is bound in red
leather with gilt lettering and edges, forming
a convenient and handsome pocket-buok.

The Garden Life Pocket Diary.— This little
publication provides information on gardening
operations for the amateur. It also contains a
diary in which he may record gardening memo-
randa.

The Surveyors' Institution.— Tlie next
ordinary general meeting will be held on
January 10, at 8 p.m., when a paper will be
read by Mr. John Wilmot on " The Housing,
Town Planning, &c.. Act, 1909." A discussion
will take place on this paper, and on Mr.
Davidoe's paper on " Town Planning Systems,"
which was adjourned from November 22 last.
The adjourned discussion on both papers will
be continued on Monday, January 24.

The Royal Botanic and Horticultural
Societies. — Mr. Pembroke Stephens has
addressed the following letter to the Council of
the Royal Horticultural Society in reply to the
letter from the Rev. W. Wilks, printed in our
last issue, p. 8 : — " No one can doubt for a
moment the interest felt by the Royal Horticul-
tural Society in the Royal Botanic Gardens. If
they did, the letter of invitation written by the
President of the Royal Horticultural Society to
the President of the Royal Botanic Society many
weeks ago, and subsequently published by your-
self, I think, in The Times and other newspapers
^together witli the facilities afforded later by
your society for the conference at Vincent Square,
must show any such doubts to be unfounded.
What has been felt, however, is that, in matters
of negotiation or business between any two socie-
ties, mere general expressions of goodwill, how-
ever gratifying in themselves, fail to bring about
a clear understanding and satisfactory results.

and the Royal Botanic Society accordingly, in
their reply of December 7, invited the Royal
Horticultural Society to make their proposals
more clear and definite, especially as to finance.
If, on reflection, as I gather from your letter,
the Royal Horticultural Society now feel that
they would rather not make any proposals, the
Royal Botanic Society could only respect and take
note of their decision. But this would dispose of
the idea which seems to have been industriously
circulated in various quarters of a possible
' amalgamation with the Royal Horticultural
Society.'

The Potato Crop in Ireland. - It appears
from a report issued by the Department of Agri-
culture and Technical Instruction for Ireland that
the average yield of the Potato crop in Ireland in
1909 is estimated at 5.5 tons per statute acre,
as against 5.4 tons in 1908, and 4.4 tons for the
10-year period— 1899-1908. The acreage of the
crop in 1909 amounted to 579,799 acres, as
against 587,144 acres in 1908, a decrease of
7,345 acres, and the total produce of the crop
in 1909 is estimated at 3,202,819 tuns, as against

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

MR. HANS GUSSOW.

Botanist to the Canadian Government,

(See p. 27.)

3,199,678 tons in 1908. The quality is on the
whole very good. The returns show that in
most of the southern counties the crop exceeds
that of last year.

The Flax Industry in Ireland.— The vice-
president of the Department of Agriculture and
Technical Instruction for Ireland has appointed a
committee to inquire into the present state of
the Flax-growing industry in Ireland and the
causes which are contributing to the decline of
that industry, and to submit recommendations.
Mr. John R. Campbell, B.Sc, assistant secre-
tary in respect of the Department of Agriculture
and Technical Instruction for Ireland, is chair-
man, and the other members include ; Sir.
Harold A. M. Barboub. M.A (Messrs.
William Barbour & Sons, Ltd., Flax spinners);
Mr. James Cramford (York Street Flax Spin-
ning Co., Ltd.); Mr. John W. Stewart (Flax
grower and scutchmill owner) ; Mr. J.\mes
Stewart, J.P. (Flax grower) ; Mr. Bernard
Mr.FNAN, J.P. (member of Board of Conservators
of Fisheries for Coleraine district) ; Mr. James
Soott GoRi'ON, K.Sc. (chief Agricultural In-
spector, Department of Agriculture for Ireland) ;
and Mr. Joseph Hinchcliff (Agricultural In-
spector, Department of Agriculture for Ireland).

* The Small Garden Beautiful.

The author uf this little book upon the plan-
ning and planting of small gardens has set him-
self a difficult task, for, of all phases of garden-
ing, the problem of making a small plot of
ground always attractive can only be fully
appreciated by those who have attempted it.

The writer appears to have succeeded in his
task ; from beginning to end the book is
full of snggeslJions given in a clear and practical
way, though not encumbered by technical terms
which would only be understood by the pro-
fessional gardener.

The aim of the book is to tell people how to
deal with the plots of ground that are commonly
attached to small residences in towns and
suburbs. These generally take the form of a
parallelogram, varying in size from 10 yards to
20 yards or more wide and from 30 yards to 100
yards long. From this area is taken the space
for the house and the forecourt. Therefore there
is not a large area for the garden.

The difficulty generally arises from attempthig
too much. When an amateur is thoroughly im-
bued with the love of gardening, there is usually
no limit to his ambitions. Sometimes he attempts
to grow Roses in sand and gravelly soil, and
Rhododendrons and Azaleas in a soil containing
much chalk.

The small gardener derives enjoyment from
his garden in proportion to the knowledge he ■
possesses of its inmates. In many cases he is
acquainted with every phase of a plant's growth,
and familiarises himself with its likes and dis-
likes in a most intimate way.

There is much difficulty in advising an ama-
teur, unless one knows the nature of his soil and
surroundings, and, what is also important, the
extent of his purse. The author deals with the
question of cost in a practical manner. For
instance, he gives an example of the cost
of the groundwork and material necessary
for a plot 180 feet by 40 feet, and, deducting
the heavy item of £9 15s. for labour,
£18 is not an extravagant estimate, but when he
states that the plants for the herbaceous border
would cost £15, this sum for plants alone will
alarm the small gardener. It is a pity that he
does not explain in greater detail the various
ways of economising by raising perennial her-
baceous plants from seed or propagating thena
by division after the first season's growth. Lists
of choice, hardy, and half-hardy annuals, with
their culture, would have been useful, as these
would produce an immediate summer effect cf
colour during the first season, whilst the per-
ennial plants are but small and few in number.

Descriptive lists of herbaceous perennials and
climbers are given, but the reader is not told
what he is to plant in order to screen boun-
dary fences or other objectioiuible things, so as
to secure to the small garden that privacy which
is so desirable.

The latter part of the book deals with the
details for a small kitchen garden. This part is
written in a particularly clear and practical way,
and the monthly calendar of operations is suffi-
cient to enable a novice to grow good vegetables.
There are various plans given in the book, but
these might have been more detailed and varied.
The illustrations are likely to be helpful. W. G.

Publications Received. — Notes from the
Royal Botanic Garden. Edinburgh. (O iver &
Boyd, Edinburgh.) Price Od, — Mutual Insurance
of Live Stock. Leaflet No. 2J1. (Published by
the Board of Agriculture. — Prevention of Crwlty
in the Destruction of Hares, Rabbits, Bird.',
and other Animals. Leaflet No. 22,1. (Pub-
lished by the Board of Agriculture.)— ^feporf of
the Botanic Gardens and their Work for the
Year 1908-9. (The Arrioxi/ Co., Ltd., George-
town, Demarara ) — Journal of the British Gar'
deners' Association for January. — Forty-Sec-
ond Annual Report of Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Association's {" One and All.")— All
About Sweet Peas, by Jlr. Robert Sydenham.
(1910.) Fifth edition. (Robert Sydenham, Ltd.,
Tenby Street, Birmingham ) *^

* The Small Garilen Beautiful, with plans and ilhistratiou?,
by A. C. Curtis. (London : Smith, Uldec ^Co.)

January 8, 1910]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

27

CANADA.

DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

The reorganisation of the Central Experi-
mental Farm of the Dominion Department of
Agriculture, Ottawa, rendered necessary by the
death of Dr. Fletcher, was effected several months
ago. Dr. Fletcher occupied the dual position
of botanist and entomologist, but it was felt that
such an arrangement could not be permanently
continued. Accordingly, two separate divisions,
of botany and entomology, have been established
under the general direction of Dr. Saunders. The
post of botanist has been filled by Mr. H. T.
Giissow, and that of entomologist by Dr. C.
Gordon Hewitt. Both officers are now engaged
in the equipment and organisation of their re-
spective departments, with the view of rendering
them practically useful to the farmers of Canada.

Mr. Hans T. Giissow is a native of Breslau,
Silesia. He received his scientific training at
the universities of Breslau and Lcipsic. He pro-

ANDROSAGE SPINULIFERA.

In stature and robustness of growth, this An-
drosace far outstrips any other of the genus found
in the same region, having much the habit and
appearance of a Primula.

It is a species with a wide altitudinal range,
from 8,000 to 12,000 feet, reaching its optimum
about 11,000 feet. Naturally, owing to this dis-
tribution, it varies considerably in form, at 8,000
feet the plants found were growing in dry, bar-
ren situations, on a lime conglomerate, the foli-
age was much stunted with distinctly spinous
apices ; the scapes were short and howers few. I
am inclined to think it must have been from such
epecimens that the species was named, because,
plants from the higher altitudes, where it was
most luxuriant, did not exhibit a spinous charac-
ter in any marked degree. What appeared the
most favourable situations were on the margins
of shady Pine forests, mostly with northern ex-
posures ; there, in places, acres of ground were
dominated by it to the exclusion of all other

. [Photograph by Geoyge Forrest.

Fig. 23.— androsace spinulifera flowering in its native habitat in china.

ceeded to England in 1901, and in 1903 entered
the botanical laboratory of Dr. William Car-
ruthers, F.R.S., who, for 37 years, has been
consulting botanist to the Royal Agricultural
Society. Amongst Mr. Giissow's contributions
to agricultural and scientific literature may
be mentioned monographs on Clover sick-
ness, injurious fodder and poisonous plants, bac-
terial rot of Potatos and diseases. Cucumbers,
Tomatos, and cereals. In conjunction with Pro-
fessor iMaze, of the Pasteur Institute, Paris, Mr.
Gussow discovered the cause of a new disease
affecting Cucumbers due to Corynespora Mazei.
It is interesting to note that as Mr. Gussow
obtained part of his training in this country, so
also Dr. Hewitt has been trained here. If we
remember rightly, he passed through the Univer-
sity of Manchester with distinction, and occupied
the post of lecturer in Economic Zoology in that
university. '

herbage, and in such places the plants attain
their fullest beauty. Unfortunately, the illus-
tration in fig. 22 is from the first-mentioned
habitat and scarcely does the species full justice.
The scapes, in robust specimens numbering as
many as four or five, rise to a height of 10 to
12 inches. The flowers are a delicate rose-pink
with the eye yellow, of good size, 10 to 30
forming a head. They are borne on compara-
tively short pedicels, thus, when in full bloom,
the lowermo.st are forced slightly downwards,
making the umbels rounded and compact, after
the style of Primula denticulata. The whole
plant is covered with short silvery down.

Seed of the species was secured from plants
growing at the highest altitude, and, as was ex-
pected, the plants raised from it have grown
successfully for two winters in the open in this
country ; they flowered well last season. O.
Forrest.

NOVELTIES OF 1909.

(Concluded from page 2.)
Most sections of horticulture have benefited
during the past year by the raising or introduc-
tion of novelties. Both science and gardening
have received a welcome stimulus by the intro-
duction of many new species, the most important
being the introductions from Chiiia of Messrs.
Jas. Veitch & Sons, through Mr. Wilson, and
those from the same region sent home by Mr.
G. Forrest. Messrs. Bees, Ltd., received "First-
class Certificates at the Royal Horticultural
Society for Primula Forrestii and P. Bulleyana,
both species having be«n introduced by Mr.
Forrest. Primula Littoniana is another fine intro-
duction of the same class. This was referred to in
the article upon Primulas in China published in
the Gardeners' Chronicle for November 20, 1909.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, continue to show
improvements in Nepenthes, Begonias, Strepto-
carpi. Gloxinias and Hippeastruma. An Award
of Merit was obtained for a strain of Gloxinias
shown on August 3. Of Hippcastrums, their
new varieties, Marcus, Enid, Omar, and Romola,
were illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
April 24, p. 266. H. Gracchus, a crimson self,
also received an Award of Merit. Other new-
plants were Cineraria flavescens, a new yellow
hybrid strain; Rhododendron Souliei. a fine,
dwarf red flowered species, which obtained a
First-class Certificate on May 18 ; Primula Unique
improved ; Pieonia Veitchii ; Spirsea Veitchii ;
Gentiana Veitchiorum, a charming, tufted
variety, with dark blue flowers ; Vitis Wilsonse ;
Actinidia chinensis ; and Canna Roi Humbert.
A certificate for the Canna was also given to
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O. An in-
teresting set of new Chinese Rhododendrons is
,il.so in the possession of Messrs. Jas. Veitch &
Sons.

Lieut.-Col. G. L. Holford, C.I.E., C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. Chapman), who has shown
Hippeastrums in fine groups at the meetings of
the Royal Horticultural Society and at the
Gloucester Show, exhibited many new forms, the
white (or nearly white) varieties and the deep
blood-red selfs being specially fine. The best
three were Pinkie, white with rose veining ;
Harvest Moon, a pretty, light form; and
Phoebus, dark scarlet.

Messrs. R. P. Rer & Sons, Liverpool, also
have had great success with Hippeastrums. They
obtained an Award of Merit for the large, white
and crimson H. Magnificent, shown on April 6.
Leopold de Rothschild, Esq. (gr. Mr. J.
Hudson), whose Japanese , and water gardens at
Gunnersbury House are replete with the best-
coloured Nymphaeas and Nelumbiums, received
awards for Nymphsa James Brydon, N. Moore-
ana, and Nelumbium speciosum Osiris.

Messrs. H. B. Mat & Sons, Edmonton, were
awarded a First-class Certificate for Pteris Aqui-
lina congesta, a remarkable form of the common
Bracken, and Nephrolepis splendens. This firm
also showed the new Scolopendrium viilgare
crispum multifidum, and S. v. muricato-fimbria-
tum.

Messrs. T. Rochford & Sons secured recogni-
tion for Nephrolepis lycopodioides ; and Messns.
Stuart Low & Co. for N. magnifica. Slessrs.
Rochford obtained an award for Polypodiura
glaucum crispum ; and Messrs. Sander '& Sons,
St. Albans, for the distinct new Adiantum
grossum. Messrs. Sander also introduced the
elegant Palm Ptychographis Siebertianum, the
useful Ficus australis variegata, and other de-
corative plants, which were well displayed in
their magnificent group at the last Temple Show.
Bougainvillea Rosa Catalina, for which Col.
Pethe, of Norwich, was given a First-class Cer-
tificate on April 20 last year, appears to be one
of the best and most floriferous Bougainvilleas.

H.ARDY Plants.
These have commanded a full share of atten-
tion during the past year, and have rivalled the

28

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, J910.

Orchids in the numbers in which they have been
exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Society's
meetings. ,'*axifraga decipiens Arkwrightii and
S. d. Miss Wilmott, shown by Messrs. Bakers,
Codsall, Wolverhampton ; S. apiculata alba, from
the Guildford Hardy Plant Co. ; and S.
Clibranii, from Messrs. Clibrans, Altrincham.
Iris Sir Trevor Lawrence and Sir Dighton Probyn
were both raised by the late Sir Michael Foster
and certificated to Mr. Amos Perry, who,
among other novelties, had Astilbe rivularis
gigantea, a strong-growing bog plant ; and Litho-
spermum prostratum Heavenly Blue.

Among Messrs. Wallace & Co.'s novelties
were Iris Ed. Michel, Tulipa The President, a
pretty, early cottage Tulip, and Eremurns Sir
Michael. Geum coccineum Mrs. J. Bradshaw
and Marguerite White Perfection were shown by

Merryweather & Co., at Holland House ; Ariel,
by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt : Grace Moly-
neux, Duchess of Wellington, and Walter Speed,
all three fine novelties, from Messrs. Alex.
Dickson & Sons.

Of the novelties recognised by the National
Rose Society on July 2 were Countess of Shaftes-
bury and Lady Pirrie, from Jlessrs. Hugh Dick-
son & Sons. One of the brightest and best Roses
seen for many years past was Juliet, of a cinna-
bar-scarlet colour, shown by Messrs. W. Paul &
Son, Waltham Cross, on July 24, when it re-
ceived an Award of Merit.

At the National Rose Show at Luton, Gold
Medals were given to Leslie Holland (Hugh
Dickson & Sons), Mrs. Hubert Taylor (Alex.
Dickson & Sons), Ethel A. Malcolm and iSIrs.
Jlaynard Linton (S. McGreedy & Sons). At the

Fig. 23. — LARGE FLOWERED FORM OF PRIMULA OBCONICA.
(See p. 29.)

Messrs. G. & A. Clarke & Co., Dover; "Vibur-
num Carlesii by Sir Trevor Lawrence; and
Gladioli Lord Alverstone and Miss Ada Reeve by
Messrs. Kelway & Son.

Roses.
Some of the best and most-admired of new
Roses were Lyon Rose, for which Messrs. T.
RocHFORD & Son and Messrs. Stuart Low & Co.
received awards on May 22 ; American Pillar,
from Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons ; Coquina, a
single, pink Wichuraiana variety, shown by
Messrs. W. Paul & Son and Messrs. Hobbies,
Ltd., at the Temple Show. Messrs. Hobbies,
Ltd., also secured awards for Rose Margaret
and others. Mrs. Taft and Flower of Fairfield
• were shown by Messrs. Stuart Low & Co. ;
Jessie, a pretty Polyantha variety, by Messrs.

National Rose Show, on September 16, Gold
Medals were given to Claudius, a Hybrid Tea,
and one of the finest coloured of its class (sent
by Messrs. R. B. Cant & Sons), Miss Cynthia
Forde (Hugh Dickson & Sons), and Mrs. Ed. J.
Holland (S. McGreedy & Sons). Many other
new varieties have been shown, those which have
met with most favour being the decorative,
pillar, and Hybrid Tea Roses.

Narcissi.
It is increasingly difficult to obtain marked
improvements in Narci.ssi, but some worthy
novelties have appeared during the year. Queen
of the West received a First-class Certificate on
April 20, when shown by Mr. Walter T. Ware,
Bath. At the Midland' Daffodil Society's show,
on April 22, First-class Certificates were given

to Homespun (H. D. Phillips, Olton), and
Great Warley and Queen of the West, from Mr.
W. T. Ware ; and Awards of Merit to Bedouin
(E. M. Crosfield), Cossack (C. Dawson),
Poeticus St. George (Barr & Sons), White Slave
(H. D. Phillips), Giraffe (Cartwright & Good-
win). Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin also
secured awards for Poetaz Scarlet Gem, and Red
and Gold.

Carnations.
Among the novelties of the year were the varie-
ties Rose Dore, a fine tree Carnation, shown by
Mr. W. H. Lancashire, Guernsey ; Lady Coven-
try, a new carmine flower of the " Malmaison "
type, from Messrs. W. Cutbush & Sons; Carola.
from Jlr. Englemann, Saffron Walden ; May Day
(Stuart Low & Co.) ; Fiery Furnace (Blackmore
& Langdon) ; and several new border varieties
from Mr. Jas. Douglas, Great Bookham. These
included the gold-buff Elizabeth Schiffner, and
the red, maroon-edged King of Spain, which
secured Awards of Merit on August 3. Mr.
DoUGL.^s also obtained several awards for new
Auriculas.

Sweet Peas.
Since these have been generally regarded as
exhibition flowers, greater interest has been
shown in them. Some of the varieties which have
gained aw-ards or come into prominence during
the past year include Mrs. Henry Bell Improved
and Masterpiece, of Messrs. Dobbie & Co.,
Rothesay, who also obtained the Royal Horticul-
tural Society's Silver Flora Medal for the great
improvement in size, colour, and floriferousness
shown in their group of Rothesay Aquilegias, on
June 8, and have done so much to improve bed-
ding Violas and other popular flowers. Sweet
Peas " Paradise Apple Blossom " (Miss Hemus),
INIrs. Townsend (Jarman & Co.), Doris Usher
(A. E. Usher), Edna Unwin, and Colleen (W.
Deal), and many other novelties have also ap-
peai'ed, and yet experts say that there is a wide
field for future endeavours. Some new and good
varieties gaining awards were Blanche Stevens,
Sterling Stent, Chas. Foster, Clara Curtis,
Dazzler, and vSunproof Crimson.

In Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, and other
flori.sts' flowers, novelties have been produced
by the well-known specialists and duly recorded
in the columns of the Gardeners' Chronicle.

Begonias have received fewer certificates than
in fonner years, but B. Patrie, a dwarf, rose
bedder, from Mons. Lemoine, Nancy ; Saturne,
a compact bedding variety, from Messrs. Can-
nell & Sons ; and Pink Pearl, of Messrs.
Blackmore & Lanodon, are among the more de-
sirable sorts.

Hybrid Freesias of various colours have been
well shown by Mr. Herbert Chapman, Rye,
Sussex, Mr. C. G. van Tubergen, Junr., Haar-
lem, and Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden.
Messrs. Barr's Freesia Rose Queen, which re-
ceived an Award of Merit, February 23, is a
charming plant for cut flowers or decoration.

The principal seed-growers, such as Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading, Messrs. Jas. Veitch &
Sons, Chelsea, Messrs. Carter & Co., High Hol-
born, Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden,
Messi-8. Clibrans, Altrincham, and Messrs.
Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, continue
working to improve the strains of their favourite
flowers. In every garden one visits the excel-
lence and variation of such things as Stocks,
Wallflowers, Dianthuf*s, Phloxes, Violas, and
other flowers are evident ; but seldom are they
seen in sufficient quantity at the floral meetings
to do themselves justice. Yet a good show
can be made with plants raised from seeds, as
witness the fine display of Cineraria stellata for
which Messrs. Sutton & Sons secured an Award
of Merit on March 23. (

Other firms have shown new strains of Schizan-
thus, Nemesia, Calceolaria, such as the useful C.
CJibranii ; and Primula sinensis, both single and
double, and many other pretty garden flowers.

January 8. 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

29

The following new and rare plants and fruits
have been illustrated in the Gardeners Chronicle
duriug 1909 :—

Acacia giraffa?, Dec. ii, p. 401-
Acanthus montanus, Mar. 27, p. 201.
Acanlhus Perrin^i, Sep. 18, p. 194.
Actinidia chinensis, Supp. July 31.
^sculus parviflora, Feb. 20, p. 123.
Agave altenuata, Supp. Feb. 13.
Androcymbium melanthoides, May 15, p. 313.
Adiantum grossum, Jan. 23, p 50.

Apples: William Crump, Jan. 9, p. 21 ; St. Everard, Oct.
23, p, 276; Barnack beauty, Feb. 27, p. 142; and Rev.
W. Wilks, Oct. g, p. 251.
Aubrictia Dr. Mules, June 19 p. 393-
Auricula Claud Halcro, May 8, p. 298.
Aster grandifloius, Jan. 16, p. 36.
Eeaucarnca rccurvata, July 3, p. 4-
Begonia Patrle, Jan. 30, p. 77.
Berberis Gagepainii, Oct. 2, p. 226.
Beschorncria yuccoides, July 3, p. 8.
Bowkeria Gerardiana, Aug. 14, p. 109.
Carnations: Lady Coventry, May 8, p. 297; Elizabeth
Schiffner, Aug. 7, p. 98 ; Fiery Furnace, Aug. 7, p. 99 ;
Her Majesty, July 3, p. 10; and May Day, Nov. I3)P'323-
Chrysanthemum Mary Farnsworth, Nov. 20, p. 347.
Cineraria flavcscens, May 22, p. 322.
Centema biflora, Aug. 28, p. 147-
Cleome spinosa, Feb. 20, p. 115.
Cornus capitata, Feb. 6, p. 82.
Commiphora sa.\icola, Dec. 11, p. 402.
Cotoneaster rugosa Henryi, Nov. 30, p. 339.
Cistus albidus. Feb. 20, p. 117.
Columnca magnifica, Oct. 30, p. 301.
Cyananthus incanus, Dec. 18, p, 423.
Decumaria bUrbara, Supp. Oct. 9.
DoryanthLS exccUa var. Guilfoylei. June 12, p. 383.
Erigeron macranthus, July 24. p. 53.
Elisena longipetala, Supp. Aug. 7.
Eranlhemuni Wattii, Feb. 6, p. 8g.
Ki(|?horbia Sapinii, Jan. 30, p. 66.
Ficus parasitica, Jan. 16, p. 41.
Fritillaria askabadensis, Supp. Mar 20.
Fuchsia tplendens. May 29, p. 338.
Gerberas, new. May 29, p. 350.
Gentiana ornata, Sep. 11, p. 179.
Gentiana Veitchioium, Sep. 11, p. 178.
■Gentiana Freyneana, and G. corymbifera, Sep. 18,

pp. 202 and 203.
Halesia hispida, Aug. 7, p. 89.
Hybrid from Brunsvigia x Amaryllis Belladonna, Supp.

Jan. 23.
Hymenocallis littoralis, Supp. July 10.
Ilex Pernyi, Jan. 30, p. 75.
Iris alata, Jan. 23, p. 52.
Iris Bakeriana, Jan. 23. p. 53.
Iris reticulata and I. Histrio, Jan. 23, p 55.
Iris Rembrandt. July 3, p. 3.
Kniphofia multiflora. Mar. 27, p. 196.
Lycium pallidum, Supp. Oct. 2.
X-oganberry, Feb. 6, p. 86.
Meconopsis aculeata, Aug. 7, p. 91.
Meconopsis raccmosa, Aug. 7, p gj.
Mutisia Clematis, June 26, p. 415,
Narcissus Queen of the West, May i, p. 283.
Narcissus Challenger, May 15, p. 315.
Nepenthes Dr. J. Macfarlane, Supp. Jan. 9.
Nelumbium speciosum Osiris, Supp. Mar. 6.
Notonia Grantii, April 10, p. 227.
Nymplisea James Brydon, May i, p. 277.
Oiearia myrsinoides, April 3. p. 213.
■Ourisia macrophylla, June 19, p. 390.
■Oxalis adenophylla, Sep. 4, p. 164.
Patrinia palmata, Oct. 9, p. 244.
Parmentiera cereifcra, Dec. 25, p. 431.
Petrea vnlubilis, April 17, p. 252.
Pachypodiuin namaquanum, Dec. 4, p. 371.
P^onia Veitchii, July 3, p. 2.
Polystichum aculeatum Drueryi, Feb. 13, p. 93.
Pelargonium cchinatum, Oct. 9, p. ^44.
Piimula Forrestii, May 1, p. 274.
Pr'mula BuUeyana, July 10. p. 14.
Primula Littoniana, July 10, p. 14.
Primula Princess May (Carter), Mar. 27, p. 197.
Primulas in China, Supp. Nov. 20.
Ranunculus nyssanus, Sep. 4, p. 163.
Ribes Menziesii, April 17 p. 242.
Rhododendron yunnanense, July 31, p. 08.
Rhododendron buUatum. Supp. Dec. 4.
Rhododendron adenopodium. May 8, p. 291.
Rhododendron grande, May 8. p. 290.
Rhododendron Souliei, Supp, June 12.
Rhododendron Gloria Mundi, May 22, p. 331.
Rose White Killarney, May 1, p. 282.
Rose Lady Pirrie, July 17, p 42.
Rose Mrs. Taft, July 31, p. 84.
Sa.xifraga Burseriana Gloria, Aug. 28, p. 157.
Sa.\ifraga geranioides. Sep. 11, p. 181.
Saxifraga Clibranii, May 8, p. 301.
Saxifraga decipicns Arkwrightii, May 15, p. 314.
Saxifraga madida, Dec. 4, p. 370.
Sansevicria Laurentii, May 29, n. 347-
Scolopendrium vulgare ftmbriatum, Jan. 26, p. 416.
Sweet Pea Masterpiece, Jan. 26, p. 417.
Sweet Peas, Mendel ian characters in, Coloured Supp.

July 24.
Solanum Balbisii, jan. 23, p. 6i.
So'anum nigrum, Oct. jp, pp. 290 and 291.
Sinningia Dr. M. T. Masters, Supp. Jan. 30.
Silphium albidiflorum, Nov. 27, p. 356.
Strawberries, new, Oct. 16.
Thalictrum dipterocarpum, Supp. April 3.
Tillandsia Blokii, June 5, p. 358.
Tillandsia usneoides Dec. 25, p. 430.
Trichosanthes anguina, Dec. 25, p. 430.
Tulipa, branched. May 15, t>. 317.
Vaccinium serrulatum leucobotrys, Aug. 7, p. 88.
Veratrum californicum, Dec. 11, p. 395.
Viburnum Carlesii, May 29, p. 340.
Viburnum utile. May 29, p. 345-
Violas, choice bedding, Supp, Sep. 18.
Wahlcnbergia serpyllifolia, April 17. p. 241-
Wahlenb;rgia serpyllifolia dinarica. April 17, p. 243-
Wpnd^rberry, Sep. 4, p. 172 and Oct. 30, p. 290.

ALDENHAM HOUSE.

(Concluded from page i.)

Referring briefly to the hardy fruit garden, T
may say that Apricots, Peaches, Ph<ms, and
Cherries flourish on walls with a western aspect.
Pears are cultivated successfully as pyramid.s in
the open garden, and Apples as bushes.

An orchard on the eastern side of the garden,
some acres in extent, exhibits the good results of
deep trenching. The trees are standards and half-
standards, planted wide apart. The whole of the
soil was trenched, and, having known the orchard
before this took place, I can vouch for the im-
provement this deep moving of the soil effected.
A vigorous thinning of the fruits is practised by
Mr. Beckett with beneficial results. I need
hardly st-ate that varieties are selected with very
great care, and that the culture is of the highest.

The glass structures at Aldenham are not ex-
tensive, but di.stinctly utilitarian in character.
Grapes, Peaches, and Nectarines are produced in
quantities over a long season, and Melons are
cropped from i\Iay until November. Figs also
are remarkably well grown.

Amongst indoor plants there are some few
specialities, and the strain of Streptocarpus from
this garden is well known. Mr. Beckett has
raised many new types of this greenhouse flower ;
one, of a pure white, is a fine addition, and there
is also an exceedingly rich purple strain, to which
the name of Roy il Purple has been given. Eu-
phorbia jacquini.Tflora and Thyrsacanthus ruti-
lans are other special subjects that are cultivated
to perfection. Cyclamens are represented by a
fine batch each yeor. Crotons in variety are
richly coloured, the plants being remarkably fine
specimens.

The Kitchen G.vrden.

Every person interested in gardening, and
especially in vegetables, knows that produce from
this garden is pre-eminent in quality. Kighteen
gold medals have been won by Mr. Beckett for
vegetables — surely a record ! Several acres of
land are cropped with kitchen-garden produce,
and the secret of success is thorough cultivation.
The natural soil is clay, but it is cultivated to a
great depth. Mr. Beckett is the author of a
book on vegetables, and this is of great value
to other cultivators.

New Chinese Plants.

The collection of plants at Aldenham. and
especially of shrubs and trees, is a very extensive
one, and novelties and new species are eagerly
added by the enthusiastic owner, who received a
portion of the immense number of seeds collected
by Mr. E. H. Wilson during his last trip to
China. A remarkable collection of trees and
shrubs from this source, including as many as 500
species and varieties, are now to be seen growing
in the garden at Aldenham. Some are in boxes,
many in pots, and others are planted out. There
were several who participated in the result of
Mr. Wilson's late travels. It is but 20 months
since the seeds were received, but they germi-
nated well, and the growth since is remarkable.
The bulk of the species were collected from high
altitudes, therefore it is expected that the majo-
rity will prove hardy in this country. Of Rubus
there are more than 40 species, including inno-
minatus, flosculosus, ichangensis. rosoeflorus, bam-
busarum (with narrow leaves and dark-coloured
stems), Coreanus (a distinct and attractive plant,
with white stems and bronze leaves), corchori-
folius and irenasusus (with round leaves). Of
Berberis there are as many as ten species, one
being new to science.

There are also some 15 Clematis, including C.
Soulieana, C. Prattii, and C. Armandii. Acers in-
clude A. reticulatum, A. Henryi, and A. pictum
Mono. Rhus vernicifera and R. Sylvestris were
also noticed, and half-a-dozen forms of Evodias.
Of Vitis species there are 30 at the least, includ-
ing V. megalophylla, and new forms of V.
sinensis.

Mulberries are represented by, amongst others,
Morus cathayensis. Stransvsesia undulata is
effective with" its bright red berries. The collec-
tion also includes specimens of _ Ilex Pernyi.
Lespedeza, Liquidambar in variety. Chinese
forms of Liriodendron, Deutzia, Roses in
quantity. Ribes in variety, one very effective
when in fruit ; new species of Phelloden-
dron, several species of Philadelphus, Styrax,
Cornus, Piptanthus, Actinidia, A,lnus, Elsagnus.

Hydrangea, Ehretia, Dalbergia, Buddleia, Vibur-
num, Staphylea hokcarpa, Pyrus. Prunus, Hy-
pericum, Jasminum, and Ligustnnn. Sniowil-
sonia is a new genus, and is represented by ^.
Henryi. Spirieas include the new S. Veitchii.
There are also several Cotoueasters suitable for
rockeries. Ailanthus Vilmoririana has long
leaves and stems studded with red spines. There
is also a new species of Diervilla, with richly-
coloured leaves. Edwin Moli/ne.ux.

ALLAMANDA HENDERSONII.

We have in a small stove in these gardens a
plant of this showy species, trained on the roof,
covering an area of 13 feet by 3 feet 9 in. In
1906 it was only a small plant growing in a
5-inch pot, and in June of that year it was potted
into an 8-inch pot. It flowered well the same
season, and the next year it was pruned and
potted into a 12-inch pot. The largest inflor-
escence, the first year after this potting, had 66
flowers. The largest flower-spike in 1908 had 85
flowers, the total number of flowers borne during
that season being 1,953, on 25 spikes.

During the past season (1909) the longest spike
gave 55 flowers, the largest number open at one
time being 98, and the total number developed
was 1,900, on 38 spikes.

The shoots were cut back on May 26, for the
double purpose of getting the centre of the plant
furnished and to confine the plant to its allotted
space. The flowering season of this Allamanda
extends from the end of June to the end of
December.

The plant is pruned about the middlei of
January, cutting it back to within 15 inches of
the pot, and, wherever possible, removing aU
wood more than two years old.

When the new growth commences, the plant
is turned out of the pot, the old soil is shaken
away, and the plant is repotted in the same
size pot, in a compost of two parts fibrous loam,
one part peat, a good sprinkling of sharp sand,
and a 4-inch potfid of Thomson's vine and plant
manure.

As the shoots grow they are tied to the wires,
and as soon as the flower-spikes show, all other
young shoots are pinched out immediately they
form, with the exception of a few shoots from
near to the bottom wire, which are required
for furnishing the centre of the plant with
flowers.

When growth is active and the flowermg stage
is approaching, a dressing of fibrous loam and
cow manure is placed in the form of a dish or.
the top of the pot. When the plant has rooted
well into this compost, frequent doses of liquid
manure, made from cow dung, and a patent
manure are given. James Winchesfer, Windle
Hall Gardens, St. Helen's, Lancashire.

PRIMULA OBCONIGA.

In common with many other Primulas, this
species is a native of China. It is a favourite
greenhouse plant, owing to its free-flowering
habit and long season of blooming, extending in
some instances almost throughout the year. But
the flowers of the older type left something to
be desired in the matter of colour. In recent
years, however, new varieties have been raised
which produce greatly improved flowers both in
size and colour, the shades ranging from nearly
pure white to dark red. The variety illustrated
in fig. 23 represents one of these improved
strains known as hybrida gigantea. Primula ob-
conica requires a light, but fairly rich, compost,
such as turfy loam with some leaf-mould, peat
and a little sand mixed with it. The usual method
of propagation is by seeds, but the crowns may
also be divided for the purpose of perpetuating
the best varieties.

It has been frequently pointed out "in these
columns that Primula obconica cannot be handled
by some persons without the foliage causing
severe irritation to the skin. This danger may
be prevented if gloves are worn during potting
operations, and on other occasions when it is
necessary to handle the plants.

30

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

COLA ACUMINATA.

TiiF. Cola-nut tree is a native of tropical Africa,
r.nd it is cultivated in the West Indies, Brazil,
.r.nd other tropical countries. It forms a tree
about 40 feet high, and produces racemes of
vellow flowers and alternate leaves, these latter
being 4 to 5 inches long. Tlie nuts are eaten
by the negroes of West Africa and natives in
tlie West Indies as a condiment. The seeds are
about the size of a Horse Chestnut, and the
negroes chew a portion before each meal for the
purpose of promoting digestion. The nuts are
also used medicinally, and are sometimes said
to have the power of rendering tainted water
wholesome. In recent years the Cola-nut has
been introduced into articles of food in this coun-
try on account of its stimulating qualities. The
flowers are unisexual, and in their native habitat
are said to be streaked with purple. The illus-
tration in fig. 24 is from a photograph taken in
Cevlon bv Mr. Hugh F. Ma^millai.

has carefully
of connecting
Orchidology.

trees hanging over rivers also thrive best sus-
pended iu a moist atmosphere, and with but little
Sphagnum-iiio.ss about them.

On the occasion of this visit few of the showy
Orchids were in flower to distract the attention
from the pretty and curious species which ap-
pear in abundance. In the Odontoglossum houses
the {ilants were in grand health, a few being in
bloom together with Epidendrum vitellinum and
the pretty Pinguicula caudata, which grows so
well in the cool house. Suspended overhead
were many interesting species, including the rare,
striped Dendrobium striatum, which is growing

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ORCHIDS AT BURFORD, DORKING.

One of the pleasures of a visit to Burford,
the residence of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.,
K.C.V.O., is the opportunity it affords of
seeing a large number of pretty species in
bloom that arc not to be seen in other
gardens. In addition, Sir Trevor Lawrence
guarded at Burford a number
links with the past history of
One of the most interesting of
these latter recently in bloom was Lselio-Cattleya
cxoniensis, an original specimen obtained from
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons about the year 1865.
Dendrobium bigibbum album has been in the col-
lection 29 years, and many other extremely rare
plants, imported many years ago, and lost to
most gardens, still thrive at Burford under the
care of Mr. W. H. White, who has had charge
of the collection for so many years.

The Catasetums form one of the best collections
in the country, and afford a useful object-
lesson ill the manner in which these difficult
plants should be grown. Briefly, it may be said
that they are cultivated at Burford in the sam:
manner as the deciduous Dendrobiums. They
are grown in baskets suspended from the roof of
a warm, intermediate house where they have
been liberally watered while making the growth,
which at the present time is fully completed in
the greater number of the plants. They, there-
fore, have already been suspended in the cooler
dry house where the Dendrobiums are rested,
where they will receive very little, if any water,
until growth cosimences again in spring. The
plants which have not yet completed their growth
will be removed as they complete their pseudo-
bulbs and lose their leaves.

Cycnoches and Mormodes are treated in the
same way. If this method of culture is adopted
where these plants are not satisfactory, an im-
provement will soon be seen. Failure generally
comes from growing the plants in the stoves and
continuing to water them after the resting season
has arrived. It is interesting to see the de-
velopment of the roots, seldom noticed except
in freshly-imported plants, the main roots branch-
ing freely and sending forth numerous fine roots
pointing upwards all over the surface, the enor-
mously increased facilities for taking up nourish-
ment fully accounting for the fine, clean pseudo-
bulbs, and strong flower-spikes which the plants
bear.

Experiments which Sir Trevor Lawrance has
carried out with freshly-imported masses of An-
graecum Kotschyi also point in the same direc-
tion. The plants are suspended from the roof of
the moist Phalaenopsis house, without being
basketed or potted, but merely hung up as they
arrived. New roots have pushed out freely and
are arranged around the plants, reaching far down
in search of moi.sture. Angriecum caudatum and
some other Angriecums which naturally grow on

and hybrids, including the rare and pretty Epi-
Cattleya Mrs. James O'Brien (0. Bowringiani
X E. O'Brienianum) raised by Messrs. Veitch &
.Sons, and flowered in 1899, and which had attrac-
tive heads of light purple flowers.

The Burford seedling Calanthes were just be-
ginning to make the winter display. The Cypri-
pediums had some fine specimens in bloom, and
it is noteworthy that Jlr. W. H. White has suc-
ceeded in establishing a duplicate of the rare
C. vStonei platytaenium, and that the parent plant
is in good health. In the matter of flowers the
forms of C. insigne make the best display, the

Fig. 24. — COLA acuminata; flowers yellow.

on a mossy raft mingled with the violet D.
Victoria Regina, with which it was imported.

In the larger intermediate houses there were in
bloom some pretty, but not large flowered,
hybrids raised at Burford, and various Lselio-
Cattleyas, including L.-C. Wellsiana, L.-C. Stat-
teriana, L.-C. eximia, varieties of Cattleya
Chloris, C. vestalis, some Brasso-Cattleyas, in-
cluding a very deep rose-coloured B.-C. Digby-
ano-Warneri, and the white B.-C. Queen Alex-
andra. Among a bright little batch of Sophro-
nitis croFses in flower was the Sophro-Laslio-
Cattleya Veitchii, Sophro-Lselia Gratixife. S.-L.
Leda, Sophro-Cattleya Chamberlainiana. and
behind them some winter-flowering Epidendrums

darker ones, such as Harefield nail, being
arranged around the c'.ear yellow and white forms.
To note but a few of the singular species in
bloom we may enumerate Polystachya Laurentii.
with upright growths bearing a profusion of
spikes of small, whit« and fragrant flowers : P.
grandiflora, the largest-flowered of the genus,
never seen in better condition, with its large,
inverted, wax-like, green flowers marked with
purple ; Angrfecum bilobum with . pendulous
sprays of white flowers, and a large mass of A.
distichum bearing numerous small, white
blooms ; and Pterostylis goodyerioides with
erect spikes of .small, yellowish flowers which
were very curious, but not handsome. The

January 8, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

31

fine Habenaria ugandie api^eared very strongly
grown and was just opening its flowers; Poly-
cycnis muscifera had a long raceme of singular
fly-like blooms ; Girrhopetalum Jleduste (the
specimen illustrated in Gardeners' Chronirle,
January 9, 1897, p. 25), was again furnished
with a dozen spikes, a smaller plant with
purple-spotted, white flowers also bearing
several heads of bloom ; C. INIysorense, C. retu-
siusculum and other Cirrhopetalums, including
the remarkable C loiigissimum, for which the
Orchid C&m.nittce awarded a Kirst-clas? Certifi-
cate on November 23 last. On that date the
name had not been verified or the locality pro-
perly given. It is now known that it came from
Siam.

A pretty batch of AnEectochili was associated
with some large plants of Haimaria Dawsonii,
above whose olive-green leaves striped with red.
appeared neat spikes of pure white flower.*.
Sobralia Lindenii, Epidendrum xanthium. Zygo-
pttalum Ballii. some very dark C'ypripedium Fair-
rieanum, C. pnrpuratum, with four flowers ; the
very dwarf yellow Oncidium Eurycline ; some in-
teresting Bulbophyllums, the singular rose-
coloured Phaius mishmensis ; Epidendrum eru-
bcscens, flowering for the third time and still
vigorous; E. floribundum, with a head of pure
white flowers spotted with purple ; the singular
I'ttle E. punctiferum, Mormolyce lineolata,
Bolleo-Chondrorhyncha Froebeliana, a curious
but not very pretty hybrid; and Pescatorta
Klaborchorum were all in flower. In the Masde-
vallia house were curious species of Pleiirothallis
and Octomeria. a few being in bloom.

In the ornamental plant stove was a good dis-
play of Dendrobium Phala?nops:s, with D. anre um
philippinense, D. Lawrencei, a pretty hybrid be
tween D. formosum and I). Lowii. Overhead
were some very large baskets of Begonia Gloire
de Lorraine in full flower.

In the greenhouse the Lapagerias on the roof
were finely in flower, and among the plants in
bloom on the stages were weU-flowered plants of
the S. African Cyrtanthus sanguineus flammeus,
with pretty carmine-rose flowers.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

[The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents. }

Pear and Plum Trees Fruit Register

— Hardy fruit-growers are indebted to the Re\ .
C. C. Ellison for his painstaking and valuaVile
observations of his Pear and Plum trees on a
south wall for a space of 10 years — 1900 to 1909
inclusive. On the face of it this register does
not hold out a rosy prospect to anyone con-
templating the growing of .Plums and Pears for
profit on a south wall. However, one must not
lose sight of the fact that the trees were young
when planted, and therefore could not be ex-
pected to bear heavy crops for the first four or
five years after planting. That they did not
do so is indicated by the register ; both Plums
and Pears bore no fruit worth speaking of until
the fifth year. It is. I think, fair to presume
that if a similar register were kept for the next
10 years, the results would be more favourable.
The most extraordinary thing in this register
appears to me to be the vagaries of the same
varieties growing side by side (under exactly
the same conditions) as regards their bearing.
Take the Plums. Two trees of Monarch are
growing side by side ; each tree is as robust and
healthy-looking as the other, yet one tree in the
10 years gave 635 fruits, whereas the other only
yielded 355. One Golden Drop Plum gave 688. and
the other 363 fruits. There was only one tree of
Kirke's Plum on the wall. This gave 1,138 fruits.
Possibly, had there been another the divergence
would have been as great as in the other cases.
This strange divergence is more pronounced still
in the case of the Pitmaston Duchess Pear. I
have seen these trees on many occasions, and to
look at them one tree is as much like the other
as it is possible for two trees to be. Yet one
tree gave 225 fruits in the course of 10 years,
and the other 13 only ! The question which
naturally rises to one's mind is — why is this?
It is no use looking to the conditions of culture
for an answer ; each tree has been treated exactly
alike in every way. Is it possible that this pre-
cise and carefully-kept table of statistics of the
bearing capacity of the several trees under ques-

tion points to the fact that the trees bearing the
better crops have been propagated from trees
which have consistently borne fairly good crops,
and that those which have borne such poor crops
have been propagated from trees of a poor crop-
ping nature? Should this surmise prove to have
any foundation in fact, Mr. Ellison's register will
have served a valuable purpose in directing
attention to the subject. 0. T .

The Effect of Grass on Trees.— In the

fields, woods and plantations here, such trees
as Austrian Pine, Scots i'ir. Spruce, Larch,
and e.specially Corsican Pine, grow fast and
well where the surface is overrun with
grass. The Corsican Pine grows faster here than
any other species, therefore I was surprised to
read that Mr. Elwes experienced 'iifficulty with
this particular Pine (see p. 13). Thuya Lobbii
grows rapidly here in grass-covered land in any
kind of soil, but the stiffer for preference. Witii
regard to the growth of Apple, Pear, Plum, or
Cherry trees, on grass, I believe, under any cir-
cumstances, it is unwise to allow the grass to
grow for a few years before the tree roots have
penetrated deeply into the soil, so that the trees
are not wholly dependent upon the surface roots.
Some few years ago I tested the matter with
several hundred trees some six years planted,
but the leaves changed during the summer
to a pale green end there was a distinct
loss of vigour in growth. After two years
of this experiment I had the surface cleared
and dug over, and thus it remains. The
following season there was a distinct im-
provement in the appearance of the trees. The
objection to grass is that stimulative food,
especially farmyard manure, cannot be given to
the trees with any certainty of success. It is
during the earlier stages of growth that fruit
trees oft.en require assistance in quickening their
growth ; in some soils this is particularly the
case. The state of the subsoil, too, has some in-
fluence on the trees. When the roots can raml)le
at will, as they do in deeply-trenched soil which
is not water-logged, they do not feel the grass
effects nearly so much. Such trees when they
become 15 years old will succeed as well under
grass as otherwise, because they are thoroughly
established in satisfactory conditions. IJ.
Miili/ii'ux, Streinnwrc, Hants.

Ants in Greenhouses.— I notice in the
" Answers to Correspondents " columns that
several readers are troubled with ants. We were
formerly overrun with this troublesome insect
in the gardens in which I am engaged. Once,
while fumigating in one of the plant houses,
some of the nicotine compound was spilt on the
floor, and next morning the spot was brown with
the dead bodies of ants. Since then we have
purposely applied it to the floors for killing ants
with excellent results. The paths are made of
concrete, and the compound is simply sprinkled
in places frequented by the ants. P'oniiKin.

Solanum Wendlandii (see p. 11). — This plant
requires no more heat than the Tomato. About
20 years ago I planted a specimen in a stove,
but the growth was weak and very meagre, and
almost constant attention was required to destroy
aphides and other insect pests. The plant scarcely
ever flowered ; after seven or eight years it was
transferred to a cold house with the intention
of throwing it away. This was in the month
of May. To everyone's surprise it sent out
growths from 8 to 10 feet in length, and has
since flourished and bloomed with success. The
plant does best planted out, or in large pots
in a temperate house. Frequent slight syringings
are beneficial, and red spider must be guarded
against. When loosely trained to the roof the
hanging growths are extremely beautiful. The
flowering season is usually .Tune and July, and
after blooming the leaves usually fall. The
growths should then be considerably shortened.
Fresh growths will scxm appear, and in .Septem-
ber the plants bloom again. If a little extra
warmth is furnished, the blooms will be produced
till the end of October. After this the growths
should be again shortened, and the roots gradu-
ally dried off, until in February new grow-th
commences. In cool houses, w'hich are frost-
proof, the plant blooms in August. In this nur-
sery plants are put out in the open against a
wall at the end of JIay. They make rapid growth
and flower freely during August and September.

Small plants will bloom in 5-inch pots, but
the growth should be cut back to within a few
inches of the pot and a stimulant applied fre-
quently, ir. J. Godfrey, The. Nurserie.3, Ex-
inoti/h.

Fruit at the Ridcmont Experimental
Fruit Farm. — On p. 432, vol. xlvi., a corres-
spondent gave an account of the collection of
Apples at the Duke of Bedford's experimental
fruit farm. Amongst others he speaks highly
of a variety called Allansbank. I take it this
is the same variety as AUanbank Seedling. 1
procured this Apple very many years ago from
Scotland, when I lived at Pomona Farm, Here-
ford, and grew it in my trial plantation, where I
tested many hundreds of varieties, and I believe
Mr. Pickering had a tree or grafts frmi me. I
soon proved it to be the old variety Gloria iMundi
or Bell Dubois of the FVench, and Mr, Picker-
ing's description of its being an upright grower
also points to its being the same variety. My
experience of Gloria Mundi is that it is perfectly
useless in Herefordshire ; it is certainly an up-
right grower, but makes a few long, upright
branches (with very few side branches) which
soon become eaten up with canker, and, although
it yields a few fine fruits, the bulk are so irregu-
lar and ill-formed as to be of little use. I know
no Apple which varies so much in shape and
size, even on the same tree ; it is also by no
means a good cropper. Its only use here is to
grow a few fine fruits for exhibition. I write
this warning, as I thought probably, after read-
ing your correspondent's description, others
might like to try the variety. John H'a/A-ui.v,
Hereford.

iDbttuanj.

Sir Charles Strickland. — We regret tc
record the death of Sir Charles William Strick-
land, Bart., of Hildenley, and other estates in
Yorkshire, which took place on the last day of
1909 at the age of ninety years. Sir Charles
Strickland took great interest in afforestation,
and was an authority on the best trees and
shrubs for plantations and coverts, as well as
for timber. He contributed some useful articles
on the subject to the Gardeners' Chronicle.
being for many years past a valued corre-
spondent. From boyhood, one of his greatest
pleasures was gardening, and he accumulated a
large number of rare and interesting plants.
His chief hobbies were bulbous plants and
Orchids, but he had a fine collection of Grinums,
and was an authority on them. Nerines also
were favourites, and in 1894 Nerine Stricklandii
was published in our columns, while in 1882 we
recorded Mr. .J. G. Baker's not« on Stenomesson
StrickUndii (which Sir Charles Strickland ob-
taine-d in 1877), and which Mr. Baker afterwards
made a new genus, Stricklandia encrosioides.
Amongst Orchids he succeeded in keeping in
health some plants which others failed to grow
well, notably Cattleya citrina, which grew intOi
fine masses and flowered profusely every year.
His specimens were illustrated in these pages.
Cypripedium niveum, C. concolor, and C. bella-
tulum, though belonging to a difficult section,,
grew well at Hildenley, and some 10 years ago
Sir Charles Strickland showed a group of hybrid
Cypripediums of this -class at a meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society. Cirrhopetalunis
and Bulbophyllums were cultivated successfully,
and Sir Charles was one of the first to show a
fine specimen of Girrhopetalum ornatissimum.
This plant was bought by him at auction for
14 guineas some years previously, the price
being considered remarkable at the time for
a " botanical " Orchid. Bulbophyllum Bere-
nice, Dendrobium Stricklandii. and other rare
species first flowered at Hildenley. Sir Charles
Strickland was a familiar figure at horti-
cultural gatherings, and always looked in
at the Royal Horticultural Society's meetings
when in town. In his dress and manner he
was a typical country gentleman of the olden
time. He was ever ready to talk of plants and
gardening matters. A man of fine physique,
keen intelligence, and kind disposition, he
took a prominent part in all the sports inci-
dental to the life of a country gentleman." He
celebrated his ninetieth birthday a few months
ago by joining a meet of Lord Middletoii'a
hounds at JIalton.

32

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 8, 1910.

THE WEATHER.

Ti!E Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending January 1, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office : —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The weather was very unsettled in all parts of the King-
dom, but rain (ell in the west and north-west more frequently
and in larger quantities than in the south and south-east.
An aurora was observed at Aberdeen on Friday night, and
lightning at Geldeston and Dungeness,

The temperature was above the average, the excess ranging
from about 2° in Scotland N. and the English Channel, to
5° in Ireland N., and to between 6° and B" in ungland t.
the Midland Counties and England, N.VV. The highest ot
the maxima occurred on rather irregular dates, but at
most stations on Monday or Tuesday. They ranged Irom
57" in Ireland N. and the Midland Counties, and 60 in
several other parts of the K ngdoin, to 53° in Scotland N.
England E. and the English Channel. The lo.vest of the
minima were recorded on different dates in the varioiis
districts, and ranged from 25° in Scotland N. and E. the Mid-
land Counties and England S.E.. to 31" in Ireland S. and
to 31° in the English Channel. The lowest grass readings
reported were 12° at Greenwich, 17° at Cambridge, 19° at
Hereford, and 21° at Balmoral.

The mean temperature of the sen.— At the majority of the
stations the water was warmer than during the correspond-
ing week of last year, the excess amounting to as much
as 7° at Aberdeen. In some places, however, it was colder,
the difference being nearly 5° at Plymouth. The means
for the week ranged from 47 9° at Newquay, and 47-4 at
Salcombe and Seafield, to 42° and less on most parts of
our north and east coasts, and to very little above 40° at
Cromarty and Burnmouth.

The rainfall exceeded the average in Scotland and the
north-east and north-west ot England, but was less else-
where, the fall being slightest in England S.E. and E. .At
some stations in the west of Scotland and Perthshire and
also at Aspatria a fall of more than an inch occurred at some
time during the week, the heaviest amounts recorded being
1 22 inch at Fort William and 125 inch at Crieff.

The bri-Wsinis'iini; somewhat exceeded the normal over
the greater part of England and in Scotland E., and just
equalled it in Scotland W. and England S.W., but elsewhere
it was deficient. The percentage of the possible duration
ranged from 21 in the Midland Counties and England E. to
7 in Ireland N. and to 4 in Scotland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending January S.
A very warm w«*.— With the exception of the first day and
night all the days and nights have been warm, and some of
them very warm for the time of year. On the warmest tiay
the temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 54°, which
is a very high reading for January, and on the warmest night
the exposed thermometer did not fall below 41°. The ground
has consequently become warmer, and is at the present time
2° warmer at 2 feet deep, and 4° warmer at 1 foot deep, than
is seasonable. Rain fell on three days, but the amounts were
insignificant. The percolation through both of the soil
gauges has been gradually declining, and is now very slight.
The sun shone on an average for 1 hour 32 minutes a day,
which is 10 minutes a day longer than is usual at this period
in January ; and on one day the sun was shining brightly for
nearly 4i hours. Light airs and calms hive alone prevailed
during the week. The mean amount of moisture in the air
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity
for that hour by 5 per cent.

December.
Rather warm^ continuously wet, and very sunny ; with a

remarkably humid atmosphere Taken as a whole this was

rather a mild December. The first few days, and also the
last 10 days were as a rule very warm, but during the inter-
vening 18 days the weather remained almost continuouly
cold. On the warmest day the highest reading in the
thermometer screen was 52°, which is remarkably low for
the extreme maximum temperature in December. On the
coldest night the exposed thermometer registered 17° of
frost, which is a rather high extreme nnuimum for the
month. Rain, hail, or snow fell on as many as 24 days,
leaving only seven days without some falling. The total
fall, 3 inches, was only about half-an-inch in excess of
the December average. At no time was there suCBcient
snow to completely cover the ground. The sun shone on
an average for 1 hour, 33 minutes a day, or for 23
minutes a day longer than the usual duration for
the month. In the last 24 years there have been
only four Decembers with as good a record of sun-
shine The wind was, as a rule, rather high, and in the
windiest hour the mean velociiy amounted to 20 miles-
direction W.S.W. The average amount of moisture in the
air at 3 p.m. exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by
4 per cent., making this the most humid December since
1830, or for 19 years.

The Year.

Cold, wet and simiiy.— This was a cold year, the cold
being most marked during the five months ending Septem-
ber, when vegetation is most active. In fact, during those
months the only period when there was any warm weather
lasting more than a few days at a time was during the
first half of .August. The most unseasonably cold month
was June, and the most unseasonably warm one October.
On the hottest day, August 12, the temperature in the
thermometer screen rose to 86°, and on the coldest night,
February 23, the exposed thermometer indicated 20° of
frost. The total rainfall exceeded the average for the
previous 63 years by IJ inches. Taking the year as a
whole the sun shone on an average for 18 minutes a day
longer than is usual. May was by far the sunniest month.

Our Underground Water Supply.
The total rainfall for the last three months has exceeded
the average for the same period in the previous 53 years by
about half an inch— which is equivalent to an excess of 8,370
gallons on each acre. Last year at the same time there was
a deficiency of 74,200 gallons per acre. E. M., Berk-
hamited, January 5, 1010.

Ja

Trcjpondenta

*,* The Editors will he glad to rccciue, for
co7isideration, large photogra'p/is of horticultural
sh.bjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.

Almonds : W. 0. The kernels are not bitter ;
they are edible.

Annuals: Inguircr. You do not say what ex-
posure the bed has, or if it is in full sunshine,
or whether it has a background. We vyill
answer you as best we can. A broad edging
of Tagetes pumila will continue to flower for a
long time. Phlox Drummondii or Verbenas
treated as annuals are showy and effective, and
for the back or centre of' the bed Ten- week
Stocks and mixed Salpiglossis make a pretty
combination.

Beoonia Gloire de Lorraine : F. C. Cut the
plants back to within 4 or 5 inches of the base,
and winter them in an atmospheric tempera-
ture of from 55° to 60°. After pruning, the
plants will require less water. Where a diffi-
culty in securing cuttings is experienced,
plants which have not been too roughly used
in house decoration should be selected for stock
and pruned at once. This will prevent their
becoming unduly exhausted by long-continued
flowering. Later, when new growth appears
at the base of the plants, weak liquid manure
water may be given occasionally. See also
the article in last issue, p. 12.

Cai.anthe Veitchii : A. M. S. C. Your spikes of
Calanthe Veitchii with 60 flowers, and the two
on one pseudo-bulb bearing 50 and 38 flowers
respectively, are exceptionally fine. We should
be pleased if any of our readers can record a
greater number. — J. L. H'. Your batch of
Calanthe Veitchii bearing two inflorescences
from a single pseudo-bulb and bearing from
35 to 45 flowers each, are better than the
average. As you will see by the answer to
A. .1/. S. C, iTiore flowers are occasionally
developed on a single spike.
Cymbidiums not Flowkmng : C. E. JI., Breslau.
Probably you keep your Cymbidiums in a too
warm atmosphere, especially in winter. Use a
mixture consisting of from one-half to two-
thirds of fibrous loam, according to the quality
of the loam, using the smaller proportion if it
is heavy and not of good, fibrous quality. The
remaining portion should be made up of Sphag-
num-moss, peat, and leaves in equal quantities.
When the plants are growing freely, water
them copiou.sly and occasionally give them a
little weak liquid manure. Do not disturb the
plants again for several years, as they bloom
best when pot-bound. An atmospheric tempera-
ture of from 50° to 60° Fahr. at this seasoii is
sufficient. Excessive warmth at night-time
weakens the plants and prevents them flower-
ing.
CypRiPEDiuMS: B. L. Hardy Cypripediums
may be divided into two groups for the pur-
pose of cultivation. One group, of which the
British species C. Calceolus is representative,
requires loamy soil of a calcareous nature. The
other group, of which C. Reginse (spectabile)
is the best-known member, prefers soil of a
peaty nature. These two species are the
easiest to establish, but several others may
be grown with success in suitable situations.
They all prefer a cool, sheltered and shady
place, and while some iik« C. Reginse require
plenty of moisture, they must all have per-
fect drain.age. The following is a list of those
that may "be established, provided a proper
situation" is found for them in suitable soil.
Species requiring loamy soil ; C. Calceolus, C.
macranthum, C. Thunbergii, C. tibeticum. and
C. ventricosum. Species preferring a peaty
soil: C. acaule (humile), C. arietinum, C. cali-
fornicmn, C. candidum, C. japonicum, C. mon-
tanum, C. parviflorum, G. pubescens, and C.
Reginae. A full account of the different
species and their culture is given in the issue of
Gardeners^ Chronicle for September 25 and
October 2, 1909.
Digging and Trenching Land : G. B. The cost

and the nature of the soil. The following
prices may be taken as the approximate cost
per rod (1) Digging : Ordinary garden rioil, Ud.
to 2d. ; heavy land, 3d. (2) Trenching : Light
soil worked two spits deep, lOd. ; lieavy land,
la. (3) Bastard trenching : Light soil, 6d. ;
heavy ground, 8d.

EuoNYMUS : It. F. F. A very good instance of
fasciation, a ccndition this shrub frequently
exhibits.

Gardening Tuition fob Women : Miss 11. The
following institutions, in addition to the one
you meiition, admit female pupils for training
in gardening subjects: — University College,
Reading ; Royal Botanic Society, Regent's
Park, London; Edinburgh School of Gardening
for Women, Kaimes Road, Murrayfield ;.
Women's London Gardening Association, 62,
Lower Sloane Streef, S.W. ; Studley Horticul-
tural College for W'omen, Studley Castle. War-
wickshire ;"School for Lady Gard"eners, Glynde,
near Lewes ; Women's International Agricul-
tural Club. Manor House, Bredons Norton, near
Tewkesbury, W^orccster ; and the Thatchara
Fruit and 'Flower Farm School of Gardening,
Henwick, near Newbury. There are, in addi-
tion, several nurseries and market gardens
where women students are admitted.

Gooseberry Bushes: P. B. E. Spray them
with one of the winter washes, of which
caustic potash forms the principal ingredient.
When the buds are developing their leaves iir
spring, spray the bushes with some arsenical
insecticide, and again later if caterpillars are
still detected.

Gr.ape Mrs. Pearson : T. H. H. The Grapes
have been under observation up to the pre-
sent and no trace of a fungus has been ob-
served. The injury is evidently due to some
weakness of the particular plant, and is not
due to cultural defect.

>rEDLAR Jelly, &c. : O. L. L. Place the fruits m
a stewpan and barely cover them with cold
water. Cook slowly, as with other fruits for
jellies, till the pulp is very soft and the juice
entirely free. Drain off the juice and simmer
the liquid till it is thick, and then add sugar.
When the sugar is thoroughly dissolved, cook
for about 15 minutes, after which the jelly
should set properly. It is not unusual for
Black Hamburgh Grapes to remain in good
condition until Christmas.
Names of Plants: Henry Baler. Calanthe
Veitchii.— L. //. Bidens jpilosa.— >'. McV.
We cannot undertake to name var'ieties of
Chrysanthemums. The shrub is the silver
variety of Euonymus radicans. — B. 0. 1,
Stelis tristyla ; 2. Pleurothallis picta ; 3, Bulbo-
phyllum auricomum ; 4, Oncidium sphacelatum.
— L. E. S. Ornithogalum lacteum. It may
be grown with Nerines.
Rose Trees: 11'. J. .7. The question cannot be
answered satisfactorily unless .specimens are
sent us with the aphis upon them. If this is
done, the species can be identified.
The "Florist and Pomologtst " : American
Correapondenl. The journal known as the
Florist and Pomologisl was established in
1840 under the title of the Florists' Journal.
In 1848 a new series commenced under the
title of The Florist. In 1849 the title was
The Florist and Garden Miscellany. In 1851
it was again changed to the Florist,
Fruitisl and Garden Miscellany. It con-
tinued under this title until 1861, but in 1862
it became the Florist and Pomologist,
and so continued until 1884. In 1862 the
journal was conducted by Robert Hogg and
.John Spencer, assisted 'by Thomas Moore.
Robert Hogg and Thomas Nfonre continued to
edit it unlil 1868. when they were assisted
by William Paul. In 1871 Robert Hogg with-
drew, and the editor.ship was in the hands
of Thomas Moore and Wm. Paul until 1875.
Froin this latter date until 1884, the sole
editorship was in the hands of Thomas Moore,
who w-as also one of the editors of the Gar-
deners' Chronicle.

Communications Received — J. McH -A. R;-P- ^Co.
— M. & Co.— W. B. H.-John D.— H. V. S.— H. S.— J. O.
-Jno. W.-H. S. T.-Gco. P.~W, B. W.-S. P. W.—
H. W. W.— Robert S., Ltd.-T. Hunter -J. B. L.— H. W.
—Dr. K., Berlin— H. H. W. P.— H. J. K.— Clay-T. W. C.
— H. H.— W. E.— F. F,-W. C— "W. M-^C, E. H., Bres^
lau— F. W. P.

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Janxtaby 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

33

THE

dartreners'Cbronicle

IVo. I,e03.— SATURDAY. January 15, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Aster Hon, Edith Gibbs

as a pot plant

Barr memorial, the pro-
posed

Beaumontia grandifiora
Benevolent Institution,

Gardeners' Royal
Books, notices of —

All about Swt-et Peas

Apple-spraying Calen-
dar

British Fern Gazette...

Flower Garden Dis-
playd, the

Fruit Ranching in
British Columbia ...

My Garden Diary for

1910

British forestry from the

German standpoint ...
Chrysanthemums, late ...
Cockroaches in plant

houses

Coelogyne cristata, a fine

plant of

Colonial notes —

Solanum nigrum
Crawfurdia TrailUana ..
Cypripediums, hardy ...
Eupatorium RafllUii (E.

atro-ruhens)

Fern growing in an

inverted bo:tle
Florists' flowers—

Ane ni one-flo we red
Chrysanthemums ...
Foreign correspondence-
Forced flower trade

at Aalsmeer

Franceschi, Dr. F.
Frankfort, Palm garden

at

"French " garden, notes

from a

38

Fruit register-
Apple Golden Noble ...

Grass on trees, the effect
of

Green colour in plants ...

I po m oea (Fxogonlum)
Purga, hardiness of ...

Kew Guild, the

Knipliofia uvaria erecta

London parks, super-
vision of the

New inventions—
A vacuum fruit cooker

Obituary—

Beeby, \V. H

Connold, Ed, T.
Greshoff, Dr. Mauritz
Todd, Robert

Plants, new or note-
worthy—
Callistav. Dendrobium
P e 1 1 IB a cambodiana
and its bulbils

Scottish Horticultural
Societies, proposed
amalgamation of

Small holdings at Berlin

Societies^

Leeris Paiton

Linnean

Na ional Vegetable ..

Royal Botanic

Royal Horticultural ...
Royal Meteorological
Sutton Rose ...

Soy Beans as food

Week's work, the —
Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass
Hardy fruit garden, the
Kitchen garden, the ...
Orcliid houses, the ...
Plants under glass
Public parks and
gardens

38

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Beaumontia grandifiora in Natal Botanic Gardens, 42 ;

flowers of 43

Coelogyne cristata with 1,400 flowers (Supplementary

Illustration)

Crawfurdia Trailliana 44

Kniphofla uvaria erecta 35

Pelliea cambodiana with bulbils 84

Rosary in the Palm garden at Frankfort ... ... 36

"THE FLOWER GARDEN
DISPLAY'D."

THE authorship of this book has been
ascribed by some to Sir John More, and
by others to Robert Furber, a success-
ful nurseryman at Kensington " over against
Hyde Park Gate," as Miller directs in the
Catuhi(/iie of Curious Tires, etc., appended to
the dictionary which he published in 1724. The
evolution of the book is as follows: — Furber
published twelve coloured plates of flowers,
one plate of the flowers of each month of the
year, in imperial folio in 1730, the sole letter-
press consisting in lists of subscribers' names,
and of the flowers depicted. Other sets
were distributed, plain, either at the same
time or later. Furber is said to have de-
signed the plates in which the flowers are
loosely arranged in ornamental rases. Ten
are signed Shepperd and two of them T. B.
In 1732, Tlie Flower Garden Displayed was
published, the above-mentioned plates being
reproduced but reduced to quarto size, the
artist in this instance being Jas. Smith. They
are accompanied by brief notices of each
flower illustrated, and, in addition, to the
plates, there is a pretty engraved frontispiece
of 24 flowers disposed so as to enclose the
abbreviated title and the publishers' names.

Opposed to it, on the usual page, is the title

in full, which is worth reproducing : —

" The Flowers Girden Display'd in above 400 Represen.
ttttions of the most Beautiful Flowers. Regularly dispos'd
in the respective Months of their Blossom, Curiously
engrav'd on Copper-Plates, From the Designs of Mr. Furber
and Others, and Coloured to the Ijite. With the Description
and History of each Plant and the Method of their Culture
v/hether in stoves, greenhouses, hot-beds, glass-cases, open
borders, or against walls. Very useful not only for the
curious in Gardening, but the prints likewise for Painters,
Carvers, Japaners, ic, Also for Ladies as patterns for
working, and painting in water colours or furniture for the
Closet."

In 1734 the book was reprinted, and the

title was further extended, thus :^

"The Second Edition. To which is added, A Flower
Garden for Gentlemen and Ladies ; being the Art of raising
Flowers wi hout any Trouble to blow in full Perfection in
the Dei th of Winter, in a Bed Chamber, Closet or Dining
Room, Also the Method of raising Salleting, Cucumbers,
Melons, ic, at any Time in the Year. As it is now prac-
tised by Sir Thomas More, Bart."

Even a cursory examination shows that Sir
Thomas More was not the author, and the fact
that Furber is several times referred to in the
third pei-son, disposes of the claim made on
his behalf. The book itself afl'ords evidence
of having been composed by someone with a
knowledge of botany and of florists' flowers,
but who was neither a florist nor a garde ner,
of one who had visited Continental gai\.cns,
and who had been in the habit of procuring
plants from many countries; facts which re-
duce the po.ssibilities of authorship to within
narrow limits. There are, moreover, articles
which give a fairly reliable indication of the
identity of the author. Such are those on
the Auricula and the Caper, which resemble
in a remarkable manner those on like subjects
in Bradley's New Improve)nents in Garden-
ing. Apart from the intrinsic evidence, the
authorship might be deduced from the fact
that Bradley was employed by the same pub-
lishers, Montagu, Brindley and Corbett, to
arrange Cowell's treatises for republication
about the same date. More conclusive still is
the fact that he provided the literary part of
The Fruit Garden Displai/d in the same year.
This is a companion volume to Tlie Flower
Garden Displatfd, and, like it, was published
in reduced form from an illustrated imperial
folio by Furber in 1730, and was entitled
Fruits for Every Month of the Year. With
these several considerations to guide us, I
think there need not be the slightest doubt
that Bradley, who still held his professorship
at Cambridge, but whose position was of the
most precarious nature, was the author of
The Flower Garden Bisplaifd. His death oc-
curred at tho end of 1732, and this book,
therefore, was, in all probability, the last
literary commission he filled.

While much of the literary matter in the
volume under consideration is of the slightest
value, some of it is of great historical value.
This is particularly the case with the articles
on florists' flowers, and in an especial manner
with those on the Auricula and gold-laced
Polyanthus. Thirteen varieties of Auricula
are represented and described. Of these, two
are double-flowered, two are Alpines, four are
striped (a section which a little earlier was
considered the choicest of all), five are edged
flowers of the stage section, and, though
some of these as depicted are very rough in
outline, and the ground colour runs into the
edge in a manner that would shock a present-
day florist, still, I have frequently seen such
varieties as Conqueror of Europe and Mrs.
Champneys quite as badly defined as some of
those illustrated in The Flower Garden Vis-
plai/d. The edging in every instance is

white. The remaining variety is a true
self, with a white eye and a " blue vel-
vet," or ultramarine, ground or edge.
Six are described as Painted Ladies. The
interesting thing about the whole is that we
have here the evolution of the flower with
a circular edge, at a stage mid-way between
that and the earlier striped. If we were to
judge from the description alone, we should
believe that none were edged, but the repre-
sentations on the plates clearly demonstrate
the fact that they were a stage beyond the
stripe and flake. Two varieties only show the
edge uninterrupted by the ragged body colour,
and of these the better is .Semper Augu.stus
(deep carmine), and the other Honour and
Glory, the edge of which is less clearly defined
and deep reddisli-purple.

The Polyanthus, which later became a
cherished flower of the florist, was in a similar
stage of evolution as the Auricula. Only five
varieties are noted, mostly with striped
flowers and white edges. One, " The Gold-
finch Polyanthos, blossoms with full Truss
flowers upon strong flower stems. The Blos-
soms have yellow Eyes and the other part
Scarlet except the Eklges, which are yellow."
But it is added, " there are vast varieties."
Flowers with thrum-eyed and " Pin-ey'd "
blooms are defined and distinguished with a
passing remonstrance with the florists for
neglecting the latter. Here, too, for the first
time, so far as I recollect, we have the desig-
nation " Picotee," which in one instance has
the penultimate accented, " Picquette " and
" picote "• being the usual forms. Besides
being picoted on the body of f-.e petals, the
latter were " dotted on the eO-yjea with a Car-
mine colour of the ' .Sweetr-scented Pea ' ; "
it is recorded that " it brings its Blossoms of
two colours, one a reddish Purple, and the
middle of a fine Blue. It smells like an
Orange-flower."

Several Hyacinths, including perhaps the
white and blue Roman, are noted. Anemones
are in goodly proportion, several Crocuses and
Tulips, among which the familiar " Vantol "
figures. Of Narcissus, the Polyanthus section
seem to have been alone popular. Kniphotia
Uvaria appears as Iris Alvaria, and we are
informed it was called as well the Sword-blade
Aloe, the last name appearing more than
once with the " e " accented as here. Varie-
gated plants were much esteemed in early
horticulture, and here we have many varie-
gated plants described, though they seem to
have disappeared from our gardens in the
intervening years. The "strip'd Candy Tuft,"
which he .states " I brought from Hol-
land," was the Iberis sempervirens, with the
leaves edged with cream. There was a silver-
edged and a yellow-blotch'd Alaternus (Rham-
nus Alaternus),

" strip'd leav'd Geranium. The leaves of this plant are
edged with cream Colour, and makes one of the most
beautiful Slirubs among the Greenhouse Plants, about
thr?e Foot high. This I first brought into England from the
Paris Gardens — it is now grown very plenty in the Curious
Gardens.''

It was a form of Pelargonium Zonale.

He also asserts that he " brought "

the " Scarlet Geranium " (P. inquinans)

from Holland. " Bella Donna Lillj-. —

This is the Lilj' of Damascus ; and I

was informed it was first sent over to the

great Patron of Botany, Dr. Compton, Bishop

of London." Alton does not appear to have

known this ; he merely gives the date, 1712,

without the name of its introducer. Of the

" Scarlet Althani " (Hibiscus sinensis), it i&-

THE GARDENERS' QHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

stated that it is a " beautiful Shnib and is
tlie Plant which is call'd the China Rose."
It was " preserv'd in the Greenhouse in Win-
ter." In the Virginian Columbine, we are
able to recognise Thalictrum aquilegifolium,
and the " October Flower " is probably Aster
Npvi Belgii ; the same name is used for the
same plant in another of Bradley's books, the
only instances I know of its occurrence. Aster
grandiflorus is also illustrated. It is called
" Virginian A.ster — first sent to us by Mr.
Katesb}', a very curious Gentleman." In-

niay be mentioned Phlox Carolina, Lathyrus
latifolius, Lilium Martagon album, Nuphar
lutea, Cobb Pink, and Bronipton Stock, the
flowers of which are single. It is noteworthy
that several of the flowers are duplicated and
some appear in three plates, which it may be
said are really pictures, and exhibit the influ-
ence of Van Huysum. Sets of the large
coloured plates are scarce, and, consequently,
very expensive.

I may point out the difficulty of determin-
ing any of the plants illustrated, on ac-

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

^AR,p<:HK?ti,r^^

[Ffow a sketch by Mr. Fitch.
Fig. 25. — PELL/EA CAMBODIANA WITH BULBILS.

stances occur in which Bradley is at fault in
his attempts at identification, as where he re-
marks that " 'Pona's Blue Throatwort' comes
from Carolina, and so I suppose has its name
from the Indians," when he ought to have
known it was Phyteuma comosum, first de-
scribed and figured in a supplement to
Clusius's Tlhfory uf Frire Plnntx. relating to
plants discovered on Mount Baldus.

In the engraved frontispiece several dis-
tinct flowers are represented, of which

count of English names — .some of which
are peculiar to this work — being almost
solely employed. Had the botanical names of
the period been utilised they would have been
different from those now in use, but the iden-
tification of the plants would have been com-
paratively easy compared witli the identifica-
tion of names such a.s " Nettle-leaved Jessa-
min, Creeping Borage, Embroader Grain's
Bill, Double Mouse-ear, Sage and Kosemary
tree," and others. E. P. Brothcrston.

PELL^A CAMBODIANA AND ITS BULBILS.

In a collection of Ferns from Upper Burma,
received from Mr. J. H. Lace, the forest officer,
there are very good specimens of this Fern, which
was described by Jlr. Baker in the Ann. BoL,
1891, from rather poor fragments in the Kew
Herbarium collected in Cambodia ; as it is new
to the Indian region, and most interesting on
account of its curious adventitious growths, I
am glad to be able to give an illustration of it
(see tig. 25), together with an account of the out-
growths by Mr. Boodle, of the Jodrell Laboratory
at Kew.

The following is Mr. Boodle's account of the
outgrowths : —

A few small, adventitious outgrowths, covered
with hair-like scales occur on the lower side
of the fertile leaf. These bodies are inserted
near the margins of some of the piuHi-B and seg-
ments and interrupt the sori. They are 2 to 2. 5'
mm. in length, resemble Rice grains in shape,
contain a large amount of oil, and have a central
vascular strand. The point of attachment is near
one end, and the growing point at the other end.
They may be described as small tubers, and, as
they can be easily detached, it may be assumed
that they form a means of vegetative propaga-
tion. In many respects they are similar to the
adventitious structures, which are found on the
leaf of a specimen of Phegopteris sparsiflora
Hook., by Sadebeck {Berdetitsch, Bot. Gcs., xiii.
21) though absent in other specimens of this
species.

Pell.ea CAMBODIANA (Bakee.).— Rhizomc small,
tufted with numerous wiry roots, stipe 2 to 4
inches Icng in the sterile, 4 to 6 inches in fertile
fronds ; fronds, deltoid-lanceolate, the leafy por-
tion 2 to 4 inches long by 1 to 1^ inch broad,
somewhat contracted in the fertile, bipinnatifid ;
pinnae a few opposite or sub-opposite, the lower
ones shortly stalked, the upper ones adnate,
broad-ovate to lanceolate, the lower jiair much,
the others slightly, lobed or pinuatifid sub-
niombraneous, dull green ; rachis and surfaces
naked ; the veins free, pinnate in the lobes, the
branches often forked; involucre continuous.
Curious scaly bulbils occur in all the fertile
fronds of the three specimens sent ; they are some-
times parallel with, but more commonly at right
angles to, the fructification which they interrupt.

Hab Paunglyzin reserve, Upper Chindwin dis-
trict, alt. 600', Upper Burma, lat. 24. J. H.
Lace, No. 4,213.

Also in Cambodia. R. H. Beddnme.

CALLISTA V. DENDROBIUM.

I have studied both the type specimen of
Loureiro's Callista amabilis and the plant which
flowered with Dr. Goldschmidt at Essen, and
which Prof. Kranzlin identified with the plant of
Loureiro. The Loureiro plant has, so far as I
can see, two lateral, connated sepals, and one
almost free, median sepal. Dr. Goldschmidt's-
plant has all three sepals connated. Whether the
two lateral sepals of Loureiro's plant form a
mentum with the foot of the column or not, I
cannot say with certainty, as the flower which
I have seen is not quite intact ; but I am in-
clined to think they form a mentum. Dr. Gold-
schmidt's plant has no mentum. The lateral
petals of Loureiro's plant are broader than the
lateral sepals ; in Dr. Goldschmidt's plant they
are smaller. The lip of Loureiro's plant has a
long nail, the blade being, as it seems, three-Iobed.
The base of the lateral lobes is united to a short
crest just where the nail ends and the blade be-
gins ; the blade is funnel-shaped at its base ; the
surface of the blade is irregularly hairy at the
lower half. There is no dividing of the blade
of the lip into an hypochil and an epichil — the
lower part goes over slowly into the superior part.
It is remarkable that, from the middle nerve
of the blade, run off, near the base, two vascular

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

35

bundles, one to the right, the other to the left
at almost right angles. The lip of Dr. Gold-
schmit's plant has no nail ; it ia differentiated
into a thick hypochil and a thin epichil ; the
former is half-cup-shaped, the latter triangular ;
the hypochil has only parallel nerves, it is beset
on its inner surface by liairs, which are grouped
together in bundles arranged in longitudinal
lines. At the point where the hypochil and
epichil come together, there is a transverse,
toothed, fleshy crest, the teeth of which are fim-
briated ; from this crest runs, in a right angle,
along the middle of the epichil, a fine,
thin, irregularly-toothed crest. The column of
Loureiro's plant has one reverted tooth at its
apex at each side, and at the inner base of each
t/ioth there is a little, triangular tooth. The
column of Dr. Goldschmidt's plant has only one
straight, triangular tooth at each side of the
apex. In both plants the column forms a foot
twice as long as the column. It seems to me
that there is a little hole at the junction of
■column and foot in Loureiro's plant. Such a
hole does not occur in Dr. Goldschmidt's plant.
The columns of both plants are without any hair.
These are the details of the flowers of the two
plants as far as I could compare them. I have
not seen the anther of Loureiro's plant, which is
cucuUate and two loculate in Dr. Gold-
schmidt's plant. The anterior part of the anther
of this plant is protruded into a truncate
lobe, which is finely toothed. The four cereous
pollinia are elongate obovate, flattened at one
face ; there are two in each cell of the anther,
and they lie closely together ; the outer are a
trifle shorter than the inner ones.

A comparison of these two descriptions shows
■clearly that the two plants are totally different
in the construction of the flower. As far as I
•can see from photographs, both of Loureiro's and
Dr. Goldschmidt's plant, the plants differ also
in their vegetation features. I agree with Mr.
Jas. O'Brien that Loureiro's plant is a true Den-
drobium. But what is Dr. Goldschmidt's plant?
At first sight, there is much resemblance with
Dendrobium aduncum Hook., not Lindl., both in
shape and colour of the flowers. But the con-
struction of the lip is different. Mr. O'Brien has
written to me, saying that he has seen an imper-
fectly-developed mentum in a weak plant, and as
the plant of Dr. Goldschmidt is a weak one, it is
possible that the flowers will bear a mentum
when the plant is stronger. But as there is no
trace of a mentum, I doubt whether there ever
will be one. Mr. O'Brien had the kindness to
direct my attention to Dendrobium hercoglossuin
Rch. f. Unfortunately, there is no specimen of
this species in the Berlin herbarium. Should
this species be the same as Dendrobium aduncum
Hook. (Bot. Mag. 6784), it is certainly not this
species. I have to thank Dr. Rendle for lend-
ing me a flower of Loureiro's plant, and Mr.
O'Brien for studying once more the type speci-
men of Loureiro's plant and giving me the result
of his investigations. I'do Dammer, Berlin-
Dnlilem.

KNIPHOFIA UVARIA ERECTA.

At one of the meetings of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society last autumn, Messrs. Wallace
& Co. showed inflorescences of a Kniphofia, in
which the individual flowers, instead of being
pendulous, as is normally the case, -were erect.
This is not the first occasion on which erect varie-
ties of Kniphofia have been seen, for Mr. Gumble-
ton informs us that a few years ago he obtained
an erect-flowered variety from a French nursery-
man. Being of a tender character, however, tlie
plant did not survive the first winter at Bel-
groye,a,The present plant is described as a
variety of K. Uvaria. It would be interesting
to observe what effect the altered disposition of
the flowers has on pollination. It is obvious
that whilst the pollen in the dependent flowers
is in a measure shielded from rain, that in the
flowers now figured is unprotected from it.

Fig. 26. — AN ERECT-FLOWERED KNIPHOFIA.

36

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Jandaky 15, 1910.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

* Fruit Ranching in British Columbia.

Mr. Bealey relates his experiences as a fruit
rancher in such a manner as to keep the interest
of the reader to the very end. He starts as a
" tenderfoot," and relates his early mistakes and
experiences up to the time when, in a few
years, he had mastered the art of fruit ranching
and was able to win prizes for fruit at shows,
not only in his own district but also in London.

The book is especially valuable to those who
contemplate going to British Columbia to grow
fruit. Not only may they read of some of the
difficulties of the beginner, but also of the high
rate of expansion of the fruit industry in that
country.

British Columbia is a wonderland for the
growing of hardy fruits. The soil and climate
are not equalled for this purpose in any part of
the world, and already the samples of fruits
raised there equal, and in some instances surpass,
those raised in the Hood River Valley of Oregon.
The figures, given by j\Ir. Bealby, illustrating
the yields of orchards, are dazzling to a grower
in Britain. The crops are heavy and certain,
and, owing to the excellent system of combina-
tion among the producers, the returns are good.
They have undeveloped markets all around them,
and as the immense tract of country between
the mountains and Winnipeg becomes more
populous, large towns will grow up and cause a
greater demand for fruits. The plains, owing to
the severe winters and the hot summers, are never
likely to become adapted to extensive fruit
growing, and British Columbia will be able to
supply the deficiency. Trial consignments of
fruit have already been sent to Australia.

The reader of this book is impressed by the
admirable manner in which the whole fruit
industry of this immense district is fostered
and assisted by the Department of Agriculture,
as well as by the British Columbia Fruit Growers'
Association and the various local associations.

Judging by the illustrations, the trees are
never planted thickly nor allowed to crowd one
another. Each tree has plenty of room to profit
by the sun and air, and consequently it crops
to perfection.

I think Mr. Bealby rather under-estimates the
cost of clearing and general expenses, but these
are doubtless governed largely by the location of
the ranch. He speaks very favourably of the dry
lands in the Okanagan district, which are no
doubt very good, but it would appear that where
immunity from drought can be insured by irri-
gation, as in the Kootenay Lake district, the
rancher's prospects are more secure.

To those who take pleasure in fruit growing,
and are in search of healthy and remunerative
occupation, and have a small amount of capital,
British Columbia offers alluring attractions
which are hard to find in any other locality.
There is, it is true, plenty of hard work for the
emigrant, but it is an investment yielding com-
pound interest, for not only does the- rancher
make money out of his crops, but his land is
accruing in value each year as it is improved.

In London, recently, remarkable prices were
realised for Cox's Orange Pippin Apples from
Nova Scotia. Ten h-alf-barrels were sold whole-
sale for £20, roughly 26s. 8d. per bushel. British
Columbian Apples should be equally good in
quality. T. A. II. Elvers.

FRUIT REGISTER.

APPLE GOLDEN NOBLE.
I QUITE agree with Mr. T. W. Turner, vol. xlvi.,
p. 421, as to the merits of this Apple. It is an
excellent "ariety. Its useful size, beautiful
colour and shape, and its good keeping qualities
strcngly recommend it. It is my favourite
variety. C. L. Branson, The Gardens, Bhjlhe-
wood, Burnham.

* Fruit lianchinK in British Columbia, by J. T. Bealby.
Price 3s. 6d.

THE PALM GARDEN AT FRANKFORT.

(Concluded from page 18.)

House VI. contains succulents, which,
thanks to good gardening, a pure, dry atmo-
sphere, and more sunshine than w'e are
used to in this country, constitute a very
fine selection. House VII. is devoted al-
most entirely to Camellias in tubs, which
are removed in summer to make room
for a display of greenhouse plants. On
entering House VIII. one is at once struck by
the two splendid Lapagerias, one red and the
otlier white-flowered, which cover a large por-
tion of the roof, and are a great sight from
August to November. Another fine plant
is a Testudinaria ; otherwise the general
contents of the house were much the same as
in House VII. House IX. is divided into
two parts, the first devoted to economic

fine collection of greenhouse plants is main-
tained the whole year round. Huge batches
of Cyclamen were magnificent, equal in every
respect to any collections seen in this country.
In another house there were hundreds of pots
of a good variety of Myosotis. These were
arranged rather thickly together on side
stages, and a few white Cyclamens were placed
on pots so that they appeared above the
blue Forget-me-nots. Pretty green drapery
hung from the fronts of the stages, consisting
of Saxifragas and other plants, and Nepeta
Glechoma foliis variegatis was suspended from
the roof. Tlie effects of the bright sunshine
on the Forget-me-nots, together with the
delicate tones of the trailing plants, and
those suspended from the roof, were such as
not to be soon forgotten. The connecting
corridor is not built for cultural purposes,
brit contains a large number of decorative

Fig. 27. — PORTION of the rosary in the palm garden, frankfort-on-the-maine.

plants, and tlie second to Nepenthes and
Bromeliads, all well grown and in great
variety. House X. consists of three divisions.
In the first a pleasing effect is obtained by
means of a stone grotto furnished with Ferns
and Orchids, the latter being removed as soon
as they have finished flowering. The second
division is devoted to the cooler Orchids, and
the last to Sarracenias and insectivorous
plants. The main Orchid collection is con-
tained in House XI., half of which is devoted
to tropical, and the other half to the tem-
perate Orchids. We were informed that
the collection contains 100 genera and 860
species. Most of the Orchids are in excellent
condition, and at the time of our visit there
was a batch of plants of Lycaste Skinneri alba
in wonderful flower ; the plants were only in
6-inch pots, but most of them bore at least
six open flowers. In Houses XII. and XIII. a

Palms in pots. All the hou.ses are lighted by
electricity, for in Frankfort the gardens are
open until a late hour, and visitors are not
content with viewing the plants by day, but
must also see them by lamplight.

The heating arrangements are carried out
on the low-pressure steam and hot-water com-
bination system, similar to that adopted in
the Dahlem Botanic Garden, but on a smaller
and le.ss costly scale. A new feature con-
sLsts in an electrical signalling apparatus
which rings a bell in the boiler-house
as soon as the temperature exceeds a
certain limit. The greenhouses are all
built of iron on a brick base, but the iron
parts are covered with wood, so that the
danger of sudden changes of temperature is
not so great as if bare steel were employed.
The area covered by this range amounts to
about one English acre.

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

37

The Outside Depaktment.

This is of more interest to landscape gar-
deners and park superintendents than to
botanists, the object being not so much a col-
lection of hardy trees and shrubs as a pictur-
esque and pleasant spot where visitors may
pass a summer's afteinoon. Many of the
views which are to be obtained are charm-
ing, the disposal of the trees and the careful
blocking out of buildings leading the casual
observer to believe that the area of the garden
may be hundreds, instead of as it actually is,
roughly 50 acres in extent. In summer the
vegetation is almost tropical in appearance,
for the visitor constantly meets tastefully-
arranged groups of Bananas, tree Ferns,
Yuccas, Cactaceous and similar plants, which,
needless to say, have to be removed to the
houses on the approach of frost. The two
lakes which occupy areas of about two acres
and half an acre respectively were both con-
structed in the early days of the garden, the
excavaterl soil being use<l to render the ground
more hilly. On the larger lake are two islands,
and at one end is a high precipice of rock
and earth naturally planted and surmounted
by an Alpine house half hidden by
trees. The margins of both lakes are taste-
fully planted with ornamental trees and
shrubs, a particularly striking effect being
obtained by means of groups of white barked
Birches and colouretl Willows. Both lakes are
spanned in their narrowest pai-ts by bridges,
one of stone, and the other of steel, which,
however, do not detract from the general
effect.

Much attention is paid to decorative beds
and borders, and, although the plants are all
excellently grown and tended, their arrange-
ment is, from the English point of view, some-
what inartistic and gaudy. Carpet bedding
is a favourite form of flower gardening in
Frankfort, and, again from our point of view,
is overdone, but the Director probably knows
best what appeals to the Continental public.

A novel feature of this garden is the
amusements department, containing 12 tennis
courts surrounded by a cycle track. These
courts may be used by clubs or separate
individuals upon payment of a subscrip-
tion of £1 per year. In winter the courts
are flooded and thus converted into an ex-
cellent skating rink, which attracts large
numbers of visitors. Near to this is the shoot-
ing range, a covei'^d structure which is used
by clubs for competitions. The children's
p'ayground is an excellent idea, well carried
out, and we have nothing better of the kind
in the public parks in this country. It is
well fitted up with swings, see-.saws, giant
strides and other arrangements, and its
popularity is proved by the large number of
children a.ssembled there daily. Leaving the
playground the visitor soon reaches the Ros-
ary, an elliptical piece of ground planted
partly in a natural and partly in a formal
manner. It is said to contain 3, -500 Roses of
all kinds. They are thoroughly well grown,
especially when the cold winters and the pro-
tective measures which they entail are con-
sidered. Naturally, the musical German is
never satisfied without his band, and in
Frankfort the music is excellent. A first-rate
band of 40 performers, under a well-known
conductor, performs twice a day during the
summer.

The restaurant or gala palace is a fine
building, erected in 1880 at a cost of £12,000
to replace the one burned down in 1879. It
is used for receptions, balls, &c.

The sardens are open all the year round,

in summer from 7 a.m. and in winter from
8 a.m., until the close of the evening concert,
usually about 10 p.m. The Palm house is
open until 10 o'clock at night, and the new
range from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. in summer, and
from 8 a.m. till sunset in winter. The price
of admission is as follows, except in the case
of shareholders, who have free access to all
parts: — Adults Is., children 6d., and on the
firet Sunday in every month 2d. for everyone
in the morning, and 6d. and 3d. in the after-
noon. The usual thing is for the inhabitants
of Frankfort to take an annual ticket, which
costs, for a family, 35s., and for a single in-
dividual 20s. Monthly tickets costs 10s. and
5s. respectively. There are also subscriptions
for tennis, boating, shooting, Szc, and inas-
much as the average annual number of visi-
tors is 200,000, exclusive of shareholders and
subscribers, it is evident that the financial
position of the garden is as flourishing as the
plants which it contains.

Naturally such a large establishment, open
till late in the evening, requires numerous
employes. The actual number is 150, includ-
ing 50 gardeners, 25 garden labourers, 11
.stokers and engineers, four carpenters and
glaziers, 10 watchmen and constables, five
to 30 casual workmen to take care of the
lawns in the sports department, the number
depending upon the time of year, and 40
musicians. The management is entrusted by
the Board of Administration to two directors
— Herr August Siebert for the garden sec-
tion, and Herr A. Nippoldt for the commer-
cial section. Herr Siebert has been inti-
mately connected with the garden since its
very earlie.st stages. He is to be heartily
congratulated on the fine results which he and
his colleagues have achieved.

Pompon j^nemones should include Antonii;?,
canary yellow ; Bessie Flight, blush : Aglaia,
blush, with a white centre ; Ernest Carr, crushea
strawberry ; Emily Rowbottom, pure white ;
Marie Stuart, lilae blush, with a sulphur centre :
Mr. Astie, golden yellow; Perle, deep rose; and
Late Duchess, pure white. E. M.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

ANEMONE-FLOWERED CHRYSANTHE-
MUMS.

The large-flowered Anemone Chrysanthemums,
and even the Pompon and the newer Japanese
Anemone varieties, are seldom seen nowadays,
even at the shows. Yet they are very beau-
tiful 'subjects for decorative purposes, especi-
ally the well-grown and fully-developed blooms
of Anemone and Japanese Anemone varie-
ties, with their perfect discs and pretty ray
florets. The sprays should be cut with at least
1 foot of stem and leaf, and then, when arranged
in vases with their own or some other suitable
foliage, such as Berberis, Prunus, Beech, Oak,
or the more commonly-employed Asparagus
pluraosa, thej' form desirable objects for decora-
tion. Displayed on a green board, they have
little or no decorative value, but if shown in
suitable receptacles, I am sure the section
would again find favour. In the case of the
Pompon Anemones, they should be shown in
floriferous sprays at least 2 feet in length, and
then a fine effect is obtained. As to varieties,
I do not recommend many. Large-flowered
.sorts are represented by Jldlle. Nathalie Brun,
cream, tipped primrose; Mrs. Shimmins, amber
and bronze ; Ernest Cooper, amber and rose ;
Mrs. Judge Benedict, sulphur, with tinted
blush ; John Bunyan, rich yellow, with extra
long florets ; Cincinnati, lilac blush ; Dela-
ware, creamy white; J. Thorpe, Junr.,
bright yellow ; Mme. Lawton, blush white ;
Mme. Heneage, an orange-yellow sport from
Delaware ; Mrs. H. M. Gardner, deep rose,
tipped with gold ; Owen's Perfection, lilac, tinted
with gold, with lilac guard florets : and Souvenir
de Mme. Blandinieres, light crim-son, tipped
white.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

FORCED FLOWER TRADE AT AALSMEER.

This little Dutch community lives by fishing
and gardening on a small scale. The gardens are
oases of made-up soil, collected by patient labour
and surrounded by water. They are noted
throughout the country for the good quality of
the pot plants of Zonal and peltatum Pelar-
goniums, Fuchsias, Cinerarias, and Mignonette
raised in them, and for their moderate prices.
Till the end of the 'eighties in the last century,
little else was cultivated beyond ordinary nursery
stock, and that in the open ground, as scarcely
any glass e.xisted. Most of these plants were
put on the markets at Amsterdam and Rot-
terdam ; and even now, in the summer season,
twice in the week small vessels in great numbers
sail with garden produce to Amsterdam, or to
the number of three or four are towed by a tug-
boat or a motor. The times have altered, and
with them the plants which the Aalsmeer people
cultivate for sale. There are now many plant
houses erected, which are filled with Belgian
plants, such as Araucarias, Palms, and Imanto-
phyllums; plants for supplying cut flowers,
including Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Bouvardias,
and the like ; besides plants for affording
greenery, siich as Asparagus, Medeola, Adiantum,
and such pot plants as Begonia Gloire de Lor-
raine and Cyclamens.

In the summer the Ferns and hardier species
are mostly grown in frames, and many of them
pass the winter in them.

Most of the plant houses at Aalsmeer have to
serve as forcing houses for Lilacs. Prunus,
Deutzias, Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Viburnums,
Azaleas, Spiraeas, Lily of the Valley, Tulips. &c.,
but chiefly for Lilac forcing. One Aalsmeer
grower sells more than 30,000 bunches of forced
Lilac in each season, the produce of 5,000
bushes. This business has not existed for any
long time, the merest beginning having been
made about 20 \-ears ago. Whilst at one time
there was a difficulty in finding purchasers for
the forced flowers, now- the demand exceeds
the supply. With the exception of Azaleas,
Tulips, and partially in the case of Lily
of the Valley, most of the plants for forcing
are grown at Aalsmeer. Although the soil
is well suited to Lily of the Valley culture,
large quantities of the crowns are. bought \n
Germany, for the reason that they bloom earlier
and are better for forcing generally than the
Dutch-grown roots.

The Lilacs are transplanted in the period from
the end of June to the middle of July, this being
done in order to get the w-ood matured. Thft
forcing of Lilac in pots is not much practised
at Aalsmeer, and is, moreover, not suitable for
plants that are grown for cutting purposes.
Sometimes Lilac plants which are intended for
early forcing are dug up in September and placed
in a barn or shed for three weeks tx) dry out
somewhat, the purpose of this operation being
to induce a state of rest and ripeu the flower-
buds, which, after the first frosts, readily
expand in the forcing house. If early frosts do
not occur, the plants are taken to Amsterdam
and kept for eight days in the refrigerators.
In November a beginning is made with the
forcing, and the plants are brought into the
houses in sets. Shrubs prepared for forcing,

38

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

with the exception of Lilacs, are placed in sheds
or protected from frost by a covering of tree
leaves, so that they may be taken into the
forcing houses at any time. In late autumn the
Lilacs are dug up and placed in rows in tie
neighbourhood of the houses. The forcing of
Lilac is not carried out by a hot-water system,
but by ordinary iron stov<;s which are covered
by big sheets of iron plate. Until January the
Lilac plants undergoing forcing are abundantly
syringed; but later it is almost omitted, except
when the atmosphere has become very arid.

The varieties are placed in the forcing houses
in the following order : Marie Legraye, Charles
X., Andenken an Ludwig Spath, President Grevy,
Jean de Bretagne, and Mme. Lemoine. The
first two varieties are those very generally forced.
Aalsmeer, not far distant from Amsterdam, can
be reached from that city by steamer within
two hours. F. M.

The Week's Work.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

The Radishes ai-e now well up in the earliest
beds, and Little Black Gott Lettuces have been
planted.

We have lined the outside paths against the
frames with short manure, but those between
the frames must be strongly built, therefore we
have employed long, strawy and very dry manure
for making them. Fresh manure should never
be used for lining the frames, as it is apt to
cause an increase of temperature in the lights,
which is injurious to the Lettuces. The lining
now supplied is sufficient to last in ordinary
seasons until the end of March. It has been
possible recently to give plenty of ventilation
to Lettuces and Cauliflowers in the cloches, by
day and night; thus the plants are sturdy and
are making good growth. It has not been
necessary to use the mats even at night, especi-
ally where there are hot-beds. E.\perieneed
growers hesitate to cover the lights even in
frosty weather if growih is rapid, as it tends to
make the plants spindly.

We shall start the hot-beds for forcing Cos
Lettuces under cloches early ne,\t week. The
beds for the cloches are only 10 inches high when
trodden down. We employ three parts dry
manure and one part fresh manure as the best
[n-oportions for obtaining a mild 'and constant
heat. The Cos Lettuces do not thrive well in a
temperature exceeding 45° for they are attacked
with aphides and mildew, especially if there are
sudden changes in the weather. We shall sow
Bellot Carrots as an intercrop in these hot-beds
under cloches.

In the cold frames all the Passion and Little
Black Gott Lettuces have been planted. These
crops will need no more attention until late in
February, but at that stage they will need to be
ventilated.

Soil is being prepared for Melons and
Tomatos, which will be sown next month. The
com.post consists of three parts well-sifted loam
and one part decayed manure. The compost is
placed under cover until needed. P. Aqxiatias.

COLONIAL NOTES.

SOLANUM NIGRUM.

The article on this subject by W. W. (see
Gard. Oliron., vol. xlvi., p. 291) is very valuable.
The plant is known in the West Indies (Trinidad
and Tobago) as "Agooma," and is treated by
the labouring cla.sses much in the same way as
is Spinach in England and elsewhere. The plant
is a common West Indian weed, found on banks
and roadsides alike. As it is eaten with im-
punity, I suppose no poison remains after boil-
ing, as is shown by one of the highest
authorities in TF. W.'s contribution to be
the case with its fruits if taken as dessert. W.
E. Broadway, Tobngo, W.I.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the .Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, NortUaiiiptoushire.

Rasphfrries. — Any planting should be finished
at the first opportunity, assuming that the
ground has been well dug and manured during
the past autumn. Where specially fine fruits are
desired, the canes should be trained to wire
trellises. These should be 5 feet apart. The
wires should be stretched on iron uprights or
stout wooden posts about 6 feet in height and
placed 12 to 15 feet apart. Five wires will be
ample to each trellis. If the soil is of a light
nature, plant the canes Ij feet apart in the
rows, but in deep rich loam and heavier land,
they may be planted at a greater distance up to
2 feet apart. When the planting is finished, the
canes should be tied temporarily to the wires.
A mulch of half-decayed stable manure will
assist the plants when root action commences,
and will also protect the roots and crowns from
frosts and drying winds. As soon as growth
commences the canes should be cut down to
within 6 inches of the soil. The roots must not
be disturbed by digging or forking, but the
ground between the rows should be hoed several
times during the summer months, and all surplus
suckers removed. Rivers's Hornet, Superlative,
Fillbasket and Penwill's Champion are a selec-
tion of good red-fruited varieties. The last-
named is a new sort and bears fine fruits of
good flavour over a long period. The best v-ellow
Raspberries are Yellow Su])erlative and Antwerp
Yellow. Autumn-fruiting Raspberries should be
included for furnishing a few dishes of fruits in
October. The shoots of these should be cut back
to within three or four buds from the base, dur-
ing the latter part of February, as the fruits are
borne on the young canes. Remove all weak
growths and avoid overcrowding of the shoots.
The best varieties of this type ai-e October Red,
October Yellow and Abundance.

lieqraftlng luorthh-^i Apples. — It is often
found that some varieties of Apples, after re-
peated trials, will not succeed in certain locali-
ties. Where this is the case, the trees should
be headed back for grafting later with proved
sorts. Suitable scions may be saved when prun-
ing ; tie them carefully in bundles, label them,
and heel them in under a north wall until re-
quired.

General remarhs. — Make secure by staking all
newly-planted ti-ees. Use neat pieces of felt or
some other soft material around that portion of
the tree where the string is tied. See that an
adequate supply of the various insecticides re-
quired for the spraying of fruit ti-ees is at hand,
in order that the work may be done directly the
pruning and training are finished.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghle, Gardentr to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Perpehwlfiowering C'arnalioii.':. — The earliest
batch of the tree or perpetual-flowering Carna-
tions should be raised from cuttings taken as
early in the New Year as possible. Before com-
mencing this operation, gel in readiness some
clean 3-inch pots and drain them in a suitable
manner. They may afterwards be filled rather
firmly with a mixture of yellow sandy loam,
leaf-mould, and coarse silver sand in equal
proportions, placing a thin covering of sand
on the surface. Select the cuttings from
the most healthy and robust side growths
and prepare them in the ordinary way. Four
or six cuttings may be jout in each pot,
keeping them as close to the pot margin as
possible, and making each cutting firm by means
of a dibber. Plunge the pots to the rims in a
hot-bed having a temperature of 70° to 75°.
Keep the propagating case closed for a few days,
and afterwards admit a very little air, increasing
the quantity gradually. One of the most essential
points in the cultivation of tree Carnations is to
pay very great care to cultural details in the
early stages of growth. They must not become
pot-bound or it will cause a check. A list of ex-
cdlent varieties would include Glacier, White
Lawson, General Kuroki, Harlowarden, Harry
Fenn, Mrs. Burnett, Winsor, Mrs. T. W.
Lawson, Enchantress, and Nelson Fisher.

Souvenir de la MalmaUon Carnations. —
Autumn layers which have not yet been trans-
ferred to their final jjots should be given this shift
without further delay, as the roots will soon be
active, and after that stage they are more liable
ta be injured during the operation. A suitable
compost is one consisting of three jjarts fibrous
yellow loam and one part peat, adding sufficient
coarse silver sand, charcoal and lime rubble to
maintain porosity. Place thin green stakes to
the young shoots and make these secure by tying
with raffia. Owing to the dryness of the atmo-
sphere in the Carnation houses at this season
both red spider and aphides are frequently
troublesome, and it will be necessary to syringe
or vaporise with insecticides. Specimen plants
potted up in the autumn for early blooming
should be placed in an atmospheric temperature
of 50° at night, allowing an increase of 5° or 10°
during the day, and admitting air on all favour-
able occasions. When the flower-buds appear
some approved fertiliser may be applied and'
alternative waterings with soot-water.

Chrysanthemums. — As cuttings of the exhibi-
tion varieties which have formed roots are re-
moved to a position near the glass in a cool
greenhouse or frame, the propagating cases may
be utilised for later batches of cuttings of
decorative bush and single Chrysanthemmns.

Caladivms. — Select a few of the earliest;
ripened corms of such Caladiums as C. argyrites
and C. erubescens for the cultivation in the
stove, starting them at once.

Forcing house. — As the present plants become
unattractive, let further batches be introduced of
Dutch bulbs, Lily of the Valley, Freesias, shrubs,
and any other plants which happen to be in
flower.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. VV. PEniGKiiW, Superintendent of City Parks,
Cardiff, Glamorganshire.

Utilisation of school jilaygroiinds. — In the
densely-populated districts of many towns and
cities the space available for recreative purposes
is so limited that the park authorities are often
compelled to use the playgrounds of the council
schools as auxiliary recreation grounds. Al-
though these have many drawbacks, and can
only, of necessity, be used after school hours and
during holidays, they may, if carefully managed,
be made to fulfil a very useful part in park
economy, by keeping young children out of much
physical and moral danger, by attracting them
away from the crowded streets and thoroughfares
of the town. From their restricted area and
their close proximity to buildings, the manage-
ment of school yards as general playgrounds is
fraught with much more difficulty than in the
case of ordinary recreation grounds. In the
former there is always a danger of the play be-
coming monotonous to the children, and the con-
sequent temptation of their getting into mischief
and doing damage to adjoining property.

Supcrvi-'-ion. — To make the best use of a school
playground, it is necessary that an official should
be in constant attendance to supervise and or-
ganise games. For this latter purpose a certain
amount of apparatus, such as giant-strides,
swings, &c.. is essential. Only children attending
day school ought to be permitted within the play-
grounds.

ResponsibiHty for cost. — In localities where the
utilisation of playgrounds after school hours and
during holidays has proved a failure, and their
use discontinued, it will generally be found
on investigation that no serious steps had
been taken to encourage children to frequent
them. In some towns the playgrounds of public
schools are not thrown open for general use sim-
ply because the education authority and the parks
department cannot agree as to whose duty it is
to arrange and pay for the supervision of the
ground, and make good any damage that may be
done to property. That the provision of recrea-
tion for children after school hours is not one of
the functions of an education authority should
not require much proving, and that it is the
duty of the parks authority to do so should re-
quire less, seems quite obvious to anyone giving
the question a moment's consideration. The cost .
of upkeep and supervision of pLaygrounds. when
used as indicated, should be borne entirely by
the parks department.

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

39

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener. to the Hon, Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenbiiin House, Herlfordsbire,

Ileihaceous plants. — The mild weather* provitjes
exceplional opportunities tor the carrying out of
all kinds of ground work, and no effort should be
spared to complete these operations as soon as
possible. The renovation of borders of her-
baceous plants requires the e-xercise of much skill
and forethought. It is necessary to take into
consideration the heights of the various plants,
the habit of growth, season of blooming, and the
colours of their flowers. Another matter of con-
sequence is to select only those plants which have
the greater merit. I strongly recommend the
exclusion of many of the stronger-growing
species, which sometimes occupy valuable .space
that could be filled with plants of better habit,
of more recent introduction and greater interest.
There can usually be found places in other parts
of the garden or semi-wild garden that might be
planted with herbaceous plants of the more
robust-growing type, including such species as
Polygonum, Solidago, Helianthemum, Bocconia,
perennial Asters, Aconitum, and the commoner
varieties of Delphinium, If these are given a
little attention at the time of planting in order to
enable them to get a good start, they will flourish
successfully under somewhat adverse conditions.
In many gardens the hardy flower borders are
severely called upon to supply flowers for use in
the mansion, and for this reason alone it is neces-
sary to select plants that are known to be excep-
tionally free-flowering, and that bloom well for a
long period. Such subjects include Phloxes, Gail-
lardias, Pyrethrums, Astilbes, Iris germanica.
Pinks, and Kniphofias, All these plants, with
the exception of more recent varieties, are easily-
procured at a moderate expense, and should be
included in every collection. In dealing with
bt.rders of more than average dimensions it is
well to group the more robust and free-flowering
subjects according to their size, but this grouping
must not be done to such an extent as to cause
the border to have an unattractive appearance
when certain species pass out of bloom. Although
as a general rule it is best to arrange the plants
according to their approximate height, neverthe-
less if this is done in the main an excellent effect
will be produced by planting some of the speci-
ally effective or interesting subjects nearer to the
fiTnt, thus making them " dot " plants that will
strike the eye. As many varieties of plants
should be included in these borders as possible,
the plants need not be allowed to attain to a
large size, for better results will follow if the
clitmps are taken up every other year, or less
often, divided and replanted. Always plant
firmly, and, when dividing herbaceous plants,
select the most vigorous portions for replanting.
Label each plant neatly as the work proceeds.

Gennral worl-. — Improvements and alterations
that were decided upon during the last season of
growth other than the overhauling of herbaceous
borders should be completed, and the ground
neatly forked over. Take the greatest care to
preserve all labels, keeping them in their proper
place. In cases where the ground has to be
trenched or dug. care must be taken to remove
the plants temporarily, laying them in until it
is convenient to replant them.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Viggiiii; and trenrhuuj. — These operations
will continue for some time to come. Most kit-
chen-garden crops require a considerable depth
of soil, therefore it is desirable to trench and
manure as much ground as possible each season,
in order that the lower portion of the soil may-
be brought into a position in w-hich it will be
exposed to the influences of the weather. It will
be found that crops cultivated in soil treated in
this manner w-ill remain freer from pests than
when the ground is merely dug over.

Early Peas. — A liberal sowing of early Peas
may now be made either on a well-prepared
border or similar position. Young Pea plants
are more prone to suffer injury from cold winds
in March and April than from moderate frosts.
If these early Peas are sown in trenches 6 inches
deep and the seeds are covered with fine soil
2 inches deep, the trenches remaining 4 inches
deep will afford the tiny plants some protection

directly after they show through the ground.
One of the best varieties for early sowing is that
known as Pilot, It should be sown in rows 4 feet
distant from each other, and the haulm may be
expected to grow 2^ feet high.

Peas in pots. — In gardens where convenieirces
exist for the cultivation of Peas in pots, small
sowings may be made at intervals from the pre-
sent time until the end of February. Thus may
an occasional dish of Peas be obtained in April
and May. Pots 8 inches in diameter are large
enough for present sowings, but as the season
advances 10-inch pots may be employed. A good
rich soil is necessary, but only moderate heat,
which at night must not exceed 50°. Harbinger,
Sutton's Seedling, and Chelsea Gem are excellent
varieties for pot culture.

Broad Beans. — These should be sown as soon
as the soil is in a suitable condition, in heavy,
rich soil of considerable depth. The seeds may
be sown in rows 3 feet apart, allowing 6 inches
between each plant and covering the seeds
3 inches deep.

Summer Spinach. — Seeds of Spinach may now
be sown in as good a position as can be spared
for this crop, sow in drill at 1 foot apart, making
them 1 inch deep. As soon as the plants can be
seen above the ground, the surface soil should be
stirred with the hoe, and afterwards be kept per-
fectly free from weeds.

Carrots in pits.—li a sowing has not already
been mads in a pit, this should he done without
delay, choosing a pit where a bed of leaves can
be placed to the depth of 3 feet or 4 feet. These
leaves should be trodden firmly, and they will
afford sufficient warmth to the soil until the crop
hi in an advanced stage of growth. Carrots re-
quire a light, rich soil at least 8 inches deep. It
should be made moderately firm, and its surface
should not be more thaii 1 foot from the glass.
The seeds may either be sown broadcast or in
rows 6 inches apart. They should be covered
halfan-iiich deep with finely-sifted soil. As soon
as the young plants can be seen air must be
admitted in sufficient quantities to prevent the
growths becoming drawn, and frequent waterings
with rtun-w-ater will be necessary.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B, GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulion Paddocks, Newmarket.

Pearlies and Xeetartnes. — Trees which were
started early in November being now in bloom
will require a moderately dry atmosphere until
the fruits have set. Employ a little ventilation
whenever the weather is favourable, and pol-
linate the flowere each day about noon, using a
camel's hair brush or rabbit's tail for this pur-
pose. Th© atmospheric temperature at night
should now be from 50° to 55°, and by day these
temperatures may rise 5° or 8" higher. Dur-
ing dull and damp w-eather it is desirable to
employ a little extra fire-heat during the middle
of the day ; this will ailow- the top ventilators
to be opened for a few hours, and the change
of temperature thus obtained will help to pro-
mote the setting of the fruits.

Successional trees. — Successional houses
should now be closed, and a minimum tempera-
ture of 45° maintained at night. Give the
borders a good soaking with tepid water if they
are found to be in the least dry. While forc-
ing operations are in progress, see that those
parts of the border nearest to the hot-water
pipes do not suffer from drought. A light
mulching of manure obtained from a spent
Mushroom bed will serve to encourage roots
near to the surface, and also to conserve moisture
iir the border. Do not syringe the trees each
day without considering the character of the
w-eather out-of-doors, for there is no advantage
to be gained by keeping the house excessively
wet at this stage of growth. Its effect would
be to hurry the trees into growth before the
flower-buds open, which in some cases may be
distorted or even pushed off the shoots by the
developing growths. Syringe the trees, there-
fore, during the bright weather only, and at
other times damp the paths in the houses once
or twice each day, according to the degree of
fire-heat that is in use. If the borders of any ■
of the earlier Peach-honses extend out-of-doors,
it is desirable to mulch these portions with a
few inches deep of stable litter, and afterwards

to cover them with sheets of corrugated iron to.
protect them from rains and snow.

Late-fruitiny trees. — These must now be got
ready for starting. Any pruning requiring to
be done must be carried out. Take care to leave
a good supply of young wood at the base of
each tree. Thin the shoots liberally, if this is
necessary to provide sufficient space for tieing
in the young wood without overcrowding. A
well-balanced tree should have the branches a
little closer at the sides than in the centre. In
the case of pyramid or pot trees, thin the shoots
somewhat severely, leaving only sufficient of the
most sturdy .shoots for bearing'fruit. When the
pruning has been done, sponge the trees with
some good insecticide, and thoroughly scrub any
rough baji-k on the older part of the tree'.
Cleanse the wood-work, trellis and glass of the
house, both inside and out, with hot soapy-
water, and apply a liberal coating of limewash.
to the inside of the walls. In the case of old-
established trees, remove carefully the loose, and
inert soil from the surface of the border, and
in its place apply a top-dressing consisting of
four parts loam and one part each of well-de-
cayed manure and old mortar rubble, with a
sprinkling of bonemeal. Tread or beat the fresh
material until it is quite firm, and afterwards
apply a mulch as advised for the earlier trees.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence^
Bart,, Burford, Surrey.

Platyclinis.— The growths of P. glumacea and
the variety valida, when about 2 inches high,
commence to send forth a number of roots which
quickly enter the soil, and if the old potting
material is worn out, or the plant needs a larger
receptacle, it may then be repotted. If it is in-
convenient to repot the plant at that time, it
should be done immediately after the flowers
fade. The variety valida can easilv be distin-
guished from the type by its broader foliage,
pale-green-'coloured growths, more robust habit,
and shorter but less graceful inflorescence.
Either pots or shallow pans may be used, but
pans are preferable, as they are, by means of
suitable copper-wire handles, easilv" suspended
to the roof. They should be provided with an
ample drainage of clean, broken crocks to three-
fourths of their depth. A compost consisting
of Osmunda fibre. Poly-podium fibre, and Sphag-
num-moss in equal parts will suit all the members
of this genus. These materials should be cut up
moderately fine, and be well mixed together.
Should the Sphagnum-moss be very wet, the
water should be well squeezed out of it and
plenty of very small crocks added. Very little
water will be needed for a week or two after
repotting; merely keep the surface of the com-
post just moist by using a fine spraver, or fine-
rose watering can. After that time, and all
through the growing season, water must be freely-
supplied, and on bright days the under sides of
the leaves should be syringed, in order to keep
them clean and free from red spider. P. uncata,
now in bloom with about 50 of its pretty and
graceful racemes of greenish-yellow flowers. "forms
a striking and pleasing object. The slender
flower-spikes are produced from the centre of
the young breaks, which are at present only half-
grown. Afford this plant copious supplies rf
wat€r until the growth is fully matured. P,
Cobbiana is another pretty species that has re-
cently gone out of bloom, and -mill require similar
treatment to P. uncata. The summer-flowering
P. fUiformis has completed its growths, and will
consequently require less water at the root, but,
although the plant is at rest, the compost and
roots should be kept just moist, in order to pre-
vent the small bulbs from shrivelling; the thin
grass-like foliage must be sponged and sprayed
often, to prevent insect pests. All the species of
Platyclinis thrive well suspended to the roof of
the intermediate house, in a light position, but
where the sun does not at any time shine directly
upon them.

Catfleya Trlance and C. Percivaliana. —
Plants of these species that are now prominenth'
showing their flower-buds in the sheaths should
be given rather more water at the root, but do
not saturate the compost, or the roots will pro-
bably decay. As the flowers open, the quantity
should be lessened by degrees, and the plants
kept moderately dry till growth recommences.

40

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens oj plants
ior iiaminfi, should be adiinssed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be WRiTXtN on oni£ side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as 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.— T/itf Editors do not
undertake to fay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused covnnunications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors ao not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Ncwspapers.~Correspondents sending neivspapers should be
ccvejulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to sie.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20—

Gard. Roy. Benev. Inst. Ann. Meet, and Election of
Pensioners at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand, 2.45 p-m.
Friendly supper in the evenint^. Linnean Soc. meet.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 -Roy. Inst. Lecture.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 38-6".
Actual Temperatures: —

LouDou. — IVedjicsilay^ January 72 (6 p.m.): Max. 40°;
Min. 34".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden London — Thursday^ January 13
(10 a.m.): Bar; 8a-2; Temp. 38°; Weatlter—
Bright.
Provinces. — Wednesday, January 12', Max. 43" W.
Ireland; Min. Si'-" Durham.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY —

Bulbs, Perennials, Liliums, &c., at 12 ; Roses and Fruit
Trees, at 1.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Dutch Bulbs, Herbaceous Plants, Hardy Bulbs, &c.,
at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30; Azaleas, Palms,
Ferns, &c., at 5; Trade Sale of Miscellaneous Plants
and Bulbs, at 12; 1,644 cases Japanese Lilies, Iris,
Acers, &c., at 2.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris.

Unreserved Sale of Choice Cypripediums from the
" Willow Wood " Collection of Orchids, by order of
Dre^vett 0. Drevvett, Esq., at The Coal Exchange,
Manchester, by Protheroe & Morris, at 1.

In a recent publication, on the
Why Plants subject of plant colour and sun-
Green !» I'g'i') Professor Stahl endea-
vours to supply an answer to the
problem: Whj' plants are green? The facts
that plants contain a green substance, chloro-
phyll, and that this substance is a mixture of
two pigments, one blue-green and the other
yellow-orange, are well known. The ques-
tion to which Stahl seeks a reply is:
Why should chlorophyll be green ? Since a
solution of chlorophyll, held up to the light,
looks green, it follows that it allows the green
rays of the spectrum to pass, and that it ab-
sorbs much of the red and blue end of the
spectrum ; just as green signal glass is
green because it absorbs much of the red and
blue and transmits the green. The origii.ol
question, therefore, is capable of restatement
in the following terms : Why do plants, all
the world over, possess a pigment which is
transparent to green light, but more or less
opaque to red and blue light .!* We know, of
course, that the plant utilises the energy of
sunlight for the manufacture of one of its
chief food-substances — sugar. AVe know
further that it is the energy of the red and
orange end of the spectrum which is employed
by the plant for this purpose. Stahl con-
cludes from his experiments that the energy
of the blue end of the spectrum is also made
use of by the plant for running the machinery
engaged in sugar-manufacture. That this is
the case is indicated also by the work of pre-
vious observers.

Incidentally, it may be remarked that it
follows from these well-established facts that
the old practice of growing shade-plants,
Ferns for instance, in a house glazed with
green glass is unsound. Suoh glass will stop
much of the red and blue parts of the spec-
trum, that is, the parts which are required
for doing the work of food manufacture. As
is generally recognised in practice, the weak-
ening of the light to which such plants are
subjected is best secured by shading. But, to
return to'our problem. If, as we know is the
case, light is ind'spensable for plants, why
should not chlorophj'll be black or grey. For
substances of these colours would absorb
equally all parts of the spectrum, and so put
more energy at the disposal of the leaves, and
hence, as it might be supposed, speed up the
process of manufacture. That the pigment-
producing powers of plants are not restricted
to green is evident from the colours of flo\\ ers,
fruits, and red-foliaged plants. In particular,
the red .Sea-weeds possess a red pigment sur-
rounding and making the green chlorophyll.
A piece of red Sea-weed dipped into hot water
turns green, owing to the destruction of the
red pigment, xvhic-h hides the green chloro-
phyll which lies beneath it.

Hence, it cannot be urged that plants are
green because they cannot form any other
leaf-pigment.

Now, we understand fairly well, in the case
of the red Sea-weed, the meaning of the pre-
sence of this extra, masking pigment. The
red Sea-weeds live, for the most part, in deep
water. AVater is not perfectly transparent.
Indeed, we may say that water is a lilue
liquid ; for, if there be a sufficient thickness
of water, the only rays which pass through
it are those at the blue end of the spectrum.
Therefore, the light which reaches a piece of
red Sea-weed in deep water is deficient in the
red and orange rays. The red and orange,
however, are the parts of the spectrum which
chlorophyll ab.sorbs and utilizes for doing
manufacturing work. To meet the contin-
gency of a shortage of radiant energy,
the red Sea-weed devises a red ingment, which
absorbs some green and blue light and puts
the energy of these parts of the spectrum at
the di-sposal of the plant. Thus we may say
that the pigment of the red Sea-weed is com-
plementary in colour to that of the light which
falls upon it. The light in deep water is
mainly green-blue ; the pigment is of the com-
plementary colour, namely, red, and the result
of this is that the available light is absorbed.
Recent experiments by another observer have
shown that this principle of the pigment of a
plant being complementary in colour to that
of the light which falls upon it holds good in
a remarkable way for another set of plants —
the blue-green Algie. According to these ex-
periments the actual colour of a blue-green
Algoe changes according to the quality of the
light which falls upon it, the change being of
such a nature that the resulting pigment is
complementary in colour to that of the light.

Applying these ideas to green plants, Stahl
reaches the conclusion that the greenness of
vegetation is the result of an adaptation on
the part of plants to the quality of light that
falls on them. This light is of two kinds —
direct and diffuse. In direct sunlight the red
and orange rays predominate. One compon-
ent of chlorophyll, a blue-green pigment, is,
as it were, a specialist for the absorption of

these red and orange rays. In diffuse light
there is less of the red and orange part of the
spectrum and more of the blue; the other
constituent of chlorophyll, a yellow-orange
pigment, secures the absorption of the blue
lays. Thus, by virtue of its two pigments,
which, together, constitute the green chloro-
phyll, the plant makes the best of both
worlds; the world of direct sunlight and that
of diffuse sunlight. Black and grey would be
too efficient, for the machinery of the leaf is
delicate and subject to injury. Even as it is,
in intense sunlight the chlorophyll-apparatus
is apt to be damaged if too much light is ab-
sorbed. A green pigment secures tlie happy
mean. By it, alike on bright days and dull
days, enough radiant energy is absorbed to
drive the plant's machinery, but not so much
as to over-drive it.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — As

an example of high cultivation ofCffilogyue cris-
tata, the specimen sho>vn in the Supplementary
Ilhistration is certainly remarkable. It was
grown by Jlr. E. Dolby, gardener to Zenus
Crane, Ksq., Dalton, Mass., U.S.A. In a letter
addressed to .Air. W. H. White, to whom we are
indebted for the photograph, Mr. Dolby states
that he started 20 years ago with a small plant,
and every year it has increased in size and
strength. When in flower the plant has a dia-
meter at the base of about 6 feet 5 inches, and
there are 1,400 flowers open on the plant at the
same time. Whenever it has been repotted
or retubbed, plenty of drainage has been
employed, and the plant has been raised or
coned up on a firm mass consisting of " peat "
(presumably American Osmunda fibre), Sphag-
num-moss and charco.il. Each year, fresh Sphag-
num-mass has been packed amongst the pseudo-
bulbs, placing layer upon layer, and making
a good, firm, solid compost. Through the sum-
mer the plant is kept cool and shaded from strong
sunshine. It is afforded an abundance of water
at the root, and occasionally an application of
weak, liquid manure w-ater. During the winter
the minimum atmospheric temperature is about
50°. Water is withheld during the flowering
period, and for a short time afterwards. Mr.
Dolby deserves the congratulations of English
Orchid growers on his highly-successful cultiva-
tion of this useful and well-known species.

The Royal Botanic Society. — In reply to
the letter from Jlr. Pe.vibroke S. Stephens,
printed on p. 26, the Rev. AV. Wilks, secre-
tary to the Royal Horticultural Society, has
sent the following letter: — " ' The letter of invi-
tation ' was written by me and not by our presi-
dent ; and it was published by Mr. H. J. Veitch,
a Fellow of both societies of long standing. AA'e
ha\ e, however, made no proposal, as we felt at
the conference that any definite ' proposal *
should have come from the Botanic — still more
should it do so now that your society ' is in a
better position relatively than for some years
past ' and its prospects are so good, as we were
glad to learn from your communication of De-
cember 7."

Royal Meteorological Society 'An

ordinary meeting uf the Society will be held at
the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great George
Street, Westminster, on January 19, at 7.30 p.m.
The annual general meeting will be held at 7.45
p.m. The Symons' Gold Medal will be pre-
sented to Dr. W. N. SHA^v, F.R.S., and an
address on " Some Relations of Meteorology with
Agriculture " will be delivered by Mr. Henry
Mellish, president.

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

11

National Vegetable Society. — The secre-
tary informs us that '[mvA Howard de Walden'
has presented a sum of seven guineas to consti-
tute the second prize in the class for a collection
of 12 kinds of vegetables, in which the first prize
of 10 guineas is offered by the President, the
Duke of Portland. The committee hope to
secure a liberal third prize, and thus make this
class one of the most important at the exhibition
to be held next September. The Committee hope
to publish the schedule in the course of a few
days.

LiNNEAN Society. — The next general meeting
of the Sucii>ty will be held on Thursday,
.January 20, at 8 p.m. ; it will be devoted to a
discussion on " The Orifjin of Vertebrates," in
which the following gentlemen have consented to
take part : Dr. Gaskell, Dr. Gadow, Mr.
Goodrich, Professor Starling, Professor JIac-
liRiDE, Dr. Smith Woodward, and Professor
Dendy.

The Gardeners' Royal Benevolent In-
stitution.— We are informed tliat the Hon.
Harry L. W. Lawson will preside on June 22
next at the 71st anniversary festival dinner, to
be held at the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel' Jletro-
pole, in aid of the funds of the Gardeners' Royal
Bti.evolent Institution.

The Barr Memorial. — The executive com-
mittee chai-ged witli the promotion of a
memorial to the late Peter Barr met
at the Royal Horticultural Society's Hal!
on Tuesday last. Jlr. William Marshall
was appointed chairman, Mr. Henry B. JIay
treasurer, and Mr. C. H. Curtis secretary. Our
readers will remember that the objects include
the provision of a Barr Gold Medal, to be
awarded each year by the Narcissus Committee,
and a sufficient sum of money to maintain a
child on the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund.
The committee will issue a public appeal for the
purposes as soon as possible.

"All About Sweet Peas." — We have
received from Mr. Robert Sydenham the fifth
edition of his popular little book on Sweet Peas.
It contains descriptions of varieties under 700
names, but it is pointed out that many of these
are too much alike to each other to be worth
keeping separate. ^luch useful information is
given on the cultivation and exhibition of Sweet
Peas. There are a few blank pages at the end of
the volume fur memoranda.

"My Garden Diary for 1910.' — This
dainty little Annual, from Messrs. Sutton &
Sons, is again before us. The 1910 issue, like its
forerunners, contains cultural reminders for each
month in the year, monthly notes on changes of
the moon, quarter days, and other events in
the business and sporting year; the average
reading of the barometer for each month, and
the average temperature and rainfall. This use-
ful little pamphlet is published by Messrs. SuTTON
& Sons at the price of Is.

"The British Fern Gazette."— The second
number of this new periodical, devoted exclu
sively to British Ferns, has just been issued
by the British Pteridological Society. It con-
tains a good illustration of Lastrea montana
plumosa, an article on spore propagation, an
enumeration of the Ferns discovered by Mr. Geo.
Whitwell, -an article on Polypodium vul-
gare by Mr. C. T. Druery, and one on the
hybridisation of Ferns. Dr. F. W. Stansfield
contributes interesting notes on some of the more
prominent pioneers in Fern- culture. The secre-
tary of the Pteridological Society is Mr. Geo.
Whitwei.l, Serpentine Cottage, Kendal, West-
moreland.

The Sutton Rose Society will hold its
annual show on July 2. The hon. secretary is
Jlr. C. W. Edwards, Brentwood, Ringstead
Road, Sutton.

The Leeds Paxton Society will hold a
Chrysanthemum Show in the Town Hall, Leeds,
on November 18, 19. The secretary is Mr. R. D.
Day, 12, Chandos Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds.

Kew Guild. — We are requested to state that
it has been decided by the committee that the
annual general meeting, to be followed by a
social gathering, will be held at Kew this year
on the Monday preceding the Temple Show, and
not at the Holborn Restaurant, as formerly.
Old Kewites are further asked to note that, in
accordance with the decision at the last annual
meeting, the next Journal will not be issued
until June. It will, in consequence, be a double
number. Jlr. A. G.irnett has temporarily under-
taken the duties of honorary secretary, and Mr.
J. CouTTS has been appointed honorary treasurer.

Proposed Union of the Edinburgh Hor-
ticultural Societies. — In our review of the
past year (p. 434, December 25), we expressed the
hope that the two principal horticultural socie-
ties in Scotland would amalgamate. It is, there-
fore, gratifying to know there are indications
that the councils of both societies recognise the
desirability of the union. At a largely-attended
meeting of the joint coimcils of the Scottish
Horticultural Associ.ition and the Royal Cale-
donian Horticultural Society, Mr. J. W.
M'Hattie in the chair, the position of both
societies was fully discussed. On the motion of
Mr. W. H. Mas.sie, it was unanimously resolved
to " report to the annual business meetings of
both Societies that, at a joint meeting of the
councils, held on January 7, 1910, it was agreed
to recommend to the members that, in the in-
terests of Scotti.';h horticulture, it is highly de-
sirable that negotiations be entered into with a
view to their amalgamation." It looks, there-
fore, as if we may soon expect to witness a re-
vival of horticultural acti\ity in Edinburgh
under the direction of a united and strong
council.

"Small Holdings- at Berlin. — The
authorities of the city of Berlin have in view
the formation of small holdings on the civic
landed estates, situated in various parts of the
metropolis. .\ resolution on the subject has been
[uepared and presented by a deputation from the
canal works and the Berlin estates. In the
coming estimates means are to be found for the
establishment of a farm in Frederikenhof. The
holders will engage principally in market-gar-
dening, and 1,725 hectares of the town lands are
already let to tenants.

Dr. F. Franceschi. — After a period of about
15 years .is head of the Southern California
Acclimatising Association, Dr. Franceschi has
retired from the position. He will introduce and
test new plants at his residence, Montarioso,
City of Santa Barbara, California.

Germans on British Forestry. —In view
of the controversy in the Press as to the prac-
ticability of the afforestation scheme submitted
b5' the Royal Commission, it may be of interest
to note the opinions of German experts with re-
gard to the question. Dr. Schwapp.4CH, Profes-
sor at the Royal School of Forestry at Ebers-
walde, and one of the best known of all experts
in forestrv, discus.sed the question in a recent
issue of the AUijemeine Forst und Jagd Zeifung,
a paper devoted entirely to forestry and game
preserving. He first gives an outline of the
scheme, and then proceeds to discuss it from
a German standpoint. In his opinion, the com-

missioners' scheme is decidedly well thought out.
He maintains that the soil in the British Islands
is distinctly favourable, and the climate better
than the average in Germany-, whilst the de-
mand for timber is very high. The only reason
that the existing woods in England do not pay
is simply because they are badly managed. 'The
question of unemployment is, in his opinion, a
difficult one, owing to the obstacles in getting
the men to the places where they are needed,
and to the ever-changing number of men out of
work. Although the commissioners may think
that they have solved this problem, he is of
opinion that it is impossible to get together, from
the ranks of the unemployed, enough men of the
right kind, although in a few years there would
be less difficulty in finding them. Professor
Schwappach thinks the estimates too low for
damage by fire, storms, insects and fungi, and
that the expense of organising unemployed
labour would work out dearer than if skilled
men were employed in the first place. In spite
of this, he points out that the question of un-
employment should rot be allowed to drop, for
although the unemployed may not be suitable
for forest work, they will be indirectly affected
by the increase in labour. In England, he says,
there are not at present enough trained men to
take control of such a gigantic scheme, whilst
the antagonistic attitude of certain landowners, as
shown through the Press, cannot be too strongly
condemned. He expresses the hope that this most
important question may be soon taken up in Eng-
land, and that the scheme now under considera-
tion may have better luck than previous schemes
have had. Dr. Schultze, in the Deutsche Forst-
zeiluiuj, also takes a decidedly favourable view,
his remarks as to the favourable conditions cf
soil, situation. &c., being practically identical
with those of Prof. Schwappach. He com-
pares the areas under timber in the more im-
portant countries of Europe, and points out that
England, with its small forest area, would be
practically without w-ood should the private
owners, to whom it nearly all belongs, decide
to cut down and not replace these trees. He
sees no objection to the use of the unem-
ployed for this work; indeed, he points out that
in view of the lack of work in England, the
people should lose no time in taking up the sub-
ject. He believes that the commercial aspect
of the scheme is sure to appeal to the English
people, who, with their characteristic thorough-
ness, coupled with the apprehension of unem-
ployed, which is an ever-pressing problem with
them, will not rest content until the scheme sug-
gested by the Commission, or a similar one, has
been put into operation. They have, he says, the
land, the climate, and the demand for timber.
They also have plenty of labour ; it does not seem
to require anything more, except the co-operation
of landowners, to enable the British Islands in
time to produce most of the timber they need.

An Apple-spraying Calendar. — At the con-
clusion of a thorough and admirably-illustrated
account of their investigations into the life his-
tory of the Apple-blotch fungus (Phyllosticta
solitaria), Messrs. Scott & Rorer publish the
following recommendations for the combined
spraying treatment of Apple orchards to keep
down Apple blotch, scab, bitter rot, codlin
moth and other enemies of the trees. The
spray recommended is Bordeaux mixture 4 : 4 —
6 : 50 ; that is, 4 lbs. of copper sulphate,
4 to 6 of lime (four if it slakes com-
pletely into a smooth paste), and 50 gallons
of water. The spraj'ing apparatus recommended
is a gasoline power outfit. First application : just
before the blossoms open. Important for scab.
Second application : Immediately after the petals
have fallen. This constitutes the second treat-
ment for scab, and the first for the codlin moth.

42

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

and is the most important treatment for each.
In the Bordeaux mixture 2 lbs. of lead arsenate
or 6 ozs. of Paris green (for control of codlin moth
and other insects). Third application; Three to
four weeks after the second ; for Apple blotch
and codlin moth. Fourth application : Eight to
nine weeks after the petals have fallen. This is
the first treatment for bitter rot, the second for
blotch and the third for the codlin moth. Fifth
application : Two to three weeks after the fourth;
it is the second treatment for bitter rot, the
third for blotch, and is important for the codlin
moth. Sixth application : Three weeks after the
fifth, last treatment for bitter rot and blotch, and
is important for prevention of late infections and
for control of the second brood of the codlin
moth. If in a particular locality scab is the only
serious fungus pest, then only applications one to
three need be given as above, using in fifth and
sixth the arsenical spray only. In the second
application the strength of the spray should be
reduced to 2 to 3 lbs. copper sulphate, 3 to 4 lbs.
lime to 50 gallons of water, in order to reduce
damage to setting fruit. The contribution, which

Development of the Soy Bean. — The Soy
Bean (Glycine hispida, Maxim) is an important
article of food in China, Japan, and India, being
largely cultivated in all these countries. In India
it is widely spread in the outer Himalaya and
tropical regions from Kuniaon to Sikkim, and
from Khasia and the Naga Hills to Upper
Burmah. Its experimental culture in some
warmer parts of Europe has been attended with
some success, but it is especially in the East
that the plant has obtained importance as an
economic species. There are numerous varieties,
distinguished by the size, shape, and colour of
tha seeds, the chemical composition of which,
says Sir Arthur Church, " entitles the Soy
Bean to the highest place, even amongst the
pulses, as a food capable of supplementing the
deficiencies of Rice and of other eminently
starchy grains. Very few vegetable products are
so rich as this Bean at once in albuminoids and
in fat or oil, the former constituent amounting,
on the average, to 35 per cent., and the latter to
19." For culinary purposes the ripe Beans ive
recommended to be soaked for a long time in

Fig. 28. — BEAUMONTIA GRANDIFLORA IN THE NATAL BOTANIC GARDENS,

is published by the Bureau of Plant Industry
(Bulletin No 144, 1909), U.S. Department of
Agriculture, demonstrates the thoroughness with
which the department is dealing with orchard
pests and the firmness of the belief of the Ameri-
cans in the remunerative results to be obtained
by regular, periodical spraying. The spraying,
it should be noted, is done partly through two
33 feet leads of discharge hose, the operators
working from the ground, and one, of 15 feet,
for the use of a man in the tower of the outfit
to enable the tops of the trees to be reached.
Each lead is attached to a 10 feet bamboo spray
rod fitted with a double Vermorel nozzle, de-
flected so as to direct the spray inward and down-
ward. Among the plates illustrating the text are
several contrasting the crops obtained from pro-
perly sprayed and unsprayed trees. It is by no
means improbable that the discordant result*
announced by various people in this country who
have adopted spraying as a general method of
keeiiing down pests, are due to unsystematic
methods. For this reason we have dealt at
length with the series of experiments by Messrs.
SCCTT & RORBR.

warm water before they are cooked. In addition
to the direct use of these Beans as an article of
food they furnish, in China and Japan, the well-
known sauce known as Soy, which is imported
into Europe in considerable quantities, forming,
it is said, the chief ingredient in most of the
well-known table sauces. After the expression
of an edible oil the residue is made into a kind
of Bean cake, mostly of a large size and circular
shape, and sometimes weighing as much as 60 lbs.
These cakes are used both for feeding cattle and
as manure for the land. One of these large cakes
is exhibited in the Ivew Museum. Quoting again
from Sir Arthur Church: "These residual
cakes form an e.xtremely rich cattle food, con-
taining as they do 40 per cent, of flesh formus
and 7 per cent, of oil." With all these ciualifi-
cations it may seem strange that the Bean has
not become generally utilised in European com-
merce. The production of Bean cake is one of
the most important industries of Manchuria, and
from recent advertisements in the daily Press
of a new " Soya " biscuit, together with the
following extract from the Daily Telegraph on
the increasing traffic in these Bcz-ns, it would

seem that something of this nature is now being
accomplished. Our contemporary says: "It is
strange to what impulse the recent improvement
in the shipping outlook may be attributed. For
instance, nobody would have imagined that the
export of Beans from Manchuria would have
been on a scale of such magnitude as to give quite
a fillip to freights by providing many cargoes
and drawing ships away on long distance
voyages. This export trade seems to have
assumed big proportions in a remarkably short
space of time. One of its centres is the port of
Dalny, and it is said that during the season
which began in November, 1908, and closed in
.June, 1909, over 150,000 tons of Beans were
shipped thence to Europe, chiefly to Livevjool,
Hull, and Bremen. During the same period
143,000 tons were shipped from Vladivostock, of
which more than one-half came to the United
Kingdom. At the present time the trade has
assumed even greater dimensions, and is afford-
ing business for 1 large amount of British ship-
ping. It would appear that the export can be
developed enormously, and that there is a very
large market for the article. It is used in this,
country for the production of oil suitable for
cooking, soap making, lubricating, and other pur-
poses. At the same time the crushed Beans form
an admirable food for cattle. It is said that
attention was first called to the Soya Bean when
manufacturers of cottonseed oil found their sup-
plies from India and Egypt falling short. This,
sort of thing is catching, and there is now an.
expectation that Central China will endeavour to
compete with Manchuria for the European
market." Thus it would seem that we have
here, in this one plant, sources of three new
|)roducts — namely, meal for human food as well
as for cattle feeding, a new source of oil, and a
new by-product for use as manui-e.

Publications Received. — Bulletin of Mis-
cellaneous Information. Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, No. 10 (London : Darling & Son, Ltd.)
Price 3d. (Contents: Phytochemical Investiga-
tions at Kew, Diagnoses Africaiue, Malayan Ferns,
and miscellaneous notes.) — Journal ol Botany 1 01
January, (West, Newman & Co., bi , Hatton Gar-
den, London.) — t/niuersiYj' of Illinois, Agiicul-
tural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. IIU; Dairy
Suggestions, by VVilber J. Praser and Hoyden E.
Brand. Bulletin No. 137 : A Study of Factors
lulluencing the Compo.sidon of Butter, by Carl E.
Lee, Nelson W. Hepburn, and Jesse M. Barnhart.
Circular No, 133 : Feeding the Pig, by Wm.
Dietrich, Assistant Chief in Swine Husbandry.
Circular No. 131 : Handling of Cream and Making
of Butter on the Farm, by Carl K. Lee —
Volunte XXIV. of Boletim da Sociedale
Broteriana. (Coimbra University,) — Su^ect Peos,.
by Walter P. Wright. (London : Headk-y
Bros.) Price 2s. net, — Quarterly Journal of
Forestry. No. 1, vol. iv, (January, 1910.}
(London : Laughton & Co., Ltd.) Price 2s.
— Colonial and Foreign Statistics, Vol. xliii..
Part IV., Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.
(London : Eyre & Spotliswoode, Ltd ) Price G^d.
Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits and Fedc
rated Malay States, by H. M. Ridley. (December,
1909.) (Straits Times Picss, Ltd., Singapore.) —
Practical Rose- growing in All Forms, by F. VV,
Dodds. Price Is. and 2s. 6d.

BEAUMONTIA GRANDIFLORA IN NATAL.

This evergreen climber is a very beautiful
object when rambling over a trellis or depending
from the roof-rafters of a waiin greenhouse or
stove. But it has a better effect when seen in
full flower out-of-doors. The plants illustrated
in fig. 28 are growing in the Natal Botanic Gar-
dens. They were planted out ten years ago at the
foot of a bank. The stronger shoots were pegged
down, and they now cover an area of 300 square
yards. The flowers are pure white. We are in-
debted to .Mr. James Wylie. the curator of the
N.ital Gardens, for the photograph.

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

43

GOGKROAGHES IN PLANT HOUSES.

These destructive insects belong to the Orthop-
tera, which also includes the grasshoppers,
locustSj crickets, and leaf and stick insects. The
common cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is familiar
to most gardeners. Two other species, namely, B.
australasiae and B. americana, are also fairly com-
mon in plant structures; whilst more rare in this
country are two species of Nauphoeta, N. cinerea
and N. Brazzse, and the distinct and pretty Leu-
cophaea surinamensis. They feed during the
night, and, without exception, are extremely de-
structive to plants, feeding principally upon the
soft tissues of both leaves and flowers. Flowers
having a strong perfume, such as Orchids,
Eucharis, Crinums, and Hedychiums, are often
badly attacked by these pests, whilst other
flowers near by are left uninjured.

The eggs of the cockroach are not laid separ-
ately, but are enclosed in a bard, brown case,

jars, each containing a small quantity of oil,
were placed about the house, and as many as
76 cockroaches have been found in a single jar
The oil requires to be changed every third day,
as it quickly becomes rancid in a warm house,
and unattractive to the pests. The jar
should always be placed against a wall or plant,
so as to afford a foothold to reach the mouth of
the jar. Other cheap and effective baits which
may be used in place of, or alternated with, the
oil, are treacle and water, and treacle and beer.
These also require to be replenished when they
become sour.

Amongst poisons, phosphorus paste, Chase's
beetle poison, and Beetle-cute have all been tried
frequently, but I have found flowers and foliage
attacked when surrounded with these baits. The
revolving metal traps are, in my opniion, almost
valueless. If a hedgehog is present in a house
during the night-time where these pests abound,
it will destroy many of them. C. P. EafjUl.

Fig. 2g. — flowering spray of beaumontia grandifloka : flowers white,

KSee p. 42.)

usually about a quarter of an inch long. Each
case contains about 16 eggs, and is at first car-
ried about by the female, attached to the abdo-
men by a gummy matter. Later, they are left in
dark nooks and crannies, where they remain un-
til the young are hatched. In the adult cock-
roach the body is flattened ; the antennae are long
and thread-like.

One of the best means of eradicating these
pests from plant houses is to carefully stop up,
with cement or mortar, any holes in the walls.
Particular attention should be paid to cavities
near the hot-water pipes, and especially the holes
in the brickwork where the hot-water pipes are
carried through, as it is in such warm, dry places
that they hide during the daytime. In small
houses this method of dealing with them is far
more effective than the use of traps or poisons.
In large houses, which afford numerous hiding-
places, other means of destroying them must be
adopted. One of the best means of trapping
cocki-oaches I discovered, quite by accident, in
the Palm House, at Kew, some 10 years ago. A
bottle of sweet oil, which was used for oiling
tools, was accidentally broken one evening, and
next morning a portion of the bottle containing a
small quantity of the oil was found to be full of
cockroaches. After this, a large number of jam

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editors do not hold themselves respmsibU for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Effect of Grass on Trees. — Mr.

Elwes' testimony (see p. 13) as to the way
in which trees of many descriptions thrive
on grassland can be supported from 10,000
lawns, parks and meadows. So far as fruit trees
are concerned, I do not know that any one
advises the immediate surfacing over the soil
above the roots with turf or with grass from
seeds. That is done only when trees are planted
to form a grass orchard, and many such orchards
exist with trees of great age and in a fine con-
dition of health. No one familiar with modern
requirements in fruit culture would regard grass
orchards as presenting the most suitable way of
growing fruits in this country, although in
the colonies there seems to be vast quantities
of superb fruit produced from standard trees on
grass. No cultivator would dream of surfacing
his orchards with grass, not only because the
grass absorbs nutriment from the soil to the
disadvantage of the trees, but also because it
is impossible to give the trees the benefit of
manurial dressings other than chemical manures.
I am by no means sure that ju-actical fruit-
growers would agree with Mr. Elwes in thinking
that further extensive experiments in relation

to the effect of grass on tree roots are needful,
because, as they do not usually grow fruit on
grass, the matter would have no interest for them.
If any experiments can be undertaken which
shall help to show practical men how to grow
still finer fruit than they now obtain, and to
secure heavier crops, well and good ; but, after
all, the finest of all experiments in that direction
are those undertaken by the growers themselves
in their plain, practical way. A. D.

"The Vegetable Growers' Guide." —

Whilst thanking you for the appreciative refer-
ence to the Veyetuble Growers' Guide on p. 4, I
may state, as a fact, that impaired health pre-
cluded my taking any part in either writing or
editing the work. Whatever value it may possess
is due to my sons. What a splendid New Year's
issue of the Gardeners' Chronicle — a " record,"
surely, in horticultural journalism ! John
Wright, Wandsworth.

EuPATORiuM Raffillii (see p. 10).— The
specific name of this plant should be atro-rubens.
If Lemaire's L' Illustration Horlicole, vol. ix.
(1852), t. 310, be referred to, it will be seen that
the figure there given of Hebeclinium atro-rubens
is exactly the same plant as Eupatorium Raffillii
figured in the Botanical Mayazine, t. 8227.
There is also an uncoloured figure of it in Floral
World (1875), p. 371. In the early 'eighties it
was rather a common greenhouse plant, but it
appears to have been nearly lost to cultivation.
I have had it in my conservatory under its old
name for more than 20 years. R. H. Ileddome.

IPOMCEA (EXOGONIUM) PURGA (see p. 21).—
This plant appears to be quite hardy in sheltered
places in north-east Kent. A specimen planted
for several years against my house, with a
western aspect, has flowered well every autumn,
although it has had no protection. As is to be
expected, most blooms are developed in seasons
following a warm summer. O. Prentis, Posiers,
Harden, near Siltinybourne.

Late Chrysanthemums. — In the lists of late
Chrysanthemums given by Jlr. Molyneux (p. 11),
also Mr. Rawlings and others (p. 21), the variety
Jilrs. S. J. Fogg is not mentioned, notwithstand-
iiig it is one of the very latest — if not the latest —
of all Chrysanthemums. In a house with a
northern aspect there is no difficulty in having a
supply of blooms as late as February. It is
invaluable where large quantities of cut flowers
are in demand. The flowers are of a pleasing
rich yellow tint : they are of the Japanese type,
and are borne on long, stiff stems. This variety
supersedes the older Golden Gem variety, the
constitution of which has become weak, caus-
ing the shoots to be susceptible to attacks of
the rust fungus. Other late varieties which are
largely grown in these gardens are A. J. B.alfour,
Winter Cheer, FrauQois Pilon, Mrs. J. Thomson
(both yellow and white kinds), Yellow Princess
Victoria, Framfield Beauty (deep crimson), and
Jessie Angus (pink) : the two last-named are
single-fiowered varieties. E. H., Frogmore.

Chief Officer of the L.C.C. Parks. —

Readers will appreciate your leaderette in last
week's issue on the forthcoming appointment of
a chief officer for the L.C.C. parks and open
spaces. With upwards of 5.000 acres to super-
vise, anc^a staff numbering 1,000 to control, the
task, as you say. is not an easy one. That the
head of such a popular and extensive department
as the parks department should be offered a
salary so much inferior to that given the heads
of all other departments under the Council is a
curious anomaly. Now the salary is £500, yet
in the early days of the L.C.C, some 18 to 20
years ago, £700 per year was offered. The acreage
of the parks has increased since that time by
about 3,000 acres, and the staff is greater in pro-
portion. It is not easy to explain why the parks
department of London, with its popularity,
should be treated as inferior to all other depart-
ments of the same service, but it is. According
to " Whitaker." there are 24 heads of various
departments : five are paid £2.000 per year, 14
range from £1.000 to £1.750, one is paid £900,
another £850. two others £800 each, and the
parks £600. Only a few months ago a stores chief
officer was appointed at a commencing salary
of £1.000. nimrver.

44

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

Fern Growing in an Inverted Bottle.—

About seven years ago I substituted bottles for
an edging that had been down for about four
years. The bottles were of various sorts, and
included spirit, wine and pickle bottles. In a
number of them Ferns are now grow ing, and in
some cases the plant has nearly filled the bottle.
On taking up one of the bottles, I found about an
inch of earth had been forced into the neck when
driving the bottle in the ground. Growing m
this was a specimen with six spikes (fronds).
No Ferns have been cultivated near where the
bottles were placed. A. Lissaman. [The spores
of Ferns are extremely small and are easily car-
ried by the wind. Any that happened to be
covered by a bottle might well grow and give
rise to Fern plants. — Eds.]

lished, reduce the number of shoots to, at the
most, three, though when they are very strong
two are better. Before the young plants are
root-bound, they .<ihould be shifted to larger pots,
employing a rich soil, and potting firmly. En-
deavour to obtain a strong, hard growth, so that
the laterals, which will soon begin to push forth,
may develop a good system of secondary laterals,
these latter giving the plant that feathery or
hazy appearance which is so characteristic of the
variety. The final shift should be into 9 or 10-
inch pots, or even a 12-inch pot. Like all
Michaelmas Daisies, this Aster appreciates liberal
feeding, and bonemeal or basic slag should be
mixed with the potting compost. Liquid manure
should be given once or twice a week up to the
flowering stage. The plants should be tied to

Fig. 30.— crawfurdia trailliana growing in the salwin valley, china:
flowers, a shade of purple.

CRAWFURDIA TRAILLIANA.

The genus Crawfurdia, though a small one,
deserves more attention than it has received. All
the species are twiners ; they may be likened to
climbing Gentians. Possibly, the reason why
some of them have not been introduced to culti-
vation is to be found in the fact that they are
not all hardy. Their home is principally in the
Himalayas, and the eastern forks of that range
which descend into Yunnan and Western
Szechuan.

The flowers are axillary, sometimes solitary,
but more often produced in fours and fives.
They are generally of some shade of purple, with
darker folds, or occasionally white, with the folds
a shade of green.

The favourite habitat of the plant is a damp
and shady spot, in brakes of dwarf Bamboo or
amongst very coarse grass. It seldom grows
at a greater altitude than 8,000 feet.

The species shown in fig. 30 excels any already
known in the number and size of the flowers and
in delicacy of colouring. The blooms are fully
3 inches in length, with well-formed, acute,
spreading lobes, of a soft shade of heliotrope,
deepening to rose colour on the folds. The plants
attain a height of 10 feet to 20 feet, and, twining
on grass and over masses of scrub, they are very
effective.

C. Trailliana is a native of the Salwin Valley,
and, though locally extremely abundant, is con-
fined to a stretch of about 40 miles, from 26° 10'
Ui about 27° N., and, curiously enough, only on
the western slopes of the valley. There, between
the altitudes of 5-7,000 feet, it forms a distinct
belt, growing in profusion in company with a
dwarf form of Luculia Pinceana.

Unfortunately, the Salwin Valley is so en-
closed as to make the climate almost subtropical,
thus, for the purpose of an out-door garden plant,
the species would be useless, but it would form a
useful greenhouse climber. G. Forrest.

Aster Hon. Edith Gibbs as a Pot Plant.

— It is not desirable to grow in this manner
those varieties which attain 5 or 6 feet in height,
and only produce flowers at or near the top.
Whilst some of the very d%varf forms, such as
Aster acris and Aster Amellus, make handsome
pot plants, the varieties best adapted for this
culture are those of a branching habit, producing
a profusion of small flowers literally from the
ground upwards. The Hon. Edith Gibbs is such
a variety. Select an old stool in March, when
the new shoots are appearing, and either dig it
up and pull it apart, or detach, without lifting
it, suitable pieces, with a few roots adhering to
each portion. These should be potted up in
3-inch or 5-inch pots, and kept in a frame till
they are well rooted, which takes place in three
or four weeks. As soon as they are well estab-

prevent the shoots falling over ; the single stems
should be fastened to one stick, and those with
two or three stems to the same number of sticks ;
in the latter case, instead of inserting them in an
upright position, they should be inclined out-
wards, to form an inverted pyramid. Care
should be exercised that the roots do not become
unduly dry at any time during the summer, or,
as in "the case of Chrysanthemums, the leaves at
the lower part of the stems will shrivel and spoil
the appearance of the plants. Aster Hon. Edith
Gibbs is an early to mid-season variety, the
flowers generally opening early in September.
If plants are brought indoors when about one-
third or one-half of the flowers are open, they
will continue in bloom for two or three weeks,
but the flowers which develop indoors will be of
a paler colour than those in the open. Alger Pdli.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

January 11. — The first meeting of the New
Year was held on this date. The exhibition was
not a large one, but there were several meritori-
ous groups of all sections. The Fruit ani>
Vegetable Committee granted a First-class Cer-
tificate to Apple William Crump, it having
previously received an .\ward of Merit. A mag-
nificent display of Apples and Pears was awarded
a Gold Medal.

The Floral Committee conferred an Award
of Merit to Erlangea tomentosa ; groups of Car-
nations, Begonias, Zonal Pelargoniums, filmy
Ferns, varieties of Elfeagnus, Euphorbia pulcher-
rima, and early-blooming Alpine plants formed
the principal subjects exhibited in this section.
The ORCHin Committee had a considerable num-
ber of novelties and groups brought to its notice.
One First-class Certificate, two Awards of Merit
and one Botanical Certificate were awarded by
this committee.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. Henry B. May. E. A. Bowles, Jno.
Green, W. J. Bean, G. Reuthe, R. Hooper
Pearson, C. Blick, Charles Dixon, Arthur Turner,
J. T. Bennett-Poe, Chas. E. Shea, W. P. Thom-
son E. H. Jenkins. W. J. James, George Paul,
Chas. T. Druerv, J. W. Barr. C. R. Fielder. J. F.
McLeod, Rev. F. Page Robjrts. Chas. E. Pearson,
E. T. Cook, Herbert J. Cutbush. and John
Jennings.

One of the most attractive exhibits in the hall
was a group of Euphorbia jacquinifeflora edged
with the blue-flowered Saintpaulia ionantha. At
the ends were batches of Begonia Gloire _ de
Sceaux and Gesnera refulgens. This exhibit
was displaved bv the Marquis of Salisbury,
Hatfield (gr. Mr." Prime). We have never seen
Saintpaulia ionantha shown better at this season
of the year, each plant being a perfect little
specimen and well flowered, whilst the Euphor-
bias also were fine specimens. (Silver-gilt
Banksian Medal.)

January 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

46

Messrs. H. B. M.iv & Sons, the Nurseries,
Edmonton, staged a selection of choice filmy
Ferns, with Nephrolepis and other kinds. The
filmy Ferns included the elegant Todea superba,
shown in several grand specimens ; and T. grandi-
pinnula ; Trichomanes ma.ximum var. umbrosum,
with pale green fronds of most charming out-
line ; T. radicans cambricum, T. alabamensis, the
small, crisp fronds being dark green in colour ;
T. radicans var. luschnathianum pulchrum,
T. parvulum, with small, oval leaves; T.
scandens, T. costa rica, the pinnules being
broad and flat ; Hynienophyllum asplenioides,
each frond suggesting a piece of bright green sea-
weed ; Trichomanes trichoideum, with divisions
of the leaf las fine as hair, and T. reniforme.
The group was made more attractive by decora-
tive Selaginellas, and there were also plants of
Platycerium grande, Asplenium nobile, Drynaria
raussefolium, and other greenhouse varieties.
(Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed a large group of mi.scel-
laneous flowering plants, including well-grown
pot specimens of perpetual-blooming Carnations;
Daphne indica rubra, Abutilons Ciolden Fleece
and rosEeflorum, Freesia refracta alba, Chrysan-
themum Genevieve, a pretty single variety with
small, yellow blooms ; Chrysanthemum Golden
Age, a decorative variety of rich yellow shade ;
Erlangea tomentosa, JMoschosma riparium, very
finely flowered ; Acanthus montanus, , and the
showy, bUie-flowered Tillandsia Lindenii. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Carnations of the perpetual-flowering type were
well shown by Messrs. W. Cuteush & Sons,
Highgate, London, N. They had their new, rosy-
salmon seedling labelled A4 — which we have re-
ferred to on a former occasion — in fine condi-
tion, and many other unnamed seedlings.
Among.st standard sorts were attractive vases of
Rose Dore, White Perfection, Countess of
Onslow, of heliotrope shade, with pink at the
base of the petals ; Carola, dark crimson ; After-
glow, cerise; Aurora, buff orange, striped with
rose-pink; and Beacon, scarlet. Messrs. Cutbush
also showed a selection of Alpines with early-
blooming trees and shrubs and berried subjects.
Amongst plants in flower were Crocus ala-
tavicus ; the outer segments are greyish, but
they are white on the reverse side, and the flower
has a prominent yellow centre ; Schizostylis
coccinea ; Hellebores in variety ; Daphne Meze-
reum, both the type and white-flowei-ed kinds ;
Iris histrioides ; I. histrioides major, of a beau-
tiful blue colour; and Cyclamen Coum alba, with
almost white flowers. (.Silver Flora Medal.)

A charming group of Carnations was displayed
by Mr. H. Burnett, Guernsey, the bright colour
of the flowers being very noteworthy. The Scar-
let Britannia was remarkably fine, also Alvina,
cerise ; Marmion, very large blooms and robust
stems and leaves, the colour is red with bands
of white ; Snow Queen, the best of the white
varieties for winter blooming ; Rose Dore ; War-
rior, a flaked variety ; and Enchantress. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, also showed Carnations. The flowers
were interspersed with Ferns, which made a
pleasing contrast. Mrs. Crook is a new variety of
Carnation with a red grouni marked with deep
red spots. The firm also showed a promising
white seedling. Older sorts, such as White Per-
fection, White Enchantress, and A'tterglow wei'e
represented by choice blooms. The Carnations
formed only a portion of this firm's exhibit ;
they had Cyclamem in salmon, red, white, rose
and other colours, also some with fimbriated
petals; Daphne indica rubra, and miscellaneous
flowers. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

A batch of well-flowered plants of the new
Primula malacoides was shown by Messrs. Bees,
Ltd., Mill Street, Liverpool.

Begonia Patrie was shown by Mr. Arthur
'V'ouNG, Oxted Nursery, Surrey. Both small and
large plants were densely furnished with the
fTiall,; rose-coloured blooms.

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed bunches of Zonal Pelargoniums and
plants of Begonia socotrana, a showy species
with peltate leaves and strong inflorescences,
bearing rose-coloured flowers. The Pelargo-
niums included Chas. H. Curtis, scarlet ; Jupiter,
a finer scarlet than the last-named and with
petals showing greater refinement ; Lord Curzon,
purple magenta; Taurus, salmon; Vesta, light

scarlet ; and Leonus, crimson scarlet. (Bronze
Flora Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey, showed
sprays of Hanimamelis arborea in bloom, over a
ground of Veronica Andersonii of the silver-
leaved type, and, as a floor group, gold and
silver varieties of Eteagnus.

Messrs. John Peed k Sons, West Norwood,
exhibited Alpines. The following were in
bloom ; — Daisy Alice, Tussilago fragrans. Pri-
mula X Kewensis, Saxifraga burscriana major,
species of Crocus, Hellebore, and Hepatica, blue
Primroses, Primula denticulata alba, and Iris
alata. The group included a collection of suc-
culents in little pots.

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, also showed
Alpines and hardy plants, besides a tew intere.st-
ing shrubs. We noticed Sarracenia purpurea,
Leucadendron argent^um, the silver-leaf tree of
the Cape ; Garrya el«ptica in bloom ; Crocus cas-
pius ; Iris Bakcriana, the segments are light blue
and the tip of falls a rich purple ; Iris Danfordise,
yellow ; Ruscus racemosus ; Anemone blanda ;
Hepatica angulosa, very finely in bloom ; Athro-
taxis doniana; and CJalanthus Ikariie.

Messrs. B.^RR & Sons, King .Street, Covent
Garden, showed Helleborus niger angustifolius,
with extra large blooms ; Helleborus niger
Scoticus, also finely flowered ; Cialanthus Elwesii,
G. Ikari^e. the difference between these being
most pronounced in the foliage ; Primula
Fcrbesii, Roman Hyacinths, Lachenalias, and Iris
unguicularis, of a delicate lavender-blue shade.

The Misses Hopkins, Shepperton, showed a
small rock-garden exhibit planted with Helle-
bores and blue-flowered Primroses.

Award of Merit.
Erinngea Inmeiilosa.— Messrs. James Veitch
& Sons, Ltd.. received an Award of Merit for
a species of Erlangea introduced from British
East India a year or two since. In general
habit the plant greatly resembles the Eupa-
toriums, the bright, mauve-coloured flowers
being produced in much the same manner as
in that genus. Erlangea tomentosa is a good
winter-blooming plant, and it may be cultivated
w'ith ease in a cool greenhouse or fi-ame.

Orchid Committee.

Presiint: J, Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair); and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (lion, sec),
Harry J. Veitch, Sir Jeremiah C'olman, Bart., de
B. Crawshay. W. Boxall, J. Wilson Potter, J.
F. Alcock, F. J. Hanburv, F. Menteith Ogilvie,
A. A. .McBean, W. Cobb, C. H. Curtis. J.
Charlesworth. J. Cvpher. H.^0. Alexander, A.
Dve, W. H. Hatci.er, W. P. Bound, W. H.
White, H. A. Tracy, H. Ballantine, and Ciurney
Wilson.

H. S. GooDsoN, Esq., Fairlawn, West Hill,
Putney (gr. Mr. G, E, Day), was awarded a
Silver Flora Medal for a fine group consisting
principally of rare and handsome Odontoglos-
suras. There were several finely-blotched varie-
ties of O. crispum, the best being 0. crispum
Edwardii and O. c. Princess, both distinctly
blotched with mauve-purple. The white forms
included one very handsome variety. The
hybrids included a distinct form of 0. Lam-
beauanum, the flowers being profusely dotted
with dark purple. We also noticed 0. Wigani-
anum Goodson's variety, a finely-shaped chrome-
yellow bloom s^jotted with chocolate-purple ; good
forms of 0. amabile, 0, lonchristiense and 0,
eximium Goodson's variety, a large, broad-
petalled flower heavily blotched with red-brown.
The group was the more noteworthy as the
plants had been grown in the London district.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, were awarded
a Silver Flora Medal for a large and interesting
group of hybrid Cypripediums, a considerable
number being seedlings raised from C. villosum
giganteum and C. Euryades. Scarcely two of the
plants bore similar flowers, the extreme forms
being very unlike ; some had the white dorsal
sepal spotted with claret colour, while others
had the greater portion of the dorsal sepal of a
purplish-rose tint, the upper part being white.
Another interesting exhibit shown by this firm
consisted of several plants of Cypripedium Little
Gem, in which the lower sepals are more
or less coloured like the dorsal one. C. Actaeus
Langleyense was presented in good form, to-
gether with other varieties of C. Actaeus, the
best of which was the new C, A. Sybil, a finelv-

formed and pretty flower. Some promising un-
named hybrids were arranged with Odontoglos-
suni cri.^pum, Brasso-Cattleya Pyrrha, and B.-C.
Orpheus.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Hayward's
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora filedal for
a group, in which hybrid Calanthes, including
the pure white C. Veitchii alba, were
finely displayed. Many graceful sprays of rose,
white and pink flowers, with purple and rose
blotches on the lip, were very effective. In the
middle of the group were good forms of white
and coloured Lielia anceps and Odontoglossums,
amongst which were several new seedlings,
the blotched forms of 0. ardentissimum, and the
little blotched 0. crispum, flowering for the first
time, being specially good. Among the Cypripe-
diums were C. Minos i'oungii, and a very hand-
some new hybrid from C. insigne Harefield Hall
and C. Niobe, named C. Priam Charlesworth's
variety ; the flowers were finely shaped and of
good colour. At the back of the exhibits were
arranged the violet Odontoglossum Edwardii with
three flower-spikes and the bright scarlet Odon-
tioda Keighleyensis.

Ed. Rogerson, Esq., West Didsbury, Man-
chester (gr. ]\Ir. W. C. Price), was awarded a
Silver Banksian Medal for an excellent group cf
Cypripediums, which included rare and new
varieties. C. Pogersonianum is a singular and
pretty hybrid of C. Chamberlainianum ; C. in-
signe albidum has a very distinct form, with a
peculiar greenish ground colour and a good dis-
play of white in the upper part of its well-
rounded dorsal sepal. C. Troilus was shown
in several varieties ; C. Memoria Lord Burton
(Sallieri Ilyeanum X Lathamianuin) is an attrac-
tive and distinct variety. C. Leeanum Clinka-
berryanum, C. Hindeanum, C. Zeus, varieties of
C. (Edippe, C. Ceres Fascinator and other fine
Cypripediums, also the new Odontoglossum W. C.
Price, a well-formed whit« flower blotched with
rosy-mauve, were also noted.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal
for a group containing many fine species. Notable
examples included a large specimen of the rare
Dendrobium triflorum with nine spikes of elegant
white flowers ; Epidendrum Cooperianum, with
three long racemes of rose-lipped flowers ; Lselia
anceps Chamberlainiana, still c>ie of the best and
largest forms of this beautiful Orchid ; Cypripe-
dium Alcibiades supcrbum, a charming flower;
C. Helen 11. var. ArnistrongioB, a cream-white,
wax-like flower with a few blackish dots ; C.
Curte-manni niagnificum, a grand flower resem-
bling in shape and colouring C. Beekmanni ; the
white and fragrant Brasso-Cattleya Pocahontas,
the singular Bulbophyllum lemniscatoides, with
a drooping, tassel like inflorescence; the clear
yellow Oncidium varicosum concolor ; Grobya
"galeata and the spotted form of Cirrhopetalum
Medusae.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge,
were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for an
attractive group, in which a dozen plants of a
fine form of Cypripedium insigne, w'ith very
large blackish-chocolate blotches on ths dorsal
sepal, which was pure white at the tip, formed
a conspicuous feature. Other remarkable plants
noted were Cypripedium JMiiios Youngii, C.
nitens G. S. Ball, C. aureum Hyeanum, and the
fine reddish-violet Odontoglossum Groganianum.
Messrs. J,4.s. Cypher & Sjns, Cheltenham, were
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a group
of choice Cypripediums. The more noteworthy
were C. Charlesianum Cypher's variety, a very
large and showy flower ; C. Alcibiades, C.
CJ. F. Moore, varieties of C. Niobe, C. Thomp-
sonii, C. Fascinator, C. Mrs, Mostyn, 0. Leo-
poldianum, C. corona, and C. Amy Moore, and
other beautiful hybrids.

Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge Nurseries, jtfay-
wards Heath, was awarded a Silver Banksipn
Medal for a neat group of exceptionally well-
grown Orchids, amongst which were forms
of Cattleva Triana?, and especially of the
white variety ; C. T. A. J. Balfour is a perfect
flower, with white sepals and petals, having a
pearly-pink flu.sh and a purplish-crimson front to
the lip ; Cypripedium Ville de Paris, C. Minos
Youngii, C. aureum Surprise, Cymbidium longi-
folium, C. Wiganianum, Odontoglossum venus-
tulum Apollo, and the bright-reddish orange
Laelio-Cattleya Charlesworthii were also shown.
Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park (gr. Mr. Collier), staged a small group cf
interesting Orchids, all well flow^ered. We

46

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

{Jandabt is, 1910.

noticed a pretty little Javan Liparis of the L.
longipes section, but with a deep red labellum
to the flowers ; Dendrobium Johannis, with
seven spikes of bronzy-purple flowers with yel-
low lip ; Masdevallia Schroderiana, with about
25 pretty white and mauve flowers ; a selectic-3i
of cut spikes of fine forms of Lffilia anceps, and
the two new hybrids La?lio-Cattleya Eleanor (L.
•anceps X L.-C." Charlesworthii), which resembles
closely a good variety of L. anceps in form and
colour, although the "influence of L.-C. Charles-
worthii is shown slightly in the lip. Sophro-
Lffilio-Cattleva Mary (S. grandiflora X L -C.
Helena), is a pretty magenta-rose flower with a
curiously-constricted middle to the lip.

Mrs. CooKSON, Oakwood, Wylam (gr. JNIr. H.
J. Chapman), showed Cypripedium Chapmania;
(Fairrieanum X Calypso), a pretty ivory-white
flower with purple and green lines on the dorsal
sepal and petals; C. hirsuto-Leeanum, and C.
Haroldianum (hirsutissimum X insigne Harefield
Hall).

Francis Welleslet, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), showed Cypripedium Welles-
leys (Venus X insigne Harefield Hall), a fine,
bold, cream-white flower of wax-like texture,
with a slight rose tint and with dark-purple
spotting on the petals and dorsal sepal. The
staminode and lip are pale yellow, the latter
being slightly tinged with purple : and Cypri-
pedium Leeanum His Majesty, the large dorsal
sepal of which was whit*, having numerous con-
fluent dotted lines of rose-purple. The petals
and lip are honey-yellow, tinged with purple,
the petals bearing some dark spots.

Mr. H. A. Tracy, Twickenham, showed Cypri-
pedium Phillipsii, a singular yellow flower with
chocolate markings.

F. Menteith Ogilvie, Esq. (gr. Mr. Balm-
forth), exhibited Cypripedium Antigone inversa
with white flowers"marked with ro.se-purple.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, Chelsea, showed a
small plant of Odontoglossum crispum Flora, a
finely-blotched seedling ; and Cypripedium
Hobartii magnificum (Lathamianum X insigne
Harefield Hall), an attractive and finely-formed
flower.

Messrs. Stanley & Co.. Southgate. showed
Cypripedium Gisela von Bulow (Euryades X
Beekmannii), a beautiful flower with a large,
white dorsal sepal spotted with purple, the
broad petals and lip indicating the parentage of
0. Beekmannii strongly ; and G. Leeanum punc-
tatissimum with numerous fine rose spots on the
dorsal sepal.

Mons. Merte.ns, Ghent, showed several hybrid
Odontoglossums, also Miltonia vexillaria Leo-
poldii, Cypripedium Germaine Opoix Westfield
variety, and C. Lathamianum Imperator.

J. S. Moss, Esq., Winteishill Hall, Bishop's
Waltham, showed flowers of Odontoglossum Hilda
(Coradinei Crawshayanum x Pescatorei). The
blooms are white, spotted with purple.

AWARDS.

FlRSX-CLASS Cektificwe.
LycasU SMnneri ariif-inara, from Fergus
Menteith Ogilvie, Esq., The .Shrubbery, Oxford
(gr. Mr. Balmforth). — A charming variety, intro-
duced some years ago, but never before shown in
such fine condition. The large flowers have very
broad, flat, clear white sepals ; the petals also are
white and delicately tinged with apricot-yellow ;
the white labelhim is marked with a darker tint
of the same colour, the whole flower being very
chaste and beautiful.

AvfARDS or Merit.

Cypripedium Alias (C. Fciscinalor X C.
insii/ne Harefield Hall), from Lieut. -Col. G. L.
HoLFORD, C.I.E., C.V.O. (gr. I\Ir. H. G. Alex-
ander).— A grand flower, with the small base of
the large white dor.sal sepal Indian yellow, the
middle area being evenly spotted with dark
purple. The petals are broad with wavy mar-
gins, honey yellow tinged with purple, and bear-
ing dark spots ; the lip is yellow, tinged with
purple.

t'l/pripediutri Bantam (O. Sallieri Hi/eanvm
X C. Etinjades), from Lieut. -Col. Holford. — A
remarkable hybrid, with the greater portion
of the dorsal sepal of a shining, deep chocolate
purple, the upper part being white. Petals and
lip yellow, tinged with red-brown.

Botanical Certificate.
Ph'i'ms Cooperi, from Me.ssrs. Sander & Sons,
St. Albans. — A very singular species of the

growth of Phaius grandifolius. The stout, up-
right spikes bore a dozen or more flowers, equal
in size to those of P. grandifolius. The upper
sepal and petals are erect, the lateral sepals ex-
tended. All the segments are reddish-brown,
tipped with yellow. Lip tubular and continued
into a thin spur ; white, marked with rose in the
tube, .the front being fringed. The native coun-
try was not recorded.

Cultural Commendation
to Mr. W. H. White, Orchid grower to Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., Burford,
for three strong spikes of Habenaria ugande
from a plant over 4 feet in height.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: Geo. Bunyard, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. Jas. Cheal, W. Bates, Edw.
Beckett, Alex. Dean, H. Parr, Jas. Vert, A. R.
Allan, 6. Hobday, .J. Davis, John Lyne, Geo.
Reynolds, P. T>. ' Tuckett,. J. Jaques, William
Crump, Chas. Foster, Geo. Wythes, and Owen
Thomas.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons,, Ltd., Kuig's
Road, Chelsea, showed a magnificent exhibit of
Apples and Pears. In all, there were 172 dishes,
including 27 of Pears. The fruits were plump
and generally well preserved, but not so bright
in colour as in some seasons. Notable dishes of
Apples wei-e King of Tompkins County, Reinette
de Canada, Birmarck, Baumann's Red Reinette,
White Calville, Adams's Pearmain, Sandringham,
Rival, Lord Derby, Emperor Alexander, Christ-
mas Pearmain, Royal Late Cooking, Dutch Mig-
nonne, St«ne's or Loddington, and Blenheim
Pippin. The Pears included Doyenne d'Alen^on,
Danas' Hovey, Olivier de Serres, Marie Benoist,
Beurre Alexander Lucas, Vicar of Winkfield,
Blickling, Easter Beurre, and President Barabe.
There were also some fine specimens of French-
grown Pears. (Gold Medal.)

F. BiBBY, Esq., Hardwicke Grange, Shrews-
bury (gr. Mr. J. Taylor), showed eight varieties
of Pears, viz., Olivier de Serres, Nee Plus Meu-
ris, Glou Morceau, Beurre Ranee, Bergamotte
Esperen, Napoleon, President Barabe, and
Easter Beurre. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Amongst several seedling Apples submitted for
award was one shown by Messrs. Laxton Bros.,
Bedford, and named Bedford Pippin. The fla-
vour was remarkably good, the parents being
Alington Pippin and" Cox's Orange Pippin. It
met with approval, but no award was made, as
the Committee required particulars of the tree's
cropping qualities, &c.

First-class Certificate.
Apple William Crump.— This finely-flavoured
dessert Apple, which was granted an Award of
Merit at the meeting held on December 22, 1908,
was, on this occasion, awarded a First-class Cer-
tificate. It was raised by )\Ir. William Crump, of
Madresfield Court Gardens, Malvern, from Cox's
Orange Pippin and Worcester Pearmain. The
fruits generally resemble the first-named parent,
and partake largely of the flavour of that ex-
cellent Apple. The variety was figured in our
issue for January 9, 1909, page 21. Shown by
Mr. Crump.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

CHESTER PAXTON.— The chairman of committees,
Mr. A. W. Armstrong, invited the otticers and members of
the executive and district commiltees of this society to
dinner at the Blossoms Hotel on Saturday, Jaimaiy 8. The
company numbered 36- After the loyal toast had been sub-
mitted by Mr. Armstrong, Mr. N. F. Barnes, Eaton Gardens,
proposed " Success to the Chester Paxton Society." Mr.
Barnes referred to the work that the society had done during
the 21 years it had existed. Mr. J. Weaver and Mr. J.
VVynne responded. The chairman's health was proposed by
Mr. R. VVaktfield ; he thanked Mr. Armstrong for the work
he had done for the society. The health of the hon. secre-
tary was proposed by Mr. R. Newstead, who said he had
kno.vn Mr. Miln for upwards of '20 years, and the successes
he had achieved during that time in whatever work he had
undertaken (including the secretaryship of the I'axton
society), proved him to be a first-rate organiser and ad-
ministrator.

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.—

The 10th annual report shows tlie society to be in a
flourishing condition. The meetings have been well attended,
and much useful information has been gained from the
various lectures and debates. Many interesting exhibits
have been forthcoming at these gatherings, the number
of exhibitors exceeding those of previous years. The
annual dinner was well attended, 85 being present. The
spring flower show held on May 6, atiracted a large num-
ber of visitors ; it is interesting to note that all of the
exhibits were honorary. The annual outing and the evening
visits to gardens during the summer were well attended.
The society possesses a microscope, and money is being
collected to purchase a lantern for use at the meetings.
The Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund has been sent £1 10s.
as the result of collections at the meetings. The balance-
sheet shows the total receipts for the year, including a small
balance from 1908, to have been £11 6s. G.^d. The lOih annual
dinner will be held at the Greyhound Hotel, at Croydon, on
Wednesday, February 7.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

[Cortisfoniituls areriqutiUit to write the names otperions
and places a> legibly as possible. No cliiii/;c ts
made for Hirst announcements, but if a small conli-ibulton
is sent, to be placed in our collecting Box for the Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, it mill be thankfully received, and an
acknojtled^ment made in these columns.l

Mr. Geo. Morbky, for nearly 4 years Plant Foreman at
Tatton Park Gardens, Knulsford, Cheshire, as Gardener
to Messrs. Jennison & Co., Zoological Gardens, Belle
Vue, Manchester.

Mr. George Anderson, for the past 5 years General
Foreman at Mauldslie Castle, Carluke, Lanarkshire, as
Gardener to the Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, Whittinghame,
East Lothian, Scotland.

Mr. James Sleigh, for the past 12 months at Mauldslie
Castle, Carllike, and previously for two years at Windsor
Castle Gardens, as Gardener to Lady Eva Wvndham
QuiN, Castletown, Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland.

Mr. H. A. FuLFORD, for the past 2 years Foreman at
Stansted Park Gardens, Emsworth, as Gardener to F. W.
Godding, Esq., Hanworth House, Hanworth, Middle-
sex, in succession to his late father, (Thanks for 2s.
for R.G.O.F. box.)

Mr. H. T. Stowe, previously 2 years Gardener to V. de
C. Hughes, Esq., Greetown House, Kilcullen, Co.
Kildare, as Gardener to the Trustees of Andrew Mon-
tagu, Esq., Papplewick Hall, Linby, Nottingham.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending January 8. is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather.— As a rule the conditions were very mild and
dull, and also dry, rain seldom falling except along the
Atlantic seaboard and in the extreme north of Scotland, the
amount being mostly slight. Fog and mist were very pre-
valent on various parts of the coast during the earlier half of
the period. Thunder and lightning occurred in many parts
of Scotland and at Markree Castle on Saturday. Aurora was
seen at Gordon Castle and Crathes on Wednesday evening,
and at the former station lightning was also observed.

The temperature was above the average. In Scotland E.
the excess was nearly 8°, in Scotland W. 1", and in Scotland
N. and Ireland N. about 6J°. The difference from the
normal was large in nearly all other distiicts, but slight in
the English Channel. The highest of the maxima occurred
on the 2nd at almost every station, and ranged from 51^
in several localities in the eastern half of Britain and 56'" in
Ireland b. to 53« in England S.W., and to 5a» in the English
Channel. The lowest of the minima, which were recordeti
on rather irregular dates, mostly late in the week, ranged
from 29° in Scotland E., England N.E., the Midland Coun-
ties, and England S.W. to 33" in Scotland N., England E..
and over Ireland, and to 34- in the English Channel. The
lowest grass readings reported were 19*^ at Crathes and
Sheffield, 23" at Cambridge, 24° at Dublin, and 25° at West
Linton.

The mean temperature cf the sM.~On most parts of the
coast the water was colder than during the corresponding
week of last year, but in some localities it was warmer—
nearly 4° at Margate and 5° at Aberdeen. The means for
the week ranged from about 48° on the south-west coasts of
England and at Port Erin and Eeafield to 43° or less a'ong
the east and north-east coasts of Britain generally, and to 41'
at Berwick.

The rainfall was much less than the average in all districts
except Scotland N., where there was a considerable excess.
In England E., N.E., S.E. and the English Channel the fall
was less than 01 inch. At some stations in the west of
Scotland more than an inch of rain was experienced on
Saturday.

The blight sunshine was below the average generally, but
above it in Scotland N. and E. The percentage of the
possible duration ranged from 21 in Scotland E., 15 in
Ireland S., and 13 in Scotland N. to only 4 in England S,E.
and Scotland W. In the English Channel only Soilly
registered a little sunshine.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week emiing January 12.
The third warm week in succession.Sixice the year began
there have been only two cold days and no cold nights. On
two days during the past week the temperature in the ther-
mometer screen rose to 52°, which is about 10" warmer than
the average maximum for January. The ground is still
warm for the time of year, being 3° warmer than is season-
able, both at 1 and 2 feet deep. Rain fell on three days, but
only to the total depth of about a quarter of an inch. During
the evening of the lllh the ground was, for a short time,
covered with snow, but rain fell directly afterwards. There is
still a little percolation through the soil gauges, but the
amounts have been, until to-day, very small. The sun shone
on an average for IJ hours a day, which is a quarter of an
hour a day short of the usual duration at this period in
January. The first five days of the week were altogether
sunless. The winds have been, as a rule, high, but in no
hour did the mean velocity exceed 18 miles— direction
W.S.W. During the present month there has been as yet
no wind from any northerly point of the compass. The
mean amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. exceeded a
seasonable quantity for that hour by five per cent. E. M.,
Berkhuinsted, January 12, 1910.

Januaey 15, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

47

<9i)ttiiari).

m:arkets.

Plants la Pots, ac: Average Wholesale Prices (Con; fj.

Robert Todd. — We regrot to reoord the death
of Mr. R. 'JV'dd, which tuok place suddenly on
the 2nd inst., at his residence, VVestmount Road,
Eltham, Kent, to which pbce he removed only
a few months ago on his retirement from the
charge of Woolton Wood Gardens. Jlr. Todd
commenced his gardening career at Dalkeith, and
later became fruit foreman at Alnwick Castle.
After spending six years there he was appointed
gardener to A. B. Stewart, Esq., at Rawcliffe,
Glasgow, and later served as gardener at
Avoig Hall, Bute, for 13 years. Whilst at the
foimer place, Air. Todd made himself a name as
an exhibitor r.t the leading shows in Scotland,
his exhibits including plants, filmy and exotic
Ferns and fruit. On the death of his employer.
Air. Todd filled the position of Superintendent of
Grounds of the Edinburgh Exhibition (1886),
nfter which he was appointed head gardener
to Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., J. P., Woolton Wood,
Liverpool. Woolton Wood in the 'eighties was
famous for its collection of Orchids, its
cool fernery and hardy fruits, which were
well cared for during Mr. Todd's supervision
of 21 years. Deceased rendered great help
in the formation and management of the Woolton
Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society. He
was a!i enthusiastic sunporter of the Gardeners'
Royal Benevolent Institution, and a rfiember of
the committee of the Liverpool Auxiliary from
its inception. A widow, two sons, and two
daughters are left to mourn the loss of one who
endeared himself to those with whom he came
into contact.

^ Dr. Mauritz Greshoff.— Botanical science
has to deploie the death of Dr. Mauritz Greshoff,
director anti chemist of the Colonial Museum of
Haarlem. Dr. Greshoff, who was only 47 years
of age, gained a wide reputation by his investi-
gations in plant-chemistry, and particularly into
the distribution of hydrocyanic acid among
plants. He published recently, in collaboration
with Dr. Treub, of Buitenzorg, an important
paper on the occurrence and significance of
hydrocyanic acid in Panguim edule. in which
meiivoir evidence was given that this simple
nitrogen-containing substance represents the first
step in the synthesis of proteins from inorganic
nitrogen-containing salts, e.g.. nitrates. Return-
ing to Europe, owing to a breakdown in health,
Dr. Greshoff was appointed first, chemist, and
later, director of the Colonial Museum. Beside
his official duties, he found time to continue his
scientific investigations, both in Holland and at
Kew, and to advise agriculturists and business
men on matters concerning the chemistry of
plants, particularly of those of the tropics. Dr.
Greshoff's death leaves a gap in the ranks of
scientific workers which will long remain un-
filled.

William H addon Bee by. — British botany
has sustained a loss by the death of William
Haddon Beeby, F.L.S., who died suddenly after
a short illness at his home at Thames Ditton on
the 4th inst., age 60. Mr. Beeby had an excellent
ciitical knowledge of the British flora, and was
especially interested in the plants of Surrey. He
worked for a long time tow*ards the production
of a Flora of that county.

Mr. Edward T. Connold. — ^Ir. Edward T.
Connold. the author of ]>rU'>i<h Vegetable Galls,
died at Hastings on January 9. j\Ir. Connold,
who was 47 years of age, was a keen entomolo-
gist, took a great interest in the local natural
history society, and his work on Vegetable Galls
is a valuable contribution to the advancement of
science.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

SEEDS.

HowDEN & Co., Old Post Office Buildings, Inverness.

Thos. Davies ^ Co., Wavertree, Liverpool.

TiLLEY Bros., 133, London Road. Brighton.

Chas. W, Breadmore, 120, High Street, Winchester,

Hampshire.
Wm. Fell & Co., Hexham, Northnmberland.
John McKerchar, 35, Giesbach Road, Upper Hollow'ay,

London, N.
John Jefferies & Son, Ltd., Market Place, Ciren'.dSte".
Wm. Thompson & Co., Ltd., Londonderry.
Wm. Samson & Co., Kilmarnock.
Charles Turner, The Royal Nurseries, Slough.
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent.

COVENT GARDEN, January 13.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the prnicipai
salesmen, who are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered ttiat 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 wliich 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. — Eos.]

Cut Flowers, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

Acacia longifolia,
p. dz. bunches

— d e a 1 b a t a
(mimosa), per
doz. bunches...

Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fielderi, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Carnations, p. doz,

blooms, best
American (var.)

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

Camellias, per doz.
Calileyas, per doz.

blooms
Daffodils, per bch.

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eiicharts grandi-

Uora, per dozen

blooms
Gardenias, per doz.
Heather (wliite),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bchs.
Lapigeriaaiba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac (I-'reiich), bch
Liliinn auralum

per bunch

— longillorum ...

— iaiic i f o I iuin
rubrnji

— album

Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

s.d. s.d.
9 0-12 0

10-16
4 0- ti U
4 0-60

3 0-
1 6-

12 0-18 0
16-26

12 0-14 0
0 10- 1 0

8 0-10 0

4 0-
3 0

60
4 U

9 0-12 0

2 0-
4 0

2 0-30

2 0-30

1 G- 2 G

2 0- 2 (j

8 0-10 0

Lily of the Valley,

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, p. *i/..

bunches white

and jeUow
Mignonette, per

dozen bundles
Narcissus Paper

White, per dz.

bunches

— Soleil d'Or ...
O don to glossum

crispiim, per
dozen blooms
Pelargonium s.
show, per doz.
bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardi.i africana
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Tesiout ...

— K a i se r i II A.
Victoria

— C. Mermet

— Liberty

— Mme.Chateiiay

— Mrs. J. Laing

— Kichmond

— The Bride
Spiraea, p. dz.bchs.
Statice, p. dz. bchs.
I uberoses, per clz.

blooms
Violets, per dozen
buncnes

— Parma

s.d. s.d,
12 0 15 0

3 0-40

2 0-30

3 0-40

2 0-26

4 0-60
6 0-80
2 0-36

16-26

2 0-30

3 0 4 0

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0-80
3 0-60

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0-50

2 0-40

3 0-40

0 3-04

2 0-
4 0-

3 0
5 0

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices

s.d. s.d

Adiantuui cunea-
tiim, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
inosiis, long
trails, per doz.

— — niedm.,doz,
bunches

— Sprengeii
Berberis, per dozen

bunches.
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (ling-

lish)

— (French)
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches

6 0-90

8 0-12 0

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-30
0 6-09

Grasses (hardy),
dozen bunches

Hardy foliage
(various), per
dozen buiiclies

Ivy -leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz, bclis.
(English),
small-leaved...

— French

Oak foliage, per dz.

bunches
Smilax, per dozen

trails

Vine leaves, per

doz. bunches ..

s.d. s.d.
10-30

3 0-90
2 0-26

0 9-16

16-26
4 U- 0 0

4 0-60
10-16

6 0-80
10-16

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

Ampelopsis Veit-
chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldii, p.
dozen ...

— 1 arger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— ten u issi mns
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire de

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ...
Bouvardias, per

dozen

C hrysanthemums,

per doz.

— special plants..
Cinerarias, per

dozen

Clematis, per doz.
Coco 5 Weddelli-
ana, per dozen...
Crotons, per dozen
Cyclamen, per doz.

s.d. s.d.

6 0-80

4 0-60

9 0-12 0
4 0-60
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

n 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

30 0^2 0

12 0-18 0

5 0-80

8 0-12 0

18 0 30 0

6 0-12 0
8 0-90

18 0-30 0
18 0-30 0
8 0-12 0

and

per

Cy perns alterni-
fotius, dozen ... 4

— laxus, per doz. 4
Daffodils, per doz. 6
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9
Erica gracilis ni-
valis, per doz. 10

— hyemalis ... 9

— small plants ... 3
Euonymus, perdz.,

in pots 3

— from the ground 3
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8

— in small
large 60's

— in 48's,
dozen ... ... 4

— choicer sorts... 8

— in 32's, per
dozen 10

Ficus elastica, doz. 8

— repens, per dz. 6
Genistas, per dz.— 10
Grevilleas, per dz. 4
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 9
Isolepis, per dozen 4
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 15

— Fosteriana, per
dozen .. ... 18

Lataiiia borbonica,
per dozen ... 15

L i 1 i u in 1 o n g i -
dorum, per dz. 18

s.d. s.d.

0-6 0

0-5 0

0-8 0

0-24 0

0-15 0

0-15 0

0-5 0

0-8 0
0-6 0

0-12 0

0-20 0

0-6 0
0-12 0

0-18 0
0-10 0
0-8 0
0-12 0
0-6 0

0-12 0
0-6 0

0-24 0

0-30 0

0-21 0

0-30 0

Lili

s.d. s.d.

i u m lancifol-

iiiin, per. doz. 18 0-30 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white

per dozen
Mignonette, per di.

la 0-30 0

G 0- 9 0
6 0-80

s.d. s.d.

Poinsettias, p. doz. 9 i)"l8 0

Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0-60

Solanums, per doz. 6 0-10 0
Spiraea japonica,

per dosen ... 6 0-90
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs ... 16-20

FruU: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel 18 0-25 0

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :

— Ribston Pippin 15 0 17 0

— Blenheim Pip-
... 16 0-17 0

the

... 15 0-18 0
per

4 6-60

5 0-60
3 0-46

pin

— King of
Pippins

— (English),
bushel :

— Peasgood's
Nonesuch

— .Annie Eliza-
beth, p. bushel

— .AUington Pip-
pin

— Braraley's Seed
ling

— Dumelow's
Seedling (Wel-
lington)

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Q'leen ...

— Warner's King

— BlenheimOrangeS 6-5 0

— Lord Derby ... 3 6-46

— Cox"s Orange
Pippin, i-sieve 5 0-80

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case:

— Oregon

— Californian ...

— British Colum-
bia

Avocado Pears ...
Liaiianas, bunch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giant „ ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica ,, ...

— t.oo'ie, per dx.
Cranberries, case
Custard Apples ...
Grape Fruit, case
Grapes, per lb. :

• — Gros Colman...

— English Ham-
bros

— Alicantes

— Muscatof Alex-
andria

4 0-60

3 6-50

4 0-56

3 6-46

4 0-46

11 6-15 0
9 0-11 6

12 0-18 0
5 0-10 0

5 6-60
5 6-60

7 0-80
9 0-11 0

4 6-60

8 0-90

5 0-56
0 6-10

6 0-80
4 0-00
8 0-U 0

0 9-13

0 5-
0 3-

, 0 10-

s.d. s.d.

16-26

14 0-20 0

9 0 11 0
9 0-11 6

Grapes, Canon
Hall, per lb. ...

— Almeria, per
birrel

Lemons, box ;

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— (Naples), case 14 0-18 0
Limes, per case ... 3 0 —
Lychees, per box... 16-19
Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag 36 0-40 0

— Brazils, new,
percwt. ... 32 0-36 0

— Barcelona, bag 32 0-33 0

— Cob, per lb. ... 0 3 0 3}

— Cocoa nuts, 100 10 0-14 0

— Walnuts(French),

per bag ... 5 0-60

— Chestnuts (Ro-

dor), per ba<?... 6 0-70

— (Italian), p. bag 16 0-17 0
Oranges—

— C al i f orn ian

Navel, per box 11 0-12 0

— Jaffas, per box 7 0-86

— Deiiia, per case

(420) 10 0-14 0

— Valencia, per

case (420) ... 8 6 12 0

— (Almeria), case 10 0-13 0

— Jamaica, per

case (176) ... 9 0-10 0

— „ (200) ... 9 0-96

— Mandarine,
Florida, per

case 14 6-16 0

— Mandarine, per

box 0 7-0 10

— Tangerine, per

box 0 9-10

Pomegranates, per

case 6 6-76

— per box . . 2 3-26
Pears (Californian) :

— D o y en n^ du
Comice, p. box 10 0-12 0

— Oregon Winter

Nehs, per case 14 0-17 0

— Easier Beurre,

per case ... 8 0-10 0

— Catillacs (Dutch),

per basket ... 2 0-23

— Persimmons, p.

box (12) ... 10 —

Pineapples, each ... 2 0-50

— (Natal), perdz. 4 0-60

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Arlichokes(GIobe),

per dozen
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Beans (French),

boxes

— Madeira, per
basket

Beet root, per bushel
Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed
Cauliflowers, tally
Celeriac, per doz.
Chicory, per lb. ...
Cucumbers, p. doz.
Fndive, per dozen
Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

Leeks, 12 lumdles
Lettuces (French),
per dozen

19-20

4 6-50
0 9-0 10

10-13

3 0-50
16-23

4 6-60

8 0-10 0

3 0-36
2 9-3 0

2 0-26

5 0-56
16-26
0 3 0 3.^
8 0-90
13-19

10-11
1 6 —

0 8-10

s d.-^ .1.
0 6-80
0 5-60

Mush rooms, per lb.

— broilers
Musiardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Lisbons),
per box

— (Dutch), p. bag

— pickling, per
bushel

— Valencia, per
case ...

Parsley, ^ sieve ...
Potatos (English),

per bag
Rhubarb (forced),

doz. bundles...
Radishes (French),

per doz. bunches 13-16
Seakale, per dozen

punnets
Spinach, ^ sieve ...
Stachys tiiberosa,

per lb

Tcmitos —

— Teneriffe, per
package ... 10 0-14 0

Turnips, bag ... 2 0-30
Watercress, p. flat 4 0-66

1 0

6 6- 7 e
3 6-46

3 0-40

6 6-76
3 0 —

2 6- 4 &
0 10-0 U

9 0-15 O'
2 3-2 9'

0 3i -

Remarks. — The quality of the Oranges now arriving is
slightly better, but the demand is not good. Many .Apples
in barrels are inferior, and good quality fruits are realising
satistaclory prices. Grape fruits are very fine, especially
those from Florida. Californian Navel Oranges are obtain-
able. Trade in Rhubarb remains quiet. Apricots, Plums,
Pears, and Peaches have been received from the Cape
(much larger consignments are expected next week),
Russian Pears are still arriving, the demand being
moderate. Vegetables are a little firmer in price. Trade
generally is quiet. E. H. R., CovetU GanUn^ Wedticsday,
January 72, 7910.

Potatos.

percwt.

percwt.

Bedfords—

s.d. s.d.

Lincolns—

s.d.

s.d.

Up-to-Date ...

.80-36

Up-to-Date ...

. 3 3-

i 0

Blacklands...

.26-29

British Queen

.. 3 3-

8 9

Dunbars—

Royal Kidney

.. 2 9-

30

Maincrop ...

.59-60

Maincrop ...

. i 0-

13

Up-to-Dale

.46-50

Kents-

Lincolns^

King Edwards

. 3 0-

3 6

Epicure

.29-30

Sharpe's Express .

. 3 0-

3 6

Evergood ...

.26-30

May Queen ...

. 3 U-

3 6

Sharpe's Express.

.30-33

Up-to-Date ...

. 3 3-

4 0

Remarks.— There is a slight improvement in trade, but
prices remain about the same. Stocks in London are not
quite so heavy as they were a ,few weeks ago. Edward J.
Neivborn, Covent Ganien and Si. Pancras^ January 12, 7910,

48

THE GARDENERS' ^ CHRONICLE.

[January 15, 1910.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

There is no great improvement in trade generally, but
prices vary considerably. Daffodils and other early garden
flowers have made their appearance. There are also many
hardy flower root?, shrubs, climbers, Roses, and fruit trees.

Pot Plants.
There has been only a moderate trade during the past
week. Yesterday (Tuesday), I noticed many good Chrysan-
themum plants were not sold ; the growers apparently ask
higher prices than retdilers can afford to give for them.
Ericas are well flowered, E. melantheia is specially good
both in the bushy dwarf plants and the taller pyramidal
specimens. £. hyemalis varies, some of ihe plants are not
well flowered but generally they are good. Cyclamen
seem to have been of moderate quality only, this may be
accounted for by most of the best flowered plants being sent
dir::ct to the retail florists. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine has
been very good, some growers have nearly hnished with this
plant for the season. I noted a few fairly good Genistas,
but they are not so well flowered as we shall see them later on,
Poinsettias have not been up to the usual standard this year,
but they are still coming into the market. The growers do not
attach sufficient importance to the obtaining of strong cut-
tings ; it is impossible to obtain large heads of bracts on
thin stems, and it is only by giving early attention to the
stock plants that success in this direction can be obtained.
DaS'odils have been plentiful, those in pots have not sold
well. In some cases it has paid better to cut the flowers
and foliage and sell them in that way. Azaleas of best
quality have not been extra plentiful. Mignonette is not
very good, but the plants will improve with a little
more sunshine. Some Liliums are procurable, but they
would not travel well unless very carefully packed, for the
growth is rather soft. Tulips in boxes are over abundant,
Spiraea astilboides floribunda is good. There is little varia-
tion in the supplies of foliage plants.

Cut Flowers,

DaS'odils are more plentiful, yet the prices are maintained
for the best blooms of Trumpet Major. Messrs. Collins
Bros, are already sending in the Double Daff^odils (N,
Telamonius plenus). The variety Golden Spur is also
seen. There is a glut of Tulips on off^er at low prices.
Chrysantheinums, being plentiful, considerably affect the
sale of other flowers. Callas are over abundant and very
cheap ; very fine blooms were offered at 'is. 6d. per dozen
this morning, but their value may advance at any time.
English Violets are of very fine quality, Princess of Wales
is the largest variety, but the variety known as Kaiser is
more fragrant, besides being a good colour. French flowers
are abundant. Acacias (Mimosas) in several varieties are
at their best condition. Narcissi Paper White, Grand
Monarque and Soleil d'Or, Rosse and Violets are also im-
ported in considerable quantities. A. //., Covcni G.infen,
January 12, 1910.

NEW INVENTION.

A VACUUM FRUIT COOKER.

Messrs. Medcalf & Co. send us particulars of
their " De Luxe " vacuum cooker. It is recom-
mended for cooking Apples and Pears. The ap-
paratus consists of a round vessel holding boiling
water, the steam from which passes up through
capped cylinders, perforated with tiny holes,
upon which the fruit is fixed.

The fruit is cored, and then impaled one on
each cylinder. The cooker is placed either on
an ordinary or a gas stove, and, as the steam
rises, the fruit is cooked gradually from the in-
side. After about 15 minutes the tray is lifted
bodily out, and the fruit is then ready for
serving.

ENQUIRIES AND REPLIES.

Hardy Cypripediums. — In answering my
query respecting hardy Cypripediums (see p. 32),
you mention C. pubescens among those which re-
quire peat or leaf mould. There appears to be
deeper- reasons for the well or ill-doing of these
Cypripediums than we at present seem to know.
For instance, C. pubescens is one of the few
species with which I have been successful, and
it is grovying with C. calceolus in clay, which has
lime in it. With C. montanum I have entirely
failed. Is it possible that C. tibeticum can be-
come established in this country, considering that
it lies deep under snow and frost all the winter
at home ? None of the Primulas that I know from
the high Chinese mountains can stand our cli-
mate. I have a suspicion that the presence or
absence of lime plays a far more important part
in the cultivation of hardy Cypripediums than
seems to be recognised. I have had quite con-
trary advice given me regarding their culture.
B. L.

■ The success or failure in establishing

Cypripediums in this country depends largely
upon local conditions, and no hard-and-fast rule
can be laid down as to what each species re-
quires in the shape of soil. In one place the plants
will flourish in a certain soil, while a few miles,
or even yards, away they refuse to grow under ap-
parently identical conditions. It is only possible

to convey a general idea as to their requirements,
and it remains with the cultivator to e.\periment
with them in order to find the spot where they
will gi'ow best. It is interesting to learn that C.
pubescens grows well in loamy soil with lime in
it. Under pot culture, it succeeds well in a mix-
ture of fibrous loam and peat, flowering every
year. With regard to C. tibeticum being covered
with snow in winter, this fact applies to
numerous alpine plants which do well in this
country. As for the Primulas from the high
Chinese mountains, many of them are of
a biennial nature, and die after flowering. Some-
times a few plants will survive under favourable
conditions, but it is best to raise them from seed
annually. With reference to the suggestion that
the presence or absence of lime plays an impor-
tant part in the cultivation of hardy Cypripe-
diums, perhaps it does ; but even then it is diffi-
cult to hit upon the right proportion needed by
the individual species. Excess or deficiency of a
certain constituent may cause failure.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Asparagus : L. T . P. You appear to have all
that is necessary to force Asparagus. Col-
lect sufficient stable manure and leaves to put
into five lights in the heated pit ; the depth
of this hot-bed must depend to some extent
on the quantity of material available, but it
should be at least 3 feet. Cover the bed
with a thin layer of rotted manure, and
leave it for a few days to settle. Then lift
the Asparagus roots carefully from the ground,
and place them as closely together as possible
on the surface of the bed. Cover them lightly
with fine leaf-mould, and apply wat-er at a
temperature of 70" to rettle the soil amongst
the roots. After a few days the shoot« will
begin to grow, and may l.,e covered with
4 inches of leaf-mould passed through a fine
sieve. The young shoots will grow quicker
and better after the final covering is
applied, but the temperature of the bed must
not be allowed to exceed 75°, or failure will
result.

Bals.vm : F. F. The hardy Balsam you describe
is no doubt the plant known as Impatiens
Roylei. It has been figured in the llolanical
RpgUtcr as I. glandulifera. The species is a
hardy annual, and frequently grows as high as
10 feet in out-of-door positions in this country.

Carnation Failing: ./. MrTl. and Carnation.
Neither disease nor eelworm is present. The
spots on the foliage are due to an excess of
moisture.

CoLEUS THYRSOiDEUS : Readtr. Judging from
the photograph, the plavits are no better speci-
mens than have frequently come under our
notice.

Cyaniding Plant-houses: Fumi/jalor. See
reply to West Sii.isex in the issue for De-
cember 4, p. 388.

Examinations : M . A'. B. A knowledge of
botany, chemistry, and physics is valu-
able to a gardener. You can enter the ex-
aminations of the Board of Education in these
subjects. Proficiency in land surveying, book-
keeping, arithmetic, mensuration, and similar
subjects is useful. Both the examinations you
mention would be suitable for a gardener.

Freesias : ir. M. Some corre.spondence took
place in our columns last season on the num-
ber of flowers developed by the.se bulbous
plants. In the issue for February 13, 1909,
p. 105, R. A. states that he had flower-stems
bearing 15. 12, 11, 10 and 9 blooms respec-
tively. Your examples, with 10 and 12
blooms, although very fine, do not constitute
a record.

CJardener's Notice : //. //. The trouble would
not have arisen had you obtained a satisfac-
tory agreement with ycur employer before tak-
ing up the situation, a practice we have fre-
quently recommended in these columns. It
may be found you have no redress now that
you have already accepted the week's money.
As the expenses incurred are serious, it may
be worth while to state your case to the com-
mittee of the British Gardeners' Association,
addressing the letter to the secretary, Mr. J.
Weathers, Talbot Villa, Talbot Road, Isle-
worth.

Gardenia Dying: H. A. P. ^e plants are
affected by " collar-rot," caused by Botrytis
vulgaris. Water the plants with a weak solu-
tion of sulphate of potash. The disease has
probably spread through propagating from
diseased stock.

Gr-Afting ihe Clematis: Adam. Plants for the
purpose of furnishing scions should be placed
at once in a gentle heat. The shoots will be
ready in about three or four weeks, and
must be worked upon roots before they
become too ripe. The propagating house
should be provided with a bottom heat of from
70° to 75° and cases that can be kept closed.
Select suitable pieces of roots from the stock
plants, and, by means of the whip system, gr;;ft
the scions upon them, binding them tightly
with raffia. Pot the roots in thumb
pots, placing the scion as deeply as pos-
sible without covering the buds. Plunge
the pots in a layer of cocoa-nut fibre in the
frames. Exclude the light from the frames for
several days, but open the cases at intervals
to allow excess of moisture to escape. After
about two weeks the buds will begin to push,
and when the shoots are a few inches in height
the plants should be taken out of the cases.
Shift them later into 5-inch pots, and gradually
accustom them to cooler conditions, until in
July or August they may be plunged out-of-
doors.

Names of Fruits: J. E. Mere de Menage. ,

Names of Plants: II'. E. 1, Cunninghamin
sinensis; 2, Juniperus Sabina ; 3, Tsuga cana-
densis ; 4, Juniperus virginiana. — O. S
Ornithogalum lacteum. — C. G. 1, Odonto-
glossum cirrhosum ; 2, Cypripedium Sedenii ;
3, Cypripedium villosum. — IT. S. Oncidiunk
excavatum (aurosum). — Interested. Zygopeta-
lum intermedium. — W . D. R. 1, 2. 3; these
Phloxes cannot be named in the absence of
flowers ; 4, Arenaria sp. (send flowers) ; 5, Saxi-
fraga trifurcata var. ; 6, Polygala Chamsebuxus ;
7, Acfena Nov£e Zelandis'; 8, Thymus Serpyl-
lum ; 9, Saxifraga hypnoides. — II'. B., Beshoro' .
1, Begonia acutangula ; 2, an Asparagus (in the
absence of flowers and fruit, the species can-
not be named with certainty) ; 3, Asparagus
deflexus ; 4, Erica melanthera ; 5, Moscho.sma
riparium. The " Beetle " sent for identifica-
tion is an adult male specimen of Blatta aus-
tralasijE, one of the cockroaches (see p. 43). —
R. II . B. S. Ornithogalum lacteum, a South
African bulbous plant belonging to the Natural
Order Liliacese. Were the flowers in this
instance produced b}' a plant in cultivation
in this country or were they imported in a
cut state from South Africa? — H. JI. 1,
Maxillaria variabilis; 2, Oncidium pubes; 3,
Oncidium flexuosum ; 4, Odontoglossum con-
strictum ; 5, Brassia verrucosa ; 6, Cypripedium
insigne.

Primula x Kewensis Unhcalthy : A. R. No
disease is present ; the trouble has been caused
by over-watering the plants.

Trees Planted in Clay : Clay. You did
wrong to plant fruit l;reeB in crude clay from
a brick-lield, and we are not surprised that
they have done so badly. As the soil is natur-
ally of a light character, you should have
incorporated plenty of leal -mould or other
vegetable matter with it and used well-rotted
manure, preferably cow-dung. The clay
should have been dried and then pounded,
mixing it with the soil as finely divided as
possible. As the trees are a failure, it is
advi-sable to dig them up and plant again.
During dry weather the ground can be kept
moist by applying a mulching of manure, and
this will also afford a manurial stimulant to
the roots.

Winter Wash : W . E. You must not apply the
caustic alkali wa.sh to evergreens; it is only
suitable for leafless trees in a dormant state.
Magnolias being as a rule of moderate dimen-
sions, it would be possible for you to remove
the lichen by means of a scrubbing brush "nd
warm, soft-soapy water.

Yew Tree : L. T. P. The best time to remove
the tree is in April or early in May.

Communications Received. —Dr- A. B. R. — A. J. R. &

Sons_Rev. D. R. W.— H. M. V.-A. D.-G. J. I.— Eden
A. T.— Edmond, B.— B. G.— The Railwav Gnzete—
W. E. G.- J. U. & Sons— S. A.— W. W. P.— W. B. H.—
H. F.— A. P.- J. D.-H. S.— W. H. Y.— W. B. V., West
Indies-C. B. L.— E. H. J. -P. J. C— John S.— T.-D. M.
-G. W. R.-C. P.-T. &Co.

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Iaxdary 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

49

THE

6arbcucrs'(!bbionicl

No. 1,W4.—SATUBDAY, January 39, 1910.

c

CONTENTS.

AvborDay in Ireland ...

Ai'senical sprays, the
dangers from

Barr memorial fund

Beet-sugar iiidustry in
Line Insliire ..

Benevolent Institution,
Gardeners' Royal (An-
nual election)

Bequest to a gardener ...

Bolivia, the exploration
of

Books, notes on —
Report on a Botanical
Survey of Stewart
Island, New Zealand

British Museum, changes
in the botanical depart-
ment at the

Chrysanthemums, late...

Crala-gus integriloba ...

Drought during frost, the
effect of, on plants ...

Fscallonia Moribunda ..

Florists' flowers —
Cactus and Pompon
Dahlias

Forrest, Mr. George ...

Grass, the effect of, on
trees

Green colour in plants...

Guernsey, notes from ...

Insecticides in glass-
houses, danger in using

Kew gardeners' social
evening

Larch canker

Obituary _

MacOwan.Dr

Smith, Robert

57

Orphan Fund dinner.

Royal Gardeners"
Picea, a new fundus

disease of

Picea sitchensis, frost

canker of

Primula fonchifolia
Railways, undergi-ound,

floral dcco'ations at ..
Rainfall in i909, the ...
Rothanisted, weatlier re-
cords at, in 190y
Societies--

Debating

Horticiilnral Club ...

National Clirys. «

Royal Caledonian Hor-
ticultural

Royal Horticultural ...

(Scientilic Committee)

Stirling and Districc
Horticultural

Ul&ter HurticuUuval ...

York Florists

Strickland, Sir Charles,

the late

Tx-ees and slirubs —

Abies Webhiana
Vines, the jiruning of

young

Warehouse, a new .seed
Week's work, the—

Apiary, tlie

Flower garden, the ...

Fruits under gla^^s

Hardy fruit garden, the
• Kitchen girden, the ...

Orchid houses, the ...

Plants under glass
Wehvitscliia mirabilis ..

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Cones and floral details of WelwitSL-hia mirabilis 49,

Cratffigus integriloba, spines and leaf of

Escallonia floribunda ...

Portrait of the late Sir Chas. Strickland, Bart.

Primula soTu-liiri>lia in China

Seedling of Wi'hvitschia mirabilis ...

Welwitb,eljia mirabilis growing in Damaraland (Sux^ple-
mentary Illustration).

57

WELWITSCHIA MIRABILIS.

(See figs. 31, 3'2, 33, and Supplementary lllnstration.)

ALTHOUGH tile plant represented in our
illustrations has been known for rather
less than half a century, few, if any,
other members of the vegetable kingdom nut
in economic cultivation have served as the
excuse for so much writing. Discovered by
Wehvitsch in 1861 on the barren plateau be-
tween Mossamedes and the mouth of the
Cunene, and, almost simultaneously, by the
artist Baines in the desolate gorges of the
Swakop in the hinterland cf Waltish Bay, and
introduced to the scientific world by Sir
Joseph Hooker's classic memoir in 1863,
Welwitschia has been the subject of a,
remarkable number of notices in horticultural,
botanical and even popular literat\ire. It owes
this distinction to an unusual combination of
circumstances. Its bizarre form, suggesting a
Rip Van Winkle among seedlings, is in itself
sufficient to arrest the attention of the most
casual observer. In 1904 the writer w'as for
a short time the guest of the small garrison
of a German fort in the neighbourhood of
which many of these plants are found. It
was believed that at any moment the station
might be surrounded by a body of insurgent
Hereros. Nevertheless, the second in com-
mand, a corporal, persisted in disi-egard-
ing the perils of the situation in order

to dilate upon the peculiarities, and
speculate as to the origin of this vege-
table curiosity, which he had just seen for
the first time. The. locality in which it
flourishes is hardly less remarkable than the
plant itself. Imagine a wilderness, rugged and
barren, in which rain rarely falls and upon
which, from morning to night for months
or even years at a stretch, the rays of a
tropical sun beat down tlirough the clear, dry
air with an intensity that must be felt to be
understood. This desert, a coast strip some
750 miles from north to south, is small in
extent compared with the Sahara or the
Gobi, but not less severe in the conditions
which it imposes upon the plants living in it.
These conditions must, in some degree, be
held responsible for some of the many extra-
ordinary features presented by Welwitschia.
But the highest claim which this plant makes
upon the interest of the botanist is in conse-
quence of the great difficulty that has been
experienced in assigning it to its proper
position in the plant kingdom. It re-
mains where Sir .Joseph Hooker placed it, viz.,
in the vicinity- of Ephedra and Gnetum with
which it is united in the group Gnetales. But
how close is its relationship with these two
genera and in what degree either of the three

Fig. 31. — SECTION of a male flower of

\VEL\V1TSCHL\ MIRABILIS, AFTE.-J HOOKER.
(Magnified.)

is akin to others — Cycads, Gingko and the
Conifers — of the great Gymnosperm class to
which they all belong, must be admitted to
be among the unsolved problems of botani-
cal science.

Xear Mossamedes, Welwitschia usually
grows in deep sand ; in Damaraland and Great
Namaqualand it more commonly occurs on
rough, stony ground at the base of a slope or
hill. In such situations the plants are almost
always found in shallow channels carved oat
by running water. If the channel is a long
one, it may contain a number of plants
similar in size and, therefore, presumably
of the .same age. The .seeds are produced
in large numbers, each enclosed in its winged
envelope (fig. 32 E-G). After their separa-
tion from the cone, they are carried far and
wide over the plains by the wind. They may
travel until they are broken up by contact
with the ground or their further progress is
stopped by a shower of rain. Such a
shower is rare in the greater part of
the Welwitschia region, but now and
again, in a period of years, there is
a sufiicient fall of rain to float off seeds lying
on the ground and to caiTy them down the
channels in which the surface-water flows
until it is absorbed by the thirsty soil.

In the Damaraland desert in March, 1909,
several hundreds of seeds, with a mis-
cellaneous collection of insect-wings and other
light debris, were found in a hollow in such
a channel into which they could only have
been carried by water. Seeds deposited in
this way in sandy depressions germinate
rapidly when the sand is sufficiently moist ; it
is probable tliat a further condition necessary
for germination is a degree of protection from
strong sunlight. At first the energies of thj
young plant are mainly devoted to the pro-
duction of a long, thread-like tap-root.* It
may be supposed that, if this does not reach
a depth at which a sufficient supply of under-
ground water is obtainable before the mois-
ture supplied by the streamlet which brought
the seed has evaporated, the germination is
in vain. In this rapid elongation of the root
while the development of the young plant in
other directions is held in abeyance, we
see one of the most important of the
adaptations by which the existence of the
species in this region is made po.ssible. The
advantage which the root thus obtains over
the other organs of the plant is never lost ;
in an old plant in which the stem rises a few
inches above the ground, the root is so long
and to such an extent has it penetrated the
fissures in the underlying roclcs that attempts
to reach the end of it are unavailing.

Before the remarkable embryonic organ,
known as the " feeder," has exhausted all the
food-stores in the seed, the two short, strap-
shaped seed-leaves have become green and
the little plant has commenced to provide its
own food. Meanwhile there appear on the flat
top of the stem, between these leaves, two
small outgrowths — green, leaf-like expansions,
becoming, in older plants, corky knobs — w hose
nature is obscure. It was at first believed
that the seed-leaves persist throughout the
life of the plant. It is now known that
they soon fall away and are replaced by
a second pair i)!aced at right angles to the
first. t These are the leaves which persist,
and it is only in very rare cases that any
others appear.]; As the top of the stem
broadens and assumes its familiar, more or
less two-lobed, elliptic form, its rim becomes
elevated above the middle, so that when seen
from above, it bears some resemblance to
the wooden basket commonly used by gar-
deners— but the sides and bottom of the
basket are lined with irregular corrugations
and lumps of hard, brown or black cork. In
sand}" situations, the hollow toji of the stem
becomes filled up with blown sand in which,
in moist seasons, grasses and a few other
small plants establish themselves. The leaves
arise from a deep groove in the rim. In very
old plants, one side and the middle of the stem
are sometimes completely broken away, and
there is left only a piece of a leaf-bearing
rim projecting above the ground. In the
young plants the leaves are only a few centi-
metres broad, but as the stem increases in
diameter the base of each leaf broadens and
extends more or less completely round half the
circumference. As long as the stem is alive
the leaf continues to increase in length at its
base, while, at the other end, it dries and
breaks up. By the action of the wind it is
split irregularly into numerous stiff, thong-

» Pearson. The Living Welwitschia. A'n<ii«, 1007, p. 536.
t Gardeners' Chronicle, Jan. 7, 1882, p. 15.
Z ouch an exceptional case is under investigation by Illiss.
Sykes at Cambridge.

50

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[.January 22, 1910.

like strips, sevei-al feet in length, which
usually become more or less confusedly
tangled (see Supplementary Illustration).
Sheltering beneath them are found beetles
and other insects — almost the only evidences
of animal life met with in the Welwitschia
desert.

The plants, so far as has been observed,
are dioecious. The inflorescences, each bear-
ing many cones, arise from pits in the sur-

face of the stem, usually just above, some-
times just below, thi origin of the leaf. In
a good season the great profusion of cones
arising from the rock-like and seemingly dead
stem is truly astonishing. A very good idea
of the form of the greenish-j'ellow, male cones
is given by Mr. Worthington Smith's drawing
(fig. 32 B). The flowers, each above its bract,
are arranged in four rows, from 50 to 70 in
each cone. Each flower contains six, three-

lobed, stalked anthers surrounding au ovule
which is always barren ; these are, in the
young condition, enclosed in the four
" perianth-leaves " (fig. 32 J). When the
anthers are mature, they project on the
surface of the cone (fig. 32 B, H), and
so release their minute pollen grains, shaped
rather like Rugby footballs (fig. 32 L), so
that they come into contact with the lower
surface of the bod}- of the insect (Odontopus

Fig. 32. — welwitschia: male and female cones.

A. Female inflorescence, showing purplish cones of the real size.

B. Male inflorescence, with anthers projecting beyond the bracts.

C. Tranverse section of female cone.

D. Longitudinal section of female cone.

E. Bract and perianth of female flower.

F. Transverse section of bract and perianth, showing the seed.

G. Oblique view, showing the bract and the female perianth, x 2.

Portion of inale cone with bracts and projecting anthers.

Plan of male or hermaphrodite flower with a bract, two otiter beat-like
segments, and two inner broad concave segments. The six stamens
spring from a membranous tube surrounding an imperfect ovule. (See
also fig. 33.)

One of the stamens showing the three-lobed anther opening by three cracks, x Iv.

Pollen grains magnified 300 diam.

January 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

51

sexpunctulntiis), ^vhicli carries tliem to the
female cone.

The female cones, which are a little longer
and much thicker than the male (fig. 32 A),
may produce each as many as 60 seeds. In the
young cone the bracts are green, but as the
time of pollination arrives their colour changes
to a dull, rich red or purple ; when the seed.s
are ripe the red has faded and has been re-
placed by a straw colour. The figure of the
female inflorescences (32 A) is not perfectly
accurate, for at the stage represented, above
the apex of each bract (excepting a few at
the top and bottom of each cone), there
should be shown a fine projection like the
end of a needle — such as is seen in fig 32 E.
This is a very fine tube, formed by the open
end of the seed coat. It is a .structure of great
importance, for upon its tip, which at the
time of pollination bears a small drop of sweet

been mentioned, plays an important part in
the scattering of the seeds by the wdnd.

Many of the structures which have now been
briefly mentioned are more fully described in
Sir Joseph Hooker's monograph and else-
where ; with regard to their correct interpre-
tation botanists are still by no means agreed.
Until this has been* found, the difficulty of
determining the place which Welwitschia
should occupy in a natural system of classifica-
tion will remain. It is probable that we
have in the living members of the class
Gnetales, the last few survivors of an ancient
stock w'hose connection with one another and
with the other great groups of the flowering
plants is obscured, perhaps for ever, by the
disappearance of forms that would have made
these relationships clear. In the absence of
these it may well be that Welwitschia will
continue in a position of systematic isolation

single rod method of culture is adopted. Indeed,
this is the general method even where a whole
house is filled with one variety — MiLscat of Ale5c-
andria, Madresfield Court, or any other .sort.
There does not appeal- to be any reason why a
bouse of this kind, coutainiiii; but one variety,
should have 10 or 20 vines when two would fill
the house equally well in course of time, bevond
the fact that a longer period is required to
establish the larger vines in a thorough beari'i'tg
condition. The error most commonly commiltcd
in pruiimg vines consists in allowing too great a
length of leader during the first four years. I
have many times seen as much as 6 feet of
leader left the second year of pruning, purely Ijr
the purpose of filling the allotted space quickly.
Such a method of pruning results in weak places
in the main stem. In that weakened space the
side growths from the rod will be weakly, and
will produce interior bunches. This would
not matter so nuich if it were only a fea-
ture for a season or two, with a chance of

Fig. 33. — SEEDLING WELWITSCHIA (mONTEIRo).

fluid, the insert deposits the pollen grains.
They sink slowly in the fluid, which fills the
tube ; in due course they germinate and fer-
tilise a number of the female nuclei in the
ovule enclosed by the lower part of the seed
coat. One may imagine a severe struggle for
existence among the many minute embryos
thus formed. In the race that ensues one em-
bryo, by reason of a more favourable start
or more rapid development, reaches the
richest part of the albumen before the rest.
It becomes the embryo of the seed ; the
others, which it has outpaced, develop no far-
ther and are eventually absorbed by the
winner. Outside the seed and its seed coat
there is a second envelope, sometimes called
the " perianth," provided with a thin, papery
wing (fig. 32 F, G), which, as has already

analogous to that which it occupies in space
with respect to the few other plants that
share with it the desolation of its native
deserts! II . H. W. Pearson.

THE PRUNING OF YOUNG VINES.

I frequentlV see cases in which vines are
mismanaged in small gardens which in ether
respects are properly looked after. JIany failures
are traceable to attempting to fill a newly-planted
vinery in too short a space of time. Patience
ought to be exercised, seeing that the vines
should be expected to last in good condition for
at least 25 years without renewal of the canes ;
and. as a matter of fact, they will last double
that time under proper management. Generally,
if a grower has but ono vinery, it contains
several varieties of Grapes ; in that case, the

gathering strength afterwards, but this never
happens. The vines exhibit the failure as long
as they are retained. How much better it is to
see a vine of 50 years old or less with a regular
tapering rod, with the thicker portion at the
base and an even distribution of side spurs of
equal strength and quality.

Now as to the initial stages of pruning, assum-
ing that the vine started its growth from the
base where as a pot plant the first growth
sprang. This would be on a level with the
border. I always like to induce the lower eye of
the vine near the soil to make the foundation
growth. I prune down to two eyes when iJant-
ing from the pots and allow the two growths to
progress for a time as a safeguard until it is
seen that the lower growth is secure from slugs
and is healthy and promising. I then remove the
one above. In the first year the growth should

b->

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 22. 1910.

reach to a height of about 14 feet. From this
first length of rod np the rafter, the result of the
first year's growth, I cut back so much as to
retain one pair of side shoots and a leader, which
means three buds above the first wire, which is
generally placed 18 inches or 2 feet from the
border — in some vineries less and in others more.
For the first year one bunch of fruit is
sufficient, since, by overcropping the first year,
the growth becomes crippled and never regains
the vigour necessary to last in good condition
30 years. Were the vines intended to last but
a few years (as is the case in market nurseries)
it would not matter if they were allowed to
carry half-a-dozen bunches the first year. The
leader should not be allowed to carry a bunch :
it is better for the future progress of the vine
if the strength is spent in growth rather than in
jjerfecting fru't.

The subsequent pruning should be carried out
in the same way. The pair of side shoots left the
year previous should be cut back to within two
eyes of the cane, or main rod, as it is now called.
'J'he reason for allowing two eyes on each side
shoot is to provide two strings to the bow as it
were. If the basal leaf of the current year's
growth does not come perfect in form, or fails to
develop itself fully, there is not much likelihood
of a good bunch of Grapes coming from the shoot.
But if it is seen that the shoot nearest the main
rod is perfect in growth the second shoot should
be rubbed off so that the spurs can be kept short
and near the main stem for a greater number of
years. Subsequent pruning of the side shoots
should be on similar lines ; the leader should not
be allowed to e.xtend more than 2 feet each year,
because the number of side shoots annually added
will provide space for a full crop of fruit. Each
spur will give a bunch, or two if necessary, but it
is not wise to allow it to do so. If every spur
will give one desirable bunch there is no need
for the leading canes to be longer than 2 feet.
E. Moli/nenx.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

CACTUS AND POJIPON DAHLIAS.

The following is an up-to-date list of the best
Dahlias. Many of the finest exhibition Cactus
varieties are not good for garden purposes ; for
instance, J. B. Riding, the blooms of which are
very beautiful when wired and staged at an
exhibition, but make sorry specimens when
placed in an ordinary vase. The most critical
growers are those who exhibit their blooms,
therefore I will give a list of the choicest exhi-
bition Cactus Dahlias first.

Amongst th-^ introduced last spring were
two good, white kinds, viz., Snowdon and Snow-
storm. Snowdon is in many respects the better
of the two : it is a deeper flower, although not so
perfect in form. The florets are pure white.

Snowstorm requires a considerable amount of
thinning of the shoots, otherwise there will not
be sufficient florets to produce a perfect bloum, and
the pollen will show. The habit, form, and height
of the plant are quite different from Snowdon.

Brig-\dier is a very useful variety, with deep-
red flowers. The plant is of dwarf habit, free
in growth, and produces blooms of good form
but narrow in the florets. The plant is easy to
cultivate, and likely to become popular.

Glory of Wilts. — This is probably the finest
yellow Cactus Dahlia, but it is rather shy in
flowering. The plant does not grow very tall.
The flowers are very incurved and of large size.

Saxonia. — The colour is a rich crimson, but
the plant is, like the last-named, very shy of
flowering. The habit is robust, the leaves being
very large. The blossoms are perfectly incurved,
and tliey are composed of narrow fiorets.

Rev. T. W. Jamieson. — This is one of the
best all-round Cactus varieties. The plant de-
velops a good habit, has strong stems and well-
ff.rmed flowers, combined with a healthy con-
stitution. The blooms are a pretty shade of
lilac-rose, with a yellow-tinted base.

S.\TISF.ACT10N. — This variety has been ap-
plauded by some and condemned by others. I
have found it to be a fine exhibition flower, of
most reliable and lasting qualities, and should
include it in a list of the best dozen varieties.
It must, however, be planted early and its season
pushed forward as fast as possible, as the flowers
develop slowly. In form, colour, and shape of
floret, this variety is everything that can be
desired.

JIoNARCH. — In this we have a particularly
deep and lasting flower of fine form. The plants
are dwarf, and produce long flower-stems. It is
not advisable to thin them too rigorously, as this
causes the flowers to develop exceptionally-large
centres.

Nellie Riding. — AlUiough not over-robust,
this is a healthy and free-flowering variety, with
flowers of great beauty. The base of the florets
are a deep-crimson colour, and the tips pure
white. The flower-stalks are rigid.

Flora. — This is even prettier than the last-
named, the base of florets being tinged with
yellow and the tips white. The plant requires
careful attention, as it is never very strong. The
blooms are of barely medium size.

Marathon. — This variety has a wretched
flower-stem, but the flowers themselves are splen-
did, being good of form, large in size, and bril-
liant in colouring. The plant is a strong grower,
and it is only the flower-stem which is weak.
Its value is as an exhibitior. variety.

Debut.ante. — Similar to the last-named, this
is chief!}' useful as an exhibition variety, having
florets of the most approved form, together with
a delightful, soft-pink colour.

Royal Scarlet. — This is worthy its name, the
colour being very rich. The flowers are pro-
duced on dwarf plants, but the blooms are large,
very slightly incurved, and possess ^lendid
centres. The variety is useful for either exhibi-
tion or garden purposes.

Of the varieties distributed during 1908, the
best are : —

C. E. WiLKiNS. — A fine flower of first-class
form, the plant being one of the easiest to cul-
tivate.

Mrs. Walter Baxter. — One of the few good
dark flowers. The flower-stems are long and the
blooms are incurved. The habit of the plant is
dwarf.

Fl.ame. — This is chiefly useful for showing in
bunches, as single blooms are very thin. The
plants are of good habit, free, and constant in
blooming.

H.arold Peerman. — The best all-round yellow
Dahlia, but lacking the form of Glory of Wilts,
although better in other respects.

IvERNiA. — A very large flower of salmon-fawn
colour. The plant is of splendid habit, with
wiry shoots, and free in flowering.

Dr. G. G. Gr.^y. — After a partial failure in
1908, this variety was again good last year. It
produces flowers of splendid form, with narrow
fiorets of a rich-crimson colour.

A few of the best of the older sorts are : —
Caradoc, Clincher. Ruby Cirinsted, Lustre,
Eureka, Dreadnought, Mrs. W. H. Raby, Wil-
liam Marshall, J. B. Riding, Crepuscule, Ad-
vance, H. W. Sillem. and JNIrs. Grinsted.

Amongst the best Cactus Dahlias for garden
purposes are those following : —

Snowdon ; Rev. Jamieson : Echo, with silvery
rose-coloured flowers of fair form, carried on
erect flower-stems, but not refined enough for
exhibition purposes ; Flash, a typical, small-
flowered, garden Cactus Dahlia, free in blooming,
and with wiry flower-stems ; Rev. A. Bridge,
probably the best-stemmed Dahlia raised ; the
colour is yellow at the base, passing to rosy-pink
at the tips ; Foxhunter, a capital, scarlet-col-
oured flower, of neat form, and possessed of a
good .stem ; Dreadnovoit, not over-strong as re-
gards stem, but still one of the best garden Cac-
tus Dahlias, taken as a whole ; Cakadoc, the best-

stemmed, yellow variety for garden purposes ;
Zoe, the best-stemmed of the white kinds ; St.ar,
a good all-round variety, with orange and yellow-
coloured blooms ; Primrose, another capital
garden flower, the name denoting the colour.

Other good, hardy sorts are Stalwart, Delight,
]\Irs. Brousson, J. H. Jackson, Ella Kracmar,
Ajax, and Amos Perry.

No mention has yet been made of the fancy
Cactus Dahlias ; six of the best of these are
Sirius, Mercury, Victorian, Diavolo, Flora, and
N. Riding, the last two being included amongst
this type.

The Pompon section, unlike the double and
fancy Cactus types, appears to attract the atten-
tion of raisers, and new varieties are introduced
in fairly large numbers. The following are 24
of the best sorts, those of recent introductions
being enumerated first : —

Annie Doncaster, a typical Pompcn Dahlia,
with very neat and pretty blooms ; the colour is
yellow, shaded with pink at the tips of the
florets. Donald, a bright-crimson flower, after
the style of Bacchus. Lassie, in colour some-
what similar to Annie Doncaster and quite per-
fect of form. Arthur Kerley, rather distinct
in colour and of capital form. Amelia, this also
is a neat and pretty flower, the colour being
pink, with a lighter centre. Laddie, a crimson
variety, of perfect form and floret.

Other good Pompon Dahlias are : — Tommy
Keith, Nerissa, Darkest of All, Bacchus, Girlie,
Ideal, Jessica, Douglas, Daisy, Adelaide, Queen
of Whites, Rosebud, Nellie Broomhead, Gany-
mede, Kitty Barrett, San Toy, Little Mary, and
Emily Hopper.

Very few Pompon Dahlias are unsuited for
garden decoration, and, considering the ease with
which they are cultivated, it is surprising they
are not more extensively grown. The colours
are both brilliant and beautiful; in fact, few
flowers can boast of greater variety in these
respects. P. P.

NOTES FROM GUERNSEY.

At the Roluiis Nurseries of Mr. A. J. Guilbert
are some new Richardias, the result of crossing
R. Elliotiana with the Godfrey Arum which was
raised by Mr. W. J. Godfrey. The new variety
has a leaf spotted white on the dark green and a
mottled stem of purple, brown, and greenish-
yellow, like the Golden Arum. Its leaves are
more arrow-headed in shape than those of R.
Elliotiana, and very similar to those of
the Water Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia.
The trumpet bracts, or spathes, are like those
of Mr. Godfrey's Callas, pure white, with
hardly a trace of green near the petiole ;
and the spadix is of a lemon-yellow, similar
to the variety Mrs. Roosevelt. At the base
of the spathe,- on the inside, are deep purple
markings. This promises to be a very popular
market variety as soon as it is known, for the
handsome foliage sets off the chaste blooms to
perfection. The plants seem very floriferous.

Mr. Taylor, of Les Osmondes Vineries,
Coutanchez, is putting on the market a new
Tomato, which he claims to be the hardiest
Tomato yet grown. Appearances seem to indi-
cate that the claim can be substantiated. This
has been a very trying and somewhat co!d
autumn locally, with plenty of rain and wind,
yet, during the second week of November, Mr.
Taylor showed, at the Guernsey Autumn Exhibi-
tion, a large dish of nearly 100 fruits which ha
had gathered from the open fields on the first of
the month. They were a deep, bright red, and
as firm as a Tomato grown in June ; besides
which, they are perfectly spherical and with not
a trace of an eye. Mr. Taylor has named them
Bonnc-bouche. a very approi^riate description, for
even some gathered towards the end of November
made a remarkably good mouthful as dessert
fruit. One of the parents is The Clipper,
a Tomato which has done well here, and of

January 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

53

which an improved variety called The Queux
Clipper has been put on the market by Les
Queux Manor Vineries Co.

Following up my previous notes on Nerines, I
am glad to say that Messrs. Wheadon & Son
have some seedling Nerines of quite novel form.
They are the results of crosses between N. Fother-
gillii major, coruscans, and crispa. From crispa
they get the twisted petals, and these have been
developed until a quite Cyclamen-like floret has
been produced, giving a very effective and grace-
ful appearance. A few of them also are bi-
coloured. One batch of the seedlings appears
to be the deepest crimson yet produced,
with whorls of florets (as many as 12 to
14) of a deep velvety-crimson, more blood-
red even than tha recent hybrid Excelsior.
The stems are from 18 to 24 inches in length,
and the florets have very long petals. Last year
was a wonderful year for the flowering
of Nerines, and the weather just suited them —
dry and warm in the early part of the year, and
damp during the flowering period. There are

A thoroughly novel shape, of quite unconven-
tional and very graceful form, has been well
named Honeysuckle, for at a short distance both
in colour and shape the flowers give one the idea
of the blooms of the wild Honeysuckle, They
are, of course, of the quilled variety. Three new
and good quilled varieties are named Pink,
White, and Bronze Quilled. A very pretty white
flower, and one which wiU make a fine com-
panion to White Dove sent out by Mr. Lilley this
autumn, is Seagull. The petals are broad, tipped
or oar-shaped, and have a very light appearance,
as they are slightly bent at different angles.

Mr. W. H. Lancashire, 'the raiser of the
Carnations Rose Dore and Emperor, has a
grand new seedling of the perpetual-flowering
class, which is of quite a new tint and is, so far,
the brightest purple grown. It is expected to be
named Purple Emperor. It opens rather slowly,
but the calyx does not burst, and the briglit
purple of the whole petals cat<:hes the eye all
over the house. Flower-stems are 2'^ feet long,
and both growth and flower .seem ideal. IT. S. B.

[Pholograph by C. F. Ball.

Fig. 34. — ESCALLONiA floribunda: flowers pink.

still a fair number of blooms to be seen here and
there. At Messrs. Hubert & C«.'s there was
displayed the finest pot of Nerine Mansellii
that it has ever been my pleasure to see. Quite a
dozen flower-stems of grand length, and carrying
a profusion of the bright rose-pink florets, were
in good form for nearly a month.

Mr. Frank Lilley, of Les Menages, is putting
on the market a number of the finest single
ChrysaiUhemums which he has yet raised.
Amongst them is the new Apricot, which was so
favourably commented on recently when shown
at tha R.H.S. Show. But the most popular is
nearly sure to be Gaillardia. The blooms are of
the size and shape of Gaillardia flowers. The
outer edge of the petals is a bright crimson,
inside this is a ring of orange, and all the centre
of the petals is occupied by a pure white band,
while the eye is a bright yellow disc of medium
size. The foliage is very fine and healthy and
nicely compact. Whether for conservatory or
hall or for cut blooms Gaillardia is sure
to be in demand. Another attractive bloom is
Lavender, a new shade of silvery-mauve, the
petals being very narrow and long and slightly
reflexed. Strawberry, with the true crushed-
strawberry colour, is a flower of good substance
and a very vigorous doer, but not a true single.

ESCALLONIA FLORIBUNDA.

Tins Escallonia is cultivated against a south-
west wall at Glasnevin, and is one of the showiest
shrubs throughout September and October. In a
fine autumn the strong terminal shoots are
crowned with snowy masses of bloom. The
panicles are carried on stiff, brown stems ; some
of the larger inflorescences are 9 inches in length,
and the flowers have a fragrance like the common
Hawthorn. The plant is attractive even in the
bud state, and if the inflorescences are cut in this
stage, the flowers will open and remain fresh for
10 to 12 days, the yellow stamens and the green
protruding stigma eventually becoming promi-
nent in the centre of the pure white blooms.

Unfortunately, this species is not thoroughly
hardy ; nevertheless, it is capable of wintering
safely on a wall at Kew. A sunny aspect should
always be chosen for it. At Glasnevin, near
Dublin, a plant 6 feet high always flowers most
profusely ; while another plant, 10 feet high, but
in a partly-shaded position, produces very few
flowers.

Escallonia floribunda was discovered by Hum-
boldt and Bonpland, in the Andes of New
Granada, at 8,400 feet elevation. Later, the
species was found in Venezuela, Colombia, as

far south as Peru, and thence across the continent
to Monte Video. This Monte Video form was
called E. montevidensis by De CandoUe, and is
sometimes still cultivated under the name of E.
floribunda var. montevidensis. C. F. Ball.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

ABIES WEBBIANA.

Sfeing that Douglas described as " lovely,"
" noble," " grand," and " magnificent " certain
Silver Firs of less attractiveness, one wonders,
having regard to his great admiration for these
handsome trees, what laudatory title he would
have given this Hunalayan sipeoies h-tl he bctu
fortunate enough to have introduced it to this
country. In Abies Webbiana we have a Silver
Fir which does not fail to arrest the attention r,f
even the most casual observer. Its rich, green
leaves, with their broad and decidedly silvery
lines on the under surfaces, are much larger
than those of any other member of the Fir family,
whilst its long blue cones, only second in size
to the huge fruits of Abies nobilis, are consider-
ably larger than those of any other blue or
bluish-purple coned Fir.

There are two drawbacks tp the successful cul-
tivation of Abies Webbiana in this country, ther
chief being the irregularity of our winters. On
its native mountains the seasonal changes
of weather succeed each other almost with
the regularity of the phases of the moon,
and when once winter sets in the snows
fall, and it is winter, and winter only, until that
sea.son gives place to spring. Furthermore, there
are practically no brief returns to winter, as so
oft«n happens with us, but after a season of elc-
cided rest the trees burst forth into new growth,
which is perfnitted to mature unchecked by frcsts.
In this country the winters are so inconstant, and
the early springs so fickle, that Abies Web-
biana often fails to have that complete rest so-
essential to a tree which expends much energy
in perfecting an unusual amount of leaf-growth
and large, heavy, resinous cones. In addition to
this hardship, the trees, deceived by a short
spell of mild weather into feeling that another
growing season has arrived, burst open their
glossy, deep brown buds, and expose their tender,
pale green shoots to the spring frosts and cutting
winds for which our country is noted.

The second obstacle to b^ contended with is
the brittleness of its branches, which even a
moderate gale will dismember. To remedy this,
complete protection from all rough winds is
necessary, and a north-westerly aspect would do
much to delay each season's growth until the
danger of injury from frosts is nearly, if not
ejuite, passed. When planted in a fairly rich,
moist soil near the bottom of a slope facing
north-west, and properly protected from gales,
growth is rapid, and .shapely, broadly-pyramidal
specimens soon grow up ; but in any exposed posi-
tion very little but a bare pole will remain.

During November and on through the early
part of December the annual shedding of the four
to five-year-old leaves takes place. Before tha
leaves fall they often assume a bright yellow ap-
pearance, and vie in attractiveness with Ciui-
ninghamia sinensis, which sheels its old branches
at this season.

The terminal winter-buds are large and stout,
the leading buds being as big round as the
branches from which they spring. The
globose buds are well protected by glossy
brown resin, which, in spring, fades to a
pale fawn colour, and, as the scales open, tha
woolly, inner coat becomes prominent. On
a mature tree the leaves which spring from the
undersides of the branches average 1| inch in
length, whilst on young trees they are even
longer. The staminate flowers are set in the
axils of the leaves on the undersides of ths
branches : they are of a dull yellowish-groen col-
our tinted towards the apex with purple. Towards

51

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Jak.^ari' 22, 1910.

the end of April, when the pollen is about
to be shed, the purple colour beeomes more pro-
iioiinred, and the green gives place to yellow. At
this period the flowers are about an inch and a
half long. The pollen is shed in dense clouds —
Si prolihc is ti-ee nature — covering the branches
below and carpeting the ground beneath. The
flowers, having performed their function, soon
fade, shrivel, and fall, leaving their brown scales
on the tree ; the scales persist for several years,
becoming dry and woody. The erect. cone-flowers
are of a most brilliant blue colour ; when fer-
tilised they grow quickly into cylindrical cones
some 7 inches long and 2% inches in diameter,
retaining their beautiful colour until very late
in the autnnni. when, the cone being mature, it
fades to a dull brown. lu this country the cones
usually contain only a small number of fertile
seeds," which is to be expected, as such trees
are generally self-fertilised. Natural seedlings
have been observed in pineta so far apart as
Castle Kennedy in Wigtonshire, and Pencarrow
in Cornwall, aiid no doubt instances would have
been recorded elsewhere but for the ubiquitous
riibbit and other vermin which destr^-y so much
oi the young growth of woods and gardens.
E.\trficts"froni letters of Wallich and Webb in the
tliird edition of Lambert's Genu.^ Piniis, state
that the fruit in full growth yields, on expres-
sion, an indigo or purple pigment. The same
authorities state that the wood, though of in-
fel'ior quality, is of considerable value in its
native habitat, and is used for planes, though,
judging from the nature of branches grown in
thi.s country, the wood is very unsuitable for this
purpose, being heavy and short-grained, much
inferior to Beech-wood, which is usually em-
ployed for plane-making.

There are two examples of Abies Wcbbiana
in the Pencarrow pinetum ; the larger of
the two is 61 feet high and girths 6 feet
7 inches at 5 feet up. It was planted in 1844 by
Mrs. Ford's brother. Sir William Jlolesworth,
the enlightened Secretary of State for the Colo-
nies, who gave sell government to (.'anada, and
found relaxation from his parliamentary duties
ill garden making and in planting the now famous
pinetum at Pencarrow. A. C Bartlrtt.

The Week's Work.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northaniptonshire.

Pruning bush fruits. — If the pruning of bush
fruits has not been commenced already, no time
must now be lest in beginning it. As a general rule,
newly-planted bushes require more severe pruning
than' those whicli have been established for some
year. In order to obtain the besi dessert Goose-
berries, all the leading shoots should be pruned to
a length of 9 inches, and, in the case of weakly-
growing varieties, the pruning may be rather
more severe. Any shoots proceeding from the
spurs may be pruned to within two or three
buds ; should it be found that the spurs are in-
conveniently numerous, they may be thinned out,
thus exposing the remaining spurs and subse-
quent fruits to the influence of light and air, and
rendering the gathering of the fruits a matter
of less difficulty. Red and White Currants
should be pruned closely, cutting each shoot
back to three buds, except a few of the lead-
ing growths ; these may be left a few inches
longer. Black Currants need a different method
of pruning, inasmuch as most of the fruit is
borne on the young shoots ; a certain amount of
old wood should, therefore, be pruned away,
and the strong sucker-like growths from the base
encouraged by leaving them unpruned. Cut
out all the weak .shoots, and thus prevent over-
crowding. If there are any signs of the bud-
mite, which causes buds to become swollen in
the winter season, hand-picking must be practised
in order to remove all the swollen buds, which
must be burned. As soon as pruning is finished.
all the shoots and rubbish should be gathered
without delay, and placed on the fire heap.
AVhen this has been done, apply a liberal sprink-
ling of quicklime and soot, lightly forking
these materials into the surface soil. It will
not be possible to dig deeply without injuring
the roots. If any stimulant is required, a
liberal sprinkling of bonemeal may be mixed
with the soot and lime. Later, all the bush-

fruit borders may be given a liberal mulch of
manure, such as is obtained from a spent hot-
bed, and consisting of leaves and stable litter.

Sweet Cherries. — If the sweet Cherry trees
against walls had their shoots pinched during
the summer, it will now be necetsary to shorten
the spurs to two or three buds, and train in any
leadrng shoots that are required to furnish
more space. Severe pruning must be avoided,
as this is apt to induce gummosis. In pruning
the trees, should be it be found that any of the
branches are likely to press tightly agaiiLst the
wires or any rough portion of the wall, it will
be desirable to place pieces of "Virginian cork
under such portions of the bark, or the friction
will be likely to cause gumming. This protec-
tion is necessary iii the case of all fruit trees
trained on walls.

Morello Cherrie.< are generally grown against
walls facing the north. Contrary to the sweet
Cherries, tliey fruit on the growths made
in the preceding year, therefore, the pruning
must be rather diflerent from that practised in
the case of sweet Cherries. Cut out all branches
that appear unfruitful, and any that are badly
placed or that are weakly, and train in as many
of the young growth." as are required to furnish
the space, with the growths trained at distances
from 3 to 5 inches apart. Let the trees and
walls be thoroughly cleansed in a similar man-
ner to that recommended in a previous Calendar
for Apricots. If the border needs attention, it
may be treated as advised in the Calendar for
January 8.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Spathorjlottis. — Such species as S. aurea, S.
Lobbii, S. Fortunei, S. Vieillardii. S. Soutteri-
ana, S. Kimballiana. S. plicata, and its variety
also, also the hybrids, S. aureo-Vieillardii, S.
Ci'lmanii, and S. C. aurea are tropical, terres-
trial Orchids that deserve a prominent position
in every collection. The plants form small corm-
like pseudo-bulbs on creeping rhizomes, and bear
tall and grass-like foliage. When actively
growing these plants delight in much heat and
moisture, both at the root and in the atmo-
sphere ; an elevated position in the warm plant
stove or East Indian house is best for them.
While the plants are quite dormant, they should
lie placed on a dry shelf close to the roof-glass
in the same house in which they were grown,
but on no account allow the compost to remain
dry for any length of time, especially in the
case of S. Fortunei and S. Lobbii, or irreparable
damage may be done them. Examine the sur-
face of the soil at least once a week, and give
a good sprinkling with water from a fine rose
can to any that are dust dry. Some of the plants
as S. aureoVii illardii and S. C'olmanii will now
be showing their flower-spikes, and the supply
of water to the roots must be carefully regu-
lated, for if too much be afforded at this time
the flower-spikes are apt to damp off, and the
plants start away into premature growth. The
plants may be repotted soon after growth com-
mences, using fairly large pots, and placing in
them plenty of drainage material. Fibrous loam,
Osmunda fibre, and Sphagnum-moss in equal pro-
portions form a suitable potting compcst. but the
fibre and moss should be cut up rather small,
as it will mix better with the loam than if used
in a rough uncut state. Add sufficient small
crocks to keep the wliole porous.

Vanda n'ntfonii. — This species Is now de-
veloping its flower-spikes. From this time until
the flower-buds are well advanced, water at the
rr.ot should be gradually lessened, and, on the
flowers opening the supply should be reduced to
a minimum. When in bloom every care should
be taken that moistui'e, either from the syringe
or water-pot, does not settle on the pretty white
flowers. Treated in this manner, the flowers keep
perfectly fresh and free from spot for many
weeks. This winter-flowering Orchid, when it
becomes more plentiful, will be largely sought
after in places where choice blooms are required
for bouquets, dining tables and other forms of
decoration. "Vanda Watsonii thrives very well
at the cooler end of the Cattleva house, being
elevated well up to the roof-glass in a light
position.

Dendrobium Srinderie. — Under somewhat
similar conditions, though in rather more sub-
dued light, this new Dendrobium is thriving very

well. The plant bears a general resemblance to
D. Dearei, but it is to be hoped that D. Sanderie
will prove more amenable to cultivation than that
species. Although growth has been progressing
for several months, the plant has not been heavily
watered at any time, but immediately new roots
are produced from the young growths the quan-
tity will be gradually increased. Like its allied
species its foliage appears to be liable to the
attacks of red spider ; the leaves, therefore,
should be often wiped over with sponge and
warm soft-soapy water.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghck, Gardener to Joseph Pickebsgill, Esq.»
Bardon Hill, Weetwocd, Yorkshire.

Clerodendron fallax. — This valuable winter-
flowering plant may be raised from seeds, or the
old plants which w'ere reserved for stock pur-
poses may now be placed in an intermediate tem-
perature for furnishing cuttings. It is assumed
that the growths have already been pruned, leav-
ing about six eyes or thereabouts on each. Do
not apply much water to the roots until the
plants have commenced to make growth. Syringe
the plants occasionally, and when the young
growths are. advanced sufficiently to form cut-
tings, let these be removed with a heel attached
to each. Insert them singly in 3-incli pots, using
a compost of leaf-mould, ])eat, or loam and sand
in equal proportions. Plunge the roots in a pro-
pagating case where a good bottom heat is avail-
able. If seeds are sown, these should be
scattered very thinly on an even surface of tine
soil in shallow pans, containing porous, well-
drained soil.

Cineraria. — These plants require ventilation
whenever the weather will permit of fresh air
being safely admitted to the pits. If artificial
heat is necessary in severe weather, it will be
necessary to keep a sharp look-out for aphides,
which are liable to do a great amount of damage.
The plants should be turned round occasionally
so that they will not be drawn to one side by the
action of the light. Be careful to apply water
to the roots before they suffer from the slightest
drought, otherwise the foliage will soon show
signs of disfigurement. An occasional watering
with liquid manure will be beneficial.

Lilium Harrisii. — The earliest bulbs of this
Lily may now be introduced into the inter-
mediate forcing house, being careful to select only
those which have a fair amount of roots, and are
already developing foliage. If space has been
allowed for top-dressing, this operation may be
deferred until growth is more vigorous. Place a
green stake to each growth, and loop them up
severally by means of raffia tape.

Kurhari.s tjrandiflnra . — Specimen plants which
have flowered through tlie autumn are now show-
ing signs of growth. If an increase of stock is
necessary a few of the largest specimens may be
divided, and the bulbs sorted into sizes, potting
the largest by themselves in pots of a suitable
size. The potting compost may consist of good
fibrous loam two parts, peat one part, and char-
coal, coarse sand, and dry sheep manure one
part. Use clean pots, and have them thoroughly
drained. Do not use a potting stick, but press
the soil with the thumb and finger around the
roots firmly but with care. If bottom heat is
available the pots may be plunged into cocoanut
fibre or tan bark ifj to the rims. Maintain a
moist atmsohfrf! bv recnlarly spraying the
plants, and occasionally damping the stages and
paths They will not require much water until
some foliave has developed. It is not necessary
to restrict the roots of Eucharis in order to in-
duce florifcrousness, indeed, this restriction, if
practised frequently, is very detrimental to the
bulbs. Considerable success may be obtained by
potting up one half of the plants each spring,
dividing the largest specimens at the same time.
If the bulb mite has attacked any of the ])lants
remove all the soil from the bulbs, carefully )ire-
serving the roots from injury, then thoroughly
cleanse them with a solution of carbolic or
paraffin soap. If the old pots are to be used
again they should be washed in a similar manner.

S'eed-.'^owing. — Preparations should be made for
this by taking advantage of wet days to
thoroughly cleanse all pots and pans, placing
them in their respective sizes, and in getting
ready a supply of suitable loam, leaf-mould, and
sand. These materials .should be placed under
cover.

January 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

55

IRUITS UNDER GLASS.

liy 13. GuoDALni,, Gardener to Sir Lunl^t Cassel,
G.C.13., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

I'lneapples. — Plants that are expected to
ripen this season shonld now have a bottjm heat
ot 75°; attd an aLmosphtric temperature of 80",
which may be allowed to rise to 90° with sun-
heat. Admit a little air at the top of the house
or pit, whenever the weather is favourable, leav-
ing the ventilators open for one l.jur at about
noon ; this will allow of the drying up of any con-
dtnattl moisture. Be rather sparni;; in applying
water to the roots, and any w'ater that is used
should first be warmed to the temperature
cf the house. Kach time the plant is watered
the roots should be soaUcd thoroughly through.
Huccessional plants do not need so much htat,
but in other respects they may be treated simi-
larly to those which will fruit this season. All
tile plants need whatever light is possible, there-
fore the glass should be w-ashed frequently both
inside and out. On cold nights a good layer of
long litter from the stables may he spread on
the roof, in order to assist in maintaining the
requisite degree of heat, without unduly forcing
the fires. Examine the plants fretjuently for in-
sect pests, and take every means to destroy any
that may be present. White scale is the chief
enemy of Pines.

Fiij trees in/jcli'. — Any trees that were started
early in December will now require an atmo-
spheric temperature of 60° to 65'^, and a moderate
bottom heat. Where this is supplied by hot-
water pipes, it will be necessary li keep the
plunging material thoroughly mois... Hgs re-
cjuire a humid atmosphere, and should be
syringed with tepid rain-water every morning
and afternoon. Sprinkle the paths with liquid
manure and well damp them in the evening. The
r(X)ts cf the Fig must never be allowed to lack
moi.^ture, therefore the cultivator must not only
be guided by the appearance of the sui face soil,
but must ascertain what it is like where uu-
af"fected by the syringing,s below. Whenever
water is given let sufficient be applied to moi.«ten
the soil right down to the drainage. The trees
will now be sufficiently advanced in growth to
benefit by applications of liquid manure. Place
collars of zinc or clay around the pots in order
that light top-dressings m.ay be applied. These
top-dressings may consist of loam and decom-
posed horse-droppings in equal proportions, and
th:-v should be applied when roots are seen on
the suiface. Pinch the young shoots at the
fourth leaf in order that the second crop of fruits
may develop.

Fiij trees in horderx. — Any trees that were
started at the beginning of the year may now
have a night temperature of 45°. Syringe the
plants regularly and otherwise maintain a moist
atmosphere by damping the paths. When the
leaves begin to unfold, increase the temperature
by 5°, admitting a little air on favourable occa-
sions, but close the house again at about noon,
in order to husband the sun-heat.

Fii/s for siircessiiui. — If the later trees have
not b:en pruned a'rcady, this work shul 1 be done
at once, and the house cleansed afterwards. Cut
all growths of extra strength somewhat severely,
and leave only enough fruiting wood to furnish
the trellis without overcrowding. Do not re-
move too much young wood at the base of the
tree, for it is not only necessary to have a supply
of fruiting wood for the coming season, but the
welfare of the tree in future years must be con-
sidered. If any scale is present. Ihis must be
removed by means of some approved insecticide.
When all these things have been done the trees
will be in readiness for starting into growth
when required.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Di nn. Kitchen G.ntlen I^oreiTian,
Royal Garden^, Windsor.

Mushrooms. — It is necessary to form fresh beds
every three or four weeks if a regular supply of
]\[ushrooins is required. There being sometimes
considerable difficulty in getting the materials in
good condition it is advisable to devote an open
shed to this purpose. The droppings necessary
for each bed should be collected in as short a
time as is possible. After being ?ot together
they should be turned over every alternate day
for a period of 10 days or so. Only the loufiest
straw should be removed, .^ftcr its removal to
the Mushroom house, it w-ill be neccspn"v to wait
until the temperature of the fermenting manure

is just on the decline, when spawning may be
done at a temperature of 70°. Afier this, the
whole surface may be covered with loam, in a
moderately moist condition, 2 inches deep, and
pressed hard. No fire-heat should be applied
unles3 the weather is very severe. More failures
are due in Mushroom culture to excessive heat
and a dry atmosphere than to any other cause.
Let the cultivator endeavour to maintain a
steady, moist atmosphere and a temperature
of 55°.

Onions, — If extra large Onions are desired, a
sowing of Ailsa Craig or some similar variety
should be made as soon as possible. The
seeds should be sown in pans or boxes contain-
ing sandy loam, pressed moderately firm. Cover
the seeds very lijhtly with fine soil, and water
them gently, covering the boxes afterwards with
sheets of gla.ss to prevent evaporation until the
seeds germinate. As soon as the plants are large
enough they should be pricked off into boxes or
small pots, and placed near the glass in a pit
where a temperature of 65° can be maintained.
When the plants begin to grow, a little air
may be admitted both by day and night. After
;i few weeks they may be removed to a cool
frame, keeping the frame closed for a day or
two. and afterwards admitting air in increasing
quantities until April, when the plants may be
put out into ground that has been trenched and
manured liberally for the purpose.

/Ior.<e-i-acll<)i, — The present is a good time to
make a frosh plantation of Horse-radish. The
piaiit reejuires a deep, rich soil, and a moist
situation. Thj ground should be trenched, and
a liberal application of manure made to it. In
this way large roots may be grown in a short
space e,f time. Select long, straight side-roots
and place thc'in in rows 2 feet apart, allowing
9 inches between each plant. The roots should
be inserted by means of a long dibber.

lihuhcirh. — Fresh plantations of Rhubarb
sliould be made each season in deeply-trenched
and heavily-manured land for the purpor^e of pro-
viding roots for forcing. Plant the crowns in
rows 5 feet apart, allowing a distance of 3 feet
in the rows, .\lthough an open situation is best.
Rhubarb for this purpo.<e may be planted in any
out-of-the-way part of the garden, provided the
ground is manured liberally.

Radishes. — JIake frequent sowings of Radishes
in a heated pit or e.n a gentle hot-bed. Good
forcing varieties are Wood's Early Frame and
Olive-shaped Scarlet.

Chlrori/. — Place roots of Chicory in the forcing
pit each fortnight, keeping the crowns well above
the soil. If the soil is already in a moist condi-
tion, a good watering should be given at the time
of planting, but no further watering will be
necessary till th-3 crop is gathered. If an atmo-
spheric tern lerature of about 60° is maintained,
the crops should be ready in three weeks after
starting.

.Mint, Tarroijon, and Sorrel. — Supplies of
these herbs may be maintained by placing roots
on a gentle hot-bed and covering them 1 inch
deep with finely-sifted leaf-mould. Apply a
watering with water at the temperature of 70".
After a week the young shoots will begin to
appear.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. \'icary Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

Lawns. — When it is considered that, for the
sake of neatness, everything which would natur-
ally assist the turf is removed by broom, rake or
mowing machine, it is not surprising that lawns
are often in a poor and exhausted condition. It
is, therefore, necessary, during some part of the
winter or early spring, to adopt means to im-
prove the turf. Other causes than the one men-
tioned may be responsible for the unsatisfactory
condition of the grass : it may result from an
imperfectly drained soil, or perhaps from drought
when drainage has been carried out too exten-
sively on naturally hot soils. .\ii:>ther reason
may be an insufficiency of suitable loam beneath
the turf ; when grass is overhung with large
trees the drip from these during the winter
months also causes a considerable amount of
harm. If the land is waterlogged means should
be taken to drain it. and the sooner the work is
completed after this date the better. Exhausted
and weedv tnrf shnnld receive a thorough dress-
ing of well-decayed farmyard manure, leaf soil,

loam and road-sweepings in equal proportions,
adding one bushel of bonemeal to each cartload
of the compost. A good dressing of this should
be applied, and occasionally brushed about till
the end of March, when seeds, of suitable lawn
grasses should be sown and well raked and rolled
in. iMeans of some kind should be adopted to
prevent the birds from taking the seed. Where
weed?, and Daisies especially, are numerous,
apply lawn sand in early spring. This dressing
requires to be repeated every two or three years.
Though it may cause the grass to become brown
for a short time, it acis as a stimulant later, and
in a short time the turf will assume a deep green
colour and grow vigorously. All deep rooting
weeds, such as Docks, Plantains, and Dandelions,
should be dug out with suitable tools, filling the
holes caused by their removal with fine soil and
flesh grass seed. Lawns should be thoroughly
swept when the weather is suitable, with the
double object of clearing off leaves and other
rubbish present and dispersing the worm casts.
The new, long-handled liamboo brooms are very
effectual for this purpose ; they enable the work
to be done more easily and thoroughly than
ordinary Birch besoms.

llhddodendnins and Azaleas. — These require
an annual top-dressing of suitable materials.
Though these plants are generally considered to
be peat-loving subjects, peat is not essential to
their welfare, provided lime is absent from the
rooting medium. Good fibrous loam mixed with
plenty of leaf-soil suifs them. Permanent beds
of the choicest varieties should receive a dress-
ing, about 1 inch deep, of leaf-soil cue part, de-
cayed cow manure one part, road sand one part,
and either good fibrous loam or peat. Being
surface-rootitig plants, the ground should never
be forked between them. Grafted plants of the
R. ponticum section and hybrids may be grown
successfully in ordinary soil and in the less con-
spicuous parts of the garden. If planted when
quite small at this season Ihey will quickly be-
ceme estab'i.?hed and soon make fine bushes.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.

The .reason. — On the whole, the weather since
September has been very mild and exceedingly
wet. Some bees, on bright days, have been seen
by the pools of water, and this is a sure sign that
early breeding has commenced. No beekeeper
should fail to examine the roofs of his hives to
a.scertain whether they have leaked. If water
has reached the quilts, they should be removeel
and replaced by dry ones. In the event of severe
frost, the damp quilts would become very cold,
and, if the stocks were not strong, they would
perish. The brood chamber must not be dis-
turbed, and no overhauling must take place.
When putting on dry quilts, a cake of candy may
be slipped under the lower layer if there is any
suspicion that the bees are short of food. When
the cause of the leakage in the roof has been
discovered, stop the crack, or whatever it may
be, with white lead or putty, and paint it over
with gold size, which will set quickly.

Di/.'-enleri/ is likely to make its appearance in
anv hives which are neglected. When the excre-
ment is found on the alighting boards and hives,
this IS a sure sign that the bees are suffering
from this disease, for, in a healthy state, these
iijsects only void their faeces whilst on the wing.

Hone I/. — Some beekeepers have still extracted
honey on hand, and this will be in a granulated
state. It must be remembered that to heat honey
above 120° is to rob it of some of its delicate
aroma, and this will not be agreeable to cus-
tomers. It will be well to melt the honey by
placing the tin in another larger tin containing
a small quantity of water, and then place the two
over a slow fire, and, as the honey liquefies, stir
it well with a wooden spoon.

Apiary requisites. — Those who intend to do
their work thoroughly during the year should
o\erlook their stock of requisites, make out a list
of what they require, and place their orders
with a reliable appliance maker ; this will avoid
disappointment later. Early in spring, frames
can be fitted up with wired foundation, so as to-
be in readinrss for early swarms. Shallow frames-
may be treated likewise. The sections may be-
placed in the racks, and all should be welf
wrap-ied up in newspaper to preserve them front
dust and dirt.

56

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

[January 22, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well as speamcns oj plants
for fiavung, should be addressed to the EDI lORS,
41, Wellington Stret-t, Covent Garden, London.
Coiinnunications should be writti-.n on oni>: side onlv of
THK PAPER, sent as eaily in the ii-eek as possible and duly
signed by the writey. J/ dc-sired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— 7Vic Editors do not
undertake to pay for atiy contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, xinless by
special arrangement. The Editors no not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photogiaphs or drawittgs, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, vr of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, JANUARY 24— Surveyors' Inst. meet.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Miss E. Armitage on '* Intensive Cultivation of Vege-
tables in Madeira.")
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28-

Southampton Roy. Hort, Soc. Annual Dinner.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29-

Ann. Dinner of Soc. Frant. d'Hori. de Londres at Cafe
Royal.

Average Mean Temperature for tlie ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— Sg-S".
Actual Temperatures ; — "

London.— IlVifiicsrfaj', Jamiaiy 19 (6 p.m.): Max. 45";
Min. 40°.
Ganieners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden l^ondon —Thursiiay, January 20
(10 A.M.); Bar.' 296; Temp. 41'-' ; Weather—
Dull.
Provinces. — Wednesiiav. January 19 : Max. 45" S.W.
Ireland ; Min S?"-' Lincolnshire.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Lilium=, Dutch Bulbs,
&c., at 12 ; Roses, Fruit Trees, &c., at 1.30, at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Perennials, Hardy Bulbs and Plants, Liliums, &c., at
12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30; Palms and
Plants, Azaleas, &c., at 5, at 67 & 63, Cheapside, E.C.,
by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

Unreserved Sale of Nursery Stock and Greenhouse
Plants, at the Royal Nurseries, Ascot, at 12, by Protheroe
& Morris.

FRIDAY—

Choice Cypripediums, Cattleya Mossiae and olher
Orchids, at 12.45, 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe
& Morris.

Stewart
Island.

A quarter of a century ago
Stewart Island was described as
a " Southern Fern Paradise."
This designation it certainly deserves ; for,
within its small area, sixty-six species of Ferns
have already been collected, and the botany
of the island is still imperfectly known. This
number is just about half that of the species
recorded from the whole of New Zealand ; but
it is the abundance of many of the species
that constitutes such a striking feature in
the vegetation of the island. Among these
Ferns are twenty species of " filmies," — six-
teen of Hymenophyllum, and four of Tricho-
manes — and four different kinds of tree Fern.
Of the latter. Dicksonia squarrosa is extremely
common, especially in gullies; and the elegant
Hemitelia Smithii also occurs very frequently.
Dr. Cockayne's Report,* brings our knowledge
of the vegetation of the island up to date. Not
everybody knows or remembers much about
Stewart Island, the southernmost of the three
principal islands of New Zealand. Formerly
these island were named Northern, Middle and
Southern ; the last is now known as Stewart
Island. The older nomenclature is employed
in Hooker's Handbook of the \eii' Zrahiiid
Flora, 1864; but at that date alnio.st nothing

"New Zealand: Department of Lands. Report en a
Botanical Survey of Stewart Island. By L. Cockayne,
Ph.D. (Wellington, N.Z. ; John Mackay, Government
Printer, 1909.) Price 2s. 6d.

was known of the botany of Stewart Island.
Now the official designations are ; North,
South, .and Stewart Islands, the last being
relatively quite small. It lies in 47° S. lat.,
about 15 miles from the nearest point
of the mainland; and its area is estimated
at 425,390 acres, or, roughly, four times that
of the Isle of Wight. It is very hilly, or
even mountainous, the highest peak. Mount
Anglem, rising to 3,200 feet. The coast
is very irregular, with deep indenta-
tions, the most important and picturesque
being Paterson Inlet and Port Pegasus.
Granite and diorite gneiss form the founda-
tion of the Lsland and most of the neighbour-
ing islets ; but the Solanders and other more
distant islands are volcanic. The climate is
very similar to that of South-western Ire-
land and some parts of western Great Britain,
but at present the data are insufficient to
admit of an estimate of the climatic conditions
of different parts of the island or even to pro-
vide averages for the whole. The average
annual rainfall in the island of Ulva, Pater-
son Inlet, for nine years, 1900 to 1908, was
63.64 inches, and the greatest fall, in 1906,
was 77.44 inches. The average number of
days in a year on which rain fell during the
same period was 246, and in 1902 rain fell
on 283 days. With regard to temperature,
Dr. Cockayne is of opinion that it rarely
reaches 70° Fahr., and rarely falls so low as
15° Fahr., and in some parts there is scarcely
any frost. Hence, such characteristic,
northern New Zealand plants as Rhopalostylis
sapida, Brachyglottis repanda, and Poma-
derris apetala thrive perfectly, when planted
in the Island of Ulva. Apart from the large
number of more or less rainy days, cloudy
days are frequent. Consequently, such shade-
loving trees Ss Dacrydium cupressinum and
Dicksonia squarrosa flourish in the open,
and the destroyed forest is soon replaced.
Vegetation is luxuriant, but it is rich in
individuals rather tltr.n in species. Dr.
Cockayne enumerates about 400 species of
flowering plants, of which only sixteen are
peculiar to the island. The large Fern
element has already been mentioned. Grasses
and sedges are relatively numerous,
yielding thirty-six and forty-seven species re-
spectively. Twenty-one species of Orchids
are enumerated, including the epiphytic
Dendrobium Cunniugharnii, Earina niiicro-
nata, E. autumnalis, and Sarcochilus ad-
versns. Exigencies of space will not allow us
to follow the author in his ecological notes and
descriptions of plant-formations ; but the ex-
treme rarity of the genus Cordyline, and the
total absence of Nothofagus — the southern
Beeches, or Birches, as the early settlers
named them — is noteworthy.

With respect to the scenery of the island.
Dr. Cockayne says: " It is hard to speak of it
without using a superabundance of superla-
tives. There is, indeed, no part but is de-
lightful, and in many spots it is unsurpa.ssed
by the best that New Zealand as a whole
can offer." In addition to its attractive
flora, Stewart Island shelters a most in-
teresting and, in some respects, unique bird
fauna. Lovers of Nature will rejoice to
know that the Government of the
Dominion has taken steps to protect both
birds and plants by reserving nearly two-
thirds of the island, largely as preserves of
the native fauna and flora, but partly as

" scenic reserves." The latter are almost
entirely in the districts of Paterson Inlet and
Port Pegasus. The whole of these reserves
are open to the public, whereas the " sanc-
tuaries " in the main islands are not.

With regard to the future of Stewart Island
Dr. Cockayne predicts a great success for it
as a pleasure resort for Australasia and the
rest of the world, especially if the present
regulations respecting the fauna and flora
are continued and rigidly enforced. There is
no doubt that it would prove an attractive
.spot, for the rainy, sunless days are no draw-
back but an attraction to many who live
in regions of continuous sunshine. Dr.
Cockayne's report is a mo.st interesting and
valuable compilation, which can doubtless be
obtained in this country from the High Com-
missioner for New Zealand, if not so easily
from the booksellers.

Royal Horticultural Society. —The next;
meeting of the committees of this Society will
take place on Tuesday, the 25th inst., at the
Hall in Vincent Square. At 3 p.m. a lecture
on " lutensive Cultivation of Vegetables in-
Maderia " will be given by Miss E. Armitage.

The Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., writes to

us as follows: — "As the B.H.S. Book of
Arrarxjemerttx for 1910 will not be in the
hands of Fellows and exhibitors until to-
wards the eud of the month, and in view
of the nearness of the date, 1 should be
much obliged if yon would let it be known
through the medium of your jourual that the
Society's spring bulb show is fixed for March 8
and 9, when special prizes are offered for forced
Hyacinths, bulbs grown in mossfibre, and for
Amaryllis. You have already kindly permitted
particulars of these competitions to appear in
your columns, and they may ali=o be found in
the ' Notices to Fellows ' issued in the last
Journal of the Society, viz., vol. xxxv.. Part II.,
page cxciii., et seq."

A New Seed Warehouse. -Travellers on the

London and South-Westeru Railway cannot fail
to have noticed the erection of a huge building
jtist beyond Raynes Park station, on the down
side. The building is a great warehouse, and is
destined to become, to a laige extent, the future
house of the Holborn seed firm. Messrs. Jas.
C.'VRiER & Co. This firm has purchased some 20
acres of pasture land lying between Raynes Park
aiid New Maiden. Nearly the whole of this has
been trenched by manual labour during the past
winter. The ground has a frontage of some 300
yards to the railway. There is also a good front-
age to the line leading to Kingston. The soil is
a sandy loam on the surface, with, in some parts,
a clay base. The warehouses appear to cover an
area of about 2^ acres.

Bequest to a Gardener. — Among the
bequests of Miss Ellen Morrison, who died on
December 23. 1909. is one of a life annuity of
£40 to her former gardener, Mr. George Tid-
BURY. Mifs MoRRLSON, who was the sister of
Jlr. Ch-vrles Morrison, whose death occurred
on May 25, 1909, left estate the value of which,
so far as is at present ascertained, is £975,000.

The Exploration of Bolivia.— According

to the Geneva correspondent of the Times, the
Swiss Federal Government is about to despatch
an expedition to Bolivia, in order to study the
flora and fauna and climate of the unexplored
regions of that country. The explorers, amongst
whom are several British men of science, will
leave for South America on July 1 of the present
year.

January 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

57

Mr. George Forrest. — Our readers will join
us in wishing a prosperous journey to Mr.
George Forrest, who sailed on Thursday la.st
for China and Tibet on a collecting expedition
on behalf of Messrs. Bees, Ltd. Mr. Forrest's
previous journeys in these regions have resulted
in the introduction of numerous new species of
plants of horticultural interest and value, among
which we may mention particularly Primula Lit-
loniana, e.xhibited at the last Holland Park
Show, and illustrated in this journal, July 10,
1909. In breaking new ground, we may be sure
that Mr. Forrest will enrich our introduced
flora yet further, and that, when he returns
three years hence, he will have made discoveries
of no less importance than those which are
already associated with his name.

Peter Barr Memorial Fund— We stated
last week that the committee had decided to
make an immediate appeal for subscriptions on
behalf of this fund. The following is the te.xt
of the appeal ; " Large numbers of Daffodil lovers
liaving expressed a desire to see a fund raised for
the purpose of commemorating the life and work
uf the late Peter Barr, V.M.H., the mem-
bers of the Royal Horticultural Society's Nar-
ci.^sus Committee recently met to consider the
matter. Various proposals were put forward, but
those finding most favour were : The institution
of a Peter Barr .Memorial Medal to be awarded
ainiually in connection with work among Daffo-
dils ; and the provision of a fund for the main-
tenance of an orphan through the medium of the
Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. To carry out
these proposals a general committee, consisting
of the members of the Royal Horticultural
Society's Floral and Narcissus Committees, was
at once formed, with power to add to their num-
ber, and five members of each body were nomi-
nated to form an executive committee as follows :
— Jlr. William Marshall, V.^LH., Chairman;
Mr. Henry B. May, Treasurer ; Jlr. J. T. Ben-
nett Poi;. M.A., 'V.ALH., Mr. W. Cutiibertson,
J. P., the Rev. J. Jacob, Jlr. Wm. Poui'Aet, Mr.
CiiAS. E. Shea, Mr. Walter T. Ware, Mr. R.
Hooper Pearson and Jlr. Chas. H. Curtis,
hon. sec. Peter B.\rr's great work was
among Daffodils, and he may be said to have
created the British Daffodil industry; but he also
tcok an active part in the improvement and in-
troduction of Tulips, Hellebores, Jlichaelmas
Daisies, Lilies, and other hardy flowers. He was
one of the founders of the Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, and served on ihe committee of
that chraity for many years. In these and many
other ways Peter Barr did so much to
advance horticulture that the committee appeal
confidently to the great flower-loving public for
a sufficient sum to carry out the above proposals.
Cheijues and Postal Orders, crossed " London and
Provincial Banking Co.,"' should be sent direct
to the Treasurer, Jlr. H. B. JIay, Stanmore,
Chingford, Essex. Copies of this appeal for dis-
tribution among members of Daffodil and other
lluricultural societies will be gladly sent on ap-
plication to the hon. secretary, C. H. Curtis,
Adelaide Road, Brentford, Jliddlesex.

Dr. Peter MacOwan, whose death occurred
in December, at Uitenhage, South Africa, was
formerly Government botanist at the Cape, a
position he held from 1881 to 1905, when the post
was abolished. Peter JI.\cOwan was born in
Yorkshire in 1830. For some time he was Pro-
fessor of Chemistry at Huddersfield College, but
in 1862 he emigrated to South Africa to take up
the position of Principal of the Shaw College at
Grahamstown. Later, he became Professor of
Chemistry at the Gill College, Somerset East.
The degree of Doctor of Science was conferred
upon him in 1902 by the Cape University. Dr.
MacOwan achieved excellent work in botanical
e.xploration in South Africa.

Kew Gardeners' Social Evening.— Tlie
15th annual social gathering of the Kew gar-
deners and their friends took place at the Boat
House, Kew, on the 14th inst. The company
numbered about 120, including many old
Kewites. The room was decorated with Palms,
flowering plants and festoons of evergreens. The
proceedings included dancing, vccal and instru-
mental music and a whist drive. Prizes were
presented to the successful card players by Mr.
Watson.

Arbor Day in Ireland.— Thecurrent number
of the Qiiaiti-rtij Jvurnal of Forestry contains
a brief but interesting article on the ceremonies
which took place under the auspices of the Irish
Forestry Society in connection with the encour-
agement of " Arbor-day " planting. The date
fixed last year was November 6, on which
day a large gathering was held at Bray.
His Excellency Lord Aberdeen, who was present,
spoke emphatically on the needs of more exten-
sive tree growing in Ireland and insisted on the
advantages to be gained from both ornamental
and economic planting.

The Lincolnshire Beet-sugar Company.

— This company, the prospectus of which was
issued recently, has now been formed, and will
commence operations immediately. Its career
will be followed with great interest by all con-
nected with agriculture; for if this attempt to
grow the Sugar Beet on a commercial scale in
this country proves successful — and we see no
reason why it should not — it is bound to lead
to similar enterprises in other parts of Britain.
When it is remembered tliat we import Beet
sugar to the value of £18,000,OC0, it will be un-
derstood how desirable it is that Sugar-Beet cul-
ti\ation should be gi\en a full and extended trial.

The Rainfall in 1909. — No one needs
to be reminded that the past year was a wet
one, but Jlr. J1-\w'ley's statement in our issue
for January 8 that there was more sunshine in
1909 than is usual has caused some sur-
prise. The year was cold, wet, and sunny ; the
two last terms appear almost contradictory, but
Mr. JIawley's records in West Hertfordshire
show that, whilst the rainfall was about
1^ inch above the average, the sun shone for
18 minutes a day longer than is usual. Many
gardeners keep a record of the weather, and,
as usual, several have sent us the statistics of
the rainfall in their districts. Jlr. James
B. Allan, writing from Osberton Gardens,
Worksop, informs us that the hottest day
in those gardens was August 12. when the
thermometer registered 84" in the shade ; the
coldest was December 21, when there were 27°
of frost. The heaviest rainfall occurred on
August 17, when 1.70 inches fell in 24 hours.
The rainfall in these gardens for the year
amounted to 27.25 inches, being 7.07 inches more
than in 1908. November was the driest month
in the year, when the rainfall was only .14 of an
inch : December was the wettest with 4.45 inches.

Mr. Wm. H. ^Jenkins states that at Wythen-
shaw Hall Gardens, Northenden, Manchester,
the year's rainfall was an average one for the
district. December was the wettest month,
when lain fell on 24 days, to a total depth of
6.88 inches. On the 2nd of that month 1.13 inch
of rain was recorded, this being the wettest day
of the year. A severe hailstorm on July 23
caused much damage to fruit and other crops.
The thermometer registered 87" on August 15,
this being the hottest day. The lowest mean
readings were taken en March 5 and December
21. Rain fell on 192 days, the total amount for
the year being 55.13 inches.

Writing from Hill House Gardens, Harrow-
Weald, Jliddlesex, Mr. T. Hunter states that

1909 was the wettest year since 1903. On each "
of 217 days .01 inch or more of rain fell, the
total being 28.08 inches, or 2.44 inches above
the average for 20 years. January, February,
JIay, August, and November were all below the
average in rainfall.

Jlr. H. Wilson, The Gardens, Cole Orton
Hall, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has recorded a rain-
fall during the past season of nearly 7 inches
in excess of that of 1908, although the number
of rainy days was exactly the same in both
years, viz., 180. The heaviest fall occurred on
July 27, when 1.10 inch was registered. Al-
though crops of all kinds were late, the yield
in most cases was excellent, especially late
Potatos, which were but little affected by
disease.

At Broadoaks Gardens, West Byfleet, Surrey,
the most rain fell in September, when 4.23 inches
were registered. The greatest fall during 24
hours occurred on September 17, the amount
being 2.12 inches. Jlr. Lowe describes February
as the driest month, with only .35 inch rain-
fall on three days. The total fall for the year
amounted to 27.47, distributed over 148 days.

The rainfall at Leigh Park Gardens, Havant,
Hants., amounted to 37.71 inches, there being
94 wet days. October was the wettest month,
the records giving 9.66 inches, while February
was the driest, with only .33 inch. On Decem-
ber 21 exactly 2 inches of rain was registered.

Jlore than 4 inches of rain in excess of 1908
have been registered at Dyrham Park gardens,
Barnet. Jlr. H. Juniper states that during the
six years he has been engaged at Dyrham Park,
frost has been registered during 10 months in
each year. The coldest day last year was JIarch
25 (26° of frost), and the hottest, August 31 (97°).
The total rainfall amounted to 28.87 inches,
October being the wettest month with 4.76 inches.
The greatest rainfall in one day was 1.04 inch on
July 28.

The rainfall at Shugborough Gardens, Staf-
ford, during 1909 totalled 31.63 inches. The
wettest month of the year, writes Jlr. G.
Bentley, was December, when 5.05 inches were
recorded. The most that fell in 24 hours was
1.05 inch, on JIarch 6.

A New Fungus-disease of Picea. — Dr.

Borthwic-K, lecturer on forest botany, Univer-
.sity of Edinburgh, describes in No. 20, vol. iv.,
JIarch, 1909, of Notes from the Boyal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh, a new fungus disease of
Picea pungens, a Conifer introduced into this
country from Western North America. The
fungus attacks the buds of the tree, arresting
growth, or, if the infection is confined to one
side, giving rise to a twisted shoot. The
diseased buds are encased in a dense, black
sheath, the surface of which is thickly dotted
with spherical papillfe, each with a small opening
at the top. These papillie are the fructifica-
tions of the fungus which is a member of the
Pyrenomycetes. The mycelium of the fungus
runs between the cells of the cortex, at first as-
single threads, subsequently as dense strands
of closely-woven hyphte. The black sheath,
which forms on the surface of a diseased bud,
consists also of mycelial tissue, and contains the
Pear-shaped fruit bodies (pyrenocarps), in which
the ascospores are contained. As the latter
ripen they are discharged from the asci, and
extruded from the apical pore of the pyreno-
carps. Each ascus contains .four to six spores,
which are of a dark brown colour, tor-
pedo shaped, and multi-septate. Dr Borthwick
refers the fungus to the genus Curcurbitaria of
the Sphferiacese, and names it C. picete. The
life-history of the fungus, which does not apperr
to be common, is illustrated by a series of ex-
cellent photographs.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 22, 1910.

Gardening on the "Underground." —

Witli the desire of improving the amenities of
travel, most railways offer annual prizes for the
best-kept station gardens. The results pleas*
both passengers and porters, in addition to the
other officials concerned. The District Railway,
now that its tunnels have been purged of fumes
iniiTiical to horticulture, has also adopted a
"competition for improved appearance of sta-
tions and adjoining railway premises." The
necessary soil for the plots is to be provided,
together with 5s. for the purchase of seeds, but
" the person undertaking the cultivation may
e.xpend of his own money any additional amount
which he pleases," and may also avail himself
of the produce of the plot, if any. Vegetables
must not be grown, " as the object of the cul-
tivation is decoration." The sum of £20 will
annually be distributed in prizes, which will be
given for the best result on the line and the
laest result for men of each department. The
special conditions and difficulties of each station
will be taken into account in making the
awards. The company is also desirous of mak-
ing a display of evergreens and similar plants.

and cultivated Mushrooms and their varieties,
and poisonous or worthless fungi, which are
often mistaken for Jlushrooms. A reproduc-
tion of the drawings, with descriptive te.xt, is
in course of preparation and vpill shortly be
issued by the trustees in the form of a small
museum guide.

The Susceptibility of Japanese Larch
.XND Western Larch to Larch Canker. —

The ravages of the fungus Peziza Willkommii,
the parasite responsible for Larch canker, have
become so extensive that attention has been
directed to the cultivation of other species of
this tree in the hope that they might prove re-
sistant to the fungus. In particular, Mr. H.
J. Elwes, after considerable trouble, obtained
a supply of seed of the West or Occidental
Larch, and distributed it among arboriculturists
in various parts of the country. Unfortunately,
it appears from a report by Dr. Borthwick
(No. 20, vol. iv., March, 1909, Notts from the
Boyal Botanic Garden, Edinhurgh), that this
species, Larix occidcntalis. is. like the common
Larch, susceptible to cajiker. Similarly, the

FlG. 35. — PRIMULA SONCHIFOLIA GROWING WILD IN CHINA: FLOWERS BLUE.

in hanging baskets, &c., at underground stations,
such as the Temple, and we are informed that
it is prepared to receive offers from seedsmen
and florists. The B'lilwaj] Gazette.

The Botanical Department at the
British Museum. — Mr. Herbert Fuller
Wernham, B.Sc, has been appointed an as-
sistant in the Department of Botany, British
Museum, to fill the vacancy caused by the recent
retirement of Mr. James Britten. Mr. R. H.
Bunting, who, since 1898, has been an attendant
in the same department, has been appointed
botanical collector to the Liberian Company,
with which Sir Harry Johnston is associated.
Mr. Bunting's work will be to assist in, a
botanical survey of Liberia, mainly from an
economic point of view, but his years of training
at the Museum should enable him also to make
useful observations from a purely botanical
standpoint. The beautiful series of coloured
drawings of British fungi by Mr. Worthington
Smith, which is exhibited in the public gal-
lery of botany at the British Museum, has been
supplemented by a similar set, illustrating field

same authority shows that the Japanese Larch
(L. leptolepis), of which so much was hoped as
a substitute for common Larch, is also attacked
by the canker-fungus. Dr. Borthwick's obser-
vations, however, only apply to one or two
plants, so that it is premature to say that these
species are worthless. They may — as we hope —
prove, at all events, less susceptible than the
common Larch to this most serious pest.

Frost Canker of the Menzies Spruce

(PicEA sitchensis). — The Menzies Spruce which
was introduced by Douglas in 1831, and which
has been planted on a large scale, both in Great
Britain and the Continent, is, according to Dr.
Nisbet, next to the Larch and Douglas Fir, pro-
bably the most important coniferous timber tree
ever introduced into Britain. It is, therefore,
somewhat disconcerting to learn from the report
of Dr. Borthwick. lecturer on forest botany in
the University of Edinburgh (No. 20, vol. iv.,
March, 1909. Notes from the lioijal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh), that many specimens of
this tree grown in Ayrshire and Argyllshire
have suffered during the past year from a disease

which he attributes primarily to froi=t. As the
result of the action of frost, the second year's
wood becomes diseased, and the young shoots
above the diseased region die. The first symp-
toms are yellowing of the needles, loss of leaves
by the leader, which generally takes on a dark
red colour, and arrest of sid= buds and branches.
The lower part of the tree remains vigorous, and
throws up fresh leaders. The stem of the dis-
eased tree becomes cankered, and an exudation of
thin, bluish-white resin makes the cankers con-
spicuous. Later, the bark splits, exposing the
wood, which may become covered with callus.
Dr. Borthwick regards frost as the primary
cause of the disease ; but, finding that art
ascomycetous fungus is always present in the
diseased parts of the stem, he is disposed to
think that the fungus may have something to
do with the malady. He finds similar symptoms
on young Douglas Firs from Perthshire.

Annual Festival of Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund. — The annual festival dinner of
the Royal tiardcners' Orphan Fund will be held
on Thursday, May 19. The Chairman for the
evening will be Sir Jere.miah Colman, Bart.
We hope all interested in the fund will do their
best to make the event a success.

Publications Received. — United States'
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Ento-
mology.— Bulletins: The Lesser Clover-Leaf
Weevil, by F. M. Webster; The Euonymus
Scale, bv J. G. Sanders; Some Insects Injurious
to Truck Crops, by F, H. Chittenden ; The Slender
Seed-Corn Ground Beetle, by \V. J. Phillips,
Bureau of Plart Jndastiy : The Ueterioiation
of Corn in Storage, by. J. W. T. Duvel; A New
Type of Indian Cjrn from China, by G. N. Collins ;
1 lie South African Pipe Calabash, by David Fair-
child and G. N. Collins; A Simple Method of
Detecting Sulphured Barley and Oats, by W. P.
Cairoll; Origin of the Hindi Gotten, by O F.
Cook ; Report of the thief of the Bureau of Plant
Industry for 1909, by B. T. Galloway ; the Adulte-
ration of Forage-Plant Seeds, by F. H. Hillman.
( vVashington : Government Printing Office.) —
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa : A
Serious Potato Di.-iease Occurring in Newfound-
land, Ijy H. T. Gussow. (Uttawa : Fisher). —
The Journal of the Board of Agriculture.
January, 1910. (London : R. Clay & t-ons.)'
Monthly price, 4d. — T'Ae Agricultural Gazette
of New Sculh Wales. December, 1909. PriceGd.
(Sydney : \V. A, Gullick. Government Printer.) —
The Agricultur J Journal of the Cape of Good
Hope. PriceGd. (Cape Town : Cape Tmics, htd.\

PRIMULA SONCHIFOLIA.

This species is a charming Alpine plant, and'
is, perhaps, the finest blue-flowered of all Pri-
mulas.

It grows at an altitude of 11,000 to 13.000 feet,
being almost the first plant to show on the dis-
appearance of the snows. In many places I
found groups of plants which had actually forced
a passage through their icy covering ; in such
instances the surrounding white of the snow
proved a perfect foil to the rich colouring of the
flowers.

The scapes are not more than 3 inches to
5 inches high, and stout, each carrying from five
to eight blooms ; the fringing of the corolla seg-
ments is a distinct feature. At the time of
flowering there is no appearance of foliage, the
leaves being developed later. The flower-scapes
arise from a number of large squama?, which are
densely covered with a rich, orange-coloured
meal.

The species is locally common on many of the
mountains of N.W. Yunnan ; the plant loves
moisture and shade, and grows most luxuriantly
on the margins of Alpine scrub.

Judging from its altitudinal range, one would
expect this plant to be one of the hardiest of
Alpines, but, unfortunately, this is not the case.
So far, it seems impossible to provide conditions
exactly suitable under which most of the.ie
moisture-loving plants will thrive. G. Forrest.

January 22,, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

59

WEATHER AT ROTHAMSTED IN 1909.

The meteorological records of the Rotliamsted
Experimental Station, Hertfordshire, for 19C9,
show that the year was characterised by cold
and wet, with, upon the whole, a more than
average amount of sunshine in this district.
The cold was most marked during the five
months, May to September, which includes most
of the period of active plant growth. During
these months the only spell of warm, seasonable
weather was in the first half cf August. The
most unseasonably cold month of the year wes
June, which recorded 4.4" less than the average
warmth extending over the past 50 years. The
most unseasonably warm month was October,
which recorded 3.3° above average.

There were 13 nights of frost in January, regis-
tering an aggregate of 72". February, with 22
nights of frost, gave a total of 127.3°, the e.'C-
treme of cold occurring on the 22nd and 23rd
of the month, when 12.6° and 14.5° of frost were
lecorded respectively. March gave 14 nights of
frost, totalling up to 76.4°. April, with nine
nights of frost, registered a total of 17.2°. May
recorded five fro.sty nights, giving an aggregate
of 7.5°. From this data it is seen that the first
five mouths of the year recorded the 'large total
amount of 300.5'-' of frcst.

The winter months cf October gave, on three
nights, an aggregate of 5.5° of frost. November,
on 11 nights, recorded a total of 26.4°; and De-
cember, with 12 nights of frost, gave a total of
58.4°. There were 19 falls of snow during the
year ; the greatest depth of about 6 inches
occurred in March.

The following; table allows the rainfall of each
month for the past year at Rothamsted. with
the average an.ount of rain for each mouth of the
previous 56 years, 1853-1908, and the difference
of 1909 above or below the average record; —

Raim Ai.l, .\r Roi iiAMsTKi), Hems.

month, and the number of hours above er below
the average record : —

Monllis.

Rainfall
ISUJ.

Avei'a^'e
Rainfall

1309,
Above or

of

below the

50 years.

average (1).

Ii.c-.e-:.

Inclie?.

Indies.

.l.iiuiary

0 9!<

■l-.K

— l.;«

l''i;hriiai'y

0 41

1-71I

— 1-30

Maicll

:)74

1-bi

+ 1-H3

.Ai.nl

1-VJ

1 S<

— 0-06

M..y

1M5

21!)

— 0-H7

Jm.e

i-io

2 40

^ 1-70

July

3 10

■J.^1

+ 0-5S

August

2',-l

•alU

+ 010

Se.tieiiiuer

liU

241

— 0-47

Oclohcr

5-19

:i 45

-t 2 04

Noveinliei- ...

) 23

2 .57

— 1-32

Deceinbei

3 4i

2 31

+ Ml

Yearly Total

:ioo:

2J'U7

-1- 1-94

Mean Te.mferatcre and Bright Sunshine at

RO'IHAM-

STED, FOR THE YeAR 1909.

Mean Temperature.

Sunshine.

Months.

19C9.

Above
or below
average.

1909.

Above
or below
Average.

Decrees.

De^irees.

Hours.

Hours.

January

37-4

-i- 0-7

76

-f 23

February

35 6

— 2-7

93

-+ 22

March

;i3 3

— 2-6

G!)

- 51

April

47 4

-f 1-9

237

-f 71

May

.'OS

— OG

297

•f 103

June

,'3 0

— 4 4

lie

— ^8

July

5SS

— 2-0

193

— 30

August

.WS

— 01

22G

-1- 22

September

5l S

— 2 1

109

— 53

October

61 -.5

H 3-3

h7

— 19

Novell! ler

40-3

— 23

91

-f 32

December

89 0

-1 12

69

-t- IG

For the \car

47-1

— OS

1,652

+ 47

tiovi of Jarbun from the atmo.sphere only occurs
w-ith suitable light and temperature.

The formation of seed especially requires heat,
so that the development of the cereal grains in
the past year was mostly detective.

The root crops, although they greatly depend
upon a sufficiency of rainfall for their successful
growth, yet need an average amount of sun-
shine to ripen the bulbs and t-o convert them
into nutritious cattle food. This year the exces-
sive rainfall of June, July and August caused an
over-luxuriant growth of leaf, which the sunless-
iie.ss of the five months June to October failed
to ripen. J. J. Willi?, Harpenden.

The mean temperature for the whole year was
47.1°, which is a little below the normal aver-
age, and is one degree less than last year.

(1) Tlie siijn in the last column (-f) sii^nifies above the
average, ;.n[l the sign {—) below the average.

The rain gauge, which is one-thousandth part
of an acre in dimension, stands 2 feet above the
surface of the ground, and is about 420 feet
above sea-level.

The above data shows a total rainfall of 30
inches against an average for the previous 56
years of 28 inches, being nearly 2 inches in
excess.

Calculating these figures up to the acre, we
find that, during the whole year, 3,031 tons of
water have fallen on each acre of land, which is
195 tons of water in excess of the average. The
total rainfall for the last three months of the
year has exceeded the normal for the same
period in the previous 56 years by 1.83 inch,
which is equivalent to an excess of 41.402 gal-
lons of water on each acre of land. Last year, at
the same time, thei'e was a deficiency of 76.197
gallons on each acre in the underground water
supply of this district.

The next table shows the mean temperature
in the shade for each month of the year 1909,
with an excess or deficiency at the Rothamsted
Station during the past 31 years, 1878-1908, also
the neimber of hours, of bright sunshine taken
by means of a Campbell Stokes recorder for each

THE LATE SIR CHAS. W. STRICKLAND.

We have pleasure in giving a characteristic
porti'ait of the late Sir Charles Strickland, Bart.,
whose obituary notice appeared in the Gardeners'
('hrnnirh. in the issue for January 8. The
excellent portrait, for which we are in-
debted to the Hon. Mrs. Willou;hbv. shows the

THE LATE SIR C"HARLES STRICKLAND
and one of his favourite Orchids (Odontoglossum Rossii) growing in pans carved by himself.

The bright sunshine shows seven months in
excess and five months deficient. The sunniest
month of the year was May, when the record of
sunshine exceeded the average by 103 hours.
The total sunshine for the year was 1,652 hours,
being 47 hours in excess, and slightly above that
of the previous year.

The Crops of 1909.

It is probable that the very heavy rainfall of
March was responsible for the growth of the
Hay crops, and assisted the Wheat crops in mak-
ing a successful start.

Previous to this it was a^ question whether
large areas of Wheat would not have to be
ploughed up for lack of a sufficient crop.

No large crop can be obtained without a suffi-
cient amount of light and heat, as the assimila-

deceased baronet seated beneath a fine di»
play of Odontoglossum Rossii majus, the plants
being chiefly in Orchid pots carved by Sir
Charles hiiji.self. Odontoglossum Rossii, 0.
Cervantesii, 0. citrosmum, and Cattleya cit-
rina all flowered profusely in Sir Charles-
Strickland's gardens, the personal attention given
to them by their owner accounting, in a large
measure, for the success. A fine display of
Odontoglossum Rossii major was shown at the
back of one of the early specimens of Crinum
Moorei, illustrated in the Gardeners' Chronicle,
October 22, 1887, p. 499, from a photograph taken
at Hildenley. The delights of gardening have
rarely been demoI^strated so clearly as in the
case of this gentleman, who derived from his
garden one of the greatest pleasures of his lonj
life, which reached 90 years.

60

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Jan o.-. Hi &, 1910.

THE USE OF ARSENIC IN HORTICULTURE.

The use of atsenic in horticulture. is a practice
of comparatively modern times. In recent years,
commercial fruit-growers have used arsenate of
lead in immense quantities as a spray fluid to
combat the larvie of the Winter, Umber and
other moths.

The success of this operation is undoubted,
and its use therefore is likely to increase rather
than diminish. Arsenical weed killers are, of
course, well known, and the recent facilities
granted by the Sale of Poisons Act, of 1908, have
permitted the purchase of this and other poison-
ous compounds from sources other than the
chemist.

There is, however, one aspect which needs con-
sideration, and that is the danger to live stock
that may be incurred by the use of arsenical
sprays in orchards and plantations. Some light
is thrown upon this by a report by J. Rutherford
Hill, Ph.D., in a recent number of the Tranmc-
tions of the. Boi/al Botanic Sociely of Edinburgh.

The author had brousht to his notice a case
of the sudden death of fowls on an estate in the
south of Scotland, and an inquiry revealed that
they had run on ground which had been treated
with an arsenical weed killer some six months
previously. This compound, which contained
equal parts of arsenious oxide and sodium
hydrate, effectually killed the weeds when ap-
plied, but some six months after a strong growth
of grasses, mosses and various weeds were grow-
ing. A test of the surface soil revealed arsenic
in some quantity, notwithstanding the fact that
weeds were growing on it Another case is
mentioned where hens were poisoned by arsenic
in weed killer, which was applied two years p.re-
viously.

It is therefore evident that the poison is re-
tained for some considerable period in the soil,
and in a state which, though harmless to plants,
is fatal to animals. The author suggests that it
may form an insoluble compound with the iron
present in the soil. A further point of much
interest is that the presence cf arsenic in certain
quantities in the soil has little or no effect on
plant life. It is well known that any alkaline
carbonate, chloride or hydrate will kill weedt :
common salt and washing soda are examples of
ef.sily procurable alkaline salts. Arsenic in
aqueous solution is fatal to the exposed parts of
plants, such as leaves and stems, but the roots
have apparently no power of taking it up from
the soil. Ihe amount of arsenic which falls on
the ground when large trees are sprayed must
be very considerable, and it is at once obvious
that the greatest care must be taken to prevent
live stock from feeding beneath such trees. The
use of arsenical weed killers is, in view of these
experiences, no longer necessary, and gardeners
who are also bird lovers can keew down weeds
without endangering their feathered friends.
There is at present no substitute for arsenical
washes for the destruction of the various cater-
pillars, which in spring cause so much damage ;
but it will be seen how necessary it is to exer-
cise the strictest care that no cattle are permitted
under the trees for some long time after its
application, and that birds should be kept en-
tirely away from such orchards. E. A. Bun yard.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW AMERICAN THORNS.

Crat.i:gus i>,'tegrii,oB-\, an illustration of
which appears in the present issue, is one of a
group which includes Arnoldiana, canadensis,
compta, Ellwangeriana, Laneyi, submollis, and
tortilis (see article on pp. 289, 308, vol. xlvi.,
third series). They are much alike in stature
and general appearance, promising to become
large trees ; their spines are similar, and, should
they become plentiful enough for hedging pur-
poses, barbed wire will no longer be required.
None of them hais flowered here yet, and so I
cannot say anything as to flowers or fruit. T.
Smith, Nfxurtj.

(The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Effect of Grass on Trees. — In so

far as grass roots occupy the same level as
the roots of young trees, help to dissi-
pate moisture, exclude light and air from the
soil, and induce a sour, acid-forming condition,
they may be considered injurious to fruiting trees,
and especially when the trees are young. Grass
is specially injurious where it so shades the
surface of soil as to promote the growth
of moss, fungi, and the lower, souring types of
bacteria in the soil. Most of our grasses are sur-
face rooting, and we need to consider their in-

able mechanical, physical, and chemical changes,
and it is usually by such means that sufficient
activity is preserved to uncultivated soils. As
grass prevents cultivation, it follows that the
soil becomes stratified, and holds less food in an
available form than such as is frequently worked.
Fruit trees require a large proportion of com-
paratively loose and well-aerated soil. Foi'est
trees have not this want, and the finest timber
may be produced on dense and highly-mineralised
soil". It would not be diflncult to furnish li.sts of
trees which will or will not " stand " grass,
though, of course, a forest or orchard tree
may be grassed in one soil and position
and not in another. In a ' general way,
surface-rooting trees should not be gra.^ised,
net- should such as are required to thrive

Fig. 37. — SPINES AND LEAF OF CKAT.EGUS INTEGRILOEA.

fiuence as a covering, and what they withhold by
preventing cultivation, rather than what they
consume, or the direct chemical action of their
roots. Permanent grasses add to the depth and
richness of .soil, and they are harmful in so far
as they bring about a limited or one-sided food
supply. Summed up, grasses affect tree growth
by their chemical, physical, and mechanical
action on soil : [n] the soil's chemicil constituents
may be increased, reduced, or altered by a grass
crop; [h] grass may affect soil physically by
altering its density, moisture, heat and air-
holding powers ; (c) mechanical movement and
soil blending are retaidsd by grass crops. In
so far as grtssed land carries much insect life in
the form of worms and other earth-borers, it may
receive a liberal aeration and undergo consider-'

on cold or undrained land. Loose and naturally-
porous soils are best able to support grass and a
crop of thriving trees. C4rass often helps old
trees, or such as stand in over-exposed positions,
by keeping the soil at an equable temperature,
so that the roots are not weakened by an e.'ccess
of heat or cold. Grassed orchards are often
pointed to as yielding heavy crops; but they
rarely give any' direct return to those wlio form
them, and the svstem is not sound or com-
mendable. Where" the orchard is grassed, there
an be no proper control of the soil or the tree,
and the orchardist should have absolute control
of both. At one season grass may do no harm,
even great good ; whilst at another it may
cause ruin. Grass leads to irregular root and
head growth, and fosters dirt and disease, which

I

Jakuaky 22, 15J0.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

61

should be counted an offence on any estate. The
points which may be raised on this subject are
almost endless. 'J'he task of each man wlw works
among trees is to make an adjustment of all the
materials and phenomena which influence them ;
he will then discern the best method. O. Bogue
Luff' ma nn.

1 have been frequently engaged in

planting fruit trees on grass or meadow land
in various parts of the country, and in doing
this work it is common to hear the expressed
wish of the owner that it should be kept as a
grass orchard, as the appearance of bare soil
around and beneath the trees proved an eye-
sore. A newly-planted orchard certainly may
present a neater appearance when the turf is
relaid over the roots and all finished off nicely.
Those, however, who are tempted to follow this
practice may handicap the newly planted trees
or bushes in after years, for they may either
show a stunted growth or, on the contrary,
growths that are excessively vigorous and un-
fruitful. In the first case, the roots may be
robbed of nutriment by tlie excessive growth of
rank herbage over them, and, in the second case,
the fruit tree roots may strike down deeply in
uncongenial soil far removed from the effects of
sunshine. But the fact of allowing grass to
grow round the stems is not really the one and
only cause of evil results. It is rather
in allowing the grass to attain a strong, rank
swathe, and, further, in allowing it to remain
uncut so as to partially rot or decay, forming
a safe lurking place fur injurious insects during
winter, and eventually creating a sour root-
ing medium for the trees. It is not fair to
compare old established trees growing on grass
with younger ones. In the first instance the
spread of branches, the firmness of the ground,
and the number of strong feeding roots each tend
to restrict undue growth of grass so far as
branch and roots extend, and, being well estab-
lished, the trees can take care of themselves. We
have found it a good plan, when marking off the
stations for each tree, to mow the grass as close
as possible and pare off the sods as one would
for relaying a lawn. It is common, we know,
to place such parings in the bottom of the hole,
but in many instanc-'s they serve even a better
purpose if relaid on the suiface, but grass-side
downwards. In this way the covering forms
a natural mulcn, protecting the roots from frost
and searching spring winds, and this is much
better than a covering of fresh dung. Not the
least advantage gained, however, is that the
decaying turf encourages the formation of feed-
ing roots near to the stem and surface. Roots
naturally strike downwards in the course of time,
but the more one can encourage them in the top
spit, and the longer they can be kept there, the
better it is for the cropping of the trees.
Bichard I'nrl-cr, liiidgivick,. Sussex.

"Is IT Frost or Drought? '—An exceed
ingly interesting suliject is raised in your leader
of last week under the above heading' The idea
that the injury done to plants in frosty w-eather
may be due to drought is new to me. However
severe may be the frost and cold, cutting and
withering the wind, yet the roots below the frost
line cannot suffer from drought. If there be
drought, it is not at the roots, but rather be-
■cause the sap in the cells of the hard stems near
the ground is frozen and sap or moisture cannot
ascend into the stems above. Presumably, it is
that fact which explains the reason why, if
frosted plants are deluged with cold water above
freezing point, and shaded from sunshine, they
presently recover. But in the case of winter
greens, for instance, when there has been a deep
snow, and the stems and leaves have been
covered several inches in height, the portions of
leaves or stems exposed have been killed by
frost. Such a case would seem to show that
drought, after all, played a trifling part in pro-
ducing the injury. If frosted plants are kept
from the sunshine and watered, bathed, and re-
stored to life once, but such restoration cannot
follow aft€r a second freezing, the first frost
could not have been severe enough to burst the
sap cells, as, w-ere that so, growth would be
beyond recovery. A second freezing of those
cells, previously weakened, suffices to burst them,
and death inevitably follows, in spite of shading
and cold-water baths. It remains a moot cpies-
tion, therefore, as to whether the primary cause
of death from frost is due to the bursting of the
cellular tissue, which injury is beyond repair, or

to incapacity on the part of the root to supply
moisture to the exposed part of the plants be-
cause the cells were frozen. Probably many
persons would regard it as a wise provision of
Nature that in hard weather the roots cannot
flood the plants exposed to the weather with
sap, but rather w-ithhold it. That is, indeed,
what we have been taught, that not only does
plant sap remain dormant in cold weather, but
that it thickens, and then becomes less liable to
frost than is the case when more liquified. When
we see green shoots on Roses or other plants,
after the leaves, perhaps, have fallen, or with
leaves still green and unripe, we regard them
as liable to injury from frost, because fuller of
liquid or active sap than is hard, mature wood.
It may be assumed that evergreens are always
full of liquid sap, because of the action of their
large leaf area, in hard weather as well as in
summer, yet many of them do not seem to suffer
from drought, even when frozen very hard, as
sometimes is the case. A. D.

A Caution i — I feel I ought to relate my recent
experience with a liquid insecticide : — Ac-
cording; to the instructions on the tin, I mixed
a solution of 1 in 20 parts of water. Following
our usual custom, when dipping and syringing,
a large bath was used to economise the liquid.
I took the precaution to carry out the instruc-
tions, viz., " When dipping for a length of time
rubber gloves should be worn." An " Abol "
syringe was worked by a man, while I held the
plants over the bath. The work was carried on
for about three hours in a plant stove ; at the
end of that time violent reaching sickness began,
the pulse grew slow- and very feeble, a dazed
condition with chills, and severe pains at the
stomach followed. As soon as a medical man
arrived, warm water was ordered to be taken
freely. This was rejected by the stomach almost
immediately, and the process was kept up for
some time. Eventually the sickness and pains
subsided, the circulation improved, and the pulse
became normal. The man who worked the
syringe was similarly affected, but in a less
degree. Considering the danger of inhaling the
spray of this liquid insecticide, the greatest
care should be exercised in their application to
prevent serious results, and possibly loss of life.
Caut'iows.

Late Chrysanthemums. — Some of the
varieties recommended by Jlr. Molyneux (p. 11)
and Mr. Rawlings (p. 21) do not succeed well in
this locality. I have tested several varieties,
and selected a few good ones for this district,
and other places in the neighbourhood of manu-
facturing towns in Lancashire. The following
varieties give good results if the buds are
formed early in October and the plants kept
outside as late a.s possible : — Niveum, Pride of
Ryecroft, Chas. Longley, Violet Lady Beaumont.
Tuxedo, Nellie Pockett, Guy Hamilton, Roi de
Italic, ilrs. Greenfield, Mme. C. Nagelmackers.
and Mr. H. Weeks. J. Winchester, W indie
Hall Gardens, St. Helen's, Lanes.

Why Plants are Green. —There is one

sentence in your leading article with the
above title ((rardeiiers' C'hronide, January
15), which seems to me a little obscure:
" To meet the contingency of a shortage of
radiant energy, the red Sea-weed devises a red
pigment," in order to put the blue rays, so to
speak, at the disposal of the chlorophyll. Since,
however, the green colour of the chlorophyll has
yellow^ and blue constituents, it can absorb
the blue rays. I have '.'shown how- photo-
synthesis is best carried on by yellow, blue and
clear light, while tran.spiration requires red,'
green (a minimum), and violet, in my paper.*
Why should there be any additional pigment at
all, for chlorophyll can absorb all the blue rays it-
self. Is it not more probable that the pigments
(other than green) act as oxygen-carriers to the
protoplasm of the Sea-weed? It is conceivable
that oxygen may not be so easy of extraction
from the w-ater as from the air, as fishes are
" cold " blooded in consequence of feeble respira-
tion compared, say, with birds. The reader may
be referred to Gardeners' Chronide. March 27,
1909, May 22, 1909, and to Bemie General de
Botanique, vol. xxi., March, 1909, p. 124. George
Henslow.

'* " On Some EflFects of Growing Plant?^ t'lider Glasses
of Various Colours" {Journal Royal Horticultural Society,

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTQRAL.
Scientific Committee,

jANDARy 11. — Present : Mr. E. A, Bowles,
M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S, (in the Chair) ; and Messrs.
A. Worsley, A. W. HiU, G. Gordon, J. Eraser,
J. W. Odell, E. M. Holmes, W. E. Ledger, A. D,
Michael, H. J. Veitch, W. Fawcett, \V. Hales,
R. Hooper Pearson, and F. J. Chittenden (hon.
secretary).

Nomenclature of garden plants. — The Secre-
tary reported that a recommendation on the
nomenclature of garden plants had been drawn
up and sent for the congress in Brussels in the
spring.

I'oli/'jonum. — Mr. J. Fraser showed specimens
of Polygonum alpestre, which was at one time
naturalised at Kew, where it had grown for 30
years, but its habitat had been destroyed by
the erection of the new bridge and the plant
exterminated. He also showed specimens of
Polygonum amphibium, showing the two forms
which are sometimes recognised by botanists
growing on one and the same roots.

Variation in Ferns. — Mr. Chittenden showed
a specimen of a variegated form of Nephrolepis
canaliculata from Wisley, where Mr. Blakey,
the propagator, had noticed a solitary specimen
among a batch of young plants in 1908.
The plant was isolated and in 1909 produced
spores, which were sown separately, and some
300 young plants were raised. Every plant
showed the variegation in a greater or less
degree, some more markedly than the parent,
some less. The variegation was in no case
particularly marked, but the case is interest-
ing as an example of a sudden variation in kind
being reproduced true, although the degree of
development of the variation, which probably
depends largely upon external conditions, varied
in the different plants. He also showed a speci-
men of a congested form, which likewise repro-
duced the variation in every plant raised from
its spores. The breeding true to a sudden varia-
tion does not appear to be at all uncommon,
especially if care is taken to isolate the plants
before the spores are gathered in order to pre-
vent mixture of spores and possible crossing.

Variation in Bean seeds. — Mr. H. J. Veitch
showed a number of Bean seeds, the history of
which is as follows : — In May, 1908, Mr. Ja'sils
Scott, of The Glade Gardens, Ditton Hill, sowed
seed of the dw-arf Bean Plentiful. These are of
a rather pale dun colour. After gathering Beans
several times, the plants showed a tendency to
clinrb, and subsequently reached a height of
5 feet. The flowers were pale heliotrope. After
harvesting, the seed was found to have a dark
testa, marked by light splashes. These seeds
were sown in 1909, and produced plants reaching
a height of 5 feet, and bearing foliage consider-
ably larger than that of the ordinary Scarlet
Runner, while the flowers w-ere of three kinds —
pure white, pale heliotrope, and brownish. The
seed of this generation varied greatly in colour-
ing, the following types being present : — White,
w ith extremely pale veinings ; purplish brown ;
pure black ; reddish brown ; pale pink, w-ith
brown streaks and splashes; dark greyish brown,
with pale grey mottling ; pale pink, with dark
grey-brown streaks and splashes ; dark dun, with
whitish dots ; dark red brown ; dark grey, with
whitish mottling ; red brown, with w-hitish
streaks and patches ; and grey, w-ith white dots
and markings. The original coloured Bean does
not appear to have been reproduced. The seed
w-ill be cultivated, and its behaviour followed. A
probable explanation is that the crop was cross-
pollinated in 1907, and segregation occurred in
1909. There is, of course, a possibility that
crossing occurred also in 1908, as bees were pre-
sent within a short distance, and other Beans
were growing about 15 yards away; but Beans
are usually self-pollinated.

Virescenl Cyclamen. — Mr. Fabius, of Redland.^-
Nursery, Emsworth, sent a plant of Cyclamen
bearing rosettes of small, leathery, green leaves
in place of flowers. All the flowers were modified
in this way. No trace of similar malformations
had been noticed in the strain before. It had
been raised at Emsworth, and all the plants for
seed purposes hand-pollinated. Jlr. Bowles and
Mr. Hill took examples to endeavour to root the
rosettes and note their subsequent behaviour.

62

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 22, 1910.

Eriodendron anfrnr-tvosvm. — Mr. F. H. Seed.
of Mombasa, B. E. Africa, sent pods and
seed of this wild Cotton tree, which grows
abundantly in tlie neighbourhood of Mombasa.
The trees bear when about four or five years old,
and attain a height of from 40 feet to 70 feet,
growing very quickly. The pods are about Z
inches in length, and when ripe burst open, so
that the white cotton-like substance is set free
and distributed by gusts of wind, carrying the
seed with it. Tbe cotton is beautifully soft and
silky, but the f. .res are not very long, and are
probably unsuitable for spinning, but it is used
for making life-buoys in Africa, and for a variety
of other purposes in India, where the species also
grows. The tree" is valuable also for its timber.
A few of the natives collect the pods and sell
them to Indians in Mombasa, but it is probable
that many other uses might be made of the
material than at present.

Orrhid hybrid bfhpeen albinos.— Mr. Thwaites,
Streatham Hill, showed a flowering plant
of ("attleya Gaskelliana alba ? X C. Men-
delii albaj . The flowers were not pure white.
as in the parents (although they appeared to be
so in the bud), but had a faint and very pleasing
pearly pink flush over them. So far, two plants
have flowered with the same character ; others
are in bud.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.
" THE GARDEN OF THE EAST— CEYLON'S

ISLE."

.January 11. — After the usual monthly dinner
of this club at the Hotel Wind.sor on the above
date, Mr. Harry J. Veitch presiding, Mr. J. A.
Ale.xander gave an interesting lecture on the
above subject, illu.strating his remarks by a
number of lantern slides depicting the scenery
and flora of Ceylon. The first slide, represent-
ing a map of the i.-^land, was utilised to .show
the three regions into which it is divided as re-
gards the climatal and geological conditions
which determine the culture of most of the pro-
ducts it yields. In the south the climate is very
moist and warm, and large areas were marked
out as devoted to the culture of rubber, while
all round the coast there are dense belts of the
Cocoanut Palm extending over some 830. OCO
acres. A slide showing a special group of Palm
flowers and incipient fruits gave a striking idea
of Nature's lavishnesjs in the production of pos-
sible fruits as comuared with the actual capa-
city of the tree to bring them to maturity, dense
panicles of many hundreds of incipient Cocoa-
nuts resnlting in the production of a dozen or
two ripe ones.

In the centre of the island lies the mountain
region, with an intermediate climate. The moun-
tains are not very high, the loftiest summit "f
Ada.m's Peak only attaining some 8.000 feet.
It is in this region that the Tea plantations,
which form the chief staple of Ceylon'-s industry,
are situated. Coffee, formerly largely grown,
has been practically annihilated by the in-
sidious leaf-disease, the spread of which it has
been found impossible to resist.

The third region, the dry one, occupies the
north of the island, and it is here that rich
mines of sapphires, rubies and other precious
stones are found to replace the plant-life which
drought precludes from cultivation. Several
illustrations relating to the rubber industry were
interesting, and attention was drawn to the
fact that rubber was obtained from trees of quite
different orders, mostly from the Ficus, or Fig,
tribe, which yielded Para rubber, but also from
the JIanihot, a close relative to the tree which
produces tapioca ; this yields the Ceara rubber
of lommerce. The Tea industry was illustrated
by photographs of Tea-growing estates, of the
plant itself, only the young leaves of which under
10 days old are utilisable, and the apparatus used
for withering, rolling, firing and otherwise pre-
paring them for the market. Cocoa is another
etaple product, and several slides showed its col-
lection in the shape of large pods, containing a
dozen or more so-called beans. The cultivation
of many spices and other aromatic plants. Cin-
namon, Cardamoms, Pepper, Vanilla, Camphor,
Ginger, Nutmegs, &c., was illustrated. A
giant Bamboo on the banks of a stream evoked
particular admiration, so huge were the stems
and so dense the wide-spreading crest of foliage
that th.e comparatively tiny figure of a man

close by was hardly appreciable. Imagine
a Bamboo rod 130 feet in length, which could be
cut into secl.ons big enough for large flower-pots
or buckets, and a slight idea is obtained of what
a bush of some hundreds of similar stems
must look like. Some views taken in the
celebrated gardens of Peradeniya were also
very beautiful, as was a photograph of the in-
florescence of the Talipot Palm, like an enormous
bunch of white ostrich plumes 40 feet in height,
independently of the stately tree trunk itself.
In regard to' rubber, a warning was given that
10 or 12 years are requisite to establish planta-
tions ripe for gum production, while many re-
cent projects have been based on a calculation
of five or six years, and are. therefore, likely to
fail owing to premature enfeeblement of the
young trees.

ULSTER HORTICULTURAL.

.Ianuary 13. — The annual general meeting of
this society was held on the foregoing date in
Ye Olde Castle Restaurant, Belfast. 'The Lord
Mayor (Sir Robert Anderson, J.P.), occupied the
chair.

After the notice convening the meeting was
read and the minutes of the previous annual
meeting adopted, the report was read by
the secretary. Mr. J. MacBride. The follow-
ing are extracts from the report : — The annual
exhibition was held on November 9 and 10 : on
the opening day the attendance was one of the
largest on record. The past show has touched
the high-water mark in point of quality of the
various exhibits. Receipts from all sources were
£634 15s. 2d. ; expenditure, £720 9s. 4d. : leaving
a loss on the year's working of £35 14s. 2d.
This is largely accounted for by the falling off
in the number of special prizes.

Mr. David Allen submitted the financial state-
ment, which set forth in detail the figures indi-
cated in the annual report.

The Lord Mayor said, taking everything into
consideration, the annual repo'-t was most satis-
factory, and it must be encouraging to those who
took an interest in the affairs of the society
to find that each year was an improvement on
its predecessor. He thought the last show held
inider the auspices of the society was one of
the fines*, they ever had in Iielf,:st. and he had
had the privilege of being present at all. or
almost all, the shows held since I he foundation
cf the society. The society encouraged fruit-
growing in Ul?ter. and he himself was once so
attracted by the exhibition of iruit at their
show that he pi-omptly gave an order to Mr.
Dickson for a number of trees, which, he was
glad to say, were doing splendidly.

Mr. Alexander Dickson said the society was
now at the en I of 21 years of successful but very-
hard work. The scciety existed in order to place
before the citizens of Belfast and the people of
the province of Ulster high-class examples of
horticultural produce which each one could emu-
late according to his ability and his means, and
to instruct the fnrmers as to the best fruits aud
vegetables to cultivate and the best methods of
doing so.

The report and statement of accounts having
been adopted unanimously, the officers were next
elected. Mr. David Allen was appointed hon.
treasurer. Mr. Thomas Paul hon. secretary, and
Mr. .1. MacBride secretary.

BATH AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT

ASSOCIATION.

January 13. — A meeting of this association
was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Bath, on the
above date; Mr. J. Jlilburn occupied the chair.
Mr. Hayball, of the Bristol Gardeners' Associa-
tion, read a paper on " Spring Bedding."
The double-flowered Arabic mlbida, said Mr.
Hayball, is an excellent plant for spring bed-
ding. Aubrietias come fairly true from seed,
but they are best propagated by division of the
iX)ots, making the new be<ls in the autumn for
the following year. Seed is best sown in the
.sprintr. Daisies are not used now so fre-
quently as formerly. The Mvosotis is an excel-
lent flower for spring bedding. Some good
varieties are Victoria, Perfection and Star of
Love. They associate well with Narcissi, especi-

ally when they are planted with the white and
single varieties. Pansies and Violas, with com-
paratively little attention, give a fine display in
early spring and afterwards in autumn. The
tufted Violas are especially useful. Few spring
bedding plants show such range of colour as the
Primrose and Polyanthus ; seeds of Polyanthi
may be .sown in either May or April, the latter
month being preferred. They should be kept in
a cold frame and shaded from the hot sun when
the seeds are first sown. As soon as they are
large enough they should be placed in the open
for some weeks before planting them in the beds.

YORK FLORISTS.

January 11. — The annual general meeting of
the Ancient Society of York Florists was held
on this date in the De Grey Rooms, York. The
Lord Mayor of York (Alderman James Birch)
presided.

The Secretary (Mr. Geo. F. W. Oman) sub-
mitted the annual report of the committee, which
showed that the results of the year's working
were highly satisfactory. The number of mem-
bers was 654. as against 658 last year. The total
receipts were £578 6s. lid., and the expenditure
£544 18s. 3d., leaving a balance of £33 8s. 8d.,
thus enabling the committee to pay off the ad-
verse balance at the bank at the commencement
of the year. The funds of the society now con-
sisted of £100 on loan with the York Cor()oration
and £1 Os. lid. at the bank. The receipts for ad-
mission to the Chrysanthemum Show amounted
to £237 6s. 9d., as .against £236 in 1908 and £235
in 1907.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

On the motion of the Lord Mayor, Mr. Arnold
Rowntrce was elected president of the Society
for the coming year.

The Secretary (Mr. Geo. F. W. Oman) had
decided to retire after serving the society for
11 years.

The Lord Mayor said before proceeding to
the election of a new secretary, he wished to
move a vote of thanks to Mr. Oman for his ex-
cellent services to the society during the past
11 years. This was carried with great enthu-
siasm.

Mr. F. P. Rawling was proposed as the new
secretary, but Mr. F. Raney moved as an amend-
ment that the election of a secretary be deferred
until an adjourned meeting of the society on
the 25th inst., and that the matter be referred
to a speciiil committee, which would invite appli-
cations for the post and recommend a suitable
candidate. This vias carried.

A special committee was appointed to deal
with the question: — Messrs. E. Allen, J. Archer,
A. T. Pearson, and W. Todd.

The Executive Committee was elected.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

January 17. — A meeting of the Executive Com-
mittee was held at Carr's Restaurant, Strand, on
this date. Mr. Thos. Bevan presided. The
Secretary announced that the Bury St. Edmund
and the Lincoln Horticultural Societies had .ap-
plied to be admitted in affiliation, and the re-
quests were granted.

The draft report and balance-sheet for 1909
were pas.sed for presentation at the annual
general meeting, which will be held at 6.30 p.m.
on February 7, at Carr's Restaurant.

The subject of shows during 1910 was dis-
cussed, and it was resolved that an early show
be held in September, another on November 8,
9, and 10, and a third, together with a confer-
ence, on December 14. Details as to the places
at which these shows will be held will be settled
as soon as negotiations for the purpose are com-
pleted.

The Chairman announced that it was the Presi-
dent's desire that the Society should arrange a
show at the Chrysanthemum exhibition to be
held at the close of the Brussels International Ex-
hibition in October. He appealed to the mem-
bers to contribute flowers for a representative
exhibit as at the Paris (1900) exhibition. Mr.
Harman I'iiyne was nominated as the society's
delegate to the Horticultural Congress to be held
in Brussels in April next.

Eight new members were elected.

Jaxuae-z 22, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

63

GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT
INSTITUTION.

January 20. — The 70th annual general meet-
ing of the subscribers and friends of this charity
was held at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand, on
Thursday last, as these pages were passing
through the press. The chair vias occupied by
Mr. Harry J. Veitch, treasurer and chairman of
committee.

The annual report of the Institution for the
past year was presented, together with the
financial accounts. These being considered sat-
isfactory, were adopted with enthusiasm. The
officers for the ensuing year were next ap-
pointed, and other business connected with the
management transacted.

At this stage the proceedings were adjourned,
and scrutineers of the ballot were appointed to
take the poll in connection with the election of
23 fresh pensioners, these being selected from
72 nominees. The poll closed at 4 p.m. with the
following result : —

RESULT OF ELECTION.

William Bush

Louisa ]M. Elphinstone...
Samuel Gilbey ...
George J. Barnes

Henry Sawyer

John S. Ball

Emma Barnard ...
William Chapman
William Ward ...

Henry Newman

John Harding ...
Thomas Chapman
Richard P. Sutton
Dugald Cowan ...
Annie Hawkins ...
Henry West
Henry Webber ...
Edwin Rattue ...
James Brown

William Rapley

George Clark

Alice Latimer

William J. Williams ...

Pensioners Elected after the Poll.

*Alfred H. Hunking.
*Eliza Cosnett.
tFanny Bury.

* These candidates were elected by the privi-
lege given the committee in Rule III., Clause 10.

t Mr. George Monro secured a year's pension
for this candidate by making a gift of £10 in her
favour.

Mr. Arthur W. Sutton kindly intimated his
desire to give a sum of £20 in order that the
most necessitous of the unsuccessful candidates
might be placed on the funds, the selection to be
left to the committee.

The Gardens, Yester ; David King, Murraytield ;
and John Aitchison, Monkwood, Kilgraston
Road, Edinburgh, councillors in the place of the
three retiring members. Mr. M'Hattie moved:
" That a remit be made to the council, with
powers, to hold friendly conferences \vith the
council or members of the Scotti-sh Horticultural
Association as to the future of both societies,
and to report." As stated in the last issue,
p. 41, a meeting of the Councils of the Royal
Caledonian and Scottish Horticultural Societies
was recently held, and Mr. J. W. M'Hattie, who
presided, stited that the public support which
both societies were receiving was not sufficient
for them to properly carry out horticultural
work in Scotland. If they could join forces it
would be for the benefit of horticulture. If
the new society were formed, he made the sug-
gestion that life members of both societies be
admitted, and the ordinary members of both
societies at the rate at which they entered the
respective societies. Mr. M'Hattie spoke of the
advantage to horticulture in Scotland of one
strong united society, and the motion was car-
ried

IVIARIiBTS.

No. of

Age.

Voles.

76

3.526

62

3.227

65

3,029

64

3,018

65

2,973

81

2,932

63

2,873

80

2.786

64

2,779

77

2,717

70'

2,708

72

2,691

69

2,599

65

2,585

61

2,584

65

2,568

71

2.492

66

2,401

75

2,390

66

2,345

74

2,286

61

2,268

41

2,261

STIRLING AND DISTRICT
HORTICULTURAL.

J.\NtJARY 11, — The annual general meeting of
this association was held on the above date in
Stirling. Both the annual report and the finan-
cial Etatement were adopted. The mem-
bers number 178. Eleven new members
were admitted, and seven names were pro-
posed for membership at the next meeting.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION (Lon-
don Bkanch).— At the meeiiny held on Thursday, January
13, Mr. A. W. Tidy, of Kew Gardens, gave a lecture upon
the " Kxhaustion and Restoration of Soils." A Bohemian
concert is arranged for Saturday, March 19 The proceeds
of the concert will be given to a London hospital.

BftNBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS*.—

The fortiiiiihilv ineetini; of this as-iociaiion was held in the
While Horse Hotel, Banbury, on Friday. January 14. The
Mayor of Banbury, president of (^e association, occupied
the chair. Mr. T. Sole, of The ^JOTseries, Banbury, read a
paper on the *' Cuiiivated Apple." The essayist dealt with
the history of the Apple from the earliest times. He gave
illustrations of, and remedies lor. tlie different diseases of
this fruit. In a competition for culinary and dessert .\pplps
there were 13 entries. The first prize for six culinary
varieties was aw.irded to Mr. D. F. i'ower, Wroxton ; and
for six dessert kinds to Mr. W, Boss, Grimsbury. Following
this competition, a short discussion took pace, and questions
were answered by Mr. T. Sole. Afier passing the usual vote
of thanks, the meeting was brought to a close.

AIGBURTH GARDENERS'.— About seventy mem-
bers and visitors were prceiit at the first meeting of this
newly-formed society held on January 11 at the People's
Hall, Sefton Park, Liverpool. A paper was given
by Mr. George Haigh. Higlifield hardens, Woolton, his
subject being *' Winter-flowering Carnations." After the
paper was read, Mr. C. A. Young, West Derby, gave many
hints in producing flowers and plants for market. Mr. W.
P. Wethered, vice-president, occupied the chair. The
next meeting will be held on February 1, when Mr. R. G.
V.'aterman, of Woolton, will give an essay on "Soils and
their Treatment."

READING GARDENERS'. —The annual general
meetin',' was he'd in the Abbey Hall, Reading, on Monday,
January 10. There was a good attendance of the members.
The president (Mr. Alderman Parfitt) occupied the chair at
the opening of the proceedings, but later Mr. Leonaid
Sutton presided. After the minutes of the last annual
meeting had been read and confirmed, the committees
report and financial statement for 1909 were presented
and adopted. The election of officers for 1910 was
proceeded with: Mr. T. Judd being appointed chairman,
Mr. F. Townseud vice chairman, and Mr. L. Castle hon.
secretary. The committee and other officers were appointed.
The balance sheet showed a satisfactory condition of affairs,
and subscriptions for 1910 were voted as follow :— Royal Hor-
culiural Society, £2 2s. ; Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund,
£3 3s.; Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. £2 2s.;
Reading Horticultural Society, £1 Is.; Royal Berkshire
Hospital, £1 Is. ; University College, Reading, £3. It was
decided to hold an annual tea and social gathering.

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -A

meeting was held on January 13, at St. John's Parish Rooms.
Mr. S. Shaddick presided. Mr. J. Basham, junior, a repre-
sentative of the Newport Gardeners' Association, gave a
paper on " The Pleasures of a Garden." The lecturer gave
reminiscences of his travels in various parts of the country.
He said that all alike could share in the pleasures derived
from a garden.

ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTI-
CULTURAL.

January 12. — The annual general meeting was
held in Dowell's Rooms, George Street, Edin-
burgh, on the above date, JMr. J. W. M'Hattie
presiding. The council, in their report, ex-
pressed regret that in the society's centenary
year they could not record any substantial iti-
crease in the interest taken by the public ni the
exhibitions. There was a further falling off in
the attendance at the spring show, and only a
slight increase in that at the autumn show. Al-
though the increase in the number of gardener
members was gratifying, the council regretted
the decrease in the other sections. The following
ofhce-benrers were elected : — j\Ir. J. Stewart
ClarU. of Dundas. president; Sir A. Oliver Rid-
dellj vice-president ; and Messrs. John Highgate,

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

COVENT GARDEN, January 19.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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
niust 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 quaUty 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. — Eds.]
Cut Flowers. &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
9 0-12 0

Acacia longifolia,
p. dz. bunches

— d e a 1 b a t a
(mimosa), per

doz. bunches... 9 0-12 0
Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fieldeii, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (vav.)

— second size -..

— smaller, per

doz. bunches 12 0-18 0
Camellias, per doz. 16-26
Catileyas, per doz.

blooms ... 12 0-14 0

Daflodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Encharis giaiidi-

tlora, per dozen

blooms
Gardenias, per doz.
Heather (white),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bchs. 9 0-12 0
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac (F^rench), per

bunch

Lilium ainaiuni

per bunch

— longilloi-uni ...

— lane i f o 1 luin
nibru.n ... 16-26

— album 16-20

[Cortespotuients are requested to write the aames of persons
aad places as legibly as possible. No charge is
made for these aititnuncements, but if a small contribution
is sent, to be placed in out collecting Box for the Gardener i'
Orphan Fund, tt will be thankfully received, and an
acktiowledgvient made in these columns.]

Mr. E. C. WicKENS, for 4i years Gardener to E. M. Sprot,
Esq., and 13 months in the gardens of E. S. Witmot-
SiTWELL, Esq., at Korthbrook, Farnham, Surrey, as
Gardener to C. Bayer, Esq., Tewkesbury Lodge, Forest
Hill, S.E.

Mr. Charles Abbott, for the past 10 years Gardener to
the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Carysfort, K.P., Elton Hall,
Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, as Gardener to W. M.
Cazalet, Esq., Fairlawn, Tonbridge, Kent.

Mr. A. Cheeseman, late of Highcroft Gardens, West
Hoathly. as Gardener to A. N. Block, Esq., Manor
House, West Hoathly, Sussex.

0 9-

4 0-
4 0-

2 0-
1 6

6 0-

4 0-

5 0-60

4 0-60
3 0-40

0 4-06

2 0-30
4 0 5 0

2 0-30

2 0-30

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow ...
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches
Narcissus Paper

White, per dz.

bunches

— Soteil d'Or ...
Odon to glossum

crispum, per
dozen blooms
Pel argon i u ui s,
show, per doz.
bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atricana
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 biooius,
Nipheios

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testuut ...

— K ai se r i u A.
Victoria

— C. Merinet

— Liberty

— Mine.Chateuay

— Mrs. J. Laing

— Ricliuioud

— The Bride ...
Spirsea, p. dz. bchs.
Statice,p. dz. bchs.
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms
Violets, per dozen
bunches

— Parma

s.d. s.d.

8 0-10 0
12 0-15 0

2 0-30

2 0-30

2 0-26

4 0-60
6 0-80

2 0-36

16-26

3 0-40

3 0 4 1)

2 0-40

3 0-40

4 0-80

3 0-60
2 0-40

4 0-60
4 0-50

2 0-40

3 0-40

0 3-04

2 0-
4 0-

3 0
5 0

Cut FoUage, ftc: Average Wholesale Prices.

.'Idianluui ciinea-
lum, per dozen
bunches

A spar ag us plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— — medui.,doz.
bunches

— Spiengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches.
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish)

Plants In Pots

s.d. s.d.

6 0-90

8 0-12 0

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
10-20

20-3 0

s.d. S.d.
Ferns (French) ... 0 6-09
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches 16-20
Hardy foliage

(various), |ier

dozen bunches
Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches 16-26

3 0-90

2 0-26

0 9-16

Moss, per gross

Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved ...

— French

Sinilax, per dozen

trails

4 0-50

4 0-60
10-16

6 0-80

Auipelopsis Veit-
chii, per dozen

Aralia Sieboldii, p.
dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger

Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— Tariegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— ten u iss inns
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire de

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ...
C hrysanthemums,

per doz.
C inerarias, per

dozen

Clematis, per do^.
Cocos Weddelli-
ana, per dozen...
Crotons, per dozen
Cyclamen, per doz.
Cy per u s alterni-

folius, dozen ...

— laxus, per doz.
Dafifodils, per doz.
Oracsenas, per doz.
Erica gracilis, per

dozen

— hyemalis

— small plants ...

, Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

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

Euonymus,per dz.,
6 0-80 in pots. . ... 3 0- 8 0-

— from the ground 3 0-60
4 0-60 Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0-

9 0-12 0 — in small and
4 0-60 large 60*s ... 12 0-20 0

12 0-18 0 — in 48's, per

dozen ... .. 4 0-60

12 0-30 0 — choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— in 32's, per

8 6-50 dozen 10 0-18 0

Ficus elastica, per

15 0-24 0 dozen 8 0-10 0

0-42 0 — repens, per dz. 6 0-8 0
Genistas, per dz.... 10 0-12 O
Grevilleas, per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 9 0-12 0
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 15 0-24 0

— Fosteriaiia, per
dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania boslionica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
Lilium longi-

florum, perdz. 18 0-30 0
Lilium lancifol-

ium, per. doz. 18" 0-30 0
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignonette, perdz. 6 0-80
Poinsetlias, p. doz. 9 "-18 0
Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0-60
Solanums, per doz. 6 0-90
Spiraea japonica,

per do^en ... 6 0-90
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs . 1 6- 2 a

9 0-15 0

9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

30 0-42 0

12 0-18 0
8 0-12 0

6 0-12 0
8 0-90

18 0-SO 0
18 0-30 0
8 0-12 0

4 0-60
4 0-60
6 0-80
9 0-24 0

10 0-16 0
9 0-15 0
3 0-60

64

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 22, 1910.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

the

per

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel

— (Nova Scotiaii),
per barrel :

»■ Rjbston Pippin
^ filenhcim Pip-
pin

— King of
Pippins

— (Englisli),
busiiel :

— Peasgood's
Nonesuch

— Annie Eliza-
beth, p. bushel

— Alliiigton Pip-
pin

— Bramley's Seed
ling

— Dumelow's
See I ling (Wel-
lington)

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Lord Derby —

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, A-sieve

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case :

— Oregon

— Californian -.

— British Colum-
bia

Apricots (Cape), per

case

Avocado Peais ...
bananas, liinich:

— Doubles

^ No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giant ,, ...

— Red coloured...
■ — Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica ,, ...

— Loose, pel" tiz.
Cranberries, case
Custard Apples ...
Grape Fruit, case
Grapes, per lb. ;

— Gros Colman...

— English Ham-
bros

— Alicantes

— Muscatof Alex-
andria

— Canon Plait,
per lb

— fG u e r n s e y)
Gros Colman ..

s.d.

s.d.

18 0-

25 0

15 0 16 0

15 0-17 0

15 0-17 0

4 6-

60

5 0-

60

3 0-

4 6

4 6-

60

3 6-

50

5 0-
3 6-

56
4 6

5 0-

80

11 0-14 0
i) 0-11 6

12 0 18 0

4 0-60

5 0-10 0

5 6-60
5 6-60

7 0-80
9 0-11 0

4 6-60

8 0-90

5 0-6 1;
0 6-10

6 0-80
4 0-60
8 0-10 0

0 9-

1 3

0 5-
0 9-

1 0
1 3

0 10-

26

1 0-

26

0 8-0 10 '

Grapes (Almeria,

per barrel
Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— (Naples), case
Limes, per case ...
Lycl ees, per box...
Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag

— Brazils, new,
percwt,

— l^aroelona, bag

— Cob, per lb. ..,

— Cocoa nuts. 100

— Watnuls(Frencl
per bag

-- Chestnuts (Ro-
dor), per bag...

— (Italian), per
bag

Oianges—

— Californian
Navel, per box

— Jaffai;, per box

— Denia, per case
(420)

— Valencia, per
case (420)

— (Almeria), case

— Jamaica, per
case (176)

— „ (200)

— Messina Bit-
ters, per box...

— Mandarine,
Florida, per
case

— Mandarine, per
box

— Tangerine, per
box

Peaches (Cape), per
cafe

Pomegranates, per
case

— per box

Pears (Californian) :

— Oregon Wi ter
Nelis, per ca=e

— Easter Beune,
per case

— Catillac (Dutch)
per basket

Persimmons, per

box (12)
Pineapples, each ...

— (Natal), per
dozen .

Plums, per case ...

s.d. s d.

14 0-20 0

9 0 12 0
9 0-11 G

14 0 18 0
3 0 —
16-19

36 0-42 0

32 o-re 0

32 0-33 0
0 3 0 3^
10 0-14 U
1).

5 0-56

6 0-70

15 0-17 0

11 0-12 0
7 0-80

8 6 12 0

10 0-13 0

9 0-10 0
9 0-96

5 0-60

12 0-14 0
0 7-0 10

0 9-10
4 0-80

6 6-76

2 3-26

11 0-15 0
8 0-90

'20-23

1 0 —

3 0-40

4 0-60

5 0 —

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Articholces(Globe),

per dozer. ... 16-19
Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle 3 6-40

— Sprue, bundle 0 8-09
Beans (French),

boxes 10-13

— Madeira, per

basket 3 0-50

Geetroot.perbushel 13-20

Cabbages, p. tally 4 0-50
Cardoons (French),

per dozen ... 8 0-10 0
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches 2 9-30

— per bag ... 2 9-30

— unwai^hed ... 2 0-26
Cauliflowers, tally 4 6-50

— (Ttalian),basket 16-19
Celeriac, per doz, 16-26
Chicory, per lb. ... 0 3 0 3*
Cuciniibers.p. doz. 7 0-90
I-iidive, per dn/en 13-19
Horseradish, for-

per

eign. new,
bund'e
— 12 bundles
Leeks, 12 bundle

10-11
12 0 —
10-13

Mtishrooms,per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Lisbons);

per box

— (Dutch), p.
ickling.

s d.s.d.
0 6-08
0 5-06

Eickling,
nshel ...
Valencia,

bag
per

5 0-60
3 0-36

3 0-

per

case

Parsley, J sieve ...
Potatos (English),

per bag
Rhubarb (forced),

doz bundles...

Radishes (French),

per doz. bunches

Seakale, per dozen

punnets
Spinach, J sieve ...
Siachys Inberosa,

per lb

Tomalos —
— Teneriffe, per

package
Turnips, bag
Watercress, p. flat

5 0-
3 0

4 0

6 0

2 6-46

0 8-0 10

13-16

8 0 12 0
2 6-30

0 3i —

10 0-14 0
2 0-30
4 0-66

Remark?.— There has been a fair quantity of English Bram-
ley's Seedling Apples in the market ; and these have sold for
satisfactory prices. Consignments of Apples from America
have been la ^ge : they are selling cheaply. Larger quantities
of Navel Oranges have been received; the quality of the
fruit is very fine. Messina Bitter Oranges are obtainable.
English-grown Gros Colman Grapes are a fair trade, and
those from Guernsey are also making good prices. Canon
Hall Muscat is practically finished for the season. Cape
Plums, Peaches and Pears are of fair quality ; the demand is
medium. The Rhubarb trade is very quiet. Prices for
Pineapples are firm. Vegetables are slightly cheaper; the
market is well supplied with green vegetables. Seakale is
especially plentiful. Trade generally is quiet. E. H. R.,
Covent Garden^ Wednesday, January 19, 19W.

Potatos.

per

-wl.

percwt.

Bedfords—

s.d.

Sll.

Lincolns-

s.d. s.d.

l'p-to-I>.ile ...

. 3 0-

3 6

Up-to-Dale ...

... 3 3-40

Blacklands ..

. 2 6-

2 !l

Britisli Queen

... 8 3-39

Dunbars-

Royal Kidney

... 2 9- S 0

Maincrop ...

. 5 6-

5 il

Maincrop ...

... 4 0-43

Up-to-Dale

. 4 6-

5 0

King Edwards

... 3 0-36

Lincoln:—

Kents—

Evergood ...

. 2 6-

8 0

May Queen ...

... 8 0-36

Sharpe's Express.

. 3 0-

3 3

Up-to-Dale ...

... 3 6-40

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Daffodils can now be obtained in several varieties.
Narcissus obvallaris comes in first, next Trumpet Major,
which is followed by Henry Irving; others that may be
had are Telamonius plcnus (Doubk Van Zion), Prin-
ceps, Golden Spur, and Sir Watkin. The prices for
Daffodils have betn fairly well maintained. Tulips are
abundant; some of ihe spring-flowering varieties
are already seen ; the double yellow Couronne d'Or
is on'e of the b-st ; Couronne des Roses is another fine
double variety. Due van 1 hoi is still obtainable,
Lily of the Valley is seen on almost every day of the
year in Co\ent Garden, and the same is true of Liliuni?.
and Roses. In former times, when there was a break in
I heir season, they were more appreciated. Roses of
best quality have been rather scarce, and their prices
have advanced, but some growers will soon have flowers
of the spring crop. Carnations continue to be abundant.
Crimson and scarlet varieties sell better than the white
ones. There are too many b'oonis of Enchantress,
which is grown by almost all the nurserymen. Blooms
<-^i Lilium longiflorum are plentiful, but many of them
are not of the best quality. Th.^ finest flowers are worth
from 4S. to ss. per dozen, but many Lilies are sold at
2S. per bunch. Richardia africana has been very fine,
but supplies have been larger than the demand. They
are known in the market as Arums or Callas. Azalea
Fielderi is offered at low prices, but its value will ad-
vance as soon as the white Chrysanthemums become
'scarce. Double scarlet Pelargoniums have been making
fairly good prices. Roman Hyacinths are slightly cheaper
ihan usual. Violets have bloomed more freely since the
weather turned milder. Ihe English Princess of W-ales
variety is very fine, aho The Kaiser. French Parma
Violets are good ; the ordinary blue Violets are bright
in colour, but wantirg in scent. Both white and mative
Lilacs are good ; the e are some very good spikes
from English nurseries. The various Acacias (Mimosa)
are very fine. French Rc^es are not quite so good as
they were earlier in the reason.

PcT Plants.
In flowering plants Indian Azaleas are a leading fea-
ture, but some of the plants are not well flowered.
Ericas include E. gracilis, E. hyemalis, E. melanthera,
and E. cvata, which resembles M. gracilis, with the
exception that it is more erect in habit; the plants
flower freely, and if the blooms were of better colour
the plant would be very useful. Good Liliums in pots
are rather scarce. Daffodils in pots are good ; but
they have not much demand. Hyacinths planted three
in one pot may b-:; had in white, pink, and blue varieties.
White Roman Hyacinth is very useful. Genistas are
improving in quality. Cyclamens are only fairly good.
There is still plenty of Bouvardias of the Gloire de
Lorraine variety. Grow rs should not neglect Begonia
Patrie, a new variety with coral red flowers" produced
in profusion ; it flowers well in small pots. There are
still some fairly good Chrysantheu'ums. Amongst
foliage plants F< rns of all sizes are plentiful.
Nephrolepis Todeaoldes and other plumose varieties are
extensively grown for market, but N. cxaltata remains a
favourite. Pteris tremula, when several plants are grown
in one pot, meets with a good demand. P cretica major also
sells freely. A.splenium biforme and A. nidus are both
good. A. biforme has a greater demand than formerly.
There is very little demand for Adiantums; Phlehodium
(Polypodium) aureum sells better. Supplies of Palms in
all sizes are good. Kcntia Belmoreana does not make
such good prices as K. Fostericma, although the reverse
was true some years ago. Seeds of K. Fosteriana are
very dear. Lotania borbonica has been making better
prices than formerly. Aspidistras do not sell readily.
Aralia Sieboldii and the variety Moseri are seen in 5-inch
and 6-inch pots. Funkia variegata is very pretty, and
makes a good market plant. Euonymus and various
hardy shrubs fill many strnds. A. H., Covent Garden,
January ig, iQin.

THE WEATHER.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED;

Leicester (Abbey Park) show, to be held on Tuesday
and Wedne'^day, August 2, 3. Hon. secretary, Mr. J.
Staynes, Town Hall, Leicester.

Southampton Royal Horticultural Society's annual
report for 1909. and schedule of the summer Carnation
and autumn exhibitions, to be held on July 5,6; July 27;
and November 8. 9, respectively. Secretary, Mr. C. S.
Fuidge, 7, Silverdale Road, Archers Road, Southampton.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

SEEDS.

Remarks. — Trade only fair, with larger arrivals than last
week. Edward J . Netvborn, Covent Garden and St. Pancias,
January 19, WW.

Kent & Brvdon, Darlington.

Austin & McAslan, 89, Mitchell Street, Glasgow.

Thomas Kennedy Si Co., Dumfries,

McHatt:e & Co.. Northgate Street, Chester.

G. A. Bunting & Co., Bucknall Street, New Oxford Street,

London.
E. P. DixoN & Son, Ltd., Hull.
Wm. Fell & Son, Market Place, Hitchin, Herts.
Wills & Segar, Onslow Crescent, South Kensington.
Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent Garden, London.
RowNTKEE Bros., Clarence Park, St. Albans.
Geo. Cooling & Sons, Bath.

MISCELLANEOUS.

William Cooper, Ltd., 761, Old Kent Road, London-
Horticultural and Poultry Appliances (Sale list).

Stl'ART Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield— Roses ;
Fruit Trees.

FOREIGN.

Friedr. C. Pomrencke, Altona (Elbe), Germany— Seeds
and Plants.

W. Atli'E Burpee & Co.. North Fifth Street, Philadelphia,
U.S.A.- Seeds.

J. Lambert & Son, Trier, Germany— Seeds and Plants.

Haage & Schmidt, Erfurt, Germany— Seeds and Plants.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending January 19.

The fouith u-arin week in successio7i. — During the past week
there has not been a single cold day and only one cold night.
On three consecutive days the highest reading in the ther-
mometer screen exceeded 50", and on the warmest night the
exposed theiniometer did not fall below 38*, which is ll"^
warmer tlian the average minimum for the middle of January.
The ground is at the present time 2*^ warmer at 2 feet deep,
and 3° warmer at 1 foot deep, than is seasonable. Rain
fell on four days, the total amounting to less than half
an inch. On the morning of the J.7th there were alternate
falls of rain, sleet, and snow. Since the year began little-
more than three quarters of an inch of rain has fallen.
There are still small quantities of rainwater coming each
day through both percolation gauges. The sun shone on an^
average for 1 hour 50 minutes a day, or for a quarter of an
hour a day longer than is usual at this period in January.
The winds have been rather high throughout the week, and
have come almost exclusively from some point between
south and west. There was about a seasonable amount of
moisture in the air at three o'clock in the afternoon. E. j\/.,
Berkhamsted^ Junuaiy 19, liJlO.

<!^bititavjj.

Robert Smith.— This gardener died on the
11th inst., at the age of 72 years, from an attack
of influenza. Deceased was gardener to E. E.
Pearson, Esq., Brickendonbury, Hertford. Pre-
vious to taking over the niana;,tment of the
Brickendonbury Gardens, Mr. ISniith filled the
position of head gardener at Presdales, in Hert-
fordshire. At both places he became well known
as a first-rate cultivator, and was particularly
.successful in the growing of hardy fruits, which
he showed with success at the Hertford horticul-
tural exhibitions. Having been associated with
gardening all his life, he had a fund of recollec-
tions connected with horticulture. The funeral
took place in the old churchvard of All Saints,
Hertford.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

RlCH.\UIlIA (AeU.m) UNHE.A.LTHY : (.'. IF. /'. The
foliage shows no injury by either fungus or
insect pests. The trouble has been caused by
drip or the frequent presence of moisture on
the leaves.

Flora of the Westep.n Puairtes of f'ANAn.A
AND THE Canadian Rockies : Wm. B. Reader.-
An Illiixtrolrd Flora of Ihe N.U.S., Canada,
and Ihe British Poxxesxions, 3 vols., by
Britton & Brown, published by Scribner, New
York, would be suitable for your purpose.

" FuENOH " Gabdenino Tuition : K. H. B.
Apply to Mr. P. Aquatias, Tudwick, Tiptree,
Essex, or to the Henfield School of Agriculture,
Henfield, Sussex.

Laurels .ind Cows: Laurel. Cerasus lauro-
cerasus, the common Laurel Cherry, is some-
times eaten by cattle, with injurious effect.
The leaves contain small quantities of prussic
acid.

Names of Plants: D.M., Edinhurijh. 1 and
2 are varieties of Cymbidium Gammieanum,
a natural hybrid between 0. elegans and C.
giganteum. No. 3 is Cymbidium giganteum. —
O. C J . 1, Begonia corallina ; 2, Dracaena sur-
culosa (see Bal. Mag., t. 5662); 3. Davallia
strigosa cristata ; 4, Adiantum hispidulum ; 5,
Nephrolepis Todeaoides; 6, Lygodium scandens.

Root of Fruit Tree : T. it- Co. The injury is
directly caused by a fungus, but of what nature
cannot be determined from the specimen. Cut
off the large, diseased, knotty portions and
cover the cut surface with gas-tar. Mix quick-
lime with the soil around the trunk. Kindly
send some more roots, including large, as well
as small, specimens for further examination.

Communications Received. — C. H. — W. I. — John
GreE"ry— W. H. W.-S. M, W.— R. G.— J. M. G.-J. D.
A., Wimbledon-W. W.- G. F.- J. W.— H. H. W. P.—
A. D.- Yokohama Nursery Co., Ltd. -J. A. K.-G. S.—
Siirveyovs' Inslilution— C. H.— P. A. P., Droitwich-A.
KinKsmill - Hon. E. A. \V.- R. P.— T. B.— Royal Meteor-
ological Soc.-.T. R. J.-B, G.— John D.-J. P.-P. N.—
W.— E. M.— A. P.— 8. A.— H. S.— E. J. L— Luthcv S. L.,
New York (yonv letter has been forwarded to Mr.
Godfrevj-Imperiiil Dept. of Agriculture for the West
Indies-J. L. B.-W. E. B.-H. H. P.-E. T. \V., Hol-
land-A.P.— H & S.,Leipsic— Pv. K , Berlin— W.C. G. D.
- 8. P. B. D., Singapore— John D., Edinburgh.

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle.'

Photographs by Pro/. H. H. II'. Pearson.

Welwitschi.v mirabilis, growing on a sandy channel in Damaraland.
(a female plant bearing cones is shown in the lower picture.)

I

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.G.

Jaxuaev.'29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

65

THE

(SaTbcncrs'Cbronicle

No. 1,Q05.— SATURDAY, .Tannary S9, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the—

Plants, new or note-

Campanula Hender-

worthy -

sonii

65

Cahanthe liiaeina

06

Carlina acaulis

65

Hoya Davwiuii

68

Aster Tradescantia

69

Maxillaria Johniana..

60

Benevolent Institution.

Pollen preserving tubes

74

Gardeners' Royal 7'2,74

,78

Roots of fruit trees

65

Bequests to gardeners ...

74

Rosary, the—

B oks, notices of—

Some interesting Rose

Practical Rose Growing

sports

7.'")

in all Forms

68

Societies-

Trees of California ...

67

Aberdeen Chrys.

7M

Buenos Ayres exhibi-

Horticultural Club —

74

tion, the forthcoming

74

Linnean

74

Cariina acanthifolia

68

Manchester anrl North

Catalpa wood, value of...

74

of Kngiand Orchid ...

77

Cotoneaster Simondsii,

Royal Horticultural ...

70

berries of

69

Royal Meteorological

77

Events of the week

72

Scottish Horticultural

7.S

Ferns growing in inverted

Trees, the tallest

fil

bottles

61)

Tricuspidaria dependens

75

Florists' flowers-

Vegetables -

Notes from Guernsey

69

Novelties in Peas

07

Foreign correspondence -

Veitch Memorial Trustees

74

Rust diseases of Ane-

Veitch, Mr. H.arry J. ..

7li

mone, some ...

67

Vines, the pruning of

Intensive culture exhi-

young '

09

bition, forthcoming ...

69

Weather at Rothamsted,

Iris reticulata histrioides

the

69

major

69

Week's work, the —

Law note—

Flower garden, the ...

71

Death wliilst Orchid

Fruits under glass

71

collecting

79,

Hardy fruit garden, the

71

Obituary -

Kitchen garden, the .-.

70

Barnsbaw, James

80

Orchid houses, the

7,/

Simpson, John

HO

Plants under glass

71

Park of 5,000 square miles

74

West Indian notes

70

Pear Danas Hovey

67

Worms, new garden

74

ILLUSTR

ATIONS.

Calanthe liiaeina

66

Carlina acanthifolia

68

Pear Danas Hovey

67

Simpson, John, portrait of the

Tate ".'. .'.'. '.'.'. .'.'.

80

Tricuspidaria dependens

7a

Veitch, Mr. Harry J.,

port

rait of (Supplementary

Illustration)

"SVorm, a new garden ...

74

THE ROOTS OF FRUIT
TREES.

WHEN deciduous fruit trees are too strong
to bear freely, the defect ni.ny often
be traced to an excej^sively strong
and profound raot-sy?tem. This leads to root
pruning, a form of labour imperfectly under-
stood and always e.'ipensive. Il roots were
studied with respect to their parts and situa-
tions, trees would rccjuire less labour and give
more profit. Trees with widespread branches
and short, sprawling trunks .seldom possess
active tap-roots, but vertical growth above
ground and a trunk without a heavy base at
the soil-line are almost certain signs that one
or more tap- or deep mining-roots are active.
For roots possess a pronount-ed power of strik-
ing downwards only so long as the trunk and
main branches grow more or less upright.

The original tap- and other large roots of
trees have a length of life according as they
are of a porous or non-porous nature. We
mean that the roots of some plants — the
Grape vine and the Elm, for example — are
porous and send sap through the entire dia-
meter of their living roots. Some Pears have
this capacity, though, in their case, it depends
largely on .soil and climate. A tree with an all-
porous root-system has naturally more vigour
than one depending on a sap flow limited to
th9»outer layers of its young w'ood. It
is for this reason that we see some trees grow
so much faster than others : the roots can
gather and carry more. For this rea.son, also,
some have massi\e boles deep down in tlie
earth, and others, hollow, wedge-shape spaces
under the line of the trunk.

Tap- and mining-roats, unless of a porous
nature, are destroyed or become inactive by
choking; they are " pinched out." Their sup-
plies of elaborated sap are cut off by the roots
above, which monopolise all the circle of bast
and sap pa.ssages at the base of the trunk. A
porous tap-root is associated with porous
trunk wood ; hence it can send up its sap, pre-
serve its connection with the leaves, and
thereby its vitalitj-. If, however, the tap-
root is non-porous, it lacks this power. This
is whj' tap-roots die or become inactive, and
the work of sustaining the tree is left to the
.spreading secondary roots.

If a tree has heavy roots in three positions :
vertical, sloping, and horizontal, we may
be sure that the last are doing the princi-
pal work of sustaining the tree. The two
lower gi'oups help to hold the tree to the soil
and supply more or less coarse, wood-forming
sap, but the highest layer of heavy roots is
alwajs the most important.

The nursery stage over, a tap- or deep min-
ing-root carries no hairs and but few tilu'ils.
This brings us to tlie subject of the influenre
of air on root acti')n. Some misconception
exists as to the function of air in the soil. Air
influences the growth of roots both directly
and indirectly. Directly, by sujiplying oxygen,
« liich is indispensable to growth; indirectly,
by rendering available to the root food sub-
stances of the soil. Moist, waim air in soil
permits of bacterial action and the preparation
of plant food capable of attracting and divid-
ing the energy of roots ; hence, they run
through an aerated and highly fertile soil in
the form of fibrils, whilst in a cold, airless, and
passive soil the energies of the root are
confined to a single point. Root-sap varies
according to tiie air and food employed
in its making, and the more elaborate is ever
obtained near the surface. Density, humidity,
and temperature are the three mo.st important
factors in root variation and value, since these
control the character and the quantity of the
food supply.

As orchardists and gardeners, we should
know how roots are behaving over the round
year. The roots of deciduous fruit trees make
more or less extension throughout all but
the dryest and coldest seasons, and the growth
varies in its nature and value during every
period. Young trees, if vigorous and well
placed, will grow at the roots all the year
round ; but mature trees are so taxed that
they make free extensions only in .spring and
autumn. The difference in the function of
spring- and autumn-made roots is pronounced.
'I'he spring routs .ire exhausted by the
work of sustaining flowers, fruit, and
leaves over the summer, whilst the autumn
growth of roots elaborates buds, prevents the
head from becoming too dry in winter, and
furnishes the requisite material to leaves and
flowers at the birth of spring. Autumn-made
roots have, on the whole, the easier task.
What is more, they are helped by some of
the riches gathered by the ripe leaves, whilst
those of spring are exhausted by the constant
dtniands of the leaves whilst in a growing
state. It may be observed that flowers open
and fruit .«ets before the leaves unfold, and
this activity in the head is often a month or
more before the soil is warm enough to
quicken the roots and induce them to send up
sap. Here we have distinct evidence that the
flowers and fruits are formed entirel}- of sap
deposited in the head during autumn.

Bud dropping and bad setting frequently
arise from lack of proper relationship between
the root and head svstera in autumn and

spring, for too much or too little sap may
be formed and distributed or withheld to
ensure a good crop.

We should never " stimulate " the roots
of bearing trees in early spring, nor excite
them to rank growth in autumn.

Roots made when a tree has young, half-
grown, mature or no leaves are all of differ-
ent characters and values.

The most fruitful type of light root is made
in autumn. Boots made in a falling tempera-
ture are of a more complete and fruit-yielding
nature than those made in a rising tem-
perature, because, in the one case, the
leaves are a robbing and, in the other, an im-
proving factor. We should be able to di;>
tinguish between root feeding and root ex-
tension, and see that only young and weak
trees grow at the roots, stronger specimens
requiring to no more than feed, and that from
a reduced system and nearer to the surface.
Here we have space to no more than hint at
some of the all-important functions and varia-
tions in roots ; but, writing in the in-
terests of the man who has to work among
trees, we would urge him to study roots at
every opportunity. He should know what
force.s determine their dire<ti(in, substance
and duration; bow tap- and other main-rots
are formed and survive or decline, and how
surrounding material and climate affect food
and clothing

The orchard man will also do well to con-
trast wild with domesticated root systems,
note the variation in light roots at all sea-
.sons, and make a careful estimate of every
tree bjfore deciding on any form of root-
pruning or soil-dressing. You must see into
the soil if you would get either pleasure or
profit out of it. C. Bor/ue Litffmann.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

HENDERSONS HYBRID BELLFLOWER.

C.\MPANl;LA Hendersonii is not a species, as
some suppose, but a hybrid, raised a number of
years ago, and identical, or almost so, with one
named C. Tymonsii. It is a handsome border
plant, but is not out of place on the rockery,
seeing that it only grows about 10 or 12 inches
high. In form the plant resembles a pyramid,
with pretty foliage which becomes almost
covered with large, saucer-shaped, light blue
flowers. It lasts a long time in bloom, and the
plant continues growing for many years in
almost any position on common soil. It is a true
perennial, but I have seen good plants lost owing
to the gardener allowing the roots to become too
high, through the soil sinking about them, and
failing to top-dres.s to compensate for this. A
little fresh sod may be placed about the crowns
annually in spring and, if need be, in autumn.
The plant is propagated by careful division.

CARLINA ACAULIS.
AjiOiVG the dwarf Thistles, one of the prettiest
and most distinct is the Carline Thistle (Car-
lina acaulis) (see also p. 68). It is a good
plant for the front row of a border where
a collection of interesting, rather than showy,
plants is cultivated, but it really locks
more at home in the rock-garden, especially
on a flat terrace a little above the ordinary
ground level. Here it makes a little plant with
a rosette of spiny leaves spread out on the soil,
giving almost stemle-is heads of glistening white
flowers. The Carline Thistle is not difficult
to cultivate in almost any soil, and can be
raised readily from seeds. Unfortunately, slugs
are very fond of the seedlings, and require to be
watched or they will soon destroy a whole pot-
full of seedlings. They are sometimes deslruc-
tivc to the larger plants. *S'. A.

66

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[JAN0ART 20, 1910.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

CALANTHE LILACINA,* N. sp.
This is one of the largest-flowering Calanthes,
but it is more than this, for the lilac-coloured
petals produce with the whitish, and afterwards
nearly orange-coloured lip, a charming effect
scarcely excelled in any species. The flowers
last at least four weeks in good condition ; the
stalk is long and stiff. H. Loher.

HOYA DARWINII.t

This plant is one of the most interesting
Eoyas known to me, for it has dimorphous
leaves. The flowers are pink coloured and very
large for the genlia. I take special pleasure
in naming it in honour of Charles Darwin in the
centenary year. H. Loher.

MAXILLARTA JOHNIANA.:

In the prt'sent state of our knowledge of the
genus Maxillaria, it is not easy to say whether a
species is a new one. Botanists who have spent
much time in research of this kind, and who know
the numbers of undetermined Maxillarias in the
herbariums, will understand that it is with some
hesitation that I publish this species as a new one.
The affinity, however, is somewhat clear. The
plant belongs to a little group of which the oldest
described species is j\I. irrorata, first described
in the Gardeners* Chronich, July 28, 1885,
p. 102, whilst two others, M. dichroma and JNI.
elefjantula, both described by Mr. Rolfe, were
published in the Kew Bulletni for 1898. M.
Johniana is by no means a great thing in JMaxil-
larias, but its widely-expanded, white flowers,
with the deep lilac upper half of the sepals and
petals, makes a good effect. As in the other
three species, the lip is so densely covered with
a white mealy substance (the hairs of the lip
broken into innumerable small globular grains),
that the brown colour is only to be seen after
the removal of the powder. A.s in M. irrorata,
the anther bears a very prominent keel ; the
column is somewhat tall. The plant flowered
after three years' cultivation in the gardens of
Mr. K. W. John, Andernach, Rhine, This gen-
tleman received it from a clergyman of the little
German Colony at Pozuzo, Peruvia. The plant
upon which my description is based is rather
under medium size for a Maxillaria. F.
Krdnzlin.

•Calanthe LiLACiNA.N.sp. — Planta terrcstris, fereebulba,
acaulis ; folia parca (4-6t, lamina ovato-lanceolat^, 30-40 cm.
loiiga, obscure viridia, nitida, in petiolum pedalem paullatJni
contracta ; scapus interfoliaceus, elongatus (40^0 cm.),
glaber, 5-12 florus; bractea9 virides parvae, persistentes ;
floris subpatentis sepala petalaque subaequalia, ovato-
lanceolata, breviter acuminata, lilacina (2J-3 cm. longa, 1 cm.
lata); labellum fere liberum, patens, carnosum, trilobi'm,
lobi laterales lanceolati falcati, intermedius obcordoto-
subbifidus, lobis rotundatis ; discus flavo papillosus ; labelli
color albidus, demum pallide vitellinus; calcar angu^tum,
recurvum, basi in flat um, Hlacinum, labello subbrevius ;
cobimna breviter alata, alis antice nectariferis (= stigmatis
lobi laterales 2 aborti), brevis, albida. Pollinia albida,
qiiaternaiim basi glandula acutd cohaerentia.

Habit. Luzon. Floresci. Junio Julio.

t HoYA Darwinh, n.sp., sect. £i(/io>'rt.— Ramosa, ramulis
glabris; folia dimorpha, altera normalia elliptica oblonga
(15-20 cm. longa, 5-6 lata) glabra, coriacea nervis non
conspicuis, breviter petiolata ; altera in aci abbreviata per
2-3 paria recurvata et demum capsulam globosam
(marsupium), 4-6 localarem, bene clausam, formicis inhabi-
tatam formantia; capsula longe persistens, indurescens,
demum fuscam ; umbellae multifiorae ; flores magni
(2 cm. diam.) glaberrimi nitidi, corolla profunde lobaia
tubes perbrevi; lobi cordata-ovati, reflexi purpureo-rosei ;
coronje foliola erecta, magna triquetro-conica, albida.
subtus usque ad basin sulcata; anthers margine papyraceo
denticulate stigmati inutico incumbeiites ; pollinia subcoui-
pressa in glandula rhomboidea fusca fere sessilia.

Habit, monies Luzoni*. Fioresc. Mart. — April.

J Maxillaria Johniana (Kranzl.),T\&v! species. — PseuA-^-
bulbi parvi, oblongi, apice obliqui, monophylli, calaphyllis
1 {v. 2?) ampl2 laxeque vaginaniibus sufifuUi, lamina cala-
pliylli sessilis, ilia folii ba=.i conipressa, petiolata, utraque
oblnnga, obtusa, coriacea, 5, 5 cm. v. 8 cm. longa, 2 v. 2. 8
cm. lata. Scapus 1-florus, vaginis 2 v. 3 quam internodia
brevioribus veslitus, 4-4, 5 cm. altus, bractea carinata, illis
subaequalis, ovarium non aequans, viridis, 1, 7 cm. longa.
Sepalum dorsale ligulatum, margine leviter reflexo. 2 cm
longnm, 6-7 mm. latum, sepala lateralia triangula, ba^i
connata, 2, 5 cm. longa, basi 8-9 mni. lata, inentum 1, 2 cm.
longLim, obtusum formantia. I'etala lanceolata, basi obliqua,
ad 2 cm. longa, 3-4 mm. lat i ; haec omnia alba, acuminata, a
medio apicem usque sensim sensimque iptensius lilacina.
Laliellum toto ambitu oblongum, levitercarvatum, antice
iiilr-lnim, lobi laterales parvi, rotundati, lob'us intermedins
ui-i'igiilus, margine undulatus, obtusus ; callus parum
eviiluius in basi lobi intermedii, antice retusus; labellum
luleoUim, late lilacino-marginatum, tot us discus farina
copiosissima alba onustus. Gynostemium gracile, anthera
alba carinata, Flores sub anthesi ringentes, fere 4 cm,
transversi, ad 3 cm. longi.

Peruvian Andes, near Pozuzo. Introduxit K. W. John,
Andernach-am-Rheini

./

's**':.

■■<

fef-

.*^'

t>- r ■■■

Fig. 38. — CALANTHE LILACINA, N. S P.
(From dried specimens collected by Mr. Loher.)

Janoart 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

67

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

(Sj

SOME ANEMONE RUSTS.
In the last few years there has been a great
advance in our knowledge of the Uredinese,
the fungi responsible for the rusts to which so
many plants fall victims. Extensive culture-
experiments have been carried on both in Europe
and the United States, and some curious and
une.xpected relationships have been proved. Puc-
cinia fusca (Persoon), Winter, is the common
rust found on the underside of the leaves of
Anemone nemorosa. Beside the two-celled teleu-
tospores borne on the Anemone leaf, spermogonia
also occur, and this is now known to show that no
other spore form is possessed by this rust. But
growing on the leaves of Cherry, Plum, Peach,
&c., there is a Puccinia Pruni-spinosoe (Persoon),
which bears uredospores as well as teleutospores,
the latter almost exactly like the teleutospores of
Puccinia fusca. On Anemone nemorosa there
also occurs an ^cidium punctatum (Persoon), and
cultures by Tranzschell, of St. Petersburg, in
1904, repeated since by Dr. Arthur, of Purdue
University, Indiana, show that this ^Ecidium is

r^

fficidial and uredo form and can live on Anemone
only. E. H'. D. Uolway, Universittj of Minn.,
U.S.A.

VEGETABLES.

NOVELTIES IN PEAS.

Last year I cultivated a few new varieties of
Peas, with the following results : —

Snowdro1\ — This is a first early variety, of
robust habit, resembling Ne Plus Ultra, but it
has much finer pods, which chiefly hang in
pairs, and the Peas possess splendid marrowfat
flavour. The plants are of average height.

Intern.ational.— This is a new Pea that re-
ceived an Award of Merit in 1908. As a second
early in the marrowfat class it is a very fine
variety. It grows about 5i feet high; the
haulm is very stout and of a dark-green nature.
The pods ai'e large and handsome, generally in
pairs, each pod containing nine or ten large-
sized Peas of delicious flavour It will prove a
fine variety for early e.xhibitions.

Habvestman is a maincrop variety obtained
from a cross between Express and Duke of

^'-N U--

<.^AK..^M^ ',>«-.

Fig. jg — dlssert pear danas hovey.

a stage in the life history of the Plum rust. Dr.
Arthur says: " From these results there can be
no further question of the general identity of the
American and European Plum and Cherry rusts
and their connection with ^■3u-idiura punctatum."
Dr. Tranzschell has also shown by cultures
that another Anemone rust, not so widely dis-
tributed, /Ecidiura leucospermum. D.C., is con-
nected with Ochrospora Sorbi (Oud.), Dietel,
growing on Pyrus Aucuparia and other species
of Pyrus. Of course, it is not to be supposed
that the x-Ecidium is a necessary stage in the
distribuvion of the Plum rust, as the uredospores
enable it to spread, and in warm countries collec-
tions are generally all uredospores, teleutospores
seeming to be rarely formed.

\. number of similar discoveries have since
been mad?. The theory is that originally
Puccinia Pruni-spinosa; was able to produce all
its spore forms on both Prnnus and Anemone,
but, becoming specialised, one form became
limited, for the uredo and teleutospore stages, to
Prunus. and retained its secidial stage on
Anemone only, while another form lost its

Albany. The haulm is very sturdy, growing
5 feet high, and producing a profusion of pods
of good size, chiefly in pairs. There are gene-
rally nine Peas in each pod.

Dreadnought. — This variety is ready for use
at about the end of Aug-ust, and is reliable
in a wet season, such as was experienced last
year. It has rather blunt pods, that fill out well.
The haulm grows about 3 feet high, and it resists
mildew. The pods are produced generally in
pairs, and nine good-sized Peas of excellent
flavour may generally be found in a pod.

iMicH.-VELMAS. — I remember seeing in the Royal
Horticultural Society's Gardens at Wisley a
variety bearing this name. It is said to be in-
valuable for late cropping.

I might mention many other varieties, such as
Quite Content. The Bell. Essex Wonder. Lax-
tonian, Discovery, Langley Gem, and Progress,
all good cropping varieties, while more recent in-
troductions include such sorts as Little Marvel.
The Dai.sy. Pioneer, Royalty, The Gladstone, &c.
E. J. Quainlon. TJif Gardens, Peper Harrow.

PEAR DANAS HOVEY.

Danas Hotey was a raiser of new fruits in
Massachusetts, United States of America, and
introduced the variety of Pear w^hich he named
after himself (see fig. 39) in 1854. In the
Xomenc/ature of the Pear, issued by the United
States Department of Agriculture, there are no
fewer than 16 varieties of Pear with the prefix
Danas, and the one under notice is described aa
the best of them all. It is a small, rather obtuse
variety, pofise.ssing a,- juicy, melting flesh with a
pronounced aromatic, flavour. The season is
November and^'Efepimber, and it forms a useful
addition to late Pears. Fruits were exhibited by
Messrs. James Veitoh & Sons at the meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society on January 11,
but they were then past their best condition.
The same firm showed fruits of this variety on
November 24, 1908, when the Fruit and Vege-
table Committee awarded it an Award of Merit.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Californian Trees.*

The forests of California have long been cele-
brated for their grandeur and extent. They are
inhabited by a great variety of trees, especially
cone-bearing trees, some of which are said to be
the largest, tallest, and oldest in the world.
Certain of theae trees inhabit a wide geographical
area, such as the Douglas Spruce (Pseudotsuga
Douglasii Carr,), which ranges from the Rocky
Ml untains to the mountains of Western Texas,
Southern New Mexico, Arizona, North Mexico,
and from the eastern base of the Rocky Moun-
tains to the Pacific coast, being most abundant in
southern British Columbia, Washington, and Ore-
uan, and ascending on the Californian sierras to
5.500 feet above the sea. Others, such as the Mon-
terey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw.),
are very restricted in their range, this species in-
habiting the coast of California, south of the bay
of Monterey, for an area of about 2 miles long
and 200 yards wide. From 1789 to 1876 the
botanical literature relating to California was
confined chiefly to descriptions of new species, or
annotated catalogues of collections made on
various expeditions. The first systematic treatise
upon the plant.s of California was presented in
the Botany of California, the first volume of
which was publi-shed in 1876. In 1878 and in
1884 Dr. Gray published two parts of the
■'Synoptical Flora, in which were very consider-
able additions to the knowledge of the Californian
flora. From 1885 to 1895 the most active con-
tributor to Californian botanical literature was
Professor E. L. CJreene, and in 1901 Dr. Jepson,
the author of the present work, published his
Flora of West Middle California. In 1905 Miss
Alice Eastwood published a Handbook of the
Trees of California. Besides, of course, this
special literature dealing with California, we
have Professor Sargent's well-known magnificent
work, in 14 volumes, the S'ylva of North
America, and in 3905 his smaller Manual. In
1908 Dr. N. L. Britton published his North
American Trees. Therefore, it will be seen that
the botanical literature dealing wholly or in part
with the trees of California is very considerable.
The number of species of trees in California, ac-
cording to the author of the present work, is 94.
Of this total. 43 are coniferous trees, three are
Palms or Palm-like trees, and 48 are broad-leaved
trees. California is most remarkable for its de-
velopment of Coniferse, not only in number of
species, which exceeds that of any other equal
area, but in the size of the individual trees, and
in their forestal development. This statement is
peculiarly true of the true Pines, of which there
are 17 species. The Oaks may be contrasted with
the Pines. Of true Oaks there are 14 species ;

*Ttees if Calif'->uiia, by Willis Linn Jepson, Ph.D. 8vo.,
with 125 i'lustralions. (Curlingham, Curtis and Welch,
San Fiancisco.) 2.50 dollars.

68

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[Jakuaby 29, 1910.

but their foiestal development is comparatively
insigniticant, with one exception, the Tan Oak.
Perhaps the best-known Californian trees are
;he Sequoias. Although there are now only two
living species, the number of extinct species is

and .should prove a very useful and handy little
book. Of the illustrations, which add much to
the value of the work, some are from drawings
by Miss Mary Swift, others from original photo-
grap::s. E. Q. B.

which passes into a dirty shade of crimson. A
strange omission is that of Hermosa, certainly
one of the most beautiful bedders. The selec-
tion of climbers, now so important a section, is a
good one, Hiawatha, Blush Beauty, Minne-
haha, and others receiving all the praise they
deserve. The newer Roses also receive due at-
tention, and selections may be made from these
with the usual reserve necessary in regard to
all novelties. B. P. B.

Fig. 40. CAELINA ACANTHIFOLIA, SHOWING THE INFLORESCENCE CLOSED.

considerable, probably about 15. S. gigantea in-
habits the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada at
5,000 to 8,000 feet, from Placer County to Tulare
County, in disconnected areas called groves, 32
in number. The author estimates the extreme age
at 1,100 to 2,400 years. The specimen in the
Natural History Museum at South Kensington
has 1,335 annual rings. Popular authors, whose
figures are based solely upon an admiring con-
templation of their bulk and stateline.ss, have
attributed to them ages no less than 5,000 to
8,000 years.

The Redwood, S. sempervirens, was first de-
scribed by Lambert from specimens collected by
Menzies, and these specimens are now in the
Herbarium at South Kensington. It is distri-
buted from south-western Oregon .south to the
Santa Lucia Mountain.s, and is stated to occa-
sionally re.ach the enormous height of 340 feet.

The author indicates five species of Cupressus
as occurring in California. These include C. Sar-
gentii (Jepson) and C. Bakeri (Jepson).

The distinctive character of the sylva of Cali-
fornia is emphasised by a comparison of it with
the sylva of the Eastern United States. These
sylvas have only two species in common, namely,
the Aspen and the Black Willow. The Cali-
fornian sylva has, however, marVed relationships
with the sylva of Oregon and Vvashington, and,
in a less degree, with the sylva of the Rocky
Mountains. Nearly all the species of Pinaceas
and Cuprcssincae are peculiar to the Pacific
coast. Although about 13 species range east to
the Rocky ^Mountains, only a few of these have
any considerable development or extension in that
region. All the species of Fagacese are peculiar
to the Pacific coast, save one only, Quercus chry-
Eolepis, Liebm., which ranges east in a limited
manner through Arizona to New Mexico.

The present work is not a condensation of, and
should not be confused with, the author's Si/h-a
of California (Mem. Univ. Calif. No. 2)_, a more
technical treatise. It is designed primarily to
provide a working manual in small compass for
use for the forester, or traveller, or, in fact, any-
one who wishes to learn something of the botany
of the Californian trees. It is put together with
all the author's well-known care and critical
1-nowledge, illustrated with 125 original figures.

Practical Rose Growing in all Forms.*

This is a pleasantly-written manual full
of information regarding the best methods of
Rose growing for the North of England, and con-
taining lists of the best Roses in various sections
for all purposes. The author has grown Roses
extensively since 1853. It is not impossible that
other Rose authorities might disagree with the
author on some points, who has nothing good to
state in favour of bones as a manure, and who
deprecates the increasing custom of propagation
by cuttings, a custom that, notwithstanding its
obvious disadvantages, is peculiarly well
adapted to the wants of the very small grower.

CARLINA AGANTHIFOLIA.

The Acanthus-leaved Thistle (see figs. 40, 41)
is a native of the Mediterranean region, and is
more curious and interesting than beautiful. The
rosette of leaves spreads flat upon the ground
and measures nearly 2 feet across. The leaves
are bright green above and woolly beneath, pin-
natifid in form and armed with strong spinas.
The solitary head of flowers rests upon the
rosette of leaves and is 6 inches across when
expanded. The inflorescence opens every morn-
ing and closes at night or during rain. When
closed it looks a prickly srbject, for the outer,
brown, involucral bracts are very spiny and
sharp. The inner bracts are longer and straw-
coloured and close over the flower, for the ray
florets are absent, belonging as the genus Carlina
does to the Cynarcse section of Composites,
which includes the Globe Artichoke, in which all
the flowers are tubular. These tubular flowers
open in circles, commencing from the outside,
until the centre is reached. The flower-head
lasts several weeks, and even after the flowers
have faded the bracts continue to open and close
in the morning and evening.

Carlina acaulis is supposed to be tne one which
cured Charlemagne's army of the plague, though
Linnieus ascribes the name (Carlina) to the Em-
peror Charles V. for a similar reason. The thick
roots of the young plant are sr.id to be edible,
but when old they become bitter. The inner
bracts of this .species are white, and the leaves
are more undulate than those of C. acanthifolia.
Under cultivation C. acaulis sometimes develops
stems 6 inches or more high.

Fig. 41. — CARLINA ACANTHIFOLIA WITH INFLORESCENCE OPEN.

Put, taken as a whole, the teaching of the bock
is thoroughly sound, and can be safely recom-
mended.

The li.sts of varieties are particularly full and
trustworthy, though I should hesitate to recom-
mend Gruss an Teplitz as a bedder for the
North, nor Marquise de Salisbury for its colour,

• By P. W. Dodds. Price Is.

The British Carlina shares with the above
.species the property of opening and closing even
after the flowers have faded. This is accounted
for by the hygroscopic nature of the bracts.
Curious ornaments can be made by drying the
heads of C. acaulis with its stems. They will
close for a time after being dipped in water and
open when dry again. C. F. Ball.

Januaby 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

69

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(r/ie Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinio?is expressed by correspondents.)

The Tallest Trees in the World. — In a

recent article on " The Rise of the Sap in Trees,"
Professor A. J. Ewart (I'liUosupliiial Transac-
tions i)f the Roi/al Society of London, B., vol.
cxcix., p. 367) corrects the exaggerated heights
ascribed to some of the Gum-trees of Australia,
and accepted by writers of repute, such as the
late Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, which have
been repeated in numerous popular books, in-
cluding the writer's Guide to the North Gallery,
at Kew. As an instauce of the utter untrust-
worthiness of the measurements of certain ob-
servers. Professor Ewart states that the height
of one and the same tree was estimated by the
same person, first, as 525 feet, then as 466 feet,
and, finally, as 220 feet ! He has gone into the
matter carefully, and, so far as his investigations
go, the tallest i:^dividuals of, probably, the tallest
tree in Australia — Eucalyptus amygdalina — are,
approximately, 300 feet high, the greatest
measurement being 303 feet. In the guide in
question, the painting numbered 599 is de-
scribed as representing trees of Eucalyptus
amygdalina, most of them exceeding 300 feet
in height; and there is the further state-
ment (in the third edition, 1833) that several trees
of this species that had been s'.easured were more
than 400 feet high, and the tallest' measured
471 feet. Mueller (Eucalyptographia) strongly
emphasises E. amygdalina as the tallest tree in
the world. Another painting in the North Gal-
lery, numbered 604, represents the Karri Gum
(Eucalyptus diver-iicolor), and Mueller's stat*-
ment that he had .seen many trees of this species
that approached 400 feet in height is reproduced
in the guide. This estimate was probably ba.sed
on equally inexact observations as those relating
to E. amygdalina. However, without giving
exact measurements, J. Ednie Brown (Rej.urt on
the Forests of Western Ati-itralia, 1895) states
that 300 feet is not an unusual height for the
Karri. It is a pity that such rough guesses were
ever recorded, and by writers of reputed
authority, because it is impossible to get rid of
them altogether. In this connection, the ques-
tion arises, which is the tallest tree in the world ''
At the date of the guide (1882), 325 feet was the
greatest authenticated height of the Californian
Mammoth Tree, Sequoia gigantea, and Professor
Sargent, the latest authority, states, in his Xorlh
American Sylra, that several trees over 300 feet
high existed, and gives 325 feet as the highest
known. Accepting these figures, America can
claim the tallest tree, and Australia takes second
place, jr. Botting-liemsley, Strawberry Hilt.

Iris reticulata histrioioes major. — The

old form of I. reticulata histrioides is rather a
refractory subject to cultivate and bloom a second
year in succession, at least from imported bulbs.
More recently a form under the distinctive name
of major has been introduced to cuUivation and
increased and raised from seeds ; this variety
proves more suitable for cultivation in our cli-
mate. A fine group of plants shown b\ Jlessrs.
Cutbush & Son at the meeting of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society, on January 11, was so raised,
and amongst them I noted a considerable amount
of variation, some having the falls of a lighter or
darker blue, with more or less pronounced spot-
ting ; the falls varied in being narrower or
broader than the type. The variety major is
the most handsome of the I. reticulata group,
and if fine forms with broader falls are obtained
by seed sowing and these prove of easy cultiva-
tion in pots or in sheltered places out-of-doors,
they will be a boon to lovers of Irises and hardy
plants generally. Already it has been proved
that I. reticulata histrioides is capable of being
established in some gardens, and plants of the
major form should prove easier in this respect,
especially if raised from seeds in this country and
planted out while quite young. Fine or im-
proved forms would be worth some care to in-
crease them from offsets, and major is capable of
being multiplied in this way. J. F.

Ferns in Inverted Bottles. — I was shown
a few years since, at Surbiton, exactly the same
thing in relation to the growth of Ferns in
inverted bottles as was mentioned on p. 44 by
Mr. A. Lessaman. In that case the ground, in

which a great number of champagne and other
wine bottles were inverted, had once been the
bank of a rural lane, but had been levelled and
fenced in; then a portion of it was roughly-
edged with inverted bottles, which the gardener
found at hand. Ferns grew in many of these,
quite filling them with fronds. I had one given
to me, and kept it fuUy a year, the Fern depend-
ing solely for sustenance on a mere trifle of soil
in the mouth of the bottle. It proved to be a
British Adiantum. Now, assuming that no soil
from the garden, such as old potting soil in
which Ferns had been growing, had been mixed
with the natural soil in this or Mr. Lessa-
man's case, is there not conclusive evidence
afforded that Fern spores buried deeply remain
fertile for many years? In the case of the Surbiton
bank, no Ferns had been known to grow wild
on it in living memory. Mr. Lessaman does not
say whether the Ferns found in his bottles were
tender or hardy, but, presumably, they were
British species, and therefore hardy. A. D.

Perennial Aster Tradescantia.— It often
happens that some of the old plants drop
out of cultivation in the present race for novel-
ties. I noticed recently in some provincial
towns large quantities of this beautiful and
useful Aster ; they were being hawked about
the streets. Judging by the large numbers of
ladies carrying sprays, it appeared to be in
great demand. No other hardy plant, flower-
ing at the same period, is quite so useful. For
mixing with late outdoor Chrysanthemums and
other flowers it is charming. " The little, while
flowers stand out on elegant foliage, giving it
a light appearance such as no other Aster
possesses. As a garden plant it cannot be too
highly esteemed, coming at a time when flowers
in the open are almost worth their weight in
gold. It is probably the last of the Starworts to
flower, and good sprays may be cut wt'.l into.
November. E. J. L.

Cotoneaster Simondsii. — One of the

entrance lodges 1 1 the Ilaford Estate, near Pont-
Rhyd-y-Groes, t'.j-diganshire, is covered on the
south side with thVs species of Cotoneaster, which
steals into the recV'Sses of th© windows. It was
so covered with berries recently that the point
of a finger could scarcely be placed between
them. W. P. R.

Intensive Culture. — An exhibition cf
intensive culture will be held in the Royal Hor-
ticultural Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday,
March 23. It is hoped that those interested in
this industry will contribute to the success
of the exhibition. To those who can fur-
nish a stall themselves, we shall be pleassd
to allot space free, or to receive contribu-
tions, large or small, towards a general stall.
The exhibitor's card will be displayed with each
individual contribution. The following will be
the principal articles exhibited : — Lettuces,
salads, Caijiflowers, Cabbages, Radishes, Car-
rots, Turnips, Peas, Beans, Asparagus, Rhubarb,
Mushrooms, Strawberries, &c. Th-? schedule will
be published later, with particulars of the open-
ing of the exhibition and distribution of prizes
and medals. Stour Valley ijardening School,
Slurry Station, Kent.

The Pruning of Young Vines. — Mr.

Molyneux (p. 51) gives some advice on this sub-
ject, and I agree with most of what he says.
But I thought the practice of growing a vine to
the length of 14 feet, merely to be cut down, was
abandoned long ago. I could point to vines
which, I understand, are still in the best possible
condition after fruiting heavily for 35 years or
more, which were never cut down at all. They
were planted during summer about five months
after the eyes had been inserted, and the canes
were left at pruning time from 5i feet to 9 feet
in length. Mr. Molyneux says some of the side
shoots will be weak if 6-feet lengths are left. So
they will be if the vine.s have been allowed to
ramble unchecked. But they should be stopped
at midsummer and the side growths should be
kept pinched to one leaf, as for pot vines.
Fruiting pot vines, as a rule, if they are well
grown and mature their canes perfectly, are fairly
regular in their side growths, and this should be
an object-lesson to us. There is much to be said
against cutting down young vines year after year,
independent of the waste of time and space.

but into that I will not iiovi enter. Supposing
Ihere are some growths weaker than others, it
is a very eaisy matter, by intelligently stopping
the stronger, and encouraging the weaker ones,
to form a well-balanced vine in one season. Mr.
Jlolyneux would not allow the main stem to be
left longer than 2 feet each season. This would
mean that a rafter 20 feet in length would not
be furnished for 10 years. I think better results
can be obtained by furnishing them in half that
time. Wm. Taylor, Bath.

The Weather at Rothamsteo, 1909,—

In reply to inquiries, I may state that the
aggregate degrees of monthly frost is the col-
lected sum of the various daily quantities. The
most frost on any single night was tor
January, 14°; February, 14,5°; March, 16.5";
April, 3.8° ; May, 3.2" ; Oc'x>ber, 3° ; November,
5.5"; December, 11.5°. J. J. Willis, Ilar-
jie-nden.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

NOTES FROM GUERNSEY.

Mr. H. Burnett, of St. Margaret's 'Vineries,
the well known raiser of Carnations Jlikado, Mar-
mion, ilrs, H, Burnett, the Aurora, Ceres, and
others, has now catalogued three other good
novelties. Snow Queen is a pure white flower of
good size, and with thin, wavy petals; Fortuna
is the nearest approach to a deep yellow with
a suspicion of orange in the centre petals ; and
Mrs. J. H. Clode is the largest scarlet flower
yet produced. It has powerful perfume, but as
sweet as that of the old Clove Carnation. Its
growth is vigorous.

For the 1910 shows Mr. H. Burnett has also a
few excellent new varieties The most striking
are two yellows, as yet unnamed — one a pure
canary yellow, a delicately-formed flower; the
other a lenion self, fancy Carnation. Somewhat
on the lines of Aurora but brighter and larger
is Vulcan, with flaming, scarlet petals flushed
with crimson and terra-cotta. It is of medium,
size, but has fine foliage. Pluto promises to
rank high amongst the dark-coloured perpetuals ;
it may be described as of a crimson-maroon in
colour; distinctly brighter than Octoroon. The
edges of the petals are so finely serrated
that they appear almost plain. A fasci-
nating flower is named Bridesmaid, of a
slightly paler shade than the popular Mrs. H.
Burnett. It is of extra large size ; one or two
of the fully-open blooms I saw being half as large
again as Enchantress. The flowers are fuD-
petalled, and the petals are prettily waved. One
of the best type of the true tree Carnations is
Mrs. Tatton. This h.as pale rose flowers, with
whitish markings. The flower is of similar
shape to Mrs. H. Burnett. Like that variety it
has vigorous foliage, and the cuttings root easily.

Mr. Burnett has nothing grander than his new
variety of Souvenir de la Malmaison, the Red
Slalmaison. This is of fine size, resembles Prin-
cess of Wales in shape and habit, and has flowers
of de^p, rich red. The foliage is wonderfully
clean and healthy.

The chief raiser of " Malmaisons " here is
Mr. Calder, of .Jerbourg Vineries, whose head
gardener, Mr. P. Bogie, has been a Carnation ex-
pert for very many years. Mr. W. Cameron, of
Resolis, had also a few good things. His new
tree variety My Clan Chief is a fine dark Car-
nation, darker than President, but it neec!? a
sunny winter to develop it properly.

The latest " perpetual " from America is in
full bloom just now at Mr. Burnett's. This
" Prince Charming " is the daintiest and best-
shaped " tree " Carnation yet received from
America. It is of a blush-rose hue, very
similar in tint to the old Maiden's Blush
Rose. The lower petals stand out at right
angles to the stem, and the centre petals
form a semicircle with them : yet there
is no crowding of the petals. The flower is
delicately scented and seems a strong grower,
with long, straight flower-stems. W. S. B.

70

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 29, 1910.

THE WEST INDIES,

CcELOGYNE PANDURATA. — This species succeeds
exceptionally well at St. Clair, where it is grown
in partial shade with no very special care beyond
ordinary Orchid-basket treatment. The flower-
stems, where they emerge from the base of the
two-leaved pseudo-bulbs, bear several foliaceous
bracts. In colour the sepals and petals are green
and the lip crape-black, which gives the flowers
1 somewhat unusual appearance among Orchid
blossoms. I have before' me a plant bearing a
spike of 14 open, slightly-fragrant flowers. The
species is a native of Borneo.

Gardenia Thunbergii. — There is but one
flowering specimen of this tree known to me in
Triiiidad, and that is. in .the front portion of the
garden attached to the Governor's residence,
St. Ann's, near to the bandstand. Regularly,
every year, this tree blossoms for many weeks
together, and during this time imparts a pleasant
odour to the immediate neighbourhood. The
flowers, at first, are white, changing shortly
afterwards to a yellow tint. Each bloom has nine
overlapping petals placed upon a long slender
tube. The corollas are 5 inches across. The
leaves are small, and vary in shape, some being
long and narrow, others short and broad ; the
longer measuring 3g inches in length, whilst the
shorter and broader ones are IJ inch wide.
These and the single flowers are borne upon short
spur-l:ke branches, 1 to 3 inches long and ar-
ranged in threes upon the larger branch-portions.
The leaf is glabrous, darker and more shining
green above, with tufts of hairs arranged about
the liny, sunken cavities in the axils of the veins_
below, the depressions forming raised surfaces
above. .Tn colour the bark of the branches is
pale green to a silvery grey. The wood is hard.
The species comes from the Cape of Good Hope.
Owing to the large and sweetly-scented flowers
and small spreading habit, it is recommended
fur inclusion in any fairly large tropical garden.
It seldom fruits, so that seeds are unobtainable
on the spot, but propagation has been effected by
means of layering.

IxoK.v 0U0E.1TA. — I. odorata is one of
the very best of the cultivated Ixoras in
Trinidad. The flowers are delightfully fragrant,
white at first, but passing into cream colour.
The corolla tube is' 2^ inches to 3 inches in
length, slender and pinkish. The plants flower
mure or less throughout the year. The leaves
upon the shrub before me are dark green above,
with reddish blotches, a trifle over 8 inches long,
including the short petiole, and 2 inches broad.
The branches are erect.

I. LUTE.\. — In this species the clusters of
flowers are more thickly set than those of I.
odorata, the corolla tube being only about 1^ inch
in length, besides differing also in colour, that
of lutea being a deep yellow. The flowers are
almost scentless. The leaves are short, broad,
and se.ssile, and the stems semi-scandent. Both
kinds are propagated in Trinidad by layering.
Possibly the correct namo is 1. congesta (I.
Griffith'ii).

Phyllvrtheon co.\tORENSE. — Among the older,
but rarer trees established in the Government
House gardens at Trinidad is a solitary represen-
tative of this species. It is growing quite close
to Gardenia Thunbergii. another equally uncom-
mon tree. The leaves have a singular appear-
ance. They are attached to the stem in threes,
having a short petiole and forming a knob at
their base. Each leaf is divided into three dis-
tinct pieces, situated in a straight line with the
petiole, the whole measuring 5 inches in length
and not more than | inch wide. They are
smooth and glossy-green above. The flowers are
tubular, small, and of a pale lilac colour. The
fruits are white and pulpy. On the older boughs
the bark is of a corky nature. IF. E. Broachvaij,
Tobago, W. Indies.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Oichic; Grower lo Sir ri;b\ uJ{ Lawuenck,
ban., Burfurd, Surrey.

Mlllonia. — The present is a suitable time to
examine the Brazilian ililtonias to see if any of
the plants are in need of more pot room. Though
they do not like root disturbance, it is un-
avoidable when the young growths have ex-
tended beyond the edges of the receptacles
in which they are growing. All plants of this
genus will not need to be potted at the same time,
but this must be regulated by the period at
which the young growths commence to produce
roots from their base — generally when the growths
are several inches in length. Such dwarf-grow-
ing species as i\I. spectabilis and its variety
Moreliana are best grown in shallow pans ;
they need considerable space, as the growths are
of a rambling habit, and extend themselves in
every direction. As these two species have a
natural tendency to become bare in the centre,
it often becomes necessary to break them up and
divide the pieces. When doing this, all useless
back pseudo-bulbs should be cut away, and the
growing pieces remade into neat, compact speci-
mens. Let the pans be about half full cf
drainage, using a compost of Osmunda and Poly-
podium fibre in equal parts, cutting both ma-
terials up moderately fine, mixing them well to-
gether, and adding plenty of small, broken
crocks to ensure good drainage. In such material
they may be watered very freely during the grow-
ing season, because the water passes quickly
away, and the risk of decay in bulbs, roots, or
foliage is avoided. Keep the soil about on a level
with the rim of the pan, and those plants which
have but few roots to hold them steady must be
pegged down to the compost, as they will never
succeed if louse. Small copper wire pegs are
suitable for securing them till the roots have ob-
tained a good hold of the material. Such plants
as M. Peetersiana, SI. virgmalis, M. Veitchii, M.
Bluntii, and its var. Lubbersiana, are also best
grown in shallow pans ; while, for the stronger-
growing varieties such as M. Clowesii, M.
Regnellii. .\1. Lamarckiana, M. cuneata, il. bel-
lula. M. .loiceyana. .M. Icucoglossa, JNl. flavescens,
M. Cla\siana, iM. Cogniauxije, M. Candida, and
its superior variety grandiflora, the ordinary
flower-put is more suitable. The pots should be
made at least two-thirds full of drainage. Keep
the plants a trifle elevated above the rim of the
pot, with the base of the bulbs just touching the
compost, so that, when the young growths de-
velop, they will be free from anything likely to
cause decay. All the Miltonias mentioned thrive
best in a cool, shady part of the intermediate
house ; when grown in a very light position, the
growths become thin and weak, and the foliage
far more yellow than is desirable. After repot-
ting, very little water is needed until numerous
roots are seen pushing out from the new growths.
An important point in growing these Miltonias is
to see. when the young roots commence to push
out from the growths, that they are not injured
or destroyed by imsects. Slugs, cockroaches, and
woodlice are very fond of them, and, if not dili-
gently sought after and destroyed, will do much
harm in a short time.

Oalia. — Such Orchids as Cirlia bella. C.
Baueriana, and C. macrostachya are well worth
including in every representative collection,
especially the first-named species, its rose purple-
tipped sepals and lip of canary-yellow being very
attractive. These plants will now be starting
into growth, and should be repotted if this
is found necesary. Half fill the pots with
clean crocks , and employ as a rooting ma-
terial the same as advised for the Miltonias.
The plants require a light position in the Cattleya
or intermodiate house. As the plants become
re-established, water should be liberally aft'orded
till the pseudo-bulbs attain their full size.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Ciidtii Forenjan,
Royal Garden?, Windsor.

Cucumbers. — If, as was then advised, seed was
sown in December, the new plants are now ready
to put out. Clean the house thoroughly and
whitewash the walls with hot lime. After this
has been done, the hot-bed may be got ready,
and upon it should be formed mounds of

soil, placed at distances of 4 feei. The hot-
bed should be allowed to remain for a 'few days
after the mounds are formed, and the tem-
perature of bed and soil should be ascrtained
before planting. A compost consisting of three
parts turfy loam and one part leaf-mould is the
best to use at this season, but for later crops the
leaf-mould may give place to well-decomposed
farmyard manure. Frequent, light top-dressings
with the same kind of soil during the time the
plants are bearing will help to keep them in a
good condition, and an occasional dusting of soot
will be advantageous. The atmosphere must
always be maiut.ined moi.st and the foliage should
be fully exposed to the light unless on e.\tra
bright days, when a light shading may be em-
ployed for a few hours with advantage. Let the
ventilation be managed with due regard to ex-
ternal conditions. It should never be employed
with a view to suddenly lowering the tempera-
ture of the house. Afford water with extreme
care until the roots have a good hold of the soil.
Syringe the plants twice daily in bright weather,
and close the house as early in the day as this
can be done with safety. I'he temperature at
night should be 65°, but it may rise to even 80^
or 85° by day in bright siuishine. Another
sowing may be made in small pots for succession,
covering tile pots with pieces of glass until the
seeds have germinated. If the soil is moderately
mcist when the seeds are sown, no water need be
applied until germination has taken place.

Tuinafoi. — Tomato plants which were raised
in October, and have been wintered near the
glass in a cool house, will now be showing flower, ■
and may be given their final potting. Let this
be done moderately firm, using 10-inch pots and
plunging the pots in a gentle bottom heat. Early
To:natos succeed best in a house with a south
aspect, where a gentle hot-bed can be utilised.
This bed should be formed at such a height that
the first truss of flower upon the plants will
reach the bottom wire of the trellis, which should
be 15 inches fruiu the glass. Each plant should
be confined to a single stem. When the flowers
are ready for fertilisation necessary pollen must
only be obtained from the best flowers, applying
this to the stigmas of all (lowers, for in some the
pollen may nut be properly developed. When a
good set "of fruits has been obtained, a liberal
application of manure water will be beneficial.
The temperature at night may be 60'^, rising by
day to 65° or even 70°, admitting air in favour-
able weather. Make a sowing uf an approved
variety for succession, and place the pots con-
taining the seeds in a temperature of 70° until
the young plants appear, when they may be
placed as close to the glass as possible. Seeds
need not br sown fur the outdoor crop until
March 1.

L:eks. — If large, well-blanched Leeks are re-
quired early in the season, seed must be sown at
once, selecting an approved variety. Sow tho
seeds thinly in boxes or pans, and place them on
a gentle bottom heat. Prick oft the seedlings
into boxes as soon as they can be handled. The
young plants will need free ventilation, as they
will not .succeed if coddled, but they must be
preserved from draughts. Leeks, being gross-
feeding plants, require a rich soil. At the end
of April the plants will be ready for putting out
in well-manured trenches in the open, allowing
15 inches between each plant.

Celert/. — A small sowing may now be made for
the earliest crop, covering the seeds very lightly
with fine soil. Place the receptacles containing
the seed on a gentle hot-bed.

.Ji'ru.mhm Artirhol-e.-i. — The tubers should be
lifted as soon as possible, saving the largest for
use, and these of medium size for next season's
planting. They should be planted in rows made
4 feet apart, allowing 18 inches between the
plants in the rows.

.iufinnn-anwn Cabbage aiirl Spiiiarli. — Look
over the Cabbage quarter planted in the autumn
and fill up any vacancies with plants from the
seed-bed. Apply a dressing of soot and stir the
ground between the rows either with a hoe or
digging fork to the depth of 2 or 3 inches.
Winter Spinach may receive the sam-i treatment.

Boat .stores'. — Turnips, Carrots, Beetroot, &c..
should be examined frequently, and all youug
growths broken off. j

Lrtfiire. — .\ sowing should now be made in a ■

slightly-heated pit to produce a supply in i\Iay. '

Ideal, Gulden Queen, and Balloon Cos are good
varieties for this sowing.

January 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

71

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

liy .!uM.s ; loNouilut, Gaideiier tu JobErH Picked SGILL, Esq.,
litiidon Hill, Weetwoud, Voikblure.

Sltiihanotis florlbunda. — This plant succeeds
best when trained along the rool cf a stove or
warm greenhouse, where it can obtain plenty
ol' sunlight. The new shoots grow to a con-
siderable length, and are best supported on
strands of twine stretched along the roof, in
such a position that the growth w'ill become
thoroughly ripened, and, if the plants, being in
pots, are required to be trained later in the
form of a "balloon, on a trellis, or over a fiat wire
screen, this can easily be accomplished. The
iStephanotis requires an extensive root-run, and
ill the case of planted-out specimens the compost
should be of such a nature that it will remain
in a good condition for a considerable period. It
may consist of strong, fibrous loam two parts,
from which the finer particles of soil have been
shaken, and one part of peat, with sufficient
charcoal, mortar nibble, and coarse sand to keep
the s'jil porous. In the case of pot plants, when
the growth lias become active, a greater portion
of the old soil should be removed, and the plants
repotted into clean, dry pots. Firm potting is
necessary to ensure sturdy, short-jointed and
well-matured shoots.

M(in/iirriN'x. — Most of the plants which were
propagated during the autumn will require to
have tlieir main shcKits stopped. Take out the
t.vtreme tips of the growths and, if, further stock
is desired, insert them as cuttings. If they are
placed in an open .'^oil in pans or small pots, and
the atmosphere is kept close, they will readily form
roots. In addition to tlie t\pe, there are varie-
ties with pink florets and ctlurs with Anemone-
like eeiitns. The best of these are Coronation,
Queen Alexandra, and Pink Queen Alexandra.

Euphnrhiti Jarquiniaflora. — As the old plants
pass out of bloom, select the healthiest, and
place them as near the glass as possible, in order
to provide an early supply of cuttings for pro-
pagation. The batch of stock plants being
afforded as much light as possible, and the roots
kept in a somewhat drier condition, only an in-
termediate temperature will be required to en-
courage the growth of sturdy cuttings.

ri"/(7.s in Puis. — The damp and sunless
weather since autumn has been against these
plants, whctlier cultivated in pots or planted out
in frames. Examine them frequently, and re-
move all dead or decayed foliage, lightly stirring
the surface soil occasionally with a hand fork :
admit abundance of ventilation on all favourable
occasions, but prevent draughts by ventilating
only on the side of the frame sheltered from the
wind.

(r'encial ivork. — Exercise great care in the
watering of all newly-potted plants, as a too
liberal supply at this season would be very in-
jurious. Afford ventilation with extreme care,
preventing cold draughts and sudden fluctuations
in temperature. The damping of the paths and
syringing of bare spaces in the plant houses will
require to be done more frequently as the days
brighten.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. K. Seaklj , t'.aidener to the Maiqiiis of North-
ampton, C'astle Asliby, Northaiiiplonsliire.

The Loganberri/. — This useful fruit should be
cultivated in every garden ; the berries are
.splendid for jam making, and also for tarts,
especially when mixed with Apple of some good
culinary variety. The Loganberry is a strong
grower, and delights in a deep, moist loam. It
should receive the same cultural treatment as the
R"spberry, excepting that it should be given
more room, as it is a stronger grower. It
may be planted in almost any aspect, and
trained either on walls, wires, trellis-work, or
fences.

I'runhuj. — This work is, in many gardens,
greatly in arrears, owing to the unfavourable
weather. Espalier or w-all trees of Apple, Pear,
and Plum should receive attention immediately
opportunity occurs. In the case of Apple and
Pear trees, the leading growths should be short-
ened according to the vigour of the tree, and
sufficient young shoots be retained to properly
furnish the tree ; all other shoots should be cut
back to two or three buds. Large and old trees
that have become crowded with bush-like spurs
should receive a good thinning removing some

of the most prominent spurs entirely. If Plum
trees received proper attention in the matter of
summer pruning, very little winter pruning will
be necessary beyond the shortening and training
in of the leading growths. Any shoots that were
not pinched in the summer should be cut back to
three or four buds. Young trees should be care-
fully pruned the first year after planting ; the
lower branches should be bent down at the sides,
in order to induce them to break into growth at
their bases, and so form a good foundation to
the tree.

Orchard and standard trees. — These should be
examined annually, and any unfruitful or mis-
placed branches removed. Some of the spray
wood may be thinned, if necessary, so that light
and air mav have free access to the centre of the
trees. Young standard trees need careful prun-
ing for the first few years after planting. Select
the best placed branches to form the " head," and
shorten the leading shoots to one-third their
length ; cut back all others to two buds. If care-
ful attention is given standard trees for the first
four or live years, very little pruning will be
necessary after, excepting the removal of
branches that cross one another,

rrolect'ton of fruit hlo.-isoms. — The materials
used for warding off frost when the trees are in
bloom should be got ready for use. Mineralised
tiffany is very suitable for this purpose, and
will last for several seasons if it is properly dried
and stored when not in use. Two or three
thicknesses of ordinary fish netting placed in
front of wall trees is also sufficient to ward off
several degrees of frost. Be careful to properly
fasten whate\er material is used, so that the
wind does not cause it to damage tlie branches.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS,

iiy B. GooDACKK, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassi-i.,
G.C.U., Moulton Haddocks, Newmarket,

Alpine Strawb'rrics. — These provide an agree-
able addition to the dessert table during autumn
and winter. A bauii of about 2C0 plaiiLS is suffi-
cient to provide a picking of fruits daily from
September until t'hristmas. i'lie newer varieties,
both white and red-fruited, furnish fruits twice
the size of the old Alpine Strawberry. These
Strawberries can be raised from seeds, either
saved in the garden or bought from the nursery-
men. In the case of home-saved seeds, they
should be selected from the finest and earliest
fruits. Crush the berries, and then place them
on blotting paper or a shelf in a dry, airy plant
house and expose them to the sun. When it is
decided that the seeds are quite ripe, remove
them from the old pulp, dry them thoroughly,
I'lid place them in packets. The present is the
proper time to sow seeds for raising plants to
fruit in autumn. Use pans or shallow boxes filled
with light soil, and place them on a gentle hot-
bed, taking care to keep the soil moist, and to
exclude the li^ht by means of brown paper. As
stMii as the seeds have germinated, move the
seed-pans to a shelf near the glass in a warm
house, and, later, prick off the seedlings into
boxes. They may afterw-ards be potted into
thumb pots and placed in frames. At the end
of .lune tliey will be ready for their final shift
into 5-iiich pots, using a compost consisting of
three parts loam, one part leaf-mould, and one
part well-rotted manure, with a sprinkling of
mortar rubble. During the summer, place them
out-of-doors on a bed of ashes trodden firmly,
selecting a position shaded from the mid day sun.
Pinch off all runners and flowers that appear.
During verv warm weather, the foliage should
be syringed frequently to prevent red spider.
When the plants have become well-rooted give
them liberal applications of liquid manure, varied
by an occasional top-dressing of some rich fer-
tiliser. After the middle of August, the plants
may be allowed to set their flowers. Early in
September move them to a light position in a
cool, well-ventilated house. Support the trusses
with small, forked twigs, so that the young
fruits may get the benefit of the increased light
and air. ' In storing the seeds, it is well to re-
member that mice are very partial to them.

Late vineries. — All the Grapes should now be
cleared from the vines, and those not required
for immediate use should be stored in the usual
way by placing the stems in bottles containing
water. The room where the bottles afe stored
should be kept dark, and a temperature of 50°

to 55° maintained. Prune the vines and cleanse
the rods with a mild insecticide such as soft soap
and quassia extract weil mixed with warm, soft
water. I do not advise removal of the loose bark
of vines and plastering the stems with a mixture
of clay and sulphur. The insecticide I have re-
commended can be worked well into the crevices
of the bark by means of a soft scrubbing brush.
If the vines have been badly attacked by niildev.'
or red spider, close the ventilators and a"pply two
of three severe vaporisings with a nicotine and
sulphur compound. Having cleansed the vines and
house, give the walls a coating of lime-wash,
remove any loose or exhausted soil from the sur-
face of the borders, and apply a layer of rich
loam mixed with some fertiliser and a little lime
rubble. Tread the new- soil firmly and cover it
with a mulch of niiinure from a spent Mushroom
bed.

THE FLOWER GARDEN,

By E. BecKEi i, ijardeiiei to the Hon. VicAlu Giuiis,
Aldeiiliaiii lioiise, Hertfordshire.

Woodland U!alk:i. — It should be distinctly
borne in mind by those wdio contemplate forming,
or improving woodland walks that they must not'
be made excessively gardenesque, or much of the
natural beauty and charm wiU be marred. The
ordinary forn,s of gardening cannot be rigidly
applied in such a case, and indeed were this
attempted it would be impossible to obiain good
effects owing to the presence of game. The first
consideration is the path itself, it being desirable
that it should be made of such a nature that it
will be fit to walk upon in all seasons of the year.
Those who have such work in contemplation will
be guided, as to the proper drainage required, by
the nature of the land ; but he will be well
advised to err on the side of providing excessive
drainage than otherwise, especially when it is
remembered what dense shade there is frequentl.v
t> be seen over such paths, and the injurious
effect this shade has upon the growths of the
turf. In cases where the jjath can be suitably
composed of grass, it will be found much more
enjoyable than gravel. In the presence of such
a soil as we have at Aldeiiham. it is necessary to
make the best drainage possible. This is carried
out in the following manner: We mark out the
course of the path that is to be formed, then take
out a sufficient depth of soil to allow us to place
at the base 1 foot deep of ballast, and on Ihe top
of this 2 inches of soil ; for the bottom we use
coarse gravel, with a drain-pipe through the
centre. The turf is laid down in the usual
manner on the layer of 2 inches deep of soil,
leaving the centre of the path slightly higher
than the sides, that it may not hold the water.
The present is the best time for carrying out this
kind of work, including clearing and planting.
For these latter purposes an irregular margin on
either side must be cleared, to allow of suitable
subjects being planted that will produce a bright
and good effect at different seasons. For all
soils that do not contain much lime a free use
should be made of Rhododendrons, espcciall.v
those of the R. ))onticum type, seedling plants of
this type producing a great variety of colour.
Other shrubs that might be included are species
of Berberis, including B. aquifolium, and Rubus
odoratus. Rosa nigosa and its white-flowered
variety are both beautiful when in fruit, as well
as in flower. Many of the SpiriEas, including .S.
Douglasii. which is ornamental when in flower
and effective also in winter, especially if the plant
is cut almost to the ground level every season ;
S. confusa and S. japonica and its varieties
are to be recommencied. Leycesteria formosa
is valued for its flowers in summer and
its green stems in winter, but it requires
annual pruning to the ground. Weigela, in-
cluding W. rosea and its beautiful varieties ;
Pernettyas, Ruscus aculeatus (the Butcher's
Broom), Cornus alba and the variegated form,
which should be cut hard ever}- year to develop
the coloration in the stems so valued in the
winter; Gaultheria Shallon. Ribes sanguineum
and its varieties (the Flowering Currant), Hyperi-
cum, Cotoneasters, Hydrangea paniculata grandi-
flora and Olearia Haastii are all suitable for the
purpose. Plants of an herbaceous character
might include Polygonum. Iris. Symphytum,
Primrose. Epilobiiim. Ferns in varietv. Digitalis,
Funkia, Dicentra, Polygonatum miiltiflorum. and
Helleborus ; whilst bulbs should be freely plantcti,
such as Narcissi, Aconite. Bluebell, Crocus, Jfus-
cari, Scilla, and Chionodoxa.

72

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 29, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTI5EMKNTS should be sent to the PUB-
LiSnbk, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
w.c.

Letters lor Publication, as well as specimens oj planti
fct iiaminf;, should be ^liciressed to the EDIIORS,
41, Wellington >treet, Covent Garden, London.

Ccvimunicaln.ni5 should be writtln on one side only of
THK PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. Ij desired, the signature will not be
plinted, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

APPOINTMENTS FOR FEBRUARY.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1-Scotlish Hort. Assoc, meet.
V.'EDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2-

Annual Dinner Croydon Hort. Mutual Imp. Society.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3— Linnean Soc. meet.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4—

Lecture by Prof. VV. Bateson on ** Heredity of Sex," at
Royal Institution.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6-

Soc. Fram;. d'Hort. de Londres meet.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7— Surveyors' Inst. meet.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Couis. meet, at 12 noon. Ann. Meet of
Fellows at 3 p.m.. British Gard. Assoc. Ex. Coun-
cil meet.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10—

London Branch of B.G.A. meet.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11-

Roy. Gard, Orphan Fund Ann. Meet, and Election of
Orphans at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY U—

United Hort. Ben & Prov. Soc. Com. meet.

WEDNESD.AY, FEBRUARY 16—

Women's .^gric. and Hort. Assoc. Annual Dinner.
THURSD.\Y, FEBRUARY 17— Linnean Soc. meet.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21— Surveyors' Inst. meet.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Third Masters' Memorial
Lecture at 3 p.m., by Mr. A. D. Hall, on " The Adapta-
tion of the Plant to the Soil.")

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23-

Fruit Growers' Federation Ann. Meet, at Hort. Hall,
Westminster.

Avi.nAGE Mean Temperature for the ensuine week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— agS*^.
Act UAL Temperatures: —

"LoKDon.— Wednesday, January 26 (6 p.m.): Mai. 34";
Min. 25".
Canhtieis' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —Thursday, January 27
(10 A.M.): Bar. 294 ; Temp. 31'; H'ealhei~-
Sliglit fog.
PROVittcEH.— Wednesday, January 26: Max. 40" Corn-
wall ; Min. 22"^^ Scotland N E.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY-

Herbaceous Plants, Liliums and Hardy Bulbs at 12;
Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30, at 67 & 68, ClieapEiJe,
E.G., by Protheroe & Morris.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Sale of Nursery Stock, at the Nurseries, South Wood-
ford, by order of Mr. J. Eraser, by Protheroe & Mortis,
at 11.

WEDNESDAY-

Unreserved Sale of the Bank House Collection of

Orchids, on the Premises, at Accrington, by Protheroe

& Morris, at 12.30.

Perennials, Flowering Shrubs, Lilies, and Hardy Bulbs,

at 12; Roses and Fruit Tree?, at 1.30; Azaleas, Palms,

&c.,at 5, at 67 & 6S, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe &

Morris.

Our readers will be highly grati-
Events of fieJ with the details of the report
the Week, of the Benevolent Institution,
which is i^rinted on another
page. The report shaw,s that progress con-
tinue-s to be made, and that the power of
the Institution for affording relief is increas-
ing. In 1909 the receipts exceeded all prece-
dent, the disbursements in annuities from the
general fund exceeded those of former years,
and the Victorian Era and Good Samaritan
Funds fulfilled, as heretofore, their purpose of
relieving numerous cases of distressing hard-
ship. It is surely something to be thankful
for that, notwithstanding the sustained de-
velopment of the Institution during the past
71 years, it was able last year, without
seriously depleting its finances, to expend in
the relief of the gardeners and gardeners"
widows a sum of .£20(1 more tliitn had been
distributed in any previous year. This fact

alone shows that the sympathetic and ener-
getic work which the Committee gives to the
Institution is rewarded by an increased desire
on the part of gardeners and of the public to
do their utmost to assist in furthering its
aims. The number of candidates submitted
for election at the annual meeting was un-
usually high, and hence the Committee, being
able to recommend the election of only 25
from that list, there were many who suffered
disappointment. This may seem to some as
■ if, after all, the Institution is merely able to
touch the fringe of the problem of helping the
necessitous, for it is undoubtedly to be desired
that the funds should be made sufficient to
meet all de.serving cases. It is this fact that
impels us once again to ask our readers to
exercise their charity and sympathy and also
influence others to contribute.

At the same time, the facts already stated
do not summarise all the good that is being
done. The report very properly states that
" it is impOiSsible to exaggerate the incalcu-
lable benefits afl'orded by the two special funds,
namely, the Victorian Era Fund and the
Good Samaritan Fund." Though a large num-
ber of candidates were unsuccessful at the
poll, we believe that they will receive, never-
theless, some assistance during the time that
they have to wait for another election. The
Victorian Era Fund was established for the re-
lief of those candidates who had contribut^iid to
the Institution whilst in a position to do so.
and the Good Samaritan Fund f jr the benefit
of those equally in need of help, liiit who, from
negligence or forgetfulness, had failed to sub-
scribe. As Mr. Sherwood pointed out at the
friendly supper, the good work achieved by
means of these two subsidiary funds is per-
haps scarcely so well known or recognised by
the public as is the relief provided by the
general fund. In the case of the Samaritan
Fund, for instance, small grants are fre-
quently made to those needing temporary
as.sistance. A recent case of the kind is
within our own knowh^lge ; indeed, the
relief was granted upon representations
tliat we were privileged to make. The
husband, who had been a gardener all his
life, died suddenly after an operation. Other
circumstances happened to make the ta.sk of
the widow unusually severe ; for death, at
about the same time, removed the emploj'er
who was the only person from whom the
widow could expect help. In order to obtain
a liveliliood for hei-self and her child, aged
7i years, she attempted to establish herself
in a small business, and it was in these cir-
cumstances that a small grant was made to
her from the Samaritan Fund. AVe have
referred to this particular case to show
the value of such a fund ; one from which
the Committee can afford immediate help in
cases where immediate, temporary relief is
needed .

As will be seen from the report, there were
more elections than it was expected there
would be. Owing to deaths and other causes,
the Committee were able to declare 23 candi-
dates elected in place of the 20 that had been
advertised, and, in addition, further candi-
dates were placed ujjon the funds owing to
the liberality of Mr. Arthur Sutton, Mr.
George Monro, and Mr. Harry .1. Veitch,
whilst a sum of £20 given by Mr. N. N.
Sherwood was (divided between the unsuccess-
ful candidates.

Another event of the week was

Mr. Harry the presentation of the portraits

Veitch. of Mr. Harry .1. Veitch. One

of these was presented to the
Council of the Royal Horticultural Society,
and is reproduced in our Supplementary
Illustration ; the other was presented to
Mrs. Veitch. The esteem in which Mr.
Veitch is held in the horticultural world
is a matter of general knowledge. His
practical help in all matters connected
with charity, his invaluable work in con-
nection with the Gardeners' Royal Benevo-
lent Institution as treasurer and chairman,
his liberality and geniality are known to
aU. The portrait in oils entrusted to the
Royal Horticultural Society is a testimony of
the general esteem entertained for Mr.
Veitch. It is not surprising that the public
response was so spontaneous and liberal. The
enthusiasm manifested by those who took
part in the formal presentation on Tuesday
last can — great though it was — lepresent but
inadequately the esteem and affection iu
which Mr. Veitch is held by all members of
the horticultural community. How thoroughly
deserved are the good wishes which he
receives may be gathered from the speeches
made at the presentation dinner, an account
of which is given below.

We cordially associate ourselves with this
appreciation, and, on behalf of our readers,
hope that both Mr. and Mrs. Veitch may be
spared to enjoy their well-earned honours for
many years to come.

Presentation of the Veitch
Portraits.

The presentation toijk place at a complimen-
tary dinner on Tuesday last in the Hall of the
Royal Horticultural Society. The portraits,
which were on view, were greatly admired,
not only as works of art, but as speaking
likenesses.

Mr. N. N. Sherwood pre.sided. On his right
sat Mr. Harry Veitch, and on his left Mrs.
Veitch. Among the company of about 150, which
included several ladies, were Sir Trevor Lawrence,
president of the Society, and many well-known
and influential gciit!emcn. After the loyal toasts
had been proposed, the Chairman read a telegram
from Baron Schroder, conveying heartiest con-
gratulations " to our dear friend, Mr. Veitch,
whose services to horticulture, not only to Great
Britain, but to the whole world, deserved recog-
nition." The Chairman also read a letter from
Col. Holford, regretting that, owing to an opera-
tion, he could not be present to take pai-t in
a gathering to do honour " to one of the most
distinguished and poptdar horticulturists that
ever lived."

The Chairman, amid great enthusiasm, next
gave the toast of " Mr. and Mrs. Harry J.
Veitch." It was, he said, a regular Veiteh
evening. The very menu bore testimony to that
fact, because the various items were connected
with all parts cf the world with which Mr.
Veit-ch had had dealings. There were occa-
sions in the life cf all that made deep impres-
sions, and that evening was one of them. Mr.
Veitch represented an honoured and great name.
The firm of Veitch had possibly done more for
the introduction of plants from all parts of the
world than any firm that had ever existed. The
business was established nearly three-quarters of
a century ago, the members of the firm coming
from Scotland. It was first established in

January 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

Exeter, but was afterwards removed to Chelsea,
and its name was now a household word. Mr.
Veitch had been in business 53 years, and dur-
ing that time he had endeared himself to all
who knew him. It was difficult to praise a
man in his presence, but he must say that Mr.
Veitch was one who, throughout a long life, had
never failed to render aid to the great horti-
cultural charities. With regard to the Royal
Horticultural Society, Mr. Veitch was one of
those who, with Baron Schriider and others,
originated the idea of a Hall for horticulture. He
had been a member of the Council of the R.H.S.
since 1887. and had rendered great service to the
Society at a time when it sorely needed it.
It was only those behind the scenes, like Mr.
Wilks, who could tell them what giant strides
the Society had made during the last 25 years,
and Mr. Veitch had always been ready to lend
his hand — and his pocket, when necessary — to
further the interests cf the Society. Further
than that, ITr. Veitch had taken the greatest
interest in the Gaidcncrs' Royal Cenevolent In-
stitution. There were many charities and
schools with which Mr. Veitch was connected,
but his heart was centred in the Gardeners'
Royal Benevolent Institution. He had been a
subscriber for nearly 52 years. He presented
the Institution with £5C0 f.s a thank-offering in
•commemoration of his silver wedding, and in
1897 he gave £1,000 to the Victorian Era Fund
and in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee.
His annual subscriptions, with those of his firm,
to the Benevolent amounted to £4,000. \Yhen
the .suggestion was made that Mr, Veitch's por-
trait should be painted to hang in the Council
Chamber, there was a very ready response. There
were 309 subscribers. He, Mr. Sherwood,
thought the portrait was a most excellent one.
When it was found that there was sufficient
money left for another portrait, it was de-
<;ided to have painted, not a copy, but another
portrait tor presentation to Mrs. Veitch. Then
there were still funds left for that dinner, and
for each subscriber to have a photogravure of the
portrait. In a.sking Mrs. Veitch to accept the
portrait, he expressed the hope that the original
might long be spared to her. The Chairman
told Jlr. Veitch that they all regarded him as
a true-hearted Englishman, and they all admired
end loved him.

The toast was drunk with the greatest en-
thusiasm.

Mr. Veitch, who had a hearty welcome when
he rose to respond to the toast, observed that
much had been said in liis favour that he did not
deserve. He was deeply grateful to Mr. Sher-
wood and to the company. It was written that
" Pride goes before destruction " ; but there was
a legitimate pride, and it was that pride he felt
that night. It was not, as they knew, an un-
usual thing for a portrait to be presented and for
replicas to be painted, but he had never before
heard of two portraits being presented under such
circumstances. One was to be hung in the Coun-
eil Chamber, and in what company ! There was
already thei'e the portrait of Sir Joseph Banks,
the founder and first president of the Society.
Then there was the portrait of their most excel-
lent president. Sir Trevor Lawrence, to whom the
Society was so greatly indebted ; and, thirdly,
there was the portrait of their good friend. Baron
Schroder. To have one's portrait hanging in such
company was enough to make one feel proud.
Mr. Veitch then became reminiscent. It was
true that he was born in an atmosphere of horti-
culture. His earliest memories were of a garden
in Exeter, where he recollected seeing his dear
•old father and grandfather — both excellent and
practical gardeners — following their calling ; and
he remembered watching them sowing the seeds
sent home by those two most excellent collectors,
the brothers Lobb, one of whom went to the
East, and the other to South America. He re-
membered them watching to see the seeds grow.
He also remembered the pleasure with which he
himself sowed some Orange pips, and he did not
■quite remember whether or not he pulled some
up to see how they were growing ! He also tried

his hand at hybridising Fuchsias, but he could
not now remember the result ! He remembered
that glorious old foreman, John Dominy, and
both Taylor and Dominy had passed away. He
could not forget their good friend i\lanning, and
the influence of all these had induced him to fol-
low in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Only one person connected with the R.H.S. could
recollect flower shows longer than himself, and
that was their president. Sir Trevor Lawrence.
Mr. Veitch said his first introduction to Chiswick
was 58 years ago, when he came to London to
see the Great Exhibition of 1851, and he remem-
bered the fine collection of greenhouse plants of
Mrs. Lawrence, the mother of their president.
His, Mr. Veitch's, family came to London
in 1853, and soon after that his father became
a member of the R.H.S. His father was
always most enthusiastic about the subject.
He was never tired of talking about it,
so much so that it became the fun of Mr. Veitch
and the young members of the family to
imitate turning the handle of an organ when
the discussion began. Then came the formation
of the Fruit and Floral Committees of the Society,
the idea of which was worked'out in his father's
dining-room. Briefly mentioning the names of
many who had connection with Chiswick in those
early days, he went on to speak of the Benevo-
lent Institution. He wished more money could
be spared for it, as many people were still wait-
ing for pensions. Concluding, Mr. Voitch said
he owed the warmest thanks to all for their great
kindne.ss. He was afraid he gave the artist a lot
of trouble. There was one thing that gentleman
insisted on, and that was that he should not cut
his beard before everyone had seen the portrait.
Sir. J. Gurney Fowler proposed, amid cheers,
" The Treasurer and Secretary of the Portrait
Fund," He said it was a very pleasant duty to
ask them to drink the health of two noted hor-
ticulturists, Mr. ]\Iay and Mr. Wilks. He did
not know who was secretary and who was
tieasurer of the fund; but he would say that
anything those two gentlemen undertook was
almost sure to meet with a successful response
from all lovers of horticulture. That was obvious
in the present case by the way in which the sub-
scriptions came in. It was easy enough to put
one's hand in one's pocket and pull out the
money, but that was only the begiiniing of the
business. The.se two gentlemen had all the
trouble and anxiety which followed, and Ihey
all owed them deep gratitude.

Mr. May was the first to respond. He ex-
plained that he held that position on the pro-
gramme merely alphabetically, and in no other
sense. It was true that the initiative in this
project was his own, but he well knew that
many of Mr. Veitch's friends were desirous
of showing their appreciation of the great
services Mr. Veitch had rendered to hor-
ticulture. He and iMr. Wilks determined to
issue a joint appeal, and when that was done
the way was smooth. Mr. May went on to ob-
serve that horticulture had bee.n the Cinderella
of the Arts, and he trusted that those in
authority in the Slate would come to the con-
clusion that it was worthy of recognition. In
conclusion, he expressed his gratitude to the sub-
scribers and to the artist, and last, but not least,
to Mr. Wilks, who had worked so whole-
heartedly and ungrudgingly for the success of the
project.

Mr. Wilks next responded, and after thanking
all concerned, he explained liow the dinner had
arisen. A suggestion was m.ide that they ought
to have a portrait of Mr. Veitch by some first-
rate artist to hand down with tlie other portraits
of conspicuous benefactors which they possessed.
The suggestion was jumped at by every one who
heard of it, so a circular was sent out by Mr.
May and himself. The response was quite be-
yond their expectations — so much so that they
had to seriously consider what to do with the
surplus money. They decided to — roughly speak-
ing— use the first guinea of every subscription
in getting Mr. Riviere — a famous son of a still
more famous father — to paint the portrait to
hang, he hoped for ever, on the walls of that
great world centre of horticulture. " So
that the first guinea or less subscribed by any
one hangs there in that picture," said Mr. Wilks.
pointing to the portrait destined for the council
chamber. Then they decided to use the next
series of guineas in presenting Mrs. Veitch with
another portrait, " so that if any of you gentle-

men subscribed five guineas to the fund, there
in that second portrait hangs your money."
But there was still a surplus, and so it was
decided to send every subscriber a photo-
gravure of the portrait, so that Mr. Veitch's
good looks might be almost as well known
amongst the gardening fraternity as were his
numberless good works. Still there was a
small sum left, and it was decided to invite
Mrs. Veitch to diinier and offer her their
present on the occasion; " and," said Mr. Wilks,
" those who subscribed £25 and upwards have
the satisfaction of knowing that the balance left
out of their generosity— o//cr the cost of the two
portraits and the photogravure has been defrayed
— it is to that small number of liberal and
generous admirers of Mr. Veitch to whom you
and I are indebted for this pleasant evening.
Further, we did not think the sum at our dis-
posal sufficient to enable us to invite all the 309
subscribers of half-a-crown and upwards, and as
we had therefore to draw a line somewhere —
compelled not only by money considerations but
even more by considerations of space at our dis-
posal-;—we drew it at the one-guinea subscribers,
and invited all of them here to-night." Mr!
Wilks impressed on all that not one farthing of
any one's subscription was spent on the dinner
except of those who gave very largely to the
fund. All, and mere than all, smaller subscrip-
tions had been used up on the two portraits and
the photogravure, and he for one thought that
it was an occasion on which they could hardly
have done better with the little balance in their
hands than by honouring Mr. Veitch by thus
honouring his wife.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, who was enthusiastically
cheered, rose to propose " The Chairman," "a
toast which, he said, would be drunk with the
greatest heartiness. They had had that even-
ing an excellent chairman, who had been kind
enough to provide them with some excellent 1367
port and choice cigars and cigarettes, and line
recitations and music. So that they owed him
a great debt of gratitude, not only "for the way
in which he had presided, but for the way in
which he had looked after their comforts. It
was no fault of the Chairman that they had felt
the cold, and he was told they should regard
themselves as hardy herbaceous plants. When he
looked upon the portraits, he was reminded of a
certain picture, and thought of Mrs. Veitch say-
ing to herself, " How happy could I be with
either." They were most admirable likenesses,
and he could see in them the twinkle in the
eyes which was the peculiar characteristic of
Mr. Veitch. The kindly acts of Mr. Veitch
would not be easily effaced from their memories.
It had been a real pleasure to him to be able
to do something, however small, in helping the
movement. Returning to the subject of the
toast. Sir Trevor said he had had the pleasure
of knowing Mr. Sherwood for many years, and
of his many and widespread acts of benevolence.
Among those acts he subscribed £1,000 to
the building of that hall, and the Royal
CJardeners' Benevolent Institution, of which
Mr. Veitch was so excellent a treasurer,
was largely indebted to Jlr. Sherwood for many
kind and munificent benefactions. It had been
a pleasure to sit that evening under Mr.
Sherwood's chairmanship. He would like to
say. in conclusion, with regard to the firm of
which ilr. Harry Veitch was the head, that
he had known it for a vast number of years,
and he had never heard a single word spoken
of it except in its praise It stood foremost as
a thoroughly honourable, straightforward, enter-
prising and successful firm, and it was the
greatest satisfaction to them all that the claims
of the firm, and especially of Jlr. Harry Veitch
on the horticultural world, had been thoi'oughly
recognised, and to know that in this case, at all
events, honourable dealing in every form brought
its natural and legitimate reward.

The Chairman, replying to the toast, which
was enthusiastically honoured, said Mr. Wilks
asked him to preside, and would hear of no
objections, and now he was glad he had been
able to render some small service on such a
memorable occasion Nothing could have given
him greater pleasure than to ask Mr. and Jlrs.
Veitch, both of whom he had known for many
years, to accept his own humble words in sup-
port of what they all thought. He hoped and
believed that evening would remain with them
all a happy memory

74

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 29, 1910.

Horticultural Club. — The annual meeting
and dinner have been postponed to Tuesday,
February 22. They will take place, as usual, at
the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street, Westmin-
ster, the meeting at 5 p.m. and the dinner at
6 p.m. Sir John Llewellyn, Bart., the presi-
dent, will take the chair. Messrs. J. VeiiCH
& Sons have kindly promised to decorate the
tables with flowers, as in past years.

LiNNEAN Society. — The next meeting will
take place on Thursday, February 3, at 8 p.m.
The discussion of the " Origin of Vertebrates "
will be reopened by Dr. A. Smith Woodward,
F.R.S., Prof. A. Dendy, F.R.S., sec. Linn. Soc,
and other speakers, with Dr. Gaskell's reply
to various arguments.

Windsor Rose Show. — The annual exhibition
of the Windsor, Eton and District Rose and
Horticultural Society will take place on Satnr-
day, July 2. Particulars may be obtained from
the hon. secretary, Mr. W. H. Beice.

Veitch Memorial Trustees.— At a meeting
of the Veitch Memorial Trustees, held on the
18th inst., it was decided to present silver medals
t) the following gardeners, in recognition of
distinguished services rendered by them to horti-
culture, viz. : Mr. H. J. Chapman, of Oakwood
Gardens, Wylam-on-Tyne ; Mr. J. McIndoe,
V.M.H., formerly of Button Hall, Guisborough ;
and Mr. W. H. White, Orchid grower at Bur-
ford Lodge, Dorking. It was further decided
to offer to the Royal Horticultural Society a
prize of i35, with a medal, for an exhibit of fruit,
to be competed for at the forthcoming show to
be held at Liverpool in connection with that of
the Royal Agricultural Society ; and also £5,
with a medal, to be offered at the next show of
the Taunton Deane Horticultural Society.

Gardeners Royal Benevolent Insti-
tution (Worcester and District Auxiliary).
— The annual meeting and dinner were held
at the Hopmarket Hotel, Worcester, on January
22. Mr. W. Crump (Madresfield) presided
over a company of about 40. The Hon.
Sec. read the committee's report. The balance-
sheet showed receipts for the year of £115,
£100 of which had been sent to head-
quarters. The president (Earl Beauchamp) and
vice-president (Mr. C. W. Dyson Perkins) were
warmly thanked for allowing their gardens to be
thrown open to the public, th\is realising a net
profit of £29 to the funds. The report and
balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. Votes
of thanks were passed to all the officers and
workers for their valued assistance. The election
of officers then took place, and the remainder of
the evening was given up to harmony. The
management consider such functions to be the
means of keeping the members in touch with this
excellent institution. It may be added that,
should any other county desire to start a branch
of the institution, the officers of the Worcester
auxiliary would be pleased to place their ser-
vices and experience to help to found such a
movement, free of cost.

Bequests to Gardeners.— The late Miss
Lydia Rashleigh, of Abbey House, Southamp-
ton, whose will has just been proved, left pro-
perty to the value of £111,105. Her bequests to
servants include the sum of £100 and a pension
of £75 a year to her gardener, Thomas Jenkins ;
also £50 to her under gardener, Joe Morse.
Bequests and pensions were left to her coacliman,
butler, cook, and other servants, and in addition
one year's wages to each servant in her employ
not otherwise mentioned, and to such servants
who had been more than three years in her
employ an additional sum of £3. Miss Rash-

leigh was not only solicitous for the welfare of
her servants, but also for her dogs, and left sums
of money to her butler and coachman to provide
for their care. The testatrix was the daughter of
the Rev. George Rashleigh, formerly rector of
Hamble, Hampshire.

The Buenos Ayres Exhibition. — In con-
nection witli the International Agricultural Ex-
hibition, which will be opened next June in
Buenos Ayres, on the occasion of the celebration
of the centennial of the independence of the Ar-
gentine Republic, the Commissioner-General for
Europe informs us from Zittau that applications
for space will be received up to March 1.

Pollen Preserving Tubes. — An extremely
neat form of tube for preserving pollen has been
designed by Mr. F. H. Smith, an amateur Orchid
hybridist, and put on the market by A. J.
Keeling & Sons, of the Grange Nurseries, W^est-
gate Hill, near Bradford. Each preserving tube
consists of a small glass tube containing a small
quantity of calcium chloride held in place by a
wad of cotton wool. A glass " spoon," dipping
into the tube, serves to hold Orchid poUinia, or

Fig. 42. — allolobophora (dendrob.bna)

SUBMONTANA. (Slightly enlarged.)

A. Foreshortened, and B. dorsal, view of prostoiniuin.

M.P. Male pore on segment 15. CI. Clitelluin or girdle,

on segments 25-32.

to convey to or from the tube loose pollen of
other kinds of plants. The glass .'ipooii is held
in place by a piece of stout rubber tubing, which
fits closely over its end and also over the open
end of the tube. Thus the pollen is kept out of
ccntact with the external air and, exposed to the
dry air of the tube, may remain good for months.

A New Canadian "Park." — The Federal
Government of Canada has announced the reser-
vation of some 5,000 square miles of territory
lying between the Saskatchewan River and the
Yellowstone Pass. The new reserve, which will
be called Jasper Park, is about 1,000 square
miles larger than the famous Yellowstone Park
of America, and thus by far the largest in the
wcrld.

Th e Catalpa. — Two hundred thousand Catalpa
trees planted in Illinois several years ago are now
thriving to such a degree that it is anticipated
that, in a few years, this new forest, formed in
the heart of the prairie, will supply many of the
ties for a big railway system having its terminus
at Chicago. Similar forests have been planted

in Mississippi. Whereas Oak ties last, on the
average, only seven years, Catalpa ties that have
been in use more than 30 years show no sign of
decay. The wood is also useful for building tim-
ber and for furniture-making. It is said that
Catalpa fence posts have been known to last ICO
years. The seed planted in rich garden soil pro-
duces shoots which, when transplanted within a
year, spring up lapidlv into trees. }{arp:i'/s
Week/,/.

Publications Received. — Transactions and
Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edin-
burgh. (Ediiibui'uli ; XeiU A t'.i . Ltd \ — Les
Graines du Riiiort et les Resultata de Leurs
Semis, par J. Brzeziuski. (Cracovie : Imprijucic
de lUniversite.) 190d. -The Principles of Soil
Management, by T. Lyttletou Lyon, Ph.D., and
Elmer 0. Fippin, B.S.A. (London : Macmillan
& Co., Ltd ) — Bulletin du Jardin Imperial
Botan'qus de Ste. Petersbourg. By A. A.
Fischer de Waldheim and G. A. Nadson —Diary
and Blotter, from Joseph Bentley, Ltd.. Chemical
Works, Barro\v-on-Humber, Hull; a u.seful diary
and blotter for the use of gardeners, —Irish Farm-
ing Woild Directory and Annual for 1910.
(Dublin: Irish Faniiinj ]\'oiid, 1.5, Fleet Street.)
Price Od.

NEW GARDEN WORMS.

Early in September I received from Kew Gar-
dens a consignment of worms which contained one
or two specimens of a very active annelid which
I had never seen before. As neither of the ex-
amples was adult, I waited till further supplies
should throw light upon the subject. Later in
the month the same species turned up in larger
numbers, and in a more advanced condition.
The various organs began to show externally,
and it was possible also to make a detailed
examination of the internal .structure. I am now
in a position to report on the new discovery, and
assign it a position which I think will be ac-
counted satisfactory.

The new worm is intensely muscular and
vigorous. The colour closely resembles that of
various species of Limibricus and Dendrobfena,
being an intense brown with a dash of carmine,
which does not undergo bleaching even in strong
alcohol. The contour is graceful, and in some
respects cksely resembles Lumbricus castareus.
but with a distinct difference. Its head is not
the head of a Lumbricus, i.e., the prostomium
does not cut right through the first segment, but
the seta? are paired. When the worms are (juite
young the segments have narrow golden bands,
similar to those of the brandling, but as the worm
becomes adult this feature grows less marked,
and the warm, brown tone prevails.

It often happens that the position of certain
organs is foretold, before the adult stage is
reached, by a change in the physiological condi-
tions of some of the segments. Thus we find
that young worms are destitute of papilhe where
the male pores are to appear, even in those
species which show very prominent papillae in
the adult. At puberty, therefore, we look for
these papillse. In the case of the tubercula on
the ventral surface of the girdle it often happens
that one is able to see them best at this inter-
mediate stage, before the worm has attained the
perfect condition, and while the girdle is in
process of formation. The worm under review
has a light-coloured head (prostomium) and peri-
stomium, is light-coloured also on the ventral
surface of the ninth segiuent, and shows indica-
tions of the coming girdle by the colour of the
underside of segments 26 to 31. Later on. the
two adjoining segments become involved. It is
not, however, possible to find any tubercula at
this stage, and. if at any later period they really
occur, it seems likely that the segments 28. 29,
and 30 would be those which carried the organs.
Up till the present I have not been able to

January 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

75

demonstrate their existence, though the girdle
has been fully developed.

I have studied the internal structure also, but
as these papers are not adapted for the use of
specialists, I cannot give details of the results.
They are of value only for purposes of classifica-
tion, since all our garden worms can be identi-
fied by e.xternal characters alone.

It now becomes a question whether such a
worm has or has not already been described.
'I'he main external features are sufficiently defi-
nite— colour, shape, number of segments, posi-
tion, and arrangement of setie and girdle, shape
of head, and absence of clearly-defined tuber-
cula. In these pai-ticulars we find a close resem-
blance to a Continental worm which was first
described by Vejdovsky in 1875 as Lumbricus
submontanus. Later on (in 1884), when the old
genus Lumbricus was broken up, he named it
Allolobophora submontana. Qirley, in 1885,
called it AUurus submontanus, and Vaillant, in
1889, reverted to Veidovsky's terminology. It
was found in the Riesengebirge in Euhemia,

of the two species (he adds) are to be placed the
difference in size, number of segments, the posi-
tion of the girdle, and the dorsal pores.

The worms from Kew differ both from Veneta
and Submontana, but are so closely allied to
the latter in almost every essential, that for the
present I regard them merely as a variety of
submontana, but refer them to the genus Dendro-
bsena, on account of their internal structure.

The description cf the Kew worm is as follows ;

Dendrobfena submontana, Vejdovsky ?, small,
active worms, about 2 inches to 3 inches in
length, of a warm, brown colour, -which does not
disappear in alcohol. Inter-segments golden in
the young. Prostomium cutting one-half to two-
thirds of the peri.'^tomium, and possessed of a
iiorse-shoe-shaped insertion, which so far I have
not observed elsewhere. Under-surface of seg-
ment 9 paler and more tumid. Male pores on
segment 15, with inconspicuous papilla;. Girdle
usually extending from the 25th to the 32nd
segment. No well-defined tubercula, but slight
tumidity on 28 30. Seta: paired, but the indi-

THE ROSARY.

[Vhot giapli by Miss S. M. n'.illacc.
Fig. 43. — TRICUSPIDARIA DEPENDF.NS (cRINODENDRON HOOKERIANL'M).

Vejdovsky being a professor at Prague. He gives
the following description ; —

Length, 100 mm. to 120 mra. Number of seg-
ments, 90 to 100. In the young worm the pos-
terior extremity is flattened, but it becomes
trapezoid in the adult. The colour is rose-
carmine, with yellow inter segments. Setse not
described, but appear, from the figure, to be
strictly geminate or paired. The prostomium
cuts one half of the first segment, and the girdle
extends from 24 or 25 to 32 or 33. Tubercula
pubertatis doubtful. The dorsal pores are dis-
tinct, and commence between the second and
third segments. Respecting the spermathecie
and seminal vesicles there is doubt.

Rosa remarks that he had received a communi-
cation from Vejdovsky, from which, together
with the foregoing description, he concluded that
the worm was closely related to Allolobophora
veneta, a conclusion which I had also reached
independently when studying my examples.
But, says Rosa, our ignorance of the setse
(whether or not they are strictly paired), and
cf the internal structure, leaves us in doubt as
to the true relationship. Against the identity

viduals of the ventral pairs more widely sepa-
rated than those of the dorsal. Girdle segments
not fused together in any specimen hitherto
examined. Number of segments, 100 to 110.
usually bi-annulate ; the bi-annulation clearly
seen on hinder part, but not apparent either dor-
sally or ventrally in the first dozen segments,
or in front of the male pore. Under-surface of
the worm almost as dark as the dorsal, except
between the 9th and 32nd segments.

We, as yet, know little about the season of the
year when the different species of worms attain
their highest development, and for this reason it
is most desirable that they should be continuously
under observation. It seems clear that several of
our native species are at their best for scientific
observation in the autumn, but some are better
seen in winter and others in spring. It would be
of great service to .science if gardeners would
submit samples of worms to the writer, who is
engaged in the preparation of a ]\ronograph, to
be published in due course by the Ray Society.
Tin boxes with loosely-fitting lids, and filled with
moss, fcim the be.st medium of transit. Ilihlerir
Friend, Si. Asaph, Molvcrn.

SOiME INTERESTING ROSE SPORTS.

There ia something about the reversion of
sports to the normal type that we do not under-
stand. The following examples have come under
my notice among Roses, and may perhaps be of
some interest to readers : —

The Tea scented Rose Sunrise was introduced
in 1899, being a sport from Sunset, this latter
variety having been sent out in 1884. Sunset
was a sport from Perle des .Tardins, and the
latter was a seedling from Mme. Falcot (1875).
Mme. Falcot is quite an old Rose, having been
introduced by Guillot in 1859.

The two spoils from Perle des Jardins. namely.
Sunset and Sunrise, sometimes have distinctive
flowers of each variety upon the same plant, but
I have never noticed any blending of the shades.
Then, again, I have more than once found a
perfectly coloured Perle des .Jardins upon a Sun-
rise plant, although the sport Sunset came
between these two varieties.

Another somewhat similar case occurs to me.
Heinrich Schultheis (1883) produced two sports —
Merrie England and Mrs. Harkness (1893). In
the latter case it threw a similar sport elsewhere,
which was sent out as Paul's Early Blush.
Merrie England is a beautifully striped and
splashed blossom — one of the very best of this
type — and the colours are a blending of those
found in Heinrich Schultheis and Mrs. Harkness
(.syn. Paul's Early Blush). I have found both of
the sports upon the same plant, and also a fairly
typical flower of Heinrich Schultheis at the same
time; yet these Roses are perfectly distinct
except upon rare occasions.

The various sports from Catherine Mermet do
not need much comment, but I would like to
mention that Muriel Grahame sported with us
at the same time as at Reigate, and we were on
the point of introducing it when the noted Irish
firm staged it for the medal. Previous to this,
more than one grower remarked upon our limited
stock being Muriel Grahame before I had seen
the Rose elsewhere. It was the same with The
Queen and S. A. Prince, for both the varieties
undoubtedly sported from Souvenir d'un Ami,
but in widely-different localities.

Pride of Reigate and Pride of Waltham sported
from Comtesse d'Oxford, and I have known these
revert to Comtesse d'Oxfnrd on several occasions.
A. Piper.

TRICUSPIDARIA DEPENDENS.

This plant will perhaps be better known to
some as Crinodendron Hookerianuni. In its
native habitat, the Chilian valleys, it forms a
tree of moderate dimensions, attaining to a height
of about 30 feet. It is known locally as the
Patagua. but there is Patagua of Valdivia, thus
affording another e.fample of the confusion aris-
ing from the use of common names. The plant
is not hardy in this country except in very
favoured localities, including districts of Ireland.
Our illustration in fig. 43 is reproduced from a
photograph taken bv' Miss S. JI. Wallace, Ardna-
mona. Lough Eske. The blossoms are very
showy, being blood-red in colour, and they are
attached to the branches by long peduncles. A
note on the Tricuspidarias by Mr Fitzherbert
appeared in the issue for January 1, p. 5. Jlr.
Fitzherbert stated that probably the finest speci-
men of T. dependens in this country is to be
found in the garden that belonged to the late
Rev. Henry Ewbank, at Ryde, Isle of Wight, the
plant being 10 feet in height and as much
through.

76

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Jantjaky 29, 1910.

boci£:tic:s.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

January 25. — Tlie usual fortnightly meeting
was held on Tuesday last in ths Society's Hall,
Vincent Square, Westminster. The exhibition
was much smaller than usual, and, although a
considerable portion of the building was reserved
tor the evening proceedings (see p. 72). thera was
ample room and to spare for the exhibitors. The
most important e.xhibits were the Orchids,
which are always a feature at these shows. The
Orchid Committee conferred one First-class Cer-
tificate and three Awards of Merit.

The Floral Committee made no award to a
novelty. The most important exhibits in this
eection were displays of Carnations, Ferns,
Azaleas and hardy flowers.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee had
only one exhibit, a few bunches of Grapes, to
inspect.

At the three o'clock meeting in the lecture-
room, a paper on " Intensive Cultivation of
Vegetables in Madeira " was given by Miss E.
Armitage.

Floral Committee.

Present: Henry B. May, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. Chas. T. Druery, W. J. Bean, Jno.
Green, G. Reuthe, J. T. Bennett-Poe, R. C.
Reginald Nevill, W. Howe, Chas. E. Pearson,
Chas. Dixon, Arthur Turner, H. J. Jones, Chas.
E. Shea, F. Page Roberts, W. P. Thomson, E. H.
Jenkins, W. J. James, J. F. McLeod, R. W.
Wallace, Herbert J. Cutbush, R. Hooper Pearson,
R. C. Notcutt, and George Paul.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey,
showed varieties of the showy-leaved Bertolo-
niaa. The plants were splendid specimens, the
colours in the foliage being finely developed. The
best varieties were Souvenir de Gaud — the dark
velvet-green leaf is striped and spotted with
glistening rose ; Sanderiana, green and silver
coloured ; hirsuta, dark green, almost black
leaves; Mme. de Bleu, white spots and ribs
tinted faintly with rose ; and Mme. Leon Say.
Eranthemum Lindenii has smaller leaves than a
Bertolonia, but they are very attractive, being
yellowish-green with dark markings. _Mr.
Russell also showed Azalea indica in variety,
the variegated form of Ficus repens and a speci-
men of Debregeasea velutina in fruit. This plant
has sagelike leaves and small yellow berries,
which are somewhat like tiny yellow Raspberries.
It formed the Supplementary Illustration in the
issue for April 14. 1906. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, staged Cyclamens in a variety of colours,
a.s at the last meeting, also C'horozemas, Erioste-
mon linearifolium. .\cacia platyptera, a showy
flowered species ; Camellias of sorts ; small
Orange trees well fruited, and a selection of
Carnations of the winter-blooming type. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries.
Edmonton, again showed a collection of Ferns ;
the exhibit comprised a selection of decorative
species, such as Davallia canariensis and its
varieties gibberosa and pulchella ; Platycerium
alcicorne var. Cordreyi, P. grande ; Dicksonia
sqiiarrosa, Nephrolepis exaltata in variety,
and Lomaria attenuata with elegant, arched
fronds. Adjoining the Ferns was a group of
Azaleas, the plants being well flowered, and
representing a good selection of varieties.
(Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., showed a bright group of Carnations
attractively staged in vases. Amongst the
newer kinds we noticed Rose Dore, a fine addi-
tion to the rose-salmon varieties ; 0. P. Bassett,
a fragrant, scarlet flower with fringed petals ;
Fortuna, a yellow self; Carola, dark crimson;
the foliage and shoots are exceptionally robust ;
Grace Gilbert, with white markings on a yellow
ground ; Lady Sidley, having yellow petals mar-
gined -tvith purple ; and Countess of Onslow, a
well-formed flower, of a peculiar shade, a com-
bination of heliotrope and rose. Messrs. Cut-
bush also showed seasonable hardy flowers and
berried plants arranged on a rock-garden ex-

hibit. A batch of Iris histrioides major pro-
vided a patch of bright blue ; we also noticed
the clear yellow Iris Danfordii, and Mesem-
bryanthemum uncinatum. the latter having stout,
succulent, cylindrical stems and very fleshy
leaves. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, filled a long table with green-
house flpwering plants. The beautiful Javanico-
jasminiflorum Rhododendrons were shown in
assortment ; one of the largest-flowered is the
yellow variety named after King Edward VII.
In the centre of the group was a batch of Cal-
ceolaria Burbidgei, and in front of this a few
plants of the blue-flowered Tillandsia Lindenii,
the colours contrasting finely. A new plant was
seen in Tradescantia White Queen, the foliage
being prettily variegated with silver. There were
many pot plants of Lily of the Valley, each hav-
ing a considerable number of strong flower-
spikes; Abutilons Golden Fleece (yellow), Boule
de Neige (white), and The Gem (red) ; Erlangia
tomentosa and Eupatorium vernale, not unlike,
save in the colour of the flowers, the former
having blue and the latter white blossoms ;
Freezisis, Oranges in fruit, and a selection of
Indian Azaleas. As a separate .group, Messrs.
Veitch showed standard plants of these Azaleas,
the stem being 3 or 4 feet in length and crowned
with" a profusion of flowers. They were shown
in several well-known varieties. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

INIr. H. Burnett, Forest Road, Guernsey,
showed Carnations of the perpetual-blooming
type, having large, bright flowers of Rose Dore,
Robert Craig, Mrs. H. Burnett, Countess of
March, Enchantress, Alvina, White Perfection,
White Enchantress, Jlikado, and other standard
varieties ; also several seedlings, of which the
pale rose white-tipped variety named after Mrs.
Tatton was the most noteworthy. The exhibit
was prettily arranged with sprays of Asparagus
and Smilax, and small Ferns. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley. Kent,
showed blooms of Primula sinensis, in almost all
colours, and of the ordinary, giant and stellata
types.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex,
showed a rock-garden exhibit of considerable
dimensions, planted with a selection of early-
blooming subjects. Plants in flower included
Primulas. Veltheimia viridifolia. Petasites (Tus-
silago) fragrans. Saxifraga Elizabethie, S. a.picu-
lata, S. Bur.seriana, Helleborus niger, Pul-
monaria rubra, Adonis amurensis, and Irises in
variety. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London, showed a collection of Alpine and hardy
border plants in flower, with a pretty background
of Skimmia and Aucuba in berry. We noticed
some well-flowered plants of Saxifraga Burseri-
. ana, and a number of succulents in small pots.
Mr. G. Reuthe, Fox Hill Hardy Plant Nur-
sery, Keston. Kent, showed Irises, Anemones,
Snowdrops, Hepaticas. Saxifrages, and other
early-flowering subjects, with a few interesting
shrubs. Erica moditerranea hybrida is hardier
than the type, and is in flower throughout the
winter. Sprays of Hamamelis arborea var. Zuc-
carinii. Daphne Mezereum, Garrya elliptica, and
Grevillea rosmarinifolia were shown in flower.

Misses. K. & E. Hopkins, Shepperton-on-
Thames, again staged a rock-garden exhibit,
I'lanted with seasonable hardy flowers. They also
showed tubers of Tropseokim tuberosum, which
are used as a food by the natives of Peru.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
(larden, London, showed bulbous and hardy
flowers. They had Lachenalias of the finer
sorts; Chionodoxa sardensis, with intensely-blue
flowers; Tulipa saxatilis ; the wild form of Cycla-
men latifolium ; Galanthus Elwesii ; Roman Hya-
cinths ; Hellebores, with extra large blossoms ;
Erica mediterranea hybrida ; Daphne Mezereum,
both white and purple-flowered, and many others.
F. H. Chapman. Esq., Rye, showed seedlings
of Freesias, including one of orange or dark
lemon tint, named Chapmanii. There were ahso
hybrids raised from F. Chapmanii and F. Ame-
thyst. These were in flower, although only two
years had elapsed since the seeds were sown.
Some of the .seedlings had rose-tinted blooms.
The same exhibitor showed hardy Cyclamen :
some were seedlings of C. ibericum and C. lati-
folium.

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. secre-
tary), W. Boxall, F. Sander, Stuart Low, A. A.
McBean, W. Cobb, J. Charlesworth, A. Dye,
H. G. Alexander, J. Cypher, W. H. White, H.
J. Chapman, H. A. Tracv, Gurney Wilson, J. W.
Potter, W. Bolton, H. Little, J. F. Alcock, and
F. J. Hanbury.

Messrs. Ch.arlesworth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awajded a Silver Flora Medal
for a very effectively-arranged group of rare
Orchids, the most remarkable plant in which
was the new and handsome Anguloa Cliftonii (see
Awards). The centre was of white forms of
Lfelia anceps, all the best forms being well repre-
sented. Around them were some excellent hybrid
Odontoglossums, including fine, dark O. arden-
tissimum, 0. Phrebe, O. Eleanor, finely-blotched,
home-raised" 0. crispum, a good 0. coronarium
miniatum, Laelio-Cattleyas, and other showy
hybrids, one secondary cross with Sophronitis
grandiflora, with bronzy-red flowers, being very
distinct. Of rare species were noted Eriopsis
rutidobulbon, with two spikes ; Ornithidium
Sophronitis, with many scarlet flowers; the whitj
and fragrant Angrascum arcuatimi, the front row
being of the dwarf yellow Oncidium cheirophorum
and scarlet Sophronitis grandiflora.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a good group,
in which the forms of Cattleya Triaiue were of
fine quality, the best coloured variety being ('.
T. Magali Sander (see Awards). Among the
others were a dark-lipped variety of the Im-
perator class, and C. T. Colonel Carlisle, a charm-
ing, clear, white variety, with chrome-yellow
disc to the lip, the front of which bore a distinct
purple spot, the whole flower being of fine shape.
The group contained a fine lot of Lselia anceps,
iiicluding the varieties Sanderiana, Hollidayana,
and Ballantinei ; a pretty, mauve-tinted Odon-
tioda Chelsiensis, the reddish-violet Odontoglos-
sum Groganianum ; a large and well-spotted O.
harvengtense, good, dark O. ardenti&simum,
Cypripedium Maudi^ delicatum. C. Beekmannii,
and other good Cypripediums ; the v "aite Vanda
Watsonii and Catasetum Gnomus.

J. FoESTER Alcock, Esq., Exhims, North-
church, Berkhamsted (gr. Mr. Coe), was awarded
a Silver Flora Medal for a group of 47 very
fine Cypripediums, tho.so noted as the best being
C. Earl of Tankerville and C. Gaston Bultel,
both with excellent flowers, the latter having
a deep claret tint; C. Beekmannii. C. nobile, a
finely-shaped bloom, C. Minos Youngii, C.
Mson giganteum, C. St. Alban, a showy dark
flower; C. A. Dimmock, varieties of C. Lee-
anum, including Corona, and some distinct forms
of C. aureum, &c.

E. RoGERSON, Esq., Wel^t Didsbury, Man-
chester (gr. Mr. W. C. Price), secured a Silver
Flora Medal for a group of rare Cypnpediums
of uniformly good quality. Those noted wero
C. aureum Surprise, C. a. ffidippe, and C. a.
Mrs. E. Rogerson, a large flower of good sub-
stance and distinct colour ; C. Euryades New Hall
Hey variety, and C. Euryades Price's variety,
the" latter clouded with rose-purple on the fine,
white dorsal sepal ; C. Hindeanum. C. chryso-
toxum, varieties of C. Lathamianum. C. Boadi-
cea Rogersonii, a model flower of good, dark
colour ; C. Hobartii magnficum. the pale, green-
netted C. venustum Measuresianum. C. Congo,
a very dark flower : and C. Olga Bagshaw, an
excellent Cypripedium.

Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal, for an ex-
tensive group, in the back of which were white
and coloured Lselia anceps, and a good selec-
tion of Calanthes. With these were arranged a
finely-coloured Loelio-Cattleya callistoglossa, a
nicely-spotted Odontoglossum Fa.scinator, and
other Odontoglossums, Plem-othallis Roezlii, with
racemes of curious chocolate coloured flowers ; and
a good selection of Cypripediums, which included
C. Leopoldianum, an effectively spotted flower ;
C. Mr. F. Sander, a very distinct and pretty
variety ; a very dark C. Fairrieanuai, varieties
of C. aureum, C. Clio Chardw'ar variety. C. Beek-
mannii, C. Mrs. Wm. Mostyn, &c.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, secured a Silver Banksian Medal for a
group of excellent forms of Cattleya Trianee, good
Cypripediums, including C. aureum virginale,
with seven flowers ; C. Leeanum Clinkaberry-
anum, and a curious form of C. concolor, with

January 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

77

a vinous-purple flush. Others effectively dis
played were Epidendtjm Cooperianum, Masdc-
vallia cucullata, BulbophyUum sicyobulbon, B.
Dayanum, the pretty, little, yellow Sophroint !s
grandiflora Lowii, the front of the group being
of the white sprays of Platyclinis glumacea.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge, had
a group of finely-grown varieties of Lielia anceps,
the white forms being specially well developed,
and various Odontoglossums, the front being of
the deep, scarlet Epiphronitis Yeitchii. (.Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. E. V. Low, Haywards Heath, arranged a
group containing some rare Cypripediums, in-
cluding several new hybrids ; C. aureum Surprise
and other varieties; C. Thompsonii magnificum,
C. Tracyanum, an effective and free-flowering
hybrid ; C. Mrs. Tantz, varieties of C. Euryadcs,
Odontioda Thwaitesii, Cynibidium longifolium,
&c. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Lt.-Col. G. L. HoLFORD, C.I.E., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander), sent Cypripedium Helen
II. Holford's variety (insigne Harefield Hall x
bellatulam), a large, cream-white flower, sliglitly
tinged with purple, and bearing purple spotting
on the white dorsal sepal, and smaller spots en
the petals. Also the brightly-coloured Cattleya
Miranda Westonbirt variety. (See Awards.)

Mrs. Norman C. Cooksox, Oakv.ood, \VyIa:n
(gr. Mr. H. .J. Chapman), again sent the hnnd-
some Odontioda Bradshawiiv Cooksqn"s variety,
which secured a First-class Certificate March 9
last year and was illustrated iu the Gardeners'
Chronicle. March 13. 1909, p. 174. The plant
bore a spike of ten of its fine, cinnabar, scarlet-
tinted flowers. Also Odontoglo.ssum percultnm
Roland, heavily blotched with claret-purple.

H. .S. GoODSON, Esq., Fairlawn. Putney (gr.
Mr. G. E. Day), showed a small, select group,
in which were the finely-blotched Odontoglossum
crispum Lily Bourdas. and O. crispum Mrs.
Goodson, a very regularly marked flower of fine
shape; 0. St. Peter (Rolfea? x amabile). distinct
and pretty, being densely spotted and tinged
with rose; a good, dark hybrid between O. Vuyl-
stekei and 0. Rolfese ; and 0. Wiganianum Gotd
son's variety.

R. G. Thvpaites, Esq. (gr. Mr. Black), sent a
good, deep red variety of Odontioda Charlcs-
worthii.

Francis WellbSLEY, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), showed Cypripedium Wel-
lesley.-e (Venus x insigne Harefield Hall), a larsie,
wax-like, cream-white flower, with purplish
spotting on the petals and dor.sal sepal.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rann Lea. Rainhill,
Lancashire (gr. Mr. W. J. Morgan), again showed
the rare albino Cypripedium Charlesworthii
Bromilowianum, C. Actseus Gratrixae. a fins
flower, well marked ; a distinct form of C. Alci-
biades, of good shape and with a peculiar, short
lip ; and the distinct C. Lord Wolnier. (See.
Awards.)

R. BROOMAN-White, Esq., Arddarrnch. Gare-
lochead, sent tw > flowers of seedling Cypripedium
insigne Sanderae, which displayed in different
degree spotting on the dorsal sepal, the flowevs
being otherwise coloured like the parent.

Eustace F. Clark. Esq.. 'I'eignmouth, sent a
flower of Cypripedium Eustaceanum of excellent
shape, and other hybrids.

T. R. E. Olver. Esq., Plymouth, sent flowers
of Cypripedium Eismanniannm.

Mr. A. W. .Jenson, Lindfield. sent Odcntogks-
sum crispum Irene, a good re se tinted variety.

Monsieur Mertens, Ghent, Belgium, showed
a selection of hybrid Odontoglossums.

AWARDS.

First-class Certificate.

Anguloa Clif/onii from Messrs. Charles-
worth & Co., Haywards Heath, a most extraor-
dinary species imported from Colombia. The
large flower, borne on an erect stem, is as large
as A. Clowesii, but unlike any other species in
shape and colour. The upper sepal is concave
at the base, and continued to a point over the
column ; the lower sepals concave at the base
and meeting in front, where they are formed into
narrow blades, both clear lemon yellow. The
petals are broad, erect, and continued into fine
points, primrose colour, deep claret at the bas?
and netted with the same colour in the middle

area. The fleshy lip is tinged with cinnamon-
brown ; the white column spotted with purple at
the base. A very fine flower cf aromatic odour
and effective colouring.

Awards of Merit.

Calthi/n Miraiu/ii Westonh'irt rnriehj (Triancc
X amelhijsiufjlos.ia) from Lt.-Col. G. L. HoL-
FORD, CLE.. C.V.O. (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander).
A pretty hybrid, distinct from others previously
shown. The sepals and petals are rose colour,
the former having minute purple spots, and the
petals an irregular band of darker rose. Lip
bright carmine, crimson in front, the disc lemon-
yellow.

Cypri pedium Lord Wolmer (Leeanum Clinka-
hcrryanum x Etiri/ades). — Dorsal sepal Itrge
and flat, white with distinct purple spotting in
the lower part, and additional smaller spotting
in the middle area, giving the flower a very
attractive appeaiance. The petals and lip are
also of good form and tinged with brownish-
purple.

(^nttletia Trini:a Mti'/nfi Sander from Messrs.
Sander & Sons, St. Albans, one of the prettiest
forms, and of fine shape. The sepals and broad
petals are silver-white tinged with delicate pink,
the tube of the lip being of the same tint. The
finely-rounded front of the lip is bright mauve-
crimson, disc yellow.

Fniit and Vegetable Committee.

Pref?nl: Geo. Bunyard, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. Jos. Cheal, J. Willard, Alex. Dean,
.Tas. Vert. John Basham, C. Hobdav. Geo. Keif.
H. Parr, J. Davis, A. R. Allan. G. Reynolds,
Henry Hooper, John Harrison. Ci. Wythes, Chas.
Foster, and H. Somers Rivers.

The only exhibit before this Committee was
a collection of three varieties of Grapes, shown
by Mrs. Bischoffsheim, Warren House, Stan-
more (gr. Mr. .1. W. Funge). The bunches were
well preserved, the berries being well covered
with bloom and of good colour. They included
Black Alicante, Lady Downes, and Apply
Towers. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

January 6. — S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley
Range, Manchester (gr. Mr. Shill), received a
First-class Certificate for Cypripedium x Lord
Ossulton West Point variety. The dor.sal sepal
stands boldly upright and has a faint red line
running through the centre. The specimen bore
twin flowers.

A First-class Certificate was also awarded to
Mrs. S. Gratrix for Cypripedium x Leeanum
var. Mary Gratrix.

J. J. Holden, Esq.. Southport (gr. Mr. John-
son), exhibited Cypripediums, including C. X
Normanii, a cross between C. X Sallieri and C.
I'.eeckmannii, C. x auburnense, and C. x St.
Vincent. The first-named received an Award of
Merit.

G. Shorland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmore-
land (gr. I\Ir. Herdman), was awarded a Silver
Medal for a group of plants, which contained
many choice hybrid Cypripediums. Dendrobium
bellatulum was noticed in the group.

W. Thompson. Esq.. Walton Grange. Stone,
Staffs, (gr. Mr. Stevens), exhibited Cypripedium
X Our King (C. insigne Harefield Hall var. x
C X Niobe), a compact, well-formed flower.
This plant, together with those following, re-
ceived awards ; C. X Golden Gem (C. Leeanum
giganteum X C. callosum var. Sanderse), C. x
(^lolden Gem var. .?<;tna», and C. X Princess
Victoria (C. aureum var. virginalis X C. Actseus
var. langleyense).

Mrs. S. Wood, Glossop (gr. Mr. Gould), was
awarded a Silver gilt Medal for a charming group
of plants, which included many finely-flowered
plants of Vanda ceerulea. A Cultural Certificate
was awarded to the grower. Cvpripedinm X
Mrs. S. Wood (C. X Queen of Italy x C. con-
cclor var. Sanderae) received an Award of Merit.

0. O. Wrioley, Esq., Bridge Hall. Bury (gr.
Mr. Rogers), showed Lvcastes. princinally good
forms of L. Skinneri. (Cultural Certificate.)

R. Le Doux, Esq., West Derby (gr. Mr.
Fletcher), received Awards of Merit for Odonto-
glossum X Mrs. R. Le Doux and O. crispum var.
Mrs. Hattie Barciss.

W. R. Lee, Esq., Plumpton Hall, Heywood (gr.
Mr. Corser), was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal for
a group of Cypripediums. C. x Rosettii Lee's
var., C. X Antinu«u3 Lee's var., and Odonto-
glossum X Andersonianum Lee's var. received
Awards of Merit.

J. T. Clifton, Esq., Lytham Hall, Lytham
(gr. Mr. Float), showed many choice Cattleyas
and Lielias, in addition to a general display
which included many plants of botanical interest.
(Silver-gilt medal.)

J. McCartney, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes),
exhibited a collection of Cattleyas and Laelias,
for which a Silver Medal was awarded. Cattleya
Irianse var. Lord Curzon, C. T. var. nobilior,
Cattleya x Senqa; (C. X CEnid X Dowiana var.
Rosita) received Awards of Jlerit.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill, Liverpool (gr.
Mr. Morgan), was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal
for a group of Cypripediums. C. X Lord
Wolmer (C. Leeanum var. Clinkaberryanum X
C. X Euryades) received a First-class Certificate,
and C. X Archimedes Rann Lea variety an
Award of Merit.

R. Ashworth, Esq., Newchurch (gr. Mr.
Gilden), was awarded a Silver Medal for a group
in which choice Odontoglossums were con-
spicuous. O. crispum var. Marjorie Ashworth
received an Award of Merit.

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden (gr. Mr.
Weatherby), was awarded a Silver Medal for a
group of Odontoglossums.

X. Galloway, Esq., Great Horton, near Brad-
ford, was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal for a
large group of Cypripediums, principally of well-
known forms.

C. Parker, Esq., Ashton-on-Ribble, was
awarded a Bronze Medal for a group of Cypri-
pediums.

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, put up
a fine group of plants, principally well-grown
Cypripedimis. (Silver Medal.)

Other exhibitors were Mr. H. Arthur, Black,
burn ; Mr. W. Bolton, Warrington ; Mr. J.
Birchenall, Alderley Edge; Mr. J. Robson,
.Mtrincham; and Mr. "W. Shackleton, Bradford.
/'. W.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

January 19. — The annual general meeting of
this Society was held at the Institution of Civil
Engineers, Westminster, Mr. H. Blellish, presi-
dent, in the chair.

The Council in their report stated that they
had forwarded a memorial to the Royal Commis-
sion, which is now inquiring into the work of the
University of London, urging that the time is
fully ripe for placing the study of meteorology
on a more satisfactory basis and for its inclusion
among the subjects for degree examinations.
The (Council have arranged for a provincial meet-
ing to be held at Manchester on February 23,
and they hope that this will be the means of
making the work of the Society, better known in
a district in which considerable attention is
already being given to meteorology.

The president presented to Dr. W. N. Shaw,
F.R.S., the Symons Gold Medal for 1910, which
had been awarded to him by the Council in con-
sideration of his distinguished work in connec-
tion with meteorological science.

Mr. H. Mellish, in his presidential address,
referred to some relations of meteorology with
agriculture. The close dependence of agriculture
upon climate and upon the periodical variations
of the weather has been recognised from the
earliest times, but the relations are of such a
complicated character, and the difficulty of
separating the effects of the different factors is
so considerable, that as much progress as might
have been expected has perhaps not been made in
applying the data of meteorology to the purposes
of agriculture. The president first referred to
the writings of various authors on the subject of
temperature and rainfall, as affecting the Whe.-t
and other crops, and then proceeded to deal with
such questions as the liability of some crops, and
esoecially of fruit, to injury from frosts ; the
influence exercised by forests upon climate, and
especially upon rainfall ; and the study of
phenology.

78

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[January 29, 1910.

He next considered what steps meteorologists
could take to furtlier the application of the data
of their science to the various problems of agri-
culture. It is doubtful whether farmers mal<e as
much use of the forecasts and weatlier reports as
they might. Possibly this may arise because
they are not familiar with the technical terms in
wliich the reports are necessarily couched. This
might be remedied in. the coiu'se of time if in-
struction on the subject could be worked into
the courses at the agricultural schools and
colleges. The Royal Meteorological Society has
lost no opportunity of urging the importance of
the subject to farmers, and also the inclusion of
meteorology under the head of Nature study in
the schools, and there are reasons to think that
this is having some effect. Mr. Mellish, in con-
clusion, said that from the opportunities which
their life throws in their way, farmers should
make the best of observers, and if they once
become familiar with the teaching of the science
and its importance to their affairs, we may hope
tj derive considerable advantages from their
co-operation.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

January 18. — The annua! meeting of this
association was held in the hall of the Young
Men's Christian Association. 14, South St. Andrew
Street, Edinburgh, on this date. Mr, James
VVhvtock, president, occupied the chair, there
being an attendance of more than 150. The
annual report showed that there was a net in-
crease in the membership for the year of 38.
The Chrysanthemum show, held in November,
resulted in a loss of over £140. The following
office-bearers were elected in place of those who
retire by rotation : — Honorary president. Sir
Archibald Buchan Hepburn. Rart. ; president,
Mr. James Whytock ; vice-presidents, Messrs. D
King and A. Thomson ; councillors, Messrs. J.
W. McHattie, G. Wood, R. Fife, J. W. Scarlett,
A. Brown, W. Smith, \V. Galloway; secretary
and treasurer, A. D. Richardson. The following
motion, adopted at a joint meeting of the
councils of this association and the Royal Cale-
donian Horticultural Society on January 7,
namely ; " To report to the annual business meet-
ings of both societies that at a joint meeting of
the councils held on January 7. 1910, it was
agreed to reconmiend to the members that in
the interests of Scottish horticulture it is highly
desirable that negotiations be entered into with
a view to their amalgamation," was reported to
the meeting, and it was resolved to " remit to the
ccuncil powers to negotiate with the council of
the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, with
a view to amalgamation of the two societies, and
to report." The recommendation of the council
that the excursion in 1910 be to Gosford and
Yester, on August 13, was adopted. Twelve new
members were admitted.

The president will deliver his address at the
monthly meeting on February 1. At the same
meeting a further discussion will take place on
the subject of debate at the December meeting,
" Is Frost Beneficial to the Soil? " the affirma-
tive of which was argued by Mr. Berry and the
negative by Mr. Storrie.

ABERDEEN CHRYSANTHEMUM.

Janu.vry 22. — The annual meeting of the mem-
bers of this society was held in the hall of the
Young Men's Christian Institute. Aberdeen.
l\Jr. Andrew Davidson, C.A.. presided. The
annua! report and financial account were sub-
mitted. There was a financial loss on the
year's working, due to a falling off in
the attendance at the society's show held in
November. Lord Provost Wilson, of Aberdeen,
was elected hon. president of the society, and the
hon. vice-presidents were re-elected, with the
addition of Mr. Crombie, of Balgownie Lodge,
and Mr. Andrew Davidson, C.A. On the motion
of the Chairman, Mr. W. J. Middleton, J. P.,
was unanimously elected chairman of the society
for the year, and Mr. A. M, Cocker (of Slessrs.
James Cocker and Sons, Rose growers, Aber-
deen) vice-chairman. The committee was
elected, and on the motion of the Chairman, Mr.
M. H. Sinclair was unanimously re-elected secre-
tary and treasurer. It was resolved to hold the
usual show in the Music Hall Buildings, Aber-
deen, on November 25 and 26.

GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT
INSTITUTION.

(ANNUAL .MEETING.)

Tha results of the meeting were recorded
in our last issue.)

January 20. — The following were the pro-
ceedings at the 70th annual meeting of the
members of the Institution, a note upon which
was published in our last issue. Mr. Harry J.
Veitch presided, and there were about 50 present.

The Secretary, Mr. Gso. J. Ingram, having
read the minutes of the last meeting, proceeded
to read the Annual Report and Balance Sheet
for 1909. These were as follows : —

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.

"For 71 years this horticultural institution has pursued
its beneficent course, conferring during that time un-
told benefits upon those who had claim upon its sym-
pathies and h;lp. In the past year over ;^2oo more
has been given from the funds than in any previous
year.

Since the committee issued their last report, 26

annuitants have died — 17 men and nine widows, and
the circumstances of one widow having changed she
thereby ceases to d;rlve further benefit from the funds.
Of the men, six left widows, three of whom have been
placed on the funds at £\6 a year, in accordance with
Rule III., 10, two are awaiting further consideration,
whilst the otiier case has been declined as rot being
of sufficient urj;ency to warrant its acceptance. The
committee, after much careful consideration, have de-
cided to recommend the election of 20 .tiinuitants from
an approved list of 72 candidates, but th:y hope it may
be found possible after the election to recommend an
addition to this number, especially as there will be so
many unsuccessful applicants awaiting the permanent
aid they so eagerly seek, and whose circumstances are
of a pathetically sad nature.

It is impossible to exaggerate the incalculable b:r.e-
Ats afforded by the two special funds, viz., "The Vic-
torian Era Fund " and " Good Samaritan Fund." The
former, it ma;' be mentioned, assists all those unsuc-
cessful candidates who have been subscribers by grants
of money, whilst awaiting election ; aad the latter gives
assistance to those poor people — whether they have been
subscribers or not — who are in temporary difficulty and
trouble, thus helping them to tide over their period of
distress and need. Eighty-two cases were assisted
from these funds during the past year. The committee
cannot emphasise too strongly the value and utility of
the " Good Samaritan Fund," which enables them to

STATEMENT OP RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS OF THE GARDENERS' ROYAL

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31. 1909.

Receipts.

£ s, d

To Balance ...

,, Amount on deposit

,, Mrs. Lewis Hill's legacy

,, Annual subscriptions

,, Donations at and in conse
quence of festival dinner,
including special gifts .. 2,226 4
,, Dividends and interest ... 871 17
„ Return of Income Tax ... 42 16
,, Legacies :

Mrs. Rylands and interest 3,031 i
Miss Wolfe 1,000 o

. I.S33 10 6

1,011

3.530
1,007

8,705 9 7

;{^14,254 3 I

Expenditure.

£. 9. d.
By Pensions and gratuities, in-
cluding special gifts from
Messrs. Sherwood, Suttcn,

& Monro

,, Expanses of annual meeting

and election

,, Rent, firing lighting, &c.,
including salaries of Sec-

retAiy and Clerk 571 8 10

,, Printing and sta-
tionery, including
Annual Reports,
Polling Papers,

Appeals, &c., &c. 140 11 7
Less advertise-
ments in Annual
List

4.M3 19
n $

Expenses of festi-
val dinner
Less d inner
charges

3S 7

51 4

Postages of Polling Papers,
Appeals, Annual Reports,
&c.

Advertisement in " Fiy's
Charities "

Carriage, telegrams, iind in-
cidental expenses

Bank charges ...

Placed on deposit
Mrs. Rylands's legacy and
interest (pari)

Invested for Good Samaritan
Fund : £2,132 Metropolitan
3^ Deb. Stock ...

Invested for Victorian Era
Fund : ;^i,ogi 12s. Metro-
politan Water Board B. 3
per cent. Stock

*Balance with Treasurer
., „ Secrct-iry

40 S

53 4

3 3

i3 3

788 iG
3,180 o

. 1,086
5

£14.25.

In accordance with the rules of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution, we have audited the ac-
counts, and certify that they are correct, and the books well kept. We also have satisfied ourselves that
the securities are in the hands of the bankers.

* ;Ci,2oo required to meet the quarterly paymentB due January 1, 1910. t^swIFT^'*^^^*^'

January 17, 1910. J.' WILLARD,

VICTORIAN ERA FUND.— BALANCE SHEET, 1909.

Auditors.

Receipts.

To Balance, January i, 1909

,, Dividends ...

,, Return of Income Tax

,, Mrs. Rylands's legacy fpart)

£

s. d.

.. 170

7 r

.. rs4

12 11

8

3 3

. r,oco

0 0

£'.i31

3 a

Expenditure.

£ ^. d

By Balance in hand, Dec. 31, 1909 133 13 2

,, Investment of Mrs. Rylands's legacy (part) 1,000 o o

,, Gratuities 199 10 o

;ti.333 3 »

January 17, 1910.

T. SWIFT.
J. WILLARD.
BERT. J. MONRO.

[ Au.

ditors.

GOOD SAMARITAN FUND.— BALANCE SHEET. 1909.

To Balance, January i, 1909

,, Donations

,, Dividends

,, Return of Income Tax

,, Mrs. Lewis Hill's legacy from deposit
,, Mrs. Rylands's legacy (part)

£ s. d.

. 3c6 16 7

,. 81 13 6

363

■ 1,007 4 5

... 1,000 o o

.£ = .433 2 3

£ 8. d.

By Gratuities 1S3 4 o

,, Investment Mrs. Rylands's legacy (part) 1,000 o o

„ Balance in hand, D* c. 31, 1909 242 13 10

,, Investment Mrs. Lewis Hill's legacy ... 1,007 4 5

£3,432 a 3

January 17, 1910

T. SWIFT,
J. WILLARD
BERT. J. MONRO

Auditors.

January 29, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

79

give immediate help in n-ell-authenticated cases requir-
ing aid. As the income only from these special funds
can be dealt with, and as, unfortunately, tlie appli-
cants for assistance arc increasingly numerous, the
committee earnestly solicit further support to enable
them to extend their beneficent work.

The 70th anniversary festival dinner, held in June
last, under the presidency of Lionel de Rothschild,
Esq., was a marked success, and the committee grate-
fully acknowledge their great indebtedness to that
gentleman for his kindness in presiding, for liis warm
advocacy of the objects of the institution, and its claims
upon the benevolent public' — more especially of that
class who love gardening and flowers, and feel an in-
terest in those people who in their day have ministered
to their pleasures and necessities, and for his generous
contribution to the funds. Grateful thanks are also
tendered to those gentlemen who .acted as stewards or
collectors, to the members of the horitcultural Press
for their continued kind and gratuitous support, to
tho^e who sent flowers, to the decorators of the tables,
and to other friends too numerous to mention, who in
any way so kindly contributed to the success achieved.

The committee again offer their sincere thanks to those
noblemen and gentlemen who have been good enough
10 allow their gardens and grounds to be opened to
the public for the benefit of the funds, amongst whom
were the Earl Beauchamp (Madresfield), the Lord
Nortlibourne (Betteshangcr). the Lady Battersea (Over-
strand), Sir Frank Crisp (Henley), Wa'dorf Aster, Esq.
(Cliveden), E. J. Wythes, Esq. (Epping), and C. W.
Dyson Perrins, Esq. (Davenham). The committee also
accord to their esteemed colleague, Mr. EdwartI Sher-
wood, their sincere thanks for his kindness in arranging
a dramatic performance in aid of the funds, which
realised the handsome sum of .^loo ; also to the Messrs.
George_ Monro Concert Committee for again devotin.g
a portion of the proceeds of their well-known annual
concert for the benefit of the institution.

The committee have again to refer to the kindly
generosity of N. N. .Sherwood, Esq., .who gave .£30
each, being a year's annuity, to two unsuccessful and
incurably paralysed candidates; to Arthur W. Sutton,
Esq., who kindly proviiled ;^2o for another unsuccessful
candidate, also incurably paralysed ; and to George
Monro, Esq., who gave a year's allowance of £16 to a
poor, bedridden, blind widow. These kind gifts have
been most helpful to these poor, afiRicted people, who
have expressed their deepest gratitude for this timely
ai-l.

The several auxiliaries still progress, and happily con-
tinue to be a source of much help and interest. The
admirable services rendered by the honorary treasurers
and secretaries are very gratefully appreciated, viz. ;—

BRISTOL AND BATH.

Vrcsiiknt^. I Hon. Treasurers. I Hon. Secretaries.

Col.H.Cary Batten. I \V. A. Caraway. Mr. Geo. Harris.
1 Ivsq. I

WORCESTER.

Rl. Hon. Earl Beau- I Mr. John White. I Mr. Percy G.
champ, K.C.M.G. | | White.

DEVON AND EXETER.

C. R. Collins, Esq. I Mr. W. Maclsay. | Mr. W. Mackay.

WOLVERHAMPTON.

C. T. Mander, Esq., I Mr. Bradley.

Mr. Tom B .
Dobbs.

BERKSHIRE, READING AND DISTRICT.

Mrs. Rowland Sper- I Arthur W. Sutton, I Mr. L. Castle,
ling. Esq., J. P.,

I V.M.H. I

LIVERPOOL AUXILIARY.

The Rl. Hon. The I A. J, Crippin, I R. G. Waterman,
Earl of Derby. | Esq. | Esq.

With the deei;est regret the committee have again
to chronicle the death of many warm supporters, no
fewer than 20 having passed away during the year.
Amongst them must be mentioned C. Czarnikow, Esq.,
a vice-president; Peter Barr, Esq., V.M.H. ; W. Rou-
pell, Esq., and David Thomson, Esq., V.M.H., all
subscribers for very many years. The support and in-
t.rest of these kind friends will ever be gratefully
remembered, and, as a tribute to their memory, it is
earnestly hoped their places may be speedily filled.

It is vith much pleasure the committee are able to
announce that the Hon. Harry Lawson, M.P., has
kindly consented to preside at the 71st anniversary
festival dinner in aid of the funds, to be held at the
Hotel Metropole on Wednesday, Tune 22 next. They
feel sure he will receive liberal support from all friends
of the institution in his efforts on its behalf. The
names of gentlemen willing to act as stewards will be
warmly welcomed.

In conclusion, the committee desire to reiterate that
the institution is a national horticultural charity ; it
knows no creed save that of need in its eligible .appli-
cants ; its operations extend throughout the United
Kingdom, and whilst it is incumbent upon the com-
mittee to acknowledge with the deepest gratitude the
practical sympathy and support accorded to their work
for so long a period, they plead with all force and
earnestness not only for a continuance of that support,
but for an increased interest in the work of the insti-
tution and further aid to enable them to afford assist-
ance to many more of those sad cases whi(h so con-
stantly and so pitifully are appealing for help."

The Chairman moved the acceptance of the
Report and Balance Sheet, but only briefly re-
ferred to details. He described the Report as
the most .s'atisfactory that had ever been pre-
•sented. The receipts from all sources amounted
to, approximately, £14.000. Those who knew

the early history of the Institution could
not but wonder at the extraordinary growth
that has been made. Mr. Veitch could
only regret that, notwithstanding the increased
receipts, with so many appealing for relief, the
Institution could not afford its benefits to a larger
number. After the Chairman's motion had been
seconded by JMr. Alderson, the Report and
Balance Sh.iet were adopted unanimously and
without discussion.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of
officers, tnd Mr. W. J. Jefferies proposed the re-
election of Jlr. Harry J. Veitch as Treasurer.
Mr. Veitch, he said, was one of the very best
business men this country had ever produced ;
but he was more than this, for his geniality anti
kindness were as remarkable as his business
qualities. The motion was accepted with very
great enthu.siasm.

IMr. Geo. ^Monro next proposed the re-election
of Mr. George J. Ingram as Secretary, and this
was seconded by Mr. Geo. Wythes and carried
unanimously. Mr. A. Dean proposed that
Messrs. W. Penroise Atkinson, Peter Blair, Jamea
Dougla.s, Geo. Monro, P. Rudolph Barr, Whit-
paine Nutting. W. Denning, N. F. Barnes, Percy
G. White, ami R. G. Waterman be elected mem-
bers of the Committee. Mr. Dean referred to the
representative character of the names now .sub-
mitted for election, and, after the motion had
been seconded, it was adopted unanimously.
The auditors were re-elected on the motion of
Mr. Deiniing, and the suggestion of the Commit-
tee that each of the auditors should be invited to
accept a life membership in the Institution was
confirmed. The arbitrators, who, as yet, have
never been called upon to decide a dispute, were
re-elected on the motion of Mr. Geo. Wythes.

Scrutineers of the ballot were then appointed,
and the result of the poll was declared at 4.45.
The details concerning the electioit were pub-
lished in our last issue.

The FRicN'Dr.Y Supper.

In the evening Jlr. N. N. Sherwood presided at
the annual Friendly Supper. In proposing the
tcast of " The Institution." the chairman .-aid
that they had just held the annual meeting;
it had been, as it were, a time of stocktaking, a
time for examining their accounts and the pro-
gress of their work. It w^as satisfactory to find
that not only were the finances in a good condi-
tion, but that the Institution had been able to
discharge a greater amount of work in the past
year than it had ever done. They had spent in
the maintenance of pensioners a" sum of £200
beyond the expenditur.' of any previous year.
A very large number of people, including iiur-
serymen, seedsmen, market-gardeners, the foremen
in the.se establishments, and private gardeners,
were eligible for the pensions. Mr. Sherwood felt
quite sure that there was no better investment
than a life membership in the Gardeners' Royal
Benevolent Institution. Approximately 2.4C0
votes were sufficient to ensure the election of a
candidate for a pension, and in return for the
sum of £20. the C-ommittee credited the pur-
chaser with a total of 2,000 vot«s. Mr. Sher-
wood then proceeded to speak of the two lesser
funds in whicli he has always taken the liveliest
interest, namely, the Victorian Era Fund and
the Good Samaritan Fund.

Jlr. Harry ,/. Veitch. in responding to this
toast, said that they had that day elected 25 fresh
pensioners, a larger number than had ever been
placed upon the funds at one time. Mr. Veitch
said he now desired to provide a year's pension
for Jas. Boothroyde. This candidate had applied
for election on seven previous occasions, and it
did iiot appear that he would be likely to obtain
election for some time to come. He was 73 years
of age and had been a life member of the Institu-
tion for 18 years. Next year, said Mr. Veitch,
I shall do my utmost to get him placed upon the
regular funds. Proceeding to speak of the
general circumstances of the Institution, Mr.
Veitch alluded to the fact of there being so many
applicants for relief not only from the general
fund, but also from the Victorian Era and
Good Samaritan Funds. As an indication of the
amount of money annually subscribed to the
Institution, Mr. Veitch mentioned the fact that
the votes counted that day amounted to 110.993.
The next toast, that of " The Committee," was
proposed by Mr. George Paul, who testified to
^li" assiduous attention members of the committee

gave to the work of the Institution. Amongst
other matters Mr. Paul alluded to the auxiliaries
and the excellent work that year achieved
through their existence. He said that in Hert-
fordshire there was, at present, no such auxiliary,
but if Jlr. Veitch was agreeable to come
he (Mr. Paul) would arrange for a meeting in
Hertfordshire for the purpose of establishing such
an auxiliary. This invitation Mr. Veitch imme-
diately accepted. Responses to this toast were
made by IMr. Monro, Mr. White, and Mr. W. P.
Atkinson.

Mr. W. A. Bilney proposed the toast of " The
Chairman," and the chairman responded. He
announced, amid cheers, the gift of £20 to be
divided between the unsuccessful candidates at
that election.

The Chairman afterwards proposed a toast to
Mr. Ingram, the secretary, and this was received
with general acclamation.

LAW NOTE.

DEATH WHILST ORCHID COLLECTING.

In the King's Bench Division of the High
Court on the 24th inst. , Mr. Justice Bray heard
an action bv which Mrs. Walker, widow of
Thomas Walker, who was either blown over or
fell over the cliffs at Dover while collecting wild
Orchids, sought to recover £5C0 from the Rail-
way Passengers' Assurance Co. on an accident
insurance policy.

When the claim was first made, the company
set up the theory of suicide, but this was dis-
proved, and they then pleaded contributory
negligence. The matter was submitted to arbi-
tration, with the result that the arbitrator, after
hearing the evidence and visiting the scene of the
accident, held that the deceased, in his effort to
collect the flowers, had incurred unnecessary
risk.

Upon this the widow brought the matter into
court, and his lordship, without calling upon the
company's counsel, upheld the decision of the
arbitrator, upon the ground that the question
was simply one of fact, and that it had been
proved that Walker had undottbtedly incurred
unnecessary danger, and had consequently been
negligent.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

SEEDS.

D. G. PuRDlE, G, Waterloo Sireet, Glasgow.

W. J. W,»T50N, Ltd., Collingwood Street, Newcastle-on-

Tyne.
W. Smith Sc Son. Aberdeen.

Arthur Robinson, 35, Camomile Street, London.
S. AisH, Church Sireet, Dunst,d>le, Bedfordsliire.
J. W. Cross, Old Grammar School, Wisbech.
HoGC. & Robertson, Ltd., 22, Mary Street, Dublin.
Gee & Sons, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
Browne, Thompson & Co,, 86, Patrick Street, Cork.
John R, Box, Derby Road, Croydon.
James Walsh, Portadown.

H. M. Sinclair, I,56a, Union Street, Aberdeen.
Wm, Baylor Hartland & Sons, 33, Patrick Sireet, Cork

MISCELLANEOUS.

Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield. Middlesex-
Delphiniums; Japanese Lilies; Flower Seeds.

Blackmore & Langdon, Twerton Hill Nursery, Bath-
Begonias and Carnations.

A. Ll. Gwillim, New Eltham, Kent— Begonias.

W. Wells & Co., Ltd., Merstham, Surrey— Chrysanthe-
mums.

Heath & Son, Cheltenham— Hardy Plants for rock-gardens
and borders.

Joseph Bentley, Ltd., Barrow-on-Humber, Hull— Garden
Sundries.

Hardy Patent Pick Co., Ltd., SheflSeld, England-
Corrugated Garden Spade.

W. Wells & Co., Ltd., Merstham, Surrey— Chrysanthe-
mums, Pentslemons, Phloxes, Perennial Asters, &c.

R. Gill S: Sons, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall— Himalayan
Rhododendrons.

W. & F. PoAT, Guernsey— Tomato plants grown in steam-
sterilised soil.

FOREIGN.

M. Leenders & Co., Speil-Tegelen, Holland-New Roses.

F. C. Heinemann, Erfurt, Gerpiany— Seeds.

R. & J. Farql'har S Co., 6 & 7, South Market Sireet,

Boston, Mass., U.S.A.— Seeds.
Vilmorin-Andrieux & Co., 4, Qua! de la Megisserie. Paris,

France— Seeds,
Rivoire & FiLS, II). Rue d'Alg^rie, Lyon, France— Novelties

in Flower Seeds.
H. Correvon, Floraire, Chine Bourg, Geneva — Seeds. -
Arthur Cower, Meadowvale Farm, Berlin, New York,

U.S.A. -Gladioli.
Ant. Roozen & Son, Overveen, Haarlem, Holland (.Asjents:

Mertens & Co., 3, Cross Lane, St. Mary-at-Hill,

London)— Bulbs and Seeds.

80

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Januaby 29, 1910.

©bituavi).

John Simpson. — It is with great regret
that we record the death of this distinguished
forester and gardener, from heart failure. Mr.
Simpson had been unwell for about a month
previous to his death, which occurred at his
residenice, Studfield House, Wadsley, on the
19th inst, in his 73rd year. He was born at
Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, and commenced his
gardening career in the famous gardens at Dal-
keith Palace. He was appointed gardener and
forester to the late Earl of Wharncliffe, at Wort-
ley, in 1854. and occupied these posts for a
period of 35 years. Subsequently he engaged
in business for himself as a consulting forester,
his services being in great demand. As a
f3r&ster he regarded his training in gardening as
invaluable. Thirty years ago the name of
Simpson, of Wortley, was known to every gar-
dener. His reputation was gained not so much,
perhaps, as an exhibitor, although he was a
skilful cultivator, as from his writings in the
gardening Press. In literature he was a
" stormy petrel," the champion free-lance of his
day. Forestry claimed him as a warmer advo-
cate than did gardening. He held strong views
and convictions in relation to certain systems
of forest planting, both for covert and for pro-
fit, and also as regards the selection of trees
to plant. His theories and practices were fre-
quently, assailed by others, but he never appeared
daunted, and was always ready to prove his con-
victions. Many will remember the prominent
part he took in the discussion in these pages in
the 'eighties on the comparative advantages of
inside and outside borders for vines. When
head gardener at Wortley Hall, Mr. Simpson
frequently acted as a judge at important flower
shows in the Midlands and the north. Although
formidable and uncompromising in debate, he was
nevertheless, one of the most unobtrusive and
pleasant-mannered of men. Mr. Simpson was the
author of many works relating to forestry, game
preservation, and horticulture. In recognition
of his work on The Wild Jiahhif, he was
awarded in 1895 the premier medal and diploma
of the Societe Nationale d'Acclimatisation de
France. Perhaps his greatest work was The
New Forestry. It was an attempt to combine
all the best features of British forestry with
the methods employed on the Continent, and to
adapt the latter to the conditions existing in this
country. His other works were Fruit Culture,
Game and Game Coverts, and British Woods
and Their Owners. His widow, a son, and two
daughters survive him.

James BARNSHAW.-The news of the death of
Mr. James Barnshaw, under most tragic circum-
stances on Sunday morning, the 23rd inst., will
come as a painful shock to many. He and his wife
both perished in a fire which took place at his
home at Norbury, whilst several of his family sus-
tained injuries. Mr. Barnshaw began his garden-
ing career at Dropmore Gardens, Maidenhead, at
an early age, where he remained for several years,
coming to London in 1858. In the early 'sixties,
he was employed as foreman at Dover House,
Roehampton. under Mr. Shearer, and upon leav-
ing these gardens he became associated with the
firm of Wni. Bull, of Chelsea, which firm he
represented for upwards of 30 years. During
this time Mr. Barnshaw raised many varieties of
Pelargoniums, and numerous novelties of indoor
plants were distributed by the firm. About 15
years ago deceased took over the business of
Messrs. Silver & Co. at Norbury and Streatham.
Latterly he traded in the name of Barnshaw &
Son at Norbury, where a small but prosperous
business was carried on. Of a kindly and cheery
dispositir'^, deceased was not only well known,
but univers:illy respected. His genial countenance
will be much missed by his many horticultural
fiiends, but by none more than by the writer. J. F.

Corr(<}pondenU

Apple Shoot with " Gouty " Swellings: N.,
Bell Bar. The trouble is not due to fungus :
it is caused by the woolly aphis or Americnn
blight, which is present in numbers about the
injured parts of the shoots you forwarded.
The swellings aric.e as the result of injury by
the aphis, which pierce the tender tissue of
the shoots for the purpose of extracting the
sap. The irritation thus caused results in an
abnormal growth of the cells, and irregu-
lar outgrowths. American blight is most
prevalent in neglected trees, such as have
their boughs covered with moss and lichens.
The trees should be sprayed with a caustic alkali
wash, made with 10 lbs. of carbonate of potash,
100 gallons of water, and 2 lbs. or 3 lbs. of
soft soap. Pay particular attention to the
swellings caused by the blight, scrubbing these
parts well with the specific. If, after this dress-
ing, the pest is noticed in the summer, wash

THE LATE JOHN SIMPSON.

the branches with the paraffin emulsion. Dress
the soil about the roots with Kainit, and hoe
it in.

Cineraria Unhealthy : A. ft. There is no
disease present in the leaves. The injury is
probably caused by eelworms at the roots, but
this could not be determined from the speci-
men sent.

Cultupe of Peaches in a Vinery : /. H'. It is
possible to grow Peaches with vines, but we
do not consider it desirable to have permanent
Peach trees in the tame house as vines. If the
vinery is large enough, the better plan would be
to divide it by erecting a partition through the
middle of the house. "This has been done again
and again in circumstances like your own. The
ventilating gear would also need altering, so
that each part could be worked independent of
the other. This could be done with very little
cost. The vines and Peaches could then be
treated according to their special needs. If
this idea cannot be carried out, then Peach
and Nectarine trees should be cultivated in
pots. This method of culture is fast gaining in
popularity, especially in places where the glass
accommodation is limitei. Good varieties of
Peaches include Royal George, Stirling Castle,
Bellegarde, and Dymond ; while of Nectarines,
the following sorts may be selected : Cardinal,
Pineapple, Humboldt, and Dryden.

Gardeners' Union : W. F. S. Apply to the
Secretary. British Gardeners' Association,
Talbot Villa, Isleworth.

Grubs Attacking Aspidistras : C Parkinson.

The small insect infesting the roots of your
Aspidistras is the common white spring-tail
(Sinella sp.). We have found the following
method to answer admirably with Adiantums
when infested with this insect : — Saturate the
soil with tepid water, and, as soon as the in-
sects begin to appear on the surface of the soil,
plunge the pot into water at a temperature of
110°F. Repeat this treatment after an in-
terval of six days. We have not treated
Aspidistras for this pest, and we would advise
you to test half-a-dozen plants in the first in-
stance. If the hot-water method fails, bisul-
phide of carbon (inflammable) would destroy
the pest ; but it must be used sparingly — not
more than one teaspoonful to a 4- inch pot. It
is best applied with a small glass or metal
syringe, the nozzle of which should be inserted
into the soil at three equidistant places. Do
not use an excess of decayed vegetable matter
in your potting compost, as this tends to har-
bour the insect.

Hy.iCiNTHS Rotting .it the Roots : E. L. The
roots are destroyed by the bulb mite. Soak
the lower half of the bulbs in a solution con-
sisting of one part formalin to 50 parts water
for half-an-hour. Add lime to the soil where
the bulbs are planted.

Imports : O. H. H. W . Apply to the Board of
Agriculture for the returns. Address, 4,
Whitehall Place. London, S.W.

Names OF Plants: B. G., Harrogate. Cypripe-
dium nitens, a natural hybrid of C. insigne.
C. nitens is imported somewhat plentifully
with C. insigne in some importations, the vari-
ation being so great as to render it extremely
difficult to distinguish the true C. insigne from
C. nitens. — /''. If. 1, Pteris loiigifoUa ; 2,
Asplenium lucidum ; 3, Adiantum caudatum ;
4. Pteris arguta. ; 5, Blechnum occidentale ; 6,
Selaginella uncinata. — F. //. 1, Dracaena con-
gesta ; 2, Ficus stipulata ; 3, Maranta Massan-
geana. — W. M., Isleworth. Narcissus Tazetla
flore pleno.

PiiOPAGATiNG THE AncuiiA : A. R. B. The cut-
tings should be induced to form a callus before
being placed in heat. For this reason the
shoots should be taken off about the end of
September or early in October and placed iu a
cold frame until March. Select shoots from
the tops of the plants, about 4 or 5 inches long,
and see that each cutting has a portion of the
old wood attached to form a " heel." Place
them in 7-inch pots, in sandy soil, making the
cuttings firm at the base. Apply water, and,
when the pots are well drained of the excess
of moisture, plunge them in a bed of ashes in
a cold frame, which must be kept closed, ex-
cept for a short time each morning to dissipate
condensed moisture. Early in March the cut-
tings will have formed a callus at the cut end
and are then ready for placing in gentle heat.
A hot-bed is suitable, but see that the fermenta-
tion of the manure is on the decline. This is
probably why j'ou failed with your last batch,
in connection with the cuttings having no
callus. About the middle of May the cuttings
should be ready for planting out-of-doors. In
addition to cuttings, the .Aucuba may be pro-
pagated both from seeds and from layers. The
layering is a simple and satisfactory method
and may be done either in pots or in the
ordinary soil. The -Aucnba is extensively em-
ployed as a pot plant for winter decoration, on
account of its bright berries. The sexes are
borne on different plants, therefore the cut-
tings must be obtained from the female .speci-
mens, and a male plant or two should be grown
in their vicinity so that the flowers may be
pollinated.

Small Holdings : F. M. (Croi/don ). Apply to
the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 4,
Whitehall Place, London. A work dealing
with the law of small holdings is Johnston on
i9>nnll Holdings and Allotments, by Georue
Arthur Johnston. (London : Effingham Wil-
son, 54, Threadneedle Street, E.G.) "Price 16s.
net.

Comrnunications Received. —Sir H M. — Prof. I. B. B.
— W. C. G. L.— F. .7. C.-H. & S. T^eipsic-E. S. S.—
G. W.— R. V. & S.-BnissclsNiit Pxll.— Dr. K,, Berlin-
Miss C. Ure— H. H. W. P -S H. A.-L. F.— A. T.—
C. H. M.— B. G.— W, K.— J. D. G.— J. D.— P. A.-R. P.—
H. W. W.-R. P. B.— J. R. J.

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle."

m ' !^.

*' -J- ™T . T

,-«r

" J'

t
I

I

■^?^y"«"«Bri

;

\
)

)

. )
)

, '\

;

^ M *. ? ^ U^

N

Mr. Harry James Veitch, V.iM.H., F.L.S.,

Fiom a photograph of the patntiiig by Mr. Hugh G Riviere, preienled to Mr. Veilch on Tuesday hut, January 25, 1910.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.C.

FEBRUAnY 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

81

THE

<Jrarbcncrs'(![bioniclc

No. 1,S0G.—SATUIIDAY, February 5, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Aberdeen, lecture on

Orchid notes and glean-

forestry at

91

iugs—

Arlonis ainurensis in

Bulbophyllum B i n -

Scotland

82

nend jkii

P4

'Bonks, notices of —

Peaches for forcing

UG

A Book About Sweet

Peach trees, the value

Peas

85

of lifting

90

HayvvanVs Botanist's

Plant diseases, experi-

Pockft Book

85

ments in curing

82

The Book of the Sweet

PlatyceriuiM aleicorne.

Pea • ..

85

a remarkably plant of

88

Publications veceived

811

Societies-

C'hrvsaiitheninm siiorts

no

National Chrysanthe-

Cottage garden, a Hert-

mum

93

fordshire

90

National Dahlia

90

Florists' Howers —

R'^val Horticultural ...

91

Sweet Peas

83

(Scientific C mmittee)

93

Flowers in season

88

Societe Franvaise

♦'French" gardening

d'Horticulture de

exhibition

89

Londres

94

** French" garden, notes

South-I'astern Agricul-

from a

85

tural College

S9

Fruit congress at Hex-

Spraying hardy fruit-

ham

89

trees

81

fl''ruit trees, the harden-

Surveyors' Institution,

ing of

83

the

89

Gesnera as a winter-

Trapping birds and

flowering plant

91

vermin, unnecessary

Glasnevin, notes from —

cruelty in

88

Notosparlium Carmi-

Tube for buttonhole

clieliie

82

flowers

91

iLaw note—

Tulip biflora var. turk-

Compensation for

estauica

85

death from tetanus

91

Week's work, the—

■London Parks, appoint-

Apiary, the

87

ment of chiel ol^cer to

Flower garden, the ...

86

the

88

Fruits under glass

86

Nympluea Lotus, Austra-

Hardy fruit garden, the

86

lian variety

as

Kitchen gordeji, the ...

87

Obituary -

"rchid houses, the ...

86

Cocks, Jonathan

9G

Plants under glass

87

Hillliouse, Prof. W. ...

9C

Vmes, peeling the bark

Shore. Richard

96

from

90

SVatl'ins, John

ILL.U

STI

Vines, young, pruning of
NATIONS.

89

Bulbophyllum Binnendij

kii

84

Cottage garden, view in

a

90

Nymphrea Lotus, Australian

variety

83

Platycerium alcicorne, a

fin

e specimen of (Supple-

mentarv Illustration

Tulipa billora var. turke

Stan

ica

85

THE SPRAYING CAMPAIGN.

WITH fui-thei- e.xperience it seems
desirable to modify our earlier prac-
tice in regard to spraying. The
■character of the season, too, in relation to
attacks of birds upon the buds of fruit trees
and bushes, leads to variations in times of
spraying. As a rule, I liave found it necessary
to protect the buds of Gooseberr\" and Red
Currant bushes, if not Plum trees also, before
the beginning of February. This winter, how-
ever has not yet brought any serious at-
tack. Bullfinches began to clear off buds
from Red Currants in my private orchard ;
but over 20 of these birds have been killed,
and the Currants have suffered no fur-
ther damage. A little bud-eating has also
occurred in a small plantation of Gooseberries
near the homestead ; but even this was too
slight to call for .spraying, and the damage has
not extended. Some of Voss's ready-made
lime and sulphur wash is ready for use imme-
diiitely after a serious attack begins. In some
winters, however, for some unknown reason,
no serious attack takes place. The explana-

tion is possibly that the birds find an abun-
dance of some food other than buds. The
immunity does not appear to be due to the
mildness of the weather, as some of the worst
attacks have taken place in mild winters.
Even Greengage buds have not yet been
touched, whereas, last year, it was necessary
to spray twice before the end of January, to
keep birds from attacking them. Probably
the destruction of the bullfinches accounts
for this particular immunity ; for, so far
as my observation is a test, sparrows do
not attack Plum buds, as they do Gooseberry
buds.

A trial of the ready-made lime and sulphur
wash will have been made before the.se re-
marks are in print, nothing but a dry day,
free from fro.st, being waited for. The trial
will be made in a corner of a field planted with
Apple trees eight years ago, and guarded by
wire netting to keep hares and rabbits from
gnawing the bark off the trunks and low
branches. La.st summer the netting was
\\anted elsewhere, and it was taken away
from the Apple trees under the supposition
that they were too old to be harmed by hares
or rabbits. This impre.ssion was strengthened
by the fact that the netting had got bent
down in some places, so that even a rabbit
could easily leap over it, and yet no gnawing
of bark had taken place. Recently, however,
this destructive work began, and the netting
was restored. It is 5 feet wide, and when
1 foot ha.s been pegged down iiat on the
grounti. in the outward direction, it stands
4 feet high. In spite of this, a hare has been
inside, doing further damage, and the trees
are to be thoroughly washed in the hope that
the stinking livne and sulphur mixture will
disgust the mischief-maker. By the way,
it is worth while to state that in the
rest of the field, planted much more re-
cently than the corner attacked, the trees
are protected by a circlet of wire net-
ting of 1-inch mesh around each, and,
altliough some of these protections are only
18 inches high, not a tree has been touched
by a hare or a rabbit. Yet the gnawing of
shoots cut off in pruning, night after night,
shows that many rabbits or hares have been
present. This immunity jjroves, not only the
superiority of the plan of encircling each tree
to that of netting all round a plantation, at
a considerable saving of expense, but also
pro\e.s that only narrow netting is necessary
for the former purpose.

It is desirable to ascertain how this ready-
made lime and sulphur wash will stand keep-
ing. Possibly it may deteriorate by chemical
action, the lime getting out of combination
with the sulphur. It is to be hoped t.hat this
will not be the case, as it is highly desirable
for fruit-growers to be spared the unplea.sant
and mes.sy work of preparing this mixture.

Apart from the prevention of bud-eating,
as to which, as explained above, there is no
regularity, it has been previously my custom
to enter into the year's spraying campaign
in February by the application of a caustic
winter wash. Caustic soda was used for some
years, but discontinued as a simple wash in
favour of lime and sulphur, 30 lbs. of eacli to
100 gallons, with the addition for Apple trees
of 1'2 lbs. of cau.stic soda. The reason of the
change was that the lime and sulphur made
the wash fungicidal to a considerable extent.
It has been decided to defer the spray-
ing until just before the buds of Apples

and Plums burst, in order to test the theory
of a large fruit-grower to the effect that the
operation, performed then, saved his trees
from the aphis attack which was so virulent
and persistent last season. His idea is that
the mother-queen aphides were exposed on the
trees at the period named, and were killed
by the wash, or that their eggs were pre-
vented from hatching by the coating of lime
and sulphur. He did not include any caustic
soda, and this will also be excluded from
my mixture, because the safety of using
it when buds are on the point of bursting is
doubtful.

Another reason for spraying just before the
bud.s burst is that Apple suckers may have
begun to appear on Apple trees at that time,
in which case they will be destroyed. They
appear to have been killed, or prevented from
hatching, in a previous season when a winter
wash was applied at the end of February. At
any rate, there was no attack in 1908, though
there had been a bad one in 1907. In 1909
there was a fresh attack, but then the spray-
ing had been done earlier than in 1908. A
strong mixture of quassia and soft soap,
10 II)S. of each to 100 gallons, cleared them
off almost entirely when applied just after
the fall of the blo.ssom, but not until some
harm had been done. This season it is hoped
that an attack may be prevented.

Before tlie ready-made lime and sulphur
was available, my plan of making it was that
of beating 15 lbs. of flowers of sulphur into a
stiff i)aste, to take out any lumps, diluting it
to a slight extent, and pouring it over 15 lbs.
of quicklime to slake the latter. This seems
preferable to sprinkling the dry sulphur over
the lime while the latter is slaking. Only
ju.st enough water should be added to the sul-
phur to slake the lime, and the mixture
should be well stirred n-hen the lumps of lime
ha^'e broken up, then left for 20 to 30 minutes
covered with a piece of sacking, and stirred
well again, strained, and made up to 50
gallons. The straining jjrocess is a tire-
some and messy one ; when there is a
good deal of the mixture to be used, it takes
up nearly all one man's time to keep on pre-
paring lots of 50 gallons separately.

Lime and salt are used by some fruit-
growers as a preventive against attacks of the
Apple sucker and the aphis; but lime and
sulphur can hardly be less effective as an
insecticide mixture, while the latter combina-
tion is a fungicide as well, which cannot be
said of the former. In the United States, the
lime and sulphur mixture has been found
nearly as effective as Bordeaux mixture as a
preventive of scab in Apples and Pears, and
the best of all preventives of leaf-curl in
Peaches, when applied after the foliage has
expanded. It is important to observe, how-
ever, that only the self-boiled mixture, made
as described above, can be safely applied to
trees in foliage. So prepared, it causes no
scorching, or none of any consequence, and
less than is frequently produced by Bordeaux
mixture. But the artificially-boiled mixture
did cause some scorching, probably because
more of the sulphur was combined with the
lime in it than in the self-boiled preparation.
These statements are made, not by way of
recommending the substitution of lime and
sulphur for Bordeaux mixture after the foli-
age has expanded, but only in support of the
preference avoived for the former over lime
and salt for use before the buds open.

82

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 5, 1910.

Perhaps the lime and sulphur mixture is
not quite so effective as caustic soda in
cleansing trees of moss and lichen, but when
the trunks and branches are thoroughly
wetted, the former gives a satisfactory result.

AVhile all my Apple trees will be sprayed
witli lime and sulphur, a few varieties of
Apples and Pears peculiarly liable to scab will
have an extra spraying, at about the end of
February, with 4 lbs. of copper sulphate
alone to 100 gallons of water. Moreover,
Bordeaux mixture, the best of all fungicides
for usa when the foliage has expanded, will
be applied as in previous seasons ; but only
6 lbs. of copper sulphate and an equal quan-
tity of lime to the 100 gallons, or an ecjuiva-
lent in AVoburn Bordeaux paste, will be used
just after the blossom has fallen, and
no more than 8 lbs. when the leaves are fully
expanded. More than the latter quantity is
liable to cause scorching, although more is
commonly recommended.

It is possible that a third, or even a fourth,
spraying with Bordeaux mixture will be neces-
,snrv to Voen Annies of some varieties free
from scab. Last season much good was done
by a tiiucl operation.

If an attack of aphis develops, in spite of
the preventive trial, several different washes
will be tried against it, and the results will
be de,scribed after the trials have been made,
if they prove of interest. A Southern Grower.

EXPERIMENTS IN CURING
PLANT DISEASES.

T T is recognised by all who have to deal with
I disease in plants that preventive and
J- curative measures are still of a very
primitive nature.

Certain curious experiments in the dir. ^-
tion of introducing other methods are not,
perhaps, so well known in England as they
deserve. There are, for instance, the methods
employed by Dorofejew, who succeeded in re-
viving etiolated shoots of certain trees by
grafting them upon other and more vigorous
plants.

But Mokrzecki's experiments especially are
of importance, and are not very difficult to
carry out. He managed fxi cure several ailing
fruit trees by the method of stem-injection.

Certain Apple, Pear and Cherry trees, badly
affected by chlorosis or " yellows," j^resented
a sickly and languishing a])pearance, due to
the chlorophyll having developed imperfectly.

He injected into tlie trunk of an Apple
tree (nine inches in diameter) a solution con-
taining 12 grams of iron sulphate. In ten
days there was no trace of chlorosis, and,
after three weeks, the leaves were dark
green and, to all appearances, perfectly
sound and healthy.

Now, in the Oardrners' Clironidc of 1889,
there is an account of the cure of a certain
old Peach tree (Princess of Wales) in the
Ketton Hall Gai'dens. This tree had been
lifted in November of 1887, and in con-
sequence had been weakened and checked in
its growth. In the spring of 1889, it was
badly affected by " yellows " or chlorosis.
The writer of the note goes on to say that he
removed the soil for a foot in depth over the
roots. He then made a solution containing
three-quarters of a pound of green vitriol
(iron sulphate) in the proportion of three-

quarters of an ounce to five pints of warm
water, and this was washed in over the roots.
The tree was quite healthy in fourteen days,
and was still doing well in 1894.

So that Mokrzecki, with only half an
ounce of the same material (instead of three-
quarters of a pound), and with infinitely less
trouble, obtained equally satisfactory results.

Another disease which is sometimes danger-
ous for Peach trees, and even for Cherry trees,
is gumming or gummosis. The cause of the
disease is unknown. Mokrzecki used for gum-
mosis of Api^le, Pear and other trees, a solu-
tion of one per cent, of salicylic acid. An in-
jection of four litres of this solution sufficed to
cure them; the gumming was stopped, the
wounds healed up and all the trees became
healthy and vigorous.

I had myself been in the habit of showing
an interesting class-experiment, which de-
pends upon the introduction of some harmless
colouring matter into the stem, before I had
heard of these experiments.

The method used was exceedingly simple:
with plasticine, or putty, a circular
basin was made round the stem of a
Rhododendron, and was filled with water
containing a little red ink or eosine,
I then pushed a sharp needle into the bark
of the branch, below the surface of the liquid,
so as to pa.ss through the innermost part of
the bark without touching the wood. Bj- mak-
ing sections of the stem and examining them
microscopically, the eosine is seen to have
travelled by the sieve tubes up the stem,
and also to have passed by the medul-
lary rays across the wood, staining the out-
side of the pith and inside of the woody
cylinder.

In injecting solutions for the prevention of
disease, it would be better to pierce the
younger wood, or even to cut a piece clean
out with a sharp penknife

I subsequently endeavoured to cure young
Larches i\hicli were nearly destroyed by the
Peziza disease (canker), but the I'esult was un-
satisfactory, for the )lo\v of resin interfered
with the experiment.

Now, in ordinary medical practice, the in-
jection of antitoxins, or of the serum of
immune animals, is in frequent use. In plants
it is a very simple matter to introduce solu-
tions which will be at once taken up by the
sap, and this method of injection certainly
seems to afford a promising field for experi-
ments. G. F. Scott-Elliot.

NOTES FROM GLASNEVIN.

THE PINK BROOM.

One of the most striking characteristics of the-
New Zealand flora is the scarcity of the pea-
flowering plants, so numerously represented
m other parts of tho world, for the order
Leguminosae is larger than any other Order of
flowering plants excepting the Composite. It
contains over 400 genera and about 7,000 species,
and, next to the Grass family, is the most useful
to mankind for food. For its size. New Zealand
contains fewer Legumes than any other country
of equal size, which is curious, seeing that the
Order is so strongly represented in Australia, the'
nearest continent.

Notospartium Carmichelife (see figs. 50, 61 in
Gardeners' Chronicle, August 24, 1907, pp. 146'
and 147) is the Pink Broom of the residents of
the middle island of New Zealand, and flowers-
there about Christmas, being considered one of
the most beautiful plants of the colony. Around
London and in Ireland the plant is hardy, but in
the Midlands of England it would be worth try-
ing on a wall. At Glasnevin Botanic Gardens,,
near Dublin, there is a good plant about 5 feet
high growing in gravelly soil along with other
Legumes, such as Spartinm junceuni, &c. Noto-
spartium resembles Spartinm in appearance, ex-
cept that the leafless, green, whip-like growths-
are flattened instead of being round.

Last July the Pink Broom flowered with ex-
ceptional freedom and formed a glorious mass of
pink flowers. The individual blooms are small,
but are produced in compact racemes of about
10 to 20 flowers. The best way to propagate
the plant is by seeds, which are produced in a
good season. The Pink Broom produces true
leaves wdien in a seedling stage, in a similar
manner to the Acacias. These leaves are small,
entire, and obcordate in shape, while the seed-
lings of the allied genus Carmichaelia are pinnate.
C. F. Ball.

ADONIS AMUPENSIS.

I obtained this species five years sgo, but not
until the present season has it done itself justice
with me, after I had conceived an indifferent
opinion of it. Now, however, that it is well
established, it proves to be a most valuable
addition to the mid-winter border. This ha*
been a most trying winter, very hard frost re-
curring at short intervals, but although the
flowering stems fall quite flat when frozen, they
rise again fresh and vigorous in the sunshine
with flowers uninjured. This Adonis makes a>
choice companion for Leucojnm vernum carpathi-
cum, Hepaticas, Erica carnea and other early
things. The following table shows the respec-
tive dates of flowering noted here for some-
winter-blooming plants during the last few
years : —

E

ARLir.sT Date

OF Flowering.

Plant.

1905.

1906.

1907.

1908.

1909.

1910.

Adonis amurensis

December 18

_

January

28

February 10

March 19

January 8

Anemone angulosa

—

—

—

—

February 15

January 20'

Anemone Hepatica ..

—

January

20

—

February 2

b'liuary 2

January 21

Chiondoxa Lucilias

. —

—

February 18

March 10

Crocus Imperati*

—

—

—

—

January 1

—

Crocus vernus

—

January

27

January

27

February 8

January 7

—

Cyclamen coum

December 29

—

January

8

—

—

January 5-

Doronicum caiicasicum

—

January

15

—

—

—

—

Arabis rosea ...

—

—

—

—

January 20*

Eranthis hyemalis

—

January

2

Januai y

22

January 29

January 10

—

Eranthis cilicica

—

January

20

—

January 24

January 10

— ■

Erica carnea

—

January

10

—

January 24

January 1

—

Galanthus nivalis

December 27

—

January

8

January 20

January 13

January 19

Hacquetia (Dondia) epipactis

—

—

—

December 24

_

January 20*

Helleborus fcetidus

December 25

—

■

—

. —

—

Houslonia ccerulea

—

. —

—

February 7

~-

—

Iris reticulata

_

February 16

February 19

—

Lencojum vernum

February 1

—

—

February 7

February 10

—

Leucojum v. carpatliicum

—

January

7

January

10

January 20

January 14

Janunry 18-

Saxifraga Burseriana

—

—

—

February 14

March 19

—

Scilla bifolia

January

28

—

—

February 14

—

Scilla sibirica

—

—

February 19

—

Vinca minor

■-

January

25

—

April 2

" Generally devoured by mice or pheasants.

Herbert Maxwell, Monrcith, January 22.

February 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

83

I

HARDENING UNFRUITFUL TREES.

When fruit trees fail to flower, we say they
are " too strong." What does that mean? The
strongest tree has light wood of bearing size,
yet it does not bear. Why ? Because it has been
built up of incomplet-e material. But what of
another tree which fruits freely standing close to
the first one, of the same age and size.

Trees have individual constitutions, and
mature more or less early, according to their
nature, surroundings, and the treatment meted
out to them. This treatment includes their
assigned shape and vigour, since form and sub-
stance govern the fruiting powers of all trees.

It is in the nature of some trees to make
vigorous growth and, at the same time, to fruit
freely, but, as a rule, vigorous growers are not
" mature " enough to bear till well advanced
dn years. All their parts having been made in
liaste, they may not contain the " finished "
chemical elements that are needed to produce
flowers and fruit.

A strong, young or a coarse growing tree of
any age does not absorb from the soil the same
materials as a weak grower ; or, more correctly,
it does not take them up in the same proportions
or blend and employ them in the same way or to
the same end.

Trees having two " stomachs " — leaves and
roots — can absorb and digest, according to their-
shape and capacity for forming and circulating
sap.

To obtain the greatest gain from trees, we
must have a sound knowledge of the varied
nature and functions of sap. Sap is the whole
tree. Nothing we see or deal with but was
once sap, and all the contrasting beauties and
values are due to sap volume and variation.

The composition of sap changes in proportion
to the amount of water evaporated through
the leaves and bark. When the atmosphere
is dry, every part of the tree wastes mois-
ture, and becomes in some degree more mature.
Strong and impotent trees develop too much
sap ; the fluid from the roots passes up and the
elaborated sap from the leaves passes down at
such a rate that there is insufficient time for
change in the chemical condition of the bark and
the leaves and buds to ensure maturity or the
power of forming flower-buds.

When the sap is drawn from light roots and
ascends slowly, it holds the richest supply of
fruit-forming elements, and makes a deposit in
the tree most favourable to fruit-bearing. The
sun, by its heat and light, steadies and alters
the fluid-properties within the tree, and the
longer sap is exposed to the light of the sun and
the longer it rests in any part of a tree, the more
certain is that part to produce flowers.

It is within our power to dry excessively
vigorous trees, and thereby alter and im-
prove the value of their sap. The soil
should be moderately dry in summer and the
activities of the roots checked by any reason-
able means. The trunk and main wood should
be well exposed to sun-light; heavy branches
should be far apart, and take horizontal or depen-
dent rather than upright lines. Severe thinning
of the young growth should be carried out in
spring and early summer, and no winter pruning
should be practised till the tree is brought to
a. free-bearing state. As a guide to safe prac-
tice, it may be said that all winter pruning in-
vigorates, whilst all summer pruning and leaf re-
duction curbs the power of the roots and moder-
ates the supply of sap to the head. The more
the trunk and main wood are shaded, the softer
the bark and the greater its capacity for conduct-
ing unprofitable sap ; hence we should strive to
dry, harden, and thus increase the temperature
on the surface of strong and unfruitful trees.

Nothing is said here of naturally sterile trees
or such as are impotent by reason of occupying an
unsuitable soil and climate, for their numbers are
sm.all as compared with those which might,
with comparative ease, be brought to a state
of fertility. C. Bogue Lufmann.

NYMPH/EA LOTUS.

Through the kindness of Mr. Holtze, I re-
ceived, among other Nymphaeas, seeds of a white
variety of N. Lotus, collected in the Northern
Territory of Australia. It flowered here last
season, and so I am able to give a sketch of the
flower and leaf (see fig. 45). It shows much re-
semblance to the forms from India, and especially
those from Africa.

The flowers are small, but the plant is free-
flowering. There are four sepals and 14 snow-
white petals, 34 white stamens, the anthers be-
ing of pale yellow colour. There are 13 carpels,

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

SWEET PEAS.
Judging by the number of lists issued by
growers of Sweet Peas, 1910 bids fair to outstrip
any previous year, especially with respect to the
number of so-called novelties put beTore the
market. A dozen years ago cultivators were
spared the worry of having to make a selection
from such a number of lists, the late Mr. Henry
Eckford's catalogue being in those days the guide
to all gcxxl things in the Sweet Pea world.
Dorothy Eckford, Miss Willmot. Lady Grisel

Fig. 45. — NYMPH^A LOTUS (AUSTRALIAN VARIETY) : FLOWER WHITE
WITH YELLOW ANTHERS.

and the carpellary style is of sulphur-yellow
colour, and glossy. The leaves are dark green,
glossy on the upper surface and hairy under-
neath. They are irregularly blotched with dark
spots, and dentated at the margin.

As I have now together true typical forms of
N. Lotus from nearly all parts of thei;- natural
habitat, it will be interesting to compare them
whilst under the same cultural conditions. N.
Lotus has not been noted from Australia pre-
viously. Ji'-rederick Uenhel, Darmstadt, Ger-
many.

Hamilton, and Henry Eckford were probably four
of the best and most distinct varieties sent out
by the Wem firm. The last-mentioned variety
has held its own, as far as colour is concerned,
but will this season be easily surpassed by the
newer variety, Nancy Perkins, of similar shade, a
much larger flower, and with the addition of a
waved standard, without which latter recommen-
dation no Sweet Pea now appears to have much
chance of recognition.

Since the advent of the newer for.m of
flower, certain shades of colour have been vastly

84

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Febeuam 5, 1910.

iTT.proved upon, especially pinks and carmines,
tlie edged varieties, and the buff and pink com-
binations, of which Mrs. Henry Bell is a good
example. A dark, wavy blue is still, however, to
be desired, and it is questionable if the true
lavender of Lady G. Hamilton has been repro-
duced in the newer breed. Varieties described
as of primrose shades scarcely warrant that name
after the buds unfold, and cream would more
truthfully describe the shade of even Clara Curtis,
the best of this section.

George Stark, the newest scarlet, will doubt-
less supplant Queen Alexandra, seeing that it
belongs to the wavy form of flower. The Spencer
Crimson King Edward is a great advance in size
of flower, when compared with the older variety
of that name, yet the wings lack the deep self

Plants in this position will bloom quite three
weeks earlier than those m the open, and, as a
rule, seed freely, which, if they are scarce or
desirable varieties, they can be allowed to do
when their blooms are no longer required. Need-
less to say, varieties that are subject to sun
scorching should not be chosen for these positions.

New and enthusiastic exhibitors of Sweet Peas
appear year by year, and 1910 will no doubt see
some keen struggles for supremacy. The finest
blooms I noted on the exhibition table last season
were those staged in the 24-buneh class at New-
castle-on-Tyne, by Mr. Geo. Keith, Wallington
Gardens, Northumberland. This exhibitor's
flowers were of grand colour and size, and they
were beautifully set up. Thomas Bolton, Pow-
darham Gardens. Exeter.

" Messrs. Sander & Sons showed in their group-
of Orchid's a very striking plant under the name-
of Bulbophyllum Ericssonii. On seeing it, I was
greatly impressed by its differing greatly from
the type plant of B. Ericsscnii 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 distinguish-
ing characters of the species of this section of
Bulbophyllum, viz., B. Ericssonii, B. virescens,
B. Pahudii, B. galbinum (illustrated in the
Gardeners' Chronicle, July 20, 1907, from the
Tring Park specimen), and B. uniflorum — P.

Fig. 46. — BULBOPHYLLUM BINNENDIJKII: FLOWERS YELLOW AND PURPLE.

colour that is noticeable in King Edward VII.
Etta Dyke now leads in the list of whites, but,
shorn of her frills, would still lack the pure white
and substance of Dorothy Eckford.

The uncertainty of autumn out-door sowing in-
duces many growers to sow in boxes or pots in
November, with a view to having blooms as early
as possible in the ensuing year. A few sturdy
plants from this sowing may be now potted singly
into 5-inch pots, and, when well rooted and about
1 foot higl planted out in two's and three's
against a south or west wall, where any spare
cpace occurs between the wall trees. Wire net-
ting may be used as a means of support, and, if
the plants are given water when they require it,
they will soon go ahead.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

BULBOPHYLLUM BINNENDIJKII.

We are pleased to be able to give an illustra-
tion of this remarkable species from a photo-
graph of a plant -which flowered in the collec-
tion of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, K.C.V.O.,
Burford (gr. Mr. W. H. White).

At the Temple Show, May, 1907, Messrs.
Sander & Sons, St. Albans, showed Bulbophyl-
lum Biunendijkii as B. Ericssonii. It attracted
considerable attention, and was the subject of
the following communication from the Hon.
Walter Rothschild [Gardeners' Chronicle,
August 31, 1907, p. 161) :—

Reinwardtii, I found that Messrs. Sander's plant-
is Bulbophyllum Binnendijkii, J. J. Smith—
Cirrhopetalum leopardinum T. and B."

Comparison of the references cited by the Hon.
Walter Rothschild amply support his conclu-
sions, the peculiar arrangement of the yellowi; h
and purple flowers of the species under notice —
like the cap of a pagoda — being different frorr*
that of any other in cultivation.

The plant, like the others of its section already
mentioned, grows freely in a warm, moist house.
It may be grown either in a basket or a shallow
pot, though the basket is probably better suited
to the section. It is evergreen, and its fine,
broad, green leaves render it — apart from it»
flowers — an ornamental plant.

Febeuaby 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

85

TULIP BIFLORA VAR. TURKESTANIGA.

This is one of the few Tulips which bear more
than one flower on each stem (see fig. of branched
Tulip.s in Gardeners' Chronirh, May 15, 1909,
p. 317). Others species having this characteristic
inchide the native T. sylvestris, which sometimes
produces two flowers on a stem, and the recently-
introduced T. prsestans from Turkestan, which
has two or more. The typical T. biflora is a
native of the Caucasus, and has been in cultiva-
tion since the beginning of the last century. It
blooms in April, and the flowers are white with
a yellow eye. The Turkestan form is larger in
all its parts, and more robust in growth, often
producing four and five flowers on a stem. Its
value as a pot plant is shown in the accompany-
in;j; illustration (fig. 47) of a pan of this charm-
ing Tulip which was grown in a cold greenhouse.
The species flowers with the same freedom out-
of-doors in a sunny border, being quite hardy.
The bulbs are small and have a woolly tunic,
while the leaves are long and narrow, about
g inch broad. The flower-stems attain a height
of 5 inches to 9 inches. H". /.

Unwin's type of the variety, raised about the
same time, mentioned. The book contains
29 chapters, in which everything, including
a biblio^'raphy connected with the Sweet Pea,
finds a place. It is remarkable that the old cus-
tom of sowing more than one seed in a pot should
be recommended, and equally so that so close
planting as 6 inches apart should bo recommended
for garden decoration. I find 2 feet quite close
enough for the more recent introductions when
one plant is raised in a pot. Older kinds need
hardly so much space. Mr. Crane recommends
planting in rows in preference to clumps, but the
latter practice is more suitable for the north,
though personally I have always kept to rows.
There are useful remaiks en the value of the
Sweet Pea for decorations of all kinds, but many
will demur to the remark that " all the Sweet
Peas are suited for displays made in the daylight,
none of them being amiss." The fact is that the
great majority of varieties may safely be set
aside and a limited choice made of the more
select. The book includes a vast amount of in-
formation about sjils, manures, staking the
plants, propagation, cutting the flowers, e.xhibi-
tion notes, disea-ses, and lists of varieties. The
list of varieties is, perhaps, a little out of date.

seems to be the " black-purple " of Aber-
crombie, and that it was preceded by the
scarlet. The chapter on the structure of the
flowers, fertilisation, and a resume of Mendel's
laws, is specially interesting — probably the most
valuable in the book. Seed saving, raising
of plants, soils and manures, planting and sup-
porting, positions Sweet Peas are boat fitted to
occupy, and their place ae exhibition, market,
and greenhouse flowers are all fully treated, and
are followed by an illuminating chapter on pests.
The chapter on varieties is occupied largely with
colour, and I am somewhat surprised that Mr.
Wright has nothing to say there concerning the
attractiveness of form, of the folded-in wings of
Frank Dolby, for instance, or the exquisite form
of Mrs. Hardcastle Sykes and Elsie Herbert as
compared with the more expansive floppiness of
The King. There are chapters on Sweet Peas in
Scotch. Irish, and other countries, and on
woman's influence on Sweet Peas. There is an
A.B.C. guide to growers, &c., and a list of
varieties, with raisers' names and selections for
various purposes. The volume is well illus-
trated. In the next edition Mr. Wright should
spell " Lady Grisell Hamilton " correctly, if. P.
Urothtrilon.

NOTICES OF BO€KS.

A Botanists Pocket Book.*

Field botanists will welcome a new edition of
this excellent little work, and they will at the
same time note with satisfaction that the pre-
sent issue — the 13th since the original handbook
was published in 1872 — has been revised and re-
edited by G. Claridge Druce, the well-known
author of the Flora of OxforJ.i7itre.

The general plan of the book, including that of
the artificial keys to Natural Orders and genera,
lias been retained, although the latter involves
a certain amount of disagreement with modern
botanical terminology, and is, therefore, open to
criticism.

The scope has been considerably extended, and
although the book is only intended for work in
the field and not in any way as a critical work
01 reference, all the important species and varie-
ties, as well as the more completely established
aliens, are now included.

-Mr. Druce has found it necessary, as the
result of extended personal ob.servations, to make
numerous alterations in the descriptive part of
the work, esjjecially with regard to the
" habitat " and " distribution " of species.

The Butterfly Orchid (Habenaria bifolia), for
instance, wae described in the older edition as
;^:enerally growing in moist meadows : we think
most botanists will agree with the author of the
new edition that it is much more common on
hearths and in woods. Ruscus aculeatus, again,
i.^ more frequently found growing in " copses "
than on " heaths," and similarly with many
other species.

A useful feature is the marking of all aliens,
however well established, by an asterisk.

We echo the wish of Jlr. Druce that the use
of the book by students may do much to in-
crease the Io\'e of field botany in Britain.
■U. C. It.

Two Volumes on Sweet Peas.

The Booh of the Sweet Pcni, one of Lane's
half-crown illustrated handbooks, may be recom-
mended as one of the best of the series. The
history of the plant is given in full, but some
(if it, perhaps, somewhat incorrectly ; in par-
ticular, in the note on the waved type, Henry
Eckford's right, as a raiser of a Pea identical
"lith Countess Spencer, is not noted, nor is

* liaywaid's Botanist's Poctict Booti. Revised by G. C.
Druce. (London ; Geo. Bell & Sons.) Price 4s. fid.

t The Book of III: Siceet Pea, by D. B. Crane. (London :
John Lane.) Price 2s. Cd.

Fig. 47. TULIPA BIFLORA VAR. TURKESTANIGA ! FLOWERS WHITE

WITH YELLOW EYE.

Mr. Waltfr p. Wright's new book* is not
merely a book about Sweet Peas — it is that, but
it is also a happy combination of cheery humour,
pathos, and much of the milk of human kind-
ness. It is discursive and versatile and perhaps
poetical, but that I am not sure of, notwith-
standing that its author sings many lays with
Sweet Peas for the theme. Whilst conveying
much information to the reader, Mr. Wright is
seldom didactic. He teaches, as a rule, by broad
hints rather than by circumstantial details. He
may exhibit a preference for training Peas on
wire or on strings, but he does not discourage
the employment of sticks. Fully alive to the ad-
vantages of clump culture, he does not shut his
eyes to the practice of others who set out the
Peas in lines. He notes the vast importance cf
thin seeding, but has no <iuarrel with the person
who sows five seed-s in a pot, rather than one.
In the first 11 chapters he carries the reader
through the more practical details, beginning
with the history of the plant, regarding which,
I may remark, that the " black " Pea of Mason

♦.•l Hoot! About Sweet Peas, hyW:i\UT P. Wright. (London;
Ilcadley DrolLers.) Price 2s.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH " GARDEN.

The Carrots in the frames are now coming
through the soil, and should the spring prove
favourable, they ought to be ready early in May.

The Lettuces in the frames are growing very
tender ; this is due to the mild weather and the
increase of temperature after the lining of tho
frames.

As we have sown Carrots in the cloche beds as
an intercrop, we shall only plant two Little Gott
Lettuces on the south side, and one Cos Lettuce
(Paris Green Flat) under each cloche.

The Cos Lettuces (Paris Grey) are planted in
the space between the cloches as shown in
the diagram in the Gardeners' Chronicle, Febru-
ary 25, 1909. These Lettuces are set 8 or 10 days
after those planted under the cloches to form a
succession later in the season. IrYhere cloches are
not used for forcing Cos Lettuces on hot manure
beds, they are utilised for growing in a shel-
tered corner either three Passion Lettuces, or
four Little Gott, or two Paris Grey Cos, or one
Paris White Cos under each cloche. When Little
Black Gott is the variety grown it is necessary to

86

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Fberb-ary 5, 1910.

give a good dressing of decayed manure to obtain
fine heads. In this case the cloches are at
liberty early in April for Endives or early Dwarf
Beans.

The Radishes sown in the cold frames are com-
ing tlirough the soil, and the Lettuces are well
■established. The covering of the cold frames at
night is absolutely necessary in frosty weather,
.after growth is well started.

We have planted Passion Palatine Lettuces in
the open ground 9 inches apart, but in poor or
weedy ground 10 inches space each way is neces-
sary.

Radishes are profitable as a market crop early
in spring. To obtain a crop to come between
that obtained from frames and open ground crops
we make a small hot-bed 6 inches thick and sow
the Radishes. In frosty weather the bed is
covered with mats.

The thinnings of the Onions from the seed bed
liave now been planted to form a succession to
those set early in October. This batch looks
extremely well ; the ground will be hoed at the
first opportunity. We made a hot bed 9 inches
thick with three parts dry manure and one part
of fresh manure to sow Cauliflowers (Driancourt)
last week. The .'ieeds w^ere sown very thinly as
this batch is not pricked out, and the tiny plants
are liable to decay round the stem. These Cauli-
flowers are planted to replace the Cos Lettuces
set now under the cloches. P. Aquatlas.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACi^K, Gardener to Sir Kr;NEST Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Melons. — Preparations should now be made
for planting the seedling Jlelons raised early in
January. These early plants are best grown on
a bed of fermenting materials, which will assist
in providing the necessary warmth, so that less
fire-heat can be employed, thus reducing the
danger of attacks of red spider. Obtain equal
parts of stable manure and leaves, the latter
preferably of Oak or Beech, and mi.x them in
.■I heap out-of-doors. Turn the heap every third
(lay until the rank vapour has passed off. plac-
ing the outsides of the heap in the niidillc
when turning it. Having thoroughly cleansed
the Melon house, make up the hot-bed, treading
the materials firmly as the work proceeds. The
soil is best placed in mounds at distances of
18 inches apart; each mound should consist of
about one 10-inch potfnl of soil. If good loam
is obtainable, little else will be re({uired beyond
a small quantity of old inorlar rubble to keep
it sweet and porous. A rich soil induces a
rank, sappy growth, and does not favour the
plant's fruiting. Stinuilaiits may be applied later
in the form of liquid manure or rich top-
dressings. When the soil has been in the house
long enough to become warmed through, the
.Melons should be planted. Make the soil quite
firm about the roots, but leave the surface of
the heap rough and lumpy. Give the roots a
good soaking with water, which should not be
colder than the atmosphere of the house. The
Melon loves warmth and a moist atmosphere.
The temperature of the house should not be
much lower than 70" at night-time, allowing a
rise of 5° by day with a further increase of 10°
when the sun is .shining brightly. Syringe the
young plants once or twice daily and keep the at-
mosphere moist by frequently damping the paths,
&c. Admit fresh air whenever the weather will
permit, but prevent draughts and sudden lower-
ings of the temperature, and always close the
ventilators before the sun's heat declines. Great
care is necessary in ventilating during cloudy
weather, as the sun may appear at intervals,
causing the temperature to rise and fall quickly.
Although Jlelon plants enjoy full exposure to
bright sunshine, it is advisable to provide a
light shading for a few hours when a bright
day occurs after a spell of dull, cold weather, as
the foliage will be soft, and, therefore, liable to
become scorched. A little whiting and water
made very thin, syringed on the glass, will pre-
vent such damage, and this shading may easily
be removed from the panes when the plants
.-ittain greater vigour. Stop the main shoot about
6 inches from the top of the trellis, and pinch
the laterals at the second leaf beyond the fruits.
Ciicuiiibe IX. —These also may now be placed

in their fruiting quarters. Make a hot-bed as
advised for Melons, but add a fourth part well-
decayed manure to the loam. Sow seeds of
Cucumbers and Melons for successional crops.

American vines. — It is best to have a separate
vinery for the.^^e, as they need difterent treaiment
from that required by ordinary vines. They are
not adapted for forcing, and should be allowed
to start into growth naturally. Syringe the rods
daily, be sparing with fire-heat, and afford a little
ventilation all night during mild weather. When
the vines are in flower, keep the atmosphere dry,
and carefully pollinate the flowers daily about
noon. Do not remove any bunches until it is
seen which have set their fruits. Very little
thinning of the berries is necessary, beyond re-
moving those which are seedless or misplaced.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searlk, Gardener to tlie Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle .\shby, .Nurlhaniptonshire.

Strawberries. — If the permanent beds of estab-
lished plants were not cleared of all rubbish in
autumn, this work should be carried out as soon
as a favourable opportunity presents itself. Fol-
lowing this, the bed should be given liberal
sprinklings with some approved artificial maimre
or bonemeal, and this dressing should be lightly
forked into the surface soil. I do not recom-
mend applications of farmyard manure at this
period of the year, for, when applied at this
season, it affords lurking places for all kinds of
insect pests ; such mulching should be applied in
the autumn. Fresh plantations that were planted
last August should have the surface soil fre-
quently hoed as soon as the weather is dry
enough. Any gaps that occur in the beds
should be made good with the plants that
have been kept in reserve for the purpose. If
it is intended to make new plantations next
autumn, a piece of ground might be selected
which has been trenched and liberally manured
fo-' the first and second early varieties of Peas.
Such a piece of ground would be in excellent
condition for the Strawberries after the Peas are
gathered, which will be about the second week in
August. It would require merely to be hoed
over and have all the weeds and rubbish re-
moved. A good dusting of soot might be applied
and this forked into the surface ground. Runners
required for planting at that season should be
layered early, so that they may be well rooted
by the time planting is to be done. .Strawberry
beds are frequently kept too long in bearing,
although some varieties will continue to bear
good crops for a longer period than others. As a
rule three years is long enough for a bed to bear.
Varietie-s that succeed best on a light soil in
these gardens are Royal Sovereign. Laxton's
Reward. Trafalgar. Gunton Park, and La.xton's
Latest. The best perpetual-fruiting varieties
are St. Antoine de Padoue, Laxton's Perpetual,
and St. .IoKe])h.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Tulvor Lawkencr,
Bart., Biirford, Surrey.

The cool lionse. — There are many plants in this
house, particularly Odontoglossum crispum and
its varieties, that are now developing their
flower-spikes. These should be frequently exa-
mined for slugs, otherwise the spikes may be de-
voured before the grower is aware that they are
showing. If slugs abound, the rare and special
Orchids should be isolated ; this may be done by
placing the plants on inverted pots or pans,
which may be stood in shallow pans filled with
water. It is also a good plan to protect the
flower-spikes (in case any slugs may be present
in the soil or Sphagnum-moss) by placing a ring
of wool or wadding at their base. Place some
pieces of Apple, Potato, and fresh greenstuff
upon (he surface of the compo.st, and examine
these baits several times during the evening, also
at daybreak in the mornii'g. Keep the plants fairly
moist at the root, but do not wtiter a plant until
the compost is nearly dry. When the flower-
spikes are about 6 inches to 8 inches in length,
it is advisable to tie them up straight to neat
sticks, making the top tie just below the bottom
flower-bud : by this means the spikes will have a
fine arching appearance when the plants are in
bloom. For this purpose, we use thin Teak wood
sticks, which are very neat and durable. It is
very detrimental to the plants to allow large

spikes of bloom to remain on them for a long,
period of time or to permit small, imported plants
in a weakly condition to carry too many flowers.
In the case of strong, well-rooted specimens, it is
well to cut the spikes after the flowers have been
open a week or ten days. They may be placed
in water in the cool house, or used for indoor
decoration, for they will retain their beauty for
several weeks. In cases where small plants are
flowering for the first time, it is desirable to re-
move most of the buds as soon as possible, leav-
ing just one or two to open to determine the
variety, and, as soon as this is known, cut the
spikes, and do not allow the plants to bloom
again until sufficient strength has been gained to
bring forth strong spikes of blooms of good size
and substance. Plants that have deteriorated
from various causes should not be allowed to pro-
duce spikes until they have regained their former
health and strength. Such plants as Odonto-
glossum grande, 0. Schlieperianum, and 0. Wil-
liainsii, that are now at rest, should be kept on
a high and dry shelf in this house; they will
require but little water at the root till growth
recommences. Plants of Maxillaria Sanderiana
are now developing their flower-spikes, which, as
a rule, go in a downward direction, and those
that are in pots should be examined and pieces of
crock or glass may be placed under the spikes,
so as to guide them safely over the surface of the
soil, otherwise they will push through the com-
post into the drainage and be lost. Those that
are growing in shallow baskets will require no
such attention, as the spikes will grow into space
naturally. The strong-growing Oncidiums as 0.
macranthum, 0. superbiens, and 0. undulatum,
&c.. that are now showing their flowering spikes,
will for some time to come require constant atten-
tion, as, owing to the rambling habit of the
spikes, which often grow to 8 feet or 12 feet in
length, some amount of training is necessary. In
doing this training, the tips of the spikes should
always be keiit toward the roof, and, if possible,
in a southerly direction. Four or five strong
stakes may be placed firmly inside the edge of
the pot, and the spikes trained around these,
keeping the spikes at the commencement of tying
as low down to the rim of the pot as possible.
Some growers prefer to train the spikes along the
roof of the house, and. where this is done, it is
advisable to stand the plant at one end of the
house, so that the spikes may be tied southward.
These plants will need an abundance of water
until the flow-ers open.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Becke'it, Gardener to the Uoti. \'icarv CItBBS,
Aldeiihaiu Hou-e, 1 lertfor^i^liire.

TliR wealh'r. — Since my last Calendar was writ-
ten severe frost has interrupted the carrying-out
of outdoor planting operations. On the morning
of the 27th ult. we registered 18° of frost. The
weather has since changed, but it may be well to
remark here that, on such occasions as I have
alluded to, it is impossible to take too much care
of tender plants in frames. They should be
covered a.s much as seems necessary, and care
taken that, in uncovering them, any plants that
have been subjected to a lower temperature
than is good for them shall not be suddenly ex-
posed. In cases where actual freezing has taken
place, the thawing should be made as gradual as
possible. Tubers which have been stored in dry
places for the winter also need to be examined
at such times, in order to be sure they are not
suffering from frost.

Dahlia. — If it is d6.sirable to increase the stock
of any particular variety of Dahlia, propagating
operations may now be commenced. One or
more of last year's tubers, according to re-
quirements, should be introduced to a house
where the atmospheric temperature ranges from
55° to 60°. These may either be placed on the
border or in boxes. In either case they should
be slightly covered with leaf -mould, or soil con-
taining a considerable quantity of leaf-mould ;
or they may be put upon a mild hot-bed in a
forcing-house or pit. If the tubers are dry, and
in good condition, they may be placed in a
forcing-house straight away, but, should they be
damp and somewhat unpromising, it will be bet-
ter to get them into a perfectly healthy state
before commencing to force them. Take care
not to give them too much water, remembering
that the moisture-laden condition of the atmo-
sphere in the forcing-house, together with

February 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

87

frequent syringings, will be sufficient to in-
duce the tubers to start into growth. As soon
as shoots are seen to be proceednig from the
tubers, it will be necessary to expose them as
much as possible to the light, in order that the
growths may be sturdy, and, therefore, provide
good cuttings. These should be removed from
the tubers when about 4 inches in length by
means of a .sharp knife. The cuttings should be
placed singly into thumb pots, and the pot.'!
may be planted in a hot-bed. As soon as the
cuttings have made roots they should be gradu-
ally inured to more air and a cooler atmosphere.
Repot them into larger pots as this becomes
necessary, and do everything possible to keep
the growth sturdy and strong.

I'pHtMemon. — To perpetuate named varieties
of Pentstemon. or a distinct and effective variety
for bedding, it is u.-iual to propagate them by
means of cuttings. At the same time, if seed of
a good strain is now sown, excellent plants may
be obtained for putting out in the spring. The
plants may, perhaps, be in flower a little later
than those which are raised fi-om cuttings,
but nevertheless they may be expected to
produce a wealth of flower, which will last
until severe frosts occur. Such plants may con-
tain amongst them certain varieties worth sav-
ing for another .'ieason. Sow the seeds in boxes
or pits provided with good drainage and tilled
with a light, sandy compost, just covering the
seeds with some of the finest of th^ soil: after-
wards pre.ss the surface firmly and evenly.
Apply water through a fine rose-can, and place
the pots in a house where the atmospheric tem-
perature is about 60°. Prick out the seedlings
into boxes as soon as they can be handled, using"
a moderately rich, open compost, and place the
little plants at a distance of 2 inches apart.
When they have recovered from the check of
transplanting, remove them to a cool house, and
later to an unhealed frame.

ICnsf Lotliinn SInchs. — The East Lothian Stock
is by far the best strain for bedding purposes.
There are many self colours among the flowers,
and these come true from seed. Under good cul-
ture the plants produce large spikes of flowers,
and usually there is a high percentage of double
flowers. Seed should be sown at the present
time, in much the same manner as Peiitstemons,
and the plants should be treated similarly after-
wards.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By Jc:iN DoNor.iicii, Gardener to Joseph Pickkusgill, Esq.,
Bardoii Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire,

Propthjafion by iiofchimj or rint//iii/. — Plants,
such as C'odiannns (Crotons) and t'ordylines (Pr:i-
CEenas), that have become leggy through losiut;
their bottom leaves may be made into good speci-
mens again by notching or ringing. At the part
of the stem where it is desired to form the new
root-system, make a notch on either side with a
sharp knife, and remove a portion of the bark.
Bind this spot with damp moss mixed with
coarse silver sand and Cocoanut fibre. If the
plant has a large head, it is advisable to secure
it to a stake, otherwise, when it is heavy with
moisture or during syringing, it may break at
the spot where the cuts were made. In the case
of choice specimens, it is best to employ pots
6 or 7 inches in diameter, which have been split
in halves, and then to fill these with the mix-
ture of moss, sand, and Cocoanut fibre.
The two halves must be securely fastened
together and attached to the stem of the
plant. The advantage of using pots is that they
can be fdled with .suitable potting compost, in
which the roots will ramify. When the new
root-system is sufficient to warrant the stem
being severed, it should be cut through gradually
so as not to cause too great a check. The plant
should then be placed in a moist atmosphere, in
a house in which a temperature of about 75° or
80° is maintained. Syringe the plants frequently
and shade them during bright sunshine.

Jiaiigiii n rifhd. — This plant is very suitable for
furnishing the back wall, or the roof of a stove of
intermediate temperature. If it is allowed ample
space for the pr.iper development of its drooping
flowering sprays, it affords a beautiful display of
bloom. The plant does not require a very long
season of rest, and it is not too earlv to shorten
the shoots, cutting them back to where the wood
is well-ripened. When the plants have been
trimmed as advised, place them in the interme-
diate stove and keep the atmosphere moist. A

iittle later, when the new shoots are appearing,

remove carefully most of the old soil about the
roots and repot the plants, using rather smaller
receptacles and a compost similar to that recom-
mended for Stephanotis (see p. 71). After pot-
ting, shade the plants lightly during the hottest
part of the day.

Cyrlamen. — These plants may be assisted with
a li,!?ht dressing of some chemical fertiliser or
liquid farmyard manure in a diluted form. Seed-
lings should be taken from the seed pans as soon
as ready and potted into thumb pots. When the
weather is bright a gentle spraying overhead a
few times during the day will assist in promoting
a healthy growth. For some time to come,
plants may be accommodated on a shelf near to
the roof ; maintain a temperature of 50° to 55°
and keep the atmosphere moist. <-

Tim fiirfinij-hiiuxp. — Continue to introduce
into gentle heat, at intervals of a week or ten
days, fresh batches of plants for flowering.
Lilacs, Staphylea, (luelder Roses, and the
shrubby Spirieas, confiisa and Van Houtei, are
suitable subjects for forcing at this season. They
should be .syringed regularly, and the atmo-
sphere of the house kept constantly charged with
moisture. Spiraeas nuist never be allowed to
become dry at the roots from the time they
commence to grow. These with T\dips. Nar-
cissi, and Lily-of-the-Valley provide a .succes-
sional display of blooms.

The Fernery. — The present is a suitable time
for potting up the general stock of Ferns, as
it is not advisalile to disturb the roots after
the plants have connnenced to grow. The com-
post used for potting should consist of rough,
fibrous loam and peal, with charcoal and broken
crtK'ks in (|uantity, sufficient to keep the soil
porous. Ferns should never be over potted.
Specimen plants may be kept healthy and in a
thriving i-oiidition in pots of a moderate size with
the aid of licpiid numnre durnig their growing
season. When in small pots, the plants are
more suitable for decorative purposes. Ferns
are usually propagated from spores, but species
with creeping stems are easily increased by divi-
sion of the rhizomes. Adiautums may be in-
creased I)V division of the crowns.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Ul nn. Kitchen Cirdeii Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

A'paragiis. — The Asparagus beds that were
top-dressed with farmyard manure in winter
should be lightly forked over, and the surface
covered with fine soil from the alleys. The quan-
tity of soil applied must depend upon the depth
of the crowns from the surface of the bed, Ijut
when finished the covering may be 6 inches deep ;
the li'^hter the soil used for covering, the
better. Where the soil is of a heavy and re-
tentive nature it is desirable to dig a quantity
of nuuuire or old fermenting material into the
alleys each year, and so prepaie the soil that
will be used as a top-dressing in the followim^
year. In cases where new beds are to be formed,
the ground should, if this work has not been
done already, be trenched and heavily maiuired.
If the subsoil is of a very heavy nature it should
be simply dug up and left in the bottom of the
trench, mixing it with duni;. old leaves, or any
garden refuse likely to make it lighter. A good
dressing of river sand may also be applied with
advantage. When the soil retains too much
moisture. Asparagus is not satisfactory, aiul
the produce rarely compares with that grown
in a more porous medium. In proceeding to
plant the beds, the alleys should first be marked
out at the required distances, and a .stout stick
should be driven in the corner of each bed, from
which the distance for each line of plants may
be measured. In these gardens we plant three
rows in beds 5 feet wide, one row in the middle
and the others at distances of 1 foot from either
edge. A distance of 18 inches is allowed between
the plants in the row. and the alleys are made
3 feet in width. Planting should be deferred
until growth has commenced, for what is gained
bv moving the plants whilst in a dormant state
is more than counterbalanced bv the cold con-
dition of the soil. When the plants have been
placed in position and the roots spread out
evenly, the surface of the beds should be covered
to a denth of 2 inches with the finest soil pro-
curable from the alley.

Prirmipi'. — The ground intended for this crop.

having been trenched in the autumn, should be

forked over and allowed to remain rough until it
is dry enough to crumble under the feet. The
seed should be sown as early in February as the
weather will permit, but it must not be sown
until the ground is in a fit condition. For
general purposes the seed may be sown in drills
drawn at 18 inches apart and 2 inches deep, but
if extra fine roots are desired, holes should be
made with a crowbar at distances of 2 feet apart.
Each hole should be filled with finely-sifted soil,
of a sandy nature and made moderately firm.
Thiee or four seeds may be placed in each hole
and covered with the same kind of compost. As
soon as the plants are large enough they may be
thinned, leaving the best plant nearest the ce"ntre
of the hole.

S/ml/o/.i. Garlic. ,[.f.— The bulbs should be
planted early in this month, choosing for them a
light sandy border. Plant them in rows 1 foot
apart and leave 6 inches between the bulbs.
Press each one tightly into the soil, leaving the
crown level with the surface of the bed. Potato-
onions and Garlic may be treated in the same
way. but these may be allowed a little more space.
between the rows.

Potat^i.^s. — When this vegetable Is cultivated
in pits the plants must be given plenty of fresh
air whenever this is possibfe. If further plant-
ings have to be made, the soil must not be less-
than 9 inches deep; this will lessen the need for
frequent waterings and top dressings. Many
gardeners can grow a few Potatos in pots who-
camiot devote a pit to them. Three sets ai'e
sufficient for a 10-inch pot. The pot should be
liberally crocked and then half filled wiih loam
and leaf-mould in equal quantities. The sets
should be planted, leaving the remainder of the
space for earthing up the plants as growth
advances. Do not subject them to excessive heat
or over-water them during the early stages of
growth. " '

I'rir.i/ey.—li it appears likely that the supply
of Parsley will be inadequate.'a sowing may be
made in .boxes and placed in a gentle heat. Such
a sowing will provide seedlings for planting out
early in April.

Ifaclisfie.-'. — Make frequent small sowings of
early Turnip-rooted Radishes. Radishes are sel-
dom good unless they are grown in rich soil and
provided with liberal supplies of water.

THE APIARY.

By Chlohis.

/jVp.s h'j^/ near the roacliide. — In villages ancf
suburbs of towns the hives have often to be
placed near the road. To have bees close to a
roadside is often the cause of much trouble to
the beekeeper, becau.se bees do not like quick-
moving bodies near their hives, and they have
a great objection to horses. If th^ hives are
not at least 75 to 100 feet from the roadway
something must be placed in front of them.
This can be best achieved by planting a hedge
that will grow quickly to a height of 11 feet or
by erecting a trellis of this height, and covering
it with quick-growing climbers.

Sometimes, when taking off sections that have
been placed over shallow frames, or the brood
chamber wdiere no queen excluder has been used,
one of the frames is lifted with the crate, and
when clear of the hive it falls. This causes a
commotion amongst the bees, and those near, in-
cludiii'.; neighbours, are liable to be stung. Before
any such trouble happens it is advisable to pre-
sent the neighbour with a section or a small jar
of honey, so that they remain friendly ti the bees
and beekeeper.

Stilly-^. — After a bee has inserted its sting it
tries to withdraw the weapon, and in doing so
often wrenches the sting from its body, leaving
it behind, together with the poison sac. To
attempt to extract it with the thumb and finger
will only press more poison into the wound.
Generally it will be found best to use a knife in
placing it under the poison sac. If a knife be
not handy, then the finger or thumbnail may be
used in a similar manner. Rubbing the wound
will only increase the pain. If. when the sting
has been removed, great pain is experienced,
take some verv hot water in which bicarbonate of
soda has been dissolved, and if the painful part
can be put in solution, so nuich the better; but
if it cannot, use a sponge to squeeze the mixture
on the wound, but do not rub it with the .sponge.

8S

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 5, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISriHR. 4>. Wellington Street, Covent Garden,
W.C.

k-etters for Publication, as well as speciniens oj plants
for naming J sJwuUt be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Coinmunicatwns should be written on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. J/ desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editors do not
undertake to pay for ayiy contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused com7nu}iicatwns or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors ao not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or diawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remaykable plants, /lowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss of injury.

Newspapers.— Cor»es/'OHt/e«/s sending neivspapers should be
catejulto mark the paragraphs they tvish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7-

Ann. meet, of Nat. Chrys. Soc. at Can's Restaurant,
Strand. Surveyors' Inst. meet.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet, at 12 noon. Ann. Meet of
Fellows at 3 p.m.. British Card. Assoc. Ex. Coun-
cil meet.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10-

London Branch of B.G.A. meet.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11-

Roy. Gard. Orphan Fund Ann. Meet, and Election of
Orphans at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand.

Average Mean Temperaturk for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 391'^.
Actual Temperatures. —

l^ouDoti.— IV eduESiiay, Fcbyuary 2 (6 P.M.): Max. 42'';
Min. 38".
Ganienen' CItionide Ofhce, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — Thursday, February 3
(10 A.M.); Bar. 29-3; Temp. 43°; Weather—
Very dull.
Provinces. — Wednesday, February 2 : Max. 42'^ Corn-
wall and S. Ireland ; Mm. 34" Hull.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Hardy Bulbs, Liliums,
Tuberoses, &c., at 12 ; Roses, Fruit Trees, and Azaleas,
at 1.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapsiue, E.G., by Protheroe &
Morris.

TUESDAY TO FRID.^Y—

Unreserved sale of the fourth portion of the Nursery
at St. John's Nurseries, Worcester, by order of the
Receiver for the Debenture Holders re R. Smith & Co.,
Ltd., by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.

WEDNESDAY-

Perennials, Border Plants and Bulbs, at 12; also Trade
Sale of Miscellaneous Bulbs and Roots; Roses and
Fruit Trees at 1.30; 1,480 cases Japanese Liliums, at 2,
Palms, Azaleas, Ferns, Aic, at 5, at Protheroe & Morris"
Rooms.

FRIDAY—

Cypripediums and other established Orchids, at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The London County Council will

An Appeal proceed on Tuesday next to the

to the election of the chief officer of

County ^'^® London parks. The work

Council, of selecting the more suitable

of the candidates, entrusted in
the fir.st place to tlie Parks Committee and
.subsequently to the General Purposes Com-
mittee of the Council is, we believe, practi-
cally complete. As the result of the prelimi-
aary elimination, about a dozen candidates
have been selected. Report ha.s it that the list
of selected candidates confciins the names of
men experienced in park management, and
also those of others from professions altogether
unconnected with any branch of practical
horticulture. The appeal which we address
to the members of the Council with whom
the election rests is that they shall appoint to
the post of chief officer a man fitted by train-
ing and experience for carrying out the duties
of the post.- These duties must include a
general supervision of the parks under the
control of the Council, the initiation of im-
jirovements which shall make these parks
more worthy of London, and an intelligent

criticism of schemes put forward by the park
superintendents. M'e submit that it is not
reasonable to expect "to find men of requisite
experience except among such as have had
training in park management. It may be
urged that what is wanted primarily for the
post is 'power of organisation. On this we
would make the following remarks. In the
first place, power of organisation, though
essential, is not the only necessary qualifica-
tion, for, ^^•ithout technical knowledge, the
responsible head would be unable to issue
orders or make suggestions for the bel^
ter design and management of the parks.
Secondly, the Council itself, in advertis-
ing the appointment, recognised the de-
sirability of expert knowledge in landscape
gardening, horticulture, and the allied arts
of gardening. Thirdly, we are not aware
that the power of organisation is necessarily
inherent in the members of any one profes-
sion, nor that it is confined to one profession.
The men who are responsible for the great
parks of our provincial cities have, as part
of their routine work, the control and direc-
tion of large bodies of men, and the notorious
success which they have achieved, is a proof
that they possess organising capacity as well
as technical skill. In Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Leeds and other large towns the chief offi-
cers are all trained gardeners.

We appeal with confidence to the Coun-
cil to appoint a man trained in park
management, or, failing such, one versed
in the art of landscape gardening or in
general horticulture. This appeal we make
in no man's interest: we make it on behalf
of horticulture, of the good sense of the
Council, and of the people of London.

The attention of the Board of

Prevention Agriculture having been diawn
of Cruelty ^ ^

in the 'to the unnecessary cruelty to

Destruction animals which arises through
ot Birds and . -.,... °

Vermin. improper and indiscriminate

use of traps and snares, has

published a leaflet (No. 228) setting forth the

provisions of existing Acts of Parliament on

the subject.

The leaflet draws attention to the Ground
Game Act, 1880, the effect of the provisions of
which Aot is to limit the right of occupiers to
kill hares and rabbits to the occupier himself
and to persons authorised, in writing, by tlie
occupier.

The Board points out that fanners ami
others, by using their rights judiciously, can
aid materially in reducing the cruelty arising
from negligence by insisting that the persons
ihey authorise to set traps for hares and
rabbits shall visit the traps periodically. An-
other provision of the Came Act (Section 'VI.)
makes it a punishable cTence to set spring
traps in the open tor the purpose of killing
ground game. Such traps, if employed at all,
must be set in the rabbit hole. Moreover, the
Scotch courts have decided that the term
rabbit-hole does not include the run but only
"that part of the burrow which is inside the
ground and covered by the roof."

The Board expresses the opinion that the
spring trap should be abandoned altogether as
a means of catching ground game. It recom-
mends in its place an adaptation of the
ordinary " wire " trap or snare. ~\

Leaflet No. 228 draws attention to the fact

■ — w hich we recently, in the course of a review,
had occasion to mention — that the use of pole-
traps is prohibited by the Wild Birds Protec-
tion Act, 1904, Section I.

The Poisoned Grain Act of 1863 prohibits
the laying of poisoned grain or seed on any
ground or exposed place — except in the case
of sowing dressed grain or seed. Similarly it
is an oft'ence under the Poisoned Flesh Pro-
hibition Act, 1864, to lay poisoned flesh on
land, but this does not debar the occupier of a
dwelling-house or other building from laying
it in house, building, enclosed garden or in
drains for the destruction of rats, mice, and
other small vermin. We have pleasure in
giving publicity to the leaflet, for we feel sure
that all right-thinking people will assist in the
enforcement of these Acts in every way pos-
sible.

We would only add that, in addition to in-
struction in what may not be done, we look to
the Board for assistance in the devising of
measures for the extermination of vermin —
rats in particular — which cause such heavy-
losses to the farmer. We would suggest that
the Board should issue a leaflet dealing with
this subject and also with the no le.ss im-
portant suljject, from tiie point of view of the
health of the community, of the extermina-
tion of flies. These latter pests are the
(learers of the germs of various diseases, and
it would be well if tliis fact were made more
widely known.

Out? Supplementary Illustration. — In

regard to the subject of our Supplementary Illus-
tration, Mr. C. T. Druert writes us as follows :
" By permission of Mr. T. Simpson, the owner
of the plant, I send you a photograph of a magni-
ficent specimen of Platycerium alcicorne. The
plant has been in Mr. Simpson's possession for
fully 30 years. It is 18 years since it was bun;.;
up in its present position, being suspended by a
single wire from the roof and mulched oocasiun-
ally between the barren fronds with suitable
compost. It is well soaked overhead with water
about once a week. The mass is fully 5 feet
through and 4 feet high, and has developed by
virtue of the faculty possessed by Piatyceriums
of developing buds at their root-tips when these
penetrate through the mass of leafy debris
in which they grow. The broad fronds
are the barren ones, and are adpressed to the
mass, whilst the branched or staghorn ones are
fertile, bearing the sporangia or spore-pods in
thick, evenly distiibuted sheets towards the tijis
and not in defined heaps, dots, lines, or specially
formed receptacles as is the case with most
species of Fern."

Flowers in Season. — Specimens of several
hardy trees and shrubs, some in flower and others
in berry, are sent by Messrs. Robert 'Veitch &
Son, Exeter. Prunus (Amygdalus) Davidiana is
densely furnished with white blossoms, very like
those of the Plum. The type bears white
flowers, but there is a pink form ; the flowers of
the latter were still in the bud stage. A full
page illustration of Prunus Davidiana is given
in our is.sue for April 23, 1892, p. 529. Lonicera
Standishii is sometimes confounded with L.
fragrantissima, probably because it was first sent
out by the Royal Horticultural Society with that
species, both having been sent home from China
by RoBEKT Fortune. L. Standishii bears fra-
grant, creamy-white flowers in pairs just as
the leaves are unfolding at this season. Tlie
Witch Hazels were represented by Hamamelis
arborea and the paler, almost lemon-coloured H.
japonica var. Zuccariniana. Amongst several

FEBEU,UtY 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

89

Daphnes was a large, dark-flowered form of D.
Mezereum. The male form of Gari'ya elliptica
has dark grey flowers forming a catkin-like in-
florescence. Two valuable winter-blooming
Heaths are seen in Erica mediterranea hybrida
r.nd E. codonoides. The former species has pink
flowers borne in a dense tuft, whilst in the latter
they are white, growing on plume-like branches.
The white form of E. carnea was also sent.
Skimmia Fortunei and Cotoneaster angustifolia
are two pretty-berried subjects, with dark red
and orange-yellow fruits respectively.

The Surveyors- Institution. —The ne.\t
ordinary general meeting will be held at the
Institution on Monday, February 7, when the
adjourned discussion on Mr. Davidge's paper
on " Town Planning Systems," and Mr. John
Willmott's paper on " The Housing, Town
riauning, &c., Act, 1909," will be continued.
Mr. Dickson's paper on " The Poor Laws,"
previously announced to be read at this meet-
ing, has been consequently postponed. The ordi
nary general meeting on Monday, February 21,
will be held at five o'clock, when Mr. R. M. D.
S.iUNDERs will read a paper on " Land Banks
and Small Holdings."

South-Eastern Agricultural College.

— At a meeting of the Governors of the South-
Eastern Agricultural College, Wye, held at
Ca.xton House, Westminster, on January
31, the Right Hon. Lord Ashcombe (chairman',
presiding, it was unanimously resolved that the
■CI liege buildings should be considerably extended
At the present time, owing to the number of
students, the existing buildings are inadequate ;
the proposed extension, which will be ready for
the next session in October, will provide extra
rooms for in-coUege students, and will at the
same time largely increase the teaching and re-
search accommodation.

"French" Gardening Exhibition. — An

exhibition of " French " gardening will be held
at the Royal Botanic Society's Gardens at
Regent's Park in July. Active preparations are
jiow in progress for exhibiting and demonstrat-
ing every a.spect of the close and scientific culti-
-vation of the soil. Actual " French " gardens
will be shown in operation. The ways in which
■ilie soil is fertilised and impoverishment pre-
vented under this system will be a subject of
demonstration. There will be frequent lectures
on the theory and practice of intensive culture,
and. exhibits of the straw-mats and forcing
frames — " cloches " — of the market gardeners of
Paris. It is hoped that the proprietors of
" French " gardens already established in Eng-
land will contribute exhibits. Prizes will be
■offered for the best ."specimens of their produce.

Fruit Congress at Hexham. — Details of
the congress and fruit show, which we have
already announced is to take place at Hexham on
Tiiursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 20, 21,
and 22, have been received. Exhibit^ors, other than
traders, will be restricted to the four northern
■counties, the main object of the congress being
to encourage fruit-growing in Cumberland,
Westmoreland, Durham, and Northumberland.
The Royal Horticultural Society will send three
•official delegates, who will be empowered to
grant medals and certificates. A guarantee fund
Jias been formed, but up to the present it is not
decided whether prizes will be offered, although
it is hoped there w^ill be classes for (1) hardy
fruit, (2) bottled fruit, (3) fruit grown under
glass. The congress sub-committee has drawn
up a programme, which includes the following
subjects for debate :—" The Best Hardy Fruits
for the North of England," " Enemies to Fruit

Culture," " Intensive Culture, suitable to the
North of England," " Poultry and Bees," " Co-
operation and Grading," " Fruit Storage and
Bottling of Fruit." There will also be demon-
strations of spraying and of frost-fighting by
smudge fires. It is hoped that the Town Hall,
as well as the Exchange, will be available for the
purposes of the show. Further particulars can
be obtained from the secretary. Rev. J. Been.^rd
H.\LL, Dalston, Cumber-land.

Publications Received. — United States
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Ento-
mology. Bulletins: Some Insects Injurious to
Truck Crops (The Lima-Bean Pod-Borer, The
Yellow-Necked Plea-Beetle), by P. H. Chittenden ;
Catalogue of recently-described Coccidea, by J. G.
Sanders ; Insect Depredations in North American
Forests, by A. D. Hopkins ; Report of the Ento-
mologist for 1909, by L. 0. Howard. — Bureau of
Plant Industry. Seeds and Plants Imported
(during the j^eriod from January 1 to March 31,
1909) ; Seeds and Plants Imported (during the
period from April 1 to June 30, 1909) ; Application
of some of the Principles of Heredity to Plant
Breeding, by W. J. Spillman ; The Limitation of
the Satsuma Orange to Trifoliate-Orange Stock, by
Walter T. Swingle. (Washington : Government
Printing Office.) — Central Experimental Farm,
Ottawa. Strawberry Culture, by W. T. JIacoun.
(Ottawa : Fisher.) — Stapelieen und Kleinien
(Stapelia and Kleinia), by AUviu Berger. (Stutt-
gart; Eugen Ulmer.) Price 6s, 6d. — Casselis
Dictionary of Gardening, by Walter P. Wright.
(London : Cassell & Co., Ltd) Vt. I. Price Yd. net.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Pruning of Young Vines (see pp.
51, 52). — It is quite an easy matt-er for an
expert Grape grower to strike his vines in Janu-
ary, and to take five or six good-sized bunches
of Grapes from them the following year without
in any way injuring the permanent fruiting
capacity of the plants. Mr. Molyneux says that
the " error most commonly committed in pruning
vines con.-iists in allowing too great a length of
leader during the first four years," adding, " I
have many times seen as much as 5 feet of leader
left the second year of pruning." Jlr. Molyneux's
pruning commences in cutting back a pot vine to
two eyes before planting, and pruning the first
year's growth of a 14-feet cane to within 2 feet of
the ground-hne, after the vines have shed their
foliage. The progress thus made towards fur-
nishing a house with fruiting vines with two-
^ ear-old plants is to reach only a few inches
above the first wire of the trellis at the beginning
of the third year from the time the vines were
rooted. In January, 1883 (while presiding over
I,ongford Castle Gardens), I struck a number
of vines in some 12 or 14 varieties, and in
the following April and May planted the best
plants to fill a range of new vineries. The vines
,\ ere set 4 feet apart in borders about 3^ feet
wide. A vine underneath each rafter was for
permanent culture, and, between these, super-
numeraries were planted at 2 feet apart for yield-
ing a crop of Grapes the following year. When
the young vines had extended their growth about
2 feet up the rafters (that was about 4 feet from
the border), the points of each vine were pinched
out, and a few days later the lateral growth start-
ing from the top joint of the individual vines was
removed. This caused the bud at the base of
the leaf of the shoot pinched, which, in the
ordinary way, would remain dormant until the
following year, to push into growth after a lapse
of 10 or 12 days, the buds below, as well as the
main .stem, swelling and plumping up well dur-
ing the interval. The operation was repeated
after the leading shoot had made a fresh growth
of 2 feet, and so on until the middle or end of
September, by which time the main growth had
reached the top of the rafters. The shoots
were stopped at the fir.-.t and second joints
and kept pinched hard back at the latter

point from the beginning. The supernumerary
vines were treated in the same manner until
they had made a growth of 7 or 8 feet from the
first wire, at which point the lateral shoot was
allowed to grow a few inches, and was then
stopped ; the sub-laterals proceeding therefrom
were kept persistently stopped, the object
being to concentrate the strength of the vines in
the development of strong rods and large, well-
matured buds for fruiting in the following year —
the first year after being struck from eyes ! The
later growths allowed to push from the top of
each vine were left in order to prevent the ter-
minal buds, as well as those at the bases of the
leaves on either side of the individual rods, from
pushing into growth before the following year.
The growths proceeding from the vines between
the ground-line and the trellis I pinched, after
allowing them to make two or three joints, and,
at pruning time, they were pruned back to one
eye. Vines thus treated are always a trifle
thicker below the first wire than above it. Where
the laterals are rubbed off the vines, as is usually
done below the trellis, the main stems are, at
that point, much less in circumference in conse-
quence thereof. The permanent vines that were
strong and well ripened were pruned to within
6 or 7 feet from the bottom of the rafter after
they had shed th^ir leases, weak rods bei.ig
cut to within 5 or 4 ieel of that point, and the
side .shoots to within 1 inch of the main stem, the
supernumeraries being treated in a like manner. I
should have remarked that, during the first
year's growth, when laterals began to shov. the
strongest on either side were selected at about
15 inches from one another on each side right
and left of the main stem, the young developing
shoots retained on one side of the rod being
]ilaced anglewise to those on the other. This
.ifforded more room for the development of
growth than would be the case were the shoots
left opposite to each other. The first year after
planting the supernumerary canes were allowed
to ripen from four to five bunches each. The
varieties included Black Hamburgh, Muscat of
Alexandria, Madresfield Court, Gros Colman,
and Mrs. Pearson. The following year (the
second year after planting) I allowed the
permanent vines to ripen a few bunches each.
Three bunches of Buckland Sweetwater weighed
12| lbs., and the.se won 1st prizes at Salisbury,
Exeter, and the Crystal Palace, and, in addition,
were awarded a medal by the Fruit Committee
of the Royal Horticultural Society, within eight
or len days from the time they were cut. Gros
Ouillanine yielded three bunches, which together
turned the scale at 30 lbs. Grce Colman produced
three bunches, which weighed 13^ lbs. The
supernumerary vines yielded such satisfactory
crops the .second year that I decided not to up-
root them, as I had intended doing when I
planted them ; but I re-arranged the vines so as
to allow a space of 3 feet between them instead
of 4 feet, as originally decided upon, cutting out
a supernumerary and permanent vine here and
there to admit of this arrangement being carried
out. The vines continued to yield most" satisfac-
tory crops of Grapes every yea'r up to the autumn
of 1895, and probably they do so still. I do not
need to say anything more about the treatment
bestowed upon the vines, inasmuch as it was
about the same as that practised by all good
Grape growers. I mention the above facts in
order to show amateurs and young Grape growers
that it is not by any means necessary to wait
three or four years to obtain a fair crop of
Grapes. //. W. Ward.

There is sure to be some difference of

opinion in regard to this subject. It is diflicult
to lay down any hard-and-fast rule as to the
length of young wood it is best to leave on the
leading growths of young vines. This must
depend, to a great extent, on the strength
of the plants. To leave 6 feet of growth
on vines which were wanting in strength
would tend to make them still weaker.
On the contrary, I fail to see what harm
would result from leaving 6 feet of growth on
vines which were full of vigour, provided the
plants were not unduly hastened into gTOwth by
artificial means. The chief point to study at
pruning time is the need to get a balance of
growth with the root-power. To tax young vines
in excess of their rooting capacity would be to
court failure. I have seen numerous cases where
plants have been ruined in this manner, and it is
rarely they recover from a bad start. I would
like to emphasise one remark in Mr. Jlolyneux's

90

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Febru.iry 5, 1910.

note in respect to planting vines too closely
together. The only advantage to be gained by
this system is that of covering the trellis in the
least possible time ; but this advantage is only
temporary. It is known that vines planted far
enough apart to admit of two or more rods
being trained from one plant, generally last for
a much longer period in a free-bearing condition
than vines trained on the single-rod system. E.
HarrisSj Frogmore.

In respect to Mr. Taylor's note (see

p. 69), is it fair to compare the growth of vines
in pots with those planted out in borders for the
purpose of forming permanent vines? In the one
case the roots are severely restricted, and are
highly fed to produce canes that will fruit freely
the following year, then be thrown aside. Were
permanent vines treated in a similar manner,
what lamentable failures they would be after a
year or two ! Is it better to allow young vines
moderate root room and top growth, that they
may secure a good start for many years of
fruiting, or is it better to leave on them after
their first year's pruning so much wood that,
if every lateral fruited, the vines would
be crippled, provided every eye or bud pushed
into growth ? In many cases when long
growths are left on young vines, after pruning,
the back buds refuse to break, and thus leave
bare lengths on the main rods, such as
never present themselves when more severe
l^runing is practised. Many young permanent
vines have been ruined in this way, because the
growers have been too anxious to secure heavy
crops the second year after planting. Mr. Taylor
will doubtless reply that such barren lengths of
rod would not result were the young leaders
pinched after making a certain growth. If
pinching be good practice, however, why is it
not generally adopted, for, in the majority of
cases, leading growths are allowed to extend to
any length without being stopped. Mr. A. F.
Barron, in his book on the vine, remarks, with
respect to young vines : " Once fairly started,
they are all the better for the first summer if
allowed to grow, and ramble pretty freely with
as little checking and stopping as possible. The
more leaves and shoots developed, the more roots
produced, and the stronger the foundations laid
for the future." There is nothing here about
pinching the leaders Also, with reference to
leaving a long rod on the vine after pruning, that
is the " road to ruin." But so much depends on
the merits of stopping young vine leaders, as
ndvoc.ited by Air. Taylor- A. D.

Peeling Loose Bark from Vines.— It i.s

a pleasure to .see Mr. Goodacre recomraendin-;
(see p. 71) the non-removal of loose bark, and tho
plastering of the rods with clay, cow manure,
and sulphur. I have seen vines so peeled and
.scraped that they had the appearance of walk-
ing-sticks ! It is strange that such a practice
should be common. F. B.

The Value of Lifting Peach Trees. — A

successful fruit-grower recently informed me that
he lifted the roots of his Peach trees every year.
I have frequently lifted Peach trees, but only
when I could procure suitable soil to add to the
roots. It is surprising what good can be done
in this way, as well as occasionally lay-
ing bare the surface roots, and cover-
ing them with turfy loam. Twenty-nine
years ago, in consequence of the demolition of
the glasshouses in which they were growing, I
moved 10 Peach trees in the last week in July
that were said to be more than 30 years old.
Having a bare space on a south wall, I covered
the surface of the ground with a layer 4 inches
deep of the materials from a spent hot-bed,
which consisted mostly of leaves. On this I laid
the roots, and covered them with similar
material which had been passed through an
inch sieve. After watering the roots, they were
covered 4 inches deep with similar materials
in a rough condition. 'When the main branches
had been secured to the wall, I placed
lights from the old houses in front of the wall,
leaving spaces between them, here and there,
for watering and syringing the trees, which was
done often to prevent the leaves flagging. The
weather being hot at the time, the lights were
covered with mats during bright sunshine. By
the last week in December the new houses were
ready for the planting of the trees. After the
lights were moved and the branches released,
the trees were pulled up, and, to my delight, the

old roots were furnished with numerous white
roots, to which some of the particles of leaf-
mould clung. When the roots were laid out in
the new border, they were covered with the
sifted material as before, and watered with
tepid water. The soil was placed lightly over
them to avoid injuring the tender roots, but the
other portion of the border was made moderately
firm. TJie trees flowered well the next season,
and set such an abundance of fruits, the crop
had to be thinned. I got more fruit from those
trees the first year after replanting than I could
have obtained from young trees in half-a-dozen
years. All the trees bore good crops afterwards
for 20 years, but most of them are now dead.
W. E. S.

Cottage Garden at Hitchin. — Having been
for nearly 10 years a reader of the Gardeners'
Chronicle, I have often been struck by the beau-
tiful reproductions of gardens shown from time
to time in your journal. As these, however, are
usually taken from large gardens, I thought it
might interest some readers to see how a small
garden could be made beautiful. The enclosed
photograph (fig. 48) of my garden represents
a small plot, 75 feet in length by 20 feet in

Chrysanthemum Sports — Howto Induce

Them. — Under this heading the following ab-
stract of an article by G. T. Grignan in Revue
Horlkole, May 1. 1909. p. 196. is cited in the
recently-issued Journal of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society. (See p. 297.)

" It is suggested that variation is induced by excessive
propagating; cuttings are talien repeatedly as soon as they
are long enough, and it is the latter cuttings which are
assumed to be less robust and to lose to some extent their
equilibrium, the result being, especially if the major part of
the plant be removed, a greater tendency to produce sports.
Under such conditions the writer cites the production of
Madame Constant Walker ; while Mrs. Henry Robinson
gives each year yellow sports. Souvenir de Madame
Maucere also produced a yellow sport the tirst year it was
put on the market. Cultivators on a large scale have thus a
greater chance proportionately than small ones."

That this opens a very interesting question
there can be no doubt, though the only part
that I fully agree with is the last phrase of the
quota,tion. The gist of the whole matter is the
statement that excessive and continuous propa-
gation is an important factor in the production
of sports, but this. I imagine, most Chrysanthe-
mum specialists would regard as " not proven."
Were it otherwise, the most popular sorts
should have this sporting tendency most highly
developed, but, as far as I know, there is no

Fig. 48. — VIEW in a Hertfordshire cottage garden.

width, such as is usually attached to a
cottage. The fences on both sides are practically
hidden during summer by herbaceous subjects,
which are such useful plants for making a small
garden look beautiful. Rambler Roses form a
shady arbour in the centre, and the winding
gravel path leading to the top of the garden
gives an impression of a much larger area than
the garden really contains. U. Stensson, S3,
Lancaster Road, Uitchin.

National Dahlia Society.— The National
Dahlia Society has arranged to hold a " Confer-
ence on Dahlias," at Carr's Restaurant, 264.
Strand, on Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m. The
following papers will be read, and discussion in-
vited. " Dahlias for Garden Decoration," by
Mr. George Gordon, V.M.H. ; " Growing
Dahlias for Exhibition," by Mr. J. Stredwick ;
"Methods of Exhibiting Dahlias," by Mr. J. B.
Riding. All members and their friends are in-
vited to attend. In future all subscriptions
should be made payable to " Treasurer N. D. S.,"
and forwarded to me at the address given, which
is the only official address of the society. E. F.
Hawes, Hon. Sec, Royal Botanic 'Gardens,
Regent's Park, AMK.

evidence of this, and many varieties grown Vy
their thousands each year have never yet given
a sport. If intensive, excessive or continuous
propagation encourages or induces sporting, thru
the majority of good novelties should yield
sports in the early years of their cultivation,
when, as a rule, they are propagated most
severely, not merely by cuttings taken as soon
as they are long enough, but very often, ae.
" single eyes " and, sub.sequently, either as
"eyes" or cuttings. Just what degree of pro-
pagation is likely to happen depends upon the
supply and demand, though aU the most
popular of market sorts are propagated enor-
mously each year. Take Elaine, for example,
a variety that during its half century, or there-
abouts, of cultivation must have been propa-
gated by the million, but it has not, so far as I
remember, given a definite sport, though it has
attempted to do so more than once. The rich
yellow late variety W. H. Lincoln I propagated
by thousands in the early years of its history,
fir.st from " eyes " and later from every avail-
able cutting, but I never s,aw a .sport from
this variety. On the contrary, the " yellow "
Triomphante was so uncertain by reason of its
sportiveness that I gave up growing it a dozen

Fbbbuary 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

91

years or more a^jo. while the propagation in its
case was probably 200 per cent, less than with
W. H. Lincoln. Mrs. Henry Robinson cited in
the abstract note as giving " yellow sports each
year " is on all fonrs with the above, while this
changeable or unfi.xed condition noted in certain
types or varieties of Chrysanthemums has its
parallel in the Carnation, Sweet Pea, and
Primula sinensis, but to none of these could
the term " excessive propagation " be reasonably-
applied. The sportive or unfixed condition ap-
pears in certain types of the Chrysanthemum to
be innate, and not infrequently the break occurs
in diverse places spontaneously ; it may be a
year or two after introduction, or, as in the
case of the old incurved Duchess of Teck, after
25 years of cultivation, and when its propaga-
tion was declining in all directions. A pecu-
liarly interesting point relative to the sporting
of the last-named variety was the fact that the
change affected a very large proportion of the
stock, and not, as is usual, an individual plant
ar a branch. In this district alone the sporting
occurred in several places, the sports being iden-
tical. The .Marie JMasse section of the early
Chrysantliemums is notorious for its continued
sporting, and each year, from the so-called
" Crimson Masse," there appear shades of pink,
gold and crimson in mixture, and deep claret
shades, but the latter, while repeated from year
to ,year, are not reproduced in the selected plants
or in their progeny, the flower-heads usually
being of mixed colour and of a degenerate type.
Mine. C. Desgranges and Caprice du Prin-
temps are otheis that show considerable sportive
tendencies, and while the former variety has
apparently become stable, the lattei-. after many
years of ordinary cultivation, continues to fur-
nish occasional surprises. Caprice dn Prin-
temps, however, gave no sport in its early days,
while the former had been known to me at least
15 years before the first of its yellow sports G.
Wermig was known. The yellow Masse sport
liorace JIartin was propagated in enormous
quantities in the first year or two — as many as
60,000 plants being worked up in one instance —
but I never heard of its giving a break as the
result of raising this huge stock. It is with these
facts in mind that one cannot accept the theory
that excessive or continuous propagation is the
domin nit influence in inducing sporting in these
plant.j. E. II . Jrid-iii'.

Gesneras as Winter-flowering Plants.

— We have for many years had Gesneras in
flower from the middle of December until well
into the New Year. At the time of writing
(January 29) we have a number of good plants
with long spikes of flowers in an intermediate
house, intermixed witli Begonias of the Gloire
de Lnraine type, where they form a very showy
group. As a pot plant for indoor decoration, the
Gesnera forms a pleasing change from other win-
ter-flowering subjects. Nevertheless, some varie-
ties have a tendency to shed their flowers almost
as soon as they expand during dull weather. I
have, therefore, dii^carded several. I now grow
only two varieties, a cream-coloured seedling,
with spikes fully 18 inches long, and G. cinna-
barina, or, as it is sometimes called, Niegelia
cinnabarina.. The flowers of both these open as
freely in December as in the sunmier months,
and the individual blooms are retained almost
till the full length of the spike is in flower.
When the plants have finished flowering, they
are placed in a light position under the stage.
They are watered until the foliage shows
signs of withering, after which moisture is
gradually withheld until the stems have died
down, when the plants are turned out of their
pots and stored in sand. In this condition they
remain in a dry, warm shed till the second week
in July, when they are repotted, three being
placed in a 5-iiich pot, or one or two in a 4^-incli
or 5-iiich pot. The compost consists of two
parts loam, one part peat, with a little dry cow
dung, leaf-soil, and sand. If the soil is moist,
no water is needed until signs of growth are
apparent, beyond syringing overhead twice each
day. At first they are placed in a vinery, but
when growth is about an inch or so in length,
they are transferred to a pit, where they re-
ceive more light. When the pots become 'filled
with roots, weak liquid manure is afforded the
plants, F. Plii psfoiip. Dinghy Gardfnx,

Marl-i't Harborourjh.

THE WEST INDIES.

Hypericum japonicum. — This species of St.
John's Wort succeeds well in the open at Govern-
ment House Grounds, Trinidad, where it has
been made use of for more than 20 years as a
flower-garden subject. It is of suitable size for
such purposes and flowers freely. It de-
velops into a woody plant 2 to 3 feet high, with
plenty of side branches. The flowers are a rich
yellow and the leaves are small.

Three Trinidad Terrestrial Orchids. —
Among several Orchids that grow in the Natural
Savannas, the following are prominent species : —
1, Cyrtopodium cristalum, Griseb. ; 2, Cyrtopo-
diuni cristatum, Lindl. ; 3, Epistephium parvi-
floruni, Lindl. Taking them as they stand, Cyr-
topodium cristatum, CJriseb., grows more under
the shade afforded by small trees on the borders ;
C. cristatum, Lindl., and the Epistephium delight
in exposure to full sunshine. The flowers in
each case are borne on stems some 2 feet or
more in height. The first species has white,
the second brownish-yellow, and the third
rose-coloured blossoms. Epistephium appears
to expand it« flowers at night and upon
sunless days, whilst the other two open through-
out the day, and, presumably, at night also.
When I visited the Aripo Savanna last April, the
two Cyrtopodinms were in full flower, and a few
Epistej)hiunis were collected in bud and fruit at
the same time. The ground was dry and hard
at that time. Later (.4ugust), I went again to
the same place, but only the Epistephium was
in blossom, the others apparently coming into
flower during the drier months of the year. In
August these Savannas are partly under water.
Another Cyrtopodium (C. Andersonii, R, Br.)
grows in the islands that lie off the north-
western portion of Trinidad, where it may he
seen flowering among rocks near the sea during
the month of May.

ONCiniUM IRIDIFOLIUM.— This free flowering,
pretty little plant I found growing in quantity
upon an Akee tree (Blighia safiida). The bright
yellow flowers are large comjiared to the size of
the plant, and are freely produced. It may be
mentioned that, although a native of the island,
it has become established upon a foreign tree
which had been planted on the cocoa estate where
I found the Oncidium. If. K Jhoadway,
Tobago, W . Indies.

SOCIEXIJBS.

NEW INVENTION.

TUBE KOR BUTTON-HOLE FLOWERS.

The little glass or metal tubes that are some-
times used to keep nosegays fresh have
usually no means of holding the flowers tightly,
and they are liable to drop out, or the
water to spill. To overcome these disadvantages,
Mr. A. T. Booth. Lynton, Westbury Road,
Woodside Park, London, has designed a flower-
holder with an inner tube that grips the flower.s
.'iecurely. The holder is oval, and tapered at the
bottom, so that it can be easily slipped into the
buttonhole. Having two tubes, the inner on.^
which grips the flowers can be removed and
fresh water added without disarranging them. A
pliable clip secures the holder to the coat. Mr.
Booth calls it tlie " Perfect " buttonhole flower
holder.

LAW NOTE.

COMPENSATION FOR DEATH FROM
LOCKJAW.

In the Bradford County Court, Ada Mortimer,
of Cross Roads, Drighlington, recently sued
under the Workmen's Compensation Act for the
loss of her husband. Henry Lord Mortimer. The
respondent was Mrs. Henrietta F. ^L Greaves, of
Bradenham House, High Wycombe, executrix of
the lat-6 Sir Tristram Tempest, Bart, of Tong
Hall. Henry Lord ^Mortimer was a gardener in
the employment of Sir Tristram Tempest, and
died in December. 1908. from lockjaw, due. ac-
cording to the applicant's case, to tetanus germs
entering his syst-em while he was following his
occupation as a gardener.

A friendly arrangement was come to whereby
the applicant received the sum of £60.

The judge allocated £20 to the widow, and the
remaining sum. at the rate of 10s. a week, for
the support of her two children.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

The following extracts are taken from the
report of the Council, to be presented at the 106th
annual general meeting of the Society, t/O be held
at the Royal Horticultural Hall, at 3 p.m., on
Tuesday next, February 8 : —

The One Hundred and Sixth Year.

The past 'ear, though climatically unfavourable for
horticuUure, has, nevertheless, been a satisfactory one of
progress in almost every branch of the Society's work.

WiSLEY Gardens.

The very heavy rainfall and continual damp, coupled
with lack of sunshine, has hnd the same effect on the
Society's gardens as on most other gardens in the
south-east of England. The unfortuiate effects have
been felt especially in the trials, for which normal
conditions are so particularly desirable for obtainini;
reliable results and records. Steady work has, however,
been maintained, and many improvements effected. A
new fruit wall, some loo feet long, has been added,
enabling the students to obtain instruction in the
training of fiuit trees on walls. A complete and
commodious potting and working shed has also been
built. The public path crossing the lower meadow has
bctn fenced, in order to protect the newiy-planted trees
and shrubs from damage.

A large and valuable gift of Orchids received from'
J. B. Field, Esq., together with others from the Hon.
Mrs, Henry Gladstone, Colonel Rippon, Mrs. Davies
Evans, and our Treasurer, have emphasised the neces-
sity for a new Orchid house, which it is hoped may be
built during the cming year.

The value of the research and experimental work
carried on in our laboratory at Wisley can hardly hz
over estimat^id. Ihe School of Horticulture is also
making most satisfactory progress. Thi results of the
iQcg examinations hav^ been highly encouraging,
diplomas having been gained by eight out of the nine
students who left at the end of the summer — as follows:
Diploma examination (in order of merit;:- —

A. W. Simmonds (diploma and demonstratorship
of ^40 for one year); W. G Kent (diploma and
prize) ; J. Ridley (diploma and prize) ; H, W.
Abbiss (diploma and pnzel ; G. A. S. Brooks
(diploma); S. B. Gorringe (diploma); H, L. Robson
(diploma); N. A. Phillips (diploma).

Nicholson prize for observation : —
A. W. Simmonds.

General examination : —

J. W. McCaig (scholarship, £2$ a year for two
years, Silver-gilt Medal, certificate and prize); W.
Miles (certificate and prize) ; W G. Kent (certificate
and prize) ; H. L. Robson (certificate and prize) ;
A. W. Simmonds (certificate and prize). Certificates
were also awarded to twelve other students.

These awards were distributed on October 6 by
Harry James Veitch, Esq., V.M.H., who was accom-
panied by other members of the Council, together wit-Ii
the Right Hon. Arthur C. Dykc-Acland, Ex-Minister ui
Education, who gave a short address. Mr. James
Hudson, V.M.H-, also gave advice arising from a
life-long experience as a practical and scientific gar-
dener.

It was not a little gratifying to find a Wisley student,
Mr. McCaig. placed first in th; general examination, of
291 candidates from all parts of the Empire, thereby
becoming entitled to the two years' scholarship of £2^
a y*ar offered by the Society and the Worshipful Com-
pany of Gardeners alternately. For the second year in
succession this distinction has been won by a student of
the Society.

The prize of £$ given by Mr. Hudson, V.M.H., as a
memento of his having passed the Society's examina-
tion in horticulture just 40 years ago, deserves a verv
pleasant acknowledgment. The amount was devoted to
prizes awarded to those students who have successfully
passed the Society's general examination.

In 1910 diplomas are again offered by the Council for
the students, the following prizes being also available
for award, viz. : — Mr, Arthur Sutton's prize of £-^ los.,
to be divided amongst the students at the discretion cf
the Council ; and the Nicholson prize of £2 25. a year,
given to the student who shows the gieatest power rf
practical observation on the fauna and flora of th=
garden and district. A prize of £$ has also been
offered by Mrs. G. F. Wilson for the student producing
the best collection of dried plants and insects, for which
the Council sincerely thank her.

Innes' Charity.

An order has been made by the Charity Commission
respecting the charities of John Innes, in the parish of
Merton, Surrey. The charity provides for the founda-
tion of a horticultural irstitution at Merton for the
promotion of horticultural instruction, experiment, and
research. The order institutes a council of 12 repre-
sentative members, nomiialed partly by other kindred
institutions. The Council of the Royal Horticultural
Scciety obtained the permission of Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.M.G., V.M.H.. to nominate him as their repre-
sentative, and are glad to find that he has at once
been appointed Vire-Chaiiman of the Council of the new
institution. Professor Bateson, F RS., V-M.H., hws
been elected Diieclor.

PORTR.MTS.

(i) Baron Schroder.— It is a matter of great satisfac-
tion to the Council to have at last secured a full-length
portrait of Baron Schroder, to whom the Society has
been, and still is, so greatly indebted, and who in our
centennial report was justly named " The Father of

92

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 5, 1910.

the Hall," for the existence of our present magnificent
building is due to Jiaron Schroder more than to any
other single individual. A splendid portrait of this
benefactor Rafter Herkomer) now hangs in the Council
chamber.

(2) Sir Thomas Hanbury. K.C.V.O., V.M.H.— Another
long-wished-for portrait is also shortly to be hung,
viz., that of the late Sir Tht mas Hanbury, K.C.V.O.,
V.M.H., the donor of the Wisley Garden. The original
aitist of a portrait of which Sir Thomas thought very
highly, and which now hangs in hij famous residence at
La Mortola, in Italy, is making a copy, which, on
completion, will occupy a place in the Council chamber
in company with the portraits o£ Baron Schroder and
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., our President.

(3) Information has also been received that a portrait
of Mr. Harry Veitch, V.M.H., by Hugh Riviere, sub-
scribed for by his fiicnds, is about to be piescnted to
the Society.

Perpetual memorials will thus be brought within the
Council room of some of the most notable of those who
have played a foremost part in bringing the Society to
its present prosperity and usefulness — men whose
memories will always be revered by those who follow
after.

Darwin Centenary.

The centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and
the jubilee of the issue of hij work, " The Origin rf
Species," was celebrated last June at his old Uni-
versity of Cambridge, and it was most fitting that the
Society's botanist. Professor Geo. Henslow, MA-,
V.M.H., whose father was a friend and confidant of
this great scientist, should have been selected to repie-
sent the Society at the celebration ceremonies. He was
the bearer of an address from the Council, the terms
of which will be found in the Journal of the Society
(vol. XXXV., pt. 2, p. 227).

Jubilee of the Fruit and Floral Committees.

The Council congratulate the Fruit and Floral Com-
mittees on the celebration of their jubilee, an occasion
which it was thought fitting to mark by a dinaer given
to the members at the Hotel Windsor, Victoria Street,
on July 6. It is a matt-rr of no little pleasure to note
the long uninterrupted service cf many of the members
of both committees, and the Council, on behalf of the
Fellows, again extend to them their warmest thanks for
the service they render to the Society, and the invalu-
able assistance so freely and generously given through
so long a series of years. The Council were glad to
hear that the Fruit Committee had taken advantage of
the occasion to present their chairman with his por-
trait.

f Entertainment of Germans.

It was with much ple^isure that the President and
Council entertained at luncheon at the Holland House
Show, a party of 90 members of the German Society
for Garden Art, who were then in London visiting
English gardens. The visitors were under the guidance
of Herr Fritz Enke, with Herr Bciz, the secretary, and
Herr Spath (the son of the renowned German arbori-
culturist), as interpreter. Our guests expressed them-
selves more than pleased with the magnificence of the
show and the high excellence of gardening generally in
England, and it is hoped they all carried home a
pleasuiable remembrance of their entertainment at the
hands of 'heir British fellow gardeners

The Lawrence Medal.

It will be remembered that three years ago a sub-
scription fund was formed to secure a portrait of our
Piesident, and for the founding of a medal in his
honour. The choice of an artist for executing the
medal led to some delay, but eventually the work was
entrusted to Mr. Bertram Mackennal, A.R.A., who has
worked out an excellent design. The first medal struck
was rightly given to our President, whose name it
bears. The r9cig medal has b-:tn awarded to Lieut. -Col.
G. L. Holford, C.I.E., C.V.O., in recognition of the
beautiful exhibits of Orchids which he has made during
the past year.

Deputations.

It was with much pleasure that the Council sent
deputations to the following shows in response to invi-
tations received, viz. : — Berlin International, Birming-
ham, Gloucester, and Cardiff, in each case being most
hospitably and agreeably entertained by the organising
bodies.

The Council have accepted an invitation from the
General Bulb Growers' Society at Haarlem, to attend
their Jubilee Show next spring, and have promised to
send a deputation to visit a Hardy Fruit Show to be
held at Hexham in the late autumn.

Royal Agricultural Society.

The Council ar^ arranging to co-operate with the
Royal Agricultural Society in the promotion of a great
horticultural show at Liverpool in Jun-i next, in con-
nection with the R A.S. Annual Show. Fellows arc
requested to give all assistance in their power.

Library.

During the year an opportunity occurred of acquiring
a valuable collection of rare old horticultural and
botanical books which had been got together by one of
the Fellows of the Society — an opportunity which the
Council were only too glad to embrace.

Negotiations are pending with the trustees with the
object of uniting the Lindley Library more indis^olubly
with the Society — legal difficulties stand in the way, but
there is every hope that ihe year 1910 will see them
overcome, and the union between the Lindley Library
and the Society placed on a thoroughly satisfactory
basis.

Spring Bulb Show.

The Spring Bulb Show on March 9 proved one of
the most popular events of the Society's year. The

attendance was so large that the Council consider it
advisable, in repeating the show in 1910, to make it of
two days' duration, the dates fixed being March Z
and 9.

Temple and Holland House Shows.

The 22nd Temple Show was a great success, though
the continuous rain deprived visitors of much of it-:
usual pleasure. The Benchers — for reasons fully re-
cognised— were compelled to make many restrictions
upon the Society during the days of its occupation of
the Gardens, but it is understood that they were amply
satisfied with the manifest desire of the Society to
conduct the show with as little disturbance to the
quietude of the Garden as possible.

The Holland Hou^e Shew, in spite of unfavourable
weather, has not been surpaised by any previously held
by the Society.

The Council extend their hearty thanks to the Trea-
surer and Benchers of the Inner Temple; and to
Mary Countess of Ilchester, for granting the Society
privileges, which, we are glad to say, have again been
extended for the year 1910.

Affiliated Societies Challenge Cup.

This cup, competed for by exhibits of Apples and
Pears from rur affiliated societies, and collected from

amongst their members, created very great interest and
was won by the Royal Jersey Society, 13 separate collec-
tions having been staged.

The cup can be won by the same society only once in
four years, but the winning society in any year is not
precluded from competing foi any other prizes that
may be offered in this competition. Th..- date fixed for
1910 is October 13 tnd 14.

Colonial Fruit Show.

A highly successful show of Colonial-grown fruit was
opened on December i, and gave much satisfaction.
The success of the show this year was, to no sma'l
extent, due to the warm interest which Her Royal
Highness the Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, took
in the exhibition, and by herself attending to declare
it " open." The Princess was accompanied by the
Duke of Argyll, K.T., G.C.M.G.. G.CV.O., who spoke
appreciatively of the exhibits at the opening ceremony.
The large attendance of visitors on each day indicated
the growing interest of Fellows in this effort of the
Society.

TheTrade Commissioner for the Dominion of Canada
in a recent lecture before the Royal Colonial Institute,
speaking of one of the Society's pievious Colonial
shows, said: "At the show held by that most liberal

ANNUAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDING
Dr. DECEMBER 31. 1909. Cr.

1,811
i,o63

12
■S

6
S

427
69
100

■3
3
14

0
0
4

546
121

4

10

0

I

2
262

12
10

3
0

39

15

0

206

■5

0

To ESTABLISHMENT EXPENSES—

£ s. d.

Ground Rent G90 o o

Rates and Taxes 500 :8 7

Water Rale 85 10 o

Electric Light 271 3 5

Gas 39 9 6

Insurances 5° 7 o

Salaries and Wages

Printing and Stationery

Postages

Fuel

Professional Fees

Repairs and Renewals (in-
cluding ;6'iSo for Hall
Painting)

Miscellaneous Expenses

Horticultural Unions

Portrait (Baron Schroder) ...

New Sounding Board

Bronze Lamps and New
Electric Fittings

JOURNAL, PRINTING &

POSTAGE

WISLEY SCHOLARSHIP
GIVEN BY THE SOCIETY
PAINTING ORCHID PIC-
TURES

, LINDLEY LIBRARY

, SHOWS rnd MEETINGS—

Temple Show

Holland Park Show

Colonial Show

Labour, Floral Meetings and

Conferences ...

Expenses, Floral Meetings

and Conferences

DeputatioT Expenses (Pro-
vincial Shows)

, PRIZES and MEDALS—
Awarded at Society's Shows
,, by Deputation at

other Shows
Special Fruit and Vegetable
Prizes

, WISLEY GARDENS—
Rates. Taxes and Insurances
Superintendent's Salary

Labour ... ...

Garden Implements

Loam and Manure

Repairs

Fuel

Miscellaneous Expenses

, COST of GROWING. PACK-
ING and DISTRIBUTION
of PLANTS to FELLOWS

, LABORATORY, WISLEY—

Salaries

Surrey County Council
Scholars

Miscellaneous Expenses

Replacement Account

Prize Fund —
Expenditure ... i,"io 10 6
Less Receipts ... 10 o o

1,637 S 6

45

■5

0

2'S

7

9

889 17
709 17

54 6

3
10
11

167 10

2

>57 I

7

67 16

8

2.046

10

10

74

3

8

243

IS

0

958

II

10

55

14

9

113

8

II

59

7

II

=33

0

0

197

5

11

785 ti 9

253 ^2 J

21 II

72 16

6 5

CONTRIBUTION to MAS-
TERS' MEMORIAL FUND

, DEPRECIATION—

Hall Glass Roof, Furniture,
Glass Houses, Wisky, Plant
and Materials

425
16

BALANCE, carried

BALANCE SHEET

to

7,649 4 4
;C23,")7 13 3

By ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

,, ENTRANCE FEES

„ DIVIDENDS AND IN-
TEREST

£ s. d. £

15.245

343
I.4I3

s, d.
10 6

SHOWS AND MEETINGS—

Temple Show ,.. 1,224 o 6

Holland Park Show 694 7 9

Colonial Show 44 6 o

Takings at Hall Shows ... 26-7 4 o

,, JOURNALS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS—

Advertisements 729 19 3

Sale of Publications 439 11 i

1,169 i<

,, HALL LETTINGS 2,304 12 10

Less Labour E,\penses ... 255 6 4

■ 2,049 I

,, PRIZES and MEDALS ... 200 i!

„ EXAMINATIONS in HORTICULTURE-
Amount received in Fees ... 154 2 6
Less expended 95 i o

WISLEY GARDENS—

Produce sold

Students' Fees

Inspection of Gardens

EDUCATIONAL GRANT,
WISLEY SCHOOLS

LIFE COMPOSITIONS—
Being amount paid by Fel-

38 9

I

115 10

0

248 11

6

402 10

7

73 IS

0

low now deceased

/

/

/

/

/

£'i.'")l 13 3

Februari Oj iyiu.j

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

93

and beneficent of organisations, the Royal Horticul-
tural Society, Nova Scotia was represented and shortly
afterwards consignments were sent to London."

The following extract from a letter recently received
from S-^uth Africa also testifies to the good work done
by the R.H.S. Colonial Shows : "I tiace to your in-
stitution of Colonial Shows the beginning of our export
trade in Citrus fruits, which in time will, 1 think,
become of the utmost importance to South Africa."

Pkksents.

The Council acknowledge and tender their thanks
for several gifts which have reached them during the
3'ear. Among these may be mentioned a marble bust of
Sir Joseph Paxton, presented by Lord Brassey ; a valu-
able microscope for Wisley, from Mr. C. G. A. Nix ;
some of Mr. Luther Burba nk's recent introductions,
from Mrs. Rotch ; a large collection of Orchids, from
Mr. J. A. Field ; and a valuable consignmejit of Vanda
coerulea, from Colonel Rippon. Gifts of Tantern slides
are also acknowledged from the Rev. J. B. Hall and
Mr. Arnctt. of Corbridge ; Mr. E. Beckett, V.M.H. ;
Mr. Jas. Hudson, V.MH. ; Mr. J. Alexander ; and
Mr. W. Wells.

Prizes.

Offers of prizes to be aw.irded by the Council have
been received and accepted from the General Bulb
Growers' Society at Haarlem for forced bulbs ; from
Mr. Robert Sydenham fcr bulbs grown in fibre ; and
from Mr. Robert Ker for Amaryllis; the Council hav-
ing fixed the dates Mar<h 8 and 9— the Society's Spring
Bulb Sho*^for tlKir nward. Other special prizes and
cups will be fjund mentioned in Notices to Fellows.

Masters Lectures.

The foundation of these lectures, in memory of the
late Dr. Masters, F.R.S., V.M.H.. led the Council to
invite Professor Hugo de Vries, of Amsterdam, to
deliver the first two lectures during 1900, his subjects
being (i) " Masters' Vegetable Teratology," and (^)
" The Production of Horticultural Varieties." Both
were well attended, and are fully reported in the
Society's Journal. The Masteis Lecturer in igio will
be Mr. A. D. Hall, F.R.S., of Rothamsted, who will
speak on February 22 and March 22 ra the "Adapta-
tion of the Plant to the Soil."

Autumn Fruit and Vegetable Shows, 1910.

As already announced, the Great Autumn Fruit Show
will be resumed in ipio, the date fixed being October
13 and 14. It had been intended to hold a show of
vegetables at the same or immediately following date,
but circumstances have decided the Council to defer
the Vegetable Show until Tuesday, October 25. The
schedule of prizes for both shows will be issued shortly.

Pritzels' Icones Botanicvkum.

_ This most invaluable book, containing, when first pub-
lished, a list of all the known plates and illustrations
of plants, has not been kept up to date, and botanists
and horticiUturalists the wide world over are most
an.xious for a revision brought up to date. The authori-
ties at Kew have been approached by the Society during
the past year with a view to this being done. The
estimated cost is about ;£3,ooo, and it was suggested
that other societies and universities should combine
with us to provide the necessary funds, the R.H.S.
undertaking to give a handsome proportion. Lieut. -
Col. Prain. F.R.S., most kindly interested himself in
the suggestion, offering all necessary assistance. It is
to be regretted that no further promises of co-operation
or of funds have as yet been forthcoming, but all hope
of this most needed publication will not be abandoned.
It is quite i ossible that some generous friend of horti-
culture and of botany might feel disposed to couple
his name with such a permanent and enduring work.

International Exhibition.

From time to time, in recent years, international
horticultural exhibitions have been held at various
centres on the Continent, as at Paris, Berlin, Ghent,
Turin, &c. The last occasion on which Great Britain
took the part of host in these international courtesies
was in 1866, and the Council Oi the Royal Horticultural
Society feel that it is time that our country made an
effort to return some part of the hospitality which
foreign countries have so often extended to us durin,:^
the 40 years which have elapsed since such a galhcrini;
^\as held in London. It has further been suggested
that in connection with it a fourth conference should
be held on Genetics, i.e., on the origin, breeding, and
heredity of plants.

The Hall.

Many improvements have been made in the Hall to
equip it suitably and thoroughly for the growing
demand for its occuj^ation. A sound board has enor-
mously improved the acoustics, it being now possible
to address an audience with ease an I comfort from
beneath it. The old-fashioned arc lamps ha^ e been
replaced by n ore modern white enamelled lamps,
having an increased illumination ; and a finished
appearance has been given to the facade by the erec-
tion of two handsome bronze standard lamps, one on
either side of the main entrance.

Honorary Life Fellows.

Sir William T. Thiselton-Dyer, K.C.M.G., F.R S..
and Sir Daniel Morris. K.C.M.G., V.M.H. , have been
appointed Honorarv Life Fellows of the Society under
By-law XVI.

Orchid Nomenclature.

The rapidly increasing number of multi-generic
hybrids, and the confusion likely to arise unless a
definite system of nomenclature is created, led to the
formation of a Special Committee to consider what
svstem would be most suii^ii-ble. Their repoii has beep

received ; it summarises the opinions of expert scientists
and hybridists, at home and abrocid, and the Council
have sent it for consideration at the International Con-
gress to be held at Brussels in April next.

Royal Botanic Society.

During the year communications have passed between
the R.H.S. and the Royal Botanic Society, which have,
however, produced nr< definite result.

Shows in 1909.

During the year 31 exhibitions, covering 37 days, have
been held by the Society.

Odituary.

The Society has lost many valued friends and sup-
porters during the past twelve months, and among
them we regret to find : — His Majesty the King of the
Belgians; Lord Amherst of Hackney; Hon. Mrs. Cecil
Bingham; Col. W. E. Br>-mer; John Carder, F.R.G.S. ;
Rt. Hon. Sir John Colomb, K.C.M.G. ; Sir Daniel
Cooper, Bart.; Cjesar Czarnikow; Sir Charles Gibbons,
Bart.; James Harper; Cliarles Jefferics ; Earl of
Leicester; Lily Duchess of Marlborough; William
Roupell ; Dr. G. S. Sutherland; J. Vavasseur ; H. G.
Rimestad (Java); Peter Barr, V.M.H.; Earl of Carys-
f oot ; Norman C. Cookson ; John Forbes; Peter E.
Kay, V.M.H.; Dr. W. H. Dallinger, F.R.S. ; Dr. W.
I. Russell, F.R.S. ; H. F. Simonds ; G. Dickson,
V.M.H., &c., &c.

Victoria Medal of Honour.

Of the foregoing list, three were valued Victoria
Medallists of Honour. The Council has offered the
vacant medals to Messrs. W. Bo t ting Hemsley,
F.R.S. ; J. H. Goodacrc, and A. Mackellar, who have
accepted the distinction.

Retiring Memeers of the Council.

Lord Balfour of Burleigh, K.T., Sir Albert Rollit,
LL.D., Litt.D., D C.L., and Mr. James Hudson.
V.M.H., retire from office. Each has allowed himself
to be renominated.

Annual Progress.

The following table will show the Society's progress
in regard to numerical strength during the past year: —

Loss BY Death
Life Fellows

IN I

iS

909.

£ s. d.
000

4 Guineas

1

440

a ,,

40

102 18 0

1 ,,

70

73 10 0

138

j^lSO 13 0

Loss BY Resignation, &c.

£ s. d.

4 Guineas 3 ... 12 12 o

2 „ 168 ... 352 16 o

I ,, 401 ... 431 I o

Associates 23 ... 12 i 6

Affiliated societies 22 ... 23 2 o

617

;C82I 12 6

Total loss 755 ;tl,002 4 6

Fellows Elected in igrg.

610
26

1,278

Hon. Fellows
4 Guineas

Associates
Affiliated societies
Commutations

= £404 5S. od.

Deduct loss ...
Net increase of income

New Fellows, &c

Deaths and Resignations ...

Numerical increase

Total on December 31, 1908

Total on December 18, 1909 ... 11,030

Committees, &c.
The Society owes a constantly recurring debt to the
membeis of the com mi', tees, the judges, writers of
papers for the Journal and the compilers of extracts,
the reviewers, lecturers, and the several examiners
who. during the past twelve months, have done so much
t5 contribute to the potential energy of the Society's
usefulness, and to help maintain its high standing
among the practical and scientific institutions of the
world. The Council also extend their acknowledgment
to the Press for their invaluable assistance in reporting
upon, and calling attention to, the work of the Society.

By Order of the Council,

W. WiLKs, Secretary.
Royal Horticultural Society,

Vincent Square, Westminster, SW.,
December 31, igog.

i, 5.

d.

0 0

0

33 12

0

1,281 0

0

613 4

0

■3 13

0

32 n

0

/"■.974 0

0

1,002 4

6

^£971 '5

6

. 1,278

755

523

. 10,507

Scientific Committee.

January l^.—Prt^^eut: Mr. E A. Bowles,
M.A., F.E.S., F.L.S. (in the Chair); Dr. A. B.
Rendle, Messrs. A. D. Michael, H. J. Chapman,
J. W. Odell, J. T. Bennett-Poe, J. Douglas, W.
Hales, A. Worsley, W. E. Ledger, A. W. Sutton,
and F. J. Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Isoloma erianthmn. — Mr. J. W. Odell showed
a specimen of an Isoloma, probably I. erianthum,
figured in Botanical Hdagazuic 7907 ; but the
flowers were of a deeper red than in the figure.

Cyclamen lat'i folium (persicitmj. — Messrs.
Bark & Sons, King Street, Covent Garden,
showed plants of Cyclamen persicum grown from
corms collected near Smyrna, in Asia Minor. The
amount and distribution of the white markings
on the foliage showed a considerable degree of
variation, and there was also some amount of
variation in the extent of the pink suffusion on
the white ground of the flowers, which were mucli
smaller than those of the cultivated plant, and
which were possessed of a very sweet scent, too
often lacking in those at present cultivated. Mr.
Sutton remarked that the plant was exceedingly
common in Palestine ; but the corms were usually
too large to remove.

Dyiufj hulhs. — Some Narcissus bulbs were re-
ceived without roots and in various stages of
decay. It was thought that there was something
wrong in the system of cultivation, particularly
as the soil was very wet.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

The following extracts are taken from the
Report of the Executive Committee of the
National Chrysanthemum Society, to be sub-
mitted at the annual general meeting, to be held
on Monday next, at Carr's Restaurant, Strand : —

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR

THE YEAR 1909.

"Owing to the legal proceedings in connection with the
Crystal Palace Company, your Committee were only
able to arrange for one large show in 1909, which was
held on November 3, 4 and 5. Your Committee
greatly regretted that it was not possible to hold the
early and late shows as heretofore, as they consider
these smaller shows to' be an important and essential
part of the National Society's work. The October and
December showb of this J/ociety have been almost unique
in this country, and have afforded an opportunity of
studying the early and late varieties, which has been
much appreciated by Chrysanthemum growers in general
and members of the Society in particular. Your Com-
mittee consider the holding of these extra shows as
part of the settled policy of the Society, and subject to
being able to make the necessary financial arrangements
they will again be included in the Society's programme
in the future. „

The grand autumn show held at the Cr>'stal Palace in
November must be proclaimed an emphatic success in
spite of one or two circumstances which might have
been expected to militate against it. The Chrysanthe-
mum season was perhaps not at its utmost height until
about a week after the show, and the extremely wet
weather experienced during the whole summer and
autumn, and especially during the week or two prior to
the show, caused a diminution in the number of entries
from amateurs. This, however, was counterbalanced by
the entries in the open classes and the trade exhibits.
Both the naves at the Crystal Palace, as well as part of
the central transept, were again thrown open to the
Society's exhibits. Competition in the classes for large-
Japanese blooms was verj' keen, but for Incurved blooms
the date was early and the entries suffered also by rea-
son of several withdrawals at the last hour. The trade
exhibits were again a dominating feature of the show
and the thankvof the Society are due to all those
members of the trade who so consistently rally to the
support of the Society.

Sir Albert Rollit, president, presided at the judges'
luncheon, which was held at the Crystal Palace on the
first day of the show. In proposing the toast of *' The
Judges," the President acknowledged with gratitude
the great services rendered by these gentlemen^ in ai»
honorary capacity, and pointed out that the strict im-
partiality with which the judges made their awards at
all the Society's shows had helped in a large measure to
place the Society in the high and honourable position
which it held in the horticultural world.

A highly- successful conference was held at Essex
Hall, on Wednesday, October 6th, 1909. Mr. T. Bevan
occupied the chair at both the afternoon and evening
sessions, and the following papers were read : —
" Chrj'santhemums as Annuals," by Mr. Chas. H.
Curtis; " Early Single Chrysanthemums," by Mr. W.
Wells; "Late Market Chrysanthemums," by Mr. J. B.
Riding; " The Best Chrysanthemums for Cut Flowers,"
(a) from a commercial point of view, by Mr. P. A.
Cragg; (b) from an aesthetic point of view, by Mr.
D. B. Crane.

Eighty-three members were present at the afternoon
session, and 115 at the evening session, but in reckon-
ing the value of these gatherings regard must be had
to the very much larger audience to which the speakers
were in reality addressing their remarks through ihe
medium of the Press. Full reports of the papers and
di-icussions appeared in the horticultural Press, and a
short resume of the proceedings will be issued in the
1910 schedule.

Several members of the trade exhibited groups of cut
flowers and plants at the hall, and a unique exhibit was

9i

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[February b, 1910.

that o£ a bag of fve gallons of Chiysanthemura seed
by Messrs. W. Wells and Co., Lid. This was probably
the fust time in history ibat such an exhibit was to bir
seen, and gave additional interest to the opening paper
on " Chrysaiuhemums as Annuals."

Arrangements have already been made for the hold-
ing of another conference in December next, full par-
ticulars of which will be issued to members in due
course.

Floral Committee.
Eight meetings of the Floral Committee were held dur-
ing the season, when i88 new varieties were submitted
for consideration ; of these 26 were awarded First-
class Certificates, while 12 w. re commended. Votes ot
thanks were also passed to Mr. J. H. Witty and Messrs.
W. Wells and Co., Ltd., for collections of early varie-
ties at the September ireeting. In several cases the
Committee expressed a desire to see certain varieties
again, and in this conn^-ction it is interesting to note
that in more than one case where a similar desire was
e.xpressed in 190S blooms were again brought forward in
1909 and were found to be well worthy of award.

The sections to which the certificates were awarded
are shown in the following table : —
Early-flowering Japanese 2 First-class Certificates.
Japanese 6 °0-

Jiarly-flowering Singles 2 do.

Singles 4 do-

Japanese Single i do.

Incurved 3 do.

Decorative and Market 8 do.

Ill the list of certificated and commended varieties
whitli will appear in the schedule a description of each
variety will be given, and this, it is believed, will make
the list still more useful to members.

Azvard for Colour.— The question of granting a
special award for colour was very fully considered, both
by the Floral Committee 0nd the Executive Committee,
and it was unanimously decided to institute a_ new
award to be kr.own as an " Award for Colour." It
sometimes happens that a variety is submitted to the
Floral Committee which has a particularly pleasing
shade of colour but which may not reach the necessary
standard of quality en all points to receive the First-
class Certific.ite. From a decorative point of view, how-
ever, such flowers are especially worthy of notice, and
it will now be in the discr-iion of the Committee to
grant an Award for Colour in these cases.

The members of the Floral Committee met at dinner
on December 13, under the chairmanship of Mr. D. B.
Crane, when manv matters of great interest to the
Society were discussed. Mr. W. Wells related some ot
his experiences during the business tour in America
from which he had just returned, and attention was
drawn to the fact that the records of this Committee's
work are published not only throughout the British Em-
pire, but also in the horticultural Press of America and
several European countries, thus proving that our work
is not only national^ but also international.

The close of the financial VLai. finds the Society in a
much more satisfactory position than was anticipated
earlier in the year. For the first time for some years
the balance-sheet discloses the fact that the whole of the
ordinary liabilities of the Society were paid before the
accounts were ruled off. The position is therefore sum-
marised as— Assets, /.104 is. 8d. ; liabilities, nil.

The delay of the Crystal Palace Company in paying
the consideration money due to the Society under the
icjoS contract was referred to in the last report. Un-
fortunately your Committee were compelled to place
the matter in the hands of the Society's solicitors, and
judgment was obtained against the company. Before
execution could be levied, however, a receiver was ap-
pointed by the High Court on behalf of the debenture-
holders, and the F>oard of Directors ceased to have
any control. The Receiver, Mr. E. I. Husey, is still in
possession, and an order has been made for the wind-
ing-up of the Crystal Palace Company. Several schemes
have been mooted for ihe preservation of the Crystal
Palace, but these have all been fully referred to in the
public Press, and it is not, therefore, necessary to
'■<;r-sider them further here.

In the circumstances in wl ich they were placed, your
Committee were regretfully compelled to bring into
operation Rul-i XL By drawing upon the whole of the
Society's reserve fund the Committee were able to pay
50 per cent- of the prize money, and this was paid to
the prize-winners with an undertaking that the balance
should be paid as and whi?n the remainder of the
money due from the Crystal Palace Company might be
received. The affaiis of the company are not yet settled,
and it will probably be some time before the liquidation
is completed.

The contract for the holding of the 1909 show was
made with the Receiver, Mr. E. L Husey, and the con-
sideration money was paid in full on the first day of the
show. The priz-es were all issued to the winners imme-
diately thereafter.

The Committee have decided to hold shows during
iQio at the end of September or beginning of October,
November 8, o and 10, and December, the latter
being in conjunction with the conference to be held at
F.ssex Hall. Negotiations are now proceeding with re-
gard to same.

The annual outing was held on August 9, when about
13-) members and friends paid a visit to the gardens at
Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames. We were fortunate in
securing one of the few vt-al summer days of 1909, and
the trip on the steam launch from Maidenhead to
Henley materially added to the day's pleasure. After
inspecting the house and gardens at Friar Park, the
members were entertained to tea by Sir Frank Crisp,
and everybody expressed complete satisfaction with the
day's programme. The heartiest thanks of the members
were expressed to Sir Frank Crisp for his hospitality.

The annual dinner was held on November 20 at the
Holborn Restaurant, when the chair was occupied by
the President of the Society. Sir Albert Rollit, and
there were present over 120 members and friends. The
Holmes Memorial cups and trophies were presented to
the winners, and an excellent programme of music was
given under the dirccticn of Mr H. Briden. Th;
spefches on this occas'.on w-;re for the most part com-
jnendablv short.

Special prizes were given during the past year by the

following donors, viz. : Sir Albert RuUi:, D.C.L.,
LL.D., President; C. E Shea, Esq., Vice-President;
the Ichthcmic Guano Company, Mr. R. Sydenham and
Mr. J. Williams, Messrs. Clay &. Son, Messrs. W. Wells
ik. Co., Ltd., Mr. R. F. Felton, and Messrs. Webb it
Sons. To all of these the Committee tender their grate-
ful thanks, at the same time expressing the hope that
all these names will be found in next year's list oJ
special pr^ze-donori, together with many more which
have never yet figured in that list.

Th.; membership of the Society has not progressed as
much as the Committee would have liked, and they
again ask the present ^.embers to use their best en-
deavours to increase the membership roll during the
coming year.

In connection with the International Exhibition to be
held at Brussels during 1910, the President of this
Society, Sir Albert Rollit, is acting as Chairman of the
English section of horticulture, and Mr. Thomas Bevan
and Mr. C. Harinan Payne are serving on the Com-
mittee. It is hoped that the Society will be able to send
a representative exhibit to tne Chrysanthemum show
during the last week in October on similar lines to
that which was sent to Paris in 1900."

SOCIETE FRANCAISE D'HORTI-

CULTURE DE LONDRES.

January 29. — The 21st anniversary dinner of
this society was held at the Cafe Royal, Regent
Street, wlien a large company assembled to do
honour to the occasion. Among those present
we noticed Sir Albert K. Rollit, JMessrs. Lageat,
Lelasseur & Son, Huguenet, H. J. Veitch, A.
Sutton, H. B. May, V\ itty, Bevan, jMcKerchar,
Ingamells, Clarke, Wright, Hawes, Gaskill.
Harman Payne, and others.

M. Philippe de Vilmorin was to have pre-
sided, but, as ilr. Schneider explained, owing to
the disaster in Paris, he had been unavoidably
prevented, and Al. T. A. Laurence de Lalande,
French Consul-General in Ixindon, had kindly
consented to occupy his place.

After the toasts of the President of the French
Republic and the King had been received, Sir
Albert Rollit was invited to say a few words.
This he did, making a most humorous and effec-
tive speech, the points ot which were appreciated
both by Frenchmen and Englishmen. Sir Albert
commented on the value of horticulture, and
these friendly gatherings as a great factor in
preserving the peace of Europe. Sir Albert's
wit and humorous stories put the company into
the hajipiest frame of mind at the start, and
materially helped towards the brightness of the
proceedings.

The chairman followed with the toast of the
evening. " La Societe Fran^aise d'HorticuUure
de Londres." Although it was an unexpected
honour for him to be called upon to preside, he
was glad to be able to render the service. He
felt they would all agree that a word of sym-
pathy should be sent to M. de Yilmorin, ex-
pressing their regret at the unfortunate cause
of his absence. He (the Chairman) \yas
not able at such short notice to give
them any detailed particulars concerning the
progress of the society, but they were to
be "congratulated on the fact that, begin-
ning in a humble way with a very few mem-
bers, they had now reached a total of about
700. The seed sown 21 years ago had bornf
fruit, and the little plant had now grown into
a great tree. To Mr. Schneider the success was
largely due. His energy, devotion, and perma-
nent residence in London all contributed to the
prosperity of the society, and the chairman was
pleased publicly to express his high appreciation
of all that iNIr. Schneider had done for the
society and for his young countrymen. After
alluding to the love of horticulture as being
world-wide, he gave some interesting details of
his experiences in .Lipan, and concluded by pro-
posing the continued prosperity of the society.
Mr. Schneider said those connected with the
society must all be pleased with the result of
their labours. He was glad to show their Eng-
lish friends how fully he appreciated their help.
The young Frenchmen who came here highly
valued the opportunities afforded them, and
were much benefited by the experience gained
in this country. They" had intended this year
to show their" gratitude by voting from their
funds £30 to the Oardener's' Royal Benevolent
Institution, and £20 to the Royal Gardeners'
Orplian Fund, but, in the distressing circurn-
stances in which his own countrymen in Paris
found themselves, he was sure their English
friends would not mind the money being diverted
' to the Lord Mayor's Fund for the relief of the
sufferers in France. He concluded by drinking to
the success of English horticulture.

Mr. H. J. Veitch responded, pointing out the
many advantages of horticulture, which thrives
with peace, and which the cottager can enjoy
Avith equal pleasure as the rich. I'^lowers were
used ill all the eventful stages of a person's life,
and helped to comfort those who were sick. He
cordially endorsed, as an official ot the Gar-
deners' Royal Benevolent Institution, the pro-
position Mr. Schneider made, to which he was
sure Mr. May, who represented the Royal
Gardeners' Orphan Fund, would also agree. Ho
hoped, however, that the good intention of the
society might oe carried out at a later date.

Mr. H. B. May proposed the health of the
officers of the society. The last time he was
present at the annual dinner his old friend,
.Mr. Geo. Nicholson, of Kew, occupied the chair.
Since then great progress had been made, and,
although Mr. Schneider w:is the life and soul of
the society, he had been helped in the work by
his colleagues. He therefore proposed the healtn
of the officers.

M. Guilloud responded in a few well-chosen
phrases on their behalf. He pointed out that,
in addition, a measure of their success was due
to their past presidents. IMr. Harman Payne,
besides being one of these, was one of their oldest
friends and supporters, and he would ask them
to honour the toast of their health.

Mr. Harman Payne said all their past presi-
dents were glad to have been of service to them,
and concluded a somewhat humorous speech by
alluding to the help the society had received
from the horticultural Press. This was acknow-
ledged by Mr. C. H. Curtis,

A collection was made in the room on behalf
of the Lord Mayor's Fund. Amid great applause
it was announced that the sum of £100 Is. 6d.
had been collected. The chairman, reading from
an evening paper, said that the King had sub-
scribed 1,000 guineas and the Queen £1,000,
which raised a unanimous cry of " \'ive le Roi !
Vive la Reiiie !"

" The Chairman," by Mr. T. Bevan, responded
to by i\I. de Lalande, was duly received. A pre-
sentation of a handsome Sevres vase was made
to Mr. Schneider by the young members of the
societv resident in London.

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY AGRICUL-
TURAL.

January 21.— Mr. John Michie, M.V.O., fac-
tor on the Balmoral Castle estates, lectured on
'■ Practical Forestry " on the above date. Mr.
\Villiam Dawson, lecturer on Forestry in .Aber-
deen University, presided.

Mr. Michie dealt with the growth of forest
trees for the production of timber, and
said that the tree best suited for the
high-lying Scottish glens and hill-sides was
the Douglas Fir. The lecturer then dealt
with the Spruce tree, showing how success-
fully it had been cultivated in Germany and in
other count- ies. He explained the system adopted
ill Germany for the cultivation of this tree, and
said the same system could be adopted in this
cmntry with success. Many good specimens had
already been grown in Scotland. The Spruce was
planted in Scotland for purposes of shelter, shade
and ornament in boggy and other damp places.
Spruce had been planted indiscriminately with
regard to soil and situation, and this had given
the tree a bad rejiutation, particularly with re-
ference to disease, .\fter speaking on the soils
and situations which induced disease, Mr. Michie
dealt with the Scots Pine trees, and showed how
they were treated in practically the same way in
Germany as was the Spruce. The best situation
to plant Pine trees was where Larch or Spruce
did well, in glens and hillsides, where there was
little surface soil, and with open gravel below,
no matter how poor it was from an agricultural
or pastoral point of view. Dealing with the
Larch tree, !\lr. Michie said that, unlike either
Spruce or Pine, Larch should be grown fairly
openly on the ground, but in homogeneous
masses, or in company with trees that grew much
smaller than itself, so that half its height might
project above the general covering of the forest.
Some of the best Larches he had seen were asso-
ciated with Beech. Almost any soil would pro-
duce useful Larch wood provided the ground was
well drained, and, if of close texture, broken up
to admit of the free spread of the roots. Prob-
ably the finest trees were found on open, sandy
Icain, or debris of almost any formation.

Febbuarx 5, 1910.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

95

]V[ iL R K S T S.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Potatos.

COVE NT GARDEN, February 2.

[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are fLirni^tied 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 only tiie
general avera-^es for tlie weelv preceding the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quahty of tlie
samples, tlie way in which they are packed, tlie supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day^ but occasionally several tirnes
m one day. — Eds.]

Cue Flowers, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

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

Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bundles 6 0-90

— extra quality ... 12 0 15 0
Marguerites, p. dz.

0 9-10 bunches wliite

3 0-50 and yellow ... 30-40
6 0- y 0 Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 3 0-40
Narcissus poeticus

(P h ea sa n t's
2 0-30 Kye), per doz.

16-20 bunches ... 30-36

— Soleil d'Or ... 2 0-30
12 0-18 0 Odontoglossnni

16-26 crispum, per

do/en blooms 2 0-26
Pelargoniums,
show, per doz.

5 0-80 bunches ... 40-60

4 0-60 ~ Zonal, double
scarlet... ... 0 0-80

Richardia atricana

(Calla), p. doz. 4 0-60

Uoses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos ... 2 6-30

— Bridesmaid ... 3 0-40

— C. Testout ... 3 0 4 0

— K a i se I i n A.
0 4-06 Victoria ... 40-60

C. Mermet ... 3 0-40

6 0- y 0 — Liberty ... 4 0-80

— Muie.Cliatenay 4 0-80
2 0-30 — Richmond ... 40-60

— The Biide ... 4 0-50
4 0 5 0 Spiraea, p. dz.bchs. 2 0-40

Statice, p. dz. bchs. 3 0-40
2 0-30 Tuberoses, per dz.

4 0-60 blooms ... 40-50

Violets, per dozen

2 0-26 bunches ... 30-40

16-20 — Parma 40-50

Acacia dealbata
(mitnosa), per
doz, bunches...

Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fieldeii, p. dz.
Bouvardia ...
Calla (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
Ainei icaii (var.)

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. buiiche-^

Camellias, per doz.
Calileyas, per doz.

blooms
Daffodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eitcharis grandi-

llora, per dozen

blooms
Freesias, per doz.

bunches
Heathtr (white),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bchs.
Lapigeriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac (I-rench), per

bunch

Liliiim aiiralum

per bunch

— lon^;illoruin ...

— lane i f o I iuin
rubrii:n

— album ... , ...

0-

12 0

9-
0-
0-

1 0
5 U
B 0

0-
6

3 0
2 0

0-
B-

18 0
2 6

0-H 0

0-
0-

8 0
G 0

0-

5 0

0-

4 0

6-

2 0

4-

0 (J

0-

i) 0

0-

3 0

0

5 0

0-
0-

3 0
6 0

0-
6-

2 G
2 0

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiantiim cuiiea-
luni, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
inosiis, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bundles

— Spiengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (Ilng-

lish)

s.d. s.d

6 0-90

8 0-12 0

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6-30

12 0-15 0
10-20

20-8 0

I'erns (I-'reiich) ...

Galax leaves, per
doz, bunches

Hardy foliage
(vaiioii'it, per
dozen bunches

Ivy -leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz. bchs.
(English),
small-leaved...

— French
Smilax. per dozen

trails

s.d. s.d,
0 6-09

3 0-90

2 0-26

16-26

4 0-50

4 0-60
10-16

6 0 8 0

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

s,d. s.d.
Euonymiis.per dz.,

in pots. . .. 3 0-80
— from the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100...

s.d. s.d
6 0-80
5 0-80

9 0-12 0
6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

\^ 0-24 0

30 0-42 0

Aiiipelop .is Veit-

cliii, per dozen
Aralia bieboldii, p.

dozen

— I arger speci-
mens

— Moseii

— larger plants ...
Araucaria excel sa

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus [iluino-

sus nmus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— tenuissimiis , ..

Azaleas, per doz. 30 0-42 0
Begonia Gloire de

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ... .. 12 0-18 0

C hrysanthemums,

per doz.
Cinerarias, per

dozen

Clematis, per doz.
Cocos Weddelli
ana, per dozen..
Crotons, per dozei. .^ ., „„ «
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per u s alterni

folius, dozen ..

— laxus, per doz
Daffodils, per doz
'HacTpnas, per doz.
Liica gracilis, per

dozen ...

— hyemalis

— small plants
(various)

8 0-13 0

— in small and
large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per
dozen ... .. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— in 32's, per
dozen 10 0-18 0

Ficus eiastica, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 10 0-12 0

' Grevilleas, per dz. 4 0-60
9 0-15 0 Hyacinths, per dz

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

8 0-12 0

5 0-90

8 0-90

18 0-30 0
18 0-30 0

4 0-50

4 0-60
6 0-80
9 0-24 0

. 10 0-15 0
9 0-15 0

3 0-50

pots. 3 in a pot 8 0-10 0
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana. per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriaiia, per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
L i 1 i u m 1 0 n g i -

floriim. per dz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifolium, p.

dozen 18 0-30 0

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignonette, per

dozen 6 0-80

Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0-60
Solanums, per doz, 6 0-90

6 0-90

the

per

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :

— Baldwin

— Greening

— Russett

— Fallawater ...

— Ri!)ston Pippin

— Blenheim Pip-
pin

— King of
Pippins

— (English),
bushel :

— Pea sg o o d's
Nonesuch

— Annie Eliza-
beth

— .\llington Pip-
pin

~- Newton Won-
der

— Bramley'sSeed
ling

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Cos's Orange
Pippin, A-sieve

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case :

— Oregon

— Californian ...

— British Colum-
bia

Apricots (Cape), vier
box (15 to 28
fruits)

Bananas, bunch;

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giant ,, ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica ,, ...

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries, case
Custard Apples, p.

dozen

Grape Fruit, case
Grapes, per lb. :

— Gros Colmar,
A quality

— B quality

— Alicantes, A
quality

— B quality

— Canon Hall, A
quality

— B quality

— Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— (Almeria), per
barrel

s.d. s.d.

14 0-17 0

13 0-17 0
17 0 22 0

14 0-17 0
14 0 15 0

.. 14 0-16 0

13 0-16 0

4 6-60

5 0-60
3 0-46
5 0-60
5 0-70
5 0-60
5 0-80

11 0-13 0
8 0-10 6

12 0 18 0

4 0-60

10 0 —
8 0-10 0

8 0-10 0

9 O-ll 0

4 6-60

8 0-90

5 0-56
0 6-10

6 0-80

9 0-15 0
9 0-11 0

1 4- 2 6
0 6-10

16-20
0 8-13

8 0-10 0
4 0-60

0 6-16
14 0-20 0

6 0-70

32

10

Grapes (Almeria),
per 12 lb. bas-
kets

Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 .. 9

— „ 360... 9

— selected, case.. 14
Limes, per case ... 2
[-yctiees, per bo.':... 1
Nectarines (Cape),

per box (24 to
28 fruits) ... 0
Nuts, .\lmonds, p.
bag 36

— Brazils, new,
per cwt,

— Barcelona, per
bag 32

— Cob, per lb. ... 0

— Cocoa nuts. 100 10

— Walnuts(French),
per bag ... 5

— Chestimts (Ro-
dor), per bag... 5

— (Italian), per
bag 15

Oianges—

— Californian
Navel, per box 11

— Jaffas, per box 7

— Denia, per case
(420)

— Valencia,
case (420)

— Jamaica,
case (176)

— „ (200)

— Messina
ters, per box...

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case ... 12

— — per bos ... 1

— — Jamaica, p.

case ... 10

— Tangerine, per
bos 0

Peaches (Cape), per

box (15 to 28

fruits

Pears (Californian) :

— Oregon Winter
Nelis, per case 11

— Easier Beurre,
per case ... 8

— (Cape), per box
(24, 28, 32) ... 5

Pineapiiles. each ... 3
Plums, Burbanks... 2

— (Cape), per box
(15 to 28 fruits),
Wickson

— (Cape), Apple
or Satsuma ... 8 0-15 0

Strawberries, p. lb. 16 0-20 0

per
per

Bit-

0-12 0
0-12 0
0-18 0
6-3 0
6-19

0-12 0

0-42 0

0-36 0

0-34 0
3 0 3.^
0-14 0

0- 6 0

0-6 0

6-18 0

0-12 0
0-9 0

6-15 0
6 12 0

0-10 0
0- 9 G

4 9-56

0-13 0
6-18

0 12 0

0 9-10

4 0-10 0

0-15 0
0-9 0

0-6 0
0-4 0

6- 3 G

4 0-60

Vegetables : Averaffe Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Artichokes(Globe),

per dozer. ... 16-19

— Jerusalem, \

sieve 0 9-10

Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle 4 0-46

— Sprue, bundle 0 9-0 11
Beans (Englishand

Chan. Islands),

per lb 2 6-36

— Broad(French),

per pad ... 5 0-60

— (Madeira), per
basket i6 to
8 lbs.)

Beetroot, per bushel
Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (linglish),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed
Cauliflowers, tally

— (Italian), basket
Celeriac, per do/.
Celery, p. dz.

— "Fans," perdz. 12 0-18 0
Chicory, per lb. ... 0 3 0 3^
Cucumbers, p. doz. 9 0-12 0
Endive, per dozen 2 0-26
Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles

2 6-50
16-19

3 0-40

8 0-10 0

2 9-30

3 0-36
19-20
7 6 —
16-19
16-26

10 0-16 0

10-16

12 0-18 0
10-16

Lettuce (French),

per dozen
Miisbioonis,per lb.

— broilers
Mustardaiid Cress,

per dozen puu.

Onions (Dutch), p.

bag

— pickling, per
bushel

— (Valencia), per
case ...

Parsley, \ sieve ...

Parsnips, per bag...

Potatos (Channel

Islands), per lb.

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt.

Rhubarb (forced),
doz. bundles...

Radishes (French),
per doz. bunches

Seakale, per dozen
punnets

Spinach, \ sieve ...

Sprouts, i sieve ...

— per bag, 28 lbs.
Stachys tuberosa,

per lb

Tomatos —

— (TeneriflFe),per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bchs....

— bags

Turnip Tops, bag...
Watercress, p. flat

s.d. s.d.

14-19
0 9-13

0 6-07

1 0 —
3 6-40
3 0-40

6 6-80

1 6 —

2 0-26

0 6-08
13 0 14 0
0 8-0 10
13-16

8 0-10 0

2 6 —

13-16

19-20

0 4 —

8 0 14 0
2 0-30
2 9-30
2 0-26
4 0-66

Spiraea laponica,

per do^en
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulb« ... 16-20

Rem.^rks.— Apples of good quality including some from
Oregon and California are selling well. There are some
fine samples of American Newtown Pippin. Oranges con-
tinue to .sell at low prices, with the exception of extra
selected fruits. Mandarines are arriving in larger quan.
titles and are cheaper. Pineapples are a short supply.
Madeira Beans are cheaper. The demand for Rhubarb
is slow, notwithstanding a smaller supply. The Grape
trade is very fair. Many of the Cape Peaches have arrived
in an unsaleable condition, and the variety, so far, is not
of the best market type. The vegetable trade is quiet.
Trade generally is fair. E. H. R., Covent Garden, Wednes-
day, February 2, f9l0.

Bedfords—

Up-to-Date ..
Blacklands .
Dunbars —
Maincrop ..
Up-to-Date...
Lincolns—
Evergood

percwt.

s.d. s.d.
.30-39
.26-29

.56-59
,46-50

Lincolns —

Up-to-Date ...
British Queen
Royal Kidney
Maincrop „.
King Edwards
Kents—
May Queen ...
Up-to-Date ...

... 2 6-30
Sharpe's Express... 3 0-33

Remarks.- Trade is slow and arrivals have
light on account of the severe weather, but now
change the supplies may increase. Edward J.
Cove$i[ Garden and St. Eancras^ February 2, 7910.

percwt.

s.d. s.d.
...3 3-4 0
... 3 3-39
... 2 6-30
... 4 0- 4 3
...30-36

... 3 0-36

...3 6-4 0

been very

there is a

Newborn,

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET,

Many stands in the market are empty, the growers
being engaged with cultivating their spring crops in the
nursery. As soon as the weather becomes more settled,
nr.any stands in the flower market will be filled with hardy
plants. Before the last extension of the market most
of these, together with trees, shrubs, &c., were sold out-
side the covered flower market. The growers will soon
commence marketing Pansies, and for some weeks they
are sure to be a feature in Covent Garden. Violas will
also be seen in large quantities. These are kept in their
separate colours, but most of the Pansies are of mi.\ed
varieties, although a few growers pack them in distinct
sorts. Double Daisies, Primroses, Polyanthuses.
Aubrietias, Saxifragas, and other early-flowering hardy
plants will also b^ seen as soon as the weather becomes
warmer. Hardy plants of all kinds are much more ex-
tensively grown for market than formerly.

Pot Plants.

It has been a trying time for the growers. Those who
have good flowering plants have been afraid to send
them on account of the cold weather. Azaleas are the
most prominent subjects : they are Aery good this season.
The pink varieties are most in demand. Plants of good
white varieties are not so abundant as usual, but Niobe,
which is one of the best cf the second earlies, will soon
be available. Apollo is the best scarlet variety.
Vervaneana is a favourite pink kind, and there are
several other good sorts grown. Azaleas are never re-
ferred to in the market as Rhododendrons. Ericas are
well flowered, and as they withstand the cold better than
most flowering plants they h-ive sold well. Hyacinths
are also valuable in this respect. Daftodils have also
been good ; the cut blooms and foliage last fresh for as
Icng a period as those on the plants, consequently
there is no great demand for these in pots. Tulips are
now most extensively grown in boxes, from which they
can be more readily transplanted than from pots.

On Tuesday I noticed some beautiful plants of
Begonia Gloire de Lorraine: the flowers stood up well.
Cinerarias are good, but most growers do not send
thtm to market during cold or changeable weather.
Genistas are fairly well flowered this season. Cycla-
mens vary; some are very good, but I have seen others
that w;;re of very inferior quality. Chinese Primulas
are inferior to those seen in years gone by. The
colours of the Continental strains may be brighter, but
the plants have not the robust habit and large trusses
of bloom of the old English type.

Cut Flowers.
Roses are still very scarce, and realise very high
prices. Parma Violets were not procurable at s.'\en
o'clock on Tuesday morning, and all other Erench
flowers were scarce. I was informed that there was not
hkely to be any fresh arrivals of flowers from France
for some days to come, as they had to travel by a
circuitous route. Carnations are still j^lentiful : higher
prices are asked for the best white blooms. Liliunt
lancifolium is scarce, and good quality blooms cannot,
b? bought under 5s. or 6s. per bunch of 12 blooms, whilst
those cut singly, without stems, make from 4s. to 5s.
per dozen blooms. L. lancifolium is aUo scarce, yet a
few days may make a considerable difference in sup-
plies. Tulips are a great feature, but they are \ery-
cheap, except the best double varieties. Daffodils are
abundant; it is probable that supplies may fall oft, for
many growers have finished their first crop, and suc-
cessional batches have not grown so fast as usual.
When other flowers are scarce there is a larger demand
for Lily-of-the-Valley. Gardenias are scarce. Eucharis
blooms are procurable, and supplies may continue for
some weeks. In Orchids good Odontoglossums, Cypri-
pediums and Ccelogynes are procurable, but Cattleyas
are very scarce. Chrysanthemums hold cut well. Mme.
Therese Panckouke appears to be the very best late
white variety: the blooms may be a little "wanting im
substance, but it is a pure white, and, as far as I have
seen, there is no other equal to it for late flowerings
except a fine bronze sort, the name of which I have
not been able to procure. Azaleas and other flowers-
with short stems do not advance in price much.
Camellias for several scas.ons past have been very-
cheap. Blue Violets have been making' 45. per
dozen bunches, which is a considerable advance oit
prices which prevailed a week ago. Double scarlet
Pelargonium is improving in quality. Bouvardia Presi-
dent Cleveland cut with long stems makes far better
prices than those ordinarily seen with short stems.
A. H.f Covent Garden, February 2, igto.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Chester Paxton Society's list of lectures for the sessiorr
1910, to be delivered in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, on
Saturdays, at 8 p.m.

Cardiff and County Horticultural Society's 22i i show,
to be held on July 20, 21, in the Sophia Gardens and Field.
Secretary, Mr. \. Maurice B.iiley, 24, Duke Street, Cardiff.

National Sweet Pea Society's exhibition, to be held at
the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, on Tuesday
and Wednesday, July 12, 13. Hon. secretary, Mr. Charles
H. Curtis, Adelaide Road, Brentford, Middlesex.

96

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 5, 1910.

(Dbituarj).

Jonathan Cocks. — By the death of Mr.
Jonathan C!ocks, of Peterborough, on January 23,
the nursery and seed world has lost a well-known
and esteemed member. For some 20 years
Mr. Cocks carried on a successful business
as a seed merchant and florist at the Corn
Exchange, Peterborough, and he was very
nearly, if not quite, the oldest of the tra-
vellers in his particular line of business, being
a familiar figure in all parts of England, Scotland
and Wales as the representative of Messrs. Nut-
ting and Sons, of Southwark Street, London, for
whom he had travelled for the last 20 years.
Mr. Cocks was born at Donnington, near Spald-
ing, his father and grandfather having been
connected with the seed trade. He was edu-
cated at the local Grammar School, and as a
young man entered the employ of Messrs. Fisher,
Son and Sibray, Ltd., Sheffield, being engaged
at the Handsworth Nurseries. The deceased
first commenced in business for himself at Peter-
borough in 1890, in Westgate, removing two
years later to the corner of the Corn Exchange.
Mr. Cocks leaves a widow, six sons, and two
daughters.

Richard Shore. — We regret to record tlie
death of this gardener from heart failure on
January 12. Sir. Shore, who was 73 years of
age, was for more than 30 years gardener to
Lord Fitzhardinge, Berkeley Castle, Glouces-
tershire. At an early age he commenced
his gardening career at Drayton Manor, Devon-
shire. Subsequently he became head gardener to
T. Aldare, Esq., Newton Barry, County Wex-
ford. Later he was engaged at Babraham Hall,
Cambridge. Mr. Shore left Babraham Hall to
take up tlie post of head gardener to the Rev.
James Hayworth, Henbury Hill, Westbury-on-
Trym, Bristol, in whose service he remained for
14 years, removing from this place to Berkeley
Castle. He leaves a widow, five sons, and one
daughter.

John Watkins. — This -well-known fruit-
grower, whose death was announced recently,
was proprietor of the Pomona Farm, Hereford.
He grew no fewer than 800 varieties of Apples
for testing purposes, and was considered one of
the foremo.st authorities on hardy fruit culture
and the cider-making industry. For several
years past he had been engaged in compiling
material for a. descriptive work on Apples. In a
private letter he stated that his list included
more than 1,000 names of varieties, in addition
to 1,800 synonyms. He had prepared outline
drawings of a large number of the most popular
sorts. Deceased was a well-known personality at
the Hereford Fruit Show, and only last month
contributed articles on fruit-growing and packing
to the Hereford papers and our own columns.
Recently he had resided at 6, Moorfield Place,
Hereford.

Professor W. Hillhouse, M.A., M.Sc,

F.L.S.— Tlie death took place on the •27th ult. at
Malvern Wells, of Professor W. Hillhouse, who,
until about three months ago, occupied the chair
of Botany at the University of Birmingham.
Professor Hillhouse's connection with Birming-
ham commenced in the year 1882, when he took
charge of the Botanical Department, Mason Col-
lege, which was transferred to the Birmingham
University. In 1883 he became a member of the
committee of the Birmingham Botanical and
Horticultural Societj', and for a period of 14
years he filled the position of honorary secretary,
which, owing to ill-health, he reluctantly re-
signed iive years ago. Later, he was ap-
pointed chairman of the general committee, a
position he held until last summer. During his
term of office many improvements were carried
out in the society's gardens. The Alpine garden
was constructed, an improved water supply laid
on in the grounds, the Water-Lily house rebuilt.

and the exhibition haU enlarged. For several
years Professor Hillhouse was president of the
Birmingham Gardeners' Mutual Improvement
Society, at whose meetings he attended as often
as his health and engagements permitted, and
nearly always gave the opening address at each
of the autumn and spring sessions. It was there-
.fore a great blow to the society when, four years
ago, ill-health compelled him to resi.gn. Pro-
fessor Hillhouse was chairman of the Midland
Daffodil Society since its inception 11 j-ears ago,
and his resignation at the last annual general
meeting was received with regret. He was
elected a vice-president of the society. He also
took a prominent part in the ^Midland Reafforest-
ing Association, of which body he w-as chair-
man.

Carredfoondentc}

Editors and Publisher. — Our Correspondents would
obviate delay in obtaining answers to tbeir communica-
tions, and save us much time and trouble, if they would
kindly observe the notice printed weekly to the effect
that all letters relating to financial matters and to
advertisements should be addressed to the Publisher;
and that all communications intended for publication, or
referring to the Literary department, and all plants to be
named, should be directed to the Editors. The two
departments. Publishing and Editorial, are distinct, and
much unnecessary delay and confusion arise when letters
are misdirected.

Cattleya : II'. P. B. The pseudo-bulbs sent are
examples of what is known in gardens as
" Cattleya disease." The condition is probably
caused by deficient maturation, owing to the
Orchid houses having some structural defi-
ciency, or the weather being dull. In plants
only slightly affected, cut off tlie diseased
pseudo-bulbs and burn them. Keep the plants
tolerably dry until growth is well advanced.
Badly-affected plants should be burned at once.
Ventilate freely in favourable weather.

Ch.iraoter : E. A. W. You might reasonably
expect to obtain damages if you can prove the
character to be false and malicious. Consult a
solicitor.

Diseased Tulips: J. P. The injury is caused
by the Tulip mould (Botr\-tis parasitica). The
bulbs should be destroyed and the soil in
which they have been grown should be treated
with lime.

Esc.iLLONiA FLOEIBUNDA ; Corresjjondcnt, Stran-
raer. E. montevidensLS is considered to
be synonymous with E. floribunda. though
it may show some slight varietal differences
from the type. By an oversight, the flowers
were described as pink on p. 53; but they are
pure white.

Gardener's Expenses: Anxious. We gather
from your letter that you made no arrange-
ments as to railway fares and other expenses
at the time of your engagement. As you have
neglected to take this precaution, we fear you
have little chance of recovering the amount.

Insects in Spent Hops: J. 1). A. The spent
Hops are infested by a mite, Rhizoglyphus agi-
lis. The specifics you have tried are useless. It
is advisable to get rid of the Hops by burning,
it being a difficult matter to destroy all the eggs
of the mite, and reproduction is very rapid.
Sulphur fumigation is the best remedy ; it
•should be done at least twice, the second time
10 days after the first. Dusting with flowers of
sulphur 'S also useful. Another plan is to
spray with liver of sulphur and cold water.
Place 1 ounce of liver of sulphur in 3 gallons
of soft water, in which ^ lb. of soft soap has
been dissolved. The house should be fumigated
with sulphur in any case.

"Mimosa" (Acacia): S. II. A. Your tree,
being so large, must be cut back severely. If
possible, leave some of the smaller side-shoots
to assist the development of new growths. Fail-
ing this, it will be advisable to leave one of the
main shoots till growth is well advanced on
those you prune severely. The best time to
do this is immediately after the tree has
flowered. If it will not harm the other plants
in your conservatory, increase the atmospheric
temperature 10^ for a few weeks, and syringe
the plant freely on bright days.

Names of Flowers, Fruits, and Plants.— "We an-

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 disorganise the pr;.--
parations for the weekly issue, or to encroach upon timi'
required for the conduct of the paper. Correspondent,
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 ot the variety, liy
neglecting these precautions correspondents add greatly
to our labour, and run the risk of delay and incorrect
determinations. Correspondents not answered in one i«a>re
are n quested to he so good as to consult tlie following numbers.
Fruits: Oxton. There is no number with
either fruit. The large Pear is Beurre Diel,
and the smaller one Easter Beurre. As re-
gards Beurre Diel, the condition is simply
natural decay. This variety is at its best dur-
ing November. Owing to the absence of sun-
shine, most fruits, and Pears in particular, have
been very poor in quality. Some varieties of
Pears decay from the outside, others commence
to decay at the core. — X. F., Bii-kdah. The
Pears are too far advanced to be named with
certainty. Send fresh specimens another
season just when they are approaching ripeness.
— i. B. 1, Christie Pippin; 2, Winter Ful-
wood ; 3, Graham ; 4, Roi d'Angleterre ; 5,
Golden Reinette ; 6, Wyken Pippin ; 7, Bar-
nack Beauty ; 8. Claygate Pearniain. — C. B.
Brabant Bellefleur.

Plants: //. H. 1. Send flowers; 2, Pilea
muscosa (Artillery plant) ; 3, Euphorbia ja'c-
qniniieflora ; 4, Selaginella Wildenovii ; 5,
Nerium Oleander. The Rhododendron is badly
affected by thrips, and seems to have been
grown in an unsuitable house. Condensed
moisture has probably caused the brown
blotches on the leaves. — E. E. C. Harden -
bergia Comptoniana figured as Hardenbergia
digitata in Botanical Begister, 1840, t. 50.
The plant is sometimes known a-s Kennedya
in gardens. — 11'. H. Hoffmannia Ghies-
breghtii ; 2, Cyperus laxus ; 3, AngriECuni
eburneum ; 4, Blasdevallia polysticta ; 5,
Helxine Soleiroli ; 6, Cupressus funebris.

Peaches for Forcing: L. T., Furzedown. Two
good Peaches for forcing are Hale's Early and
Bellegarde ; whilst of Nectarines, Cardinal, Lord
Napier, and Pineapple (yellow flesh) may be
recommended. The following Peaches gener-
ally succeed well out-of-doors : Hale's Early,
Stirling Castle, Bellegarde, Dymond. Pere-
grine, Nectarine Peach, and Princess of Wales;
and of Nectarines the best varieties are Early
Rivers, Lord Napier, Humboldt, and Pine-
apple. The following varieties of Pears can be
recommended: Doyenne du Cornice, Josephine
de Malines, Passe Crassane, Winter Nelis,
Easter Beurre and Olivier de Serres. The best
White Muscat Grape is Muscat of Alexandria,
which should be planted at the warmer end of
the house. A suitable black Grape to plant
with this is Appley Towers ; but this latter
variety should not be planted at a less distance
than 4 feet apart.

Peach Trees : J. M. G. The roots are quite
dead ; but it is impossible to state the cause
of death from an examination of the material
received. We have failed to discover any evi-
dence of fungus disease.

Plant Stages : F. N . \V . Galvanised iron .sheet-
ing is suitable for plant stages, but it should
be covered with a layer of fine cinders, gravel,
shells, or some similar moisture-retaining
material.

Removal of Goods: E. A. II'. In the absence
of an agreement you cannot successfully claim
expenses incurred in the removal of the furni-
ture.

RicHARDiA (Arum) with Double Spathe :
L. B. The abnormality is not uncommon ;
we frequently receive similar specimens.

Roses Dying at the " Collar " : W . S. The
trouble is not due to either fungus or insect
pests. It results from unequal work done by
stock and scion. Suflicient food does not pass
down to the root, which, in consequence, is
starved. It is a common form of injury in the
case of grafted Roses, more especially in the
variety Marechal Neil. No cure is known.

Communications Received.— S. S., Budapest— G. W.
— L. B.— A. P. -Professor Balfour-X. L. D.— W. W. P.
—Royal Botanic Society -H. M. V.— H. & S.— Cannon E.
— F. M.— B. H. .1.— B. G.— A. R. S.-.J. D. G.— J. OB.—
H. C— A. D.-H. W. W.— C. D. T.— .1. D.- W. L., Texas
— E. P.-R. T.— J. R. J.-H. H.— W. H. W.— J. J. G. -
L. P.- Sideroleum — Stanley N.

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Februaey IZ, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

97

THE

^iirbeners'Cbrouiclc

No. 1,307.— SATURDAY, February IS, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Acanthus montanus ...

100

Societies—

Antirrhinum, a tall

Linnean

105

growing

100

National Chrysanthe-

Books, notices of—

mum

111

Sweet Pea Annual ...

105

National Vegetable ...

105

The Book of Flowers

101

Royal Horticul-

Chrysantbemiinis, late

105

tural 104

106

French gardening, ex-

Royal Meteorological

105

hibition of

105

Selborne

105

Gnlanthes l-Uwesii

106

Strawberries Fillbasket

Hillhouse, Prof. Wm.,

and Givon's Late

the late

106

Prolific

106

Law note

112

Street trees

101

New Zealand, trees and

Sweet Pea Lady G.

shrubs of

' 97

Hamilton

106

Parks appointment, the

Trees and shrubs—

L.C.C 104

109

Catalpas, tb?

100

Plants, new or note-

Vines, the prcning of

worthy —

young ...

106

Iris Masiie

99

Week's work, the—

Pratia angulata and

Flower garden, the ...

103

Lobelia linnEeoides ..

98

Fruits under glass ...

102

Eehmannia angulata at

Hardy fruit pardon, tht

102

Kew

105

Kitchen gnrden, the...

103

Retirement after long

Orchid houses, the ...

102

service

105

Plants under glass ..

102

R.H.8. examination of

Public parks and gar-

public park em-

dens

103

ployes

105

Wimbledon Common,

Rosary, the —

proposed addition

Cultural hints for

to

106

February

99

Wright, Mr. John, pre-

School garden, the

101

sentation to

105

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Antirrhinum niajus, a tall growing form of, in the
Hdtanical Garden, Upsala ... 100

Lobelia linniBoides in Edinburgh Royal Botanic
Garden 99

Pratia angulata in Edinburgb Royal Botanic Garden 99

Rehniannia angulata in the greenhouse at Kew
{Supplementary Illustration)

Street trees, hindrances to 101

TREES AND SHRUBS OF
NEW ZEALAND.

THOUGH Japan has been ransacked for
ti'ees and shrubs suitable for introduc-
tion to English gardens, though tem-
perat-a China has been drawn upon largely,
and N. American species imported wholesale,
New Zealand, with a climate approximating
to ours and with a large number of interesting
genera more or less limited to the Southern
Hemisphere, has been practically neglected.

No doubt this is largely due to the lack of
interest taken in the subject by those who live
in that country. Beyond Cordyline australis,
and tree-ferns, it is rare to see a native shrub
or tree in a New Zealand garden. There, de-
ciduous trees, Honeysuckles, Deutzias, Haw-
thorns, AVeigelas, Rhododendrons and such
plants, which have been under cultivation
so long in Europe and N. America that they
may be classed as " domesticated," are the
rule. Yet a few years of experiment on
similar lines would render New Zealand
species amenable to cultural conditions, a re-
sidt well worth the small amount of trouble it
woidd entail.

That the native ti-ees may be successfully
and quickly grown is shown by a most in-
teresting grove in the Auckland domain,
where the Conifers, Podocarpus ferrugineus
(Miro), Podocarpus Totara, Agathis australis
(Kauri), Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Toatoa)
and the weeping Dacrydium cupressinum
(Rimu) are doing splendidly. These trees, as

Professor Thomas informed me, were planted
about 30 years ago, and their progress is
under the constant observation of a few, who,
like himself, are not only keenly interested in
the local flora, but have proved its value
under cultivation. These trees range about
30 feet high, and flower and fruit profusely.
The young Kauris are about 50 feet, and
show the erect, tapering, pyramidal youth-
form, with regular whorled branches, so
familiar to me from the " Dakuas "
(Agathis vitiensis) of Fiji. This grove, which
was a thing of joy, is the only planting of its
kind that I saw in the countr}-.

The monotonous " domesticated " fades
even obtains in the Botanical Gardens, where
the least exacting stranger might reasonably
expect to see indigenous trees and shrubs well
grown.

Behind the Sugar Refinery near Devenport,
Auckland, there are a few isolated, well-
grown, young Toatoas, a peculiarly graceful
tree in its youth-form, with its crisp, green
foliage and whorled branches. The same may
be said of the Rimu, which, in its early stage,
is highly ornamental, and would make a very
welcome change fi'om the horti<-ultural Retino-
sporas planted ad 7iausi:aiH with us.

Podocarpus spicatus (Maitai) is a perfectly
lovel)- tree, w hich I w as lucky enough to see in
" park form," that is to say, well isolated, in
the Arthur Valley, Nelson. The foliage is
dense, and the leaves short and soft in tex-
ture, with silver undersides which lighten the
mysterious darkness of the much-branched
crown. There were a number of beautiful
Maitai there, the valley looking as if it had
been cleared with the axe and not by lire. It
was the only time I saw fine native trees in
situ, uninjured, branching almost to the
ground; growing in the Mixed Forest, they
are naturally drawn up to an immense height,
with remarkably small crowns.

The shrubby taxads are well seen in exposed,
open, montane regions. Of these Podocarpus
nivalis forms a dense, bushy growth from
2 to 8 feet high, with very dark green foliage.

Phyllocladus alpinus shows a charming,
waxy sheen nn the blue-green cladodes, and
varies according to situation, from a shrub to
small tree : — 3-2.5 feet.

Liucrydium Bidwillii is also shrubby in
habit, recalling Cupressus orientalis. The
female is profusely covered with little green
fruits on the tips of the branchlets. D. inter-
medium, which grows gregariously in re-
stricted areas on the plains running up to
Lakes Te Ano and Manapouri, shows the same
neat habit and fruits abundantly at 5 feet.
The seeds are black, with a fleshy, white aril
round the base: an unexpected contrast which
is particularly pleasing.

All these taxads, without exception, are
dioecious, and so should be raised from seed ;
for, though their habit is peculiarly graceful
and novel, compared with the well-worn Pines,
Cupressus, and Thujas which overload our
gardens, the fruits are also effective and show
interesting specific differences.

Of other trees, perhaps, the Proteaceous
Knightia excelsa (Rewa rewa), with its fasti-
giate habit, is the most conspicuous. It is
common in woods throughout the North
Island, and occurs in the northern portion of
the South Island, and so might be hardy in the
south of England. The flowers are handsome,
red, in lateral, cauline racemes.

Laurelia novse-zealandise is another, beauti-
ful, forest tree, with white trunk, bright-
green leaves, and racemes of typically Moni-
miaceous flowers. There are some fine ex-
amples in the Glen at Nelson.

Vitex lucens (Puriri), abundant about
Auckland, 40-60 feet high, with dull-red
flowers and handsome, 3-5 foliate leaves;
Dysoxylum spectabile (Kohekohe), a Meliace-
ous species, with white, wax-like flowers in
elongated racemes (cauline) and large, pinnate
leaves, are two typical N. Island trees. So
is the Pohutukawa, or Christmas tree (Metro-
sideros tomentosa), a beautiful species, abun-
dant by the sea, with the undersides of the
'eaves, young wood and inflorescences covered
with a thick, white tomentum. The flowers
are dark crimson in terminal cymes. The
other Ratas (Metrosideros sp.), though form-
ing magnificent forest trees, generally begin
life as epiphytes. M. lucida is an exception,
and, ranging as it does from sea level to
3,500 feet throughout both islands, would pro-
bably do well with us.

Like the " Vuga "* (M. villosa), which
clothes the slopes of the Fijian mountains in
early spring with its joyous crow^ns of blos-
soms, tinges distant hills and valleys red, and
forms an object of veneration to white man
and native alike, so the " Rata " in New Zea-
land plays a like role in sr.mmer. Its magnifi-
cence asserts itself, and in its abundance it
cannot be overlooked. The flowering season
also, coinciding with the Christmas vacation,
which people often spend camping out — even
large family parties indulging in this splendid
form of enjoyment — makes it perhaps the one
native tree which the impressionable age of
childhood associates with the homeland.

Of other trees whose altitudiual range and'
geographical distribution leave no doubt as to.
their hardiness are the evergreen Beeches,
with which, however, I have dealt in.
a previous article (see Vol. XLV., Third
Series, p. 225). They would certainly re
pay wide introduction to British gar-
dens. There is no comparison between
their graceful beauty and the clum.sy, thick
outline and dense foliage, so unsuitable for
our dull skies, of Quercus Ilex, which w-e
plant so freely. I saw only one example of
deciduous Beech under cultivation, and that
was in a Christchurch garden. It contrasted
charmingly with the usual, garden types, and,
though only planted seven yeans previously,
was of quite an imposing size.

Plagiauthus betulinus is a tree of gi-aceful
habit and light foliage. The male is the more
interesting form, the large, pendant panicles
of small, green flowers being produced in im-
mense profusion. I saw it isolated at Te
Aroha, where it was associated with Kahika-
teas and Cabbage trees in quite boggy areas.

Hoheria populnea is a small Malvaceous
tree of rather fastigiate habit, with white
flowers in axUlary panicles, abundantly dis-
played. It is figured in Kirk's Forest Flora
of New Zealand, where the interesting
differences of foliage between young and old
plants is shown in detail. On an isolated
specimen of this species near Nelson, known
for 30 years, and pointed out to me by Mr.
F. G. Gibbs, the lower branches still showed
the small leaves and twisted, interlaced
habit of the youth-form. For some years,
he informed me, he had had this plant
under observation and had noted its

* Pronounced " Vnnga."

98

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12, 1910.

gradual evolution to the mature habit. Both
this species and also Plagianthus betulinus would
probably p'ove deciduous over here. Elieo-
carpus dentatus (Hinau) is a charming Tiliaceous
tree with waxy, bell-like blossoms, white, with
fringed petals, and evergreen foliage. But, for
good habit, charm and profusion of flowers, I
would give pride of place amongst the evergreen
trees to the Weiumannias.

The two species, both endemic, are hardly to
be distinguished from each other, and both show
up well as shrubs flowering from 4 feet. Seeing
these trees all through New Zealand recalled the
delightful impression W. afiinis, almost identical
in appearance, made on me in Fiji, where it is
very common. The flowers resemble those of
."istilbe. the spicate racemes, 5 to 6 inches long,
terminating all the branches.

Quintinia serrata has the same habit, but the
leaves are lighter in colour and texture. L. S.
Gibhs.

(To he continued. J

tions up to an elevation of 4,500, and is included
by Mr. Cockayne amongst plants of bogs on
Stewart Island. These indications have been
generally followed in its cultivation in Britain,
as the columns of the Gardeners' Chronicle re-
cord, but it would appear that, attuned as the
plant is, like so many other bog plants, to phy-
siological drought, it is of little moment to the
plant how its water intake is made difficult,
whether by actual absence of water (physical
drought) or by a bar to absorption (physiological
drought). This is a fact of practical importance
in horticulture. In this we have an explanation
of why in Edinburgh we get our best results
when the plant is grown in dry, sandy soil in full
sun. This point has already been noted in the
pages of the Gardeners' Chronicle (Aug. 11,
1900. p. 110). "What we find is this : in the posi-
tion I have last mentioned, the prostrate stems
form a close carpet on the soil, and every leaf axil
sends up a short stemmed flower, making durnig
the summer a perfect sheet of white bl'-^soni ; if

but the flowers are covered by the copious vege-
tative growth. This is indeed merely an illus-
tration of the variation in grow-th-form that ac-
companies slight environment changes, and
which is exhibited to us by so many rock plants
— bj' none more conspicuously than by the mossy
Saxifrages, I must, however, get to the object
of this writing. It is to bring to the notice of
gardeners another member of the family of the
Carapanulaces, an ally of Pratia angulata, a
plant of like habit and giving promise of becom-
ing as great a favourite in our gardens. The
plant is Lobelia linnieoides, Petrie, and the illus-
tration (fig, 50) shows a small clump of it in the
rock-garden at Edinburgh. It is a true
Lobelia, though formerly named Pratia (the fruit
of Lobelia is a capsvile, that of Pratia a berry),
from the mountains of the south island of New
Zealand. Its specific name gives a clue to its
habit. The small, slightly-fleshy leaves on the
prostrate, purple stems are darker green on the
upper surface than those of Pratia an^^ulata, and

' [From a photograph setit by Prof. Balfour,
Fig. 49. — PRATIA ANGULATA IN EDINBURGH ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN: FLOWERS WHITE.

PRATIA ANGULATA, HoOK. F., AND LOBELIA
LINN/EOIDES, Petrie.

Pratia angulata (syn ; P. littoralis : Lo-
belia angulata and L. littoralis), native of
New Zealand, has been a favourite plant in gar-
dens for some 80 years. It came to the
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, in 1829.
from Messrs. Young, nurserymen, Epsom, and
was described by Professor Graham in the fol-
lowing year as Lobelia rugulosa. Nowhere has
it thriven better in Britain than in Edinburgh.
It is said to be common in the north and south
islands of New Zealand, growing in damp situa-

the plant be grown where there is some shade or
where the soil is heavier and moister, the stems
arch from the soil, formmg more or less of a
cushion, grow freely, and the flowers, which are
produced in fair abundance, are smothered in the
greenery and make but little show. The photo-
graph of a plant growing on the rockery here
illustrates the features I have described (fig. 49).
The front portion shows the plant exposed on a
shallow layer of sand on rock slabs with abundant
flower over the carpet of leaves ; the back por-
tion is on deeper, heavier soil, and growing
under the influence of adjacent rocks and more
in shade, it is beautiful as a picture of greenery.

have a purple under-side, which gives a glow to
the appearance of the plant in the sun. The
flower-stalks stand well up over the foliage, and
the corolla, white above, has a purplish under-
side, this colour running down the mid-rib of
each petal. Flowering is profuse, and its period
is as prolonged a.s that of Pratia angulata, last-
ing at Edinburgh from mid- June to mid-October
The plant, as it grows in Edinburgh, is not par-
ticular as to soil or exposure, is a free grower,
and is readily prop9gated by division or by
seeds. I do not know that it is in general culti-
vation in Britain, and it is a plant that should
be in every rock-garden. /. B. B.

February 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

v>t^

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

THE ROSARY.

IRIS MASI.^.*

Some years ago, when writing of Iris Grant
Duffii and Iris Aschersonii (see TJie Garden, 1902,
i., p. 288), the late Sir Michael Foster mentioned
a purple-flowered relative of these species, which
he had received from Herr INIax Leichtlin some
years previously under the name of I. Masiie. So
far, I have been unable to discover the authority
for this name, and should be glad if anyone
were able to throw any light upon its origin.

As far as I can ascertain, the plant is not
at present in cultivation, but with the help of
Foster's MS. notes and sketches, and of his dried
specimen, and of another in the Herbarium at
Kew, it is now possible to give a fairly full de-
scription of this interesting species. It was only
lately that I found at Kew an undetermined
species gathered by Sintenis in the course of his
journey in the East in 1888 on the steppes near
the village of Suverek, on the lower slopes of the
Karadja Dagh, a mountain which lies in the dis-
trict of Diarbckr in northern Mesopotamia. A
comparison of this specimen with Foster's ma-
terial leaves no doubt that the plants are iden-
tical, and it was probably from Sintenis that
Herr Leichtlin obtained his plants.

The leaves are somewhat rigid, about 18 inches
long by ^ inch wide, much overtopping the stem,
which is only 5 to 6 inches long, and bears a
sheathing leaf. The spathe valves are very nar-
row and pointed and no less than 6 inches in
length, and yet the flower is borne well above
them by reason of the lengthy pedicel of 5
inches. The ovary is of a rounded trigonal shape
with a broad groove on each face. Of perianth
tube there is practically none, for it is only
^ inch in length. The falls (2|j inches by !^ inch)
have a long, narrow haft and a lanceolate blade.
The haft bears along the centre about five parallel
faint purplish veins and a few dots on a greenish
ground, and along either side branching red-
purple veins on yellowish-green. On the blade,
of which the greater part is of a rich red-purple,
there is a triangular signal patch of creamy-
white veined with red purple. The standards
(2i inches by ^ inch) are oblanceolate, notched at
the ape.x, the blade being of a paler red-purple
than the falls, and the short haft veined and
dotted with purple on a yellowish ground. The
styles are narrow, with large purple crests, and
tho stigma conspicuously bilobed.

I. Masiae comes nearest to I. Aschersonii. from
which it differs chiefly in the shape of the seg-
ments. The haft of the fall is a narrow oblong,
and not panduriform, as is that of I. Aschersonii ;
the standards are relatively much broader and
distinctly oblanceolate in shape, while the styles
are linear and not oval, as in I. Aschersonii, and
the crests much larger.

The colour, of course, is wholly different,
though this alone would seem to be no good
specific difference, for there appears to be some
intimate chemical connection between the yellow
and the purple colouring so often found in Irises,
a connection so intimate that a slight change in
soil or climate is sufficient to produce purple,
where yellow occurred in the previous season.
This must not be taken to mean that Irises ever
produce yellow flowers one year and flowers that
are wholly purple the next ; but that, when a
species is found producing pale yellow flowers, we
may expect that, sooner or later, purple forms
will appear.

Taking all these differences into account, as well
as the more eastern habitat, for I. Aschersonii
is known only in the neighbourhood of Adana. it
seems best to consider this Iris as a distinct
species. W. If. Dykes, Charterhouse, Godalming.

* Iris Masi/E (Apogon). — Rhizoma (?) ; folia

linearia, subrigida, sesquipedalia ; sccipits simplex, brevis ;
spathce iiniflorae, valvis longissimis, herbaceis, angustis,
aciiminatis ; fieciiccllus 5 poll. longus ; ovariutn trigonuni,
trisulcatum ; tttbus subnuUus ; sc^titenta exteriora lanceolata,
iingue oblongo, saturate purpurea; intciiora emarginata,
oblanceolato — unguiculata pallide purpurea ; styli oblongi,
-angusti, cristis magnis.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR FEBRUARY.

In the vicinity of towns and smoky districts
the spring planting of Roses is advisable, as the
winter fogs and murky atmosphere will be over
and the new growths will not suffer so much in
consequence. Standard Roses are, as a rule,
very short-lived, and require to be constantly re-
newed ; therefoi'e, it is best to confine the selec-
tion to dwarf plants. They may be chosen
from the old Provence, Moss, Hybrid Bourbon,
Hybrid China, Rugosa, some hardy kinds of
Hybrid and Perpetuals, and hardy climbers.
Before planting, the old soil should be removed,
and replaced with two-thirds good loam, and
the remainder of equal parts of ^-inch bones
and road grit or sharp sand, well worked to-
gether. The plants should be obtained from
some reliable provincial grower, and be hardy
and vigorous.

All hardy climbing Roses on pillars, arches
and pergolas may be thinned out, tied, and
trained in as required, but shortening of the
other shoots should be left until March.

Late-planted dwarf Roses with strong, ripened
shoots may be laid down and pegged in the same

for the hot-bed, and should be turned over in a
heap two or three times to become well fer-
mented before the bed is made up. If properly
made, it should provide a regular and lasting
heat of 70° and 75° for a month. The bed
should not be less than 4 feet high at the back
and 3 feet 6 inches in front. The material must
be well trodden down. The length and width of
the bed will be 13 feet 6 inches by 9 feet
6 inches. A two-light box frame measuring
12 feet by 8 feet will be found a useful and
portable size to place on the bed : this will
allow 18 inches all round the frame for linings
when the heat is likely to decline. When the
frame is in position, place in it a mixture several
inches deep of fine ashes and fibre as plunging
material for the cuttings.

The mild, wet weather has caused active
growth amongst all classes of Roses : however,
providing there is a good reserve of dormant
basal eyes available at pruning time, there
should not be very much harm done, except
to cause the flowering season to be later. The
earliest-established, forced Roses will soon be
showing their flower-buds The same tempera-
ture as last month, namely, 55°, will be suffi-
cient, as the plants will now have considerable
help from the sunshine. A humid atmosphere

[Froyn a photograph sent by Pro/. Balfour.

Fig. 50. — LOBELIA LINN,BOIDES ON THE ROCK GARDEN IN EDINBURGH ROYAL BOTANIC

garden: FLOWERS WHITE, PURPLISH UNDERNEATH.

(See p. 98.)

way as those planted in October. The shoots can
be protected from severe weather, and will
give an abundance of blooms over a long period.
Where the beds have been beaten down by
heavy rains, point the ground between the plants
lightly with a fork to sweeten and aerate the
soil without disturbing the roots. This can be
followed by placing a fresh surface mulch of
manure.

Tread firmly the ground about Standard Briars
and other .stocks that have become loosened by
the frost. On or about the 25th of this month,
when the wood of the forced Roses is firmer,
propagation by cuttings may be begun simul-
taneously with or subsequent upon herba-
ceous grafting. Hot-beds may be made up
on the above date in readiness for the rooting
of the cuttings early in March. Horse manure
with plenty of short litter is the best material

and an increase of top ventilation may be given
on bright mornings, but close the house early
in the afternoon. Fumigate or vaporize the
house on the first appearance of aphis or red-
spider. If mildew appear, syringe the plants
with a hot solution of soft soap, or paste the hot-
water pipes with " sulphur vivum " and soft
soap dissolved in water. Liquid and artificial
manures may be applied as directed last month
to the growing plants, but when the flower-buds
begin to open the use of stimulants must be
discontinued.

The autumn-potted plants in the cold-house
will now be breaking into growth. The more for-
ward may be brought into the cool end of the
forcing house, which usually has a division for
that purpose. Keep the plants for a short time
rather drier at the root, but svringe them occa-
sionallv.

100

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12, 1910.

Dormant grafting will soon be finished, and
the earliest plants grafted during the autumn
will be ready for repotting into Aj-inch and
5-ineh pots. A suitable compost is yellow loam,
decayed manure, and sharp sand. Keep the
union well down under the soil, and pot firmly
and carefully. Stake the plants, and keep them
weU up to the light. An occasional syringing
overhead should be given to keep down insects.
The repotting should be continued as the plants
require a shift, which will be when they have
made from four to six leaves. With a good
supply of stocks and scions available, herbaceous
grafting should be in full progress. The grafted
plants may occupy the spaces lately occupied by
those grafted in winter. These will bear a more
humid atmosphere, but the foliage should be
allowed to dry for a few hours daily by opening
the sashes during the morning. Roses planted
out in borders should now be breaking freely
into growth after a long rest. The temperature
can remain about 50° at night time, rising dur-
ing the day with the sun's heat from 55° to 65°,
but in dull and severe weather it should not ex-
ceed 55". Ventilation must be given judiciously ;
promote a good circulation of air, and allow
a little to enter at night time near the
hot-water pipes. When watering is necessary,
give a thorough soaking, and afterwards mulch
with short, fermented manure. J . D. G.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

THE CATALPAS.

The hardy species of Catalpa are natives of
North America, China, and Japan. They usually
attain a height of 20 feet to 30 feet in this
country, and have broad, spreading heads
of about the same diameter. The leaves are
large, bold and striking in outline, and give the
trees a distinct and handsome appearance even
when not in flower. A deep and rather moist
soil suits them best, whether it is light
or heavy land being immaterial so long as
a deep rooting medium and plenty of moisture
are available. The rate of growth is fairly rapid,
especially with young trees on good ground, but
flowers are not produced as a rule until the
trees have attained a certain size and age. The
branches of Catalpa never form a terminal bud,
so that young trees require training and staking
to keep them to a single lead, but a stem 5 feet
or more in height can soon be obtained. Propa-
gation is effected both by stem- and root-cuttings.
Stem-cuttings should be made from the young
growths as soon as they are moderately firm.
The cuttings should be placed in gentle bottom
heat in a close frame, care being taken that they
are not kept too moist or they will soon rot.
Root-cuttings are obtained in the autumn just
before the fall of the leaf, and consist of some of
the larger roots of the thickness of a finger and
upwards. They should be cut into lengths of about
6 inches, cutting the two ends differently so as
to readily distinguish them. Then they should
be put in a sheltered position out-of-doors, the
top of the cutting, when planted, being level
with, or just below, the surface of the soil.

Though the Ca,talpas will probably never have
any value in this country as timber trees, yet in
the United States the native species have a certain
economic value as timber. The wood is soft and
coarse-grained, but is capable of resisting decay
when in the ground, so that it is used for fence-
posts, &c. As a proof of this, Professor Sargent,
in the Silva of North America, states that after
the earthquake of 1811 in Missouri, a great many
acres of land sank and became submerged, to-
gether with the trees growing on it. When
excavations were made on the spot in 1878, the
trunks of the Catalpas were found to be per-
fectly sound and good, while all the other trees
had rotted and practically disappeared.

C. BIGNONIOIDES (C. SYRING^FOLIA), INDIAN

Bean. — This species is a native of the South
United States, and is stated by Loudon to have

been first introduced to this country in 1726.
It forms a tree 30 feet or so in height, with a
broad, spreading head as much, or more, in
diameter. The leaves are broadly ovate, 5 inches
in length by about 5 inches wide, smooth on the
upper surface and downy beneath. On young,
vigorous trees they are sometimes twice the^size,
and pubescent on both surfaces. The flowers
open in July and early August, and are borne in
large, erect, terminal panicles. The individual
flowers are about 2 inches across, and are broadly
tubular with a crimpled or frilled edge ; the
colour is creamy white, with clusters of purple
spots and yellowish blotches. The fruits some-
what resemble a French Bean and are upwards
of a foot in length, giving the tree a singular
appearance when they are produced in any
quantity. The seeds rarely, if ever, ripen in this
country. The variety aurea has golden leaves ;
purpurea has foliage of a purplish hue, and nana
is a dwarf, rounded form, which never flowers,
and is only of value as a curiosity.

C. BuNGEi is a native of China, and it is
doubtful if there are many plants in this

Fig. 51. — ANTIRRHINUM M.\JUS GROWING IN

THE BOTANICAL GARDEN, UPSALA.

(Height 10 feet.)

country, the majority met with under this name
being either C. Ksempferi or C. bignonioides var.
nana. In its native habitat it makes a tree
30 feet or so in height, with triangular-shaped
leaves, sometimes lobed, and about 5 inches long
by 4 inches wide. The flowers are borne in
large panicles, and are individually about I5 inch
across, of a white colour, spotted with purple.

C. CORDIFOLIA (C. SPECIOSA), ThE WESTERN

Catalpa. — This species is a native of the United
States, its habitat being to the north-west of C.
bignonioides, where the winters are more severe,
so that it is somewhat the hardier of the two. It
is a handsome tree, reaching a height of 40 feet
or more, with leaves about 8 inches long by
5 inches wide, terminating each in a long, acu-
minate point. The flowers open early in July,
and are borne in tei'minal panicles, the individual
blossoms being a little over 2 inches in diameter,
pure white, with yellow blotches and a few

purple spots. This species is often confounded
with C. bignonioides, but is quite distinct from
it.

C. K.i:mpfeb.i is a native of China and Japan,
and has the merit of being the hardiest of the
genus, though the least ornamental. It forms a
tree about 20 feet high, with a rounded, spread-
ing head of about the same diameter. The ovate
leaves are usually lobed, dull green, woolly on
both surfaces when young, but becoming
glabrous above when older. The flowers appear
in comparatively small panicles, and ar3 about
an inch in diameter, dull yellow in colour, with
reddish-brown spots.

C. coEDiFOLiA X KjEmpferi. — This is a
hybrid raised by Mr. J. C. Teas in his garden in
Indiana, U.S.A., about 30 years ago. It is a
strong-growing, vigorous plant, and from the
American description of it is probably the best
of the genus. The flowers are produced in large,
terminal panicles, and are white, marked with
purple spots, and blotched with yellow. J.
Clark.

A TALL ANTIRRHINUM.

It may be interesting to readers of the
Gardeners' Chronicle to see an illustration (see
fig. 51) of an Antirrhinum majus that probably
surpasses in height all known forms of this
attractive border plant.

The tallest forms that appear to be known are
comprised under the name of A. majus procerum,
and reach a height of about 90 cm. (3 feet). The
pLnnt now illustrated attained, in the Botanical
Garden at Upsala, the height of 3 m. 45 cm.,
i.e., about 10 feet. It was raised from seeds by a
labourer in that town, who presented it to the
Botanical Garden. It was raised in the year 1908,
and, as the plant had reached the height of 1 m.
25 cm., it was planted in a pot, and during the
winter grown in the conservatory. In the spring
of 1909 it was planted out in the open ground,
and has since reached this astonishing height.
Two cuttings taken in the spring of 1909 are now
about 1 m. high.

This plant will, perhaps, be the parent to
quite a new class of giant Snapdragons, as I
have already collected some seeds from it. I also
intend to propagate it by cuttings which grow
readily.

The flowers are of a deep purple-red colour,
without any yellow, and they are uncommonly
large. Ivan Ortcndahl , Curator.

PLANT NOTE.

ACANTHUS MONTANUS.
Most members of the Bear's Breech family are
hardy in this country, but this particular species
needs to be grown in a warm house. It is a
native of tropical West Africa, and was intro-
duced over 40 years ago. Like many other
plants, it would appear to have almost dropped
cut of cultivation, till, at the last meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society, 1908, it was ex-
hibited by Messrs. Veitch and awarded a First-
class Certificate. At the first meeting of this
year it also figured in Messrs. Veitch's group, so
that it can be looked upon as a plant that flowers
in tha depth of winter. This Acanthus forms a
stout, erect stem of a half-woody character. It
is furnished with long, deeply-cut leaves, marked
more or less with a yellowish veining. The
flowers borne in terminal spikes much suggest
those of the other members of the family. They
are in colour white or nearly so, but are sub-
tended and partially hidden by bracts heavily
veined with purple, so that at a little distance
the blossoms appear to be of that hue. This
Acanthus is a plant of easy culture, and can be
readily propagated by means of cuttings. When
the certificate was awarded it was a compara-
tively unknown plant, but since then I have met
with it in two or three places. H'.

Febkuaey 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

JOl

THE SCHOOL GARDEN.

Since the inception of the school garden move-
ment much has been written on the subject and
much remains to be written. This is not to
be wondered at, since few subjects which have
found a place in the schemes of our primary
schools liave proved so useful in practice or so
pliable in theory as this educational application
of horticulture.

To the layman it is probable that the curri-
culum of the elementary school has little attrac-
tion. Possibly, if he be of mature years, there
may be little of pleasure in the memory which
he retains of his school days. But, to-day, the
child of the primary school lives in an atmosphere
freed from the rigours and the dulness of the old-
time teaching. Years of progression, of experi-
ment, and even of reversion, have evolved a
curriculum at once diverse in nature, and yet as
attractive to the young as it is educationally
valuable. Of modern additions to the curriculum,
the work in the school garden is one of the most
interesting.

From the standpoint of the outsider, the school
garden may appear to be nothing more than a
phase of practical horticulture. Up to a certain
point this is true, yet such an idea fails to repre-
sent adequately the true significance of the sub-
ject. Where this conception of the work is held
by the instructor, much of the educational
possibility of tlie study is lost. It is, however,
very difficult to define e.xactly the significance of
school gardening in the scheme of education,
since the subject is of such a versatile nature
that its extensions and developments ramify
deeply into other studies. It is not gardening
pure and simple. It is not merely a manual
subject which rests content with the perfection
of working practice. Its essential and unique
value lies in this, that it provides a means of
linking up the class-room studies with outdoor
observations.

In the boys' garden we may observe a phase of
horticultural instruction with a defined aim, con-
ducted along definite and considered lines. This
gardening — tentative as it necessarily must be —
is unique in that it is the common ground
whereon the horticulturist and educationist meet.
The result has been a natural one ; for each has
learned something from the other. The educa-
tionist needs facts to marshal into logical array,
to present lucidly and to explain truthfully.
These facts abound in the garden and, in the
judicious selection of these, the expert horticul-
turist is his guide.

It is well known to all who have had any
opportunity of snatching a glimpse of modern
school procedure that a very important advance
has been made in the last decade by the develop-
ment of Nature teaching. For the want of a
more expressive title it is called Nature study.
By some who are not closely familiar with the
aims and methods of this subject, it is regarded
as a fad. In fact, in its early days there was
much which might have merited such a con-
demnation. It is, however, purged of the
ridicule which inefficient teaching and in-
judicious choice of subject earned for it,
and to-day Nature study is recognised as a
subject of great interest and possibilities. It is
in the school garden, where these educational
possibilities are turned to account, that the young
gardener is led to discover the reasons which
underlie his practice. He is taught to trace for
himself the causes which bring about the effects
cbserved in his small plot, and these, as every
gardener knows, are sufficiently numerous to pro-
vide a wealth of material for thought.

It would seem hardly credible that the school-
toy's garden — insignificant as it may appear
when measured superficially — could possibly yield
the educational benefits claimed for it. This is
perhaps due to the fact that. we older gardeners
survey tlie garden generally with a dietetic bias.
We look forward to the harvesting of our sow-
ings, and also perhaps a little beyond, to its

consumption at the table. Such a view of things
rarely presents itself to the boy gardener,
although he may anticipate with pardonable
pride the carrying home of specimens of his culti-
vation for paternal congratulation. But, in the
first place, his plot, small as it is, is an experi-
mental station which, with infallible fidelity,
will represent the value of his work. The plot is
represented to him by his instructor as a labora-
tory in which he will conduct, within specified
limits, his own experiments ; and he knows full
well from the outset tliat the plants grown
therein will themselves record the wisdom of his
own procedure. He must know essentially xchat
should be done and whij the several operations
must be carried out. Thus he digs and trenches
the soil ; thus he sows seeds and transplants
seedlings. Thus he tends his crops generally
with observation carefully directed towards the
results of his work and with mind alert to con-
nect cause with effect. And more than this: he
is forearmed in the class-room, where experi-
ments have shown to him the more important
facts of the relationship of the plant to the soil
and the air. He has, in fact, apprehended that
gardening is no haphazard venture, but one
which depends for success on both steady work
and skilful application of wide and varied know-
ledge. ]]' . Fianri.i Rankine.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The Book of Flowers. •

This title is barely appropriate to a volume of
such a varied character as that before us. The
flowers treated of are most of them indigenous
to Great Britain, and around each is clustered
something about its folk-lore, its many names,
its medicinal properties, real or imaginary,
whilst every now and again there are pages with
charms, recipes, and prescriptions, and in every
chapter there are verses relating to' flowers.
For these reasons the text is fascinating, especi-
;Jly to those who possess a taste for literary fare
of the kind. Perhaps the subject most pleasantly
treated of all is the Shamrock, the evolution and
history of which is given in detail; but the
remarks on Lavender and its uses wlU be equally
interesting to many people, and, as might 'oe
expected, the portion appropriated by the Rose
is filled with " sweetness long drawn out."

Readers are warned in the introduction that the
book " makes no pretence at all to completeness
or to scientific knowledge or accuracy," and the
reader who turns to its pages hoping that the
authors have exaggerated their failings will dis-
cover that they are strictly honest. Incomplete-
ness was to be looked for, but accuracy is desir-
able on all occasions. Many of the plants are con-
fused in an extraordinary manner. Chelidonium
majus, for instance, has affiliated to it under
Scots or English names, Caltha palustris and
Euphorbia Helioscopia ! Common names are
misapplied in many cases. Allan Ramsay's
" birns," which are the burnt stems of Heather,
being referred to the Bardock. " Harlock," in
one of Drayton's poems, is emended to " Char-
lock," while lovers of the contemplative Izaak
will find a couplet of a well-known song and its
author treated thus : " Master Danvers sang the
flower by a different name :

' Purple Narcissus like the morning rays,
Pale garden grass and azure Culver keys.' "
And so on all through the volume. Complete
accuracy in writing of flowers from the stand-
point adopted by the authors is, perhaps, not
always possible. At the same time, it is not too
much to expect writers on this difficult subject
to take every precaution to secure a near ap-
proach to it. In this instance, it is the one draw-
back to an otherwise very delightful book. B.

* The Bcok nf Flowers^ by Katherine Pynan and Frances
M.uiland. (London : Smith, Elder & Co.) 6s.

STREET TREES.

The raising of trees for street planting should
be undertaken by every town authority, for in
most boroughs there are waste lands which
could be utilised for the purpose. For example,
the places where road-sweepings are tipped might
be so employed, and the " tip," which has hither-
to been one of the most unsightly places in a
town, could be made attractive. Trees, when
grown in the neighbourhood where they are
to be permanently planted, may be transferred,
even when of a large size, with very little check.
They are not out of the ground for long, and
usually a good bulk of soil may be retained about
the roots, especially if a transplanting trolly is
used. The young trees require very little attention
while growing in the nursery ; all that is neces-
sary is to keep them properly pruned and cleaned,
and transplant them every second year. If the
town does not possess a garden staff the work may
be given to the cemetery superintendent, or a local
nurseryman may be commissioned to prepare the
trees. Too often street trees are neglected at the
start, never pruned, transplanted, nor matched.
In a new street near to the Strand some of the
trees are about 9 feet high, the next 20 feet, the
next 15 feet, and so on — a very irregular row,
and almost all the trees withouta leading shoot.
These trees will, I presume, be allowed to grow-
as they may until a branch becomes a menace
to traffic, when it will be pruned. Who has
not seen these prunings? In many cases
in this country an unskilled labourer with
a saw, acting under the direction of an
engineer, is responsible for the work. It results
in a row of horribly mutilated trees, with hun-
dreds of saw-wounds, through which disease-pro-

II

Fig. 52. — HINDRANCES TO STREET TREES.
(A section of Kingsway, London.)

A

Subway for trams.

HH

Surface water drains

B B

Sewers.

I I

Cellars.

C C

Gas mains.

J J

Asphalt path.

lUJ

Water mains.

KK

Buildings.

t E

Electric cables.

L

Wood paving.

1-

Telephone conduit.

M

Concrete.

G

Telegraph conduit.

N N

Gulleys.

ducing parasites gain ready access to the living
tissues. If, notwithstanding, the branch keeps
healthy, it throws out a crowd of shoots, all of
which are allowed to remain, and as soon as one
good branch has emerged from the chaos it is time
for the engineer to appear again. It is possible to
maintain street trees in a perfect shape with very
little expense. It is asserted by some that formal
treatment of street trees is unnatural, and that
systematic pruning and training are against
the laws of Nature. The cultivation of trees in
streets is altogether unnatural, for the streets
themselves are unnatural.

Street trees must be selected with three objects
in view. They must suit the positions which
they are to occupy, the positions they occupy
must suit them, and they must be beautifid,
shade-giving, and easy of culture. A section of a
London street (see fig. 52) shows how different are
the conditions from those that obtain in a park or
garden. The entire surface of the road is paved,
thus shutting out air and moisture from the soil.
There can be no annual mulching and forking
about the roots except beneath the small gratings
where the trees are planted. The surface alone
presents a tremendous problem to the town
planter, but the works below ground are even
more discouraging, for there may be drains,
sewers, gas mains, water mains, electric mains,
telegraph-ways, and a host of other things which
make the ground a network of pipes and cement-
cased channels. Pern.

102

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[FEBaUABY 12, 1910.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardoii Hill, Weetvvood, Yorkshire.

AUamanda. — The plants, having completed
their season of rest, should have the old soil
removed from their roots prior to repotting
them, it the rooting medium is in a dust-dry
(.Dnditioii, it will be better, before disturbing
it. to place the pots in a tank of tepid water-
and afterwards allow it to drain. If the shoots
are not already pruned, as advised in a previous
('alendar, the growth should be cut back intx)
the hard wood and all the weak and undesirable
shoots removed. In repotting, use clean pots,
and place plenty of material in the bottom
for drainage purposes. Select receptacles
rather smaller than those they have pre-
vmnsiy occupied, as this will allow them to
lis shifted into bigger pot.s later in the .sea.son.
Tlio AUamanda thrives in hbrous yellow loam
mixed with charcoal and mortar rubble. t'ot
firmly, as this is necessary to secure short-
joiuled, solid shoots.

liichardia. — R. africana, generally known as
Calla in gardens, being a bog or semi-aquatic
species, needs an abundance of water during the
period of growth. It is possible to have plants
ill bloom for a very long period, for some may be
forced in a temperature of 55° to 50° to flower
early in .January, and a succession can be kept up
until late in the summer. When the pots have
become filled with roots, and the plants are
growing quickly, diluted liquid manure should
be applied to the roots at every alternate water-
ing. The yellow-spathed Richardias or Arums
include R. Elliottiana, Pentlandii, and Taylori.
These choice flowers are much esteemed during
the London season, and, fortunately, the flowers
can be packed in boxes, with a knowledge that
they will last for a long period after the stems
have been placed in water. I\Iy system of culti-
vation for these yellow Callas is to place the
tubers in shallow pans or boxes. The atmosphere
is kept moist and warm, and water is applied to
the tubers sparingly, until they have become well
rooted ; but as soon as the roots can cling to the
compo.st. they are removed and potted into pots
of suitable sizes, according to the size and
strength of each tuber. Tubers will sometimes
flower in the second year from seed ; but they
are always more satisfactory in the third year.
Propagation may also be effected by potting up
the off-sets, which are produced in abundance ;
these develop into flowering tubers more quickly
than seedlings.

Seed-sowing. — A start may now be made by
rsiising plants that will flower in autumn, but re-
quire a long season of growth. Such plants in-
clude Gloxinias, Saiiitpaulia ionantha. tuberous-
rooted Begonias, and hybrid Streptocarpuses.
Select shallow pans or clean pots, and place some
broken crocks at the base for drainage. Over
the crocks provide a layer of rough material, and
fill the receptacles to within half an inch of the
rim with a light, porous soil, making this moder-
ately firm with the fingers and smoothing over
the surface. The compost may consist of finely-
sifted loam, peat, Oak leaf-mould, and sand in
equal proportions. Let it be thoroughly well
watered in the pots, taking care not to disturb
the surface of the soil, and, after the pots have
been allowed to drain for a few hours, the seed
may be s<jwn thinly and regularly over the sur-
face. Place pieces of glass over each receptacle,
and plunge them in a moderately warm hot-bed.
They will recjuire to be carefully shaded from
sudden outbursts of sunshine. When germina-
tion has taken place, the glass .should be tilted,
and finally it must be removed, and the seedlings
gradually hardened to exposure to the light,
when they may be afforded a position near the
glass.

Chrijsanthemurns. — Those that have already
rooted may be placed into separate frames as
soon as the weather will permit them to be re-
moved, as they need more ventilation during
favourable weather. The cuttings that were
rooted fir.st may now be potted, before the roots
get entangled. For this first potting a mixture of
loam and Oak leaf-mould is suitable. This should
be made moderately firm round the roots with
the fingers, and a small stake should be applied

to each plant to secure it from injury. After the
potting process, keep the frames closed for a
few days, and, if it is thought necessary, a light
shade may be afforded the plants until the roots
have recovered. Keep them well exposed to the
light, and near to the glass, and do not use arti-
ficial heat unless it is to prevent frost. On the
slighte.sl appearance of aphides, the plants may
be dusted with tobacco powder, or treated with
some approved insecticide.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Training Peaches and Nectarines. — Assuming
that these trees have been detached from walls
in order to retard the flower period, they may
now be pruned. The pruning will be a" slight
operation if the trees were given proper attention
during last spring and summer, in regard to
disbudding the shoots and pinching the lateral
growths. The operator may now proceed to re-
move any weak branches or shoots that can be
.spared, as this will have the effect of preventing
any overcrowding. If the trees are infested with
scale or any insect pest, let them be given a
thorough washing with some effective dressing.
This can be best applied by means of a half-worn
painter's brush, which must be well cleaned of
all paint by soaking it in turpentine and working
the paint out on a plain board. In applying the
insecticide to the tree, the brush must he worked
in an upward direction, so that the buds will not
be injured. If the trees are perfectly clean, they
may be given a syringing after the training is
finished with a solution of soft soap and sulphur,
using 6 ounces of soap and 4 ounces of flowers of
sulphur to each 3 gallons of water. First dis-
solve the soap in hot water before adding the
sulphur, and let the mixture be well stirred
whilst applying it to the trees. In carrying out
the training, first tie in the main branches, dis-
posing them evenly over the allotted space, so as
to give the tree a well-balanced appearance ;
then train in the shoots at equal distances be-
tween tlie branches at about 5 to 8 inches apart.
Tarred fillis is the best material for fastening the
branches, and well-twisted raffia for securing
the shoots: but care must always be taken not
to make any of the ties too tight. If the borders
require a top-dressing, they may be treated in
the manner described for wall trees in the
Calendar printed in the issue for January 8.
Peach borders should be examined frequently in
order to ascertain if the roots are sufficiently
moist, it being a fact that, in numerous cases, the
trees suffer from neglect in this matter. I
strongly recommend that Kirk's border tester
(see fig. in Oardencris' Chronicle. January 18,
1908) should be used for this purpose. Let the
cultivator bear in mind the walls absorb much
moisture, whilst they also prevent the rains hav-
ing their full effect upon the borders.

Hdahellinij Iree.^. — The relabelling of trees may
be undertaken during rough weather, when other
outside work cannot be proceeded with satisfac-
torily. Let the necessary labels be got in readi-
ness for all recently-planted trees and shrubs,
and for any others where the labels need to be
renewed.

The fruit store. — Remove all the decayed fruits
from the fruit-room, and keep everything in the
store as clean as possible. Some varieties of
Apples are shrivelling badly with us this season,
which is probably owing to imperfect matura-
tion during last season, which was comparatively
dull and sunless.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

B) \ H. '.Vhite, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Cool-growing Cyjiripediunis. — For a winter
display there are few Orchids more pretty and
effective than the cooler-growing species of
Cypripedium, especially the well-known C. in-
signe and its many distinct varieties, among
which the following are always appreciated : —
Harefield Hall variety, Sanderse, Sanderianum,
Laura Kimball, Gwynedd, punctatum violaceum.
Amy Moore, and Dorothy. These and the less-
distinguished varieties are great favourites, for
they are not only very beautiful, but are capable

of lasting in a fresh condition for two or three
months. The plants possess vigorous constitu-
tions, and will thrive in almost any house where
frost is excluded. The following species should
also be grown where sufficient space can be
afforded for their culture : — C. Spicerianum, C.
Charlesworthii, C. Fairrieanum, C. villosum, and
C. Boxallii. Among the cooler-growing Cypripe-
dium hybrids which have similar merits are : — C.
Leeanum, C. L. giganteum, C. L. Clinkerberry-
anum, C. L. Prospero, C. Hera, C. Euryades, C.
Actteus, C. A. Chardwarense, C. A. Langleyense,
C. Alcibiades, C. aureum, C. a. surprise, C. a.
adippe, C. a. virginale, C. Beekmannii, C. vexil-
larium, C. Hitchense, C. Sallieri var. Hyeanum,
C. Minos, and C. Tityus. Any of these plants —
and others of the same category — as they pass out
of flower, and which may have become pot-bound,
should be repotted ; but unless the old compost
has become sour or decayed, or a larger pot is
absolutely needed, annual repotting is undesir-
able. When repotting, afford liberal root room,
with the pots filled to about a quarter of their
depth with clean crocks, for perfect drainage is
essential. J'he best compost for these plants is
good fibrous loam and Osmunda fibre in about
equal proportions. Cut the Osmunda fibre moder-
ately fine, as it will then mix better with the
loam than if used in a coarse state. A fourth
part of freshly-gathered Sphagnum-moss may
also be cut finely and mixed with these materials,
adding plenty of small crocks. Pot each plant
with moderate firmness, and keep the base of the
plant just below the rim of the pot, and the
compost filled up to the same level, so as to
leave suflRcient space for holding water. Good-
sized specimens may with advantage be divided
according to the requirements of the cultivator,
repotting them into pots sufficiently large to ad-
mit of the increa.se of growth they are likely to
make in two years. After the plants are re-
potted, their immediate surroundings should be
kept constantly moist, and one thorough water-
ing given them. Then, for a few weeks, water
should be given sparingly, just sufficient being
afforded to entice the Sphagnum-moss to grow
on the surface of the compost. When growth is
proceeding actively, these plants will take almost
unlimited supplies of water. A cool, damp posi-
tion in the intermediate house is the best place
for the ahove-mentioncd species and hybrids at
all seasons, and they need shade from strong sun-
light.

Ci/rt(ijmdliim. — After a long rest, such species
as C. Andersonii and C. punctatum are now re-
commencing to grow. As the flower-spikes ap-
pear in conjunction with the young growths,
very soon after they have started, the plants will
need far more heat and moisture than hitherto.
Stand the plants in the East Indian house, or
warm, moist stove, in the lightest position avail-
able, and fj'om this time afford liberal quantities
of water till giowth is fully completed. Cyrto-
podiums are not popular, but the branching
panicles of bloom they produce, their general at-
tractiveness when in flower, and the long time
Ihey keep fresh should be sufficient to recommend
them.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACKE, Gardener to Sir Er.sest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Early Peach trees. — Those trees which have set
heavy crops may now have some of the fruits
thinned out. First remove all twin or deformed
fruits and any that are growing behind branches
or in other unsuitable positions. The disbudding
of shoots may also be commenced, but the opera-
tion should be continued for several weeks, in
order to avoid a check by removing too many at
one time. In the work of disbudding the
operator must be guided by the characteristics of
each individual tree. Generally speaking, the
first outside growth at the base of the shoot
chould be retained, also the terminal growth on
each shoot, this latter for extension. Other
shoots must be left alternately at distances of
1 foot apart. Retain the shoots which spring
from the same position as the fruits and pinch
these shoots at the third or fourth leaf, for the
presence of the shoots will have a beneficial effect
upon the developinent of the fruits. Any
.strong, sappy shoots which arise from the larger
branches are better removed altogether^ as they
tend to destroy the balance of the tree. Syringe
the trees once or twice each day with tepid water,

February 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

103

and maintain an atmospheric temperature of 60°
to 65°, lit night allowing an increase of tempera-
ture. During the day water the borders with
chilled water when this is necessary, taking par-
ticular care that the roots immediately near to the
heating apparatus do not suffer from drought.

.S7rat(!6p;-/-ir.5.— -Early plants which have set
their fruits may now be thinned, leaving four to
cix berries on each plant. The fruiting spray
should be supported by a small forked twig in
I rder that it may be the better exposed to sun
and air. If this is not done, the weight of fruit
will cause the stem to bend o\'er the edge of the
pot, thus hindering a free passage of nutriment
to the berries. The plants at this stage may be
forced rather .severely until the fruits commence
tj colour. 'Jlie temperature may range from 65°
tii 75° at night and 75° by day, provided plenty
of atmospheric moisture is promoted to balance
the fire-heat. Attend carefully to watering,
applying the liquid m.mure or soot-water alter-
nately with clear water. Syringe the plants once
or twice daily according to the weather,
thoroughly wetting the undersides of the leaves
to prevent red spider. Later plants now in bloom
should be treated to a temperature of 55° to 60° ;
the atmosphere should be somewhat dry and the
flowers need to b;> pollinated each day at about
noon, using a rabbit's or hare's tail attached to a
pliable stick or wire. It is well to have a little
extra warmth in the water pipes in diil) weather
in order that the top ventilators may be opened
for a few hours during the early part of the da}-.
This will help to dissipate any moisture in the
house and to dry the pollen. A common cause of
Strawberry flowers failing to set is exposure
of the plants- to cold draughts when in bloom.
Strawberries being generally placed . on shelves
near the top of the house, are extremely liable
to suffer from such treatment.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. \'icAr{Y GlBBS,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

Sweet Peas. — Each specialist has his own par-
ticular time for sowing seeds of Sweet Pea ; but,
for general purposes, good results may be ob-
tained by sowing at the present time in pots,
with the intention of planting-out the seedlings
when the weather will permit. For this purpose
it is well to select 3-inch pots which are clean
and provided with drainage, using for a compost
loam and leaf-mould which has been passed
through a ^-inch meshed sieve, mixing with this
compost a dusting of bonemeal. Make the pots
three parts full with soil, but only place three or
four seeds in each pot. unless there are reasons
to believe the seed is not Hrst-rate. Cover them
with tine soil, but do not press it too firm.
Label each pot correctly as the work proceeds,
and place them in a cold frame, setting them
" pot-thick " for the present. If a good water-
ing is given them at once, the conditions will be
such that germination will proceed naturally, and
seedlings may be expected to grow strongl,y from
the very first. A close watch must be kept that
the seeds are not attacked by mice. As soon as
the seedlings have commenced to grow, the frame
must be ventilated on all favourable occasions ;
but the plants will need to be protected from
frost. Support the young plants with small
pieces of brushy twig, and see that they are
thoroughly hardened before removing them out-
of-doors.

C'/iri/saiillieiDiiiiin. — If it is intended to increase
the stock of border Chrysanthemums, or of any
particular variety, or of obtaining fresh stock of
particular varieties with a view to discarding the
old stools, cuttings may now be inserted, assum-
ing that the stools were lifted in autumn and
stored :n cold frames. The cuttings should be
removed with a sharp knife, and, after prepara-
tion, should be inserted in fine, sandy soil, in
pots or boxes, applying a good watering imme-
diately afterwards. These cuttings will form
roots even in cold frames, if kept near to the
glass ; but if they can be placed in a little
warmth, the rooting process will be accelerated.
The best place is in a frame on a mild hot-bed.
As soon as they are well rooted, any that are
large enough may be pinched to induce a bushy
habit. Later, they may be potted into 3-inch
pots, using a porous compost containing a little
rotted manure and bonemeal. Potting should
be done firmly, and the atmosphere should be

kept close for a while afterwards ; but directly
the plants have become again established, venti-
lation will be necessary on all favourable occa-
sions.

l'e.nl.ite»ioii. — Young plants of Pentstemon that
were rooted last autumn and are still in the
cutting pots or boxes, may now be potted singly
into 3-inch pots. This work can be done when
the weather does not permit of outdoor opera-
tions being carried on. Plants treated in this
way will succeed much better than if they were
removed from boxes to the pot.s or borders." Place
them in a cold frame, and when they are estab-
lished admit air on all favourable occasions,
pinching those pl.-ints that were not pinched be-
fore they were potted. Afford protection during
frost.

T/ie x/iritljherles. — Planting operations being
now completed, the shrubberies may be dug or
forked to a good depth, leaving the' surface soil
moderately rough. After the lapse of a few
months, it may be levelled down to a good tilth,
and, with occasional rakings, be made to present
a smart appearance throughout the season. Dis-
cretion must be exercised, however, for it is not
advisable to dig very deep immediately close to
the roots of choice shrubs. Examine all stakes and
ties, and renew any that need it. Attend to ihe
labelling of plants, for if this work is neglected
now, it is scarcely likely to be done later.

Spr'iihj bedding. — Beds containing spring-
flowering plants should have the surface stirred
as fre(iuentl,v as necessary, taking care to avoid
damaging any bulbs which may be just coming
through the soil. Any gaps that have occurred
amongst the plants should be made good.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Oii'tniLi. — It was formerly the general practice
to sow Onions on ground recently occupied by
Celery, for the reason that the soil was heavily
manured before planting the Celery. It is, how-
ever, better to trench and manure the land in
autumn intended for the general Onion crop,
leaving the surface as rough as possible during
winter. If this is done, it merely requires to be
forked over in spring, and allowed to remain
until it is fairly dry, when it may be trodden,
levelled, and raked over. These operations can-
not be done satisfactorily unless the ground is
dry, therefcre it is better to defer planting even
for a week or two after the usual time if the
weather is unsuitable. The seeds should be sown
in shallow drills, drawn at 18 inches apart, and
the seed covered carefully by pushing the soil
from the sides of the drill w-ith the feet. The
ground should then be lightly trodden and raked
over with a wooden rake, care being taken not
to disturb the seeds. Autumn-sown Onions should
be planted out as soon as the state of the ground
will permit, selecting rich soil in an open posi-
tion. They should be planted in rows 18 inches
apart, and the ground may be made firm in the
same manner as for the spring crop. As soon as
the plants are re-established, they should be
given an occasional dusting of soot or artificial
manure, and the Dutch hoe should be worked
between the rows occasionally to stir the surface
soil. Autumn-sown Onions grow much larger in
size and have a milder flavour than those raised
in spring, and they come into use when Onions
are scarce.

Lefliires. — The Lettuce plants raised in Octo-
ber and wintered in a cold frame will now be
read.y for planting on a south border. The soil
for this early ci'op should be of a rich and light
nature. The plants may be put in rows 1 foot
apart, allowing the same distances between the
plants in the row. These Lettuces should be
ready for use in April and Jlay, and, in the lat-
ter month, the Lettuces sown in boxes a month
ago will come as a succession. Lettuces require
frequent dustings of lime to protect them from
slugs and other pests.

Carrot.^. — As soon as the first sowing of Carrots
appear above the ground, a further sowing of the
variety Early Horn may be made in a cold pit.
If the" weather is favourable, a small sowing of
the same variety may also be made in some shel-
tered part of the garden, sowing the seed in rows

9 inches apart, and lightly covering them with
finely-sifted soil. This slight covering may easily
be sown with the hand in sufficient quantity to
level the drills.

French Bean-i. — These may be sown in hot-
beds, on beds of leaves covered with soil to a
depth of at least 9 inches, and made firm by care-
ful treading. Sow the seeds in drills 18 inches
apart and 2 feet deep. As soon as the young
plants are well above the ground, syringe them
freely. If a dwarf-growing variety is chosen,
and sufficient ventilation is employed to keep the
growth sturdy, the plants will not require the
sticks for support. If pits are not available, fre-
quent small sowings should be made in pots, and
the pots placed in a structure having an atirios-
pheric temperature of 50°. and where there is
plenty of moisture. Excellent varieties for this
purpose are Progress, Ne Plus Ultra, and Earliest
of All.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By VV. VV. Pettigkkw, Superintendent of City Parks,
Cardifl', Glamorganshire.

Boiler skating. — At the present moment a
craze exists all over the country for roller skat-
ing. The indulgence in this pastime is not con-
fined to the youthful, but has even become the
amusement of the middle-aged and elderly folk.
The better-to-do classes are spending time and
money in its enjoyment on the specially-prepared
floors which are laid down in the rinks now-
springing into existence in nearly every town
of importance. Those who cannot afford to pat
ronisB such places — more especially children — are
constituting themselves a public nuisance and
danger by skating on street paverr.ents and high
roads in and out among the ordiniry pedestrian
traffic. That this pastime has come to stay is
very questionable, for its popularity has been
too sudden and too general to have a lasting
hold upon the public mind, iloreover, those of
us who can carry our memories back for 30
years can well remember how a similar roller-
skating craze was then in vogue for a short
time, only to subside almost as quickly as it
developed". There is, howe^'er, reason to believe
that owing to the vastly improved mechanism
of the skaies used now, the popularity of roller
skating will not be as evanescent as it was some
years ago.

Ili/giene. — That this form of skating is capable
of being used as a beneficial and healthful exer-
cise for young people cannot be denied ; that it
is such when carried out under the conditions
existing in the covered-in area of the ordinary
skating rink is open to doubt. The resultant dust
(with its accompaniment of bacteria) caused by
the movement of skaters, the vitiated air, and
the risks from overheating and chills, all neces-
sarily associated with the indoor rink tend to
place it within the category of unhygienic exer-
cises. On the contrary, in the open air, in a
clear, pure atmosphere the pastime has every-
thing to commend it. Under such conditions it
would, during cold weather, be quite as invigorat-
ing as skating on ice.

Duty of the jiarhs department. — It is now
generall.v agreed that one of the chief duties of
a parks "department is to cater for the inhabitants
of towns in such a way as to attract them away
from unhealthy and uncongenial surroundings,
whether these" be their dwellings or places of
amusement. Hence where suitable provision can
be conveniently and cheaply made in a ptirk for
roller skating it should be done. While it would
for many reasons be quite out of the question to
construct suitable wooden floors in the open, it
would be a very simple matter to lay down a
cheap asphalt floor eminently adapted for roller
skating. Skaters could not expect to find such
a perfect surface as in the case of a wooden floor,
but the draw-back in this direction would amply
be made up by the enjoyment of the healthful
and pleasant surroundings of the open grounds.

U.ie of rink for other purpose.'!. — A suitably-set-
out asphalt roller skating rink might easily be
utilised for tennis courts in the summer, and the
fees derived from these, together with the charges
made to skaters, would make such an under-
taking, in some degree, self-supporting. No
doubt the public would appreciate any provision
made for these two popular summer and winter
pastimes, and would patronise the ground freel.y.

104

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12_, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specunens of plants
tor naviing, should be addressed to the EDITORS.
41, Welling;ton Street, Covent Garden. London.
CcmiHuiiications should be wRiTTtN on onk side onlv of
THR PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible atui duly
signed by the writer. If dcstred^ the signature will not be
printed, btit kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith.

Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, oj
gardens, or of remarkable plants, Jlowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Newspapers.— Cof respondents sending newspapers should be
carejulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11—

United Hort. Ben & Prov. Soc. Com. meet.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY IB-
Women's Agric. and Hort. Assoc. Annual Dinner.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17— Linnean Soc. tneet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— SQ'S*^.
Actual Temperatures: —

hotiDON. —Wednesdav, February 9 (6 p.m.): Mas. 42°;
Min. 33».
1 ardemii' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London —Thursday. February 10
(10 A.M.): Bar. 30-2; Temp. 46°; Weather—
Bright.
Provinces. — Wednesday, February 9 : Max. 47° S. Ire-
land ; Min. 35° Yorkshire.

serve faithfully a man whose technical quali-
fications they can respect, and whose success
in similar posts has proved his powers of
leadership.

The chief apologist for the appointment
urged that the post required a man of husiness
training and procee<led, with relentless logic,
to recommend the appointment of an army
officer. He would advise us to join the army
in order to learn business so as to equip our-
selves for a horticultural post. We are re-
minded of Alice in Wonderland.

So much for this appointment. Let us turn
from it in order to consider how the horti-
culturist may best protect his interests in the
future ? What is to be done to prevent the
recurrence of such appointments? He must
take steps to establish something of the
nature of a National Diploma in Horticulture :
some means not only of testing the capacities
of men trained in liorticulture, but also of
educating the ignorant as to the meaning of
horticulture itself. It is only b}' taking some
such step that we may hope to enlighten men
like those gentlemen who stated in the Council
that a gardener was not wanted for the post.
In the meantime we prote.st in the name of
horticulture against this appointment.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Border Plants and Perennials, Lilies, Gladiolus, &c.,
at 12; Rose?, Azaleas, &c., at 1.30, by Protheroe &
Morris, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.

WEDNESDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Liliums, Hardy Bulbs,
&c., at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30; Palms,
Azaleas, &c., at 6, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, B.C., by
Protheroe & Morns.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Unreserved Sale of Nursery Stock at Tunbridge Wells
Nurseries, Tunbridge Wells, re T. Cripps & Son, Ltd.,
by Protheroe & Morris, at H.30.

FRIDAY—

Imported and Established Orchids, at 67 & 68, Cheap-
side, E.G., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The L.C.C.

Parks

Appointment!

Tlfj studiously moderate ap-
peal which we addressed last
T^eek to the members of the
London County Council has
failed. Our attempt to secure the appoint-
ment of a man trained in horticulture to the
post of chief oSicer of the London parks has
proved unsuccessful. An Army officer has
been appointed.

Nevertheless, the appeal has not been made
in vain. In the Council itself, efFective and,
indeed, unanswerable protest was made. In
the horticultural world the action of the
Council has raised such a storm of indignation
and resentment as will prevent a like appoint-
ment ever being made again. The recent
decision can be ascribed only to the Council's
ignorance of the duties and possibilities
attaching to this post. These the members
might have learned by visiting the parks of
such cities as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds,
Cardiff, or other of the great cities where the
parks are under the charge of civilian
experts, and the results ars entirely satisfac-
tory. Major Enthoven confesses, as the
report in the present issue testifies, that he is
ignorant of horticulture. We, who speak with
knowledge, tell the Council that the first
qualification for the post of chief officer is
practical experience in that subject. None but
a trained horticulturist is qualified to fill the
position. The men under the chief officer are
skilled British workmen, who want no soldiers'
discipline. They have pride in their work and

At the annual meeting of Fel-
Royal lo\vs, which took place on

Horticultural rn \ i 4. c- t, t

Society. i-Uesday last, bir Trevor Law-
rence made sevei-al important
announcements. One, connected with the
liindley Library, will be read with interest
by all who appreciate the permanent value
of the collection of books which the Trustees
have acquired during the past 40 years or so
since the purchase of the late Dr. Lindley's
library with money obtained from the 1866
Exhibition. In the annual Report of the
Council, published in our last i.ssue, a
short, carefully-guarded note appeared, in
which it was stated that negotiations
were proceeding in reference to the future
management of the library. Mr. Ehves,
therefore, asked the president for fur-
tlier information, and this was accorded
freely both by Sir Trevor Lawrence and the
treasurer, Mr. Gurney Fowler. It appears
that, if the negotiations with the Charity
Commissioners result as the Council hope and
expect, the money now invested with the
Trustees will be held by the Commissioners.
The prese?it Trustees will cease to exist, and,
instead. Trustees will be appointed by the
Council ; indeed, they will form a committee
within the Council.

We are given to understand that, whilst
the funds will be held by the Charity Commis-
sioners, the management of the library will
be practically in the hands of the Council, and
the ownership of the library vested in
Trustees to insure the inalienability of the
library in settlement of liabilities of the
Society. Only those whose memorj- is
sufliciently long to call to mind circum-
stances in tlie past history of the Society,
will thoroughly appreciate the import-
ance of this provision. Happily, the
Society is now so flourisliing that there ap-
pears no likelihood of it ever falling upon evil
times, but this is not outside the pale of
possibilit}'. We look to the present
Tru.stees to see that the arrangements
now being made will liave the effect

claimed for them, in which case those who
are most interested in the library will have
reason to join in the congratulations extended
to the Council on Tuesday last by Mr. Elwes.
We say this much, because it is felt that
there has been an unwillingness on the part
of the Council to afford such financial sup-
port to the Library as might reasonably be
expected from so prosperous a Society, owing,
to the fact that it could not control the man-
agement. There is every reason to expect
that, under the new arrangement, more
money will be spent in the purchase of books,
and that this money will be given with greater
readiness. In addition to the money required
for the purchase of new books, we may also
point to the desirability of publishing a new
catalogue. The present catalogue needs to be
brought up to date, but it is ecjually desirable
to provide a subject index. A person
who wishes to read up a certain subject
is not at present in the position to
make use of the Lindley Library, unless
h9 knows the author of the book he wishes
to consult. Whilst it is useful to have an
index in which all the works of a particular
author are grouped under his name, it is
just as imi>ortant to readers that the names
of the same books may be found under
their own subjects. Several speakers on
Tuesday congratulated the Council on the
fact that a sum of £21.5 had been spent
during the past year in the purchase of old
and new books, mainly of a floricultural
nature. We take this circumstance to point to
the determination of the Council, when the
present negotiations have terminated success-
fully, to do their utmost to make the library
more comprehensive. The suggestion of
Mr. Jacob that one or several Fellows
should be appointed to act as " eyes and
eai-s " to the Council for securing desirable
books that now and again come into the
market is one deserving sympathetic consi-
deration.

A matter not entirely di.ssociated from the
library is the effort which has been made to
obtain a revised edition of Pritzel's Iconum
Botunicarum. This desirable object is not mak-
ing .satisfactoiT progress ; it appears that
£3,000 is needed, and towards this sum the
Royal Horticultural Society has offered to
contribute £750. It is hoped that several of
the American Universities, and others int-er-
ested in the matter, will contriljute the re-
maining amount. The reasons advanced by
Mr. Wilks for the delay a])pear to be per-
fectly sound, for, if this most useful work is
to be brought up to date, it is essential that
every means po.ssibIe should be taken to ensure
accuracy. It i.s certainly undesirable to expend
money in republi.shing an unverified edition.

Turning to the question of shows, the Fel-
lows heard with surprise that the forthcoming
exhibition at Holland House will be the last
of the series, at any rate, for the present.
Whilst all will regret the departure from this
historic and beautiful place, the Fellows will
feel grateful to Maiy, Countess of Ilchester
for the privileges so generously accorded the
Society in the past. The summer exhibition
in 1911 will be held at Olympia ; we
may therefore expect that experience
will then be gained as to the suitability
of the place for the great International
Exhibition which the Council has under con-
sideration. The difficulties connected with

Febroabx la, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

105

acquiring a site for the International Exhibi-
tion have made it necessary to postpone
tliis show until 1912. Sir Trevor Lawrence
stated that negotiations are in progress
with the object of securing the grounds
attached to Chelsea Hospital for that purpose.
Although this site is under consideration, it is
not certain that it will ultimately be decided
upon, but it is necessary that a site of some
sort should be known to be available before
definite steps are taken to arrange the date of
e.xhibition. We hope that all horticulturists,
whether Fellows of the Royal Horticultural
Society or not, will cordially .support the
Council in promoting this exhibition, which
should be a worthy successor to the memorable
event of 1866.

The negotiations with the Royal Agricultu-
ral Society to hold a Horticultural Exhibi-
tion in connection with the Agricultural Show
at Liverpool have fallen through, and the
Royal Agricultural .Society will hold a hor-
ticultural show under its own au.spices. As
the date for the Liverpool Show is on a Wed-
nesday immediately succeeding a Tuesday's
show at Westminster, it will probably be felt
that this result is not altogether to be re-
gretted.

We need scarcelv refer to the other matters
touched upo)i by Sir Trevor Lawrence. The
increase in the Fellowship and funds of the
Society, and the surplus of £7,000 on the
year's working were pointed out in the Report.
In financial as well as other respects the
Society is well managed, and continues to in-
crease its prestige and extend its usefulness.
Only one word needs to be added ; it is
that the Fellows are deeplj- indebted to the
excellent treasurer, Mr. Gurney Fowler, who,
at the annual meetings, gives such lucid and
stiaightforward stiitements as to the financial
policy. Such statements are calculated to
stimulate the confidence the Fellows already
freely extend to the Council and its principal
officers, and, in particular, to the president and
secretary, who have worked .so long and so
successfullv to forward the Society's interests.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Rehmaniiia angiilata is now seen so often in
gardens and at exhibitions that it is difficult to
believe the species was only recently introduced
to this country. It was sent home from China
by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons' traveller, Mr.
E. H. Wilson. The plant is not hardy in
Britain, except in a few favoured localities
in the south and west, but its value as a cool
greenhouse subject can 'oe seen from our Supple-
mentary Illustration, which was prepared from a
photograph taken in the greenhouse at Kew in
June last. The plants were growmg m 5-inch,
7-inch, and 8-inch pots, some of the specimens
being 6 feet in height. They were 15 months old
from the seed, which was sown in March. The
plants were wintered in a cold frame, covered
with mats and litter during sever-? frosts. In the
spring, as soon as the flower-stems commenced
to push forth, the plants were transferred to a
cool greenhouse, end, when growing freely, were
supplied with liquid manure. A suitable soil
for this Rehmannia is one consisting of loam, leaf-
mould, coarse sand, and, for the final potting,
some well-decayed manure. Although the plant
is a perennial, it is better treated as a biennial.
Seeds are produced freely, and seeds furnish the
easiest method of increase, hut propagation may
also be effected from young plants produced by
buds developed on the rcots. Rehmannia angulata

was first discovered by Dr. A. Henry in the
Central Provinces of Hupeh and Kweichaujit.
The leaves are pinnately lobed ; the flower-stems
ris3 to a height of 4 feet to 6 feet. The drooping,
tubular pink flowers are borne singly in the
axils of the leaves ; they are of purplish colour
with a yellow throat, which is sometimes
blotched, or spotted with dark purple. This
variation in the flowers is considerable and
there are some distinct forms, one of which is
known as Pink Perfection. Plants intended for
bedding out-of-doors shoulw be kept in cold
frames during the winter.

R.H.S. Examination of Public Park
Employes. — The fourth examination was held
on January 10, 1910. Ninety-one candidates
enteo-ed, and of these 31 secured places in the
first class, 26 m the second, and 25 in the
third, leaving only nine candidates who failed
altogether to satisfy the examiners. The num-
ber of entrants was smaller than for some years
pa^t, but this waa anticipated, for the majority
of the London parks gardeners had already se-
cured positions in the pass lists. The results of
the examination ai-e above the average, and in a
few cases very high marks have been obtained.
There was less tendency in the answers to give
information not asked for in the question, but
there is still a noticeable lack of understanding
of many simple garden terms, such as " indige-
nous," " alluvial," &c. Although instructed in
prominent black letters at the head of the ques-
tions, some candidates did not attempt the com-
pulsory question asking for a description of the
public park or garden in which they work.

National Vegetable Society. — The

schedule of the Society's first exhibition, to be
held in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent
Square, Westminster, on Wednesday, Septem-
ber 28, includes some 59 classes. The premier
one is for 12 kinds of vegetables, and is open to
aU, the first prize of 10 guineas being given by
the Duke of Portland, K.G.. and the second
of seven guineas by Lord How-iRD de Walden.
The Society offers prizes of £5, £3, and £2 re-
spectively for nine dishes of distinct kinds, the
class being open to all except those competing
in the previous class already mentioned. Prizes
are offered by Lord Northcliffe in classes open
to smallholders. The Country Life class is for
eight dishes of little-known vegetables to be
selected from a given list. The Society has 17
small classes for various vegetables, and the
remaining classes are contributed by nurserymen,
manure merchants and horticultural sundriesmen.

LiNiJEAN Society.— The next meeting will
take place on Thursday, the 17th inst., at 8 p.m.,
when the following papers will be read: — " The
Plume-moths of the Seychelles Expedition," by
Mr. T. B. Fleicher, R.N., F.E.S. ; "Die von
Herrn Hugh Scott auf den Seychellen gesam-
melten Embiidinen, Coniopterygiden und Hem-
erobiiden," by Dr. G. Enderlein ; " Die Term-
miten der Seychellen-Region," by Dr. Nils
Holmgreen ; "On the Land and Amphibious
Decapoda of Aldabra," by Mr. L. A. Borra-
DAILE, M.A. — Exhibitions: " Observations on the
Genera Widdringtonia and Callitris," with lan-
tern slides, by Mr. W. T. Saxton, M.A.

Royal Meteorological Society. — A

meeting of the society will be held at the Insti-
tution of Civil Engineers, Great George Street,
Westminster, S.W., on Wednesday, the 16th
inst., at 7.30 p.m. The papers to be read in-
clude: "Report on the Phenological Observa-
tions for 1909," by Mr. Edw.ujd Mawley, and
" The North Atlantic Anticyclone: Tracks of the
Centres of High Areas, 1882-3," by Colonel H. E.
Rawson, C.B., F.R.Met.Soc.

Selborne Society. — The annual conversa-
zione will be held in the theatre and halls at the
offices of the Civil Service Commission (formerly
the University of London), Burlington Gardens,
New Bond Street, W., on Friday, February 18,
from 7.30 to 11 p.m. An address will be de-
livered by the Hon. Sir John Cockburn,
K.C.M.G., M.D., president of the Brent Valley
Branch of the Selborne Society, and a lecture on
" Selborne and its Associations with Gilbert
White," by E. J. Bedford, Esq. The exhibits
will be as numerous and interesting as usual
at these gatherings. The secretary is Mr Wil-
frid Mark Webb, Odstock, HanweU.

Retirement after Long Service, — After
a period of 41 years as gardener to Sir E. R.
Sebright and former members of the family, Mr.
Josiah Freeman is retiring from his duties. For
many years he was engaged at Beechwood, Dun-
stable, where the Sebright family made their
home, but latterly Sir E. R. Sebright has resided
at Cheverells, Markyate, Dunstable. Mr. Fbee-
M.iN is succeeded by Mr. Charles Jeffries.

Presentation to Mr. John Wright,
V.M.H. — Surrey was one of the first counties to
realise the importance of teaching gardening to
school children, and owing mainly to Mr.
Wright, the establishment of school gardens has
been taken up with great enthusiism in the
county. His extensive practical knowledge has
been invaluable to the County Committee in or-
ganising and directing this and other educational
work connected with gardening. Now, after a
period of 18 years, Jlr. Wright has resigned his
post as chief horticultural superintendent. The
school teachers in the county have presented him
with an illuminated address in " appreciation of
the great ability, zeal and enthusiasm displayed
in the work " and " of the general kindliness
and unfailing courtesy shown to every teacher
and scholar." Our readers will join with us in
wishing Mr. Wright many years of happiness in
his retirement after his active and useful career
as gardener, editor and instructor.

Late Chrysanthemums. — In connection
with the correspondence that has recently taken
place in these columns on this subject, we have
received some flowers from Mr. Thomas Stephen-
son, head gardener at Woburn Place, Addle-
stone. These represent the varieties Framfield
Pink and Red Mrs. W. J. Crossley. The flowers
are quite as good specimens as were seen in
November, and are produced on stiff stems
14 or 16 inches long bearing healthy foliage.
Mr. Stephenson states that the flowers were cut
from plants rooted in February last. They were
cultivated without any stopping or check, and
each plant has borne about 24 blooms. The
specimens furnish an excellent instance of first-
rate cultivation for late supply.

"The Sweet Pea Annual.' — We have re-
ceived a copy of this annual fur 1910, issued by
the National Sweet Pea Society. It contains in-
teresting articles on a Sweet Pea carnival in
America, the Reading trials, Sweet Peas from
cuttings, streak in Sweet Peas, and a report of
the conference which took place on the evening
of the annual general meeting of the Society,
held on December 10 last. The volume also con-
tains the result of a Sweet Pea election, details
of the annual audit, and notes on the proceedings
of the Society during 1909, including the trials
at the Reading University College Gardens.

Exhibition of French Gardening. — We

are informed that Mr. W. P. Wright, Horticul-
tural Superintendent under the Kent County
Council, will superintend the exhibition of in-
tensive culture, which is being held under the
auspices of the Stour Valley Gardening School
on March 25 at the Royal Horticultural Hall.

lOG

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12, 1910.

Proposed Addition to Wimbledon
Common. — Wimbledon Common may be said to
be a natural continuation of Richmond Park, for
it is separated from it by only a few open fields
and the roadway. It is felt that part of the
private land lying between the two places might
some time or other fall into the market, par-
ticularly the part known as the Fitzgeorge Estate,
which exceeds 300 acres in area. It is proposed,
therefore, to purchase about 172 acres imme-
diately adjoining Wimbiedon Common and Put-
ney Heath. Some of the other land has already
been acquired as an addition to Putney Hill ceme-
tery or as golf links, so that danger from building
in that direction has been averted. Much in-
terest has been taken locally in the present
scheme, and the public is asked to contribute
towards the cost of purchase. The object of ac-
quiring the land, says the Times, is not so much
to extend the Common as to preserve the scenery
and to prevent any building. It is especially
desired to preserve Beverley Brook, w hich is one
of the few streamlets around London that have
escaped being diverted or led into some under-
ground sewer. One narrow portion of land about
13 acres in extent includes the western bank of
the Beverley Brook, and if this were secured it
would link the Common up to the Kingston Road
and the Robin Hood gate, thus practically unit-
ing park and common. Already £1,500 has been
subscribed towards the cost, which, it is esti-
mated, will e.\ceed £15,000. The chairman of
the committee is Dr. Longstaff, Putney Heath,
and the secretary, Jlr. Richajidson, The Keir,
Wimbledon Common, S.W.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Late Professor Wm. Hillhouse

(see p. 96).— The late Professor Hillhouse, M.A.,
M.Sc, ]'".L.S.. was a son ot John Paton Hill-
house, of Bedford, and in his youth was an as-
sistant master at Bedford Modern School. He
helped in the formation of the Bedfordshiie
Natural History Society, and in the re-issue of
the Flora of Bedfordshire. In 1877 he deter-
mined to devote all his attention to botany, and
he won a scholarship at Trinity College, Cam-
bridge, and the University Winchester prize in
188L From 1878 to 1882 he was curator of the
University Herbarium under Babington. He was
subsequently lecturer on botany at Newnham
and Girton and also to the University. He was a
co-founder and co-editor of the Cambridge
R< riew, with Arnold and Dale. In the spring of
1882 Mr. Hillhouse was elected first professor of
botany at the Mason Science College, a« the
institution was then called ; but the latter half of
that year was spent in the laboratory of Prof.
Strasburger at Bonne, being associated with Prof.
Strasburger in the preparation of Stranhiirger
and I/ifl/ioii.''e's Practical Botany, which has
reached its sixth edition. On returning to Bir-
mnigham, he reorganised the department of
botany at Mason College, and in 1888 was elected
chairman of the Academic Board, and for six
years he was secretary to the Senate. Prof. Hill-
house not only took an active part in educational
but also in social work. He had been president
of the Birmingham Teachers' Association, the
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical
Society, the Birmingham Naturalists" Union, and
of two large suburban institutes. At one time
he was co-editor of the Midland Naturalist, a
monthly publication which ceased to exist
some years ago. He occupied the chair
of the Council of the Midland Reafforestation
Association, he represented the University upon
the governing body of the Lady Warwick Agri-
cultural College, and upon the Leicestershire
C.C. Education Committee. I am indebted to
the Birminijham Daily Post for several of the
above facts and dates. Professor Hillhouse took
a deep interest in systematic botany, and he
told me some 10 years ago that he had a
definite scheme for the formation of an
herbarium worthy of the University, which he

wished to see started as soon as funds were avail-
able. After making the British collections as
complete as possible and developing the small
European collection, he intended to get to-
gether dried plants from the various British
colonies, and finally to start a general herbarium
of the world's plants. In recent years he had
been instrumentgl in acquiring for Birmingham,
chiefly through the generosity of two or three of
his local friends, several valuable collections of
Cryptogams, including the Alga; of Mr. E. M.
Holmes, the Lichens of Mr. Larbalestier, the
Mosses of Mr. Horrell, and a collection of
fungi, besides several small collections of Alpine
and other flowering plants. Writing to me at
the end of 1907, he said: " Hence you will see
that in one short year my department has
acquired an herbarium which, so far as Thallo-
phytes and true messes go, would be hard to beat
anywhere." In the annual report of the Univer-
sity of Birmingham, published a fortnight ago, it
is stated that the late Professor Hillhouse had
presented to the University 400 volumes of books
and many hundreds of botanical pamphlets, to-
gether with much useful apparatus and 3,000 or
4,000 specimens of dried plants collected by the
late Dr. Noe, Jlr. .1. G. Baker, of Kew! and
others. Professor Hillhouse leaves a widow and
one son. His chair at the University was filled
last year by the appointment of his assistant, IMr.
G. S. West, who is also, to quote his late chief,
" a keen herbarium man." H. ,y. T/iompson.

The Pruning of Young Vines.— The ex-
perience of Mr. Ward (see p. 89) supplies the ex-
ception to the rule. He is a first-class grower of
Grapes and a skilful cultivator generally, but
ray object in penning the note on this subject
was to assist beginners, who are daily making the
mistake I pointed out. In vineries managed by
many first-class men the same error is seen, and
even if the vines are 20 years old the defect' is
visible, and will remain so. I am afraid the
lengthy and minute details outlined by Mr, Ward
on his method of treating newly-planted vines at
Longford Castle are much too intricate for the
amateur to follow, and, besides, such a person
is not likely to raise his own vines in the same
manner as Mr. Ward. In 19 cases out of 20
amateurs purchase one-year-old vines, which Mr.
Ward would not treat in the same manner as
those he raised and planted three months after
striking the eyes. The method of establishing
vines in the elaborate maimer Jlr. Ward de-
scribes is entirely different to that generally prac-
tised by amateurs. For the beginner. I think my
plan is desirable. E. Molyrteux.

Strawberries Fillbasket and Givon s
Late Prolific. — Mr. Searle in his Hardy Fruit
Calendar, printed on p. 86, does not mention, in
his selection of varieties of Strawberries, either
of the above varieties, which I found the
best on heavy soils. They got more votes
in your Strawberry election (see pp. 250
and 283, vol. xlvi.) than the sorts named by Mr.
Searle, except Royal Sovereign. I first saw them
growing in Sir Frank Hollins's Garden, near
Preston, when my friend, the late Mr. Ings, was
gardener there. As space was limited, he
had only a few plants for trial with other sorts,
and they proved far better than the popular
varieties then in cultivation. Mr. Ings kindly
gave me some runners, and after getting a suffi-
cient stock I discarded all others, except Royal
Sovereign and Latest of All. I have not heard
of any gardener or market gardener in this dis-
trict who grows them. 11'. P. If.

Sweet Pea Lady G. Hamilton. — I am

grateful for the \'ery kind review of my book on
p. 85, and I note Mr. Brotherston's hint as to
altering the spelling of Grizel to Grisell. I may
say. however, tliat I had already gone very
thoroughly into this matter. Mr. C. J.
Giuliano sent me the pedigrees of the families
of Haddington and Dundonaid, with the
statement that " the only Lady Grizel Hamilton
who really exists in the peerage (according to the
Ulster King of Arms) is the daughter of the Earl
of Dundonald." Now, under " Dundonald," the
name was spelt throughout as Grizel. If the late
Henry Eckford named his beautiful lavender
Sweet Pea after this lady. Grizel is the correct
spelling. If he had named it after the daughter
of the Earl of Haddington, it should, apparently,
be Grisell, although Grizel and Grissell also

appear under " Haddington." It is rather
curious that Grisel does not appear under either
family, yet this form is the commonest of all.
Waiter P. Wright.

The Sweet Pea in question was named

after the second daughter of the Earl of Hadding-
ton, and its history is as follows : — Henry Eck-
ford, during many years, sent me his selected
seedlings for trial, and I was, consequently, cog-
nisant of much that he was doing. He had pre-
viously raised and lost a variety of much the same
colour as Lady G. Hamilton, and on the occasion
of his exhibiting the latter variety for the first
time in London, he wrote me of his intentions,
and. Lady Grisell Baillie Hamilton being in
London at the time, I wrote to tell her of Mr.
Eckford's forthcoming exhibit. Eckford named
the Pea after her, and secured a certi'icate for it.
Regarding the name : It is strictly a family one ,
and its history, since shortly after the middle of
the 17th century, is as follows : — It was first borne
by Lady Grisell Hume, whose daughtei- Grisell
married George Baillie, of .Jerviswoode and
Mellerstain. She had two daughters, Grisell,
who died childless, and Rachel, who mar-
ried Lord Binning, whose eldest son suc-
ceeded to the earldom of Haddington, anrl
the second son to the Jerviswoode estates,
&c. In the last-named family there havi
been several Griselis, all of whom retained
the original spelling. See ilemnir.^ of Oeorg'
Baillie and Lady Grliell Baillie. by Lady
Murray, and Lady Grisell Baillie, by the Coun-
tess of Ashburnham. In Chamhfr.'''s Domeslit
Annual of Scotland, vol. ii., though he quotes
from the first-mentioned l^ook, he writes
" Grizzel," so easy is it to make a mistake. The
Dundonald family spell the name with a " z."
B. P. Brol/iersto'n.

Galanthes Elwesii. — Kesarding the in-
teresting list of winter flowering plants which
Sir Herbert Maxwell gave on p. 82, it would be
instructive to know his experience of the com-
paratively little known, but very cheap, Elwes'
Snowdrop. Here it flowers a whole month —
January 12 — before G. nivalis, but out of 500
bulbs planted in 1906 only about 50 seem to have
become established, and these are growing at the
lower and damper end of a heavy clay bank, those
in drier soils, where even G. nivalis flourishes,
having entirely died out. Sir Herbert does not
mention the equally little known Muscari azureus.
The lovely blue of this flower, together with the
Snowdrop and the winter Aconite, create a colour
scheme which few seasons can beat. Basil
Lcvett, Wyc/inor I'arh, Staffordshire.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HOKTICULTURAL.

February 8. — The animal meeting was held on
Tuesday last in the Society's Hall, Westminster.
As is usual on these occasions, there was a
remarkably fine exhibition, all sections being well
represented by many good groups. The number
ot visitors was above the average, and the general
meeting, which took pl.ace at 3 o'clock, was well
attended.

The Orchid Committee had many important
groups and several novelties brought to its
notice. One Botanical Certificate and four Awards
of Merit were awarded by this bcwly. The
Floral Committee gave an Award of Jlerit to
a species of Crinum. The more important groups
were of Carnations, forced flowering trees and
shrubs, Primulas, Cyclamens, epiphytal Ferns,
Camellias, and Alpine plants.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee had
no novelty submitted for award, but they in-
spected many fine groups of fruits and vegetables.
These included a large display of Oranges, col-
lections of Potatos. Onions, Leeks and Brussels
Sprouts, and a fine exhibit of Apples.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Mar.^hall. Esq. (Cliairman), and
Messrs. Henry B. Mav, Jas. Walker, E. A.
Bowles, W. B. Cranfieid, R. C. Notcutt, Jno.
Green, W. .F. Bean, G. Reuthe, George Gordon,
Jas. Douglas. W. Howe, C. R. Fielder, Jas.
Hudson, R Hooper Pearson, J. F. McLeod,
Charles Blick, jiio. Jennings. W. Bain. Chas.

FEBRnABY 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

107

Dixon, Ed. JNIawley, Chas. E. Pearson, A.
Turner, H. J. Cutbush, A. Kini;smill, Chas. E.
Shea, W. Cuthbertson, W. P. Thomson, E. H.
Jenkins, \V. J. .James, Geo. Paul, F. Page
Roberts, Rev. R. L. R. Nevill, and Walter W.
Ware.

One of the most imposing groups was a collec-
tion of forced flowering .shrubs and trees shown
by Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert, Southgate. The
great wealth of flowers, well arranged with re-
gard to colour effect, was set off by tall Palms
at the back and interspersed with Ferns and
other greenery. 8ome of the subjects, such is
Lilacs, were disposed in batches, whilst otht^rs,
including standard trees of Prunus triloba, Pyrus
atro-sanguinea, flowering Cherries and Staphylea
eolchica served as a relief. The centre was
grouped with ilagnolias in flower, the species
including M. Soulangeana, M. vspeciosa, and M.
conspicua, this last being especially good. About
the front were plants of pink, bronze and yellow-
flowered A/.aleas, all bearing a profusion of blos-
soms. Forsythia suspensa and F. viridissima
:;fforded further variety with their long, arching
shoots furnished with yellow flowers. (Silver-gilt
Banksian JNlcdal).

Another fine group of forced flowering trees
and shrubs wis shown by Messrs. James Veitch
& Sons, Ltd., Chelsea. It included well-flowered
plants of Prunus triloba, the white form of
Cydonia japonica. Wistaria sinensis, Pyrus flori-
bunda atro-sanguinea, Cydonia Maulei. Lilacs in
variety and Staphylea eolchica. These were gen-
erally tall standard-trained plants, and they were
set off by a broad band of Rhododendrons and
Lilacs. Adjoining these was a group of standard
Azaleas similar to those shown at the last meet-
ing. On the table usually occupied by this firm
they showed flowering plants in variety. These
included a bank of Primula obconica with very
fine blooms ; some of tlie flowers being heliotrope
. — almost blue ; others of rose, pink and similar
shades were equally notable ; plants of Boronia
megastigma were well flowered. Both the foliage
and flowers of Abutilon ve.xillarium variegatum
are ornamental, the leaves being splashed with
gold ; pot plants of Lily of the Valley were
crowded with fragrant flower-spikes. The group
also included some very fine Azaleas, a batch of
Calceolaria 15urbidgei, Daphne odora (indica) and
pans of Primula Forbesii. There was also a
small pan of the beautiful Saxifraga burseriana
Gloria. iSilver-gilt Flora Jfedal.)

Messrs. H. B. JLvv & Sons, The Nurseries.
Upper Edmonton, staged a group of epiphytal
Ferns. The genera represented were Davallia,
Niphobolus, Acrostichum (syn. Rhipidopteris),
Polypodium", Drymoglossum, Platycerium, Ano-
peltis, Drynaria, and Aspleniuni. It was in-
teresting to notice that most of these epi-
phytic Ferns possess entire leaves. Many have
two forms of fronds, barren and spore-bearing.
The well-known Platycerium alcicorne may be
cited as an example. In Acrostichum peltatum.
the two forms of leaves are very distinct .:
the barren fronds resemble a sprig of Parsley,
whilst the spores are borne on a flat, kidney-
shaped lamina ; Drynaria quercifolia, the basal
fronds are like dried Oak leaves ; the barren
fronds of Davallia heterophylla are entire, the
others narrower and with deeply-lobed margins,
each lobe bearing four or five sori. Niphobolus
heterachitis has very handsome, entire leaves,
downy on top, and greyish-mealy beneath. Some
species, such as Polypodium vaccinifolium, had
long, hairy rhizomes very like a Lycopodium.
The group also included a batch of plants of the
elegant Nephrolepis Marshallii. (Silver-gilt Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son. Waltham Cross,
Hertfordshire, staged a floor group of Camellias.
There were numerous plants with healthy foliage
and bright flowers, and, along the front, boxes
of gathered blooms. One of these boxes was filled
with flowers of the white Montironii vera variety,
very like the one known as Princess Charlotte.
One of the best and freest of the white kinds is
alba plena. Of well-known sorts, tricolor, imbri-
cata (red), fimbriata (white), and Donekelaari
(red, with white blotches) were finely shown.
Eclipse, blush, with pale-red stripes, is very
pretty. Amongst newer varieties, Minerva
(pink), with a prominent bundle of stamens and
only five or six petals; Waltham Glory, similar
to the last-named, only dark red ; and Apollo,
semi-double, red, are all useful for planting in
the open. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London,
N., staged a rock-garden exhibit, planted with
early-flowering subjects and with .shrubs at the
back. Cyclamen coum. Crocus biflorus Adonis
amurensis, Tussilago fragrans, Morisia hypogoea,
Hyacinthus azureus. Anemone blanda, Saxifraga
Boydii, Primula malacoides, Polygala chamae-
buxus purpurea, Iris Danfordii, I. Sindjarensis,
I. reticulata, and the purple vai-iety named Kre-
lagei were in bloom. Amongst the shrubs we
noticed Parrotia persica, with red stamens,
Chimonanthus fragrans, Prunus triloba, and
Daphnes japonica, an.l odora, ilessrs. Cutbush
also showed a seleciion of Carnations, which
formed a beautiful and striking display. A new
variety of crimson-maroon shade was labelled
Chantecler. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

The Misses Hopkins, Shepperton-on-Thames,
staged a small exhibit of Alpines, enclosed in a
band of rustic cork, and a row of shrubs at the
back. The subjects in flower included Gentiana
acaulis, Hepaticas in variety, Helleborus niger,
Daisy Alice, coloured Primroses, and Tussilago
japonica.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, displayed a bright group of early flowers,
including a selection of bulbous plants. Helle-
bores were finely shown, also Snowdrops, Scillas,
Irises, Crocuses, Saxifragas, and Lachenalias. A
feature of the exhibit were bowls planted with
Narcissus Tazetta, Iris reticulata (verv charming),
Freesia X Chapmanii (an orange-yellow hybrid),
and Roman Hyacinths, one being of a blush
shade, known as Early Blush Italian

Jlr. F. Herbert Chai-man, Rye, Sussex, again
showed hybrid Freesias and varieties of Narcissi,
including Katherine Spurrell, Blackwell, C. J.
Backhouse, and Crown Prince. There was also
a plant of Narcissus minimus, with the corona
or trumpet prettily fimbriated. Hybrids of Cy-
clamen lati folium and C. ibericum showed little
influence of the first-named parent, although the
flowers were brighter and finer than in C. iberi-
cum.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, staged a
group of Cyclamen latifolium, many of the plants
having flowers with friiiged petals. The plants
were well cultivated, and the varieties included
all the shades of colours seen in this useful green-
house plant.

Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, staged a bright group of Carnations, also
miscellaneous greenhouse plants, including Erio-
stemon intermedins, Chorozema ilicifolium. Cy-
clamens in red, salmon, white, and other shades,
some having fimbriated petals : Daphne odora, an
assortment of Azaleas, and the beautiful white
Erica codonodes var. Yeitchii, The group also
contained decorative Ferns, small Orange trees in
fruit, and several plants of the elegant Plurnix
Roebelinii, (Silver Flora Jledal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, showed a
bright group of Azaleas, several plants being of
the dwarf red-flowered variety known as Hexe.
We also noticed charming little plants of Aucuba,
covered with scarlet berries, some being trained
as standards; Daphne indica, Eurya latifolia,
Dracaenas in variety, and Orange trees fruiting.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. C. Engelmann, Saffron Walden, contri-
buted a display of Carnations, most of the blooms
being of the large crimson variety Carola, which
is like a big Clove Carnation. JIany vases con-
tained flowers of unnamed seedling varieties,
amongst which was a pretty pink sort, and
another with orange petals splashed with red.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed Chinese Primulas of the Stellata or Star
type. The varieties were Mrs. H. Cannell
(white), Chameleon (rose). White Lady, Scarlet
Gem, Lady Emily Dvke (w^hite), Blue Lady, and
W. Raphael.

Mr. H. Burnett, Carnation specialist, Guern-
sey, again contributed a very attractive exhibit
of" these popular flow-ers. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. W. P.vlmer. Andover, showed double-
flowered Primulas in white and pink shades.

Messrs. Thomas S. Ware. Ltd., Eltham, staged
a rock-garden exhibit, and planted it with early-
blooming subjects and dwarf shrubs, with here
and there a plant of Clematis indivisa in flower.
The centre of the exhibit was lower than the
rest, and was filled with a variety of Hellebores.
.\nother feature was a bank of the pink-flowered
Pulmonaria rubra. This firm also showed plants
of Primula obconica with very larL'e fl^x^ovs and
foliage.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood, also
exhibited a rock-garden planted with seasonable
subjects, such as Iris histrioides, Christmas
Roses, Adonis amurensis. Primula X kewensis,
and Petasites fragrans : a portion of the exhibit
was furnished with small plants of succulent
species.

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex,
showed Alpine plants arranged on a rockery, at
the back being dwarf shrubs and Conifers. A
very pretty featui-e was a mass of Rhododendron
pnecox on oiie of the bluffs, grouped about with
tiny Conifers. Some well-flowered plants of Iris
reticulata were noted. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, showed a floor
group of Himalayan Rhododendrons, the species
including R. argenteum, R, barbatum, R. exi-
meum, and R. Falconeri. Thes.e were not in
flower, but they were large and healthy speci-
mens. There was also a big plant of Daphni-
phyllum glaucescens. Around the front of the
shrubs were Alpine plants of choice and uncom-
mon species. Orchis longibracteata has sweet-
scented, rose-coloured flow'ers. Romula bulbo-
codium is very like a Crocus. Eranthis cilicica
differs from the common Winter Aconite in hav-
ing a much smaller rosette of bracts. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Award of Merit.

Crlnutn purpurascens. — A pretty species, bear-
ing an inflorescence with seven flowers, shown by
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart. (gr. Mr. Bain).

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. .jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, de B. Crawshay, C. J. Lucas,
.J. Forster Alcock, F. Sander, R. G. Thwaites,
J. Charlesworth, C. H. Curtis, W. Cobb, J.
Cypher, A, Dye, W. P. Bound, W. H. Hatcher.
W. H. White, H. G. Alexander, H. A. Tracy.
H. Ballantine. Gurney Wilson, W. Bolton, and
Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart.

Lieut.-Col. G. L. Holfobd. CLE.. C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed
several new hybrids, including Ljelio-Cattleya
Ariel superba (L. Cowanii x C. aurea), a showy
flower, with reddish-gold sepals and petals and
ruby-red lip, with gold lines; L.-C. Tigris (L.
Cowanii x L.-C. Dominiana), with pretty, clear,
yellow flowers, the colour of L.-C. Dominiana
having been suppressed by the yellow of the other
parent; Sophro-Laelio-Cattleya Danse Holford's
variety, a well-rounded, yellowish rose flower,
with orange base to the lip ; and the very fine
Cattleya Percivaliana Westonbirt variety. (See
Awards.)

Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park (gr. Mr. Collier), staged a group of species
and hybrids, for several of which see Awai'ds.
Among those noted was a new hybrid Odonto-
glossum between 0. Edwardii and 0. sceptrum,
a very attractive flower, with sepals and petals
purplish-chocolate, the lip having a yellow crest,
red middle, and white tip. the whole being
arranged in a compact spike. Another new
hybrid was an Odontoglossum between 0.
triumphans and O. percultum, of a Cowslip
yellow shade, barred and blotched with red-
brown. The handsome Dendrobium Lady Col-
man, Cirrhopetalum Mastersianum, Spathoglottis
Colmanii, Ipsea speciosa, Cynorchis Lowii, Mas-
devallia melanopus, M. torta, the rare Oncidium
Sanderianum, Phaio-Calanthe Colmanii rosea.
Angrsecum hyaloides, and other interesting plants
were also shown.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O. (gr.^
Mr. W. H. White), showed a handsome form of
Odontoglossum Lawrenceanum (Rolfe* X trium-
phans).

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic
Nursery. King's Road, Chelsea, were awarded a
Silver-gilt Flora medal for a fine group, con-
taining several sets of hybrid Cypripediums
flowering for the first time, some of the varieties
of the crosses between C. Actseus and C. Eury-
ades and other crosses of C. Kuryades being re-
markably handsome flowers. A batch of C. vil-
losum gi'ganteum X Euryades showed remarkable
variation in the size and colour of their flowers ;
varieties of C. aureum, and hybrids of it, were
also well represented ; and, in fine condition, C.
.Minos Youngii ; C. insigne Sanderae, raised from
seed and an improvement on the original ; C.
Clolden Glory, a new variety, of unknown

108

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

fFEBRUARY 12. 1910.

parentage, with bright-yellow flowers with but
few markings on the dorsal sepal ; C. Little Gem ;
various Cattleyas, including a plant ol the ori-
ginal G. Trianie Courtauldianum, of good shape,
but not showing the striped petals as when first
described ; Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Mossise ; a
selection of Odontoglossums ; and Dendrobiums,
the latter including some of the earlier Veitchian
hybrids, such as D. Cassiope, covered with white
flowers.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Hayward's
Heath, were awarded a Silver-gilt Flora Medal
for a handsome group of excellent things,
the hybrids including a very fine selection of
Odontoglossums with elegant sprays of flowers ;
several of the handsome Cattleya Lugese (Enid X
Dowiana Rosita) ; some Sophronitis crosses, in-
cluding the pretty, dark-scarlet Sophro-Lslia
Psyche, with many spikes; and S.-L. Leda, with
rose flowers. Many good Cypripediums were in the
group, also a very rich scarlet form of Odontioda
Keighleyensis, 0. Bradshawiae, Spathoglottis
aureo-Veillardii, the pretty mauve-coloured So-
phronitis violacea, Miltonia Bleuana (very finely
flowered), Xylobium leontoglossum, a fine selec-
tion of Calanthes, including strong specimens of
C. Regnieri rosea, and many others.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, secured a
Silver Flora Medal for an effective group, the
centre of which was composed of well-flowered
plants of PhaliEnopsis Schilleriana, with which
was a very handsome natural hybrid, either of P.
Schilleriana or P. Sanderiana, most probably the
latter, the fine, round, blush-rose tinted flowers
resembling that species, but the cirrhae on the
front of the lip being shorter and the leaves mar-
bled, as in P. Stuartiana. Among forms of Catt-
leya Trianffi, the Arnot Hill variety was very
handsome, and a new hybrid Dendrobium be-
tween Venus and nobile nobilius had large
flowers of rich colour. There was also a good
selection of Odontoglossums, including a very
large-flowered, dark O. Wilckeanum, distinct 0.
harvengtense, and other hybrids ; .some excellent
Cypripediums ; and the new Calanthe Butterfly,
white, with rose-crimson lip.

Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons. Cheltenham, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an effectively-
arranged group, in the centre of which were many
fine Calanthes, including C. Wm. Murray, C.
Bryan, and C. Sandhurstiana, the last-named
being the brightest magenta-rose form. At one
end was a selection of Odontoglossums. a second-
ary hybrid of 0. ardentissimum being richly
marked. Among the Cypripediums noted were
varieties of C. aurea, C. a. Lambianiim having an
emerald-green flower with white upper part to
the dorsal sepal ; and C. villosum auriferum, C.
Mrs. Wm. Mostyn, C. Beekmannii. C. Curt-
raannii, and other showy varieties were remarked.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
received a Silver Flora Medal for a group, in
which the forms of Cattleya Trianse were good,
C. T. Roebelen's variety, a fine flower with
mauve-purple front to the lip, and C. T. Pandora,
a white-petalled form, being the best. A selec-
tion of Jlessrs. Low's importation of Cattleya
Percivaliana, showing great variation, one light-
petalled form having a blackish-purple blotch on
the lip. and the yet small-flowered white C. P.
Little Gem being remarkable. A good selection
of Cypripediums, the white Aerides Vaiidarum,
Cymbidium Holfordianum, a selection of Dendro-
biums, Oncidium ornithorhynchum album, Epi-
Cattleya Nebo (O'Brienianum X), with pretty
rose flowers with white-fringed lip, and several
Platyclinis gulmacea, &c., were also included.

E. RoGERSON, Esq., West Didsbury, Manches-
ter (gr. Mr. W. C. Price), was awarded a Silver
Banksian Medal for a neat group, rich in good
Cypripediums, among which were nuted C. Congo,
a very dark flower ; C. Mrs. E. llogerson, very
fine in size, shape, and colour; a good dark C.
Laurebel ; C. Transvaal superba; C. Zeus Oak-
dene variety and C. Olga Bagshaw, both of ex-
cellent quality ; C. Euryades Price's variety, a
very distinct form, with the colour at the back
of the dorsal sepal slightly clouding the surface
around the spotting ; C. Maurice (insigne Hare-
field Hall X Sallieri Hyeanum), a yellow flower,
prettily spotted and of excellent shape ; and many
others, all well grown. At the back of the group
were Dendrobium Wardianum, various Odonto-
glossums, including some handsomely-blotched 0.
crispum and 0. ardentissimum crosses, 0. Fasci-
nator, &c.

Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge Nurseries, Hay-

wards Heath, was awarded a Silver Banksian
Medal for a small but select group of good Or-
chids. Among the forms of Cypripedium aureum
were Surprise, with three handsome greenish-
yellow and white flowers, and Hyeanum and vir-
ginale equally good ; C. Actseus Langleyense, C.
Beekmannii, one having two flowers to the
spike ; C. Thalia Mrs. Francis Wellesley, C.
Thompsonianum, &c. At the back were several
Cymbidium Wiganianum, bearing together nine
spikes.

R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Christ-
church Road, Streatham (gr. Mr. Black), showed
a Cattleya between C. 5lendelii alba and C.
Gaskelliana alba, the hybrid being white, with
rose-pink marking on the lip.

W. M. Appleton, Esq., Weston-super-Mare,
sent Cypripedium ingens (insigne X Rothschildi-
anum), a distinct large flower.

Mrs. Temple, Leyswood, Groomsbridge (gr.
Mr. E. Bristow), showed Brasso-Cattleya Vesta
(C. Percivaliana x glauca), a pretty rose-coloured
flower.

H. S. GooDSON, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr.
^fr. G. E. Day), sent Odontoglossum Lambeaui-
anum Goodson's variety, a finely shaped flower,
heavily blotched with rose-purple.

Mons. Maurice Mertens, Mont St. Amand,
Ghent, staged a small group of good hybrid Odon-
toglossums, including 0. laudatum, 0. Vuyl-
stekei, fine varieties of 0. ardentissimum, and
two plants of the clear white Cattleya Susanne
Hye de Crom.

C. L. N. Ingram, Esq., Elstead House, Godal-
ming (gr. Mr. T. W. Bond), showed Dendrobium
intermedium (splendidissimum X nobile nobilius).

J. J. Neale, Esq.. Lynwood, Penarth (gr. Mr.
H. Haddon), sent Laelia Lynwoodii (Jongheana X
harpophylla), an interesting hybrid with light
yellow flower.

AWARDS.
Award of Merit.

Cullteya Percivaliana Wp-xtonhirt variety,
from Lt.-Col. G. L. Holpord, CLE., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander).— The finest C. Perci-
valiana yet shown in size, colour, and shape.
The broad sepals and petals nearly equal C.
labiata ; they are bright magenta-rose with
darker veining. The front of lip is deep reddish
claret margined with lilac ; the tube is tinged
with gold colour.

Bras.iO-Cafflei/a WeHesleyo' (C. Mngaice Wa;/-
iieri X B. r/louca), from Francis Wellesley,
Esq.. Westfield, Woking (gr. Mr. Hopkins).—
A charming pure white fragrant flower, and quite
the best hybrid of Brassavola glauca. The
flower is firm in substance, the segments broad
and well displayed, the flowers being abnormally
large compared with the dwarf habit of the
plant. The disc of the lip is slightly tinged with
lemon-yellow.

Dendrobium Dvchex.i of Albany (Wii/aiiianiiiii
X Wi(/ani(e xanthocJtiljim ), from Sir Jeremiah
CoLMAN, Bart. — A very beautiful .ind distinct
hybrid, with well-formed, wax-like, white flowers,
with a slight blush tint and some thin purple
lines on the side lobes of the lip, the centre hav-
nig a slight sulphur tint.

Cypripedium Leeanum Excelfior, from H. J.
Bkomilow, Esq., Rann Lea, Rainhall. Lanca-
phire (gr. Mr. W. J. Morgan). — A very fine
vaj'iety of the same class as C. Leeanum
J. Gu'rney Fowler, and with broad proportions
and fine substance. The large white dorsal sepal
had rose-purple spotted lines rising from a green
base, the rest of the flower being dark coloured.

Botanical Certificate.
Dendrobium arniatvm, from Sir Jeremiah Col-
man, Bart. — A pretty species from Java never
before exhibited. The stems are slender and
leafy, the newly-made one bearing four racemes,
eacli with four white flowers an inch across and
bearing stout spurs curved forward at the tip.

Cultural Commendation.
To Mr. Collier, gr. to Sir Jeremhh Colman,
Bart., for Cymbidium grandiflorum with three
spikes, and in a comparatively small pot.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present : Geo. Bunyard, Esq. (in the chair),
and Messrs. J. Cheal, A. Dean, A. R. Allan,
Owen Thomas, H. Parr, W. Poupart, W. Bates,
H. Hooper, H. Rivers, C. G. A. Nix, J. Lyne,
Jas. Vert, and S. T. Wright (hon. secretary).

jSIessrs. T. Rivers & Sons, Sawbridgeworth,
Hertfordshire, showed a large group of Orange
trees in pots. There were three especially mag-
nificent specimens, one, of the Egg variety, being
the finest-fruited tree we have seen. It bore
fruits in bunches, each fruit being, about
the size of a Jaffa Orange, of a mag-
nificent orange colour, these being set off
by leaves of the deepest green. .Another speci-
men of the Dom Louise variety had its branches
covered with fruits, but it was very sparse of
foliage. Malta Oval is another fine variety, and
is evidently a good cropper. There were named
sorts besides these, and some large Citrons
and various other species of the Citrus family,
including some with variegated foliage. Most of
these were more interesting than beautiful, and
the group suffered somewhat, from a spectacular
point of view, in being spread out too much.
(Silver Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone,
Kent, staged a very complete collection of Apples,
having in all 118 dishes representing more than
100 varieties. The fruits had been splendidly
kept, and were well coloured, although not so
bright as we have seen them on previous occa-
sions from this nursery. Some of the choicest
specimens were Tyler's Kernel. Mabbott's Pear-
main, Mother, Newtown Wonder, King of Tomp-
kins County, Bismarck, Chas. Ross, Golden
Noble, Nancy Jackson, Gascoyne's Scarlet Seed-
ling, Beauty of Kent (very fine), Gloria Mundi,
Lady Henniker, Smart's Prince Arthur, Annie
Elizabeth, and May Queen. There were also a
few dishes of Pears, including some very large
fruits of the Catillac variety. (Silver-gilt
Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. Doeeie & Co., Rothesay, Marks Tey,
Essex, showed about 40 varieties of Potatos
staged in baskets. They were a splendid lot of
tubers, well selected as to size, clean of skin,
and with shallow eyes. The Admiral is a new
white, round variety of very promising appear-
ance. Exhibition Red Kidney is something like
the old Crimson Beauty, but not so flat. Rouge
Royale is another coloured variety, and is
classed amongst the first earlies : some of these
coloured tubers had been grown in Scotland, and
others in Essex, and it was remarkable to notice
the difference in the colour of the tubers from
these different localities, those from Essex being
much brighter in the skin. The two darkest
Potatos were Edgcote Purple and Herd Laddie.
The American variety Noroton Beauty is said to
be an excellent cooker, and a first-class early
Potato generally, but it has rather deep eyes.
Most of the standard sorts were seen, including
those excellent kinds. Myatt's Ashleaf and Duke
of York. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Some remarkably fine Potatos were shown in
a collection of vegetables from the gardens of
Mrs. Dennison. Little Gaddeston, Berkhampsted
(gr. Mr. A. G. Gentle). The Potatos were so ex-
cellent that the Committee granted a Cultural
Commendation to the grower. The collection in-
cluded about 35 varieties, the more notable being
First Crop. Red Emperor, Jlonarch, Snowball,
Snowdrop, and Longkeeper. Other vegetables in
the exhibit included Red Elephant Carrot, Crim-
son Ball and Perfection Beets, Ailsa Craig and
Record Onions, Holborn Model Leeks, and Jersey
Lily Turnips. (Silver-gilt Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed
Leeks and Onions as grown in their experimental
ground. The best of the Leeks was Prizetaker,
the next in order of merit being Royal and
Favourite, Musselburg, Erfurt Winter, and
French Carentan. There were also a few plants
of the wild Leek. The Onions were not of the
largest exhibition size, but they included good,
solid, useful bulbs of Crimson Globe. Al, Red
Rocca, Sutton Globe, Improved Reading, and
Ailsa Craig. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

About 10 varieties of Brussels Sprouts raised
from a late sowing were shown by Lady Cowper,
Penshanger (gr. 'Mr. R. Stawai-d), They were
just ordinary sta.lks, brought to show the merits
of the different varieties, which included Dal-
keith Improved, Solidity, The Blair, Siberton
Selected, Sutton's Matchless, Sutton's Exhibition,
President Carnot and Rosebery.

ANNUAL MEETING.
This was held in the lecture room, and was
well attended. The President, Sir Trevor
Lawrence, K.C.V.O., referred to .some cf the items

Febeuaky 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

109

in the Annual Report, which has been circulated
amongst the Fellows, and was printed in our last
issue. Referring to the membership, he said 109
new members had been enrolled since the Re-
port was printed, making a total of 11,139.
As an educational centre, Wisley had enjoyed
great success. One o£ the students was top man
in the Society's general examination, and Wisley
had earned a grant of £265 from the Board of
Education. He thought that in Mr. Chittenden
they had the right man in the right place. It
was satisfactory to know that in the matter of
the Lines Bequest, the Council of the R.H.S.
had a representative on the management, Sir
Daniel Morris being the Society's nominee. Dur-
ing the year two portraits had been added to
the Society's Gallery, those of Baron Schroder
and Mr. Harry J. Veitch. Referring to the shows
the President stated that through Ihe generosity
of Mary, Countess of Ilchester, Holland Park had
been once more secured for the holding of the
summer exhibition, but it was only on the distinct
understanding that this should be the last occa-
sion, at any rate, for the present. The Council
had decided to hold the summer show of 1911 at
Olympia, but as the event had to be regulated
in the matter of date by the great military
pageant which is annually held in that building,
the date for the exhibition had not yet been
fixed. It was hoped that the proposed Inter-
national Show would take place in 1912, but the
great difficulty is in the matter of securing a
suitable site. Nothing had been settled, but
they had approached Sir Geo. White for the use
of the grounds attached to Chelsea Hospital.
The Society had agreed to contribute a sum
of £250 each year for three years towards
the cost of bringing Pritz.el's Iconum Bolani-
caruiii up to date. This work is a list of refer-
ences to figures of plants, and is valuable alike to
botanists and horticulturists.

The hall had entailed certain outlays, and
they contemplated erecting an iron gallery around
the roof for the safety of workmen in conducting
operations connected with the roof. With regard
to the Royal Botanic Society, there was nothing
more to add to what had already appeared in the
Press. The Society had sent deputations to
several provincial shows, including the one at
Gloucester.

It was considered that the management of the
Lindley Library should be brought into closer
touch with the Society, and, for that reason, an
arrangement had been come to with the trustees
by which the funds belonging to the library
would be placed under the control of the Charity
Commissioners. Last year a sum of between two
and three hundred pounds was expended in the
purchase of books.

They had good cause to be satisfied with the
Society's financial condition, considering they
had a surplus this year of over £7,000. He con-
gratulated the Fellows on such ' a prosperous
condition.

Mr. Gurney Fowler, in seconding the adoption
of the Report, referred in detail to the financial
statement. From the balance-sheet it would ap-
pear that there was a deficiency of about £217
compared with 1908. But against that must be
credited items amounting to £509. including the
cost of the new sounding-board for the hall,
£39 15s. ; portrait of Baron Schroder, £262 10s. ;
and bronze lamps and electric fitting, £206 15s.,
which have been placed to establishment charges.
The receipts from subscriptions showed an in-
crease of £958, and from dividends £350. The
receipts from the Temple Show were smaller, but
this was due partly to the larger number of
Fellows (who do not pay for admission) and partly
to the wet weather. In the case of the Holland
Park Show the reverse was true ; whereas in 1908
the receipts were £629, last year they amounted
to £709. Although they had never made a profit
from the summer .shows, the deficiency last year
was only £15. The sum of £150 had been set
a«ide for the painting of the Hall in 1912, the
estimate for the work being £450. The Society's
invested funds amounted to nearly £50,000.

Mr. Arthur Sutton expressed his great satis-
faction with the Report, every item of which was
a record of good work.

Mr. H. J. Elwes asked for a clearer statement
with regard to the position of the Lindley
Library. With regard to Pritzel's work, he
agreed that there was a necessity for an up-to-
date revision, but he was informed that there
were at lea.st three annotated copies, and he sug-

gested a reprint of one of these rather than spend-
ing the large sum to which the Society proposed
to contribute, in undertaking the work afresh.
The question of the Royal Botanic Society had
been before them for many years, and the corre-
spondence did not lead anyone to suppose that the
Council of the R.H.S. had any desire for amalga-
mation. There was one Society with great wealth
doing much and another with no means doing
little. If they could join forces the difficulty of
finding a place for the R.H.S. shows would be
solved once and for all. In this matter the
Council had taken no means to ascertain the
feeling of the Fellows.

The Rev. Joseph Jacob asked that someone
might be appointed to act as " eyes and ears "
when old books of horticultural value came into
the market. He referred especially to old works
on floriculture, which the library was particularly
deficient in and which were becoming scarcer
every year.

Sir Trevor Lawrence said, in answer to Mr.
Elwes, that the difficulty in the matter of the
Royal Botanic Society was that no proposal had
been made by that body, but the R.H.S. had
every desire to consider any suggestions the
Royal Botanic Society might make. With
regard to the library, the Lindley Trustees
would di.sappear and the R.H.S. take their place,
but the library would be held in trust in per-
petuity and only the custody of the funds
would be undertaken by the Charity Commis-
sioners. In conclusion, he referred to the admir-
able manner in which the Society was served by
its staff, and complimented the secretaries and
the garden superintendents.

The election of the three members nominated
for the Council and the presentation of Veitch
Memorial Medals and Victoria Medals of Horti-
culture concluded the proceedings.

CHIEF OFFICER OF L.C.C. PARKS.

A SOLDIER APPOINTED.

Febru.\ry 8. — A meeting of the London
County Council was held on this date, at the
County Hall, Spring Gardens, Sir Melvill
Beachcroft (chairman) presiding.

On the appointment of a chief officer of the
Parks Department, the General Purposes Com-
mittee reported to the Council as follows : —

The Council on November 30, 1909, authorised the
issue of an adverlisemeirt inviting applications for the
appointment, at a commencing salary of ;t6oo a year,
of chief officer of the parks department, vacated by the
resignation of Lieut. -Col. J. J. Se.\by, V.D. In response
to this advertisement 95 applications were received and
referred by us to the Parks and Open Spaces Committee
for consideration, with a request that they would submit
to us the names of not fewer than seven and not more
than nine of the candidates whom they considered most
suitable for appointment. Twelve candidates had an
interview with the Parks Commitf^e, who submitted to
us the names of nine candidates, all of whom were
seen by us, and one of whom subsequently withdrew his
application. After careful consideration of the merits
of each candidate we recommend the appointment of
Major C. H. Enthoven, R.E. To comply with standing
order No. 89, we submit three names as follows: —

Mr. A. J. Allsop.

Major C. H. Enthoven, R.E.

Mr. W. W. Pettigrew.

We recommend that, subject to his passing satisfactorily
a medical examination, Major Charles Henfrey Enthoven,
R.E., be appointed, as from a date to be hereafter deter-
mined, chief officer of the Parks Department, at a com-
mencing salary of /600 a year ; that the appointment be
subject to the following conditions— that he do hold his
office during the pleasure of the Council ; that he be
required to give his whole time to the duties of his office,
and be not allowed to be directly or indirectly con-
cerned in any other business than "that of the Council ;
that any fees received by him, either as a witness or in
any other capacity, be paid to the Council ; that no
fixed allowance be ra^ele to him for travelling expenses,
but that he b; repaid any such expenses as he may
actually incur; that he shall not on retirement claim or
be entitled to any retiring allowance under the Super-
annuation Act, 1866 ; and that he shall be subject to the
Council's regulations in r.espect of the superannuation
and provident fund.

The following advertisement was published in
the Council's oflScial Gazttte : —

Chief Officer of Parks Department.

The Council invites applications for the appointment
of chief officer of its Parks Department, who will be
required to give his whole time and energies to the
duties of his office. The person appointed will be re-
sponsible for the laying out and proper management of
all the parks, gardens, and open spaces maintained by
the Council, for the management of the conservatories
and the horticultural and other buildings therein, and
for the management and discipline of the staff em-
ployed in the ParV" service A knowledge of survey-

ing, landscape gardening, forestry, and horticulture is
desirable. The parks, gard;;ns, and open spaces are at
present in number 114, the aggregate area of which is
about s,ioo acres, and the recreative arrangements for
which the chief officer is responsible include gym-
nasiums, boating, game pitches, and bands. The staff
employed numbers about 950. The person appointed
will not be allowed to take any private business or
other paid employment, and any fees received by him,
either as a witness or in any other capacity, are to be
paid to the Council. He must not be more than 45
years of age on December i, 1909. The commencing
salary attaching to the appointment is ,iC6oo a year.
No fixed allowance will be made to him for travelling
expenses, but he will be repaid any such expenses as he
may actually incur.

Applications for the appointment must be on the official
fcrms, which may be ot)tained from the Clerk of the
London County Council, Spring Gardens, S.W. They
should contain fidl particulars of age, qualifications,
and experience, and should be accompanied by copies
of not fewer than three testimonials as to character and
fitness for the office, with special reference to the
qualifications above meationed. The latest time for
receiving applications is 11 a.m. on Monday, January 17,
1910. Any form of application which is not fully filled
up, or which in any respect fails to comply with the
terms of the advertisement, will not be laid before the
Ccuncil. The appointment will be subject to the suc-
cessful candidate passing satisfactorily a medica' ex-
amination by the Council's medical examiner.

On the motion for the adoption of the com-
mittee's recommendation —

Mr. J. D. Gilbert moved that the recommen-
dation of the committee be referred back. He
reminded the Council of two recent appointments
of high officials which had been made. As re-
gards that particular appointment, he said he
wished especially to point out to the Council the
peculiar way in which the name of the proposed
official was brought up on that occasion. Before
Jjroceeding further, ho wished most emphatically
to say that he had no desire to utter a word in
any shape or form against the gentleman who
was recommended for that appointment, because
he believed his testimonials were extremely good.
\i the same time, he did not think he was the
candidate the General Purposes Committee
should have recommended for the appointment.
He, personally, was a member of the General
Purposes Committee which considered the par-
ticular candidates for that appointment, and a
week ago they interviewed nine gentlemen who
had previously been interviewed and selected by
a sub-committee of the Parks Committee, whose
action had afterwards been endorsed by the
Parks Committee itself. The Rev. F. Hastings,
who was going to second his amendment, would
inform the Council what actually took place at
the Parks Committee. The General Purposes
Committee saw and interviewed nine candidates
sent up to them by the Parks Committee. After
they had interviewed those candidates, one of
them withdrew. They were favoured, at the
General Purposes Committee, with the memoran-
dum of the Parks Committee, who had arrived
at a decision, after having interviewed the candi-
dates, and sent up a recommendation, putting the
candidates in the numerical order in which they
thought they were fitted for the a,ppointment.
Of the first four names sent up by the Parks
Committee not one was included in the names
w'hich the General Purposes Committee now sub-
mitted to the Ccuncil. It seemed to him that
their recommendation was surely worthy of soma
consideration by the General Purposes Commits
tee when they had their memorandum before
them. Having drawn the attention of the Coun-
cil to the wording of the advertisement for a
chief officer of the Parks Department, Mr. Gil-
bert said, if they looked at the references and
general qualifications of Major Enthoven, they
would find that, with the exception of one sub-
ject, namely, surveying, he possessed no qualifi-
cations which brought him within the scope of
the advertisement. It seemed to him that they
had other gentlemen before the General Purposes
Committee who had some, if not all, of the quali-
fications that the advertisement required. It
seemed to him that the committee was going out
of its way in order to recommend a gentleman
who had only one of the qualifications which the
advertisement required. Another strange thing
about the appointment was this : the Parks Com-
mittee was asked whether anybody under their
department was qualified for the appointment,
and their reply, in the first instance, was in the
negative, although, of the first four names the
Parks Committee subsequently sent to the
General Purposes Committee, two were the names
of people in the employ of the CouncU — one
under the Parks Committee, and the other gen-
tleman in the service of another department of

110

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12, 1910.

the Council. It was a strange coincidence that,
a month or so ago, the Parks Committee declared
that they had no one fitted for promotion. He
was not prepared to move the substitution of
another name for the one recommended by the
committee, but he did think that members on
the other side owed to London some ex-
planation of their procedure in recommending
a gentleman not reconmiended by the Parks
Committee, and. secondly, in recommending
a gentleman who had practically none of the
qualifications which the advertisement itself de-
manded of candidates applying for the post. Why
had not the General Purposes Committee recom-
mended one of the first three or four gentlemen
recommended by the Parks Committee? In the
circumstances, he moved the amendment, believ-
ing that the matter ought to go back to the
committee for further consideration.

The Rev. F. Hastings, in seconding the amend-
ment, said he thought it was a matter that ought
to arouse considerable discussion. He held that
the Parks Committee ought to know better than
even the General Purposes Committee, and the
chairman of the Parks Committee, Mr. George
Alexander, was urged strongly to represent the
feelings of that committee to the General Pur-
poses Committee. They expressed a strong wish
that a certain candidate who received 15 votes
should be appointed. Later, Jlr. Alexander
seemed altogether to veer round, and to think
that Major Enthoven was a very suitable man.
Bij tJif co7ife.?fioiiK of flu- Major hrfnre the Parhg
Committee, he knew nothing aljout lanrlsrri pe gar-
dening, nothing about forestry, nothing about
the laying out of parTcs, and nothing about tnal--
ing open spare.i attractive. What he knew about
the purchase of land he (the speaker) did not
know ; he submitted very little. The appli-
cant's confessions before the Parks Committee
were alone sufficient to induce him to second
the amendment for referring the recommendation
back. For one thing, as Mr. Gilbert had already
reminded them, there were men in their own
employ who could have been appointed, and he
would like certainly to suggest— (" No, no ! ")

He knew he might not do that, but

there was no necessity to go outside the
Council for their chief officers. If they did
this they cut off from those who served
them the possibility of rising to the top-
most positions under the Council, those positions
apparently being won by good address, influen-
tial testimonials, and, he could not help saying
so, by the favouritism of a certain section of the
Council. Certainly, the applicant had all the
bearing of a soldier, but, after all, the men en-
gaged in the parks were not so obstreperous as
to require a soldier to be over them. As a sol-
dier, let him be preparing for war. When we
are attacked by Germany, let him be prepared.
One of the most damaging admissions the Major
made was that he would" have to depend upon
his subordinates for his information in certain
things, and especially technical things. Surely
the General Purposes Committee did not want to
thrust their views on the Council. He would
only say that if they would not adopt that course
they would be perpetrating a wrong, and that
the perpetration of a wrong would come back not
far hence. The matter had been discussed in the
Press, and, he thought, rightly so.

Captain Svvinton said he had been on the Parks
Committee as long as any member of the Coun-
cil. He fully admitted that Mr. Gilbert and
Mr. Hastings were probably actuated by the very
best motives, but he did not think that Mr.
Gilbert's, and still less Mr. Hastings', speeches
were quite the speeches which ought to have
been heard on that occasion. In appointing a
chief officer of the Parks Department what did
they want? He asked the Council to consider
that question. In the first place they did not
necessarily want a gardener. What they wanted
was the head of a great department. They
would remember that the department controlled
114 parks, consisting of more than 5,000 acres,
and that the cost of maintaining them was over
£133.000 a year. It was one of the largest de-
partments o"f the Council. What did its staff
consist of? The outside staff consisted of 950
men approximately. Of those, 503 were gar-
deners and 320 were keepers maintaining the dis-
cipline in our parks. Then there were 18
superintendents and other servants, including 65
lavatory attendants. There was also the neces-
sity for a clerical staff, and there were 25 clerks.

all of whom would be under this chief officer.
It was a high position for a nan to fill, and was
comparable with the positions of the chief officers
of the Royal parks. Now, apparently, what Mr.
Gilbert and Mr. Hastings were striving after was
a perfect man. He had to be young, but experi-
enced in looking after a large staff ; a man who
could be responsible for a large expenditure and
control' a large staff. He would certainly have
to be able to draft reports, and perhaps write
treatises. He would probably be required to
have an expert knowledge of trees, shrubs and
plants, and must be a surveyor and qualified to
lay out grounds, a land agent, and certainly a
draughtsman. Such a man it would be abso-
lutely impossible to find.

Mr. Gilbert: Have you seen the advertisement?
A certain section of the Press, went on the
speaker, had said that certain qualifications were
essential. The word used in the advertisement
was " desirable." It was very desirable, if they
could find such a man, that they should have
him, but they were not going to find him. The
next essential was that he should be capable of
assuming the charge of a big business, which he
would conduct systematically for the benefit of
London. In the' first place, the Parks Com-
mittee considered the matter on November 19,
and sent up their report to the General Pur-
poses Committee. In that statement they in-
formed the General Purposes Committee that
they were not prepared to recommend an officer
of their department for the vacancy, and ex-
pressed the opinion that an advertisement should
be Lssued. Then the advertisement was issued,
and 95 gentlemen answered it. Some of them
went very carefully through the whole list. He
did for one, and, before the question arose, he
personally had never heard the name of any
single person who answered, and certainly not
the three names which they were now consider-
ing. The subcommittee of the Parks Committee
discussed the names and sent up 12, and then
the main committee chose nine of them, as Mr.
Hastings had stated. The consequence was that
a certain section of those 12 dropped into the
second place. Then the list went to the General
Purposes, and they selected the three whose
names were now before the Council. Major En-
thoven happened to be an expert surveyor of a
high cla.ss. and had had under his control large
numbers of men. He personally had very care-
fully gone through all the names, and he had no
hesitation in recommending Major Enthoven as
the best man.

:Mr. Hunter did not wish to say a word about
the gentleman recommended. He was a gentle-
man of very high ability indeed ; but he unhesi-
tatingly declared that one of the members of their
staff had a higher qualification for the post than
any of the candidates mentioned that day. He
had had 20 years experience, knew every de-
tail of the woVk, and his qualifications generally
were higher than those of any of the applicants
they had before them that day. He differed
strongly with some members of the Parks Com-
mittee "that a military man was the only man
who could control men. He took rather the view
of Captain Swinton — that they wanted a man to
manage a large business concern, bnt he would
remind them that the largest busines;; concerns
in this country were not run by military men.
If the gallant major were appointed, no one
would work more loyally with him than he would,
but, on the other hand." he did feel that they had
a right to promote their own men, and he was
very disappointed that men of their own staff
had been put aside altogether. He was going to
support the amendment, because his conscience
dictated that to refer the matter back was the
proper course. He wanted the best man, and
he expressed the opinion that they had not got
before them at present the best man with the best
qualifications for the appointment.

Mr. Sanders strongly protested against the
suggestion that on his side of the House there
was any objection to an oflicer being appointed
by the Council because he was a member of one
of the Services. If they found that an officer of
one of the Services would be the best fitted for
the post they would be prepared to support him.
That was the case in connection with the appoint-
ment of the head of the Fire Brigade, where an
officer of his class of experience was desirable and
almost necessary ; but when they came to the
question of parks there was no need whatever
for military experience. Capt. Swinton seemed

to speak as if only persons in the military or
naval service had any experience in directing-
large bodies of men. As a matter of fact, Mr.
Hunter had pointed to their tramway staff, which
required discipline, and who were under the con-
trol of a man who had had no experience in either-
the Army or Navy. But a word let drop by
Capt. Swinton gave the key to the situation,
when he said discipline Avas needed. He (Mf.
Sanders) protested against that. The question
befoi-e them had nothing whatever to do with
discipline. They needed some one to keep order,
exactly as the conductor of a tram had to keep
order," and was not required to exercise military
or naval discipline on the London public. The
work required only the intelligence and common-
sense displayed by the police, who were not rnem-
bers of the" naval or military services. It was
unfortunate that the question had arisen. This
was the third time in which the appointment of a
chief officer had been tainted with things which
were not altogether pleasant. Here they had
the General Purposes Committee saying they had
made inquries and that they found there was no
person in their service qualified to take this
position ; but two of the names presented to the
Council by the Parks Committee were those of
their own" servants, and these were set aside in
favour of a militarv man who had no technical
knowledge of anything connected with parks or
open spaces. It was against that he protested.

Mr. George Alexander, as chairman of the
Parks Committee, said they had to consider the
applications from all classes of men at their dis-.
posal, and the main difficulty they had to sur-
mount was that they had so many good men of
different classes, but no one who possessed all the
qualities and attributes for that particular post.
He, therefore, supported what Capt. Swinton had
said. He knew other names were submitted by
the General Purposes Committee, but he felt sure .
if the Council saw fit to appoint Major Enthoven,
that gentleman would prove himself worthy of
their confidence. He would like to remind Mr.
Gilbert that Major Enthoven was employed as an
officer on lands and forests, so that he had some
experience in those matters, and also that for 50
years the Royal parks had been managed by the
"Royal Engineers. If JMajor Enthoven were
chosen, he was sure the Council would have no
cause to regret their action.

yir. .lesson supported the reference back and
urged that their own men should be promoted
where possible. There could be no doubt that
Major Enthoven had made a deep impression
upon Capt. Swinton. Capt. Swinton had
practically made the running for Major En-
thoven. Military men should not be ap-
pointed, especially when they had none of
the qualifications required by the Council. The
only qualification of this gentleman was that he
knew a little forestry ! Capt. Swinton said in
a conversation that what the Parks Committee
wanted was a man who understood discipline —
a man who could conti-ol the staff. What was
wanted, said Capt. Swinton, was such a man, and
not one with any particular knowledge of the
work, because he would have expert men under
him.

Captain Swinton. — I did not say that discipline
was the only thing required. I said it was a big
business, and that we wanted a man capable of
running a big business.

Mr. .lesson observed that Captain Swinton
was still of the same opinion that a military man
was the best for the position. After all, it was
not a matter of convincing that Council, but of
convincing the general public that it was best in
their interests and in the interests of a large
department that they should have a man who
knew absolutely nothing about the subject e.xcept
that he could control a staff of men ! " I for one,"
said Mr. Jesson, " protest against that. I am
sure, from my observation of three years on the
Parks Committee, we have men who are equally
as cultured as any who came before us ; and I
believe if we had another look round we should
find .someone in our own department able to
undertake this position. Believing that the
public would rather accept the idea of promot-
ing our own staff, I have very great pleasure in
supporting the recommendation to refer the
matter back."

Mr. E. White (chairman of the General Pur-
poses Committee) said it was a great misfortune
that the subject had been raised. The Parks
Committee distinctly stated that thev had no

February 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Ill

one whom they could recommend. " I was sur-
prised," lie said, '■ that that committee included
in the list the names of two of our staff. That
was rather an unwise course to pursue." It was
rather a pity that these public appointments were
discussed in the Press before they were discussed
by the Council. It was greatly to be deprecated
that these appointments were discussed as Party
matters.

iVIr, Hastings. — I did not deal with it as a
Party matter.

Mr. White. — At all events, ilr. Hastings said
it was due to the favouritism of some members.
I entirely deny that there was any favouritism
shown to any of the candidates. They came
before my Committee, and I think I am' not re-
vealing any secrets in saying this. I simply
asked them to establish their identity, and I
asked every candidate to state himself what he
considered his claims to the appointment. I put
no leading questions. That was done in each
case, and the inquiry was conducted without any
manner of bias or favouritism being shown. Mr.
Gilbert, ni moving the reference back, has intro-
duced a Party spirit, which too much pervades
the discussions of this Council. I am in favour
of promotion, and I should have been glad if an
official of our own could have been recommended,
but I cannot go behind the backs of the Parks
(!oramittee. They know more about the matter
than I do. If this reference back is to.be carried
— and I do not think it will be — it will create a
scandal in London.

JMr. Gilbert. — I mentioned no names.
Mr. White added that he was stronglv opposed
to referring the matter back. When, "however,
the list of names was brought before his com-
mittee, he thought they took an unusual course.
He made no complaint. They arranged the
names of the candidates in what they considered
the order of qualification, instead of alphabeti-
cally, as usual, lut in the voting that took place
not one single word of protest was raised.

Mr. Gilbert. — We voted against it. What
more could we do?

Mr White said he did not then want to discuss
the question of qualification. Thes.? matters had
all been fully discussed. He took it that the
names of the gentlemen submitted were names of
men qualified to fill the post. All the names
were strangers to him. Major Enthoven had a
knowledge of engineering, and he w^as brought
forward, not because he was a soldier, but be-
cause he was thought to be the best candidate.

Mr. Edward Smith said it was exceedingly un-
fortunate that the authorities should have "filled
an appointment of that kind in such a way, after
their advertisement in which they laid" stress,
not upon discipline, but upon technical qualifica-
tions. After the Parks Committee .said there
was no one they could recommend, tliev recom-
mended the names of two gentlemen," one of
whom possessed the highest" possible technical
qualifications, and had been in connection with
the parks for 20 years ! If men were not quali-
fied to do the work, their names should not be
put forward. He hoped steps would be taken to
prevent such an occurrence again.

The Rev. Stewart Headlam said that Captain
Sw niton seemed to think the Council shoidd have
a Royal Engineer to use the parks for militarv
purposes. Up to the present, the parks had not
been w-hat they ought to have been. A great
deal might be done to make the parks useful for
our children in their Nature studies. For that
they did not want a Royal Engineer. He hoped
the matter would be referred back, in order
that Jlajor Enthoven might go to the post await-
ing him at Cape Town !"

Mr. Dominey regarded the discussion as ter-
ribly undignified. He begged the Council to
put aside the question of Party, and to vote on
the three names submitted.

Sir John P.enn said he could onlv speak of
what appeared on the surface. He ventured to
think, looking at the facts before the Council,
that the proposal to refer back was fully justi-
fied. iHe was not objecting to a competent man,
because he was a military man, but because,
when he saw the required qualifications, the gen-
tleman proposed did not possess one of them.
'' So far as I can discover," said Sir John. " there
is no urgency about this matter. The parks will
not be closed unless we make this appointment,
and yet the mystery about the whole thing is
that w-e find urgency moved in order to bring the
matter before the "Council. I am not surprised

that that creates some suspicion that there is
something behind this."

Captain Swinton e.xplained that urgency was
moved because Major Enthoven naturally de-
sired to have the matter settled before he decided
to go to South Africa.

Sir John Benn said there was no reason why
the Council should be rushed, and, if it were, it
would be a public scandal. It was one of the
most extraordinary cases that he had met with
in all his life of attempting to force a nomii :i-
tion through the Council.

Mr. Hunt contradicted Sir John Benn, and said
that Major Enthoven possessed not only one but
n.any of the qualifications. It was most unfair
to a candidate that such observations should be
made to that Council.

Sir John Benn said he should be exceedingly
sorry to hine done any injustice to the candidate,
but he would really like to hear some one read
out the qualifications of Major Enthoven for the
post. He would willingly withdraw any sugges-
tions which were unfounded.

Jlr. Casson said Royal Engineers used to
monopolise the appointments under the Local
Government Board, but some few years ago that
practice was altered, because it was found that
Royal Engineers did not possess the necessary
human qualifications. These were possessed
rather by a civil than a military man.

It was then moved that the question be now
put. There were for the motion 57 and against
40.

The motion to refer the matter back was de-
feated by 34 to 21.

A division was claimed when the voting was;
for referring back 39, against 55.

The candidates were then voted upon. In the
first round Mr. Pettigrew fell out. In the second
round there voted — for Major Enthoven 41, for
air. Allsop 24.

Major Enthoven's name was then put to the
Council and met with cries of " Agreed."

The Major was then called in and congratu-
lated by the chairman on his election.

Major Enthoven, in a very few words, re-
turned thanks and assured the Council that the
confidence shown in him would not be misplaced.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.
ANNUAL MEETING.

February 7. — The annual general meeting of
the above Society was held at Carr's Restaurant,
Strand, on the above date, under the chairman-
ship of Sir Albert Kaye RoUit, LL.D., D.C.L.,
president of the Society.

The minutes of the last annual general meet-
ing having been read and confirmed, the report of
the executive committee on the work of the
society during 1909 was presented. This was
published in our last issue.

The president moved the adoption of the re-
port and financial statement, which he described
as a record of good work, .\lthough only one
exhibition had been held during 1909, it was a
great success. The Award for Colour which
the society had decided to inaugurate was one
that would be much appreciated. He urged upon
members the necessity of augmenting their num-
bers during the present year. The financial posi-
tion of the Society was sound.

Mr. Thomas Bevan seconded the resolution, and
the report was adopted unanimously.

Sir Albert Rollit was again elected president,
and Jlr. J. Green treasurer of the Society. The
other ofl^icers were re-elected, including Messrs.
T. Bevan and E. F. Hawes as chairman and vice-
chairman respectively of the executive committee ;
Mr. C. Harman Payne, hon. foreign corre-
sponding secretary, and Mr. R. A. Witty,
general secretary.

The vacant places on the executive committee
were filled by the election of Messrs. W. 0.
Hiehle, W. Howe, H. J. Kybert, J. B. Linford,
J. W'. Moorman, J. T. Si"mpson, E. F. Such.
J. H. Witty, H. J. Jones, H. Farmer, F. Ladds.
and W. Rogers.

The following gentlemen were elected corre-
sponding members of the societv: Jlessrs. C H
Totty, U.S.A., T. Pockett. Australia, and R.
ilommeja. France. Mr. J. H. Witty, who was
vice-chairman of the executive committee for
18 years, was recommended to the executive
committee for election as Honorary Member of
the society.

M: ARK JETS.

CO VENT GARDEN, February 9.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
\fy°^^^-. -""^^i^y ^'■^ 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. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

.\ c ac ia dealbata
(mimosa), per
doz. bunches...

Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fieldeii, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Calla (seeRichardia;
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (var.)
Carola, and other
special varieties

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

Camellias, per doz.
Calileyas, per doz.

blooms
Daflodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eiicharis grandi-

flora, per dozen

blooms
Freesias, per doz.

bunches
Heather (white),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bcbs.
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac(Fnich.),p.bch.
Liliuni auratuin

f)er bunch
ongillorum ...

— lane iioliuin
rubni:a

s.d. s.d.

9 0-12 0

0 9-10
3 0-50
6 0-80

2 0-30

5 0-60
16-20

12 0-18 0
16-26

12 0-U 0

5 0-80
4 0-60

4 0-50

3 0-40

16-20
0 4-06
6 0-90

2 0-30

3 0 4 0

2 0-30

4 0-60

2 0-26

Liliuni album
Lily of the Valley,
p. dz, bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white
and yellow ...

Mignonette, per
dozen bunches

Narcissus poeticus
(P heasan fs
Eye), per doz.
bunches

— Soleil d'Or ...
O don to glossuni

crispuni, pec
dozen blooms
Pelargon i u ni s,
show, per doz.
bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atricaiia
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphelos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i a A.
Victoria

— C.Mermet ...

— Liberty

— Mme.Chatenay

— Richmond

— The Bride
Spiriea, p. dz.bchs.
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms
Violets, per dozen
bunches

— Parma

s.d.
1 6-

s,d,
2 0

6 0
12 0

- 9 0
-15 0

3 0-

4 0-
2 0-

4 0

4 0

5 0
3 0

2 0-26

4 0-
6 0-

6 0
80

3 0-5 0-

2 6-

3 0-

4 0

4 0

3 0-
6 0-
6 0

4 0-
4 0-
2 0-

3 0

4 0
6 0'

6 0-

4 0
12 U
12 0

6 0

5 0
4 0

4 0-50

3 0-

4 0-

4 0

5 0

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d

Adiaiitum cunea-

Inm, per dozen

bundles
Asparag us plu-

inosus, long

trails, per doz. b 0-12 0

— medium, doz
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Crotoii leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (ling-

lish)

s.d. s.d.
0 6-09

6 0-90

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-30

Ferns (French) ...
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches
Hardy foliage

(various), per

dozen bunches 3 0-90
Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0- a 6

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved ...

— French
Smilax. per dozen

trails

1

0 9-16

16-26
4 0-50

4 0-
l 0-

6 0
1 U

6 0-80

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

6 0-60

5 0-80

9 0-12 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

l'^ 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

Auipelopsis \'eit-

chii, per dozen
Aralia Sieboldl, p.

dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger plants ..
Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— ten u issi mus
Azaleas, per doz. 30 0-42 0
Begonia Gloire de

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ... .. 12 0-18 0
Cinerarias, per

dozen 5 0-90

Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-.% 0
Crotons, per dozen 18 0-30 0
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cyperus alterni-

folius, dozen ...

— laxus, per doz.
Daffodils, per doz.
D r a c Ee n a s, per

dozen

Erica gracilis, per
dozen

— hyenialis

— melanthera .,

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

sd, s.d. I ^ s.d. s.d.

liuonymus,per dz.,
, in pots... .. 3 0-8 0'

j — from the ground 3 0-6 0'
I'eras, in thumbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0

— in small and
large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per
dozen 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— in 32's, per
dozen 10 0-18 0

Ficus elastica, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 8 0-10 0
Grevilleas, per dz. 4 0-6 0'
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 8 0-10 0'
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kenlia Belniore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per
dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0'
L i I i u ni 1 o n g i -

floruni, per dz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifolium, p.
dozen 18 0-30 0

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignonette, per

dozen 6 0-80

Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0- t! 0
Solanums, per doz. 6 0-90
Spirsea laponica,

per do^en ... 9 0-12 0
Tulips in boxes of 4^

24 bulbs ... 1 (J- 2 0

4 0-50
4 0-50

6 0-80

9 0-24 0

10 0-15 0
9 0-15 0
9 0-18 0

— doubles, in pots 12 0-18 0-

112

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 12, 1910.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel ;

■— Baldwin

— Greening

— Russett

— Fallawater ...

— Ribslon Pippin

— King of Ihe
Pippins

— Ben Davis

— (English), per
bushel :

— Annie Eliza-
beth

— Allington Pip-
pin

— Newton Won-
der

— Bramley'sSeed
ling

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, J-sieve

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case :

— Oregon

— Californian ...

— British Colum-
bia

Apricots (Cape), per
box (15 to 28
fruits)

Bananas, b.inch:

— Doubles

— No. I „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giant ,, ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica „ ...

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries, case
Custard Apples, p.

dozen

Grape Fruit, case
Grapes, per lb. :

— Gros Cohnar,
A quality

— B quality

— Alicantes, A
quality

— B quality

— Canon Hall, A
quality

— B quality

— Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— (Almeria), per
barrel ..
p. 121b. baskets

Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— selected, case..

s.d. s.d.

29 0-35 0

16 0-19 0
14 0-18 0

17 0-22 0
14 0-17 0
14 0 15 0

16 0-20 0
16 0-19 U

5 0-

6 0

4 6-

■6 0

5 0-

60

5 0-

7 0

5 0-6 0

5 0-80

10 0-13 0
7 6-96

12 0 18 0

4 0-

6 U

10 0

8 0-
8(1-

9 0-

4 6-
8 0-

5 0-
0 6-

6 0-

10 0

10 0

11 0
6 0
9 0
6 6
I 0
8 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0

2 0-
0 9-

3 0
1 3

1 9-
1 0-

2 6
1 3

5 0-
3 0-

70
4 0

0 6-

1 6

14 0-20 0
5 0-70

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0
13 0-16 6

s.d. sd.

Limes, per case ...

2 6-30

L.ycliees, per box...

16-19

Nectarines (Cape),

per box (24 to

28 fruits)

6 0-12 0

Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag ... !:.

36 0-40 0

— Brazils, new,

percwt.

32 0-86 0

— Baicelona. per

ba^ ... ..

32 0-34 0

— Cob, per lb. ...

0 3 0 3*

— Cocoa nuts. 100

10 0-14 0

— Walnuts(French),

per bag

5 0-56

— Chestnuts (Ro-

dor). per bag...

5 0-60

— (Italian), per

bag

14 0-15 0

Oianges—

— Californian

Navel, per box

11 0-12 0

— Jaffas, per box

8 0-10 0

— Denia, per case

(420)

11 0-18 0

— Valencia, per
case (420) ... 10 0-15 0

— Jamaica, per

case (176) ... 9 0-10 0

— i, (200) ... 9 0-96

— Messina Bit-
ters, per box...

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case

— Tangerine, per
box

— Seville Sours,
per i chest ...

Peaches (Cape), per

box (15 to 28

fruits)

Pears (Californian) :

— Oregon Winter

Nelis, per case 11 0-15 0

— Easter Beurre,
per case

— (Capel, per box
(24, 2H, 32). Wil-
liams BonChre-
tien

— (Cape), Clapp's

Favourites,
per box ...

— — Double

layers
Pineapjilf's, each ...
Plums, Burbanks...

— (Capel, per box
(15 lo 28 fruits),
Wickson

— (Cape), Apple
or Satsuma ...

Strawberries, p. lb.

3 6-46

12 0-13 0
14-16

10 0-11 0
0 9-10

8 0-11 6

4 0-10 0

8 0-90

5 0-60

8 0-10 0

10 0-12 0
2 6-50
2 6-36

4 0-60

R 0 15 0
16 0-20 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(Globe),
per dozer.

— Jerusalem, J
sieve

Asparagus, Paris
Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
]ier pad

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to
8 lbs.) ...

Beet root, per bushel
Cabtxiges, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

■ — unwashed
Cauliflowers, tally

— (Italian), basket
Celeriac, per doz.
Celery, p. dz.

— "Fans," per dz.

Chicory, per lb. ...

Cucumbers, p. doz.

Endive, per dozen

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

^, 12 bundles ...

Leeks, 12 bundles

Lettuce (French),

per dozen

s.d. s.d.
16-19
0 9-10

4 6-50
0 9-0 11

2 6-36

5 G- 6 6

2 6-40
16-19

3 0-40

8 0-10 0
2 9-30

3 0-
1 9

4 6
1 3

1 6-
12 0-21 0
12 0-24 0
0 2:^- 0 3

7 0-90

2 0-26

3C

■ 2 0

5 0

1 6

2 (i

10-16

12 0-18 0
10-16

16-19

Mushrooms,per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Dutch), p.

bag

— pickling, per
bushel

— (Valencia), per
case ...

Parsley, ^ sieve ...
Parsnips, per bag..
Peas (French), per

fad

Potatos (Channel

Islands), per lb.

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

Rhubarb (forced),
doz. bundles...

Radishes (French),
per doz. bunches

Savoys, per tally...

SeaUale, per dozen
punnets

Spinach, h sieve ...

Sprouts, ^ sieve ...

— per bag, 28 lbs.
Stachys tuberosa,

per lb

Tomatos —

— (Teneriffe), per
bundle

Turnipc, 12 bchs....

— bags

Turnip Tops, per

bag

Watercress, p. flat

s d.s.d
0 9-10

0 6-07

1 0 —

3 6-40

7 0-80

6 0-76
16 —

16-30

3 0-50
0 4-06

13 0^14 0
0 8-10

13-16

4 0-50

12 0 14 0

2 0- 2 3
13-16
19-20

0 4 —

8 0 14 0
2 0-30
2 9-30

2 0-26
4 0-66

Rem.arks. — Shipments of Oranges are smaller and
their prices have advanced, more especially for best
quality fruits, with the exception .of Mandarines. Ameri-
can Apples in barrels are selling more freely. The de-
mand for Oregon and Californian Newtown Apples
is not so good, except for finest samples, which are
rather scarce. Fruit from the Cape is arriving in very
large quantities, and prices generally are expected to
fall considerably next week. The Grape trade is good.
Supplies of Canon Hall Muscat will finish next week,
good samples of this vari( ty I>eing almost unobtainable.
Red Bananas from the West Indies arrived this week in
a gocd condition, but met with a slow demand. Cucum-

bers are a little cheaper, but both Celery and Seakab
are dearer owing to the cold weather. Trade in green
vegetables is about the same as last week. Trade gener-

ally is quiet. E

H.

R.,

Covent Garden^

\Vcdnesita\\

Fcbnmyy 9, 1910.

Potatos.

percwt.

percwt.

Bedfords—

s.d.

s.d.

Lincolns —

s.d. s.d.

Up-to-Uate ...

. 3 0-

3 9

Up-to-Date ...

... 3 3-40

BlacKlands ..

. 2 6-

2 9

British Queen

... 3 3-39

Dunbars—

Royal Kidney

... 2 6-30

Maincrop ...

. b 6-

5 9

Maincrop ...

... 4 0- 4 3

Up-to-Dale ...

. 4 3-

5 0

King Edwards

... 3 0-30

Lincolns—

Kents—

Evergood ...

. 2 6-

30

May Queen ...

... 3 0-36

Sharpe's Express.

. 3 U-

3 3

Up-to-Dale ...

... 3 6-40

Remarks.— Trade is very quiet and prices remain about
the same. Recent consignments have been lieavier than for
the past two or three weeks. Edward J. h'€ic'bu>Hf Coveiu
Garden and St. Paiicms, February P, J9W.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

During the past w< ek a few things have made higher
prices, but, generally, there has been a stagnant trade.
Roses of best quality have been scarce : blooms of
Madame Abel Chatenay have made 12s. per dozen.
There are some few things the prices for which
vary little from week to week, but in the case of
Ko=es, Liliums, Callas, and a few other flowers the
value fluctuates considerably. Dafifodils are plentiful.
They include Golden Spur, Sir Watkin, H. Irving,
Princeps, and Telamonius (double Van Sion). The
Polyanthus Narcissus are also grown extensively for
market. Of these the best bicoms of Paper White ha.ve
been scarce. The Scilly White, Soleil d'Or, and
Gloriosa are all good. Narcissus poeticus is seen
in large quantities. Carnations vary but little ;
the varieties M arm ion and Carola make the highest
prices. Mrs. Burnett is anoihcr that is in demand at
higher prices than the ordinary American sorts. Rose
Doree is a very popular variety. Tulips continue to be
over-plentiful, but at the end of last week they were
making advanced prices. Liliums were not of the best
quality, but they were dear. Callas (Richardias) arc a
little cheaper, but they still make fairly good prices.
Lily of the Valley during the past week has been
rather over plentiful : the large supplies of Roman
Hyacinth makes some dilterence in the demand for
Lily of the Valley. The only hardy foliage se< n is Ivy
and Berbcris. Smilax is good, also Asparagus : at this
season the latter always makes advanced prices. A.
Sprcngeri is now one of the most popular of foliage
pla'nts.

Pot Plants.
Indian Azakas (Rhododendrons) are the most showy
subjects just now. The pinic varieties, of which there
are several, are most in demand : those with white
flowers have sold well. Niobe is a favourite,
and Deutche Perle is extensively grown. I have not
noticed Narcissiflora, which was such a favourite for
cut blooms a few years ago. Erica hyemalis is pro-
curable, but the plants are . not so well flowered as
earlier in the seasoi. E. melanthera is very pretty in
tall, well-flowered plants. Genistas have not improved
much in quality, owing to the cold weather. Cinerarias
have also suffered from this cause, but some good
plants are seen. Daffodils and Hyacinths in pots
are very good. Some good double Tulips are coming
irito the market, but there are not so many of the
single kinds in boxes. Cyclamens, Primulas, and
Begonia Gloire de Lorraine are procurable. During the
last week the latter have been very good. Mignonette is
fairly good, but not equal to what will be seen a week
or two later. The fogs cause the flower spikes to go
" blind." A. H., Covent Garden, February 9, igio.

LAW NOTE.

AN INJUNCTION GRANTED.
The ijlaintiff in the action Thorpe v. Hall, a
corn and seed merchant, of Birmingham, moved
on Friday last, before Jlr. Justice Neville, in
the Chancery Division of the High Court, for an
interim injunction to re-strain the defendant, until
the trial or further order, from selling certain
Peas grown by him from the plaintiff's se«d. Mr.
Ma.xwell Thin, in support of the motion, said the
injunction asked for was to restrain the defend-
ant, his servants, or agents from selling, offering
for sale, disposing of, or otherwise dealing in or
parting with certain Pea seed known as " Bell-
thorpe's rrolific." By an agreement of Febru-
ary 10, 1905, the plaintiff supplied the defend-
ant with i*ven quarts of Pea seed to be grown
at his farm at Bloxham, and delivered to the
plaintiff's order at Banbury Station. The plain-
tiff had specialised a Pea, which he called the
" Bellthorpe's Prolific," and the agreement pro-
vided for the defendant growing seven quarts of
those Peas on his land, and for the plaintiff pur-
chasing the crop at a certain price. The plain-
tiff alleged that the defendant had not rendered
to him the whole quantity grown, but had re-
tained ten quarts for his own use. These he had
sown, and from them had now on his farm three
stacks of these Peas. It was very important to
the plaintiff that the Peas should not be sold
to anyone else, for, having acouired a reputation

for " Bellthorpe's Prolific," anyone else selling
the same Pea would materially damage his busi-
ness.

Sir. Northcote, for the defendant, said the sea-
son of 1907, being a bad one for Peas, it was
agreed that the defendant should retain some of
the Peas and sow them the next year, and this
he did.

His Lordship said it seemed to him that there
was no sale of the Peas to the defendant, but
that they were merely handed to him for a
special purpose. Whatever the rights of the
parties were at the trial, he should have to grant
an injunction if the defendant did not give an
undertaking.

After some discussion, Mr. Northcote under-
took not to part with the Peas to anyone but
the plaintiff until the trial, on the plaintiff giving
an undertaking in damages. This the plaintiff
assented to, and no order was made upon the
motion, except that costs should be costs in the
action.

ENQUIRY.

Wh.»t are " Nitrs gardens " in these pas-
sages? " Jlulberries, Figs, Vines, Quudlings,
Nurs-gardens, and some otiier kinds of trees."
" Some kinds of Apple trees, as the Quodliiig,
Nurs-garden, Moyle." I quote from Pua.
Austen's Ohxervations upon some part of
Sir Francis Bacon's Natural History, 1658, an
excellent little book, but rare. Austen was one
oi those who helped to lift botany and gardening
from legendary guesses into the region of cni-
mon-sense and practical e.xperieiice. Jlcvry I..
Eilacomhe, Billon Vicarar/e, B'-islol.

(Pfmf(/m

Jo-
n-dbondenU

*,* The. Editors will be glad to nccivP-, for
considrration, large photograjihs of horticultural
sutijccts, suitable for re prod uition as Supple-
mentary Illustrations fft this Journal.

Cinerarias Dying: F. L. There is no disease
present to account for the trouble. Tile plants
have suffered some check, which has caused the
death of the ti.ssue about the margins of the
leaves, and also affected the blooms. A chill
or cold with excessive moisture would cause
the browning of the leaves.

Flame Tree : IF. B. The Flame tree is Brachy-
chiton acerifolium, a native of Australia, and
allied to Sterculia. The flowers are bright red
and produced on long stalks. In its native
habitat it forms a tree of 60 or 100 feet high.
This may be the tree you refer to as growing
in the Channel Islands : send us a portion of
the branch, so that we may identify it.

Hyacinth Bulbs: Milland Place. The roots
have been killed by the Dulb mite, which is
present in considerable numbers. Treat the
soil in which the bulbs were planted with
quicklime.

Names of Fruits: //. Hender.ion. 1, iSIere de
Menage ; 2, Peasgood's Nonesuch ; 3, Uvedale's
St. Germain. — T. E. TV. Newtown Wonder.

Names of Plants : J. J. G. A dark form of
Iris reticulata histrioides. — Stanley N. Epi-
phyllum Russellianum. — F. IT. 1, Oncidium
ampliatum : 2, Oncidium pulchellum ; 5, Odon-
toglossum blandum : 4, Pleurothallis Grobyi ;
5, Bulbophyllum auricoinum. — ,-1. //. 1, Cen-
tradenia floribunda ; 2, Eranthemum pulchel-
lum; 3, Plumbago rosea. — Hants. Dendrobiu;n
Wardianum album. — W. E. 1, .Elaeagnus
glabra variegata ; 2, Cupressus thyoides varie-
gata ; 3, Cupressus Lawsoniana albo-spicata ;
4, Cupressus obtusa nana ; 5, Thuya occiden-
talis ; 6, Pinus insignis.

Communications Received. — GeorRe T.— P. G. D.—

Linnean Society— C. P.— P. M.— A Gavflcner— H. W. W.
— W, H. S.— W. R.— M. B., Java-J. T. W.-U. S. A.—
Exliibition-Lancashire— E. A. D. W.-W. G. M.— S. A.
—A. P.— I. S. E.— H. P. M.— D. & Sons-R. P.-A. D.—
A. H.— W. W. P —J. W.- B. G.-P. J. H.- J. D,-H. S.
— R. P. B.— J, L. D.-P. W. C- Reginald P.— A. P.—
W. G. S.-C. P. D.— J. G.-H. J.-S. & S-A. C. P.—
J. V. G.-W. P,, G.- .J. C. W.. Berlin-Haarlem, D. R. W.
— E. Noch-W. R. D. -R. B. S.— \V. M. W.

ft;-'

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Febecaby 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

113

THE

#arbcncrs'CbronlcI

No. 1,90S.—SATUBDAY, February 19, 1910.

c

CONTENTS.

Book, an interesting old

Pathological research

garden

113

at Kew ...

122

Books, notices of —

Platycerium alcicorne,

Botanical Magazine...

122

a large plant of

124

D a h 1 e m Botanic

Polygonum

123

Garden

114

Rhododendron lucidura

121

Garden Life Year

Shrewsbury Show, new

Book

122

classes at the

122

Publications received

123

Societies-

Chrysanthemums, late

125

British Gardeners' ...

127

Cotoneaster Simonsii ...

123

Dutch Bulb-growers'

127

Cotton tree, the wild,

Leeds Professional

of Mombasa

122

Gardeners'

126

Crinum purpurascens...

114

Manchester and North

Dispute under the Agri-

of England Orchid

125

cultural Holdings Act

123

Royal Horticultural

121

Erlangea tomentosa ...

IIG

(Scientific Committee)

125

Flower show, jubilee

Scottish Hort.

125

of a

124

Southampton Royal

Freesias from seed

124

Hoit

125

Freesias, Hybrid, the

Stirling Dist. Hort. .

127

origin of some new ...

115

Surveyors' Institu-

"French " garden,

tion

121

notes from a

115

Spraying demonstration

Frost, the resistance of

in Sussex

121

plants to

120

Tree-stumps, destruc-

Galanthes Etwesit in

tion of

128

Scotland

124

Trees and shrubs in

Gardening employment

New Zealand

118

in the United States

122

Vines, young, the prun-

Gloxinias

115

ing of

125

Henkel, Mr. Friedrich

122

Visitors to Kew Gardens

Incram. Mr. G. J.

123

during 1909

121

Lilies, forcing house for

128

Week's work, the —

Obituary—

Flower garden, the ...

118

Stirrat, A. H.

128

Fruits under glass ...

119

Stopps, Jno

128

Hardy fruit garden, the

119

Orchid notes and glean-

Kitchen garden, the...

118

ings—

Orchid houses, the ...

119

Cypripedium actreus

Plants under glass ...

119

varieties

117

West Indian Com-

Dendrobium Phalie-

mittee, the

122

nopsis

117

Winter flowers, hardy,

Eulophia lurida

117

in Kew Gardens

113

Orphan Fund, Royal

Yorkshire garden, notes

Gardeners'

126

from a

124

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Crinum pui*purascens 114

Erlangea tomentosa 116, 117

Polygonum compactum 123

Rhododendron lucidum (Supplementary Illustration)
Spraying machine for fruit trees 121

A FLOWER GARDEN FOR
GENTLEMEN AND LADIES.

IN a previous article (see p. 33) mention was
made of this treatise, and also that, owing
to its having been republished with Tlic
Flotvtr Garden Display'd, its authorship had
been attributed to Sir Thomas More. It is a very
short essay, extending to only 15 pages, and
was first published in 1732. The first edition
is, however, so rare that most collectors of
gardening works have to be satisfied with the
1734 reprint. Sir Thomas's opportunities for
gardening were of a very restricted nature ; the
space at his command being limited to his cham-
ber and his " chamber wmdow in the passage
against the steeple of St. Bride's Church."
Nevertheless, he was so pleased with his success
and the success of his " improvements " that he
was induced to print them for the sake of others
in like circumstances. His first experiment was
with early-flowering plants, the Crown Imperial.
Tulips, Hyacinths, Anemones, Polyanthi, Nar-
cissi, double Daffodils, Crocuses, Snowdrops,
Hepaticas, and Fritillarias. For these he had
special basins manufactured. 18 inches wide by
12 inches deep, and the various plants above men-
tioned were arranged therein. Before Twelfth
Day (about January 17), the Crocuses and

Snowdrops were in flower, and were followed
by the Daffodils and the others in succession, the
Hyacinths " lasting m bloom till the middle of
March." During the summer he cultivated
annuals, 'double African (Marigolds), Marvel
of Peru, Capsicum, Cockscomb, Amaranthus,
Orange Mint, and other variegated herbs."
These were cultivatad in soil. But he had read
and heard how plants required only water to
fulfil their functions. Accordingly he " resolved
to attempt ;is early Productions by the Effects
of Water only — which ■would be a much neater
and Cleanlier Way, and might be more accept-
able to the Curious of the Fair Sex, who must
be highly pleased to see a Garden Growing, and
exposing all the Beauties of its Spring Flowers,
with the mu.st delicious Perfumes in their
Chambers or Parlours." So he bought some
dozens of flint tumblers — glasses, and, will it be
credited ! they were of German manufacture,
and chosen because they were " cut prettily
and Cheap." Then he got corks to fit the several
tumblers and in the corks he cut holes, so that
the roots of the bulbs which rested thereon
could pass through to the water. Thames water
he considered " the best, as being strongly im-
pregnated with prolific Matter." The produc-
tion of roots delighted him exceedingly, or, in
liis own words, it " was a most diveiting Plea-
sure to behold." The water proved successful,
too, in that he had " Polyanthus Narcissus blow-
ing out in perfection before Christmas Day," and
he had also Persian Irises three days before
Cliristmas, and he remarks with pardonable pride
that "this early Production will supply the
curious Ladies with most agreeable perfumes for
their Chambers, Parlours, &c., and with Nosegays
to adorn their Bosom at Christmas, when they
dress their Houses with other Greens." Following
some moralising on planetary influences, and the
deleterious qualities of smoke which he considered
tJ have been much over-estimated, he turned to
the production of " young Sallets " in largo
glass basins fitted with corks, and filled with
;he all-important Thames water, which, however,
lie proposed to meliorate with a solution derived
from .Melon earth dissolved in water, which being
allowed to settle was decanted for use when
quite clear. Twelve basins were required to
ensure a succession of salletting. one basin mak-
ing " a pretty little Sallet, which you may in-
crease very agreeably by buying the small, hard
Cabbages which are sold in the .Markets all the
Winter and are tlie Sprouts shot after the great
Cabbages are cut oil." He added also " Horse
Radish Roots finely scraped." He cultivated
Parsley also all the winter in the same way, and
added to his Christmas flowers. Double Daisies,
led and white Primroses, and strip'd Polyanthus,
but failed with Auriculas.

Like all reformers, he was greatly optimistic.
" \\'hat," he remarks, " a pleasant Diversion
inust this give as well as save much Charge;
there will bo no need of the E.xpence of a Gar-
dener, nor the making of Hot-beds, nor the
Carpenter's Work for Frames, nor the Glaziers
for lights to these Frames, nor the attend-
ance on them with Mats, &c., only a few Basins,
a little Cork, and good Thames \Vater, with the
Garden Sallet Seed." We are not a little in-
debted to the honourable baronet for the side-
lights he throws on social life at the period he
wrote. It is cleir that flowers were extremely
rare, if at all obtainable in the dead of winter,
and young salading equally so, though, of course,
we know that in the gardens of the wealthy
these were not unusual. The Cabbage sprouts

are not, as some might suppose, Brussels Sprouts,
but in all probability the sprouts which form
freely on Drumhead Cabbages, and which, I am
afraid, are never utilised in these days. Were
some enterprising individual to reintroduce
basins and corks with water for the house cul-
ture of bulbous plants, it is surely not too much
to expect that many would entertain the novelty
with pleasure, not only for the sake of the
" Diversion," but also because of the facility
with which groups of selected plants could be
flowered in apartments in the dead of winter
and early spring. E. P. Brotherston.

HARDY WINTER FLOWERS.

The number of hardy herbaceous plants that
produce their flowers in spite of the unfavour-
able conditions obtainable during the mid-winter
months is comparatively few. Even these are
very liable to injury and seldom look happy in
their surroundings.

First and foremost among those in bloom at
Kew are the beautiful Christmas Roses (Helle-
borus niger and its varieties). These have pro-
duced a good display for a long time in the Fern
border which skirts the wild garden near the
Cumberland Gate. The Christmas Rose is well
worth planting extensively in sheltered and half-
shady borders, where it may be successfully
grouped among.st hardy Ferns. In such a
place it will receive the necessary moisture
during the growing period. One great draw-
back is that the delicate white flowers are
very susceptible to injury when fully exposed to
all weathers, and to have them in perfect con-
dition it is necessary to place a handlight or
other glass covering over them while in flower.
Where possible, this is well worth doing, for then
the flowers are preserved for a longer period than
when unprotected. Many forms of Helleborus
niger have received varietal names, and the
varieties vary in time of flower from October
to March. One of the best is H. n. var. alti-
folius, a tall-gi-owir.g form with large, handsome
foliage, which commences to flower in November
and lasts well over Christmas. The large, white
flowers have their petals tinged with rose on
the outside, and are sometimes 5 inches in dia-
meter. H. n. angustifolia is dwarfer in habit,
with narrow leav'es and smaller flowers, and is
one of the earliest in bloom. Between these
extreme forms there are many which have re-
ceived distinctive names, such as Mnie. Four-
cade, a late-flowering variety, which usually re-
tains its foliage well, and the Bath variety H. n.
var. major, which is at its best about the end
of the year.

Another member of tha genus quite distinct
in habit and appearance from the Christmas Rose
is the Corsican Hellebore (H. corsicus), which
flowers all through the winter. It forms
a handsome, shrub-like plant, with stems about
2^ feet high, clothed with bold foliage, and bear-
ing at the top numerous, light-green flowers. The
stems are produced annually during the summer,
but persist with their foliage right through the
winter. It is an effective subject for the Fern
border or wild garden on account of its foliage
alone, although the flowers may not be attractive
to many. Other Hellebores in flower are the
pale green H. caucasicus, and the sweet-scented
H. cdorus, with its light green and dull purple
flowered varieties.

Early in January the Manchurian Adonis (A.
amurensis) commences to push up its flowers,
which are often fully open in the beginning of
February It is a most welcome addition to
the limited number of winter-flowering plants
outside. Frost and snow appears to injure the
flowers very little in the bud stage, and they soon
expand in congenial weather. Easy to grow
and quite hardy, A. amurensis has become a
popular plant with its handsome Davallia-like

114

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[FEBBTJAaX 19, 1910.

leaves, and large golden-yellow flowers, each
about 3 inches in diameter when fully expanded.
The double variety of this plant comes into
flower a good deal later than the type.

In the Fern border, round about the bases of
-some Elm trees, may be seen several groups of
the charming little winter-flowering Cyclamen
ibericum. This Caucasian species, with its pale
zoned leaves and rose-coloured flowers, is the
first in flower, but is closely followed by the
green-leaved C. coum. Of the two species, the
former is the more robust, with larger flowers
more freely produced. Given a well-selected
position, somewhat dry and sheltered, and left
undisturbed, these hardy Cyclamen soon become
established and form increasing colonies, produc-
ing their flowers freely at a time when they are
doubly welcome.

On a warm south border representatives of
the beautiful Iris family are in flower. Close
up against the wall is I. unguicularis (per-
haps better known as I. stylosa), which, dur-
ing a short spell of mild weather, will open
its fragrant flowers, which are almost hidden
amongst the evergreen foliage. With protection,
this plant will give a continuous supply of beau-
tiful flowers for cutting. There are several
varieties of different shades of colour, one being
pure white. Belonging to the bulbous section
is I. Histrjo, with its light purple and spotted
flowers. There is also a charming group of
I. reticulata var. histrioides, with rich purple
flowers, I. r. sophenensis, and stray flowers of
the yellow I. Danfordiffi, as well as the purple
I. Tauri.

Early in February the Winter Aconite (Eran-
this hyemalis) displays its frilled flowers, form-
ing a golden carpet when planted between de-
ciduous shrubs. The Snowdrops also are be-
ginning to appear, coming up rapidly during
the spells of mild weather. Fir.st to come is G.
Elwesii (see also p. — ), which of late years
has been imported so largely from Asia Minor,
and is undoubtedly the finest of all when well
grown. In elegance, however, it does not com-
pare with our dainty little native species G.
nivalis, which is also showing its flowers.

Colchicums are represented by the Syrian C.
libanoticum, which has been in flower all throui;]i
January. It is only a few inches high, with
pale purple or rose-coloured flowers. Of Cro-
cuses many are pushing up, including C. Im-
perati, C. Sieberi, and C. biflorus. W. I.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

GRINUM PURPURASGENS.

This elegant flowering plant (see fig. 53)
received an Award of Merit when shown by

■ Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., at the last meeting
of the Royal Horticultural Society, as described
on p. 107. It is a native of tropical Africa, being
found wild in the regions of Fernando Po and
Old Calabar, and has been for some considerable
time in cultivation in this country, although it
is by no means common in gardens. The bulb is
relatively a small one, being about 2 inches in
diameter. This sends up about 20 or 30 narrow
leaves with waved margins, the undulations being
most marked at the base. The flower-spiko
carries an umbel of ten or a dozen blooms,
each with a long tube and narrow, whitish seg-
ments. The whole inflorescence is tinged with
red, and even the white florets show a staining
of red down their centres. The stamens also are
red, and form conspicuous objects with their
linear, basifixed anthers, each i inch long.

Mr. Bain, the gardener, informs us that the
plant flowers twice a year at Burford. In the
winter it is grown in a plant stove, and in the
summer in a greenhouse in full exposure to the
sun. There is an illustration of Crinum pur-
purascens in the Bol. Mng., t. 5525, but the
margins of the leaves are there shown much more
crenulated, and the flowers much paler, than in

■ Sir Trevor Lawrence's specimen.

The Dahlem Botanic Garden.*

Such is the official designation of the garden
whch replaces the old one in Berlin, and, under
the title given below, the German Ministry for
Ecclesiastical, Educational, and Medicinal Affairs
has issued an elaborately illustrated account of
Prussia's new botanical establishment, the joint
production of Dr. Engler, Dr. Urban, and their
assistants. Much of the matter has appeared
from time to time since the commencement of the
work in the autumn of 1897, and some sections of
it in greater detail than in this book. Some of

ning, the authorities were unhampered either by
existing buildings that had to be utilised, or by
groves of trees that could not be sacrificed. The
area is about 100 acres, and all the build-
ings, plantations, and other details of the
original general plan, now practically com-
pleted, are very fully described and illustrated
in the publication in question, which should find
a place in every horticultural and botanical
library of any pretension. The principal head-
ings are : " Tasks of the Larger Botanical Estab-
lishments," with special reference to the one at
Dahlem ; " A Short History of the Dahlem Col-
lections " ; " The Open-air Plantations " ; " De-
scription of the Plant-houses "; " Description of

[Photograph by Jno. Grtfory,

Fig. 53. — CRINUM purpurascens.

(Exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., at tbe R.H.S. meeting on February 8.)

the moat interesting particulars have been repro-
duced in the Oardeners' Chronicle at various
dates, notably in the number for August 28, 1909,
and Mr. J. G. Watson's descriptions in May 23
and 30, and June 6, 1908.

The Dahlem establishment differs so entirely
from that of Kew that comparison of the one
with the other is difficult. In the first place,
it is wholly educational, and, in the plan-

• Dtr Konigliclie Botanische Garten utui (ins Koni^liche
Botariische Museum zu Dahlem. Quarto, pp. l.'J8, with
numerous full-page illustrations and plans. (London ;
Williams & Norgate.) 1909.

the Museum " ; " Description of the Lecture-
halls and Laboratories " ; " Details of the Cost
of the New Establishment " ; Conditions under
which the Collections may be Used by Visitors " ;
" Summary of the Lectures and Demonstrations
given during the Current Term " ; &c. The
scientific staff consists of 15 members, all male,
all holding the degree of doctor, and eight of
them bear the additional title of professor. Be-
tween them these professors give, during the year,
upwards of 30 courses of lectures in the various
branches of botany. I)'. B. E.

Februaey 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

Hi

THE ORIGIN OF SOME NEW
HYBRID FREESIAS.

A FEW weeks ago Wr. Hoog, of Haarlem, pub-
lished an article on hybrid Freesias in IJie Gar-
ten Well. As it appeared to have great interest
for readers of the (rurdeners' C/iroiiicle, I ob-
tained permission from Mr. Hoog to translate
the article and make a few alterations and addi-
tions to the original text. Therefore, the follow-
ing is not an exact translation from the German.

It is always very pleasant to be able to give
new shades of colour to a very popular flower,
either through the importation of new forms or
through hybridisation with other varieties, but
especially when the new colours obtained are
fashionable ones, such as pure soft pink, mauve,
or yellow, which soon find their way into the
gardens of all lovers of flowers. These remarks
are specially applicable to the new forms of
Freesia recently distributed under the names of
F. Tubergenii, F. Tubergenii Amethyst, and F.
Chapmanii, which have attracted special atten-
tion at the London spring flower shows during
the last three or four years. These novelties
are of robust habit of growbh, and are
as fcosy to grow successfully as the ordinary F.
alba. I, therefore, give an account of the origin
of these new varieties. In 1901 a friend, named
Armstrong, living in South Africa, sent me «ome
bulbs of Freesia, which he said were pink. This
interested me greatly, as the varieties we had
received hitherto had been exclusively white or
shades of yellow. The species known as F. aurea
I'i not worth considering here, as it has no
place in the trade and is only found in a few
private gardens. The new bulbs received from
my friend I named F. Armstrongii, and, when
they bloomed towards the end of spring, they
proved to be quite distinct from all others
known to me. They seemed to be rather
weaker in growth than other Freesias, with
smaller and more graceful foliage ; they were also
taller in stature. They had as many as nine to
eleven flowers on the main stem and from six to
eight on the laterals. The flowers were smaller
than those of other Freesias, but were of a
lovely carmine pink, and it immediately occurred
to me to try to effect a cross between them and a
selected form of F. alba, with large, pure white
flowers. Accordingly F. alba was chosen as the
seed bearer and fertilised with the pollen of F.
Armstrongii. The seed set very freely, and
germinated well when sown, but none of
the seedlings flowered till their second year.
Then the result exceeded all my expectations,
the flowers showing the most lovely grada-
tions of colour from deep carmine to a soft pink.
They also plainly showed, in their increased size,
the influence of the larger-flowered female parent.
I had much difficulty in selecting those worth
naming, but ultimately decided that the deepest
.shades were the most uncommon and best worth
bringing under the notice of the public. I gave
these as a class the name of Freesia Tubergenii.
One of these seedlings was awarded the gold
medal of the Haarlem Society at its great cjuin-
quennial exhibition about five years ago as the
best new plant in the show, and the stock of it
has passed into the hands of Jlessrs. Barr &
Sons, of London, who are now distributing it
under the name of Freesia Rose Queen. It was
also given an Award of Merit at one of the
meetings of the RH.S. Further experiments
with F. refracta, F. alba, F. Leichtlinii, and F.
Tubergenii were very satisfactory, but it was only
natural that hybrids from so many beautiful
varieties should show some new shades of
colour. I had again great difliculty in selecting,
but ultimately chose one which was different
from all the others. It was much stronger and
stouter in growth, the flowers were mauve, and
it was given the name of Amethyst ; it was
e.^hibited in London and received an Award
of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Amongst the most striking of the new colours,
I must mention specially one out of the second

generation which has flowers of ri fine clear
Myosotis blye ; another is a deep orange-yellow,
and another, a copper colour. This new race of
Freesia is much better for cutting than the older
varieties, Leichtlinii, alba, and others, because
the stems are longer and stronger. One English-
raised seedling, under the name of F. Chap-
manii, has been sent out by Mr. Herbert Chap-
man, of Rye, Sussex. It has pure yellow flowers,
smaller than those of F. alba, which, with F.
aurea, are its parents. W. E. G'umhlelon.

GLOXINIAS.

Prepar.\tion,s for an early supply of these
flowers may now be made. The tubers which
have been resting may be shaken out of the pots
in which they grew last season, with a view to
selecting the largest and best-matured for
starting into growth. Procure some shallow seed-
boxes, and fill these with a mixture of fine leaf-
mould and .'ilver-sand, and plant the tubers
closely together, just covering them with the
soil. Place them in a warm, moist house, and
syringe them daily, in order to induce them to
start into growth. The shoots need to be
as sturdy as possible, and for this reason the
boxes should occupy a position where the plants
will receive plenty of light. Some growers prefer
to pot the tubers straight into the flowering
pots ; but there is not much to be gained by doing
this. The size of the pot should be regulated by
the size and strength of the tuber, and this
especially applies to the first pottnig. Well wash
the pots and dry them before they are required.
See that the material for drainage is ample and
properly placed, and then crver the crocks with
fibrous turf placed grass-side downwards. Per-
fect drainage is essential in the culture of
Gloxinias. A mixture of one part fibrous loam,
one part rough peat, and two parts leaf-soil and
well-decayed manure from a spent hot-bed, with
a good sprinkling of sand and half-inch charcoal,
will form a suitable rooting medium. After the
compcist has been thoroughly mixed together,
and warmed to the temperature of the at-
mosphere of the house in which they are grow-
ing, it will be leady for use. If possible, the
plants should be potted in the plant house, and
not in the potting shed, so as hot to run the
risk of a check from cold winds or a lower
temperature. Pot them firmly, but not too
hard, just covering the bulb with the soil : afford
a sprinkling of silver sand over the surface. If
the soil is moist no water will be required for
a few days after potting, but the syringe should
be freely used and the staging between the pots
damped. When watering is necessary emplov a
fine-rose can. soaking the soil thoroughly. As soon
as the pots are well filled with roots, shift the
plants into their flowering pots, taking care not
to break the foliage. A compost similar to that
used before will answer well, but it should be
used in a slightly rougher condition, and mixed
with a little artificial manure. When potted,
place the plants where they can obtain plenty of
heat and moisture, and yet be shaded from strong
sunshine. Water the soil after potting, and also
frequently damp the spaces between the pots
until the flowers appear, when a somewhat drier
atmosphere should be maintained, but keep the
paths and walls well d.imped, as Gloxinias do
not like excessive dryness. When the pots be-
come filled with roots, a weekly application of
weak manure water may be given, and, occa-
sionally, a little artificial manure. A tempera-
ture of 65° at nigjit, and 75" or 80° in the day-
time will be best when the plants are growing
freely, but when they are in flower a cooler and
drier atmosphere should be maintained. Air
should be admitted sparingly on mild, sunny
days through the ventilators at the top of the
house. Remove any decaying blooms, and when
the plants are in full flower use only cle.ar water.
When the plants have finished flowering they
may be removed to make room for another batch.

The best place to ripen the tubers is a frame on
a half-spent hot-bed, shading the plants from
strong sunshine. Afford water carefully, and
once a week give weak manure water. When
the growths have died down, gradually with-
hold water, and later allow the plants to dry off.
A few seeds should be sown each .spring, so that
a batch of young plants may be raised to take
the place of the oldest ones.

Gloxinias require pknty of heat and moisture,
shade from sunshine, a rich, open, light soil, and
unremitting attention in the matter of watering
and ventilating. 7?. Thatcher, ^Yixtow Gardens,.
Leiccxler.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

The Radishes sown early in .lanuary are now
ready for pulling. They are gathered at inter-
vals of two or three times each week, according
to the growth of the Lettuces. The bunching
must be done carefully owing to the tenderness
of the foliage. The roots are always washed
before they are packed for market. The bunches
must not be left overnight after washing them,
as the roots wither very cjuickly.

Seeds of Radishes are now sown in the open
every week. The growth of the seedlings will
be very rapid if the seeds are sown on a thick
layer of well-decayed manure. When grown
for market purposes, it is preferable to sow
Radishes by themselves, as the bunching can
be done on the ground where they have been
grown.

The Lettuces " Little Gott," in the frames,
have grown splendidly, and are forming fine
heads. ' The removal of decayed leaves must be
done frequently and carefully during this month.
The Carrots are now showing their first leaves.
Where they have been sown thickly, the thin-
ning must be done without delay, as disturbance
later will cause 'nose that are left to produce a
lot of fibrous rootlets.

All the Cos Lettuces have now tieen planted
under and betwixt the cloches, the latter being
set deeper and firmer. In the beds where the
fermentation of the manure has started, and
where the Cos Lettuces under the cloches ha\e
spread their leaves, a small aperture is made
whenever necessary, either with the closed fist
or with a wooden block 3 inches wide under
the rim of each side of the cloche. This open-
ing is essential if strong and sturdy plants are to.
be obtained.

The paths between the beds of cloches are
filled up with very short manure level with the
beds, to facilitate access to the plants, and the
shifting of the cloches later in the season.

The mats are spread over the cloches at night-
time : (1) in case of frost, and (2) to prevent a
sudden lowering of the temperature after a warm
day.

The first batch of Melons (Cantaloupe Prescott)
has been sown this week in a frame. The manure
bed is 2 feet thick, and the frame is lined with
fresh manure. The seeds have been inserted
1 inch apart in boxes. The seeds may be .sown
in a greenhouse, but a hot-bed gives better
results after the plants are potted into 60's.
We are now collecting one-third of the manure
for the making of the beds for the final quarter
of the Melons. The quantity of manure required
for 400 lights of Jlelons is 90 tons.

We have sown seeds of Endive in the Melon-
bed. The variety grown this season is " La
Parisienne," which is smaller, but earlier, than
" La Ponennaise." In ordinary ground this
latter stronger-growing sort would be preferable.
In the bed made for the Cauliflowers we have
sown seeds of Celery Chemin for markeiing in
August. The seedlings will be pricked out under
glass and planted out late in ^fay. The self-
bleaching varieties are the only sorts suitable
for an early crop, as red Celery runs to seed
readily when sown early. P. Aqnatkis.

116

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Fbbruaby 19, 1910.

ERLANGEA TOMENTOSA.

Twenty years ago only one species of Erlangea
was known to science, namely, E. plu-
mosa, from Gaboon in Tropical Africa, and that
was described from a dried herbarium specimen.
At the present time there are at least 32 species
recorded, of which several have been separated

from Vernonia, to which the genus is closely
allied, differing only by having fewer ribs on the
fruit and a pappus reduced to a few short hairs,
that fall away early. All the species, except one
from New Guinea, are natives of Africa. E. to-
mentosa (see figs. 54 and 55) was shown by
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., at the meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society on

January 11, when the Floral Committee con-
ferred on it an Award of Merit. There-
are also numerous plants of E. tomentosa
in full bloom at the present time in the
greenhouse at Kew. The species is figured
in the Botanical Magazine, t. 8269, from,
plants presented to Kew Gardens in April,.
1907, by JMr. R. Diespecker, Adstock House,.

^iM

*,.'-«

>3

■ci^;«rT5j>CHRpi'4 -

Fig. 54. — ERLANGEA TOMENTOSA: COLOUR OF FLOWERS PALE BLUF.
(Exhibiled by Messrs. James Veitch & Son";.)

February 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

117

Winslow, who raised them from seeds received
from British East Africa. Erlangea tomentosa
forms a bushy shrub in its habitat, flowering
freely when from 2 feet to 5 feet high. It is
allied to E. fusca, but differs in the leaves, which
are of a bright green above, the cymes of flowers
being tomentose and the bracts of the heads
scarious at the margins. The leaves also are
white, with tomentum beneath, lanceolate and
alternate, opposite or in whorls of three, and
form a fine setting for the large c.ymes of light-
blue flowers, which are produced during winter
and spring. The plant greatly resembles a Eupa-

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

CYPRIPEDIUM ACT^US VARIETIES.
A LARGE number of plants of this cross be-
tween C. insigne and C. Leeanum (insigne X
Spicerianum) are in flower with Mr. H. A. Tracy,
Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, and are note-
worthy on account of the extraordinary variation
in the flowers, some of which are remarkably
good, while others are of indifferent quality. The
colour of three plants called variety punctatum
is yellow, with the upper half of the dorsal sepal

_5-m>CHHpt/

Fig. 55. — ERLANGEA TOMENTOSA.

\ Photograph by Jnn. Gregory.

torium both in habit and in the cymes of flower-
heads just overtopping the foliage. Propagation
is readily effected by means of cuttings. The
plant requires a similar treatment to the winter-
flower-species of Eupatorium. When develop-
ing its growth, it does best in a plant stove, but
during the flowering period it may be trans-
ferred to the conservatory or greenhouse, where
a temperature of 50° to 52° is maintained. A
rote by Mr. Gumbleton. who flowered the plant
last year, at Belgrove, was published in our issue
for August 7, 1909.

pure white, the lower half and the petals being
evenly spotted with dark chocolate colour. These
and some of the intermediate class, showing
purple spotting on the dorsal sepal, evidently
lean towards C. insigne in the manner to be ex-
pected, seeing that C. insigne was twice used
in their production. But in the variation in the
poorer forms, which in a great degree resemble
pale C. Spicerianum, and show no trace of the
C. insigne which dominate? in the better forms,
the dissimilarity is surprising, although inter-
mediate forms link the two extremes. Some

hybrids of C. Beekmannii and C. anreum and

others are also in bloom, the C. Little Gem (Har-
risianum x Baron Schroder), raised by JJessrs.
Jas. Veitch & Sons, being a finely-formed flower,
having the lower sepals expanded and coloured
rose, as in the upper sepal, a peculiarity which
most of the varieties of this cross which have yet
flowered exhibit in some degree, and suggest that
the next evolution might develop a strain in
which the dorsal and the lower sepals will be
nearly equal in size .and showiness.

EULOPHIA LURID A.

This pretty, though not showy, species is
flowering in the gardens of the Hon. N. Charles
Rothschild, Ashton Wold, Oundle (gr. Mr. C.
Wright), who kindly forwards an inflorescence
taken from a plant collected by Dr. Wollaston
on, the Lower Congo. The plant, which has
brownish pseudo-bulbs furnished with lanceolate
leaves, in growth resembles a small Cymbidium
giganteum. The branched spikes bear numerous
flowers, each about half-an-inch across. The
sepals are reddish chocolate at the back and
tinged with green on the inner surface, the petals
being yellowish with a slight reddish tip, and a
line of the same colour down the back. The lip
is yellow, and the spur nearly as long as the lip
and curved forward, flattened and slightly
divided at the apex, reddish brown in colour.

The genus Eulophia embraces several very dis-
tinct classes, which exhibit very diverse types of
growth, but agree in the form of their flowers.
The present plant, which was imported from
Central Africa, the Madagascar E. Scripta, and
some others, are all epiphytes and resemble Cym-
bidiums in growth. Another section, with terete
pseudo-bulbs often a foot in height, includes E.
pulchra, E. macrostachya, and others distributed
in Java, Ceylon, Madagascar and Africa. A third
section has curiously-flattened underground
tubers progressing chainwise. These, which in-
clude E. barbata, E. Dregeana, E. ensata, and
many others, are widely distributed from the
Cape through tropical Africa, E. guineensis, with
large rose-pink labellum, being one of the pret-
tiest. The line of demarcation between Eulophia
and Lissochilus at some points is not very clearly
defined, the South African Eulophia strcpto-
petala {Lindl. Bot. Beg., t. 1002) having to the
casual observer little to distinguish it from Lisso-
chilus Krebsii.

The epiphytic species and those with pseudo-
bulbs produced above the ground are easy plants
to cultivate if they are placed in houses of a
temperature about the same as that of their habi-
tats, but the underground species with flattened
tubers are more difficult to manage succe.«sfully,
their decline being probably caused by neglect to
give them a long, dry rest on a warm shelf. If
subjected to too low a temperature when resting
they frequently lose the growth-buds necessary
to form new tubers when the growing time again
comes round.

DENDROBIUM PHAL.g?NOPSIS, CHEW
MANOR VARIETY.

An inflorescence of a very pretty variety of
Dendrobium Phalienopsis is sent by Mrs. Edward
J. Thatcher, The JIanor House, Chew Magna,
Somerset. The flowers are white, with a slight
tinge of rose colour on the margins of the outer
halves of the petals, and a distinct veining of
bright mauve on the front of the lip. There is
a deep-purple .spot at the base of the column, the
foot of which is rose-purple. Dendrobium Pha-
lienopsis varies in colour very considerably ; but
tho white and nearly white forms are the more
uncommon, the variety now sent being specially
attractive. Comparatively small baskets and
Orchid pans for suspending suit the plants best,
and, given a warm, moist house to grow in, D.
Phalsenopsis is one of the most profuse-flowering
species.

118

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Febeuasy 19, 1910.

TREES AND SHRUBS OF NEW ZEALAND.

(ContUuted from page 9S.)
The Shrdes of North Island.

Of the native shrubs seen in flower in October
and November about Auckland, one must write
with some diffidence as to their possible hardi-
ness in England even in the southern counties.
Tibouchna macrantha from Brazil, Leucoden-
dron argenteum from the Cape, Strelitzia augusta
from Natal, and the handsome Waratah, amongst
many others from New South Wales, lu.xuriate in
Auckland gardens. And yet the winter climate is
most inclement. Cold and terrific winds, cloudy
skies, incessant rainfalls in gusty showers are the
rule in July, August and September. In October,
it clears up and hot weather sets in at once.
With such winter conditions the tropical appear-
ance of the gardens, which the very general
planting of Cordyline australis and tree Ferns
accentuates, contrasts strangely.

Meryta Sinclair! is a very handsome, aralia-
ceous species, which has been largely introduced
into Auckland gardens from the Three Kings and
Taranga islands. It has simple, immense leaves
and is dioecious in habit. The Whau, Entelea
arborescens, is a lovely Tiliaceous shrub, which
I saw smothered in its white flowers in a garden,
and in fruit at the Weitakere Falls. It ranges
down to CoUingwood in the South Island.

The Alseuosmias, the only members of the
Honeysuckle tribe, comprise an endemic genus
of four species. A. macrophylla, flowering on the
Nihotupu slopes in October, has exquisite, tubu-
lar, bright crimson, rather fleshy flowers, so
sweet scented that it was locally called
" Daphne." It runs up to 3,200 feet. A. querci-
folia, with shining, sinuate-dentate leaves and
smaller flowers, was out m November in the
Waimarina " bush."

The Cornaceous Corokia buddleioides,* with sil-
very undersides to the leaves, and yellow flowers
resembling Ribes aureum, was pleasing in the
Weitakere Hills. Pittosporum Kirkii, seen in the
Te Aroha Mixed Forest, is a very handsome and
characteristic plant, forming an exception to the
other New Zealand species, which are uninterest-
ing. The Gesneraceous Rhabdothamnus Solandri,
also seen at Te Aroha, is a small shrub which
bears handsome, orange flowers over an inch long,
and blossoms most of the year. Senecio Kirkii,
flourishing on the arid, lava slopes of Rangi-
toto, in Auckland harbour, bears leaves of
reddish tinge and is of striking habit. I
only saw it in fruit, but Mr. Cheeseman,
who kindly determined my specimen, told
me it is beautiful in flower, the white
blossoms, over an inch across, being most abun-
dantly produced. It is often epiphytic. Of small
shrubs of open situations, Pomaderris phylica;-
folia (Rhamneae), which replaces our Ericas and
Calluna over large open areas, has a very heath-
like habit and delicate, cream-coloured flowers,
produced profusely in axillary racemes. Pimelea
longifolia, growing about 3 feet high, with erect
branches terminated by sessile heads of sweet-
scented, rose-white flowers, was lovely and abun-
dant on the coast near Auckland at Piha, and the
Ericaceous Gaultheria oppositifolia, with white
flowers, well seen about Rotorua in November, is
also a handsome shrub about 3 feet in height.

Of undoubtedly hardy shrubs, widely distri-
buted, Carpodetus serratus, common everywhere,
is interesting, as it constitutes an endemic, mono-
typic genus in the Saxifragese. It is of neat
habit, showing lateral, rather dorsiventral
branching, with white, axillary corymbs of small
flowers, springing from the axils of the bright
green leaves.

The Magnoliaceous Drimys axillaris (Horo-
pito) should certainly prove as interesting to the
horticulturist as it is to the botanist. It is a
well-grown shrub or small tree, very character-

* This was seen well established and fruiting profusely near
Penzance in March last, also Rhabdothamnus Solandri. The
Corokia was successfully raised from seed and flowered
under glass by Mr. Bedford Bolitho's gardener at Trewidden,
Penzance.

istic of the native forest undergrowth, occurring
as generally in the Nothofagus as in the Mixed
Forest. The leaves often show a reddish tinge,
and, with the dark bark, contrast pleasingly with
the small, creamy blossoms which run up the
branches, two or three in the axils of each leaf.
The so-called D. colorata, Raoul, I coidd not
separate in any specific detail from D. axillaris.
It seems merely a form showing an excess of red
colouring matter in the leaves, and arrested
branching.

Pennantia corymbosa, the only member of the
Olacinese in New Zealand, is a nice shrub with
deliciously fragrant blossoms. The male plant
shows large, fluffy panicles of white flowers,

Hedycarya arborea (Monimiacese), also
dioecious, is particularly handsome, and would
prove a most interesting introduction. Like so
many of the Mixed Forest types, it belongs to
a tropical genus, typically Polynesian, of which
the New Zealand species would be the only
representative capable of accommodating itself
to northern latitudes. The glabrous, shining,
dark green leaves contrast well with the creamy,
saucer-shaped flowers, which hang in pendant
corymbs below them. The male plant is the
larger, but the female is very fine in fruit, when
the bright red drupes are most conspicuous, two
or three to one disc. This species is very like
the Fijian H. dorstenioides, the flowers of which
are a bright yellow. L. S. Gihhs.
(To he concluded.)

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. \'icary Gibds,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Boch-gardens. — The present is a suitable time
to overhaul the rock-garden, with a view to
restricting the mora robust-growing species
which, if left to themselves, will spread far
beyond the positions originally allotted to them.
Plants which have been wintered in cold frames,
including novelties or freshly-propagated stock,
may now be planted out. By this I mean the
hardy Alpine plants, not those of a delicate con-
stitution. After completing the work of plant-
ing, let the ground surface be given a top-dress-
ing, first loosening any bare patches by means of
a small handfork. The top-dressing may consist
of loam and leaf-mould, with a good addition of
lime rtibble for such species as are " lime-lov-
ing." It should be spread evenly over the
surface, and placed well around each plant.
Every meaiis should be taken to trap slugs, and,
amongst the traps, perhaps there is none better
than bran, it being possible to trace the slugs
that have attacked the bran all the way to their
hiding places. The slugs may be searched for at
night by the aid of a good lamp.

Delphinium. — Few perennial plants are as
stately as the Delphinium, especially the best of
the named varieties, these latter being preferable
to chance seedlings. They are particularly suit-
able for the shrubbery and the back of hardy
flower borders, but they are also useful for fur-
nishing trumpet vases of extra large sizes.
Delphiniums may now be propagated by detach-
ing the side-shoots and potting them up into
3-inch pots, placing these in a cold frame, which
should be kept moderately close until the cuttings
have formed roots.

Herhactou.-' Fldox. — Modern varieties of Phlox
decussata are so excellent in quality that
in gardens, where space will allow, a border
should be devoted to them. The soil for Phloxes
should be liberally dressed with decayed farm-
yard manure. If the gardener has a large stock
of varieties, planting may now be proceeded with
during fine weather, but if the stock is limited,
and the varieties choice, the best plan would be
to pot them up. Quite small pieces, if placed in
3-inch pots as advised for Delphiniums, will soon
grow into good plants. The best plan in plant-
ing is to make clumps of each variety, arranging
the clumps in an irregular fashion, employing,
say, five or six plants in each clump. Plant
them firmly at a distance of 2 feet 6 inches apart.
Similar means must be devised to catch slugs as
were recommended for the rock-garden.

Canna. — Caainas are suitable for ^.■arm soils
and open situations, and in such places they may
be expected to bloom well, and they certainly
have a semi-tropical appearance. It is useless to
expect success unless the plants are of large size
and in good condition at the time they are
planted out. Let the tubers which have been
stored during winter be cleaned and separated,
selecting the most promising branches, which are
usually to be found on the outside of the clump.
Place these in boxes containing leaf-mould, in a
gentle heat, and, when growth has commenced,
pot them up into 5-inch or 6-inch pots. Do not
apply much water until growth is proceeding
qnickly. When the foliage has developed they
should be gradually hardened off prior to remov-
ing them to the open garden.

Mi.H-ellaneous bedding plant.;. — Other bedding
plants will require attention daily. Pelar-
goniums which were rooted from cuttings and are
still contained in boxes, should be potted singly
without delay, and placed in a warm house for
a time. Prick off seedling plants of tuberous
Begonias as soon as these can be handled, placing
them in boxes or pans filled with fine sandy soil.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Globe Articliol:es. — The present is a suitable
time to make preparation for the planting cf
Globe Artichokes. These plants are frequently
allowed to remain too long undisturbed in one
position, with the result that they produce heads
of inferior quality. Part of the bed should be
transplanted each year, dividing the plants into
pieces with four or five suckers, and planting
them in rows 5 feet apart, allowing 4 feet from
plant to plant. By this means the supply of
heads will be prolonged throughout August and
September. On the approach of hot, dry
weather the young plants .should be mtilched
with farmyard manure and receive liberal sup-
plies of clear water. Seeds may be sown at
this date. Sow in boxes and place them in a
temperature of 55°, When the young plants
are large enough, pot them singly in 4-iiich pots
and allow them to remain for a short time iti the
same house ; afterwards gradually harden them,
and finally plant them out-of-doors in May.
These Artichokes are best propagated from
suckers from selected plants.

S'eed sowing. — As soon as the weather and con-
dition of the soil permit, a sowing of some of
the earliest subjects may be made. Peas of
hardy sorts may be sown now, and the pods
will be ready for gathering about the middle
of June. Round-seeded varieties are best
for early sowing, and by the end of the month
such varieties as Early Giant and Gradus may
be planted. Peas just showing above the ground
should have the soil drawn closely about them
and the sticks placed in position at the earliest
opportunity. '.!'he main crop of Broad Beans
should be sown as soon as possible. The Bean
has a long, tapering root, which grows to a
considerable depth. Beans should, therefore, be
planted on deep, rich soil, and whatever manure
is applied, it should be thoroughly decomposed.
Plant in rows 3 feet apart, and cover the seeds
with a 3-inch laver of fine soil. When the plants
have set sufficient blooms for a crop, the tops
of the main shoots should be pinched out, so
that all the energies of the plant may be directed
to perfecting the pods

Turnips. — A sowing of Early Milan Turnip
should be made without delay on a south border
in rich, light soil. The seed should be sown in
rows made 1 foot apart and j inch deep. As
soon as the .young plants are large enottgh, thin
them to 6 inches apart in the row. Small sow-
ings should be made weekly for the next few
weeks, as early Turnips frequently run to seed.
If birds are troublesome, it is best to spread a
garden net over the border for a few days, rais-
ing it a few inches from the ground.

Brussels Sproiits. — If this vegetable is required
by the end of September, a small sowing should
now be made in a pit where plenty of fresh air
can be given without injury to other subjects.
Lettuce and Cauliflower may occupy part of the
same pit. All these plants should be grown as
hardy and stocky as possible, so that when the
time arrives for planting they may be alile to
withstand a few ilegrees of frost or cold winds.

Febeuaey 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

119

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John DoNociHuii, Gardener to Joseph Fickeksgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Caladium. — The tubers should now be started
into growth. Place them about 2 inches apart
in shallow bo.xes filled with a mixture of silver
sand and leaf-mould — from Oak leaves — or Cocoa-
nut fibre. After first placing a thin layer of sand
over the surface, cover the tubers to about half
their depth, taking care t-o leave the crowns quite
clear of the rooting material. Stand the boxes
where they may receive plenty of light, in the
plant stove, taking care that no drip from the
glass or rafters can reach them. No water will
be required until the roots have commenced to
grow, when moisture may be afforded as neces-
sary. As soon as they are ready for potting,
shift them into small po"ts, employing rough peat,
fibrous loam, leaf-soil, and plenty of sand" Small
pot plants of Caladium are useful for decorative
purposes either in the dwelling-house or con-
servatory, and they are seen to the best advan-
tage when grouped. If larger specimens are
required they must be given increased root-room.
Great care will bo necessary when applying
water, especially after repotting, as an excess of
moisture at this stage will cause tho soil to turn
sour. During very bright sunshine a thin shad-
ing should be afforded, as the foliage is very
tender. Caladiums love a moist atmosphere,
therefore the paths and bare spaces in the house
should be frequently damped, but do not wet the
foliage, especially when the sun is shining
brightly. ^

Ar.himene. — These tuberous-rooted plants are
especially adapted for growing in hanging
baskets. They are very free in flowering, and
may be had in a great variety of colours. It is
best to start a few in batches at intervals, as this
practice will provide a succession of blooms last-
ing through several months. They should be
planted in fibrous loam, peat, and leaf soil in
equal parts, with sufficient charcoal and sand to
keep the whole porous. Kmplov the materials in
a rough condition. The baskets should be lined
with freshly-gathered moss, and be filled to
within an inch of the top with the mixture re-
commended. Some of the tubers should be
planted in the sides of the baskets and some
underneath, employing a dibber for the purpose.
Those in the top of the basket should be about
an inch apart and will only need to be liglitlv
covered with the soil. Besides a light watering
at the start, and an occasional syringing to keep
the moss damp, no further inoisture will be
necessary until the tubers are growing actively.

General imrk. — Many plants hitherto dormant,
and now commencing to grow, such as Gloxinias
and Begonias, should be transferred to more
suitable positions. As the days lengthen and
the sun's rays become more powerful, frequent
dampings will be necessary in the warm plant
houses. Guard against insect pests, and when-
ever any are detected fumigate the house with
some nicotine compound.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

ByW. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Mnxr/emllia. — The pure white flowers of Mas-
devallia tovarensis will last a long time in per-
fection if no moisture is allowed to fall on
them. The plants are blooming later this season
than usual, but after the flowers are cut the
plants will soon begin to grow, and when this
occurs it is a good time to repot them. Any
specimen which, through loss of leaves, has be-
come bare in the centre should be broken up,
and may either be made up afresh into a speci-
men, or the pieces may be potted separately into
small receptacles. Pots or shallow pans may be
used but the latter are preferable, as the plant
requires no very great depth of compost. These
.should be filled to three parts of their depth
with clean crocks, covering them lightly with a
layer of Sphagnum-moss ; the compost should
consist of equal parts Osmunda fibre and Poly-
podium fibre. Do not pack the compost about
the roots too closely, but compress it just suffi-
ciently to make the plant firm. Place the plants
in a shady part of the intermediate house, and
afford water sparingly till the young leaves are
well advanced It is now well' known that the
old flower-spikes, if allowed to remain on the
plants, will bloom again next season, but the
retention of these is not advisable, as in time

they tend to weaken the energies of the plant.
The present is an excellent time to break up old
plants or to afford additional rooting space to
Alasdevallias of the Chima^riod section, which
consists of the following varieties : M. Chimajra
M. bella, M. Wallisii, M. Carderi, M. Back-
houseiana, M. Roezlii, M. Chestertonii, M. Gon-
gora, iM. Lowii, M. Houtteana, M. stupenda, U
VVmniana, and M. erythrochate. These plants
should be grown in shallow teak-wood baskets,
and as their flowers are produced Stanhopea-like,
from descending stems, no crocks must be used
for draiiiage, a moderate quantity of Osmunda
fibre and Sphagnum-moss, cut up and well mixed
together, but not too compressed in potting, will
suit them admirably. In potting, sprinkle plenty
of very small crocks in the compost. Afford but
little water until the roots are seen pushing
through the compost. These Masdevallias are
very lable to the attack of red spider, which
must be kept under by frequentlv spraying and
sponging the undersides of the leaves. For the
next two months suspend the plants in a cool,
damp position in the intermediate house but
afterwards move them to the Odontoglossum
house. Shade the foliage from sunshine, and
never allow the plants to get the least drv at the
root when they are well established. February is
a good month in which to overhaul the stronger-
growing kinds, as .AI. \-eitchiana, M. coccinea
(Harryana), M. ignea, M. Chelsonii, M. ama-
bilis, &c. Those plants that were not repotted
m autumn may now be given attention, but
such plants as will be needed for spring or early
summer exhibition purposes should not now be
disturbed. Those that absolutely need repotting
or dividing should, after this has been done, be
relieved of their flower-spikes immediately they
appear, and not be allowed to bloom till ne.x't
year. It is advisable to examine every plant,
sponge the leaves with clean, tepid rain-water,
and remove old flower-spikes, dead leaf-stems^
and other rubbish. Such species as M. Schriideri-
ana, M. cucullata. M. polysticta. with its "spider-
like flowers;" M. ludibuuda. M, striatella, M
Wageneriana, M. Arminii, .M. Estrada>, M. cau-
data (Shuttleworthii), .AI. melanopus, also several
hybrids as lAl. Gairiana, lAl. Pourbaixii, M
Rustonii, M. Stella, &c., will form pretty ob-
jects in the cool house for several months to
come.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of NoRlH-
AMPTo.N, Castle .^shby, .\orthauiptonsUire.
Ajiple trees effected u-Uh American U'lglit.—
The present season, whilst the trees are still
dormant, affords an excellent opportunity for
combating the American blight. One of the best
remedies in my experience is made as follows :—
A pint of gas tar should be thoroughly mixed
with 1 lb. of dry, powdered loam, and ^ pint
of paraffin oil. This mixture is placed in suffi-
cient warm, soapy water t« make the whole of
the consistency of rather thick paint. The speci-
fic is applied to the affected parts of the tree
with a stiff brush, and thoroughly worked into
every crevice. It is necessary to remove the
earth from the bas* of the tree, as the surface
soil frequently provides a hiding place for the
pest : a top-dressing is afterwards applied in
place of the old soil. If the operation I have
described is repeated several times, the trees may
easily be cleansed from this pest. Methylated
spirits and other preparations in which paraffin
is the principal specific are used by different
growers with good results, their efficacy depend-
ing largely upon the way in which the cleans-
ing operations are carried out rather than upon
the choice of the preparation employed.

Pear-midge. — This is another serious enemy
to the fruit-grower, and, unfortunately, it is be-
coming very prevalent in some localities. Its
worst effects are seen in the case of early-flower-
ing varieties, such as Beurre de I'Assomption.
Williams' Bon Chretien, and Souvenir du Con-
gres. AA'here trees have previously suffered from
this pest the loose surface soil beneath the
branches should be removed at the present time,
and placed on the rubbish fire ; afterwards apply
a sprinkling of Vaporite, using a half pound
to the square yard. As the powder is very fine,
it needs to be applied carefully in order to distri-
bute it evenly. After this, give a top-dressing of
fresh loam in place of the .loil taken away. The
Y'ees may be sprayed with a weak solution of
quassia extract just previous to the flowers open-

ing, and an occasional spraying afterwards will
be useful until the fruits are set : the effect of the
spraying is to make the trees distasteful to the
emale insect. Later, when any of the fruits at-
tacked with the midge fall to the ground, let
them be removed without delay, and burnt, as
most ot them will contain the larvas of the midge
In the case of large, grass-covered orchards, it is
impossible to remove the surface soil but -lie
grass may at least be kept short, and all fallen
tvuit picked up and burnt. A dressii-f .-f
Vaporite, applied at the present time "ami
another in the autumn, will bo useful in these
orchards.

^ Sprai/i,„j uf orchard rz-c^?. - -Where orthnr.l
a-ees are infested with iiihen or any other vege-
table parasites, the trees should be "sprayed with
the caustic soda solution. This must "be done
belore the buds show any sign of bursting into
growth. For a summer sju'av, the XL-Ail in-
.sectioide or fruit-tree wash "is quite safe and
effective. The best method of spraving a JarTe
orchard is by means of a Hop sprayer or liiiR'
washing machine— one th;it has a "capacity -.f
30 gallons or more. There are two or three
good machines on the market, and by the use
of one of these the work can be doiie expedi-
tiously and well. The Knap.sack spraver is
equally useful for small gardens; it is needful
to wear rubber gloves when using these sprays,
owing to the caustic nature of the liquid. The
operations will be better done if they are carried
out on a calm day.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Er.nest Cassel,

G.C.B., Moulton faddocks, Newmarket.
Fruit trees in pots.— Trees which were started
into growth in November should now be in
bloom. Maintain a minimum temperature of SO"
in the house, and keep the atmosphere on the
dry side until the fruits are set. I'olliuate the
flowers daily, about noon, r„- at some time when
It is bright and dry, so that the pollen may be
properly dispersed. Plum and Cherry trees are
often attacked by aphis at this time, especi-
ally if the weather has necessitated the use
of much fire-heat. The safest way to check the
pest is to sponge the leaves with clean, soft
water, but, after the fruits are set, vaporising
with some nicotine preparation will be best. The
trees are benefited if the flower-tru.sses are
thinned before the blooms open. This will not
only afford the individual flowers more room to
expand, but save the energies of the plant, so
thtit the fruits set properly.

Afording rentilation. — The admission of
fresh air in fruit houses during the early part
of the year requires to be done with great care.
The foliage at this season is very tender, and is
soon injured by carelessness in affording fresh
air. A change of air is necessary at least once
a day to ensure the proper development of fruit
and foliage, but it must be admitted in sucli
a manner that the temperature of the house will
not be suddenly lowered or cold draughts created
thereby. It should always be remembered that
ventilators are not opened to lower the tempera-
ture, but to prevent it rising too high. Ventila-
tion should be gradual, and it is advisable, on
fine days, to ventilate early rather than wait
until the atmosphere becomes excessively hot in
the plant house. If fresh air is admitted early
in the day, there is less danger of the leaves
becoming scorched, as any moisture that has
condensed on the foliage will have dried up
before the sun gains power. The critical time
is when the sun appears suddenly after a duli,
cold morning that has necessitated the use of
much fire-heat. On such occasions it is better
to allow- the temperature to rise a little above
the normal than to open the ventilators too wide.
Damping the paths and bare spaces will help
to counteract the effects of excessive heat. In
cloudy weather the gardener must be ever on
the alert to open or close the. ventilators at once
on the appearance or disappearance of the sun
until the house is finally closed for the night.
During mild weather a little ventilation may be
given all night through the top ventilators. Full
advantage should be taken of the sun's heat by
closing the house early in the afternoon ; it will
not matter if the thermometers run up 10"
through this early closing. Mildew on vines and
Peach trees under glass is caused, in the firsti
instance, by faulty ventilation.

120

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 19, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well a& specimens o/ plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Welling:ton Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be written on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent fls eatl}' in the week as possible and duly
signed by the ivriter. If desired^ the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photogtaphs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, /lowers, trees^ &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Newspapers.— Cor respojuients sending nen'spapers should be
caicjulto mark the paragraphs they jvish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21— Surveyors' Inst. meet.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Third Masters' Memorial
Lecture at 3 p.m., by Mr. A. D. Hall, on " The Adapta-
tion of the Plant to the Soil.")
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23-

Fruit Growers' Federation Ann. Meet, at Hort. Hall,
Westminster.

AvcRAGE Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich — 39"8'^.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — ICerfnesrfav, Febiuary IB (6 p.m.): Max. 48°;
Min. 33".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —T/iuisrfnj', February 17
(10 A.M.) : Bar. 29-4 ; Temp. 64° ; Weather—
Rainy.
VRO\mc^s.— Wednesday, February 16 : Max. 60" S. Ire-
land ; Min. 38" N.E. Coast Scotland.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY and FRIDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Liliums, and Hardy
Bulbs &c., at 12; Roses, Azaleas, &c., at 1.30, at 67 &
68, Ch'eapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Perennials, Hardy Plants and Shrubs, Liliums and
other Bulbs and Roots, at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees,
at 1.30 ; Trade Sale of Miscellaneous Bulbs and Plants,
at 12 ; Japanese Liliums, &c., at 2 ; Palms and Plants, at
5, at Protheroe & Morris' Rooms.

Sale of Nursery Stock at Vine Street and St. John's
Nurseries, Sevenoaks, by order of Mr. M. V. Seale, by
Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

•FRIDAY—

Orchids, at Protheroe & Morris" Rooms, at 12.45.

A few weeks ago we discussed

The the ways in whicii frost

Resistance exerts its injurious effects on

_ ° ^ plants. We will now consider

Plants ^

to what is known respecting

Frost. the mode by which the

more resistant species of
plants protect themselves from injury by
frost. The view current among practical hor-
ticulturists, for which, indeed, we think there
is much to be said, is that the degree of sap-
piness of the plant determines its susceptibi-
lity to frost. But this view, as we shall sliow,
does not account for all the facts. Recent in-
vestigations* have proved that species owe
their power of resistance to the presence of
definite substances in their tissues. As is well
known, plant-tissues are built up of cells.

A vegetable cell, which is generally of micro-
scopic size, consists of a layer of living sub-
stance, the protoplasm, surrounded by a cell
wall and enclosing the cell sap. The sap con-
sists of water, in which are dissolved sugars,
mineral and organic salts, and nitrogen-con-
taining proteins. Proteins, which are a class
of substances of which the albumen of white of
egg may be taken as an example, are con-
tained not only in the cell sap, but also in the
living protoplasm, which, indeed, is believed
to owe its remarkable properties to the fact
that proteins enter into its composition.

In frosty weather, as the temperature of
the air falls, so, of course, does that of the

«> Dr. F. F. Blackman, New Phytologist, Nos. 8 and 9,
■vol. viii., 1909.

plant. But, owing to the presence of the salts
and other substances dissolved in the cell sap,
the latter does not freeze at 0° C. (32° F.), the
freezing point of water.

The behaviour of the cell sap is, in this
particular, like that of a solution of salt. Such
a solution recjuires to be cooled bdoic its freez-
ing point, before ice separates out. Similarly,
by experimenting with delicate cells of
plants, the hairs on the stamens of Trades-
cantia, for example, it has been shown that
ice does not form in the cells till the tempera-
ture has fallen to —6.5° C, that is to 20° F.
Then suddenly the cells are filled with ice-
crystals.

In leaves and similar tissues, the first effect
of lowered temperature is the formation of
films of ice on the outer surfaces of the
cells abutting on the spaces between them.
If the low temperature continues, water is
\\ithdrawn from the sap, and the film of ice in-
creases till it forms a lump and bursts the
tissues in its neighbourhood. In such cases
it is ea.sy to comprehend that damage and
death may result.

But many plants show ill-effects, or even
die, at temperatures not low enough to allow
of this stage being reached. Hence the general
opinion that the death of sappy plants by
freezing is due to disorganisation of their
tissues is manifesth' erroneous.

It is mainly to the Swedish botanist Lid-
forss that we owe what knowledge \\'e have of
the means of protection against frost pos-
sessed by the hardier plants. His observa-
tions concern the winter-green flora of South
Sweden, a flora characterised, as the name
implies, by the possession of leaves which
remain green throughout the winter. In this
winter-green flora are included numerous,
delicate, herbaceous annuals such as species of
C'era.stium, Lamium, Veronica, Viola and
Fumaria.

At fir.st sight, such plants appear to possess
no means of protection against extreme cold,
and yet they survive the severe winters of
Sweden. On investigating these plants,
Lidforss discovered that their leaves all con-
tain, during the winter months, not starch,
which is the form in which plants as a rule
store their reserve food substance, but sugar.
The leaves of these plants contain starch dur-
ing the summer, but on the advent of winter,
about November, the starch is replaced by
sugar, which is contained in solution in the
cell sap. On the approach of spring, the sugar
gives place once again to starch. A similar
jjhenomenon is exhibited by many trees, in
the tissues of whose trunks starch occurs in
summer and sugar (or oil) in winter. The
well-known behaviour of the Potato supplies
another illu.stration of a similar change.
vStored at temperatures near freezing point,
the tuber becomes sweet, owing to the change
of some of its starch into sugar, but, when
the Potato is brought into a warm place, the
sugar disappears.

According to Lidforss, the presence of sugar
in the leaves of the winter-green, hardy,
Swedish plants is not a coincidence, but
confers on these plants their frost-resistant
powers. That this is not a mere theory,
he has proved by a series of interesting
experiments. Thus he cut off leaves of
various plants — Nerium and Viburnum Tinus
— placed them for several days with their
leaf-stalks in a solution of sugar, and, when

they had taken np a certain amount of sugar,
he exposed them to a frost of — 7° C. The
" sugared " leaves remained uninjured,
though other leaves of these plants, which
had been kept v\ ith their leaf-stalks in water
only, were turned brown and killed. Simi-
larly, seedlings of Helianthus and roots of the
Bean, when caused beforehand to take up
sugar, survived an exposure to — 2° C, at
which temperature plants not supplied with
sugar succumbed.

The experiment is suggestive and possibly
contains the explanation of the hardiness and
non-hardiness of such plants as round and
marrowfat Peas and the like. It tlirows light
also on the well-known fact tliat plants
whicli have survived a hard winter may fall
victims in early spring — before they have
begun to grow — to a sudden frost, especially
if it follows after a spell of sunny weather.
The disaster is attributed generally to the
sudden change ; but the evidence, on which
such an explanation is based, is lacking. The
explanation, which Lidforss proposes on the
basis of the foregoing observations, is as fol-
lows : During the spell of sunshine, sugar dis-
appears from the leaves, which, having lost
their protective agent, are more susceptible
to frost than they were during the winter.
He points out that in the case of trees such
as Ilex and Yew the damage is more marked
on and, indeed, may be confined to, the south
side ; and he shows thiit, as a matter of fact
in such cases, the sugar disappears from the
leaves on the side exposed to the warming in-
fluence of the sun, and does not disappear
from those not so exposed.

The explanation offered to account for the
protective action of sugar in the sap is some-
what complicated but appears to be well
founded. Briefly stated, it amounts to this :
The peculiar substances, the proteins, to which
we have already referred, are all important
for the life of the cell, and hence of the plant.
They occur in solution in the cell sap and
also in the jjrotopl.asm. One property of
proteins, such as those contained in white of
egg, is their jjower of passing out of solution
when neutral salts are added to then. After
this process, which is called " salting out,"
the precipitated proteins are capabli, if the
neutral salt is removed at once, of redissolv-
ing, but, if they are left in contact with the
salt for any length of time, they become
" denatured," that is incapable of redis-
solviiig.

Applying this to the living cell which is
being fi'ozen : we know that it is losing water,
and that, therefore, its saj), which contains
both salts and proteins, is becoming concen-
trated. Hence we may conclude, and the ex-
perimental proof is forthcoming, that, if the
frost continues, the proteins of the cell sap will
be "salted out" and denatured; and if the
proteins of the sap, then al.so those contained
in the protoplasm batlied b}- the sap. Thus
the bricks of which protoplasm is built are
rendered worthless and the building of which
they formed essential parts is ruined : the
plant dies.

But if sugar is present in the cell, the salt-
ing-out process takes place at a much lower tem-
perature than is the case if sugar is absent.
This also is not a matter of conjectm-e, but
has been demonstrated by experiment.

Hence the conclusions to be drawn from Dr.
Blackman's admirable survey of the subject

February 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

121

are that one of the chief causes of death of
plants by freezing is the precipitation of tlie
essential proteins of the cell, and that many
plants prevent this process, and hence escape
the rigour of winter, by storing large quan-
tities of sugar in their tissues, which sugar
prevents the precipitation of tlie proteins at
all but excessively low temperatures.

It is by no means impossible that an occa-
sional watering of the soil, in which green-
leaved plants are wintering, with a solution of
sugar might turn a doubtful scale in the
favour of their survival. It is known that
the roots of Beans can take up sugar when
it is added to the soil, and, if Beans, why not
marrowfat Peas 'i The experiment is worth
trying.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Khododendron lucidum is a handsome, free-
fiowering Chinese species, growing from 5 to 12
feet in height. It is most abundant, according
to Mr. Geoege Forrest, in tlio Mekong Valley
from 26° to 29" N., where, in company with a
few specimens of Rhododendron De^vayi, it is
the only species found lower than 9,000 feet. The
plants seldom form masses, but are isolated in
dry, open situations in Pine forests. Of the many
Rhododendrons indigenous to that region it is
by far the most symmetrical in form, most speci-
mens resembling that shown in the Supple-
mentary Illustration. The foliage is large,
lepthery, of a dark, glossy green on the upper
surface, whitish and lighter beneath. The
flowers are fragrant and large, widely campanu-
late, measuring 2 by 1^ inches, thick and fleshy,
the interior of a pure waxy-white, most often
without markings of any description. The ex-
terior is shaded a very pale rose, deepening to-
wards the central veiiiing and base. The umbels
are loosely rounded, bearing from 10 to 15 blooms.
The species is closely allied to Rhododendron
Fortunei, and, though coming from such a low
altitude, has proved perfectly hardy ; a number
of plants have stood several seasons in the open
at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
Though they have not yet bloomed, they give
promise of doing so before long.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The next

meeting of the committees of this Society will
take place on Tuesday, the 22nd inst., at 3 p.m.
The third Masters Memorial lecture will be de-
livered by Mr. A. D. Hall, M.A., F.R.S., the
subject being " The Adaptation of the Plant to
the Soil."

Visitors to Kew during 1909. —According

to the current issue of the Ktw BuUet'in there
were 3,350,221 visitors to the Royal Botanic
Gardens during the year 1909. These figures
show an increase of 397,507 over those for the
year 1907, which up to the present were the
largest numbers on record. During the last ten
years (1899-1908), 17,861,093 persons have visited
the gardens, giving an average of 1,786,109. The
total number of visitors on Sundays during 1909
was 1,384,369, and on week-days 1,975,852. Sun-
day visitors have increased by 62,985 ; in this
connection it is of interest to notice that until
the year 1907 visitors to the gardens on Sundays
had only on three occasions exceeded 700,000.
The number of visitors on week-days shows an
increase of 281,539 over the previou.sly recorded
maximum in 1907. The greatest attendance on
any one day was 103,895 on Whit Monday, Blay
31. The smallest number on any one day was
191, on November 29. The largest and smallest
Sunday attendances were 71,584 and 492 respec-
tively, and in the former figures a slight increase
has occurred.

A Spraying Demonstration.— A practical
demonstration in spraying fruit trees was given
by the Four Oaks Syringe and Spraying
Machine Co., Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, on
February 4, at Udimore, a village near Rye, in
Sussex. The spraying took place in an orchard
belonging to Mr. Holmes, of The Parsonage.
There was a company of about 50 or 50 to wit-
ness the demonstration, including members of
the Rye and District Farmers' Club, and several
local gardeners. A knapsack sprayer, weighing
about 14 lbs., and having a capacity of 3^ gallons,
was first used. It is made entirely of copper,
s.ave the pump, which is of brass. AH the work-
ing parts are on the outside, so that any adjust-
ing or repairing of (hem may be done easily.
This machine has, moreover, other advantages
over those of an older type, for example an
apparatus for agitating the fluid, so that the
ingredients are kept well mixed during delivery.
For ordinary purposes the machine is connected
with a short length of hose and a brass tube, at
the end of which is the nozzle ; but for spraying

There were also spraj'ing machines on wheels,
with which also demonstrations were given.
One was made specially narrow for passing
along the rows of fruit plantations. These barrow
sprayers have attached a powerful brass pump,
and one, two, and even four sprays can
be worked at the same time. It was interesting
to observe that the machine worked easier when
the four sprays were all going, although the
pumping had necessarily to be faster. The num-
ber of sprays working at one time is regulated by
means of a cock, turning it a little to one side or
the other connecting either one, two, three, or
all of the sprays. The demonstrator showed them
working singly, in pairs, and all together. One
of the large trees was covered with limewash by
means of a machine. A special nozzle is em-
ployed for this work, as otherwise the machine
would become clogged. The nozzle has a simple
hole at the end, the fluid impinging on a fan-
shaped plate of brass, from which it is dispersed
in fine particles. The way in which every part of
the tree, even to the finer branches, was whitened

Fig. 56. — A SPRAYING MACHINE.

tall trees, a Bamboo rod, about 10 feet long,
takes the place of the brass tube. When the
longer rod is used, a belt is fastened around the
body of the operator, with a socket for carrying
the extra weight. The spray from both the short
tube and Bamboo rod (see fig. 56) was con-
sidered by those present to be exceptionally satis-
factory. It left the nozzle in the shape of an
inverted cone, and wetted all the branches of the
tree with very fine particles of moisture. The
trees were standard Pears and Apples, growing in
heavy soil, and formed an admirable object-
lesson of the need for spraying, the branches
being covered with grey lichen and algae — har-
bouring-places of innumerable fungus and insect
pests. A standard tree was first sprayed by the
demonstrator, and another by one of the farm
labourers, who was about 10 minutes in covering
the tree with the spray. The demonstrator ex-
plained that a man used to spraying would do
the work much more quickly, and with less than
half the quantity of fluid taken on this occasion.

by this machine impressed us, although wa
thought the covering rather thin. But perhaps
the dressing would appear thicker when tho-
roughly dry, as we were informed that the mix-
ture was made according to Mr. Theobald's for-
mula— Ij cwt. of slaked lime to 100 gallons of
water. Lime-washing was also performed by
means of a small hand pump fixed to an ordinary
paU. This is especially serviceable for lime-
washing walls of farm buildings, greeidiouses,
poultry-houses, and similar places. The demon-
strator exhibited many novelties in nozzles, in-
cluding a double nozzle for spraying Potatos.

The Surveyors' Institution. — The next
meeting, being the second of the two afternoon
meetings arranged for the convenience of country
members, will be held in the Lecture Hall of the
Institution on Monday, February 21, 1910, when a
paper will be read by Mr. Robert M. D. Sanders,
entitled " Land Banks and Small Holdings."
The chair will be taken at 5 o'clock.

122

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 19, 1910.

"The Botanical Magazine." — The issue
for February contains descriptions and illustra-
tions of the following plants : —

CcEtOGYNE MooREANA, tab. 8297. — This species
was first mentioned in the Gardeners' Chronicle
for December 15, 1905, p. 414, in a description
of the plant which gained a First-class Certifi-
cate from the Orchid Committee of the Royal
Horticultura! Society on December 11, 1906.
The species was introduced from Annam by
JVIessrs. Sander & Sons, through their collector,
Mr. MiCHOLiTZ, who found it growing at an
elevation of 4,500 feet above sea level on the
Laos aspect of the Lang Bian range. In habit
C. JMooreana is much alike to the JIalayan C.
Sanderiana, but the flowers, which are pure white
with yellow stamens, resemble the flowers of 0.
cristata in structure and in the appeiiditures of
the lip.

PoPULtrs NIGRA VAR. BETULIFOLIA, tab. 8298.

— This is a variety of the smooth-twigged, Black
Poplar (P. nigra), but with downy twigs. Its
habit i.s more elegant than the ordinary Black
Poplar, and as a park tree it is more to be pre-
ferred for its shapely crown and its picturesque
bole.

Campanula Beauverdian.4-, tab. 8300. — The
Kew plant of this species, from which the illus-
tration was prepared, was raised in 1908 from
seed obtained from the Botanic Garden, Tiflis.
It is very nearly alike to C. Stevenii, and has
been regarded by Dr. Bornmuller as a variety
of that species. In the living state, however,
they are readily distinguished, for the calyx of
C. Stevenii is without any indumentum, while
the purple-violet corolla is lobed half-way down
and the style-arms are longer than the undivided
pcrtion. C. Beauverdiana is a perennial, and
thrives well and flowers freely under conditions
suited to the native C. rotundiflora. The light
purple flowers are produced in May and June.

Rhododendron Keiskei, tab. 8300. This
species is most nearly allied to R. triflorum. It
is a Japanese species and is expected to prove
hardy in this country, although, at present, it
has not passed a winter in the open air. The
flowers are yellow, and therefore it may be hoped
that the hardiness will be proved, as the species
would contribute a lew evergreen, yellow-
flowered Rhododendron to gardens.

Agonis mabginata, tab. 8301. — This member
of the natural order jNIyrtaceae is figured from
specimens obtained from Mr. P. A. Dorrien
Smith, in whose gardens at Tresco Abbey, Isles
of Scilly, it grows luxuriantly in the open,
tiough in most gardens it is not hardy. A.
marginata is one of 15 species peculiar to Western
Australia. The plant has obovate, oblong leaves,
narrowed at the base into a short petiole. The
leaves are 1 inch to 1^ inch long and three to five
'!nes wide. The flowers are sessile, produced in
axillary clusters, 10 to 20 flowers in a cluster.
The flowers are white, with reddish-purple in-
terior.

A Disastrous Fire. — In relation to the
disastrous fire which occurred at the works of
.Messrs. Bayliss, Jones & Bayliss, Ltd., Wol-
verhampton, on the 5th inst., we are informed
that, arrangements having been made for obtain-
ing an immediate supply of electric energy,
it has been possible to resume work. The firm is
known to our readers as manufacturers of iron
fencing.

Mr. Friedr. Henkel.— We understand that
Mr. Henkel, nurseryman, of Darmstadt, Ger-
many, left last week for the East, with the object
of studying the Japanese art of gardening and
general plant cultivation in .Japan. Letters may
be addressed to him at the Tokvo General Post
Oflice.

The Shrewsbury Show. — We have re-
ceived the schedule of prizes to be offered at
the exhibition of the Shropshire Horticultural
Society, to be held on August 17 and 18. It
agrees with the notes which appeared in our issue
for December 18, p. 419. As we said then,
the principal change from last year is that Class
No. 5, which was one for a group of foliage plants
arranged for effect on a space of 250 square feet,
is omitted, and, in its place, there is a new class
for a display of indoor and hardy plants and
flowers. The class is likely to cause great in-
terest, and impart a freshness to the entire ex-
hibition in the large marquee. The choice of
material is as little limited as the methods that
may be employed in displaying them. These new
groups will also be arranged on spaces of 250
square feet. The judges will consider first the
quality of the exfiibits; second, general attrac-
tiveness to visitors ; third, novelty and arrange-
ment. The prizes in this class are as follow : —
First prize, the Society's large Gold Medal and
£20 in cash; second prize, small Gold Medal and
£15 ; third, Silver-gilt Medal and £12 10s. ;
fourth, £10. There are a few alterations in the
classes for vegetables, and one of the new regu-
lations is that prizes are no longer accepted from
trade firms for single dishes of vegetables.

West India Committee.— At a meeting of
the E.xecutive held on the 10th inst., the follow-
ing were elected members of the West India
Committee : Mr. John B. C'.tRRUTHERS, F.R.S.E.,
F.L.S. (Trinidad), Jlr. Tom Archer (Carriacou),
Mr. W. F. McEwEN, IMr. Joseph E. Phillipps
(Jamaica), Mr. G. E. Nicholson (Trinidad), Mr.
John E. Sturge, Mr. H. Underdown, Mr. G.
H. Hill (Trinidad), Mr. James T. Allen (Mont-
serrat), Mr. Langford S. Cranstoun (Antigua),
Mr. Franic de Combra (Antigua), and Mr.
Arthur P. Skeat (Dominica). Sir Nevile
Lubbock was nominated to act on the reception
committee of the Festival of Empire.

Pathology. — The number of reports issued
during 1909 exceeded in number those issued
during any previous year Amongst diseases of
Potatos a noticeable feature was the great exten-
sion of " Corky Scab," caused by Spongospora
solani. On the other hand, " Dry Scab " due to
Spondylocladium atrovirens, which was recorded
during 1908, was not received at Kew during the
[last season. A series of experiments on the
" greening " of Potatos was conducteJ, and the
results published in the Journal of the Board
of Agriculture, vol. xvi., p. 177, with plate
{Gardeners' Chronicle, 1909, p. 152). A con-
siderable amount of time has been devoted to
investigating the algje and fungi occurring in
sewage and contaminated river-water, on behalf
of the Royal Commission on sewage disposal. An
investigation of the fungi causing discoloured
spots on chilled beef fro'U Argentina, has also
been in hand during the past year. A consider-
able amount of diseased material from the
Colonies and outside sources has been submitted
to Kew during the past year, including Diplodia
cacaoicola, Henn., the cause of a disease which
is a source of serious damage to Cacao in the
West Indies. This disease is also prevalent in
the Island of St. Thome, whence material
has been submitted to Kew for examination by
the representative of the Portugu3se Govern-
ment. G. M., in Kew Bulletin.

The Wild Cotton Tree of Mombasa
(Eriooendron anfractuosum). — In the report
of the proceedings of the Scientific Committee
of tha Royal Horticultural Society in the
Gardeners' Chronicle of January 22, p. 52,
writes Mr. J. R. Jackson, there is a reference
to the u.ses of the wild Cotton tree (Eriodendron
anfractuosum). The tree is properly one of

those usually described as Silk Cotton trscp, tho
fibre in which the seeds are buried beinf, of a
soft, silky nature, like that of Bombax mala-
baricum and other species of Bombax. Unlike
true Cotton, the fibre has little length or
strength, consequently for connection purposes it
cannot be used as a te.xtile, but under the name
of Kabok, this silky floss has been for some
time, and is still, exported from Java to this
country, as well as to other parts of Europe,
and to Australia for stuffing matti esses and
cushions. I cannot lay my hands at this moment
upon recent returns of the exports of this ma-
terial from Java, but in the early stages of the
trade, namely, in 1F82, the quantity exported
amounted to 302.201 kilos., and in 1885 they
had risen to 500.269 kilos. So far as the wood
is concerned it is light both in weight and colour,
soft, and would be of very little use. In India
it is sometimes used for making toys.

Gardening in the United States.— Spring
appears to be the proper time for a redistribution
of the staff of under gardeners in most places.
Improvers, journeymen, and even foremen begin
to look round with a view to obtaining fresh ex-
perience, and perhaps higher remuneration. Some
of the more ambitious cast glances abroad, and
each year we are asked our opinion on the oppor-
tunities for gardeners in this or that colony, and
very frequently in the United States. The first
letter for this season has arrived, and, our corre-
spondent sends with l.is note, a cutting from a
paper containing a glowing account of the
chances for gardeners in America. This excerpt
is headed " An Elysiiun for Gardeners. The
author, who signs himself Ponica, from an
address in Massachusetts, says : —

" I have been here some years as a gardener — which
is one of the best professions in the States — and it is
through the medium of your world-wide Sundiiy
Chronicle that I send this iTiessage to my poor, down-
trodden fellow-gardeners of dear old England. Kven
as a ' greenhorn ' I never worked for less than £2 a
week, with board and lodgings. Any journeyman, with
only a limited knowledge of his worlt, can get from $30
to $35 a month, all found to start, and in the spring
many vacancies are going begging at that figure. You
will find more poverty in any one county in England
among gardeners than will be found in the whole of the
United States in the same line. Head gardvuers get
anything from $60 a month, with free house, coals, light,
milk, vegetables, and fruit. There are many hundreds
of head men here getting from $80 to $t40 a month,
with the extras named. Even allowing for the difference
in the cost of living, the margin is greatly in favour of
America."

This certainly sounds promising, and rather
better than the note we received from T. E. II.,
another gardener on the spot, which was pub-
lished in the issue for February 10, 1906.
T. E. If.'s note was as follows: —

" There is no difficulty in young, well-trained gar-
deners getting good situations in this country. Head
gardeners and superintendents e.ypcrience some trouble
in securing good men, and New York seedsmen are
always glad to hear of men coming from England, and
are ready to answer all inquiries, although they offer no
temporary employment. March and April are the two
best months to arrive. The general wages for journey-
men (or assistants, as they are termed) is about $50 to
$55 per month, without board, or $30 to $is with board,
board and lodging being worth about %2o per month.
It would be useless to attempt to advertise in the
American papcs because such advertisements are con-
trary to the law of the U.S.A. for anyone to become
engaged before landing, and the parties who do so are
subject to a very lieavy fine, besides the probability of
being deported."

"The Garden Life Year Book and Whos
Who in Horticulture."* — The second edition
of this annual has reached us. It contains a
calendar of garden operations for the year, several
useful articles, such as those upon Sweet Peas of
1909, The Rose Season, The Florist's Tulip,
Some Rare Orchids, Ferns, Newer Varieties
of Fruit, Vegetables, Spraying, &c. A por-
tion of the book is devoted to short biographical
notes of people connected with horticulture. This
is useful, as far as it goes, but is scarcely so repre-
sentative as future editions may be expected to
become.

' Cable Printing and Publishing Co., Ltd. Price Is.

February 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

123

A Twickenham Market Garden. — Mr.

Alfred .S.will, of lMe.s.srs. Alfred Savill &
Sons, sat as single arbitrator at the Surveyors'
Institution recently in a case brought under the
Agricultural Holdings Act. The claimant was Mr.
PouPART, late of Whitehouse Farm, Twicken-
ham, a market-gardener, his tenancy of which e.\-
pired at Jlichaelmas last. He claimed £722 6s. 2d
for Ehubarb, fruit trees, greenhouses, half
dressings of manure, and general improvements.
The landlord of the farm, Mr. Cole, denied
liability, and counterclaimed for £799 for delapi-
dations and breaches of covenant, plus £83 rent
due, making a total counterclaim of £882. 'Sir.
R. J. Steele, market-garden valuer, appeared
for the tenant, Mr. Poupart, and Mr. Cole was
represented by Mr. Owen Thompson, barrister,
instructed by Messrs. Crowley, Arnold & Co.
After hearing evidence on both sides, Mr. S.iviLL
decided to view the garden before giving a de-
cision.

Mr. George J. Ingram. — Many of our readers
are probably aware that the well-known secre-
tary of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institu-
tion was the victim of a sudden attack of illness
on the 7th inst. His condition remained ex-
tremely critical until the 14th inst., when the
doctor was able to declare that the immediate
danger was past. Our readers will join in the
hope that jMr. Ingram may be speedily restored
to his usual health.

Publications Received. — Common Weeds
of the Farm and Garden, by Harold C. Long,
in collaboration witli John Percival, M.A.
(London : Smith, Elder & Co.) Price Gs. —
University of Illinois Agricultural Experi-
ment Station. Bulletins : Relative Efficiency of
Different Rations for Flesliing Horses for Market,
by Rufus C. Obrecht ; Composition of Market
Butter, by Carl Leo and Jesse M. Banihart ;
Short Fed Steers, a Comparison of Methods of
Feeding, by Herbert W. Mumford and H. O.
Allison ; Pasteurization as a Factor iu Making
Butter from Cream Skimmed on the Farm,
by Carl Lee. (Illinois : Urbana.) — Fungous
Diseases of Plants, bv B. M. Duggar. (Loudon :
Giun & Co.)— Frmf Culture, by S. T. Wright.
^Loudon : L. Upcott Gill.) Price Is. — Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading. An " occasional
magazine," entitled "The Garden Fayre," con-
taining useful articles on the cultivation of
annuals and biennials, together with excellent
illustrations. Price Cd —Pansies, by James B.
Riding. (London : London Agricultural and
Horticultural Association, Ltd., 02, Long Acre.)
Price Id.

POLYGONUM.

The " Knot Grass " family is a large one,
comprising about 150 species. Of these, how-
ever, only about a dozen are worth a place in
the garden. Some of the stronger-growing
species, like P. cuspidatum and P. ^achalinense.
are handsome foliage plants, suitable for the wild
garden, where they can have full scope for their
rambling habits. Others like P. affine and P.
vaccinifolium are valuable plants for the rock-
garden where there are large spaces to cover.
Quite opposite in character to the foregoing
kinds, which are all of rambling growth, is the
choice Himalayan species, P. sphierostachyum.
This is of tufted habit, with small leaves and
spikes of deep red flowers. Of the annual species
the best is P. orientale, a handsome plant with
drooping racemes of rosy-red or white flowers.
It is well worth a prominent place in the her-
baceous border. One of the most valuable hardy
woody climbers in cultivation is the handsome
P. baldschuanicum, from Bokhara, with its
trusses of white flowers. When established it
soon takes possession of good-sized trees. The
best herbaceous species are : —

P. AFFINE (P. Brunonis), IBot. Mag., t. 6472].
— This handsome, creeping plant comes from the
Himalayas. It is a rapid grower, and soon forms
a wide carpet, studded with dense spikes of
rosy-red flowers during the summer and autumn.

It is e,specially valuable for covering old tree
roots with its almost evergreen foliage, which
assume a rich colouring in the autumn.

P. ALPiNUM is a native of the Alps of Europe,
and forms a spreading bush 3 feet to 4 feet high.
During the summer its pure white flowers are
borne in great profusion in large panicles, which
makes it a most effective plant for the border.

P. AMPLEXiCAULE [Bot. Mag., t. 6500].—
Though attractive on account of its spikes of
rose-red flowers, this Himalayan species can
hardly be included amongst the most useful
border plants. It has a strong, woody root-stock,
and produces stems 2 feet to 3 feet high with
clasping leaves.

P. COMPACTUM (see fig. 57).— The subject of
the accompanying illustration is considered by
some to be only a form of P. cuspidatum. It is,
however, of very compact habit, growing only
2 feet high in poor soO. The plant bears erect
panicles of white flowers, instead of drooping as
in P. cuspidatum. It is an effective subject for
an isolated bed, but in the border is liable to be
troublesome en account of its rambling habit. It
was introduced from Japan.

species is a native of tropical portions of the Old
World.

P. POLYSTACHYtJM.— This Himalayan plant is
one of the most effective and useful members of
the genus on account of its late flowering habit.
It is often in full flower till cut down by frosts.
The pure white flowers are produced in large
panicles on stems about 5 feet high; these are
useful for cutting for indoor decoration.

P. SACHALTNENSE [Gardeners' Chronicle,
August 5, 1893, p. 159, fig. 32].— From the Island
of Sachalin, this may be described as a larger-
leaved P. cuspidatum, with axillary racemes of
greenish-white flowers. It is a very strong
grower, and is often Uised as a fodder plant. It
attains to a height of from 10 feet to 12 feet in
moist, rich soil.

P. SPH.3!RosTACJiyu.\i [Bot. Mag., t. 6847].— A
dwarf, tufted perennial from the Himalaya, with
narrow leaves and spikes of deep red flowers. It
is a choice Alpine plant and is worth a place in
the smallest rock-garden.

P. VACciNiFOLiUM [Bot. Mag., t. 4622].— This
Himalayan plant is a creeper, with branching,
prostrate, woody stems, small leaves, and spikes

[Photograph by W. Irving,

Fig. 57.— polygonum compactum at kew : flowers white.

P. CUSPIDATUM (p. SiEBOLDii), [Bot. Mag., t.
6503]. — This is a tall-growing Japanese species,
with leafy stems 6 feet to 8 feet high. Grown as
an isolated specimen it has a handsome appear-
ance, with its arching stems and drooping pani-
cles of creamy-white flowers. It is a rapid
grower, and should be kept out of the border, as
once established it is difficult to eradicate.

p. LANiOERUM is a tropical species, growing
3 feet to 4 feet high, with silvery-grey foliage.
It is very effective as a foliage plant, but should
be treated as a tender annual, as it is not hardy
in this country, although a perennial in its native
habitat.

P. ORIENTALE IBot. Mag., t. 213] is a very old
garden plant, having been in cultivation since
the year 1707. Like P. lanigerum, it is best
treated as a tender annual. If seedlings are
raised indoors they will come into flower earlier
in the season than those raised outside. It is a
rapid grower, forming large, bushy plants 3 feet
ti 6 feet, and sometimes in rich soil 10 feet high.
The deep rosy-purple flowers are home in
pendulous racemes on the tips of the branches.
There is a variety with white flowers. Its

of bright rose-coloured flowers. It is a valuable
rock-garden plant, and loves to ramble amongst
stones in fairly moist places.

All the Polygonums will grow in almost any
soil. ir. /.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

CoTONEASTER SiMONSii. — We have in the
gardens here a specimen of Cotoneaster Simonsii,
which is the largest plant of the kind I
have ever seen. It was planted in its present
situation 18 years ago when quite small, and
may, therefore, be supposed to have just come
of age. It is a shapely bush, growing equally
strongly in all parts, and as the straggling shoots
have been annually pruned back, it now presents
a perfectly solid mass. Its height is 10 feet,
and the circumference 70 feet. It has never
siiffere'd in the least, even in the hardest winters.
Vicary Gibhs, Aldenhain Hou.ie, Elstree.

124

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Fbbettast 19, 1910.

Galanthes Elwesij. — In reply to Mr. Basil
Levett, p. 105, I cannot report favourably of this
Snowdrop. I have had it for 20 years or more,
but it has not increased much, nor does it flowe^
with me any earlier than G. nivalis. Perhaps
our humid western seaboard does not suit it, a
climate in which the common Snowdrop revels,
spreading by the acre through woodland. The
most profuse display of Snowdrops known to me
is at Ardgowan, on "the Clyde, the residence of Sir
Hugh Shaw-Stewart, where they extend in a con-
tinuous sheet for about half a mile through a
wooded promontory surrounded by the waters of
the firth. The earliest date I have noted for the
flowering of the naturalised G. nivalis is Decem-
ber 19, I think in 1894, but that was exceptional.
The usual date is about the New Year if the
ground is not frost-bound. I agree that Muscari
azureus is a treasure, but it does not behave well
with me as a winter flower. It pushes up a few
spikes in January, which generally get frost-
bitten, reserving its full display till March.
Herbert Maxwell.

-I have read Mr. Basil Levett's com-

munication on p. 106 with much interest. My
experience of this large and early variety corre-
sponds entirely with hi.?. In other words, I
have found this special Snowdrop extremely capri-
cious, and by no means enduring. Here it suc-
ceeds best at the head of my garden, where the
soil, beneath over-arching trees, has a consider-
able admixture of leaf-mould. Galanthus Mel-
villei, sent to me by the raiser, from Dunrobin
Castle, is much more reliable. It is almost con-
temporaneous with G. Elwesii. David If. tVH-
liamson.

Winter Notes from a Yorkshire
Garden. — Far be it from me to whistle until
we are well out of the wood of March into the
comparatively open ground of April ; but, any-
how, we have just emerged from a terrible visi-
tation of winter, and, therefore, it may be in-
teresting to note how a few rather special plants
have come through what, after all, ought to be
our worst spell, for, during a period of about
ten days, the night temperature hovered round
29~^ of frost, and a deadly ferocity of cold held
the garden locked in its grip. Embothrium, in
the first place, appears to be perfectly satisfied
with life. It occupies a very exposed position,
and has merely had a few pieces of coke laid
about its roots. It has had no other shelter of
any sort ; therefore, I note with pleasure that its
buds are pink and prosperous, though many of
the mature leaves have suffered and fallen. Close
by, of two Camellias, japonica grandiflora is quite
well, but Sasankwa has lost all its foliage, and
looks pretty sickly. The best of them is Yuki-
miguruma, brilliant green and summer-like, in
the Lily bed; while on the terrace wall, Arejishi
is thriving steadily, but has dropped all its flower-
buds. On the terrace wall nothing has had any
protection this winter, which makes me the more
rejoice over the unperturbed health of Fabiana
imbricata and Buddleia Colvilei, both of which
appear quite secure. Carpentaria californica
droops its wilted leaves and looks dismal ; so
does Olearia stellulata. Both of these, though,
will obviously unfold again happily in spring.
■Olearia nitida, on the other hand, is as immune
as Haastii; while Nandina has not even cast its
leaves; and Rosemary (which often, ridiculous
to say, has died here) is still vigorous and green,
by the side of Cotoneaster angustifolia — a good
deal browned and saddened by the cold. Ber-
beris Knightii robustly gives the lie to all accu-
sations of half-hardiness ; and lUicium anisatum
continues in verdant prosperity. In the rock-
garden, again, I have to note the behaviour of
Rhododendron Griffithii : and on this plant I
want more information. As everyone knows, R.
Griffithii = R. Aucklandii, most glorious of half-
hardy Rhododendrons ; but this Griffithii was
sent to me as being pure Aucklandii in everything
but constitution. True enough, it has all the
look of Aucklandii, and, I hope, will ultimately
have Aucklandii's wonderful flowers. Yet where
will vou find Aucklandii in an open position put-
ting "up with 29° of frost? But this Griffithii-
Aucklandii of Mr. Reuthe's has not turned a
hair. In the worst weather its leaves
grew dark and curled up, and looked re-
sentful ; but now they are expanded again,
and as bright as ever. Despite the repu-
tation of hardiness with which the plant
was sent me, I was much alarmed when such

a frost descended ; but it now really seems as if
this plant would, indeed, .stand almost anything.
None of the other Rhododendrons have suffered,
not even lanatum and campylocarpum. Veitch'g
new hybrid. Dr. Stocker, has proved as superior
to cold as even that other reputed child of Auck-
landii, Pink Pearl itself; and Anthopogon, livid
grey in its winter foliage (like imbricatum), fills
the air with its curious fragrance so intensely
pungent and aromatic as to hover on the
boundary line of the delicious and the distasteful.
I dare not prophesy a resurrection for Cortaderia
Quila; it is almost too much to hope. And de-
lusive Prunus serrulata Ungeri looks as dead as
Queen Anne, On the other hand, Chama?rops
affinis stands serene, though I'hoenix farinifera
has gone to its long home, I fear, where probably
it has by now been joined by Sollya hetero-
phylla and Hedychium Giardnerianum (two wild
vagaries of mine). Notospartium, however,
seems intact : tmie alone will show if Calceolaria
violacea, rather elaborately jjrotected, will re-
appear ; and Tricu.spidaria Hookeri, though look-
ing much !he worse for wear, is obviously, at
present, filled with the possibility of new health
and life. The death that most surprises me is
that of Senecio Grayi ; fortunately, however, my
surprise does not trench on grief, and I bear the
loss with something warmer than resignation.
Even at its best, I do not like Senecio Grayi.
One cannot tell yet, of course, what mortality has
raged among the rock-plants ; but I can alreadj'
see that I must mourn — and bitterly indeed — for
glorious Primula Forrestii. However, Veitch's
Cockburniana hybrids are preparing for a pro-
digious return to active life, and, on the cliff, the
impossible Androsaces Haussmanaii, pubescens,
cylindrica, and pyrenaica have already the air of
having been born and bred in their crevices.
Iris melanosticta, too, is springing vigorously, if
only the mice will abstain from eating it ; Antir-
rhinum sempervirens, though now a poor, leafless
bush, is promising to break afresh into verdure
when the spring arrives. Finally, I am delighted
to see that Onosoma Thompsonii looks after itself
perennially, and that Ourisia macrophylla, de-
spite my gloomy forebodings, is proving itself as
robustly hardy as coccinea. Even Helxine So-
leirolii has survived in corners, and Olea fra-
grans, though its leaves are dropped, is covered
with the promise of fresh buds. So much, then,
for the present, I hope no Nemesis of killing
cold may descend on these survivors ; but good-
ness knows what tragic vacancies I may not dis-
cover as the year advances ! Eeijinald Farrer.

Platycerium Alcicorne. — There is to be
seen in the gardens of Mrs. Behmans, of Broome
Hill Bank, a much finer specimen of this Fern
than the one which formed the subject of the
Supplementary Illustration in the issue for Feb-
ruary 5, It was placed in a small pot 40 years
ago, and has been repotted frequently since, until
it now occupies, I believe, an 18-inch pot. The
receptacle has for a long time been covered by
the broad fronds. The plant measures about
8 feet by 6 feet. By the kindness of the gar-
dener, Mr, Bridger, I was able to photograph it,
and I send a rather poor photograph, A
Lampard, Kingswood, Tunhridgt Wells.

A Flower Shows Jubilee. — The Lutter-
worth and District Horticultural and Cottage
Gardeners' Society, established in the year 1860,
will this year celebrate its jubilee. Mul-
titudes of these local societies have been
formed, and it would be interesting to know
of similar instances of flower shows that
have survived for 50 years, or possibly longer. I
fancy ours is one of the oldest societies in the
kingdom, A. H. Dtj.ion, Assistant Hon. Secre-
tary.

Freesias from Seed. — I have read the
interesting account of Mr. F. H. Chapman's
.seedling Freesias shown at the last fort-
nightly meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society (see p. 76). That they flowered in two
years from the sowing of seed was very satisfac-
tory. The enclosed spikes of Freesias are from
seed sown on July 13, 1908. The seed was saved
from a stock we have grown for over six years.
The weather in the past three summers has
been detrimental to the thorough ripening of
the corms, which is so essential to good flower-
ing, H. Jumper, Dijrham Park Gardens,
Barnet. [The flowers aro very good, — Eds,]

The L.C.C. Appointment. — The recent

appointment of a soldier to one of the best posi-
tions open to gardeners plainly shows that pro-
fessional gardeners ought to combine in one large
association, and thus help each other. The
voices of one or two individuals pass unheeded
in such cases, but if a powerful association of
10,000 members speaks, the public takes notice
of what is said. So long as anyone who has
done a few days' digging or planting can call
himself a gardener, those who know their busi-
ness properly can never be sure of receiving pro-
per treatment. The remedy is certain to come
eventually, and it can only be in the form of
weeding out the unqualified men and combining
the others for mutual assistance and protection,
A soldier who has served his country honourably
is worthy of all respect and admiration, but can-
not reasonably be considered the most fit candi-
date for a post where the best gardeners would
find scope for the whole of their experience, A
post of that kind requires a man with a wide
knowledge of the trees, shrubs, and plants that
may be expected to succeed on various soils
and under various climatic conditions, and the
effect they will have — w-hen grouped together —
after they get established. The best ideas in
landscape gardening are also required, and
numerous other questions which a good gardener
has to consider daily. I quite admit that a
military training assists a man to control others
with tact and judgment, but it is not strictly
necessary to that end. Many gardeners have to
control a staff of 30 to 60 men, and have to
bring administrative powers into use of which a
soldier knows nothing. A gardener who can
wisely and economically arrange for such a staff,
could also be entrusted with a staff of 900. There
remains only the question of surveying and
planning new grounds. Some gardeners obtain
good experience in these subjects, and could
easily and quickly add to their knowledge ;
but surveying should not be considered the chief
qualification necessary for these appointments,
W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle Gardens, Grant-
ham.

-The recent appointment of a soldier as

chief of the London County Council parks, &c,
encourages me: to make an early application to
them for appointment as superintendent of one
of their first-class parks. I possess the highest
qualifications. At school the drill instructor (an
ex-sergeant of the immortal Light Brigade)
brought me to the head-master's notice as being
the best boy at drill he had ever had. I hold
prizes and certificates which substantiate this.
Two years later, when a mere youth, I
joined the premier Volunteer corps, and further
distinguished myself by attending every drill
and becoming champion shot amongst the recruits
of my year. After three years a lamentable, but
unavoidable, gap of 10 years occurs m my experi-
ence in this important branch of horticulture, but
at the earliest opportunity I joined the 2nd
Volunteer battalion of the county regiment, and
was so efficient and zealou.5 that in a few months
I was promoted to sergeant, which rank I now
hold in the Territorial Force, I am a first-class
shot, and have for many years been a member of
the County XX, If required, I am sure my
colonel would highly recommend me as an emi-
nently suitable candidate for the post of parks
superintendent, for he recently complimented me
on my smartness in turning out my guard, I
think I have written sufficient to show that I
have splendid qualifications, and must be a strong
candidate for the first vacancy. On further con-
sideration, however, I do not feel so sanguine,
for, on leaving school, I attended science and art
classes for some years, studying such apparently
unnecessary subjects as botany, horticultural
drawing, &c, I have also allowed a misguided
interest in the principles and practice of horticul-
ture to absorb the greater portion of my thoughts
and energies since that time, and, as it is possible
that some enemy may acquaint the L.CC, o£
these lapses, I fear they may pass me by in favour
of some candidate who is totally ignorant of these
frivolities, A. C. B.

-Everyone who has made a life study

of horticulture will be amazed at this appoint-
ment. It is not the appointment, however,
I wish to call special attention to in your
leading article of last week ; it is the suggestion
of a National Diploma in Horticulture, I am
sure such a thing would be welcome to everyone
who has the welfare of horticulture and gardeners

Febru^vby 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

125

at heart. Over a year ago I made the suggestion
to the secretary of the Royal Horticultural
Society, who kindly informed me that such
a step might be taken in the near future,
but I have heard nothing further about
it. If such a powerful society as the R.H.S.
were to take up the matter, it would confer
on horticulture a great benefit. There would
then be less difficulty ni finding the right man
for the right place. It would also be a great
advantage to gardeners ; that is, men who wish
not only to know the way to do a certain thing,
but why they should do it. Such a suggestion
may not find favour with some gardeners, because
of the extra exertion in study, but such gar-
deners would have to spur up or be left behind.
The R.H.S. examination, although it has been a
begiiHiing for the systematic study of horticul-
ture, yet it is not a complete test, as the exa-
miners well know ; whereas such a National
Diploma in Horticulture would be a complete
test for the gardener. It should only be granted
to those who have gone through a thorough
course of practical training as apprentice, jour-
neyman, and foreman, and who also have a high
standard of scientific training, all of which should
be tested by examinations. We must have the
barrier broken down between science and prac-
tice. It is then, and then only, that our profes-
sion will be raised to the position it ought to
occupy amongst the professions of the world.
Gardeners have such matters in their own hands ;
let them rise to the occasion and improve them-
selves, and their conditions will correspondingly
improve ; the greater knowledge one has, the
higher does it lift him in the estimation of those
with whom he comes into contact. I might say,
however, it is not by combining and trying to
force matters that success will be gained ; for I
consider this will hinder rather than help gar-
deners. Improvement lies with the individual
himself; let him apply himself to the task of
knowing his soils, his plants, the conditions
of the former, and the life of the latter,
the diseases which attack them, and how-
to prevent or cure them, the insects which
attack them and how to prevent or get
rid of them. Now that horticulture is a
subject of instruction in most elementary
schools, the National Diploma in Horticulture
would be a guide to education committees in the
selection of men suitable to direct the young
minds in the paths they ought to follow to be-
come successful in the cultivation of the more
common garden crops, and to awaken in them a
real interest in the observation of the laws of
Nature. WiUium Good, I ii ■•^Irtir/nr in Horti-
culture, tiertfordxhirc County Council.

Late Chrysanthemums. — I am sending yon
blooms of what I consider the best late white
Chrysanthemum. Mme. R. Oberthur. Some
of the plants are grown in 6-inch pots, and these
have three good blcHjms ; others, having from 12
to 24 blooms, are in 9^-inc.h pots. As you w-ill
notice, some of the blooms are not yet fully
developed. G. F. Hi/land, Ashby St. Lcdijci'x
Gardens, Rugby. [Remarkably good blooms
were sent by Mr. Hyland, and the foliage was
exceptionally fresh. — Eds.]

Pruning of Young Vines. — Mr. Jlolyneux
says (p- 106) that " Jlr. Ward would not'treat
one-year-old vines in the same manner as those
he raised and planted three months after striking
the eyes.'' In reply, I may say that I should
certaivily treat the young growths of the cut-
back one-year-old vines in exactly the manner
indicated in my note at p. 89. ilr. Molyneux
also states that " ]\Ir. Ward's method" of treating
newly-planted vines is much too intricate for the
amateur to follow." The method of procedure is
simplicity itself, and the details such as anyone
having the most elementary knowledge of vines
can easily understand. The latter smiply con-
sists in the stopping of the leading and "lateral
growths of the vines the right way instead of the
wrong way, with a view to securing good results
in as short a time as possible, without in any way
injuring the permanent fruit-bearing capacity of
the vines. Mr. Molyneux says: "The method
of establishing vines' in the elaborate (I would
say simple) manner Mr. Ward describes is entirely
different from that generally practised by ama-
teurs," and concludes witli the words :'" For
the beginner, I think my plan is desirable." Mr.
Molyneux will readily admit that because things

are " generally " done a certain way is no proof
that they are being treated the right way ; the
reverse is the case more often than not. Mr.
Molyneux says : ' ' The experience of Mr. Ward
supplies tho exception to the rule." Quite so;
but I hope it will soon become the rule as regards
the treatment of young vines. I know that Mr.
Molyneu.x is an excellent grower of Grapes him-
self, as in years gone by our produce has been
staged together in competition at the Southamp-
ton shows. //. W. II nrd.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.
February 8.— /'/csf,,; .- Mr. E. A. Bowles,
M.A.. F.L.S., F.E.S. (in the Chair); Messrs. A,
W. Hill, A. D. Jlichael. L. Crawshav, J. Douglas,
G. Massee, W. Cuthbertson, \\'. Hales, G.
Gordon, A. Worsley, J. W. Odell, R. Hooper
Pearson, C. T. Druery, J. Eraser, and F. J.
Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Seedlini/ Cyclamens. — Mr. Herbert Chapm.\n,
Rye, showed a large number of seedlings raised
from seed of Cyclamen ibericum roseum, which
had been pollinated (without previous castration)
with pollen of C. latifolium. The seedlings
flowered earlier than seedlings raised from C.
ibericum roseum pollinated with its own pollen,
and the flowers were larger than those of the seed
parent, but otherwise they showed no sign of
hybrid origin. Mr. Chapman is carrying on fur.
ther work with these plants.

Cyclamen latifolium (persicum). — Several
plants of the greenhouse Cyclamen were
exhibited by Mr. A. W. Sutton, to illustrate
new strains of this very variable plant. A plant
of the common type was shown to compare with
them. The flowers included a large-flowered,
almost magenta one, with broad-fringed petals;
a white flower with fringed petals, red at the
throat and tipped with pink; a pink flower w-ith
very slightly frilled petals, undulate at the edges,
red at the throat, and tipped with deep pink ;
and others varying from white to deep rose, and
fringed to a greater or less extent.

Variation in Crocus chrysantlius. — Mr.
Bowles showed a series of flowers of seed-
lings raised from Crocus chrysanthus, illustrating
the enormous range of colours in the flowers of
this species. He said the range was so great as
to render it practically impossible to separate C.
chrysanthus from C. biflorus.

Malformation in Primula sinensis. — From
Mr. Etherington, of West Bank Gardens,
Lewisham came some specimens of Primula sinen-
sis (stellata) with numerous dwarf flowers at the
base of the umbel. Mr. Crawshay took the
plants for further investigation.

Fasciation in Russelia juncea. — Mr. W. H.
P.A.TTERSON, of St. Vincent, W. Indies, sent an
interesting case of fasciation in Russelia juncea.
.\s Mr. Patterson remarked, fasciation, though
a very common phenomenon, is rare in xerophytic
plants. In the present case, the plant had, how-
ever, not been growing under normal xerophytic
conditions, but had been in garden soil, and re-
ceived more water and earth salts than usual.

Bulbs failinij. — A number of Hyacinths were
sent, in which the roots were either entirely
wanting or were much decayed. Although both
eelworms and bulb mites were pi-esent, their
numbers were so small, and the appearance of the
bulbs so much unlike the damage done by these
pests, that the Committee thought the failure of
the roots must have been due to some such cause
as too great a supply of moisture in the soil when
the roots were first formed, which led to their
suffocation and decav.

SOUTHAMPTON ROYAL HORTI-
CULTURAL.

J.4.NCTAKT 28. — The annual general meeting of
this society was held at the Municipal Buildings
on this date. The Mayor presided over a larger
attendance than usual.

The annual report showed that the societv
had, considering all circumstances, a satisfactory
year. The very unseasonable weather on the
occasions of the" Rose and Carnation shows con-
siderably reduced the society's receipts. The

garden fete, however, held in the president's
grounds at South Stoneham, proved a great suc-
cess, and enabled the council to issue a statement
of accounts with an improved credit balance.
The total receipts for 1909 have amounted to
£756 15s. Id., including the following sums re-
ceived from shows :— Garden fete, £75 16s. 8d. ;
Rose show, £279 6s. 3d. ; Carnation show, £115
5s. 3d. ; and autumn show, £167 2s. 5d. The
sum of £740 14s. has been expended, leaving a
credit balance of £15 Is. Id.

The president. Lord Swaythling, and the vice-
presidents were re-elected". There were two
nominations for the chairmanship of the council—
the retiring chairman, Mr. Blakeway, and Jlr.
E. Kemp Toogood, the latter being elected by a
large majority. The other oSicers were re-elected,
including the set'retary, Mr. G. S. Fuidge^ who
has held office for a period of 37 years.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

February 1.— The monthly meeting of this
association was held at 5, St. Andrew Square,
Edinburgh, on this date. Jlr. Whytock, the
president, presided over an attendance of 90.
In his address, he dealt with the working of
garden soils, more especially with reference
to the benefits of deep digging and the
beneficial influence of frost. Digging two spits-
deep and roughly ridging up in autumn and
early winter, so as to get the maximum surface
exposed to the influence of frost, had been his
practice, and by this means he had got rid
of slugs and other ground pests. In the case
of land dug only one spit deep, he did not think
it advisable to dig heavy clay soil until the time
when the crop was to be put in. Gardeners had
long practised deep working of the soil, and had
given a lead to agriculturists in this direction,
but in some instances they had carried it to ex-
cess. He once saw men trenching ground shoulder
deep. In soils that were 2 to 3 feet deep the
best results were obtained from working them
frequently to their full depth. A discussion fol-
lowed on the action of frost on soils and other
matters connected with their cultivation.

An exhibit of forced Rhubarb was shown by
the City of Edinburgh Distress Committee from
their farm at Muniston.

Twelve new members were admitted.

The paper for the meeting on JNIarch 1 wUl be
on " Weather Forecasts," by Mr. James Moncur,
Colinton.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

February 3. — There was a good display of
Orchids at the meeting held on this date.

Messrs. Cypher & Sons, Chelteiiliam. staged a
collection of well-grown plants, principally of
choice forms of Cypripediura species and hybrids,
including C. x Beekmannii. (Silver j\Ied"al.)

A. Warburton, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), was awarded a Silver-gilt Medal for
a small but choice group of plants, which included
Odontoglossum crispum var. F. K. Sander, 0. x
Primus, 0. c. var. Dreadnought, and a remark-
able plant of Cypripedium x Hindeanum, for
which a Cultural Certificate was awarded.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill (gr. Jlr. Jlor-
gan), staged a magnificent group of Cypripediums,
the display occupying about 25 feet run of stag-
ing. Most of the plants were well-known hybrids
and varieties.

O. 0. Wrigley, Esq., Bury (gr. Mr. Rogers),
showed Cypripediums, including some of the best-
known and showy forms.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, exhibited
a small collection of their strain of Cattleya
Trianae.

G. Shokland Ball, Esq., Burton, Westmore-
land (gr. Jlr. Herdman), was awarded a Silver
Jledal for a group of Cypripediums, the best of
which was C. X Earl tankerville. There were
also several choice forms of C. X Thompsonii.

E. RoGERSoN, Esq., West Didsbury (gr. Jlr.
Price), received an Award of Jlerit "for Cypri-
pedium X Maurice, the parentage of which is
unknown.

E. Ashworth, Esq., Wilmslow (gr. Mr. Hol-
brook), gained an Award of Jlerit for Cattleya
Trianae var. Ernest Ashworth, an albino form
with a coloured lip, and having well-shaped seg-
ments.

126

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 19, 1910.

Mr. E. V. Low, nurseryman, Haywards Heath,
was awarded a Silver Medal for a collection of
various Orchids.

A. J. Keeling & Sons, Westgate Hill, Brad-
ford, were awarded a Bronze Medal for a mis-
cellaneous group.

Messrs. A. & J. JIcBean, Cooksbridge, w-ere
awarded a Silver Medal for a group of well-
grown plants, prominent in which were some good
forms of Odontoglossum crispum Alexandrse X O.
Pescatorei, and Lselia anceps Schroderae var.
Dusky Queen.

J. T. Clifton, Esq., Lytham (gr. Mr. Float),
staged a large group, in which were many fine
forms of Laelia anceps alba, Cattleya Trianae in
great variety, and plants of botanical interest.
(Silver-gilt Medal.)

N. GALLOW.iY, Esq., Great Horton, near Brad-
ford, was awarded a Silver Medal for a group
composed mainly of well-know-n Cypripediums.

Mr. W. Sh.ickleton, Bradford, staged a few
well-grown plants of Odontoglossums.

Mrs. S. Wood, Glossop (gr. Mr. Gould), was
awarded a Silver Medal for a miscellaneous group,
which contained a new and very interesting plant
in Trilumna x Gouldiana (Trichopilia suavis x
Pilumna nobilis). In character the hybrid is in-
termediate, the influence of both parents being
distinctly traceable. The plant, which was raised
by Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., received an
Award of Merit. Cattleya Percivaliana, also
from this collection, was given an Award of
Merit.

J. McCartney, Esq.. Bolton (gr. Jlr. Holmes),
staged a group of showy Cattleyas and Laelias, to
which a Silver Medal was awarded.

LEEDS PROFESSIONAL GARDENERS'
BENEFIT.

February 7. — This society held its annual
dinner at the Green Dragon Hotel, Leeds, on
this date.

Mr. William Green, J.P., for 45 years an
honorary member of the society, presided. There
was also present the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

According to the forty-third annual report the
amount paid on account of sickness during the
past year is somewhat larger than it has been
for the past few years. Twenty-four members
have received £96 18s. 9d. Two members and
one member's wife have died during the year,
the total amount paid out of the Sick and Funeral
Fund being £123 18s. 9d.

The total accumulated funds amount to
£1.572 9s. Sjd., an increase during the past year
of £54 12s. 2J.d.

Ten new members have been admitted, two
have died, and four resigned, the present number
being 151. an increase of four.

Mr. William Sunley, who joined the lodge at
it« formation, and was appointed its first secre-
tary, filling that office for 33 years, died in his
81st year.

Acting on the advice of Mr. James Blossom,
the valuer to the Order, the management has set
apart the surplus of £63 for the purpose of ex-
tending the second period of sick allowance of
five shillings per week, from 26 weeks to 52
weeks.

Also acting upon his advice. Rule 21 was
amended, making it optional on the part of the
committee to transfer any surplus from the
Management Fund to any other fund of the
lodge, instead of it being compulsory to transfer
all sums above £50 to the Sick and Funeral
Fund.

Mr. John Donoghue, in submitting the toast
of the " City and Trade of Leeds," referred to
the admirably kept parks and recreation grounds
of the city, which were regarded throughout
the country as some of the best examples of
municipal gardening.

The Lord JIayor, in responding, made special
reference to the selection of Mr. Allsop as one
of the three selected candidates for the post of
chief officer of the London County Council parks.

The Grand Master of the Grand United Order
of Oddfellows, of which this society is now a
branch, referred to the healthful occupation of
gardeners, and complimented the society on its
soinid financial position.

Mr. Rowland Barran, M.P., referred to the
opportunities afforded gardeners of becoming
their own masters through the agencies of the

law on small holdings and town planning recently
passed by Parliament.

Air. iJiomas Freece was elected chairman,
ilr. John Donoghue vice-chairman, and Mr. Geo,
Carvei; secretary for the coming year.

ROYAL GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND,

February 11. — On this date the 23rd annual
meeting of the supporters of this charity took
place at Simpson's Restaurant, Strand. The
Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr.
Henry B. May, was unable to i^e present owing
to temporary indisposition. In his absence the
Chair was occupied by Mr. \V. Poupart. The
attendance was poor, there being only two sub-
scribers present beyond the members of the Exe-
cutive Committee. This fact may merely be the
result of public confidence in the committee, but,
nevertheless, it is to be regretted that more mem-
bers were not prepared for the personal sacrifice
attendance would have imposed upon them, for
the poor meeting might be easily taken to indi-
cate want of interest in the objects of the fund.

The secretary, Mr. Brian Wynne, read the
minutes of the' last meeting and presented the
report of the Executive Committee for 1909. This
was as follows ; —

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

" The Executive Committee in this their twenty-first
Annual Report have to state, with great regret, that
they are unable to congratulate the supporters of the
Fund on the maintenance of the year's receipts at the
high level attained in 1908, although if certain generous
gifts made in that year to mark the coming of age of
the Fund be eliminated, a comparison of the accounts
presented show that the regular income has been main-
tained— indeed, slightly increased. This the Committee
consider most satisfactory and hopeful for the future,
having regard to the fact that they, in common with
the management of all charitable institutions, have had
to e.Nperience an exceedingly anxious tiihe. The net
revenue of the year has, however, for the first time in
the history of the Fund, been insufficient to meet the
sum voted for allowances to the children. It will be in
the recollection of the subscribers that at the last
annual meeting a special wish was expressed that the
success of the Coming-of-Age Festival should be cele-
brated by the e'ection of all the candidates, 25 in
number, and this was done, the Committee believing at
the time that a larger measure of support would be
forthcoming to justify the increased expenditure.
Their anticipation has hardly been realised by the
results, and hence it is that while the Committee would
have been glad if the whole of the 19 candidates could
have been placed on the Fund to-day, prudence compels
them to limit the number to 15, in the hope that by
another year they will have been provided with the
means to increase the number of beneficiaries.

" At the commencement of the year 104 children were
receiving the full benefits of the Fund, and to 27 candi-
dates awaiting election compassionate allowances were
being made, so great was their need of assistance.
At the annual meeting 25 were added to the full pay
roll, bringing the number on the books to 131. The
total sum disbursed among the children during the
year was ;^i,7i6 2s. 6d., or an increase on the previous
year's allowances of ;^94 155. The number of children

elected to receive the benefits of the Fund since its
foundation is 278, and the total expenditure in weekly
allowances and special grants made during the same
period is £21,222.

" The Annual Festival, held at the Hotel Cecil on
May 6, under the presidency of his Grace the Duke of
Rutland, again proved both socially and financially a
gratifying success, and greatly benefited the Charity.
To the noble chairman, who so ably pleaded the cause
of the Fund and its need of the generous support of
all lovers of gardens and gardening, the Committee
gratefully tender their heartiest thanks, and ask the
subscribers this day to still further mark their apprecia-
tion of his kindnes-. by electing him a vice-president.
The Committee also gladly and cordially tender their
best thanks to the stewards, who by their collections so
materially increased the total amount of the chairman's
list, and to all who so kindly by gifts of flowers and
loans of plants on that occasion rendered the Victoria
Hall so beautiful and so pleasing to the visitors.

" With regard to the next festival the Committee have
the pleasure to announce that arrangements have been
made for that annual function to take place at the
Hotel Cecil on Thursday, May 19, and it affords them
the greatest gratification, also, to know that they will
have in the chair on that occasion such an enthusiastic
lover and patron of horticulture as Sir Jeremiah
Colman, Bart., D.L., J.P., of Gatton Park, Surrey. In
the interests of the Fund and for the credit of horticul-
ture, the Committee sincerely hope that they will have
the support of all well-wishers of the Fund on that
occasion.

" The Committee once more very gratefully acknow-
ledge their large indebtedness for generous benefactions
to Mr, N. N. Sherwood and his sons. Sir Frank Crisp,
Mr. Leonard Sutton, Messrs. N. M. Rothschild and
Sons, Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, Baron Schroder, Mr.
Harry J. Veitch, Mr. Anthony Waterer, and other
constant supporters.

" The Committee also gratefully acknowledge the
receipt of a legacy of five pounds left by Mrs. Anne
Clayton, wife of Mr. Henry J. Clayton, Wharfe Bank
House, Ulleskelf, and formerly gardener at Grimston
Park, Tadcaster, " in remembrance of her husband's
eariv connection with the Fund."

" To the members of the Chesterfield Chrysanthemum
Society, the Leeds Paxton Society, the Bradford Chry-
santhemum Society, the Reading Gardeners' Mutual
Improvement Society, the Reigate Chrysanthemum
Society, the Tonbridge Gardeners' Society, the Scottish
Horticultural Asscciation, the Wargrave Gardeners'
Society, and the Chislehurst Gardeners' Society, very
hearty thanks are due for much valuable assistance
received.

" New local secretaries have been appointed during
the year at Leeds and Worcester. At Worcester Mr.
Topham initiated a whist drive, with the most gratify-
ing results ; while Mr. Carver, assisted by several fellow
gardeners in the Leeds district, organised a spring
flower show which brought a welcome contribution to
the Fund, and very materially helped to make the
claims of the Charity mere widely known in that part
of Yorkshire. To these and all the other local secre-
taries the cordial thanks of the Committee are heartily
accorded.

" With sincere regret the Committee have to deplore
the loss sustained by the Fund by the death of such
good workers on its behalf as Mr. William Roupell,
Mr. Peter Barr, and Mr. Peter E. Kay, all of whom
had served on the Committee. Mr, Roupell and Mr.
Barr were elected to serve on the original Committee,
and Mr. Roupell retained his seat until his death, ever
a courteous, kind and enthusiastic colleague. On the
death of Mr. Rouptll the Committee unanimously
appointed Mr. Edmund Rochford, a generous supporter
of the Fund, to the vacant seat. By the greatly
lamented death of Mr. J. H. Vallance, the honorary
local secretary for Bristol and district, the Fund has
also sustained a heavy loss.

CASH STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1909.

RECEIPTS.

£. s. d.

To Subscriptions: General 287 2 g

Local Secretaries 95 18 9

Donations : General 121 7 4

Local Secretaries ... 37 4 g

Subscription List at Annual

Dinner 860 16 3

Less Expenses 158 17 6

, Legacy : Mrs. Anne Clayton ...

, Advertisements in List of Sub-
scribers
Dividends on Stock and Interest
on Deposit

, Income Tax returned

£

383

158

701
5

370
5

5. d.
I 6
12 1

18 9

o o

II o

13 6

Balance last Account

1,652
968

5 6

17 4

^2,621 2 10

Note— Investments.

3 per cent. London and County Consolidated

Stock ^7.240 15 10

3 per cent. Canada Stock ... 2,000 o o

L. and N.-W. Railway 4 per cent. Preference

Stock 340 o o

Great Indian Peninsula Ry. Guaranteed 3

per cent. Stock 514 o o

2I per cent. Consols ... 1,000 o o

" Thomson Memorial Trust " —
East Indian Railway B Annuity of £,i\, cost 430 11 o

" Emma Sherwood Memorial " —
Metropolitan Water (B) 3 per cent. Stock ... 516 15 11

" M.iybud Campbell Grant " —
Metropolitan Railway 3^ per cent. Preference

Stock ... ... ... 391 o o

EXPENDITURE

By Allowances to Orphans ...
,, By Grants in Aid
„ " Kmma Sherwood Memorial
,, " Maybud Campbell Grant "

£

s.

d.

£

1. 571

0

0

119

2

6

13

0

0

13

0

0

1,716

200

43

35

12

2

41

17

I

, Secretary's Salary

, Printing and Posting List of

of Subscribers

Rent, Insurance, Firing, Light-
ing, &c

, Printing and Stationery

, Advertising ... ... ... j 12 o

Annual General and Committee

Meetings ... 26 4 2

, New Furniture and Cost of

Removal 23 14 4

Postages 19 20

, Bank Charges 2 12 3

Petty Cash: Sundries 3 ii 7

Cash at Bank
Cash on Deposit .
Cash in hand

Balances

. 352 10 4
. 150 0 0

2 13 3

i5<5 S 7

^2,621 2 10

Having inspected the Securities and examined the
Books and Vouchers •=upplied to us, we hereby certify
ihe above Account to be correct.

January 17, 1910.

P. RUDOLPH BARR) UHiitors
M. ROWAN ^.'iuauors.

Febrhaby 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

127

" The members of the Committee who retire by rota-
lion are Mr. William H. Cutbush, Mr. George Gordon,
Mr. D. Ingamells, Mr. J. F. McLeod, Mr. R. Hooper
Pearson, and Mr. E. Rochford, and who, being eligible,
otftT themselves for re-election. To fill the seats vacated
by the resignations of Mr. William Bnll and Mr.
Parsons, the Committee recommend the election of Mr.
Archibald R. Allan, gardener to Lord Hillingdon.
Flillingdon Place, Uxbridge, and Mr. H. L. Wright, of
the firm of Messrs. Parsons & Co., fruit salesmen,
■Covent Garden.

" The Committee again desire to place on record their
high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by
the auditors, Mr. P. Rudolph LJarr and Mr. M. Rowan.
Mr. Rowan is the retiring auditor, and having examined
the accounts for some years and being thoroughly con-
versant with the working d-L-tails of the Fund, bis
je-election is cordially recommended."

A resolution having been proposed by the
Chairman that the report and balance-sheet be
adopted, this was accepted unanimously. The
meeting then proceeded to the re-election of
officers, and the retiring members of committee.
Mr. Brian Wynne was re-elected secretary with
acclamation. After the disposal of this routine
business, scrutineers of the ballot were appointed
and the meeting was adjourned until 4.30.

On reassembling, the Chairman announced
that the following 15 candidates had been duly
elected : — •

Result of the B.^llot.

Ivy Lillian Foster 409

Violet Powell Williams 319

Elsie Mary Sage 280

James Archibald Cameron Walker ■ 280

Dorothy Sage 268

Jack Spratt 268

Frank Atkinson 257

Annie Beatrice Glide 229

Frederick George Evans 225

Mary Isabella Dickson 220

Grace Janet Gillies ... ... 213

David Dickson 200

Harry Johnson ... ... ... 190

Ernest Stead 175

John Walter Gough 172

The four unsuccessful candidates obtained
votes as follows : —

William Norton Glide
Frederick John Moore
Maiu'ice Leslie Johnson
Albert William Whitlock

160

144

125

67

This is the first occasion, since the election of
1905, that the committee has refrained from
placing all the candidates on the fund. That only
15 candidates could be elected this year is due
to two facts, namely, that the receipts during
1909 are not quite equal to those in the preceding
J ear, and that the expenditure slightly e-\ceeded
the receipts. Votes of thanks to the scrutineers
and the Chairman concluded the meeting.

In the evening members of the committee and
a few friends, to the number of about 40, dined
together at Simpson's under the chairmanship of
Mr. N. N. Sherwood.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

RESOLUTION ON THE L C.C. PARKS

APPOINTJIENT.

In connection with the recent appointment of
chief officer of the L.G.C. Parks Department, the
eecretary has addressed the following communi-
cation to the Clerk of the London County
Council : —

" I am directed by the Executive Council of
the British Gardeners' Association to forward the
following resolution, and to ask that you will
kindly call the attention of your Council to it at
their next meeting:

Itesolved — " That this meeting of the British
Gardeners* Association in Executive Council
assembled desire to express their strong dis-
approval of the appointment of a military officer
to the post of chief officer of the Parks Depart-
ment, instead of a properly qualified gardener
possessing the requisite technical knowledge and
powers of organisation and control.

" John Weathers, General Secretary."

The secretary has also sent the following com-
munication to those persons who are offering
■themselves as candidates at the next L.C.C.
election ; —

" I am directed by the Executive Council of
■the British Gardeners' Association to ask if, in
■the event of your election to the London County
Council, you will be good enough to use your

influence to secure the following recommenda-
tions of the British Gardeners' Association : —

(a) To secure a minimum wage of 30s. per
week for those gardeners employed by the Lon-
don County Council who can produce the
credentials of the British Gardeners' Association
as to being duly qualified gardeners.

" (6) To secure an alteration of the system
which allows the appointment of a military
officer to the post of chief officer of the Parks
Department — an appointment which, in the
opinion of the Executive Council of the British
Gardeners' As-sociation, should be held by a
properly qualified gardener possessing the re-
quisite technical knowledge and powers of
organisation and control."

LONDON BRANCH.

The monthly meeting of this branch took place
at Carr's Restaurant, Strand, on Thursday,
February 10. Mr. T. W. Winter presided. More
than 60 members assembled to hear Mr. E. F.
Hawes deliver a lecture on " The Value of Botany
to Gardeners."

Mr. Hawes said a knowledge of botany was of
service to a gardener, as it enabled hiiii to un-
derstand plants better and to know their require-
ments. It also stimulated a gardener's interest,
convincing him more of the dignity of his profes-
sion, and helping him to understand the whys and
wherefores of things usually done by rule of
thumb.

STIRLING AND DISTRICT HORTI-
CULTURAL.

February 8. — A meeting of this society was
held on the above date in the Y.JI.C.A.' Hall,
Stirling. The president, Mr. Geo. Petrie, pre-
sided. The gathering constituted the largest
attendance at any of these meetings, the
lecturer being Professor JI'Alpine, B.Sc. (Lond.),
W'est of Scotland Agricultural College, his sub-
ject being " Plant Life Underground." The
lecturer's remarks were illustrated by limelight
views. The professor dealt with soils) roots, anil
plant foods. Eight new members were elected,
and four nominations made for membership at
the next meeting.

DUTCH BULB-GROWERS'.

The following varieties of Tulip were granted
Awards of Merit at the recent meeting of the
Tulip Committee of this society held at Haarlem :

La Discretion. — A seedling variety with single
cherry-coloured flowers, having a broad, white
border.

Oohlen Horn. — A new single-flowered variety,
raised from the single early Tidip Rosamundi
Huykman. The flowers are bright yeUow and
rose ; a splendid forcing variety.

William Copeland. — An early flowering Dar-
win Tulip, especially good for forcing.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

READING GARDENERS'.— The fortnightly meeting
of this association was held in the Abbey Hall, Reading, on
February 7. The president, Mr. Alderman Parfiit, J. P.,
occupied the chair, there being again a large attendance.
Four new members were elected. The lecturer for the
evening was Mr. Seaman, The Gardens, Margery Hall,
Reigate, a representative of the Redhill and Reigate Gar-
deners' Association, his subject being " Mushrooms and
How to Grow Thetn." Full details were given as to the
preparation and spawning of the beds, gathering the crop, &c.
The lecturer gave some interesting particulars respecting
the culture of Mushrooms by a French firm in the galleries
from which stone had been quarried at Godstone.

ELSTREE AND BOREHAM WOOD HORTI-
CULTURAL.—The newly-formed Elstree and Borehara
Wood Horticultural Society has arranged a series of lectures
on varied subjects. On the 8th inst. Mr. J. W. Odeli, of
Sianmore, gave an instructive lecture on "British Wild
Flowers m the Garden." Mr. Odell illustrated his remarks
by a series of lantern scenes, many of them depicting sub-
jects photographed in the immediate neighbourhood, thus
adding additional interest. There was a large and enthusi-
astic meeting.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS*.—

A meetnig of this society was held on February 1 m the
Workman's Hall, Guildford. Mr. H. Tann presided, the
company present numbering 52. Mr. W. P. Bound, a repre-
sentative from the Redhill Gardeners' Association, gave a
lecture on " Orchids."

SALISBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS*.—

At the meeting of this society held on the 6th inst., a paper
was given by Mr. Tunnington on the " Cultivation of the
Peach and Nectarine."

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS*.— A

well-attended meeting of this association was held on
February 10, at St. John's Parish Rooms, presided over by
Dr. Shiryleton Smith. A paper upon " Indoor Ferns," was
given by Mr. HaiUburton, a representative of the Bath
Debating Society. Mr. Halliburton said strong sunlight is
detrimental to Ferns, except such kinds as Gymnogrammes.
Fresh air should be admitted freely in the growing season,
and the plants also require an abundance of water with
liquid manure and soot-water at intervals. Spring is the
best time for general potting and overhauling of these
plants. Dr. Smith, who opened a discussion on the paper,
mentioned that there had been found over 900 varieties of
tree Ferns in the coal measures, only one ot which is extant.

CHESTER PAXTON.— A large number of members
were present on Saturday, February 12, to hear Mr. Ernest
Jones read a paper on "The Cultivation of Sweet Peas."
Mr. E. Stubbs presided. Mr. Jones gave full details of his
method of cultivating this popular fiower, A discussion
followed.

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.-

" The Dressing of a Chrysanthemum Bloom for Exhibi-
tion " was the title of a lecture delivered before the mem-
bers of this society on the 1st inst. by Mr. M. E. Mills,
Coombe House Gardens. Mr. W. Collms, Croydon, was to
have given a lecture on "Chrysanthemums for Grouping,'*
but he was unable to do so owing to indisposition. Mr.
Mills said, to produce exhibition blooms of Cbrysanthe-
Diums the bracts on the upper portion of the stem and
below the bud should be removed before the plants are
taken indoors. The wings of the leaves just below the
bracts must be removed with a sharp knife. This removal
increases the vigour of the flower and deprive-^ black aphis
of a resting spot ; it alsj allows the petals to develop with-
out hindrance of compression.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending February 1-2, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather.—OveT the greater part of the kingdom a
certain quantity of precipitation was experienced almost
every day, and the general character of the weather was
very unsettled. Intervals of bright sunshine were, however,
frequent in most parts of England and Ireland. Thunder
occurred at Jersey on Thursday and at Douglas on Friday,
while lightning was observed some time during the period
at a few other stations.

The temperature was above the average except in Scotland
N., the greatest divergence from the normal being 3*3^ in
England E. The highest of the maxima were recorded at
most stations on the 6lb, and ranged from 58"^ in England
N.W. and 57" in Ireland S. to 51'' in Scotland N. and E.
The lowest of the minima, which were registered in nearly
all districts either on the 9ih or 10th, ranged from 9" (at
Balmoral on the 9th) and 20'' in Scotland W. to 29'' in
Ireland S., and to 31'' in the English Channel. The lo.vest
grass readings reported were 5" at Balmoral, 10° at West
Linton, 15'^ at Crathes and Cambridge, 18" at Kew and
20'' at Clacton-on-Sea and Southport.

The 7nean temperature of the sea,— As a general rule the
water was colder than during the corresponding week of
last year, the difference being at least 3*^ at Wick, Cromarty
and Burnmouth. The means for the week ranged from
43'' at Newquay, and 46*^ at Plymouth and Salcombe to 42"^
at Ballantrae, about 40^^ at several stations along the east
and north-east coasts of Britain, and about 37i° at Cro-
marty and Burnmouth.

The ramfa'.l was more than the average in England N.W.,
S.W., and N.E., as well as in Ireland N., but less elsewhere.
Few individual falls as large asO'5 inch were recorded, but
at Stonyhurst on Sunday there was as much as 1'19 inch,
and at Arlington on Monday l-QT inch.

The bright sunshine exceeded the normal except in Scot-
land N. and W. The percentage of the possible duration
ranged from 36 in Ireland S., 35 in England E., and 34
in the English Channel to 19 in Scotland W., and to 10 in
Scotland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending February 16.
Warm, wet, an.i «»h«ji'.— Throughout the past fortnight
there has not occurred a single unseasonably cold day, while
on four days the highest reading in the thermometer screen
rose to, or exceeded, 50'^. The nights during the same period
proved very variable. On the wannest day of the past week
the highest reading was 51". and on the two coldest nights
the exposed thermometer registered 12^' of frost. Both at 1
and 2 feet deep the ground is at the present time about 1''
warmer than is seasonable. Rain fell on all but two days,
and to the total depth of rather more than three-quarters of
an inch. About 3^ gallons, or virtually the whole of the
rainfall, came through both percolation gauges during the
week. The sun shone on an average for as much as 4 hours
8 minutes a day, which is 1| hours a day in excess of the
February average. The winds were, as a rule, rather high,
but in no hour did the mean velocity exceed 17 miles —
direction S. The average amount of moisture in the air at
3 p.m. fell short of a seasonable quantity for that hour by
5 per cent, E, M., Berkhamsied, February 16, 1910,

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Canterbury and Kent Rose Show, to be held on
Thursday, June 30. Hon. secretary, Mr. C, C. Williamson.

Sandiway and District Horticultural Society's fifth
annual exhibition, to be held on Monday, August 1.
Secretary, Mr. W, May, Sandiway Lodge Gardens, near
Northwich.

Guildford and District Gardeners' Mutual Iraprove-
ment Society's programme of meetings, to be held in the
Workmen's Hall, Chertsey Street, Guildford, during 1910.

Elstree and Boreham Wood Horticultural Society's
programme of meetings, shows, and lectures, for sessioa
iSlO.

128

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Februast 19, 1910.

©bituart).

-John Stopps. — Our readers will learn -with
regret of the sudden death of this well-known
gardener, which occurred at Barrowash, Derby,
on January 28. Mr. Stopps was especially skilled
in the culture of Chrysanthemums, and was well
known as an exhibitor of these flowers, but he
was also a good all-round gardener, and won
many prizes at flower shows for fruit, flowers, and
vegetables. He commenced his gardening career
at Aston Rowant, O.xfordshire. Mr. Stopps
leaves a widow, one son, and one daughter.

Alexander H. Stirrat.— The news of the
death, on February 6, at the hospital, Johannes-
burg, of Mr. Ale.xander H. Stirrat, superintendent
of the parks and Zoological Gardens of that town,
and. occasional correspondent to these pages,
will be received with regret by his many friends
in this country, and especially at Falkirk, of
which town he was a native. He served his
apprenticeship in the nursery of his father at
Falkirk, and afterwards obtained an appointment
in the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow. Whilst at
Glasgow, he mads himself proficient in the
sciences connected with his calling. In 1900 he
emigrated to South Africa, and shortly after his
arrival he was appointed to the post which he
held at the time of his death. He frequently re-
ceived the thanks and congratulations of the Cor-
poration of Johannesburg for the able manner in
which he conducted the parks and gardens under
his charge. Mr. Stirrat was only 35 years of
age. The remains were accorded a public funeral
amidst many manifestations of regret.

ENQUIRIES AND REPLIES.

" Nues-Gaeden " (see p. 112).— This was a
dwarf sort of Apple, which was planted in espa-
liers along the sides of walks with other dwarf-
growing Apples and other fruits. The trees were
propagated by branch cuttings similarly to Cod-
lins and Bunknots, and are mentioned ni A
Treatise of Fruit, as well as in the Obserralions
These are the only works in which I have noticed
the term, and not improbably it was a local
variety. Austen, however, may have mistaken
the name, as he did that of the Provence Rose,
which he twice calls " Provost." If. P. B.

To Desteoy Teee Stumps. — 1 have some land
covered with scrub and old tree stumps. It is
too expensive to grub these out, therefore I should
like some information as to the best method of
blowing them up. Is dynamite or black powder
the better explosive to use? The stumps I have
to deal with are about 2 feet to 2 feet 4 inches
in diameter. Will some reader inform me of the
approximate cost of blasting these? H.

Ash Seedlings Failing: W. F. <£• Co. The
trees are affected with the early stages of Ash
canker, caused by a bacterium. No cure is
known. Diseased plants should be destroyed.

Begonia Gloire de Loeraine : IK. S. This
variety was raised by Messrs. V. Lemoine &
Sons, 'of Nancy. It is stated to be a hybrid
between B. socotrana and B. Dregei. The
plant did not, at first, find favour in France,
but it soon became popular in this country, and
in 1893 received a First-class Certificate from
the Royal Horticultural Society. You will find
further particulars in the issue for February 1.
1902, p. 75.

Black Hamburgh Vine : H. H. The portion of
root you send is quite rotten. The trouble can-
not be ascribed to any special fungus disease,
but is due to a geneial unhealthy condition of
the vine. The callus-like out-growths which
have developed on the spurs all point to some
trouble from unhealthy root action. As you
say the fruit for years has been worthless, the
berries being badly coloured, without flavour
and shanked, it will be well to destroy the
vino and plant a fresh one in its place.

However, having lifted the roots, and, we pre-
sume, having furnished some fresh, sweet soil,
you may expect a better crop next year. But
the results will not be permanent unless the
border was thoroughly overhauled, and especi-
ally the provision for drainage, as a water-
logged border is usually the cause of shanking.
The little worms which you point out as being
present on the decayed root, are only an after
effect.
Blue-flowered Hydrangeas: H. J., Bristol.
Locality and soil appear to be some of the
determining factors in the colour of these
flowers. A situation near the sea is considered
the most favourable for producing flowers of
a blue shade. It has been claimed that alum
in water will cause the flowers to become blue.
If you will refer to the issues for February
2, 9, 16, 23. and March 2. 1907, you will find
much correspondence on the subject.
Chrysanthemum Rust: A. F. Spray the plants
with a solution of potassium sulphide, made by
dissolving 1 ounce of potassium sulphide or liver
of sulphur in a quart of hot water, and mak-
ing up with 2^ gallons of water. Pluck oft
and burn the worst affected leaves. Some per-
sons have been successful in combating the
disease by treating the plants with paraffin
in water.
Crocuses: B. and S. The condition is due to
an extraordinary development of the outer
scale leaves, and consequent partial suppres-
sion of the other parts.
Florists' Flowers : X. L. B. We consider it
unfair for any firm to advertise that they are
supplying your strain of a particular plant
unless they' purchase seed from you each year,
because your work of selection being still in
progress," it is impossible for a firm to acquire
your latest strain merely by raising seedlings
'from plants you may have sold to them several
years ago. It is only reasonable to assume that
purchasers of seed bearing your name expect to
be supplied with the latest varieties you have
raised.
Foecing House foe Lilies: A. R. If you in-
tend to force varieties such as Lilium longi-
florum and L. speciosum, the width of your
house, viz.. 10 feet, would scarcely be sufficient,
because it would necessitate the walls support-
ing the roof being disproportionately high.
Whereas thes3 tall-growing species would re-
quire a considerable'amount of head room, the
dwarfer kinds would be too far from the glass,
therefore we suggest the house should be wider.
It is not necessary to make provision for a
" cased pit," unless vou intend to force
Lilv-of-the-Valley. Liliums of all kinds
do 'better when they are permitted to form
roots before introducing them into the forcing-
house. However, for the early forcing of
Lilium longifloruni and its varieties, as well as
Lily-of-the-Valley, a house such as you suggest
would do quite well. But for species of taller
growth, wo suggest a width of 18 feet or 20
feet, which will allow room for side beds and
a large central one.
Forcing Strawberries for Market ; J. F. J.
You ask us if this is a remunerative business.
That depends on many considerations. In the
first place you will need business acumen and
forethought as well as ability to culti-
vate the plants. You must have a know-
ledge of markets, and know the season
when forced Strawberries are especially re-
quired. Then you must be prepared to have
other crops to precede and follow the Straw-
berries, so that the houses are profitably
utilised all through the year. When all this has
been assured, you may experience a poor
market or a bad crop. However, when these
points have been considered, you may be com-
forted with the knowledge that many growers
cultivate Strawberries at a profit. With
regard to varieties for forcing, you cannot
do better than consult the Strawberry Cen-
sus, given in our issues for October 16, 23,
pp.' 260, 283. From this you will find the
varieties best for that purpose are Royal Sove-
reign, "Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, Presi-
dent, La Grosse Sucree, Sir Joseph Paxton,
and Leader,
Lime foe Examination : H. C. As far as we
can tell, the sample of lime you send appears
to be suitable for garden purposes. We do not,
however undertake the analysis of such mate-

rials. It will be better to sprinkle it on fallow
ground or see that it does not come in direct
contact with the plant. In any case, it should
be forked into the soil lightly.
Manure Covered with Fungus : J. H. C. The
fungus may be destroyed by quicklime, which
should be sprinkled over the soil and manure.
Also wash the frames over with a solution of
bluestone — ^ lb. to one gallon of water.
Names of Fruits : IF. H. S. Apple Broad-eyed

Pippin.
Names of Plants: Inverness. Lopezia lineata
(miniata). — A. G., Cheslnmt. 1, Ccologyne
cristata ; 2, Cypripediura insigne ; 3, Epiphyl-
luni Russelianuni ; 4, Libonia floribunda. —
W. H. K. 1, CodiiBum Weissmannianum ; 2,
C. Johannis; 3, C. angustifolium ; 4, C.
interruptum ; 5, C. trilobum ; 6, C. elegan-
tissimum. — T. F. S. Catasetum macrocarpum.
■ — //. S. One of the garden forms of Veronica
Andersonii, Aucuba japonica female, and
Epiphyllum Russelianum. — G. Dendrobium
Wiganianum. — D. H. R. 1, Polypodium frigi-
dum ; 2, a barren frond of Pteris (Doryopteris)
nobilis : the fertile ones are divided like those
of No. 5 ; 3. Asplenium flaccidum ; 4, Poly-
podium percussum ; 5, Pteris (Doryopteris)
palmata ; 6, Asplenium lucidum.
Nursery or Market G.^rden Business : F. M.
The answer to your question would entirely
depend upon the amount of technical know-
ledge, energy, and available capital you
possess. There are plenty of instances to show
that a trade is never so "fully represented in a
district but opportunities exist for new-comers.
It very frequently happens that enterprising
men, who are capable of introducing new
methods, not only succeed in gaining a full
share of business patronage, but excel even
those who have been established for a long
period. Bearing in mind these facts, the
matter is one tTiat you must determine for
yourself. In either case, whether you wish
to obtain a nursery or purchase a retail busi-
ness, the best means for you to adopt is to
make your requirements known to the public
by advertising them.
Primula obconica : P. Amateur. — No disease is
present. The injury has been caused by heat
from the hot-water pipes. The plants should
occupy some other position.
Roses Planted too Deeply : Amateur. The re-
planting is advisable, and may be done directly
the weather and ground are suitable. You
will find directions for planting in the issue for
February 12, p. 99. Retain as much soil as
possible about the roots. With regaid to the
pruning, this will depend on the class of Rose,
and this you have not stated. If they are
ordinary h'ybrid Perpetual varieties, they may
be pruned" after planting, but tender kinds,
such as Tea Roses, should be pruned later.
Ramblers need only the weaker shoots and old-
flowering branches removed.
Souvenir de la Malmaison C.\rnations : F. B.
The trouble is not due to disease. There are
indications that the rooting medium has been
kept too moist during the dull months — a com-
mon mistake. Carnations during winter should
never be subjected to much wet, it being safer
to err on the side of dryness at the roots. The
pot should always " ring " well when struck
with the knuckles before applying water.
Vine Leaves with Markings : B. Somerley.
A fungus has lodged on damp spots on the
leaves and caused the discoloured patches.
Ventilate the house early in the morning.
Violets Diseased: E. P. A J. G. If. The
plants are attacked by a fungus disease, Asco-
chyta violie. It would be better to burn your
plants and start afresh, after thoroughly
cleansing the frames in which they have been
grown and removing the old soil to some dis-
tant part of the garden.
"Worm" for Identification: H'. B. Y'oiir
" worm " is a leech, known as Aulostoma gulo,
or Horse-leech. The box also contained a grub,
the larva of one of the sawflies not far removed
from the Gooseberry sawfly.

Communications Received, --C. T D,-J. B & Son,
Ltd.-D. H. R.-R. D.-J. W. T.-J. K.-J. R. B.-J. D,
— D M C— W, H. Y.— G.W.-F. M.-L, J, C— A. R. S.
_W. E.— R. Newstead— J. J, W,— .T. P. W. New Jersey—
S S. Budapest— P. H. C— A. P.-B. G. -Royal Meteoio-
losical Societv-H. W. W.-P. G. D. -Dutch Bulb Gvowers
Society-T. Mac Row-W. P.-A. D.-E. H. ^-P- G-W-
Chloris-J. S.-W. W. P.-Dr. F.-Rev. B, R, W,-J. O B.

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February 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

129

THE

6 III b en ers' Cj) r aitixle

No. 1,209.— SATURDAY, February 36, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the —

Viola gracilis and V.
heterophylla
American Hawthorns
Antirrhinum, a giant ...
Books, notices of —

Flora of New Guinea
ClerodenJron fallax
Cotoneaster Simousii ...
Crocus, remarkable

abnormality in
Cyclamen, culture of ...
Dendrobium *' Duchess

of Albany "

Diploma, a National

horticultural

Floods in France, the...
Florence, horticultural

exhibition at

Forestry at the Royal

Agricultural Show ...
Freesias from seed
Fungi, edible and

poisonous

Gale in Lincolnshire ...
Gentiana scabra
Grass, the effect of, on

fruit trees ... 137,139
Law notes —

Assessment of glass-
houses

Prevention of corrupt

practices

Obituary —

Best, James 137

Burn, John P. ... 137

Monro, William S. ... 137

133
129
140

136

133
140

132
131

138

139
136

137

136
139

137
140
136

137
138

137

Palms in cultivation .-.

Parks appointment, the
L.C.C

Paths, asphalt

Peach flowers, protect-
ing, from frost

Peas, thrips on

Plants, adaptation of
the, to the soil

Plum trees, the man-
uring of

Primula Forrestii

Roses, some new

School gardening in
Scotland

Societies —
Horticultural Club ...
Royal Horticultural
Royal Meteorological

Storm at Dropmore ...

Strawberries

Trees and shrubs of
New Zealand

Vanillism

Vegetables —
Spring Cabbages

Vines, pruning of young

Wart disease of Potato,
spread of

Week's work, the —

Apiary, the

Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden, the 135
Kitchen garden, the... 133
Orchid houses, the ... 135
Plants under glass ... 184

138
144

132
137

143

137
139
130

138

143
141
143

140
140

131
140

132

140

137

135

134
135

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Agapanthus umbellatus albidus 134

Cratupgus Elhvangeriana, a remarkable tree of ... 130

Crocus, an abnormal 132

Den^fobium " Duchess of Albany " 139

Gentiana acabra (Supplementary Illustration)

AMERICAN HAWTHORNS.*

SOME NEW ARBORESCENT SPECIES.

THE different species in the Molles group
are distinguished mainly by subglobose
to obovate fruits, deep scarlet, pubescent
at the ends, and occasionally hairy all over;
flesh, thick and succulent, and usually palat-
able; corymbs, hairy to densely tomeut(Xse ;
leaves, thin, broad, cuneate, rounded to trun-
cate at the base.

The following species are included in this
group :—

Crat-jsgus Arnoldiana. — This species as-
sumes the dimensions of a small tree, 20
to 25 feet in height, with a short trunk
12 inches in diameter, and with stout
branches usually ascending at an angle of
about 45°, and forming an oblong, open
head. The broadly-ovate to oval leaves are
cuneate or rounded at the base ; they are
3 inches long and 2j inches broad. Tlie 10-
stamened flowers, with large cream-white
anthers, are produced on many branched,
tomentose corymbs and blossom about May 25.
The subglobose to oblong fruits are bright
crimson, and marked toivards the ends by
numerous wliite hairs ; they ripen about the
middle of August and fall before September
25. This, the first species in the MoUes group
to ripen its fruits, matures its berries at the
same time as C. maturte and C. prtecox, two
shrubby species in two other groups, which
are the earliest species to ripen their fruits
in the north-eastern states. When an adult
tree of C. Arnoldiana is covered with its lus-
trous, brilliant fruits at the end of August it
looks very beautiful, and I remember seeing it

* For previous article on the group
Card. Citron. Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 1909.

' Flabellatse '* see

for the first time in its handsome fruitage at
the Arnold Arboretum eight years since.
When this species was first described by Dr.
Sargent, it was only known by a few specimens
growing in a wild state in the Arnold Arbore-
tum, but during the past few years it has been
found distributed through Massachusetts.

C. Arkansana. — This plant attains a height
of 25 feet, with a central stem branching low,
and the stiff, stout branches ascending and
spreading, forming a distinctively open head.
Perhaps it has a thinner branching habit than
any other known species in the MoUes group.
The oval to oblong-ovate leaves, broadly cune-
ate at the base, are 3 inches long and 2 inches
wide, and on vigorous shoots are much
larger. The 20-stamened flowers, with cream-
white anthers in their branched, deiisely-
tomentose corymbs, blossom about May 25.
The bright crimson, oblong and occasionally
obovate fruits, rounded at the ends and
slightly hairy, with a deep but comparatively
narrow caljx cup, ripen from the middle to
the end of October, and persist on the
branches for a number of weeks. It is said to
be a common species in Arkansas, but it was
first observed by Dr. Sargent in the Arnold
Arboretum, in cultivated plants raised from
seeds collected about 26 years since by George
Letterman at Newport, Arkansas. There
are handsome individuals in cultivation in
the Arnold .\rboretuni, and Franklin Park,
Boston.

C. Champlainensis. — It is common to see
specimens of this tree 20 feet high, but oc-
casionally the species attains a height of
25 feet, with a stem 12 inches in diameter
at the base, and a symmetrical, wide-spread-
ing head. The ovate leaves, slightly rounded,
truncate and sometimes on vigorous shoots,
slightly cordate at the base, are 3 inches long
and 2j inches wide. The 10-stamened flowers,
with small, cream-white anthers, are borne in
densely villose corymbs, and open about
May 30. The obovate to oblong bright scar-
let fruits, pubescent towards the ends, ripen
about the middle of September, and are per-
sistent on the branches until almost mid-
winter, but considerably shrivelled before
they drop. The type tree grows in the Cham-
plain V^alley. It is a common species through-
out Ontario, Canada, and along the valley
of the St. Lawrence River. A remarkably
well-developed tree, from 25 to 30 feet high,
grows on a private estate in Portsmouth, a
suburb of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. This
is a very important Molles species in displa}'-
ing its handsome fruits so late in the season.

C. Ellwanceriana (fig. 58). — This species
attains the dimensions of a very handsome,
shapely tree, 20 to 25 feet high, with a trunk
6 feet in length, and from 12 to 15 inches in
diameter at the base. In juvenile plants the
branches are disposed somewhat in tiers,
and suggest very much the habit of Cor-
nus alternifolia. The leaves are ovate,
and on fertile shoots frequently almost
circinate, round to truncate at the base, and
on young shoots often subcordate at the base,
3 inches long and 2| inches broad. The 7-10-
stamened flowers, with rose anthers, are
produced on 9-12 flowered, densely-villose
corymbs, and blossom from May 20 to 25.
The short-oblong, lustrous, bright red fruits
ripen about the second week in September,
and fall about the first week in October. The

type tree, which is perhaps over 100 years old
(shown in the illustration, fig. 58), grows
spontaneously in the home grounds of the
Ellwanger and Barry Nurseries, Rochester,
N.\ . It is a very common species in the
Genesee Valley, and througliout Westei-n
New York and Western Pennsylvania, and
the writer lately found it distributed along
the valley of the St. Lawrence River as far
east as Ogdensburgh, N.Y. It has one dis-
tinguishing specific mark, which may appear
trifling, but is nevertheless constant in all in-
dividuals. The stipules of the upper leaves
where they intermingle with the base of tho
corymbs remain persistent and i:;reen until tlie
fruit ripens. This handsome Hawthorn v.as
named by Dr. Sargent in compliment to tho
late George Ellwanger, the distinguished nur-
seryman, of the firm of Ellwanger & Barry,
Rochester, N.Y., whose ability and skill had
a strong and uplifting influence on American
nursery interests and horticulture,

C. FuLLEHiANA. — This is commonly an ar-
borescent shrub, and rarely attains tlie size of
a smaU tree, from 15 to 18 feet high, with as-
cending and spreading branches, forming a
somewhat compact head. The leaves are oval
to ovate, rounded at the base, 3 inches long
and 2J inches wide. The 20-stamene<l flowers,
with rose anthers, on compact, densely-villose
corymbs, blossom about May 28. Tlie short-
oblong, lu.strous, scarlet fruits, with markedly
pale dots, and the calyx cup, with a very
broad base, ripen about the middle of Septem-
ber and soon fall. The type plant grows on
the steep claj' banks of the Genesee River,
on the north side of the City of Rochester,
N.Y., and is distributed throughout the
Genesee Valley. It has not yet been reported
from beyond these regions.

C. MOLLIS. — This species grows to a tree of
considerable size, attaining a height of 40 feet,
with a tall stem, from 12 to 18 inches in dia-
meter, and forming a very broad, shapely
head. The leaves are broadly ovate, rounded
to subcordate at the base, 4 inches long and
3} inches wide, and on vigorous shoots often
much larger. The large, showj' flowers, with
20 stamens, and cream-white anthers, are
borne on many-flowered villose corymbs, and
blossom about May 25. The short-oblong to
subglobose fruits, bright scarlet and marked
by dark dots, ripen during the first week in
September. It occurs in a wild state from
Ohio to Dakota and throughout Kansas. I
liave not seen it growing naturally, but I have
observed it in good condition on Dr. Sar-
gent's estate in Brookl_vn, Mass. As a matter
of fact, the specific name mollis has been ap-
plied for a great many years to a large number
of entirely dift'erent species of American Haw-
thorns in this country and in Europe, with
the general appearance of the true C. mollis.
The species in question, the C. mollis of
Scheele, described many years since, has, to
the best of our knowledge, been determined
by Dr. Sargent from the examination of
authentic herbarium specimens to be un-
doubtedly this species. Under the latest
scientific interpretation of American Haw-
thorns, Crataegus mollis means something
quite definite and entirely different from what
is usually understood.

C. RADIANS. — This plant is a tall, many-
stemmed arborescent shrub, with spreading
branches, forming an open, thin, irregular

130

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Febrdary 26, 1910.

head. The oval to ovate leaves, rounded or
c-uneate at the base, and truncate on vigor-
ous shoots, are from 4 inches long to 3J
inches wide. Tlie 15 to 20-stamened flowers,
with dark-rose or purplish-red anthers, are
borne on denselj' pubescent 10 to 1.5-flowered
corymbs, and blossom about May 2o. The
short^oblong,' crimson, lustrous fruits, dis-
tinctly rounded at the end, and markedly
covered with pale hairs, ripen towards the end
of September, and fall about the middle of
October. The type plant grows in the town
of Greece, a few miles west of Rochester.
From present indications, this species is only
known in this locality.

C. spis.siFLOKA.— This species frequently
makes a tall arborescent shrub, and occa-

first of October. In its dense, compact head
and showy, large scarlet fruits in Septem-
ber, this species is a cynosure in any orna-
mental grounds where it may happen to be
situated. The type tree grows on the banks
of the Genesee River, in Genesee Valley Park,
Rochester, N.Y. It is a common species in
the Western part of the State of New York
and in Ontario, Canada. A large nur.sery in
this country has for many years been selling
this species under the name of C. mollis, of
course in perfect good faith, and, undoubtedly,
at this time there are hundreds of plants in
private ornamental grounds and parks in the
United States and in Euroi>e, of C. spissiflora,
under the name of C. mollis, from this dis-
semination.

of Montreal. It is distributed from Montreal

to Boston. If my memory is correct, it grows
spontaneously on Dr. Sargent's estate in
Brooklyn, Mass. Tlie species was discovered
last year growing in the vicinity of Canan-
daigna Lake, 30 miles .south of Rochester,
N.Y. John Dunbar, Bochester, N.Y., U.S.A.

THE ROSARY.

A FEW GOOD NEW ROSES.

1 c.\N speak of the following new Roses as they

liave behaved with us ; but it may be mentioned

that novelties must have very excellent qualities

before they can excel the splendid Roses already

Fig. 58. — CRAT^GUS ELLWANGERIANA in the nurseries of MESSRS. ELLWANGER AND BARRY, ROCHESTER, U.S.A.

(See p. 129.)

sionally a small tree, 15 to 20 feet high,
with upright branches, forming a dense,
compact, oval head. The leaves are oblong-
ovate to ovate, slightly rounded, to cordate
at the base on young shoots, with deep
acute lateral lobes, 3j inches long and 3
inches wide, and on vigorous shoots much
larger. The 10-stamened flowers, with rose
anthers, are produced on five to eighl>flow-ered
pubescent, very short pedicelled corymbs, and
blossom about May 20. The large, full, sub-
globose to .short-oblong, lustrous, scarlet fruit
begins to colour con.spicuously about the middle
of August, but it is not fully ripe until about
the middle of September, and falls about the

C. suBMOLLis attains a height of about 30
feet, with a trunk 12 inches in diameter, and
wide-spreading branches, forming a very broad
head. The leaves are ovate, cuneate at the
base, and are always distinctly rounded at the
base even on vigorous young shoots, 3 inches
long and 2| inches wide. The 10-stamened
flowers, with small cream-white anthers, are
borne on many-flowered tomentose corymbs,
and they blossom about May 20. The obovate,
pear-sha|)ed fruits, which are bright, lustrous
orange-red, ripen about the .second week in
_ September, and soon fall. It is not quite cer-
tain where the type plant of this species oc-
curs, but it is probably in the neighbourhood

ill commerce. Those mentioned below are the-
very best of the Roses most recently distributed.

JoNKHEER J. L. Mock (H.T.). — This variety
is particularly well spoken of on the Continent,
and is reputed to be a cross between Caroline
Testout and Mme. Abel Chatenay, crossed again
with Farbenkoniginn. The two first parents are
extra good, and the colour of this seedling comes
between the two. The flowers are carried well,
are of good form and size, and retain the extra
sweetness of Mme. Abel Chatenay.

Mama Looymans (Dwarf Polyantha). — This
Rose provides a much-desired colour in this very
useful bedding class, and may, perhaps, be best-

February 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

131

described as a dvvaif and miniature flower of the
well-known Gruss an Teplitz. It keeps its colour
wsll, and does not exhibit the dull magenta shade
that is fonnd in the older flowers of Mrae. Nor-
bert Levavasseur as it ages.

Christian Curle (Hybrid Wichuraiana). — This
is one of the best among several recent sports
from Dorothy Perkins. The flower is a clear,
flesh pink, exactly the shade found in Cirrnation
Duchess of Fife ; but in all other respects the
flower resembles the type that furnished the
sport. The .shade is very attractive, and it will
be welcomed by florists.

Mrs. Alfred VVestmacott (Tea). — This
variety is the product of two verj' free-flowering
parents in G. Nabonnaud and Mme. Constant
Soupert, and, like them, carries an upright
and long-pointed flower ; especially showy and
useful in the bud stage. A pale white, deeply
tinted with blnsh rose, with a slight touch
of yellow on the back of the petals. Like its
parents, this Rose is exceptionally free-flowering,
and will always open well.

His Ma.iesty (H.T.). — This Rose is infinitely
better than Barbarossa, a Rose that was sent out
as a red Frau Karl Driischki, but which I have
already decided to cast out from my collection.
His Majesty is a noble Rose in every way, and
has also been styled the Crimson Druschki. We
get the intense scarlet and crimson found in
Duchess of Bedford, and with sweet perfume
added to the good qualities of Frau Karl
Druschki, which it much resembles in shape and
size. It won the National Rose Society's Gold
Medal in 1908.

Lady Alice Stanley (H.T.) also secured a
Gold Medal in 1908. This is a deep coral-rose,
with a much lighter centre. One of the few that
are suitable for exhibition and for general decora-
tion.

Mrs. Alfred Yate (H.T.j will soon become one
of the most popular decorative Roses. The
buds are extra long, and open well. Unlike most
of the few-petalled Roses, this variety does not
lose its cupped shape and fly at the approach of
strong light. A very showy, coppery-red, shaded
with fawn.

Mrs. Edward J. Holland (H.T.) is a deep,
salmon-shaded rose, with lighter edges. In size,
substance and form this Rose is first-class.

Mrs. Wakefield Christie-Miller (H.T.)
carries its large, well-formed blooms very boldly
and erect. A clear rosy-vermilion, with salmon
centre ; quite distinct, an excellent grower, and
said to be proof against mildew.

Chin Chin (China). — A yellow variety of this
class that was greatly to be desired. In every
way Chin Chin is as good a grower and free
bloomer as Mme. Eugene Resal, from which it
sported. As a yellow bedder, or for masses, this
is grand. It keeps its colour — sulphur-yellow —
clear up to the last.

White Killarnet (H.T.).— This is an Ameri-
can-raised sport from Killarney, and has all the
grand qualities of that superb Rose, but is said
to be a little better in all respects. It is un-
doubtedly one of the purest whites, and a grand
Rose for forcing, besides having the advantage
over Frau Karl Druschki of being more compact
in growth for beds and pot culture ; it is sweet-
scented.

My M.A.RYLAND (H.T.) is a very promising
Rose, and, in colour, is the clear rose-pink found
in the variety Bridesmaid. The raisers claim
that it will excel this grand variety ; but, for
it to do this, it must be better than I have yet
seen it. good Rose as this variety undoubtedly is.
Simplicity (H.T.) is a semi-double, pure white
flower. The flowers are very large, and its im-
mense petals are distinctly cupped, much like a
white Water Lily. The golden anthers are ex-
ceptionally clear and .'.howy. A grand pillar
Rose.

I intended to confine myself to a dozen new
varieties, but do not know which to omit. All
are sure to please, and I consider them quite dis-
tmct — an important point among the many new
Roses annually sent out. Grower.

TREES AND SHRUBS OF NEW ZEALAND.

(Concluded from page 118. )
The Araliaceae are well represented in New
Zealand, but the one, really striking example is
Panax arboreum, a much-branched shrub or small
tree from 12 to 20 feet high. It is dioecious, and
the handsome panicles of dark fruit are very
abundant and persistent, suggesting semi-tropical
luxuriance. The habit of the plant is also good.
The Coprosma family has its headquarters in
New Zealand, but its members are rigid or untidy
.shrubs, all dicccious, with inconspicuous flowers.
The fruit of C. robusta is a fine orange colour,
while the small berries of C. acerosa are a trans-
lucent sky-blue.

Of shrubs of open situations, Coriaria ruscifolia
or Tutu, colloquially " Tut," is the most con-
spicuous, sending up long, single shoots, which
are, in tlieir young stage, very poisonous to
cattle. The pendant racemes hang from the ends
of the branches, and the flowers are succeeded by
black p.seudo-fruits. the fleshy parts of which are
formed by the enlarged petals. Coriaria angus-
tissima is a charming, little, montane plant,
recalling Asparagus Sprengeri in habit; it would
prove most useful as a foliage plant in a garden,
or for covering waste areas.

The Tiliaceous Aristotelia racemosa (Mako-
mako), which springs up where the forest has
been cleared, has delicate leaves with reddish
undersides, red bark and bell-like, rose-pink
flowers, in terminal axillary panicles. It is
diacious, the male flowers being the finer. It
would probably prove deciduous with us, in
which case the colour of the bark would give a
good winter effect. In Aristotelia fruticosa the
habit is more rigid and the flowers very small,
but the berries are of a most exquisite, pink
colour, which made this species a lovely sight in
the Arthur and Clinton valleys in March. I
believe that the colour, so exceptional in berries,
turns darker as the fruits ripen.

Gaya Lyallii, which grows in profusion on the
edge of the montane. Beech forests, is a glorious,
Malvaceous shrub, clothed in bridal showers of
white flowers, each over an inch across, and
borne on long pedicels. It is deciduous in the
colder parts of the South Island. Gaultheria
rupestris, ranging from 2 to 3 inches to 3 to
4 feet, is neat in habit and a profuse flowerer,
with compound, pyrola-like racemes.

Of the Epacrideae, the Dracophyllums (Neinei)
are botanically most interesting, the 18 New Zea-
land species, all endemic, varying from the branch-
ing, aloe-like habit of D. latifolium. which is
20 feet or more in height, with leaves in terminal
rosettes, over a foot in length and with com-
pound, flowering panicles exceeding the leaves,
to D. muscoides, a high level, carpeting (polster)
plant an inch or two high. Horticulturally,
however, they would not repay introduction.
The Olearias and Veronicas are two large genera
sufficiently well known in this country. I may
mention V. macrantha, very common at 2,300 feet
in the Mount Cook district, the finest of all,
about 2 feet high, with clear white flowers nearly
an inch across, in small, axillary racemes, and
glaucous, thick, serrated leaves, as offering a
welcome exception to the monotonous character
of this family.

In the Leguminosese, Carmichaelia, a genus
confined to New Zealand, contains quite charming
species, their green, assimilating stems recall
oiu' Broom, and bear minute mauve blossoms.
C. australis, grandiflora and flagelliformis
came under my notice. They are most
amenable to culture, some plants in Professor
Chilton's garden in Christchurch were flowering
profusely in December.

Of climbing shrubs, the Apocynaceous Par-
sonsia haterophylla, abundant everywhere, re-
solves itself into a sheet of small, white racemjs
of bell-like blossoms. I saw it in October maknig
a splendid show in Mr. Cheeseman's garden at
Remuera, near Auckland, where he has mrny
fine native plants doing well. P. capsularis is a

delicate little plant of more retiring habit. The
three endemic Rubi, R. schmidelioides, R.
australis and R. cissoides are all dioecious, with
white flowers and glossy, green leaves, the male
being the larger flowered. In R. cissoides, on
exposure, after the forest growth has been
cleared, the tri-foliate leaves are reduced to the
mid-ribs of their respective leaflets, the plant
presenting an extraordinary appearance. In time,
however, the lamin;e very gradually reassert
themselves. All these Rubi have yellow fruit.

Freycinetia Banksii as an epiphyte would form
an interesting addition to southern gardens if it
could be acclimatised. The flowers are hand-
some, the spikes being enclosed in two or three,
large, milk-white, fleshy bracts, which ex-
pand round them. These bracts make a delicious
salad. Some of the Astelias should also be quite
hardy, and would afford a welcome variety to the
usual rock-garden types.

For altitudinal range, geographical distribution,
native names and systematic information, I am en-
tirely indebted to Mr. Cheeseman's most valuable,
and exact Manual of the New Zealand Flora,
a model of what such a work should be. The
concise histological notes form an excellent
novelty in systematic literature.

Most species are figured in Kirk's fine,
illustrated work, The Forest Flora of New
Zealand, and there are many good photographic
illustrations in Laing and Blackwell's Plants of
New Zealand, a recently published, little work
on popular lines. L. .S'. G'lhhx.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

CYCLAMEN.

At the present time we have some well-grown
plants in full bloom, which are a source of
pleasui'e and admiration to all who see them.
Perhaps a few details as to our method of culture
may be of interest to some readers of the
Gardenerx' Chronicle.

We commence in October by dibbling the seeds
into seed pans, in a compost of loam and leaf-
mould in equal parts, with a liberal addition of
silver sand ; the compost is first passed through
a sieve. The seedlings remain in the seed-pans
until they have made four or five leaves, when
they are carefully potted off singly into small
60-siz6 pots, the compost being similar to that
already described but in a little coarser condition,
and some brick or pot sherds, broken very finely,
are added to it.. The plants are then returned to
the same temperature (about 60") in which the
seeds germinated.

By careful attention to watering, &c., the
plants soon grow away. The next shift is into
5-inch pots. Our compost for this potting con-
sists of two parts fibrous loam to one part leaf-
mould, with small brick rubble, sand, and a
little dried cow dung. In potting, we keep the
top of the corm on a level with the top of the
soil. I am aware that many growers keep the
corms a little above the soil, but in this case
they become unnaturally dry ; if they are
just buried, the soil around them keeps them in
a better condition. Great care is necessary when
watering, to prevent water getting into the
crowns of the plants.

When the weather becomes warm, about the
end of May, our plants are placed in a cold frame
on the north side of a wall ; in this position it is
rarely necessary to shade them. The frames are
kept close for a few days, after which air is
gradually admitted, until the lights are removed
entirely every night throughout the summer, un-
less there is rain." The night dews greatly benefit
the plants, which are also lightly syringed on
bright afternoons. In September the plants are
placed on a shelf close to the glass in a green-
house. As soon as the flower-buds appear, they
are given a little weak liquid manure, alter-
nated with soot-water, and, as the flowers de-
velop, an occasional sprinkling of some approved

132

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Februaey 26, 1910.

fertiliser is applied. If no artificial food is given
the roots, the buds do not develop so freely.**
Our plants commence to flower a little before
Christmas, and continue thence onward until
May, about which time less water is given them,
but we do not dry the plants off entirely. Some
time in July they are partially shaken out, and
repotted into 7-inch pots and grown on as above.
These older plants make good specimens, and
produce large quantities of flowers. At the pre-
sent time some of our plants measure 20 inches
across, and are carrying over 50 blooms each,
whilst there are numerous buds yet to open. In
past years some of the plants have borne up-
wards of 150 fully-expanded blooms at one time.
The temperature of the house in which they
flower often falls as low as 40".

The plants are not retained after they are three
years old. Wilmot H. Yates, Hotherfiehl Park
Gardens.

VEGETABLES.

SPRING CABBAGES.
The heavy rains, alternating with frost, have
had a bad effect on the Cabbage crop, and it is
to be feared that the season for cutting will be
somewhat belated. Early spring Cabbages are
always appreciated, and the earlier they are
available for use the greater is their value. A
little forethought will do much in securing early
results. It is useless to merely dibble the plants
in during October and leave the rest to chance ;
in all probability they will be twisted about by
winds during the whole winter, and have an
undue amount of bare stem exposed to frost. We
plant in drills, and when the roots have taken
hold of the ground the drills are filled in, bring-
ing the soil well up to the lower leaves, so that
the stems are entirely buried. This keeps the
plants protected and steady during the worst of
winters. The plants may be further assisted in
early March by a dressing of soot, which
should be lightly forked into the surface. Where
planting and ridging-up is not practised, the
plants will be loose in the soil, and present a
leggy appearance. In that case some fine, dry
ashes should be spread about the plants, and the
ground made firm around them. This should be
followed by making ridges of soil along the rows
as a protection against the rough weather we
may expect in March. P.

REMARKABLE ABNORMALITY IN CROCUS.

In the specimens of Crocus sent to us for ex-
amination, growth has proceeded along remark-
ably abnormal lines ; instead of serving for the
production of well-developed leaves and flower,
most of the food substances stored in the last
year's corm have been used to form ma.=sive,
fleshy, whitish-scale leaves (Fig. 59, O.S.L.).
These fleshy-scale leaves, two or three in num-
ber, correspond with the thin, papery, brown
scales on the outside of an ordinary Crocus
corm. As a consequence of this overgrowth of
the scale leaves, the ordinary foliage leaves en-
closed within them have remained small, and
(he flower, though it exists, is in a very rudi-
mentary condition.

There can be no doubt that, owing to some
cause or other, the flow of elaborated sap stored
in the old corm has been diverted from its normal
:ourse. Instead of passing, as is usually the case,
from the old corm to the foliage leaves and flower,
and thus contributing to the development of these
structures, but little has passed to them and
much to the scale leaves, which have, in conse-
quence, grown almost out of recognition.

That absence of light was not the original cause
of this result is clear from the facts that, in the
first place, Crocuses planted under ground de-
velop their leaves in a normal way, and, in the
second place, tlio foliage leaves of the abnormal
•specimen, though lliey were enclosed com-

pletely by the fleshy white scale-leaves, are of
a good green colour.

Doubtless the fact that the light reaching
them through the thick, fleshy, abnormal scale-
leaves could have been but feeble co-operated
to maintain the leaves in a rudimentary state,
for, wuthout light, these leaves have been unable
to make any food-substance for themselves.

It is probable that the corms were allowed to
start into growth in a very warm place, or that
they were put into warm water, with the object
of forcing them by the " warm bath " method.
The effect of warm water on Crocus corms which

PROTECTING PEACH FLOWERS FROM
FROST.

By the exercise of a little timely forethought
in the protection from frost of the blossoms of
Peach and Nectarine trees growing against walls
or fences out-of-doors and having a south-west,
or even cast, aspect, a good set of fruit may
often be obtained without incurring much ex-
pense. One or more wide boards, according to the
number of trees to be protected, fixed securely on
the top of the coping of the wall immediately over

Fig. 5g. — abnormal crocus.

A, normal Crocus for comparison; B and C, abnormal Crocuses; D, cross-section through Bj
O.S.L., outer scale leaves; F.L., foliage leaves; 1', lateral bud.

have passed out of the resting condition is, as a
matter of fact, to produce such an abnormal de-
velopment of the scale-leaves as that shown in the
specimens under examination. The accompany-
ing diagrams, illustrating the structure of a
normal Crocus and of the abnormal plant, will
serve to demonstrate the points of difference and
to show that the abnormality is the result of
hypertrophy (over-growth) of certain parts (outer
scale-leaves) and the atrophy (reduced growth) of
the other part.s — foliage leaves and flower.

the trees, will do much to protect the expanded
blossoms from injury, as it is the downward
direction of frost that does the mischief. Double
or treble widths of fish nets, such as are used to
protect ripe Strawberries, &c., from the attacks
of birds, if hung in front of the trees from the
wall coping and secured to the ground by crooked
pegs about 12 inches or 15 inches out from the
wall, so as to prevent the wind from blowing it
against the blossoms, may be used with good
effect where nothing better is available.

February 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

133

Sprays of Spruce Laui'el or English Yew, 15
inches to 18 inches in length, with the ends
securely fixed between two narrow strips of board,
the latter being then fixed firmly on the top of the
wall or fence, with the evergreens projecting
therefrom 15 inches or 18 inches over the trees,
will afford a good protection to the blossoms
from frosts.

Where long walls, from 2 fest to 12 feet high,
are furnished with Peach and Nectarine trees,
the best temporary protecting material I
know is a kind of perforated cotton canvas,
obtainable in the horticultural trade as No. 5
hexagon shading. Two widths of this, consisting
of 54 inches each, joined together, will afford
ample protection to trees in flower trained
against walls from 9 feet to 12 feet high. This
should be fixed at the top and bottom with broad
tape, stretching lengths of the same crosswise at
intervals of about 10 feet the entire length.
On to these fasten nine rings through which
and the pulleys the sashline must be passed for
the purpose of raising and lowering the covering
when necessary. A series of light poles, varying
from 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter at the
bottom to 2 inches at the top are necessary. They
should have a slice 1 inch thick and 3 inches deep
cut off one side for holding screw strips of
board of the same dimensions, on which to
secure the cloth and screw pulleys and hooks
for raising and looping up the blinds by means
of short lengths of stout string provided for the
purpose. The poles should be let into the
ground a few inches deep at about 5 feet
apart and 18 f^iches out from the wall, the tops
(round side) being secured in Y-shaped holdfasts
driven into the wall immediately below the
coping, and against the face of which the several
poles rest, and screwed thereon are shouldered
strops of iron 1 inch wide and i inch thick,
rounded on one side, with a bolt and nut on top.
On these strops, boards, about 14 inches wide
and provided with ^-inch circular holes, are
fastened by means of oblong washers and nuts,
the former being placed between the latter and
the wood. Hooks are driven into each pole 9 feet
from the top, to secure the blinds when let down.
The poles, boards, &c.. will last for several
years if stored in a drv place when not in use.
>/. ir. Ward.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

VIOLA GRACILIS.

No doubt many other people have already paid
public homage to this plant, but I must also
have my part in its triumph song. Every season
one finds oneself saying of some new beauty
that it is the " most important introduction of the
last ten years." Otherwise, I should certainly
say it now of Viola gracilis, for I do not know
of many plants that have the really astounding
beauty of this precious Greek Viola. To those
who are yet strangers to its charms, I may
describe it as repeatnig. in proper circumstances,
the whole habit of VioLi cornuta. But poor coi--
nuta hides her head when gracilis comes into the
garden ; the new arrival has flowers of the most
pungent imperial blue-violet that I know of
(matching that of Primula capitata), and, in tex-
ture, of the richest velvety bloom and finish. As
if this were not enough, they have a curious
little exquisite twist to the three lower petals,
which gives them a rakish coquetry unknown to
the others of their race. As if this were slill not
enough, they have a soft and delicious fragrance,
and are produced in untellable profusion from
well-established tufts. To such tufts I have not
yet myself attained ; but in the rock-garden at
Underley in June last year they were a glory
and an amazement to behold. Easy of multi-
plication and treatment as cornuta, gracilis is un-
questionably hardy, and only asks for sunshine
and a light, rich soil to develop into a wide little
bush of foliage, over which, on their long stems.

hover a multitude of those gorgeous violet blos-
soms, sombre yet glowing in their purple-velvet
richness.

Indeed, there is very much more yet to be
known of the rare Violas; aetolica and adunca
always attract me by their names; and who, as
yet, pos.sesses the true arborescens? There are
many horticultural treasures yet to be discovered
in the race, I am sure of it. Ere long I hope I
may have news to give of V. atlantica (false to
name, but, I believe, beautiful) of that glorious
Japanese form of V. pinnata, and of the rare,
exquisite (and difficult), little nuramularisefolia
from the crevices of the Maritime Alps.

VIOLA HETEROPHYLLA.

This curious Alpine Violet is far too little
known, although perfectly easy and perennial. It
is not uncommon in the Alps, but I never saw-
it myself until a certain lamentable day on the
Cima Torabea, of which I may sometime have an
ampler tale to tell. There it was growing on
stony patches of the highest ridge in full sun,
thus indicating that poor-soil culture, or the
Moraine, should suit it best in England.
The plant has an odd annual look, although
I believe it to be quite perennial. But,
from the ground it sends up one erect stem,
about 6 inches high, thickly clothed with gla-
brous, light-green leaves, which are cleft and
claw-shaped like a small Delphinium's; the
flowers appear on long stalks from the leaf-axils,
and are of a very strange and conspicuous red-
purple, not often found among its kindred. Thev
are wide, flat and well-balanced in shape, and iii
size just a degree smaller, perhaps, than those of
typical V. lutea. The other Alpine Pansies, in
fact, are larger in bloom than hetcrophylla—
which, for the rest, is absolutely distinct" from
them in its habit and beauties. Last, but not
least, it beats the Alpine Pansies in possessing a
strong and intensely sweet fragrance. Fortu-
nately, though I was fiercely miserable and cross
by the time I came upon it, the Violet's charm
was strong enough to make me collect it. And
I believe also that it springs readily from seed ;
for M. Correvon tells me that collected plants
grown at La Linnsea have now established the
species firmly in the neighbourhood, lieijinald
Fairer.

The Week's Work.

PLANT NOTE.

CLERODENDRON FALLAX.

Seeds of this useful decorative plant should
be sown now in a temperature of 70°, and the
seed-pans or pots plunged in a hot -bed. They
\yill soon germinate, and before long the seed-
lings will be ready for transplanting into 2-inch
pots filled with a" light soil consisting of equal
parts of loam and peat, with a good sprinkling
of sand. If they are attended to properly and
sprayed two or three times each day they will
soon be ready for shifting into large 60's. At
the second potting add a little cow dung, which
has been passed through a fine sieve, to the
staple. See that the plants are finally shifted
into their flowering-pots (6-inch and 7-inch) before
they become root-bound. At the final potting
the soil should be in a more lumpy condition and
consist of two parts good fibroiis loam, one part
peat, some cow dung, a little lime rubble and
sand, with a light sprinkling of fine bonemeal.
Pot firmly and place the plants on a shelf in the
stove. Afford water carefully until the plants
are well rooted, when they may be given plenty
of moisture, including weak liquid manure. About
once each week sprinkle a little Clay's fertiliser
on the surface of the soil. Keep the foliage well
syringed and afford a thin shading from the sun's
rays. When the flowers are about half ex-
panded the plants should be placed in a house
having an intermediate temperature. When in
bloom they will be found most useful for
the decoration of the dwelling-house ; they
are most effective when about 20 plants are
arranged in a group. Plants raised from seed
each year make better specimens and produce
l.irger flower-spikes than those raised from cut-
tings or old plants which have been cut back.
F. J. Howard, Malshaiiger.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kllchen Garden Foreman,
Koyal Gardens, Windsor.

The season. — The wet weather has delayed
out-door operations, and this fact will materially
increase the pressure of work as soon as drier con-
ditions occur. This knowledge should cause the
gardener to push forward all preparatory work,
such, for instance, as the provision of properly-
sharpened Pea sticks, the examination of roots
in the store-room for the purpose of removing
any that show the slightest decay, and the set-
ting out of seed Potatos singly in well-venti-
lated sheds where frost can be excluded by
simply shutting the ventilators, and where the
seed-tubers, whilst keeping firm, will slowly com-
mence to make sturdy shoots.

Planting Potatos. — In some gardens it is de-
sirable to have new Potatos from the open
ground as early in the season as possible, there-
fore, a small plantation of tubers should be made
as soon after the present dat« as the ground is in
a fit condition. If they can be planted under
the protection of a south wall, where it is cus-
tomary to afford protection to the Peach trees,
and where some old potting soil can be used for
potting, the yield of new tubers will be advanced
by 10 days, or even a fortnight. In damp or
low-lying situations, where frost is frequent,
some covering material should be kept in readi-
ness so that it may be applied when necessary.

Parsley. — Parsley seed may now be sown to
produce a supply in early summer. The plants
raised in July last for winter use will run to
seed early in the forthcoming season. These old
plants would only yield Parsley of inferior
quality, and prove a very impoverishing crop if
allowed to remain too long on the border. Sum-
mer Parsley requires a good, rich soil, and a
somewhat shady situation, such, for instance, as
an eastern aspect. The seed, which takes a long
time to germinate, should be sown in drills 18
inches apart, and covered to the depth of 1 inch
with finely-sifted soil. As soon as any plants
are large enough to be handled, they should be
thinned to 6 inches apart in the row. It will be
necessary to make another sowing early in July,
on a south or we.«t border, for winter supply.
When the crop has reached full size, early in
September, it should be cut down to the ground.
This will cause the plants to make fresh growth
capable of standing through the winter. An oc-
casional dusting of soot causes an increase of
vigour in the plants and darker green colour in
the foliage.

Tomatos. — Seeds should be sown for raising
plants for out-door cultivation. A gentle bottom
heat will be necessary until the seedlings are well
above the ground, in which stage they should be
placed as near the glass as possible." Pot them
singly into 3-inch pots as soon as they can be
handled, and when they have filled these pots
with roots, pot them again into 6-inch pots, so
that they will be good, strong plants showing
flower when needed to plant out in the last week
of Jlay. " Best of All " is a capital variety for
out-door culture.

Forcing. — Place roots of Rhubarb, Seakale,
and Asparagus in the forcing pits as may be
necessary to maintain a continuous supply of
these crops. Very little heat is necessary at this
season, but just sufficient must be given to
cause moderately quick growth. The remaining
roots of Seakale intended for forcing in pits
should be lifted without delay and stored in a
dark, cool place, or the colour of the Kale when
forced will be unsatisfactory in consequence of
exposure of the crowns to the light after growth
has commenced. Any roots it is intended to
force in the open should have a good covering of
ashes placed over them to ensure that the heads
will become well blanched. Seakale forced in
this manner is of much better quality than that
forced in strong heat, therefore, where a piece
of ground can be set apart for the purpose, this
method of forcing is best. The fermenting ma-
terial necessary for the provision of heat should
be prepared beforehand, and placed round the
Seakale pots in sufficient quantity to ensure com-
plete darkness and a steady growth. Rhubarb
may also be covered up and planted in the samo
manner from this date forward by simply pi ic-
ing pots over the crowns and covering them '.vith
a liberal quantity of fermenting material.

134

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Febkuaky 26, 1910.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghuk, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Hijjpeastrum. — The main batch of bulbs
should now be started into growth in a warm
greenhouse. Remove the old soil from the roots,
preserving from damage any of the latter that
are healthy, and examine for insect pests. Pot
them firmly, using receptacles larger or smaller
according to the strength of the bulb. Afford
water sparingly until the flower-buds appear.
The development of the leaves should, if possible,
be retarded until the flowering season.

Alocasia. — These fine foliage plants are only
suitable for stove cultivation, as they require
abund.int heat and moisture. They may be
propagated easily by division of the crowns,
which sprint; up from the base of the older
plants, or the underground stem, or rhizome,

inserted or the old stems may be cut into lengths,
preserving one or two eyes on each piece. Each
cutting should be placed singly in a 3-inch pot
filled with a compost of sand or leaf-mould or
cocoanut fibre ; plunge the pots in a hotbed and
thoroughly moisten the soil and plunging
material. If the atmosphere is kept close for a
few weeks and shade employed when necessary,
growth- will soon take place, and the plants may
he transferred into larger-sized pots. Useful
plants may thus be secured by autumn. In the
intervening time they should not be allowed to
become root-bound, at any rate until their final
potting, after which time frequent applications
of chemical manure, alternated with weak liquid
manure, will be necessary. Acalyphas are par-
ticularly subjected to attacks of red spider, and
they must be therefore occasionally sponged with
an insecticide. i

Fig. 6o.-

[fhologriipli by Chat les Jones.
-AGAPANTHUS UMDELLATUS ALBIDUS.

may be cut into pieces, preserving one or two
of the eyes on each piece. These pieces must be
laid upon a light compost in a brisk bottom heat,
and kept in a moist condition, when they will
soon produce roots and be ready for potting.
The crowns should be potted in a compost of
fibrous peat (not broken finely), and Sphagnum-
moss, with a few lumps of charcoal or broken
crocks. The plants require good drainage, and
should have their crowns kept well above
the rim of the pot. The leaves must be tied to
a stake in order to keep them secure in their
position. The larger plants, which are to be
retained as specimens, will need to be potted
into lamer pots later in the season.

Acalypha. — Cuttings of these plants may be

Agapanthus umhdlatus and its variety
alhiclus.— Any plants of Agapanthus m need of
repotting may still be given attention, but it is
too late to attempt division of the crowns.
Where very large specimens are grown for the
conservatory, or for placing in prominent situa-
tions on the terrace in summer, square green tubs
are to be preferred to pots, for the reason that
the thick succulent roots of these plants are apt
to cause the pot to break after they have become
full. This does not occur in properly-made Teak-
wood boxes, and these receptacles have a good
appearance. The Agapanthus is a most thirsty
and Erross-feeding plant, therefore the receptacles
should be provided with good drainage, and the
potting compost should consist of fibrous loam.

used in a lumpy condition, some dried and pul-
verised cow-manure and silver sand. The plants
continue to flower well for some years after
repotting, provided that liberal quantities of
liquid manure water are applied during the sea-
son of growth. Seeing that large specimens ar&
not retubbed oftener than once in four or five
years, it is useful to mix a considerable quantity
of j-inch or ^-inch bones with the potting com-
post, as these continue to afford nutriment for a.
long period. The flowers shown in fig. 60 are
of the variety albidus, but those of the type
are deep blue.

The cunscrratory. — The Freesias now being in
bloom, may be made to form a charming display
if displayed with coloured Tulips and Cyclamen.
Clematis indivisa lobata is just opening into
flower. Careful attention must soon be given to
providing shade from hot sunshine. Be careful
to prevent the hot-water pipes getting over-
heated, and, when such heat may be dispensed
with during the daytime, let this be done.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E.

Beckett, Gardener to the Won. Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

Perennial Asters or Michaelmas Daisies. —
In order to have a collection of Michaelmas
Daisies at its very best, a border should be set
apart entirely for their cultivation, and the most
rigid selection should be practised in order that
the collection shall consist exclusively of choice
varieties. The plants should be lifted annually,
for the purpose of division and replanting on
deeply-dug ground which has been given a
liberal dressing of decomposed manure. A com-
mon mistake in replanting is that of leaving the
plants too large ; portions that are capable of
producing five or six strong growths are quite
large enough. They should not be planted closer
than 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet from plant to plant,
and the same distance should separate the rows.
The best effects can only be obtained in a border
of considerable width. A good situation is some-
times provided by a front part of a shrubbery in
an open position, but one sheltered from rough
winds. The plants will succeed in almost any
aspect, but I prefer for them a south or south-
west aspect. JIany of the taller-growing varie-
ties of the A. Nova Belgite and A. Nova Anglise
sections should be placed well back amongst the
shrubs, and for the prominent part of the border
I would select principally varieties of A. eri-
coides and A. cordifolius, as these species pos-
sess the most graceful habit, and they produce a,
great profusion of flowers. There are many ex-
cellent varieties affording distinct shades in col-
our, and this question of colour must be given
serious consideration at the time of planting, as
well as the lieights the varieties usually attain.
.\ny time when the weather is suitable, the
replanting of the collection may be carried out.
The following varieties I particularly recom-
mend to cultivators: Mrs. F. W. Raynor, an
effective and distinct variety with crimson
(lowers ; Climax, the strongest grower oi all,
with large, clear-blue flowers, fully 2 inches
across, a great favourite ; Lustre, a new semi-
double flower, of a rose colour, unique, and one
sure to become popular. Others might include
Hon. Edith Gibbs, Bianca, a white form of the
older variety Sweet Lavender, Perfection J'laiden-
hood. Enchantress, Whito Diana, cordifolius ele-
gans, Ophir and Golden Spray.

Propagation. — Any varieties represented only
by a small number of plants, if divided now, and
potted into small pots, will make good plants for
placing out at a later date. They may be put
into a cold frame and kept fairly close for a
time. Any seed that was saved last season,
should now be sown in boxes or pots, containing
fine soil, placing the receptacles in a gentle heat.
Any surplus stock, after planting, especially
varieties of the small-flowered section, may be
successfully grown as pot plants, and they will
he useful "for the conservatory and cool green-
house. Six or 7-inch pots are the most conve-
nient size and a suitable compost is one con-
sisting of loam, leaf -mould, and coarse sand, with
a sprinkling of bonemeal. The plants must never
be coddled or placed where earth worms will
get into the soil.

Axler J me//i(s.— Plants of this type are too-
small for arranging with the other sections, and
are best given' a position to themselves. They
are quite indispensable for affording flowers for
cutting, and for this reason, they are grown by

Febrcary 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

135

the acre by commercial gardeners. Great im-
provement has been made in this section, and
a few of the best varieties are Fred Gill, Lilacea,
Rosy Morn, H. J. Cutbush and Aldenham.
These exhibit distinct breaks from the old
forms, and are worth a position in the mixed
borders. Many of the true species are well
worth growing; one of the earliest and best of
these is A. Thomsonii, of dwarf habit and a
native of the Himalaya. It is effective on rock-
work or undulating ground. Other species of
merit are A. acris, A. diffu.sus horizontalis, A.
Fendleri, A. grandifiorus (an excellent species
for pot work), A. Ti-adescantii, A. turbinellus,
and the white form known as albus. Many of
ihe stronger grower.s of both sections are especi-
ally' suited for the wild garden or other out-of-
the-way places.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
AMt-TON, Castle .'\shby. Xorthaiiiptoiisliire.

/■'('y.v. — In favourable localities Figs can be suc-
cessfully grown out-of-doors, either as standard
trees, in a sheltered position, or, better still,
against walls having a south or south-west aspect.
Figs flourish in most soils which contain lime;
but the rooting medium must be made very firm,
or the trees produce excessively strong shoots,
whicli seldom ripen perfectly, ai'id hence are un-
fruitful. Figs require plenty of moisture, and,
consequently, good drainage. Where it is pos-
sible, the roots should be confined in borders of
a certain size, in order to prevent the roots ex-
tending beyond these limits, and possibly into
soil that has been liberally manured for other
crops. A fresh border should not be made of a
rich compost, for ordinary pasture-loam which
has been stacked for a year requires no further
addition beyond a liberal quantity of wood-ashes
and some Kiiely-broken mortar rubble. In gar-
dens where Fig trees have been covered with ma-
terial as a protection against frosts, this may now
be gradually removed, at any rate, in the warmer
parts of the country ; but in districts where frost
is usually prevalent at a very late season, the
protection may be left intact for a few weeks
longer. Any pruning that is necessary should
now be undertaken, but it is possible to keep the
trees in a good condition by disbudding and
pinching in the growing season, and the removal
or thinning-out of the less valuable wood in
winter. After pruning, the trees should be tho-
roughly washed with some approved insecticide,
after which the pruning may be done, placing the
shoots thinly and at equal distances over the
wall space. If sharp frosts occur unexpectedly
after the training is completed, the trees may be
protected by means of a few Archangel mats
securely fastened over them. Trees having their
roots in restricted borders may be given a top-
dressing of loam, with a good sprinkling of
wood-ashes and bonemeal well mixed together.
This top-dressing should be made quite firm by
treading with the feet. The pruning and thinning
of established standard trees is best done imme-
diately after the crop is gathered. The cuts will
then heal over quickly, and the thinning-out of
the shoots wiil the better expose those which are
left to the influence of sun and air. Root-pruning
is often indispensable in the cultivation of Figs.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDAcRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmariiet.

Pot vines. — Plants which were started in No-
vember are now in flower, therefore raise the
temperature of the house to 60° or 55° at night,
allowing a rise by day to 75° or even 80° in sun-
shine. During the time the vines are in flower
the atmo.sphere must be kept somewhat drier, but
this must not be pushed to an extreme. At this
early season of the year great care is necessary
to get the berries to set. and every part of the in-
florescence will need attention in this respect.
The pollen should be distributed every day at
about noon by means of a clean, soft, hare's "tail.
In carrying out this operation, commence at the
bottom of the bunch and work upwards, thus
will be caught on the brush any pollen which
falls owing to the slight shaking. ' The top of the
bunch nearest the stem is generally found at the
end of the season to be loosest, owing to bad set-
ting ; therefore, let particular attention be given
to this part. It is best to commence pollination
by treating such free setting varietie.s as Foster's
Seedling and Frontignan. In this way the tail

becomes well charged with pollen before it is used
on the less free-setting varieties. In the case of
Canon Hall Muscat aiid Chasselas Napoleon, the
stigma is frequently so viscid that it becomes
necessary to remove this fluid by spraving
with clean, soft water, or absorb it w'ith a clean,
dry cloth, or a piece of blotting paper, before the
poJlen IS applied. If spraying is done, the in-
florescence must be allowed "to become thoroughly
dry again before pollination is attempted. After
removing this liquid, take a sheet of clean note-
paper, carefully collect some pollen from some
freer-setting varieties, and apply this to the
flowers. Take particular care to abstract from
the paper any objects which drop from the bunch
with the pollen, and which would otherwise stick
to the tail or brush, making it hard or prickly.
The unset flowers and the embryo berries are ex-
tremely tender at this stage, and the least mark
made will develop into a big scratch or disfigure-
ment when the fruit is fully matured. The action
ol the brush upon the flowers should be bv dab-
bing It, never by stroking it up and down." This
latter method is very frcquentlv practised by be-
ginners, and is the primary cause of disfigured
berries later in the season.

Snccwifinal [•;»!«>.«.— Vines which are now show-
ing the inflorescence, may have the shoots pinched
at the second or third leaf beyond the bunch,
one or the other according to "the space avail-
able. Tie down any shoots that are touching the
glass, but leave others until the flowers have set,
by which time the wood will be fairly tough,
and, therefore, less liable to snap. Al'low only
one bunch to remain on each lateral shoot, and
beyond this refrain from thitniing the bunches
until after the flowers have set. This will not
only give a greater choice of bunches but more
pollen will be available in the house at the time
of setting the flowers. Any vines which have a
tendency to break into grijwth tinevenlv should
have their rods placed in a horizontal' position
until the buds have .started, when they can be
again trained into their iiennanent. upright posi-
tions. Syringe them daily with tepid water, but
take means to prevent excessive moisture in the
house, especially on cold nights.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Biirford, Surrey.
S/iadiiii]. — It has already been found necessary
to shade the cool houses, also to put shading over
Vandas, Aerides, Phalsenopsis, Angrjecums, Cy-
pripediums, Zygopetalums, which include BoUea,
Pescatorea, Huntleya, Warscewiczella. &c., also
plants which have recently been repotted, and
others with tender leaves that were likely to be
disfigured by the sun's rays. After a lo'ng sea-
son of comparatively sunless weather, such as
we have experienced in this district. Orchid
growers cannot be too careful in this respect;
therefore it is advisable that the blinds and shad-
ings should be at once fixed in their places, ready
for use whenever they may be required. No
system of shading I know has answered so satis-
factorily as the old one of roller blinds, which,
by means of supports fixed on the roof, are raised
5 inches or 6 inches above the glass. By this plan,
abundance of air passes between the blinds and
the glass, the benefit of which cannot be over-
estimated ; especially is this applicable to the
cooler houses, where a suitable temperature may
thus be maintained e.isily during hot weather.
Care should be taken to select such material as
will suit the requirements of the several divi-
sions. Where canvas shading is preferred, that
selected for the East Indian house and cool house
should be of a closer texture than that used for
the Cattleya house, while only a very thin shad-
ing is necessary on the Mexican' house, and
unless the house has a direct southern aspect,
will be needed only for a few hours during the
middle of the hottest day in summer, as its occu-
pants, which include Vanda teres, L;elia anceps.
L. albida, L. autumnalis. Odontoglossum citros-
mum, many of the dwarf, round-bulbed Epiden-
drums. &c., delight in an abundance of sun-heat
and light at all times. At Burford we use the
lath blinds on all the houses, with the exception
of those containing Phalienopsis, Mexican Lselias,
and Masdevallias. Since these lath roller blinds
admit plenty of light to the plants, there is no
necessity to keep pulling them up and down at
every trifling change in the weather, as is neces-
sary where canvas blinds are used. Therefore,
when the weather is changeable, and scorching

of the foliage is feared, keep the blinds down.
The blinds on the East Indian, Dendrobium,
Cattleya, and Mexican houses may be made to
roll down almost touching the glass, as a maxi-
mum of sun-heat without scorching is what i.s
required in each division. In addition to these
blinds, when the sun becomes more powerful, we
use a thin, permanent wash-shading on the roof-
glass outside, of which there are many excellent
preparations advertised. Those amateurs who
desire to make up a preparation for themselves
can do so with whiting and new milk, formed
into a thin cream and stippled on the outside of
the glass. Another very good mixture consists of
ordinary whiting mixed to a paste with cold
water ; to each gallon of paste add about one
pint of Linseed oil, thin with cold water if re-
quired, but if much water is added, use a little
extra oil. When putting this kind of shading on,
it is necessary to wipe the glass thoroughly clean
and dry, and to paint it on with the sun shining
full on the glass. For the Odontoglossums and
other cool houses, I prefer the whiting and new-
milk mixture, as it keeps the glass cooler than
where oil is used. When once this stippling is
properly put on the glass, the grower need have
but little worry about shading the plants. There
is one disadvantage to this kind of shading, and
that is, no matter what the weather is like, the
shading is present, but it is not put on sufli-
ciently thick to seriously obstruct the rays of
light or warmth of the sun. If the side lights or
ends of the houses be in very sunny positions,
they may be similarly treated.

THE APIARY.

By Chldris.

The care of the bees. — Bees often go through
January easily, but disasters may occur in Febru-
ary and March unless the apiarist is vigilant.
They need ample food and protection from wet
and cold, particularly any stocks that were weak
in tile autumn. If the hives have double walls
this protection can be easily provided by filling
the space around the inner hive with saw or
cork dust. The roofs need constant attention
during wet weather, and when the quilts are
being renewed, see whether there is plenty of
food, but an examination is not permissible.
Where food is necessary, it must not be liquid,
that is stimulating food. A cake of candy or a
comb of sealed honey slipped under the quilt is
best. If a colony occupies a soaked hive, caused
through leakage, remove bees to a dry hive at
once, for this dampness will probably cause a
weakly colony to suffer from dysentery. The
stock thus rehoused must be fed with candy or
good sealed-combed honey. Keep the entrances
free from dead bees, for with such changeable
weather as we are experiencing, the bees on the
outside of the cluster during a sudden cold snap
are chilled and fall between the combs to the
floorboards and die.

Feeding. — If no sealed-comb honey is available
then candy may be made of the best crushed
loaf sugar kneaded with a little warm extracted
honey until it resembles putty. This may be
placed in an empty section under the quilt.
Where honey is not obtainable, then the candy
must be made as follows : — Place in a preserving
or enamelled pan sugar in proportion of 5 lbs. of
cane sugar to one quart of boiling water. Stir
well over a clear fire until all the sugar is dis-
solved. As soon as the liquid boils draw the
receptacle aside and remove the scum. Then
return the saucepan to the fire and let it boil as
fast as it will for 20 minutes, but do not stir. If
it be boiled sufficiently, the bent finger first
dipped into a bowl of cold water may be dipped
into the boiling syrup then again into water, and
that on the finger will roll into a ball. The boil-
ing should continue until you can get a ball by
the method named. When sufficiently boiled,
pour the liquid into suitable receptacles, such as
soup plates, and allow it to remain quite still
until the finger can be kept in without scalding,
then stir Avell until it sets.

Rats and hep.':. — Those who have bees in rat-
infested districts will do well to look round the
apiary to find if any damage has been done.
Early this month I examined an apiary and found
that the rats had eaten through the floor of a
hive and cleared the whole of the contents, and
had damaged several other hives. Where these
destructive rodents are found, it will be well to
lay poison in the holes.

136

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Februaky 26, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, ns well as specimens of plants
[01 iiatiiint^, shoultl be miLiiesscil to tits EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Qarden, London.
Covuniuucations should be written on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the wt-iter. 1/ desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editors do not
undertake to pay /or any conti ibutionsor illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Illustrations. - The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, oj
gaidens, or of remarkable plants, /lowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury'.

INewspapers. —Corr^s/iom^tfu^s sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY —

Perennials and Herbaceous Pl.ints, Liliums and Hardy
Bulbs, at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30, at 67 & 68,
Clieapside, E.G., by Prolheroe & Morris.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY—

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock, at the Horsell Nur-
series, Woking, by order of Messrs. J. Cobbett & Sons,
by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

WEDNESDAY-

Hardv Border and Herbaceous Plants, Lilies, Gladiolus,
and other Bulbs and Roots, at 12; Roses and Fruit
Trees at 1.30 ; Palms, Azaleas, Ferns, &c., at 5, at
Protheroe & Morris' rooms.

FRIDAY—

Importations of Cattleya labiata, Autumnalis, Dendro-
biums, and Cattleya Mossiffi, also Established Orchids,
at Protheroe & Morris' rooms, at 12.45.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 40'5".
Actual Temperatures : —

Loudon. — Wednesday, Februaiy 23 {6 p.m.): Max. 49*;
Min. W.
Cardenets' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London — Thursday, February 24
(10 a.m.): Bar. 295; Temp. 48"; Weather-
Raining.
Provinces. — Wednesday, February 23: Max. 43'^ Sligo ;
Min. 36" Yorkshire.

Each day brings fresh news of

The Floods the disastrous effects of the

in France, floods which have inundated not

Paris only, but also wide
streixihes of country along the courses of the
Seine and its tributaries. All the world testi-
fies to the splendid manner in which the
French have organised themseh'es to combat
the disaster ; but, though they have, by their
prompt energy, saved the capital, they have
not been able to .stem the tide of devastation
and ruin which has swept over large tracts of
their country. The relief fund inaugurated
by the Lord Maj'or of London has resulted in
the subscription of upwards of £60,000, a
sum which represents probably about one-
hundredth of the damage done during the last
few weeks.

,JNot less admirable than the vigour and
calmness of tlie French people in the
face of disaster of unparalleled magni-
tude has been the relief-organisation by
the numerous .societies detailed to bring
succour to special cla.sses of sufferers. Among
those societies is the French National Society
of Horticulture, which now issues an appeal
for help on behalf of the market gardeners
and other horticulturists who have suffered,
and in many cases have been ruined, by the
flood.

We hope that British horticulturists will
re.spond to this appeal. The}' will require no
graphic description to picture the destruction
to crops and material which must result when
a river overspreads its banks and invades cul-
tivated land. To the small cultivator in par-
ticular such a misfortune is overwhelming,
and for him a measure of assistance may make

all the difference between temporary and irre-
parable ruin.

Subscriptions should be addressed to the
Treasurer, La Societe Nationale d'Horticul-
ture de France, 84, Rue de Grenelle, Paris. If
any of our readers prefer to send subscrip-
tions to us, we shall be pleased to acknowledge
them in our columns and to transmit them to
the Treasurer of the French National Society
of Horticulture.

Although perhaps more remains
The Flora ^^ j^^ ^j^^g ^jj^^ ]^^^ ^^^ |jgg^

Nev/Guinea.''*'^'°"'P''''''^'^'^ '" ^^^ botanical
exploration of New Guinea, suffi-
cient is known of the flora to enable us to
form a general idea of its character and
C/Omposition. Bliune, Micjuel and other Dutch
botanists described numerous genera and
species of New Guinea plants, and a manu-
script list in the Kew Library, compiled in
1898, conijirises about 3,000 species of flower-
ing plants and Ferns. This list includes
Beccari's important contributions to our
knowledge of the flora in Mi7lesia ; but since
that appeared Schumann and Lauterbach's
Die Flora der Deutschen SchutzcjMete in der
Siidsce has been published. Including the
Nachtrcitfc (190.5), this work contains descrip-
tions and figures of a large number of New
Guinea plants. The first part of an important
contribution to the flora of Dutch New Guinea*
is now to hand. It forms the first part of the
eighth volume of the results of Dr. H. A.
Lorentz's expedition, undertaken in 1907. It
is issued under a Dutch general title and a
partial French title, and each contributor,
apart from the Latin descriptions, writes in
his own language, except that the Dutch
write in German ! Tlie matter is not
arranged .systematically, the part being made
up apparently fnmi whatever was first ready,
beginning with the Orchidacese by Mr. J. J.
Smith, a Dutch gentleman with an English
name. As is well known. Orchids are very
numerous in New Guinea, and this enumera-
tion comprises all hitherto known to occur in
Dutch New Guinea, of which there are 242
species belonging to .39 genera. Of the species
88 are described as new, but the collections
contain no new genus, which, as the author
observes, is rather remarkable. About 150
pages and 46 plates are devoted to the descrip-
tion and illustration of the Orchids. The
illustrations are almost entirely limited to
analyses of the flowers, and they are un-
coloured ; but they have the appearance of
being carefully executed, though the figures
are necessarily more or less diagrammatic in
structure. Altogether analyses of 1-56 species
of Orchids are given. The genera most
numerously represented are : Dendrobinm,
60 species ; Bulbophyllum, 29 ;i])ecii's ; followed
by Microstylis, Cerastostylis, Phreatia, Agro-
stophyllum, Liparis, &c. Generally speaking,
the flowers of the New Guinea Orchids are
small for their genera, especially of the genera
Dendrobium and Bulbophyllum. The other
families dealt with in this volume are : Filices
(Christ) ; Triuridacese and Polygalacess
(Went) ; Sapindacete, Elseocarpacese, Gentian-
acea>, Taxacefe, and Ericaceie (Koorders) ;
BurmanniaceEe, Corsiaceie, and Stemonacese

*Uitkomsten der Nederlandsche Nicuw Guinea Expeditie in
1907 onder leiding van Mr. H. A. Lorentz. Botanique,
I.ivraison 1. Quarto, pp. 220 t. 81. (Leiden: E. J. Brill,
1909.)

(J. J. Smith) ; Ebenaceje and Loganiacese
(Hiern) ; and Palmaceje (Beccari). Palms are
less numerous than might have been expected
— only 11 species, belonging to eight genera.
The TasaceiB are limited to an imperfectly
known species of Dacryuium. Of Ferns, 73
species are enumerated, and of these 17 are
described as new. The other families offer no
remarkable novelties. Briefly, it may be
stated, the flora of New Guinea is essentially
Malayan, with a small Australian element.
The characteristic temperate types, so far as
known, are much the same as those of the
mountains of Borneo.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Gentiana scabra is a handsome, late-flowering
species. It occurs wild both in China and Japan,
and belongs to the same section cf the genus as
the beautiful British species G. Pneiunonanthe.
G. scabra was first introduced into cultivation
from Northern China by Fortune in 1849, and
flowered in the nursery of Messrs. Standish &
Noble, of Bagshot, in 1853. From this plant
drawings were prepared for the figure in the
Botaniral Maijazhic. t. 4776, where it appears
under the name of G. Fortuuei. Later, however,
it was found to be merely G. scabra. More re-
cently the plant has been imported from Japa-
nese nurseries under the name of G. Buergeri,
which is the Japanese form of G. scabra. Al-
though varying slightly in minor points such as
colour of the flowers and size of leaves, there are
no essential differences between the forms of
either country. G. scabra is a hardy perennial,
growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, with leafy
stems, bearing in the upper axils of the leaves
large flowers of a bright purple-blue colour. The
throat of the flower is paler and spotted, some-
times with white, while in others light-brown
spots are present in lines. The species is said
to grow wild in dry, shady places on low hills in
Japan. In this countrj', on account of its late-
flowering habit, being at its best in December,
it requires a well-sheltered position if it is to be
seen at its best. Seed is seldom produced, as the
stems are cut down by frost soon after flowering,
but the plant is easily increased by division of
the root-stock. There are only half-a-dozen specie:;
of Gentian found in Japan, and Ct. scabra is the
finest of them. In Northern China members of
this genus are far more abundant.

LiNNEAN Society. — A meeting will be held on
March 3, at 8 p.m., when the following paper
will be read, " Our British Nesting Terns " (with
lantern slides), bv Mr. W. Bickeeton, F.Z.S.,
M.B.O.U.

Royal Agricultural Show. — We are in-
formed that Mr. Ch.vbles Coltman Rooers pre-
sided at a meeting of the Forestry Committee of
the Royal Agricidtnral Society held recently,
when the arrangements for the Forestry Exhibi-
tion at Liver|jool were considered. IMr. E.
LovELL Cl.\re and Mr. T. A. Eaele attended the
meeting, as representing the local Forestry Com-
mittee, and submitted proposals for a Plantations
Competition, on somewhat similar lines to that
held in connection with the Gloucester Show of
last year. It was decided that, if sufficient finan-
cial support were forthcoming, a competition,
confined to the districts of Lancashire, Cheshire
and North Wales, should be carried out for plan-
tations under varying conditions, namely.' (1)
growing on a rich or growing on a poor quality
of soil ; (2) mixed or unmixed ; (3) Conifers or
hardwoods ; (4) from five to 30 years from date of
planting. The Forestry E.xhibition to be held in
the Liverpool Show Yard will be en the same
general lines as that at Gloucester last June.

February 26, 1910. J

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

137

Thrips on Peas. — The Journal oii\\^ Royal
Agricultural Society (vol. Ixix.) gives an account
by the zoologist to the Society of observations
.and experiments on the thrips which attack
garden Peas. Though it is not yet known where
the insects pass the winter, it was observed that
the eggs were always found beneath the surface
of the " sheath of the stamens." The only effec-
tual mode of dealing with the pest is that of
topping the plants, just as Beans are topped when
attacked badly by aphis. Apparently the top-
most shoots are the seat of the main attack.

Horticultural Exhibition at Florence.

— We remind our readers that applications for
space at the Florence Exhibition (May, 1911)
must be sent to the Executive Committee before
JIarch 31, 1911. Particulars of the exhibition
may be obtained from the Commercial Intelli-
gence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basing-
hall Street, London, E.C.

Manuring of Plum Trees. — The results of
manuring experiments made by Herr Hoffmann
on Plum trees in an orchard belonging to the
town of Gezmersheim (Germany), and published
in UUl. Deutsclien Lmirlw.-GekeU., No. 2, 1910,
are summarised in the February munber of the
Journal of the Board of Agriculture. At the
beginning of the experiment the trees — which
were growing in a poor, light sandy soil — were
in a very unsatisfactory condition. The applica-
tion of lime only was w-ithout beneficial effect,
and the addition of lime, potash and super-
phosphate did no good at all. When, however,
the trees received a heavy dressing of a com-
plete manure (potash, superphosphate and nitro-
gen in the form of nitrate of soda or sulphate of
ammonia) and lime in addition the yield was
increased enormou.sly, viz., in the proportion of
27 : 290 — this is nearly elevenfold. The trees were
suffering evidently from nitrogen hunger, and in
the absence of nitrogen no other manurial sub-
stance produced any effect. When, however,
nitrogenous manures were applied, the trees were
able not only to make use of them, but also to
employ profitably the phosphates, &c., with
which they were supplied.

Palms in Cultivation. — The thirty-first
liulhtin du Departement do I'Agriculture aux
Indes Neerlandaises consists of a revised alpha-
betical list of the Palms cultivated in the Botanic
Garden of Buitenzorg, Java. This collection is
one of the largest in cultivation, and numbers
some 450 species and varieties, referred to 92
genera. Of some of the more important kinds a
number of varieties are grown. Thus, of the Coco-
nut Cocos nucifera, nearly 20 varieties are enume-
rated, some bearing only vernacular names, but
most of them both vernacular and Latin names.
Of Areca Catechu, the Betel Palm, 15 varieties,
distinguished by native names only, are given.
Upwards of a dozen species of Phoenix are
enumerated ; but, strange to say, P. dactylifera,
the Date Palm, is left out ! This Palm is, per-
liaps, even of greater importance than the Coco-
nut Palm, though not so widely cultivated. The
varieties are numerous, and some particulars of a
selection are given in the Gardeners' Chronicle.
new series, vol. xv. (1881). p. 625. The omission
of the Date Palm is certainly accidental, as it
appears in previous lists. Comparing this list
w-ith the Kew collection, we find that the latter
is richer both in genera and named species, chiefly
owing to the New World Palms being much more
numerously represented. For example, Buiten-
zorg has four species of Chama^dorea against 30
at Kew. In all other respects, Buitenzorg has
the advantage both in individuals and develop-
ment, as it is situated, within the Tropics, at
an elevation of less than 1,000 feet, and all the
Palms are grown in the open air. Naturally, the
JMalayan element is strongly represented.

Deaths among English Gardeners in
America. — We Icaru from the American gar-
dening papers of the death of the following
horticulturists of British origin.

Mr. William Scott Monro, who was a native
of Forfarshire, was born at Montrose in 1835,
and was at one time employed at Messrs. Meth-
ven's nursery, Leith Walk, Edinburgh. He
specialised in the culture of Ericaceous plants,
and was engaged by Messrs. Methven as foreman
for a period of 17 years. In the " si.xties " he
went to America as gardener to the Mitchell and
Grandreth estates at Tarrytown, New York,
leaving there in 1879 to take charge of the con-
servatories in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Finally he started in the nursery business, first
in Napa County and later in Vallejo, making a
speciality of Ericas and Epacris.

Mr. James Best, who died on January 15, was
a Cornishman by birth. He went to California
from Australia about 40 years ago, settling in
Santa Clara Valley as a florist and nurseryman.
He was one of the pioneers of the Santa Clara
district, and at the time of his death was one
of its most influential citizens.

Mr. John Pugh Burn was a member of the
firm of Messrs. Thos. Meehan & Sons, florists, of
Germantown, Philadelphia. Jlr. Burn died sud-
denly on January 14.

The Spread of Wart Disease (Black
Scab) of Pot atos.— Inspectors of the Board of
Agriculture report that in 1909 wart disease
occurred in, and was almost confied to, an area
including Lanca.shire (south of the Kibble),
Cheshire, Shropshire (north of Shrew.sbury), Staf-
fordshire, and certain parishes in Warwickshire
and ' Worcestershire adjoining Birmingham.
From this centre the disease was traced, spread-
ing somewhat irregularly in southerly and
westerly directions. So far, few field crops have
been affected, even within the central area of
infection. There, and also in the outlying dis-
tricts, the disease is, according to the inspector's
report, confined mainly to allotments and gar-
dens. That proper precaution in the purchase of
seed tubers should be taken is abundantly evi
dent.

Grass and Fruit Trees. — Experiments
carried out by the National Fruit and Cider In-
stitute, and also by the Harper Adams Agricul-
tural College, confirm the conclusion reached at
Woburn that trees in grass develop less vigo-
rously than those in cultivated land. In the
former experiments a comparison was made be-
tween the girths attained by trees in grass and
trees within cultivated areas of 6 feet and of
9 feet. The averages obtained were in the fol-
lowing proportions : — 165, 177, 194. The latter
experiments point to a similar conclusion, and
also indicate that removal of the grass results
at once in an increased growth of the trees.

Edible and Poisonous Fungi. — The Mush-
rooms afford a striking confirmation of the com-
monplace observation that the presence of a few-
bad individuals among a community sufiices to
bring discredit on all its members. Thus, as is
pointed out in the Journal of the Board of Agri-
culture (vol. xvi., No. 11, February, 1910), of
the higher fungi, among which Mushrooms are
included, the poisonous members are but few in
number, whereas the edible kinds amount to
something like 50. The article, which is illus-
trated by three admirable colour-plates, drawn
by Mr. George Massee and Miss Ivy Massee,
points out that the rough-and-ready tests applied
to distinguish edible from poisonous kinds are
untrustworthy. Neither the " peeling " test nor
the " silver spoon " test sufiices for this purpose.
Hence a would-be experimenter is well advised

to learn to identify the species which he fain
would try. The edible species described in this
instalment of what promises to be a useful series
of articles are Agarieus campestris, the common
Mushroom, of which the cultivated form is pro-
bably a variety ; Agarieus arvensis, the horse
IMushroom, which is sold by the ton in London ;
and Agarieus elvensis, the tufted Mushroom on
the sporadic occurrence of which we have pub-
lished several notes. A. elvensis is found under
the drip of trees, particularly Oaks, and, as the
writer suggests, well deserves a trial in culti-
vation.

Fruit Production in the British Empire.

— The Agcnt-Gcneral for Tasmania will read a
paper before the Colonial Section of the Royal
Society of Arts on Tuesday afternoon, March 1,
on " Fruit Production in the British Empire."
The chair will be taken by the Master of the
Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.

LAW NOTES.

ASSESSMENT OF GLASSHOUSES.

Hamilton versus The Edmonton Union.

In July, 1908, upon the revaluation of the
Edmonton Union, the occupiers of most of the
nurseries in the parishes of Cheshunt and Wal-
tham Abbey decided to form a combination to
appeal against the assessment of their properties,
which in most cases had been practicallv doubled.

Mr. J. B. Slade, of the firm of Messrs.
Protheroe & Jlorris, was instructed to repre-
sent them before the Assessment Committee,
but, after a series of meetings with the com-
mittee and their valuer, and negotiations ex-
tending over a period of about 18 months, he
was unable to obtain what was considered a
sufficient reduction in the figures.

It was therefore decided to appeal to Quarter
Sessions in the whole of the cases, numbering 41
in Cheshunt and six in Waltham Abbey, but" by
agreement with the Assessment Committee, it
was arranged that four properties should be dealt
with as test cases, two being selected by the
appellants and two by the Assessment Com-
mittee, the following being chosen : — Mr. J. R.
Hamilton's Trinity Nursery, IMai'sh Lane, Wal-
tham Cross ; Jlr. A. Matthews' Park Lane Nur-
sery, Waltham Cross ; Mr. E. Rochford's Mill
Lane Nursery, Cheshunt ; and Messrs. Thomas
Rochford & Sons, Ltd., Turnford Hall Nurseries,
near Broxbourne, which were to be taken in the
order named.

The Justices of the Hertford Bench decided to
hold a special adjourned Sessions to deal with
these cases, and Mr. J. R. Hamilton's case was
heard at Hertford on Friday and Saturday last,
the 18th and 19th inst.

The appellant was represented by Mr. H. E.
Duke, K.C.. JI.P., Mr. Bernard Campion, and
Mr. E. H. Tindal Atkinson, instructed by Messrs.
Hutchi.TOn and Cuff, solicitors, and the Assess-
ment Committee by Mr. J. A. Simon. K.C.,
M.P., Mr. W. C. Ryde, and Mr. E. C. Fulton,
instructed by Mr. F. Shelton, the clerk to the
Guardians.

Mr. Duke, in opening the case, said that this
appeal, w-ith the three others before the Court,
had been taken as representing the 41 appellants
to this Quarter Sessions and the six to Chelms-
ford Quarter Sessions, which had been respited
pending the settlement of these cases. He re-
ferred generally to the character of the nursery,
and stated that the quantity of produce from a
nursery of this kind for the first three years of
its life is much in excess of what can be obtained
in subsequent years. Another element to be
considered was the cost of resoiling when the
virgin soil inside the houses had become stale.
He refen'ed to certain experiments which Mr.
Hamilton had conducted at this particular nur-
sery, and also at his two other establishments,
and comparisons were given of the results of
growing Cucumber plants raised from seed at his
Albury nursery and then planted out both at that
nursery and "at the projjerty in question. At
the property under appeal, the plants were three
weeks later in fruiting, and the productivity of
the plants was very much less.

138

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Februahy 26, 1910.

Mr. J. R. HEmilton. the appellant, stated that
all the virgin soil at the nursery was exhausted,
and new soil had to be brought in from other
land which he owned about a mile and a half
away, and, although he was using the best
methods of culture and he had tried the experi-
ments referred to, he could not produce any pro-
fit from this property. The result of Cucumber
growing was to cause the soil to become infected
with insect and fungoid pests, and although he
had tried in many ways, he had not been suc-
cessful in getting rid of these troubles.

In cross-examination, he said that at one of his
other nurseries, where he had built the glass
himself, it had cost him about £1,400 to cover
an acre of ground with glasshouses 200 feet long
by 31 feet wide, which was an average of about
£200 per house, and this included the cost of
hot-water piping and boilers.

The nursery in question contained 86 green-
houses, built between 1888 and 1891, mostly
12 feet wide and nearly all 200 feet in length,
and the actual ground area covered by these
houses was 4 a. 2 r. 34 p., and the other build-
ings— water tower, stabling, and packing shed —
10 p., and, in addition, the pathways and other
land covered an area of 6 a. 2 r. 19 p., making
a total of 11 a. 1 r. 25 p.

Mr. Edmund Rochford, of Mill Lane Nursery.
Cheshunt, gave evidence as an experienced
grower, and said that extra large crops were
obtained in the first three years of the life of a
nursery. He stated that the soil became infested,
and the crops gradually diminished after the
first three or four years. The trouble was with
the pests in the soil, and it was impossible to
entirely stamp them out in spite of all the
methods which experience taught the growers to
use. He gave his experience as to the average
life of the greenhouses erected for this particular
purpose, and said that, in his opinion, there was
no value in the glasshouse on Mr. Hamilton's pro-
perty beyond their break-up price. He stated
that in covering one acre of ground with houses
each 200 feet by 28 feet 6 inches, an e.xpenditure
was incurred of about £1.1C0, this including a
percentage for contingencies.

Dr. J. A. Voelcker', M.A., F.I.C., consulting
chemist to the Royal Agricultural Society and
Royal Horticultural Society, gave expert evi-
dence regarding the many insect and fungal pests
created by the intensive cultivation of the soil
under glass and as to the impossibility of
thoroughly ridding the houses of these pests.

Mr. George jNIassee, F.L.S., V.M.H., an
assistant keeper at the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, also gave similar evidence, and said that
the unnatural conditions of hot-house culture in-
duced epidemics of certain pests which growers
were unable to dispel, owing to the action of air,
rain, wind, frost, and other natural means of
purification being excluded. The pests referred
to gradually got to the subsoil, until it was prac-
tically saturated, and it was only by renewing
the top soil every year that any profitable results
could be obtained. Eventually the subsoil be-
comes so contaminated that nothing whatever
can be done in the way of cultivation of the
soil in the houses.

Mr. J. B. Slade, F.S.I. , stated that he had
had experience extending over 25 years, in deal-
ing with tha letting, selling, and valuing of horti-
cultural properties, and had acted for Union
Assessment Committees and appellants in many
cases of a similar chai'acter ni different parts of
the country. He then gave his valuation of the
property, giving details of his figures, showing
the estimated rateable value as follows : —

Glasshouses and land, 4 a. 2 r. 34 p.

at £25 per acre

Land, 6 a. 2 r. 29 p., at £3 per acre

say

117 16
21 0
£138 16

a view to arriving at a settlement, his vicv/ being
that the great depreciation which took place in
the value of glasshouses was not sufficiently taken
into account when the rateable value wa.i fixed.

Jlr. Slade was asked various questions with re-
gard to the nursery register published by his firm,
and he stated that for some time it had been very
difficult to dispose of commercial nurseries as
going concerns.

Mr. P. Michael Faradiy, F.S.I., of the firm
of Faraday and Rodgers, rating surv-iyors, said
he acted for a large number of unions in different
parts of the country. He had inspected this pro-
perty, and considered the value of the same with
Mr. Slade, and he agreed with his figures.

Mr. Simon, in opening the case for the respon-
dents, dealt briefly with the points he asked the
Justices to con.5ider in dealing with this appeal.

i\lr. W. H. B. Castle, F.S.I.. of the firm of
Castle & Son. rating surveyors, said he was
valuer to the Edmonton Union, and he had made
an inspection of this property, and he valued the
glasshouses, throwing in the buildings, at £6,300,
and estimated the rateable value of the property
at £372. He said that the houses mu.st have cost
much more than this to build, but he could not
say what the probable cost was. On being
pressed, he said he thought perhaps it might have
been £7.000 to £8.000.

Mr. H. Trustram Eve, F.S.I. , rating surveyor
and secretary to the Farmers' Club, said he had
made an inspection and independent valuation of
this property, and his figures worked out at £571
gross and £381 rateable. He said that in his
opinion these houses were in excellent commercial
condition, and he thought that Tomatos could be
profitably grown on the nursery. He had valued
the whole of 10 unions during the last 12 years,
and had never had an appeal to Quarter Sessions
against his valuation.

ilr. W. P. Ryan, J.P., F.S.I.. of the firm of
jNIorris and Ryan, rating surveyors, said he had
also made an inspection and valuation of these
premises, and, in his opinion, the rateable value
of the property should be £391. He said that
the houses had been well maintained and that the
commercial life of glasshouses, if properly re-
paired, is a long one. If a recently-built house
and a house 10 years old were both efficient and
well maintained, he would not make any allow-
ance for depreciation of the latter.

Mr. Alfred Bowyer, of the firm of Alfred
Bowyer & Jones, said that he had had experience
in valuing these properties, and. in his opinion,
the rateable value should be £375.

Mr. Simon then addressed the Court on behalf
of the respondents, and then Mr. Duke summed
up for the appellant. In dealing with the evi-
dence, he stated that none of the respondents'
valuers had been able to give anything but a
hypothetical value to the structures.

The Court retired, and upon their return the
Chairman said that they had decided to allow
the appeal, and reduce the assessment from £498
gross and £332 rateable to £330 gross and £220
rateable, costs to follow the event. The other
three cases were adjourned until the next Ses-
sions, on April 4.

The figures in the Supplemental 'Valuation List
first appealed against were £675 gross and £450
rateable. These figures were reduced by the
Assessment Committee to £498 gross and £332
rateable, the latter ■■imounts being the figures
appealed against at Quarter Sessions.

PREVENTION OF CORRUPT PRACTICES.

In the Marylebone Police Court, on the 23rd
inst. , a prosecution was commenced under the
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1905, against a
firm of nurserymen and their traveller. The
case for the prosecution was opened, and the
further hearing adjourned until Thursday,
March 3.

During a very long cross-examination, he
stated that he had made a recent inspection and
careful valuation of the glasshouses and trade
l)uildings, and, as a going concern, in his opinion
the value amounted to £3,332. When he first
attended before the Assessment Committee, he
valued the glasshouses at £4,455, but that was 18
months ago, and, owing to their age and charac-
ter, in his judgment they were depreciated in
value to the extent of 20 per cent. He had also
made other suggestions to the Committee, with

DENDROBIUM DUCHESS OF ALBANY.

At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural
Society, held on the 8th inst.. Sir Jeremiah
Colman, Bart. (gr. Mr. Collier), exhibited the
pretty hybrid Dendrobium shown in fig. 61. It
was raised from a cross between D. Wiganianum
and D. Wiganianum xanthochilum. iThe seed-
ling has well formed, white flowers showing a
slight blush tint and some purple lines on the
side lobes of the lip, the centre of the lip hav-
ing a slight sulphur tint.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The L.C.C. Appointment. — I heartily
approve the protest nnide in the Gar'dener.?'
Chronicle for February 12. The leading article
was most moderate, and did not fully express
all the feeling that exists in the horticultural
world in respect to this affair. I do not think
the following point has been touched upon.
Every year examinations are being held under
the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society
for those employed in the parks under the London
County Council and other similar bodies through-
out the country. Those who fail to pass in these
examinations are debarred from promotion, yet in
the recent appointment a chief who knows
nothing of these things is appointed over these
men and over experienced superintendents in the
parks under the L.C.C. ! Surely these latter are
the ideal men for such a post'? I know that some
feel there is something behind the scenes in this
appointment. Is it the desire to get someone
of " social position " to fill the post? If not,
what is it? The " men of the north " do not do
things in this way ; for example, the Edinburgh
and Glasgow appointments; they are too "canny"
for that. The late chief under the L.C.C. was
not, I think, an Army man. Lieut. -Col. Sexby
was a colonel of Volunteers. J. Jliidson,
VMM.

Horticulturists have indeed cause for

indignation at the action of the London County
Council in appointing an Armv officer to the post
of Chief Officer of the London' Parks. That such
a retrograde step should have been taken is the
more to be deplored at a time when the aesthetic
possibilities of our parks are becoming so w-idely
recognised. Without long experience both in the
art of gardening and in that of using plants to
produce their best effects, no one is fitted to take
charge of a park. Discipline is required no less
— indeed, far more — by the trees, shrubs and
flowers than by the park staff. To learn to train
soldiers is not to learn to train plants. The world
is full of talk about " back to the land " ; but
when a post is vacant for which only a. man who
has pass-ed years in working on the land is a pro-
per candidate, some other is chosen. The effect of
such an action on young men seeking careers in
horticulture must be deplorable. The moral they
are likely to draw is that to qualify to succeed to
the better posts they must learn to cultivate a
good address rather than to cultivate plants. No
wonder that so many of the young men of real
ability emigrate, when they find posts to which
they might legitimately hope to aspire filled by
recruits from other professions. F. G. Drew.

The appointment of a soldier to the

position of Head Gardener to the L.C.C. is
the greatest insult to our profession we have
ever had. Mr. W. Good (see p. 124) advises
study in horticulture as a means of getting
such appointments, but this is not necessary, as
it appears to me that the less you know the better
your chance of the position. The farce of ad-
vertising for qualifications is the most absurd
thing I have ever heard of, and the L.C.C. should
pay for the farce and not charge it to the rates.
George Brook, llristol.

School Gardening in Southern Scot-
land.— With reference to this important subject,
it may interest some of your readers to learn
that we have, in the estimation of Air. Andrews,
one of the leading Scottish Inspectors of iSchools,
two of the best school gardens in Scotland, in
this remote, peninsular parish of Kirkmaiden,
admirabl}' superintended by Mr. R. Davidson and
Mr. John Laird. During last summer I had the
privilege of being present at an interesting func-
tion in connection with the garden at Port Logan
School, when prizes to the most successful horti-
cultural pupils were distributed by Mrs.
McDouall. of Logan House, who has always taken
a deep interest in the art of horticulture, and who
also delivered an admirable address on the ele-
vating and refining influence of gardening. I may
add that Mr, David A. McClew, factor on the
Logan estates, purposes presenting a considerable
number of Sweet Pea plants in April (each of
these being separate varieties of great merit and
reliability) to the more advanced horticultural
pupils for their encouragement in the cultivation
of this flower. David It. M'Uliamtion.

FEDauARY 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

139

A National Diploma. — Mr, Goods interest-
ing letter (see p. 124) is sure to attract attention.
With much of what he says I am in full agree-
ment, but with the apprenticeship system practi-
cally dead, it is hardly fair to contend that, " A
National Diploma should only be granted to
those who have served as apprentice, &c. ;" while
with the departmental system in vogue, the
" thorough training " of many a " journeyman
and foreman " is now gained entirely under gUas.

knowledge, but also his ability to teach, a
quality of quite a different character. One
often meets with very clever men who are abso-
lute failures as teachers. Mr. Good is fully aware
of the weight education committees give to ex-
perience in teaching, and rightly so, because
present-day examinations only prove ability
to learn. Therefore, if the National Diploma
is to be any help to education committees,
the examination must contain tests in teach-

FlG. 6l. — DENDROBIUM " DUCHESS OF ALBANY.
(See p. 138.)

We used to call such men " exotics " in my bothy
days. Mr. Good thinks that, " A National
Diploma would be a guide to education commit-
tees in the selection of men suitable to direct the
young minds in the paths they ought to follow."
That would all depend on the character of the
exammation. Mr. Good says, " The R,.H.S. ex-
amination ii not a complete' test." I fully agree.
An examination for a National Diploma should
not only prove a candidate's abilitv to absorb

ing, and a candidate should take a class of pupils
in practical horticulture to demonstrate his ability
to show how gardening operations should be per-
formed and why. He should also lecture before
students to prove that he can set before
others, in plain statement, the knowledge he
him.self has acquired. After passing such tests,
the National Diploma would certainly be a
guide in the matter. William J. Surforcl,
Siilton, Surrey.

Freesias from Seed (see pp. 76, 124).— On
February 9, 1907, we towed seeds of Freesia
refracta alba. Ten seeds were placed in each
4.mch pot, and they were germinated in gentle
heat, the temperature never being lower than 50°.
Every seed grew ; the seedlings were treated in
much the same manner as half-hardy annuals
until May 9, when some were planted on rockeries
in sheltered, sunny nooks having a southern
aspect. Water was applied as often as required,
and the plants were given a few dressings of
Clay's fertiliser. They commenced to flower on
July 22, 1907, and continued in bloom until the
end of August. These plants ripened seed, which
was sown in 1908, but only 4 per cent, germi-
nated. Some of the original plants are still alive,
the only protection given them being a piece of
slate to throw off heavy rain in winter. They
have not flowered sinco 1907. In 1908 the leaves
did not appear until October, and in 1909 it was
nearly Christmas; they are green now. John
Edwards, Sylfaen Gardens, Welshpool.

Primula Forrestii. — From the interesting
note in your last issue from Mr. Reginald Farrer,
I regret to learn that he has lost Primula For-
restii. In this cold situation, at an altitude of
700 feet, my plant has wintered well in a crevice
between rock stones with a north aspect, grow-
ing in sandy loam, mixed with limestone chip-
p'jigs. The plant has now green leaves which
have not been touched by the frost, and they
look as though they might belong to the com-
mon Primrose. Primula Littoniana, too, has
wintered well, also P. Cockburniana and Veitch's
Cockburniana hybrid " Unique." These plants
show .strong crowns just now about an inch
bslow the surface. Primula Bulleyana and P.
pulverulenta, with the habit of P. japonica, also
show strong crowns in a damp situation. 11'. A.
Milner, T alley Hall, She:fpeld.

The Effect of Grass on Trees. — Mr.

Spencer Pickering, writing on this subject in the
Hardeners' Chronicle for December 18. vol. xlvi.,
p. 409, says: "A large number of Apple trees
were planted in rows, 11 feet apart, in 1904 : the
ground in one row was kept tilled, and that in
the other row laid down to Grass. The Grass,
when cut, if left to rot on the ground, and the
same amount of manure is given to both rows of
trees." — " Those in the tilled soil are now such
large trees, that half of them had to be removed,
their spread being some 15 to 16 feet ; those
in Grass did not grow at all for several
years, and only began to make growth when their
roots extended beyond the grassed area ; they are
still miserable specimens of trees, about one-
sixth the size of the others, and the crops borne
liy them have only been about one-tenth of that
of their neighbours." The trees referred to had
lieen planted five years at the time Mr. Pickering
p:nned his article. Although Mr. Pickering holds
that the grassed soil is actually richer than the
tilled soil, in the beginning of the third para-
graph he says, " The behaviour of a tree in
Gr'.ss is clearly a case of starvation in a land
of plenty." The behaviour of the two experi-
mental rows of Apple trees referred to above
appears to be involved in complete mystery. As
assuming that the depth and fertility" of the soil
in which the two rows of trees were planted were
the same, and that trees of the same variety
and of equal size and vigour were properly
planted on or about the same date, I fail entirely
to understand the extraordinary behaviour of the
two rows of trees, unless, upon the assumption
that both lots of trees had cpjh received separate
n.pplications of two kinds oi chemical manure of
opposite character — the one stimulating growth
in one row of trees in a remarkable way, and that
in the other row prejudicially affecting the
trees to such an extent that they only began
to make growth after a rest interval of four or
five years, seeing ihat the trees in No. 1 row
are alleged to have made a spread growth of
15 to 16 feet within a space of five years, while
those in No. 2 row, it is asserted, " did not grow
at all for several years, &c."^ Mr. Pickering
thinks that a possible explanation of the
stunted growth in No. 2 row of trees is " that
the growth of the Grass results in the formation
of some substance which is poisonous to the
tree," adding, " that an active poison may be
produced in various ways, such as decomposition
"f the debris of the Grass, actual excretion from
the Grass roots, or as a product of bacteria pre-
sent in the soil." I think the foregoing conjectures

140

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Februaey 26, 191C.

may be dismissed as imaginary, when we remem-
ber the thousands of grand specimen trees to be
seen in private and public grounds in every
county in the United Kingdom luxuriating in
Grass-covered soil of various kinds, and resting
on substratums of clay, gravel, chalk, and lime-
stone, as also the many fine specimens of Apples
to be met with in orchards. Those trees would
also go to show conclusively that the conjectures
and possibilties put forward in Mr. Pickering's
interesting article do not afford any evidence
to show that Grass-covered soil is harmful to the
root-growth of trees. I do not think that ]\Ir.
Pickering's experiments with Apple trees in
pots buried in the ground and taken up and
examined and weighed every two or three
days with a view to testing the effect of Grass
roots is likely to assist the cause of high-class
fruit culture in any useful way. However, the
result of his investigations in this direction may
prove helpful to those engaged in hardy fruit cul-
ture later. I wish him every success in his laud-
able work: Mr. C. Bogue Luffmann, writing on
this subject in the Gardeners' Chronicle for
January 22, p. 50, says that " Grass leads to
irregular lOOt and head growth, and fosters dirt
and disease," which he remarks, truly enough,
should be an offence on any estate. It would
be interesting to learn upon what grounds Mr.
Luffmann arrives at the conclusion that trees
growing in land having a Grass surface should be
more inclined to make irregular root and
branch growth than trees growing in tilled
soil. In the case of irregular head or
branch growth of both sets of trees, the
practised fruit-grower would rectify these things
ill the ordinary way while in active growth by
removal of the extra-strong or irregular growths.
Mr. R. Parker states in the same number (p. 51)
" that trees growing in Grass-covered soil may
make growths that are excessively vigorous and
unfruitful," unmindful of the fact that trees
growing in tilled soil are just as likely to do the
same thing. The fact that many orchards
throughout the country present a deplorable ap-
pearance must not be attributed to the fact of the
trees gi'owing in Grass-covered land, but to
neglect on the part of the owners, in that year
after year the trees are allowed to make unre-
stricted growth, with the natural result that the
branches become crowded to such an extent as not
to admit light and air among them. Consequently,
the branches become infested with moss and
lichen, " dirt and disease " if you will; but this
undesirable state of things must not be attributed
to the fact of the trees growing in Grass-covered
soil, as Mr. Luffmann would appear to suggest.
A low. damp situation will also contribute to the
presence and development of parasitic diseases.
Years ago, I had under my charge a good-sized
orchard, which was situated in a corner in a
hedged-in portion of the home park in the Avon
Valley. The trees were of large dimensions, many
of them 1 (including Blenheim Pippin, Ribston
Pippin, and other good varieties) requiring the
aid of a 40-round ladder to gather the fruit.
The trees had the branches well thinned out,
and those retained to yield the annual supply
of fruit were syringed with hot liquid lime,
applied from the garden engine at intervals of
three or four years, with the result that the
trees remained in vigorous condition and bore
heavy crops of fruit most years ; Mulberries,
Medlars and Quinces also did remarkably well
in this Grass orchard. The Grass was cut
early in the season every year for the horses
to eat in a green state, and a good dressing of
short manure was spread over the surface in the
autumn, the substance of this being worked down
by the agency of worms and rain. When-
ever I planted young trees in this orchard, good-
sized holes were excavated, the top spit of soil
being placed in the bottom of the holes Grass-side
down. A little well-rotted manure was incor-
porated with the natural soil, fresh soil being
added if considered necessary. The trees were
planted in this mixture, the same depth in the
soil as thev were before, making it firm in plant-
ing, and following this operation with a surface
dressing of manure. I have refrained from writ-
ing on the subject until now, thinking that some
practical writer more competent to treat the sub-
ject than myself would have done so, for, after
all. the subject is one for a practical fruit-grower
to deal with. //. TI'. Ward.

Storm at Dropmore. — On Sunday, February
20, these gardens were visited by a storm of un-
usual severity. It lasted from 1 p.m. until mid-
night, and a't about 7.30 p.m. reached cyclonic
proportions, with lightning and heavy peals of
thunder. A large tree of Abies excelsa in the pine-
tum was struck by lightning and split in two
about 9 f tet from tlie base. Three other trees of the
same species were blown down close to the man-
sion. Many visitors to Dropmore will remember
a fine specimen of Tilia argentea by the side of the
carriage drive : this tree also was badly damaged
and will have to be taken down. The fine, old
Pseudotsuga (Abies) Douglasii suffered very little
a few branches only being torn away, but one
notable tree of Cedrus atlantica glauca has a large
portion of one side, close to the top of the tree,
split clean out, quite spoiling its shape.
A large tree of Cupressus nootkatensis, planted
in 1855. has also been blown over, but this
I hope to replace in an upright position again.
When at Boconnoc, in Cornwall, some years ago,
we had occasion to remove some large Irish Yews
to a very wind-swept part of the grounds. After
planting" we procured some stones, each weighing
several hundredweights, and laid them over the
roots of the trees. This effectually prevented
them from moving, and the trees soon became
established and have done well ever since. Chas.
I'afjf, Dropmore.

Severe Gales in Lincolnshire.— The gales
that swept over this part of the country from the
17th to the 22nd inst. were felt with great force
in this district, the wind being due west. About
12 o'clock noon on the 20th inst., a hurricane
was accompanied by torrential rain, the wind
being from S.S.E. It continued with more or
less force until late in the afternoon of the
21st inst. The most severe times were at
3.15 p.m. on the 17th and from 2 until 5 p.m.
on the 20th. The d^image done here is chiefly to
trees, a large number being blown up by their
roots, whilst others have been snapped off at
about 10 feet from their base. Included amongst
those destroyed are the following Conifers : — Abies
grandis and A. nobilis, Pinus austriaca, P. syl-
vestris, P. ponderosa (a fine specimen), P. rigida,
P. Cembra, Picea nigra, and others. A particu-
larly fine specimen of Sequoia .«empervirens had a
marvellous escape, large trees falling around and
about, crushing its branches to the ground, but,
thanks to their springy nature, hardly a twig
failed to spring back into place when released
from the w^reckage. Looking through the
meteorological observations, I find a rather un-
usual coincidence. The gale of 1908 was recorded
upon February 22, and in the corresponding
weeks of 1907 and 1909 the records show very
strong wind prevailing from the west. G. II'.
Younij. Ifainpluii Manor Gardens, Lincoln.

Cotoneaster Simonsii (see p. 123.)— I think
the present season is quite exceptional in the
manner in which the plants are berried. Never
have I seen them so thickly studded with the
bright red berries which are even now (Feb-
ruary 19) still in a good state of preserva-
tion." In some seasons the birds have cleared the
berries from the plants long before this time. It
this Cotoneaster were but evergreen, how much
more valuable as a wall plant it would be !
E. M.

Giant Antirrhinum.— Mr. Ortendahl's figure
of, and remarks {ante p. 100) on a plant of
Antirrhinum majus, 3 m. 45 cm. high, are very
interesting. It may be mentioned in passing,
however, that the conversion given into feet is
incorrect, as to English measurement ; but I
believe that the Swedish foot measure is longer
than the English, which would, perhaps, account
for the discrepancy. In English measurement,
3.45 metres equal, within a small fraction, 11 feet

4 inches. The tallest Antirrhinums I have seen
were growing among dwarf shrubs in a new plan-
tation on pasture-land, and they were between

5 feet and 6 feet high, due partly, perhaps, to the
proximity of the shrubs, but more to the fresh
soil. So far as can be learnt from Mr. Orten-
dahl's communication, his Antirrhinum is not the
result of selection through several generations,
but a giant of the first generation. Parallel in-
stances are not wanting, both in wild and culti-
vated plants, due always, probably, to unusually
favourable conditions of soil and season. Under
cultivation, the common Foxglove and the

common Mullein sometimes attain equally extra-
ordinary dimensions, and among plants in a wild
condition I have measured individuals of the
common Hemlock (Conium maculatum), which
were between 8 feet and 9 feet high. The ques-
tion arises whether seed or cuttings from Mr.
Ortendahl's Antirrhinum would, under ordinary
conditions, produce individuals of unusual
stature. " Specimen plants " of Mignonette and
other cultivated plants afford examples of what
can be obtained by high culture, and unusual care
was bestowed on the Antirrhinum in question,
ir. B. H.

Strawberries.— In reply to Tl'. P. li. (see
p. 106), I may say tliat I did not pretend in the
Hardy Fruit Calendar (see p. 86) to give a selec-
tion of the best varieties, but merely mentioned
those that succeed best here on a light soil. I
may add that I have discai'ded several varieties
during the past few years, and Fillbasket was one
of them ; this failed to develop a good flavour
here. In regard to Givon's Late Prolific, this
variety is being tried, but has not fruited yet.
I hope it will do well, for, as W. P. H. men-
tions, it received the highest number of votes in
your instructive Strawberry census, and this fact
proves it to be a first-class variety and a good
grower in most counties. A. R. Searle.

Vanillism. — In these days when new forms or
features of disease to which the human form is
subjected are constantly arising, generally to be
met, by the way, with some remedy or cure of an
equally novel character, it may be interesing, to
those who cultivate Orchids, to know that Vanilla
— the pod-like fruit of Vanilla planifolia — is, in
its dried or commercial state, the source of a
skin disease known as "' Vanillism." It is satis-
factory, from the gardener's point of view, to
know ' that the sufferers from this disease are
only those who have the handling or brushing of
the cured " pods." It seems that this atHiction
attracted some attention some 20 years ago, and
was then attributed either to the essential oil or
crystals with which properly-cured Vanilla is
coated, or frosted, as it is known in commerce —
or else to formic aldehyde used to clean the
bunches, because the men who used indiarubber
gloves were not affected in their hands, though
they frequently suffered about the face and neck.
These opinions, however, seem to be now refuted,
from the fact that synthetic vanillin has been
found to produce similar eruptions on the skins
of some workmen who are more susceptible than
others. It may be said that artificial vanillin is
now, and has been for some time, extensively
used for flavouring in place of the true Vanilla
"bean"; the artificial product being obtained
largely from Clove oil. Jo/in B. Jael-fon, Clare-
niunt, Li/inpxione.

Pruning of Young Vines. — Mr. Ward (see
)i. 125) says that his metliud of growing the
young vines the first year " is a simple matter."
Now let us see how simple it is, or, rather, I
will show how elaborate is the method that
requires no fewer than 46 lines of the Gardeners'
Chronicle to teach beginners how to carry out
quite a detail in the management of newly-
planted young vines, I still think " for the
beginner my plan is desirable." Let us note
the result of the two methods — Mr. Ward's and
mine. In the original article, p. 51, I said :
" Vines should be expected to last in good con-
dition for at least 25 years without renewal of the
canes." This period"^ was quite the minimum I
had in my mind When I wrote. Now I will give
the results of instances of facts achieved by the
system advocated by Mr. Ward and myself. Mr.
Ward planted at Longford Castle a new range of
vineries during the spring of 1833. In 1885 he al-
lowed the permanent vines to ripen a few bunches
each. He says, " three bunches of Buckland
Sweetwater weighed 12^ lbs. Gros Guillaume and
Gros Colman yielded three bunches which weighed
30 lbs. and 13Ji lbs. respectively.", I cannot
gather whether these bunches were cut from one
. vine or not. Mr. Ward is not clear on that point,
but I assume they were ; if so, they were extraor-
dinary bunches from vines so young. From that
time until 1896 — 13 years from the time of plant-
ing— Mr. Ward says " the vines continued to
yield most satisfactory crops of Grapes," and Mr.
Ward adds. " probably they do so still." It will
be news to Mr. Ward to learn that his successor
at Longford pulled out the vines and replanted

Febbuaey 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

141

almost the whole of the vineries because the
vines were past their best. This is the
result of Mr. Ward's method of establishing
vines, and which he pitts against my method of
pruning, as noted on p. 51. Mr. Ward's vines
were cultivated from 13 to 15 years ! Now for a
few facts respecting the results of the method
I advocate. In January, 1878, I struck eyes from
10 varieties of Grapes and grew them for a year
in pots and planted them in the new vineries here
at Swaumore in February, 1879, treating them
as described on p. 51. The results have been
most satisfactory, as annual crops of first-class
Grapes have been, and are still, produced. Dur-
ing the first 10 years of their coming into bearing
I gathered fruits from them which won 60 1st,
24 2nd, and six 3rd prizes at various shows.
Since then many prizes have been won both by
myself and my successor, ^Mr. EUwood. Plants
of Madresfield Court, Muscat of Ale.xandria, and
Mrs. Pince produced bunches of 4 lbs. each last
year, with full-sized berries and good finish,
which, I think, were not amiss from vines
31 years old and which have annually borne
heavy crops. Let us see what is the state
of these vines at the present moment. The rods,
measuring from the first wire, are 17 feet long,
with a 2-foot stem. The circumference at the
base is as follows : Muscat of Alexandria,
lOi inches ; Mrs. Pince, 11 inches ; Black Ali-
cante, lOi inches ; Madresfield Court, 9i inches ;
Lady Downes. 9| inches ; and Black iiamburgh,
Qj inches. From the appearance of these vines
I see no reason why they should not continue to
give satisfactory results for another 30 years. I
fear I have trespassed somewhat long on your
valued space, but in justification of the system
I advocate of pruning young vines 1 felt it was
imperative that I should state the case fully. I
have seen hundreds of instances of faulty methods
of pruning vines and have pointed out such to
operators, and intend in the future to wage war
against a system that can end in no other way
than failure when we consider, as I do, that the
life of a well-managed vine is almost unlimited.
It is only necessary to remember what has been
done by the old vine at Hampton Court and the
excellent results that have followed good treat-
ment, as exemplified in the bunches exhibited in
the R.H.S. Hall last autumn. E. Mobjneux.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

February 22. — The Society's Hall at Vincent
Square was, on Tuesday last, the scene of a bril-
liant display, the occasion being the usual fort-
nightly meeting. The exhibits of Orchids were
remarkably fine, but interest centred in a
splendid group from Sir Jeremiah Colman's
collection, which was awarded a Gold Jledal.
There were numerous novelties brought to the
notice of the Committee, and one First-cla-ss
Certificate, six Awards of Merit, and one Botani-
cal Certificate were conferred.

Not less important were the groups considered
by the Floral Committee, although this body
only granted one Award of Merit, this being
given to a variety of tree Carnation exhibited
by Mr. H. Burnett. Guernsey. Messrs. .las.
Veitch & Sons received a Gold Medal for a
variety of subjects, including greenhouse plants.
Cyclamen and forced shrubs. Beside the Gold
Medal, no fewer than four Silver-Gilt Flora and
two Silver-gilt Banksian Medals were awarded for
e.xhibits of Azaleas, Ferns, Cyclamens, Carna-
tions and paintings of floral su'bjects. There was
little before the Fruit and 'Vegetable Com-
mittee, and no award was made in this section
to a novelty. At the three o'clock meeting in
the lecture room the third Masters Memorial
Lecture was given by Air. A. D. Hall. M.A.,
F.R.S., the subject being "The Adaptation of
the Plant to the Soil." A summary of the lec-
ture will be found on p. 143.

Floral Committee.

Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. Chas. T. Druerv. Henrv B. May, Jno.
Green, W. J. Bean, R." C. Notcutt, R. Hooper
Pearson, G. Reuthe. C. R. Fielder, R. W.
Wallace, W. Howe, .J. F. McLeod, ,1. .lennings,
Jas. Douglas, Chas. Dixon, J. T. Bennett-Poe,

F. Page Roberts, Chas. E. Shea, Chas. E.
Pearson, W. P. Thompson, E. H. Jenkins, Geo.
Paul, Herbert .J. Cutbush, Geo. Gordon, R. C.
Reginald Nevill, Jas. Hudson, and Jas Walker.

A magnificent exhibit of Cyclamen latifolium
was staged by Mr. W. Seward, The Beeches,
Hanwell. The plants were far superior to those
usually seen at these and other exhibitions, each
presenting a mass of large, brightly-coloured
blooms, and strong, healthy foliage. (Silver-gilt
Flora Medal.)

Another fine and extensive exhibit of this
popular greenhouse plant was shown by Messrs.
Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's Road, Chelsea.
The plants were arranged in batches of white,
crimson, pink, salmon, mauve and ether shades,
the whole occupying a large table. Opposite to
these, Messrs. Veitch staged a miscellaneous col-
lection of greenhouse flowering plants that formed
a pretty floral picture, the subjects being admir-
ably and skilfully arranged with regard to colour
blending. One of the most pleasing combinations
was made with Primula X kewensis (yellow,) in-
terspersed with Rhododendron (Azalea) Hcxe
(crimson), with Coleus thyrsoideus (blue), and a
background of Streptosolen Jamesonii (orange),
Crowea angustifolia was covered with its pretty
pink, star-shaped blossoms. There was also a
fine display of Azalea indica, Boronia megastigma
and other subjects. As a floor group Messrs.
Veitch showed a collection of forced flowering
trees and shrubs of the usual subjects. Primus
triloba and Wistaria sinensis being especially
well flowered. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, made an
imposing exhibit of Primula sinensis. The plants
were excellent little specimens arranged in half-
circular batches of distinct colours, separated by
a row of Crimson King variety, the front bemg
filled in with varieties of different shades for
contrast. They showed the beautiful Duchess
type, also Giant Crimson, .Salmon Pink, Im-
proved White and others. As a separate group,
Messrs. Sutton showed batches of Hyacinths ar-
ranged in colour schemes with a setting of Ferns
and the yellow Tulip, Fairy Queen. The varie-
ties of Hyacinths were: (1) pale and deep pink;
(2) cream and deep red ; (3) pink and pale blue ;
(4) pale and deep mauve. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Mount & Sons, Ltd., Nursery-
men, Canterbury, showed long-stemmed Roses of
the varieties Jo-seph Low (pink), Richmond
(red), Mrs. W. J. Grant (pink). Liberty (red),
and a seedling with long narrow blooms of the
shade of William Allen Richardson. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Slessrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, Hert-
fordshire, again showed a corner group of Camel-
lias as at the last meeting. (Silver Flora Jledal.)

An imposing exhibit of Ferns was made by
Messrs. Hill & Sons, Edmonton. They were all
of exotic species and embraced about 100 varie-
ties. Jlost of them had their new fronds, which,
particularly in the case of the tinted kinds, pro-
duced a very pleasing effect. Some of the choicer
specimens were Lomaria L'Herminieri, the fronds
prettily tinted with pink ; Adiantum Hender-
sonii, a very elegant species, also tinted pink ;
Brainea insignis, a beautiful specimen of this
handsome plant, the young fronds being
brownish ; Platycerium grande, P. Hillii,
Nothochliena sinuata, with erect fronds, silvery
beneath ; Adiantum Capillus-veneris imbricatum,
and Polypodium conjugatum, the tall fronds are
broadened at the base to form a resting place for
debris. Selaginella grandis has broad shoots,
showing the spore-bearing branches at the ends.
(Silver-gilt Flora Medal. f

Messrs. H. B. May & .Sons, The Nurseries.
Edmonton, also contributed a fine exhibit of
Ferns, backed with New Zealand tree Ferns.
Very fine specimens of Pteris .Summersii, Lomaria
attenuata, in which the drooping fronds arise from
a tall stem ; Davallia bra.siliensis, Platycerium
Veitchii. a rare species; Nephrolepis splendens,
Asplenium nobilis, the finely cut fronds bore
many bulbils, the tiny first leaves being wedge-
shaped ; Lepicystis sepulta. the erect, pectinate
fronds of which are hairy ; Dictyogramma caudi-
formis, Drynaria rigidulum and Blechnum cris-
pum were noticed. (.Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, nurseryman, Guernsey,
staged a showy group of Carnations, amongst
which was a fine sheaf of the new Mrs. Tatton
variety (see Award). The variety named after
Mr. R. F. Felton is a bold pink flower. There

were also well-grown blooms of most of the
popular kinds. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London,
N., showed a collection of well-grown Carnations,
arranged with much taste. Lady Miller,
the perpetual-flowering " Malmaison '' variety,
was represented by an excellent vase of blooms.
Amongst the perpetual-blooming type, the fol-
lowing were the best in their several colours : —
Scarlet, Britannia, 0. P. Bassett ; white, My
Maryland, White Perfection; crimson, Harlo-
w-arden, President; cerise, Winsor, Winona;
pink. Enchantress, Mrs. Edwin Oilman;
Messrs. Cutbush also showed Alpine and hardy
flowers, with a setting of forced shrubs. Both
Iris histrioides major and I. reticulata Krelagei
were a feature in this group. (Silver-gilt Bank-
sian Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed Carnations, which embraced
several seedlings raised at Bush Hill Park.
Royal Purple is said to be very pretty, seen
under artificial light ; Regal Maijve is "another
of uncommon shade; Pink Delight is a dainty,
well-formed flower; Rival is also new, the
colour being cerise. There were also most of the
standard sorts. Adjoining the C-arnations
were varieties of Azaleas, Boronia megastigma,
Eriostemon linearifolius. Cyclamens, Acacia
ovata, and other greenhouse plants. (Silver
Flora :\Iedal.)

A large and showy group of forced shrubs
was put up by Messrs.' R. & G. Cuthbert, South-
gate. The inclusion of brightly -flowered Azaleas
made a bank of blossoms, and these were inter-
spersed with Japanese Maples and such orna-
mental subjects as Prunus triloba, Staphylea col-
chica, Wistarias, Lilacs, &c. Choice varieties of
-Vzalea w^ere seen in Anthony Koster (yellow).
Consul Ceresole (orange-pink), Mnie. Anthony
Koster (apple-blossom tint), and Elizabeth (deep
pink). The group was arranged with much skill.
(Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, also staged a
showy group of forced flowering shrubs, such as
Lilacs, Azaleas. Wistarias, Prunus triloba, and
Forsythia suspensa. (Silver Floi-a Medal.)

?" -~rs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
d> „yed varieties of Zonal Pelargoniums as
trusses of cut blooms. The individual flowers
were very large, those of Mars (scarlet) being
3 inches in diameter ; another notable variety of
this colour is New York, but the richest of "this
shade is Jupiter.

A group of Cyclamens was staged by G.
Strange, Esq., Sulhampstead, Berkshire.

Messrs. C. Brooks & Co.. Basingstoke, showed
a pretty Primula labelled Novelty. The colour
is deep rose, with an inner orange-brown rim and
a greenish-yellow eye.

Mr. James Douglas, Edenside, Great Book-
ham, Surrey, exhibited an exceptionally well-
flowered plant of Primula megaseiefolia, a species
not easy of culture. The specimen originally car-
ried about 14 flower-spikes. (Cultural Commen-
dation.)

A pretty group of Freesias, Italian Hyacinths,
and Tulips was set up by H. S. B^vrton, Esq.,
Hewshott House, Liphook (gr. Mr. Streeter).

Mr. Geo. Reuthe, Keston. Kent, exhibited un-
common shrubs and Alpine flowers in assortment.
A small plant of Pinus parviflora bore several
cones. Ilepaticas were finely shown in this ex-
hibit. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, arranged a rock-garden exhibit, with a
pool of water and a cascade supplied with water
by an electric apparatus, and yet arranged on
a table. The back of the pool was arranged
with a tall bluff, down which the water trickled.
The rockery was planted with Scillas, Snowdrops,
Irises, Crocuses, Erythronium, Hepaticas, and
other early flowers. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. B.arr & Sons. King Street, Covent
Garden, showed seasonable hardy flowers and
bulbous plants in bloom. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

The Misses Hopkins, Mere Gardens, Shepper-
ton-on-Thames, showed a rock-garden exhibit
planted with early-blooming hardy plants.

Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Son, Woking,
Surrey, showed seasonable hardy flowers, includ-
ing large batches of Cyclamen ibericum roseum,
remarkably finely flowered. They also showed a
seedling of hardy Cyclamen labelled album multi-
petalum. This is a pleasing novelty, with tho

142

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[February 26, 1910.

petals arranged like the screw of a propeller, very
regularly. The flowers are pale rose, with
a blotch of purple. We also noticed a pleasing
variety of Helleborus orientalis, with purple dots
on a white ground.

Messrs. J. Peed & Son, West Norwood, staged
a large rock-garden exhibit, neatly arranged with
Alpines and hardy plants, also small, succulent
species. We noticed in flower Saxitraga Burseri-
ana. Crocuses, including a fine lot of C. Susianus,
Saxifraga apiculata, S. (syn. Megasea) Stracheyi,
Hepatica coerulea, also numerous coloured Prim-
roses, Irises, Snowdrops, &c.

From The GniLDFOKD Hardy Plant Nursery
came a selection of seasonable subjects in flower,
such as Petasites japonica gigantea, Helleborus
caucasicus punctatus, and Erica mediterranea
hybrida. The native Hellebore, H. foetidissima,
was represented by a fine plant in flower.

Jlessi-s. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex, ex-
hibited a well-arranged rockery planted with
Tulips, Hellebores, Iris reticulata, and many
other pretty species, with a selection of rock-
garden shrubs, including Olearia stellulata, An-
dromeda floribunda, hardy Ericas, Kalmia glauca,
and Spiraea arguta in flower, which gave addi-
tional brightness to the exhibit. (Silver Bank
sian Medal.)

Messrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, also
showed a rock-garden exhibit, in which we
noticed several uncommon species in flower.
Leptosyne gigantea is a yellow composite, with
Coreopsis-like foliage ; Eomecon chionantha is of
the Poppy family, but like a tiny Japanese
Anemone. Of Primulas, we noticed P. mala-
coides, P. megaseaefolia, and P. denticulata.

The Craven Nursery Co., Clapham, York-
shire, showed large-flowered Saxifragas of the
Burseriana type; one «as a new variety named
Magna, with flowers superior even to the beau-
tiful Gloria variety. The stalks are shorter than
those of Gloria, and are tinged with red. Glori.i
was represented by some splendid plants in
flower. S. Boydii alba and S. Burseriana spe-
ciosa were also shown in fine condition.

Messrs. T. S. Ware & Sons, Ltd.. Feltham,
showed a rockery planted with a variety of sub-
jects. Iris fimbriata, with branched inflores-
cences ; Andi-osace camea eximia, with its tiny
rose-coloured flowers ; and Polymoniura rubra
attracted notice.

Messrs. R. & G. Clark, Ltd., Dover, were also
the exhibitors of a rock-garden planted with
many species in bloom.

Messrs. R. Gill & Sons, Tremough, Penryn,
Cornwall, staged seedling varieties of Rhododen-
dron arboreum and R. barbatum, and a remark-
able plant of Primula imperialias, with foliage
like a huge Cowslip. The exhibit also included
some exceptionally fine Violets and a choice form
of Iris stylosa. (Silver Flora Medal.)

There were several exhibits of horticultural
sundries, including a novel system of glazing,
shown by the Up-to-Date Horticultural and
Portable Building Co., 1, Barrington Road,
Crouch End. No puttey is employed, the pane
of glass being held in position by a piece of india-
rubber fixed on the sash bar. The glass is sim-
ply pushed in position under the rubber, \yhich
impinges tightly on it and keeps it in position.
Messrs. W.'Wood & SoN.s, Ltd., North British
Walk, Wood Green, exhibited a fountain worked
by a small electric motor. This attracted much
attention. Some pretty floral studies were shown
by Miss Gundry, Foots Cray, for which a Silver-
gilt Flora Medal was awarded.

Award of Merit.
Carnation Mrs. Tatton. This is a beautiful
pink tree Carnation, shown by Mr. H. Burnett,
Guernsey. The colour is like that of Marmion,
the well-known variety of the Souvenir de la
Malmaison section. 'in " Mrs. Tatton," the
colour, though rich at the base, pales towards the
fringed margins, which are nearly whit«. The
flowers have excellent form, and are produced on
long, erect stems.

Orchid Committee.

Prenent : Harrv J. Veitch, Esq. (in the Chair) ;
and Messrs. Jas. 'O'Brien (hon. sec), de B. Craw-
shay. C. J. Lucas, W. Boxall. R. G. Thwaites,
Stuart Low, Fergus Menteith Ogilvie, J. Charles-
worth, A. A. McBean, H. A. Tracy, Walter
Cobb, J. Cypher, W. H. Hatcher, H. G. Alex-
ander, A. Dve, W. P. Bound, W. H. White, H.
Ballantine, Gurney Wilson, J. Wilson Potter, W.

Bolton, R. Brooman White, -J. Gurney Fowler
and Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart, V.M.H.

There was a grand show of Orchids, the post
of honour being filled by Sir Jeremiah Colman,
Bart., Gatton Park, Surrey (gr Mr. Collier),
with a noble group extending the full length of
the staging on one side of the entrance of the
hall, and for which the Society's Gold Medal
was awarded. The raised centre was of hybrid
Calanthes, with which were arranged the fine
hybrid Spathoglottis Colmanii, with many spikes
of bright yellow and crimson flowers ; two finely-
flowered plants of Odontoglossum Edwardii,
the front being of white Dendrobium nobile
virginale. On each side were large numbers of
Dendrobiums, principally hybrids raised at Gat-
ton Park, and among which were the charming
novelties D. Lady Colman, the profuse-flower-
ing cream-white D. Bartelsianum, the label-
lum of which has a purple base ; D. Duchess
of Albany, certificated at the last meeting
(see fig. 61) ; D. Wiganianum aureum and
Gatton Park variety ; D. Gatton Purple, one of
the finest in size and colour ; and many others,
including the new D. Mrs. Fenton Arnton. (See
Awards.) With these were arranged a good selec-
tion of Odontoglossums, O. atropurpureum (Ed-
wardii X sceptrum), and some others being Ciat-
ton hybrids. Cymbidium grandiflorum had
several spikes ; a batch of yellow and red Sophro-
Lslias were effective; Odontioda Bradshawise
had 20 scarlet flowers and buds ; various Phalie-
nopsis, Bulbophyllums, good Ctelogyne cristata
alba ; Sarcochilus Fitzgeraldii, a selection of Mas-
devallias, the rare Dendrobium Hodgkinsonii ; a
fine mass of D. semulum, and of D. fusiforme,
with many spikes of white flowers ; Epidendrum
polybulbon, and other pretty species were also
noted.

Jlessrs. Charlesworth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
a group containing a good proportion of fine
Odontoglossums, the latest new hybrid 0. Ceres
securing an Award of Merit. (See Awards.) The
group contained a fine lot of Phalsenopsis Schil-
leriana; some excellent hybrid Cattleyas and
Laelio-Cattleyas, including "C. Enid, C. Capri,
L.-C. Bella alba, a beautiful cream-white flower
with deep purple front to the lip ; very dark
L.-C. callistoglossa, &c. Among hybrids of Bras-
savola Digbyana were several good flowers ; Bras-
so-Lselio-Cattleya Winnifred (B.-L. Mrs. Gratrix
X L.-C. Myra)'was a pretty new form with bright
yellow flowers. Among others noted were Ccelo-
gyne sparsa, Vanda Watsonii, Nanodes Medusse
and others of botanical interest.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, Sf. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an excellent
group containing several very fine new Odonto-
glossums, for the best two of which see Awards.
The centre of the group was composed of well-
flowere<l Dendrobium Phalsenopsis, around
which were arranged good Laelio-Cattleyas,
Phalienopsis Schilleriana, a dark scarlet form
of Odontioda Charlesworthii, large and of fine
shape; richly coloured Odontoglofsnm arden-
tissimum, Coelogynes, including ocellata, maxi-
ma and sparsa; Cynorchis kewensis, with
fine heads of rose - coloured flowers ; the
scarlet Renanthera Imschootiana ; two Pleuro-
thalli'^ Roezlii, with drooping racemes of large
claret coloured flowers ; Dendrobium velutinum
and other rare Dendrobiums ; Oncidium splendi-
dum, Cymbidium Sanderi, &c. Among curious
hybrids was a plant of Odontioda cuprea (Coch-
lioda Noezliana X Odontoglossum cristatum) with
a spray of rather dull-red flowers with yellow
crest, and, although not showy, a very interest-
ing cross.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an ex-
tensive and varied group, the Dendrobiums being
the most prominent. In the centre were some
fine forms of Cattleya Trianie. the variety named
Monarch being of "fine size, shape and effective
colour. With them were two specimens of the
pure white Cattleya Susanne Hye de Crom, and
behind an arrangement of Oncidiums, the mo.st
remarkable of which was 0. varicosum Bush
Hill variety, a clear yellow with a deep reddi.sh-
brown blotch at the base of the lip. Among
Cypripediums, C. Leeanum Lavertonianum was
remarkable for its large, finely-formed flower,
the broad, white dor.'ial sepal being squarely ar-
ranged at the base, and bearing some dotted rose
lines. Lselio-Cattleya Cappei. L.-C. callistoglossa,
L. Jongheana and others were also included in
the arrangement.

Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
secured a Silver Banksian Medal for an effective
group of Dendrobiums, Cypripediums, Odonto-
glcssums, &c. The varieties of D. nobile and its
pure white form, D. splendidissimum, D. rubens
grandiflorum, &c., were efi'ectively arranged with
fine tufts of scarlet Sophronitis ; Atrides vanda-
rum, a fine specimen of Cirrhopetalum pictura-
tum, Cypripedium aureum virginale, and many
other showy Cypripediums.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge,
were voted a Silver Banksian Medal for a group
containing Cymbidum insigne with two fine
spikes ; the pale primrose C. eburneo-Lowianum
concolor ; a fine lot of white Lselia anceps ; a selec-
tion of their well-grown Odontoglossum crispum,
0. Edwardii and the scarlet Epiphronitis
Veitchii. Among Cypripediums specially attrac-
tive was C. Memoria Jerninghamise, a fine flower
which originated at Cooksbridge. Laelia anceps
Fascinator, for which Messrs. McBean had pre-
viously secured an award, is a vei'y large and
finely-coloured "ariety, which well maintains its
distinctness.

Messrs. Mansell & H.4.tchek, Rawdon, Yorks.,
were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a
group in which were some exceptionally fine
forms of Dendrobium intundibulum, varieties of
D. Artemis, D. Chessingtonense and other
hybrids ; D. Eemulum, the violet-purple Bollea
Lalindei, Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano Mendelii ;
selections of Cattleya Triana; ; various hybrid
Odontoglo.ssums and Va.nda Wat-sonii.- Varie-
ties of Cypripedium aureum included C. aureum
Hyeanum with three flowers, and prominent in
the group was a remarkably distinct and good
Cypripedium raised between C. villosum gigan-
teum and C. Mrs. Wm. Mosj,yn, the very dark
lo\ver part of the dorsal sepal contrasting finely
with the white upper part.

Mr. E. V. Low, Haywards Heath, was awarded
a Silver Banksian Medal for a compact group
of exceptionally well-grown Orchids, among
which were Cattleya TrianaB ca^rulea and C. T.
albo-violaeea, both white with violet markings
on the lip ; several white Brasso-Cattleya Dig-
byano-Schrodcr£e ; Cypripedium aureum Surprise,
Odontoglossum crispum Jeanette, a white spotted
flower ; 0. c. Raymond Crawshay, a very attrac-
tive variety, and a handsome Lselio-Cattleya
callistoglossa.

Lt.-Col. G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander), .showed L;elio-Cattleya
Goldfinch superba (L.-C. Warnhamiensis X C.
Dowiana aurea). a bright yellow flower with
deep ruby front to the lip, the base being
veined with gold. A flower of the remarkable
Brasso-Cattleya Alexanderi (B. Digbyana X C.
citrina) was also submitted.

H. S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr.
Mr. G. E. Day), showed La-lio-Cattleya Clive
superba, a good dark flower; L.-C. JNIyra, Odon-
toglossum Vuylstekei and the very fine Cattleya
Schroderae The Prince. (See Awards.)

H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford Hill (gr.
Mr. Thurgood), sent Cymbidium Lowgrinum
Rosslyn variety, darker than the original form.
Col. Cary Batten, Abbot's Leigh, Bristol (gr.
Mr. Spowage), sent Cypripedium Mrs. Cary Bat-
ten, a very dark and good flower of the C. villo-
sum class ; and C. Col. Cary Batten.

W. P. BuRKiNSHAW, Esq., Hessle, Hull, sent
Cypripedium Chanteury (Euryades punctatum X
insigne Chantinii) and C. Chantecleer, a ci'oss
from C. insigne Harefield Hall.

R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Streatham
(gr. Mr. Black), showed Odontioda Seymourii
(Odontoglossum Uro-Skinneri x Cochlioda vul-
canica), a highly interesting hybrid raised at
Chessington. The well-arranged inflorescence
bore many rather small, narrow-petalled flowers
of a tawny red colour, the lip being marked with
lilac, with a white patch in front ; and a pretty
hybrid Dendrobium between D. Wiganise xan-
thochilum and D. Thwaitesiie, with yellowish-
cream flowers having a purple blctch on the
lip.

Mons. Maurice Mertens, Ghent, showed a
good selection of hybrid Odontoglossums, several
being of very fine colour ; and a large, hand-
somely blotched O. crispum.

Messrs. Heath & Sons, Cheltenham, showed a
selection of Orchids.

R. Brooman White, Esq , Arddarroch, Gare-
lochead, sent a selection of cut spikes of good
Odontoglossum crispum.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, Chelsea, sent Odon-
tioda chelseiensis.

February 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

143

AWARDS.
First-class Certificate.
Odonioglossum splenden-i (ex'imium X Wilche-
anumj, from Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans.
One of the most beautiful hybrids of its class, the
flowei's being, in form and substance, all that
could be desired, and the colouring dif5played in
the most beautiful manner. The sepals and petals
are equally broad and flatly displayed, the ground
colour cream-white, a star-like arrangement of
which colour appears around the column, and
then is but little seen except on the narrow
margin and tips of the segments ; the rest of the
flower is shaded with blended lints of purple
and chestnut-red. The white labellum has clus-
ters of purple blotches at the base and around
the yellow crest.

Awards of Merit.

Odontoglossum Black Prince ( Lamheauianum
X Eolfcic), from Messrs. Sander k Sons. A
very remarkable hybrid of a deep vinous-purple
colour, with a very narrow silver margin to the
sepals and petals.

Doidrohiitm Mrs. Fenton Arnton ( mplanod in-
cus X Findl(iijuiium), from Sir Jeremiah Col-
man, Bart., V.M.H. (gr. Mr. Collier). A pretty
white flower with a blush tint on the sepals and
a purple blotch at the base of the lip, surrounded
by a yellow disc.

Cattleya Schrodcrcc The Prince, from H. S.
GooDsoN, Esq., Putney (gr. Mr. Day)'. A re-
markable and beautiful variety of true C.
Schroderie form and fragrance. The sepals and
broad crimped petals are of a peach-blossom tint;
the handsome crimped-edged lip having a ruby-
purple blotch in front.

OdontoijIoKsum eximium E. C. Ifoycrson (rris-
piiiii X ardentissimumj, from E. Rogerson,
Esq., Oakdene. West Didsbury, Manchester (gr.
Mr. W. C. Price). This flower has a close re-
semblance to a good blotched form of 0. cris-
pum, but with a slight trace of O. Pescatorei.
The flowers were clear white, with distinct rose-
purple markings.

OdontO(jlo!ixu) Ceres (Bossii X liolfecc), from
Messrs. Charlefvvorth & Co., Haywards Heath.
This is a good flower of remarkable shape and
colour, and likely to develop further. Sepals and
petals white tin ed with primrose-yellow at the
margins, the sepals being evenly spotted with
claret-red, the petals having the spots on the
inner halves only. Lip lai-ge, undulated, white,
with a lemon-yellow crest, having slight purple
markings.

Disa lacera midtifidn, from Messrs. Charles-
worth & Co. One of the blue Disas from South-
east Cape Colony. Leaves grassy ; inflorescence
erect, 1 foot, and bearing six pretty, deep-blue
flowers, the reddish lip being finely fringed.

Botanical Certificate.
Diuris longi folia from Sir Jeremiah Colman.
Bart. A slender Austraian terrestrial Orchid
with grassy leaves and upright spikes of yellow
flowers tinged with red, the curiously-arranged
segments having the petals stalked and erect.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: A. H. Pearson, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. W. Bates, H. Markham, Alex. Dean,
E. Beckett, G. Hobday, W. J. Jefferies. George
Keif, J. Davis, Owen Thomas, Geo. Reynolds,
P. C. M. Veitch, Jno. Harri.TOn, Chas. Foster,
Geo. Wythes, W. Poupart, H. Soraers Rivers,
Jas. Vert, and Jos. Cheal.

Ten varieties of Leeks, selected from a trial
of this vegetable at Wisley, exhibited such good
culture, that the Committee awarded a Cultural
Commendation to the Superintendent. The
best variety was Prizetaker. the stems being stout
and solid, but rather short. Others of superior
merit were Ayton Castle, Barr's No. 2, and Barr's
No. 3. The other varieties were Giant Italian
Winter. Broad Short. Musselburgh Selected,
Barr's No. 1, Barr's Giant Winter, and Barr's
Selected.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, staged a
number of heads of Superb Early White Broc-
coli. The plants were raised from seeds sown
in April. 1909, the seedlings being planted out
in July, and afforded no protection whatever.
The curds were not over-large, but they repre-
sented good, solid, useful heads, of excellent ser-

vice for the winter months. (Cultural Commen-
dation.)

There were one or two exhibits of bottled
fruits, including some tempting samples shown by
Mr. W. Poupart, Farnleigh Orchards, Twicken-
ham, for which a Silver Banksian j\Iedal was
awarded.

THE THIRD "MASTERS" LECTURE.

The subject of the first of the " Masters "
lectures for 1910, given by Mr. A. D. Hall,
M.A., F.R.S.. Director of the Rothamsted Ex-
perimental Station, on Tuesday last, was " The
Adaptation of the Plant to the Soil." The chair
was occupied by Prof. Dendy.

The lecturer began by stating that the object
he had before him was to define the relation-
ships between plant and soil which brought
about certain familiar facts, viz., that in Nature
many plants are strictly confined to a particu-
lar soil and district, and secondly, that in
gardens certain plants " do " well, while others
fail for no ostensible reason.

The lecturer said he had selected this subject
partly for its own intrinsic interest and partly
because the experimental work which he was
going to take for his initial text had for many
years occupied the attention of the distin-
guished man — the late Dr. Ma.st«rs — in whose
honour these lectures had been founded. He re-
ferred to the Grass plots at Rothamsted. In 1856,
a piece of old Grass land was divided into plots.
Each plot had been given a different manure,
and the same manuring had been repeated on the
same plots year liy year until the present day.
Under these conditions it soon became apparent
that changes were establishing themselves in the
constitution of the mixed herbage clothing the
meadow surface : these changes were defined
from time to time, and picking apart and
weighing the species in representative samples
of the vegetation. Finally, from about 1877 to
1880, Dr. JIasters made repeated studies both
of the plots and of the experimental material
accumulated, the results being set out in an
extensive joint paper in the Ph ilosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society in 1880.

The lecturer then proceeded to exhibit photo-
graphs of the turf taken from some of these
plots at Rothamsted, showing how very different
had become the type of vegetation occupying the
surface under the influence of different manur-
ing. Other photographs showed in diagram-
matic form the distribution of selected species ;
for example, leguminous plants, like Trifolium
and Lathyrus, make up nearly half the vegeta-
tion on plots receiving phosphates and potash
only, while they are absent from plots re-
ceiving large quantities of nitrogen in the
form of ammonium salts. Festuca ovina is
abundant on plots receiving ammonium salts,
and little seen on plots receiving nitrate of
soda. Briza media has appeared, and consti-
tutes a large portion of the herbage on the un-
manured plots only. Bromus mollis and the
umbellifer Anthriscus sylvestre are found only
on the plots receiving nitrate of soda. In some
cases the causes for this distribution can be ap-
prehended, e.g., the leguminous plants are sup-
plied with nitrogen from the atmosphere, and
are, therefore, fully fed by a fertiliser con-
taining phosphates and potash, but no nitro-
gen, a mixture which is of little or no service
to the Grasses. Again, ammonium salts encour-
age shallow-rooting plants, because they are
retained by the surface layer of soil ; nitrate of
soda is. on the contrary, washed down by the
rain, and encourages deep, tap-rooting plants.
Such explanations, however, do not cover all
the facts observed. In view of the great diver-
gences in vegetation thus artificially induced, it
would seem to be a simple problem to find out
by the analysis of a particular soil and plant
how to adapt another soil to that plant. At
once, however, there are difficulties : all plants,
said Mr. Hall, contain the same elementary sub-
stances derived from the soil, and in very much
the same sort of proportions. We can, as de Saus-
sure and Liebig did. group plants into silica
lovers, lime lovers, potash lovers, by the promi-
nence of these particular constituents in their
ash. but on experiment these groupings possess
little significance, because the differences between
the composition of the same plant growing on
different soils are often greater than those sepa-
rating the various groups. With one or two

notable exceptions, we can never point to any
particular constituent as specially associated
with a given plant.

Moreover, the lecturer went on to say, soils
of the most diverse type possess much the
.same chemical composition. How, then, are
these facts to be reconciled with the great dif-
ferences in the nature of the herbage on the
Rothamsted plots which have been established
by differences in the chemical nature of the food
supply? We have, said Jlr. Hall, to bring into
account the intense competition existing between'
the various species on these plots ; if the treat-
ment, chemical or otherwise, establishes only a
small difference in favour of one species as
against another, then the pressure of competition
acting over a long period may easily eliminate
the one species or make the other dominant. In
considering, therefore, the distribution of given
plants, it thus becomes necessary to look for very
small factors, and not expect any large special
correlation of the chemical composition of plant
and soil. The lecturer promised to discuss in
the following lecture such correlations as could
be made out.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.
ANNUAL DINNER.

The annual meeting and dinner were held in
the Hotel Windsor, on Tuesday, the 22nd inst.,
under the presidency of Sir John T. D. Llewelyn,
Bart., about a hundred members and guests
being present, includnig ladies.

Thanks to the kindness of Messrs. Jas. Veitch
& Sons, the tables were beautifully decorated
with flowers. A special group of Rhododen-
drons was placed in front of the President, as
a graceful tribute, for he is a great collector
and cultivator of these plants.

Mr. W. J. Jefferies proposed the toast of the
Royal Horticultural Society, to which Sir Albert
RoUitt responded in his usual terse and humorous
fashion, provoking much hilarity by the anec-
dotes, intermingled with apt remarks as to the
importance of the Society and its value to the
world as a horticultural institution. References
were made to the proposed great international
horticultural exhibition of 1912, and the hospi-
tality the Club hopes to extend to the foreign
guests.

Sir John Llewelyn proposed the toast of the
Club, and the Rev. Joseph Jacob responded with
much humour. He made some references to the
curious combination of military and horticultural
ideas which has resulted in a notorious public
appointment in connection with the Ixindon
Parks. Mr. George Monro proposed " The
Chairman," and Mr. Edward White " The Visi-
tors." Mr. Smith, a Canadian guest, responded
to the latter toast.

Prior to the dinner the annual meeting of the
Club members was held. A very satisfactory
report was given, showing a material increase
in the membership, and a financial position which
leaves nothing to be desired. Particular atten-
tion was directed in the report to the interest-
ing and educational character of the lectures
which had been given after the monthly dinner
during the session. The Club in this way com-
bines usefulness with sociability.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

FEBRU.A.RY 16. — The monthly meeting of this
society was held at the Institution of Civil En-
gineers, Westminster, Mr. H. Mellish, president,
in the chair.

Mr. E. Mawley presented his report on the
phenological observations for 1909. During the
whole year wild plants came into blossom behind
their usual time, the departures from the average
being greatest in March and April. Such early
spring immigrants as the swallow, cuckoo, and
nightingale made their .appearance rather earlier
than usual. The only deficient farm crops were
Beans, Peas, and Hay, On the other hand, the
yield of Wheat, Barley, Oats. Turnips, Man- .
golds, and Potatos was well above the average,
and more particularly Barley and 'Turnips. The
crop of Apples, Pears, and Plums was under
average ; whereas that of Raspberries, Goose-
berries, Currants, and Strawberries, 'taken to-
gether, was fairly good. As regards the farm
crops, this '\\as the fourth year in succession in
which the yield has been above average.

Colonel il. E. Rawson read a paper on " The
North Atlantic Anticvclone."

144

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

[February 26, 1910.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

Mr. H. Tann presided over a large attendance of the
members at the meeting held on Tuesday, the 15th inst.
Dr. W. Goodwin, of Wye College, delivered a lecture
on "Potash Manures." He described some of these
manures, including wood-ashes, Kainit, and sulphate of
potash, and gave full directions regarding the proper lime
to apply the same, and the right quantities to use. The
annual summer show is fixed for VVednesday, July 13.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION (Lon.
DON Branch}.— At the last meeting of this association the
■ question of a dust-proof carriage drive formed the subject
of an interesting discussion. One member suggested that
wood blocks would prove the most serviceable, but it was
considered that preparations of gas tar have given the best
results. A thick layer of broken granite is consolidated by
means of a steam roller, and the surface is then flooded
with boiling tar and afterwards sprinkled with sand. Six
members of the branch were placed in the first class at
the recent examination by the Royal Horticultural Society,
Mr. P. G. Butcher winning the Silver Medal. Thirty-two
members have now obtained First-class Certificates in this
examination, whilst the medal has been won three times
and the Silver-gilt medal twice.

BATH GARDENERS'.— The usual fortnightly meeting
was held on Monday, February 14, at the Foresters' Hall,
Mr. T. Parrott presidmg. " Improvements in Vegetables "
was the subject of a lecture given by Mr. W. F. Giles, of
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading. More than 100 lantern
slides were used to illustrate the lecturer's remarks.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending February 19, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather. — The general character of the weather was
very rough and stormy, and over the greater part of the
kingdom a certain amount of rain fell every day, some of the
falls beuig heavy in the west and north. Thunder and
lightning were experienced on one or more days over a
wide area.

The temperature was above the average, the excess ranging
from about 1° in Ireland to about 5" in England E. and the
Midland Counties. Over the kingdom as a whole the highest
of the maxima occurred on the 17th, but in Scotland the date
was rather variable. The figures ranged from 56'' in England
E. and also at Westminster and Greenwich to 52** in Scot-
land E. and VV. The lowest of the minima were registered
on the 16th at most places in Great Britain, but earlier in the
week at some western and south-western stations and in
Ireland. In Scotland E. (at Balmoral on the 15th) the ther-
mometer fell to IS*', and in England E. to 22'', but in the
other districts the values ranged from 26° in Scotland N. to
31** in England N. and N.W., and to 37° in the English
Channel. The lowest grass readings reported were 14" at
Balmoral, 18^ at Cambridge, 20*^ at Crathes, 22'" at West-
minster and Llangammarch Wells, and 23'' at Hereford.

The mean temperature of the sea. — On the south-east and
south-west coasts of England the temperature of the water
was higher than during the corresponding week of last
year, elsewhere it was generally lower. The means for the
week ranged from about 48^ at Newquay and Plymouth to
40'^ at Kirkwall and Cromarty, and to 38'' at BurnEnonth.

The rainfall was considerably more than the average in
all districts excepting England N.E., where the excess was
slight.

The bright sunshine was just equal to the normal in
Ireland S. but exceeded it in all other parts of the Kingdom.
The percentage of the possible duration ranged from 42 in
Scotland E., 41 in England N,E., and 40 in the Midland
Counties to 30 in England S.E., 28 in Scotland N., and 27
in Ireland S.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending February 23,
A wartn, wet, and windy week. — Since the month began
there have been only two unseasonably cold days, and but
five cold nights. On the first day of the past week the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 55" — the
liighest readuig of the year as yet. The nights also were,
as a rule, unseasonably warm for the time of year. The
ground is now 2" warmer than is seasonable, both at 1
and 2 feet deep. During the present month there have
been as yet only four days without rain, but as a rule the
amounts deposited have been small. Rain fell on each day of
the past week, and to the total depth of IJ inches. Between
8 and 9 p.m. on the 20th there occurred a short but severe
tliunderstorm which passed directly over Berkhamsled. As
was the case in the previous week, practically the whole of
the rainfall came through the percolation gauges. The sun
shone on an average for 2^ hours a day, which is about tlie
mean duration for the third week in February. The wind
was variable in strength, but as a rule high, and at times
very high. On the 20th the velocity of the wind amounted to
that of a gale. During the three hours ending 4 p.m. on that
<lay the mean velocity reached 24 miles an hour, and in the
windiest hour 25 miles— direction S.S.E. There was about
a seasonable amount of moisture in the air at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. A selected bush of the wild Hazel first showed
a female flower on the 19th, which is one day earlier than its
average date for the previous 19 years. E. M., Berkhamsled^
February 23^ 1970.

ENQUIRY.

Apple Cordons. — I propose planting some
Apple cordons in the open, and should be much
obliged if any reader would kindly tell me
which way I ought to place their heads — north,
.south, cast or west — and their reason for so
planting them? Amateur OrchardUt.

Book on Carnations : C. You will find all the
particulars you require in The Perpetual
Flowering Carnatlun, by Montagu G. All-
wood. This work may be obtained from our
publishing department, price 2s. 3d. free by
post.

Gardening Prospects in America : C. M. and
others. — Several correspondents have written,
asking for further particulars with regard to
gardening employment in the United States of
America. We have no further information to
add beyond what is contained in the letters
published on p. 122. As it is contrary to the
law of that country for anyone to advertise for
a situation, unless he already resides in
America, the only course open is to proceed
there and seek work on the spot. According to
our correspondent, T. E. K., there is no diffi-
culty -in obtaining a situation. His advice to
freshly-landed emigrants to seek the help of
some prominent seedsmen or nurserymen is to
be recommended.

Herbaceous Perenni.als: C. P. Hardy her-
baceous perennials include such plants as Munt-
bretias and the hardy Liliums, notwithstanding
they have bulbou.^ root-stocks. Therefore, un-
less bulbs are expressly excluded by the condi-
tions of the schedule, it would be legitimate
to show the.se as hardy herbaceous perennials.
Some of the plants you mention might not be
considered perfectly hardy, and in that case
their inclusion might lead to disqualification.

JIanure for H.iRDY Palms : W. E. It will be
beneficial to apply a dressing of well-rotted
manure as a mulch in the spring. This
should be raked off in the atitumn and re-
placed with manure containing plenty of
strawy litter.

Names of Plants: Anxioux. 1, Aloe variegata
(Partridge-crest Aloe) ; 2, Da|)hne Laureola ;
3, Aloe verrucosa ; 4, Sparmannia africana. —
v. M. The specimens are very poorly de-
veloped. 1, Bulbophyllum Pechei ; 2, Cirrho-
petalum picturatum ; 3, Odontoglossum luteo-
purpurcum, so far as we can judge. — Potth.
Begonia maculata ; 2, B. manicata; 3, B.
metallica. — P. H. 1, Odontoglossum blan-
dum ; 2, Oncidium pubes ; 3, 0. flexuosum ; 4,
Ada aurantiaca ; 5, Stelis ophioglossoides. —
//. //. Cornus Mas and Hypericum Androsa;-
mum. — B. 0. Begonia glaucophylla of gardens.
A fine basket plant. — E. M. 1, Cymbidium
giganteum ; 2, Cypripedium JMadiotianum (vil-
losum X Chamberlainianum) ; 3, C. Lathamia-
num (villosum X Spicerianum). — G A. Ceano-
thus azureus, as far as we can tell without
flowers.

Pruning Forest Trees : Subscriber. If you in-
tend pruning and lopping the trees you men-
tion severely, the work may be done now. But
the ordinary pruning, such as merely thin-
ning the branches and shaping the trees, is
best done during the summer months. This
time is recommended because the foliage
being then on the trees, the effect of the
pruning can be observed as the work pro-
ceeds.

Retarding Plants ; Petard. You will find par-
ticulars for the treatment of retarded crowns
of Lilv-of-the- Valley in the issue for February
22, 1902. p. 124. "in, the issues for March 8
and March 15, 1902, details are given respect-
ing the treatment of retarded plants of Spiraea,
Lilium and Rhododendron molle.

Rhododendron Shoots Damaged : G. G. The
damage to your shoots of Rhododendron grande
has been caused by frost. There is no disease
present.

Sand for Examination : IF. F. We do not
undertake to analyse soils. If you send the
sand to Dr. A. Voelckcr, M.A., 22, Tudor
Street, E.G., he will undertake an analysis for
a fee, which is reduced to Fellows of the
Royal Horticultural Society.

Street Trees: Che.iter. The following kinds
are suitable for planting in streets of urban
districts : — Ulmus campestris, Robinia Pseud-
acacia, Pyrus Aria, Populus nigra pyramidalis.

Acer dasycarpum, A. platanoides, x-Esoulus
rubicunda, Catalpa bignonioides, Fagus
sylvatica, Fraxinus americana aucubasfolia, F.
excelsior, Platanus orientalis var. acerifolia,
and Populus deltoidea.

To Repair an Asphalt Path : G. F. As your
paths are badly cracked, it will be necessary
to remove, with a pickaxe, about 6 inches on
either side of the cracked surface, or, say,
about 9 inches altogether, and fill in with fresh
material. If the paths are not extensive we
should advise you to relay them entirely. The
trouble has arisen from a neglect to form a
proper foundation. If you adopt our sugges-
tion, pick up the path and break the material
into small portions, utilising these for the bot-
tom. If you employ this old material, all that
is necessary is to well roll or consolidate it
with a rammer, and then apply a light layer
of finer, newly-made asphalt. Full particulars
for the making of asphalt paths are given by
Mr. W. W. Pettigrew in the issue for July 17,
1909, p. 39. Mr. Pettigrew states that finely-
broken limestune is employed in the public parks
at Cardiff, but we have seen miles of excellent
asphalt paths made with ordinary beach
stones. These are sifted, the finer ones being
used for the surface. The stones, either small
or large, are placed in heaps and burned with
coke like ballast. They are then mixed, when
hot, with boiling tar, and all that is necessary
is to spread them evenly and roll well. The
surface is afterwards heavily dusted with road-
grit. The details of Mr. Pettigrew's system
are as follow : — The gravel — a finely-broken
limestone — is passed through a ^-inch screen,
and the separated rough and fine gravel are
kept in distinct heaps till required. To ensure
success in mixing it with the tar, it is essential
for the gravel to be thoroughly dry. and with
this object in view it is, if practicable, advis-
able to have it stored and mixed under the
cover of a shed. The tar must be applied to the
gi'avel whilst the former material is at the boil-
ing point, and for this reason a tar-boiler is an
absolute necessity for carrying on this work.
The boiling of tar, if not properly attended to, is
not merely a difficult but a very dangerous pro-
cess, for it may run over the sides and reach
the furnace. By placing a piece of slack lime,
about the size of a large hen-egg, into a boiler
containing about 20 gallons of tar, just as
it reaches the boiling point, the ammonia
is set free and all danger of boiling over is
obviated. We find that a cubic yard of fine
gravel takes about 17 gallons of tar, while the
rough only takes about 11 gallons. The gravel
is turned over and stirred about while the boil-
ing tar is being poured over it until it is
thoroughly and evenly mixed, after which it is
stored in a large heap until required for use.
It is found to be an advantage to keep it
stacked in this way for a few days rather than
to take it out fresh and use it at once. In the
latter case the tar is liable to exude from the
surface and cause annoyance, whereas in the
former it does not do this. The path
over which this mixture is to be laid
must firet of all be " picked " up, re-
made, and lightly i-olled. The rough, tarred
gravel is then spread over it in a layer about
I inch in thickness and compressed together
by means of a heavy roller. Fine gravel 's
thereafter laid for a depth of 2 inches over this,
levelled with a steel rake and then thoroughly
rolled and the surface covered with sand or fine
limestone grit. By the constant application of
a wet mop to the surface of the roller the
tarred gravel does not adhere to it, and an
even, smooth surface is given to the walk.

Violets Unsatisfactory : Single W. The
trouble is not caused either by disease or insect
pest. The flowers have become abnormally
double, and some of the petals have become
foliaceous and irregular in shape. It is diffi-
cult to account for the abnormality, but it is
perhaps due to rich soil, and high culture gen-
erally. We should advise you to di.scard the
plants aiid to procure fresli stock.

Comniunications Received.— B. H.— H. H.— E. N. —

A. G. B.— B. G.— Eghani Gard. Assoc — Wargrave Gard.
Assoc— A. A. P.-G. H.— R. D.— W. R. D.— W. S. B.—
A. & B.-W. F.— John D.— W. W. P.— H. C, Geneva—
P. K.— A. G.— E. A. D. W.— J. O'B.- J. P.-Cliloris—
H. S.-F. M.— E. H. J.— A. H.-G P. D.— S. A.— F. J. C.
— Thomas, E., Shanghai— \V. \V. — Haddam— A. Grove—
F. S. L.— Royal Ai^ricultural Soc — Linnean Soc. —
T. B. D. & Co.— H. H. D.-G. W.— C. B. L.— P. & M.—
A. B., Lyons-H. S. T.-R. F.-S. & S.— W. H.-T. H. C.

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle.

GENTIANA SCABKA.

Flowers, bright purplish-blue, paler in the throat. From Specimens supplied by Mr. Amos Perry.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.C

March 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

145

THE

^Hibeners'Cbronicle

ZVo. l,S10.—SATUIiDAY, March 5, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Aberdeen College of

Obituary —

Agriculture

154

Asbby, John

158

Api-les, late dessert . .

148

Blake, Richard

158

Bair memorial, the

163

McCorquodale, Du-

Bermuda, gardening in

154

gald

158

Bird sanctuary, a

154

Smith, Chas

153

Books, notices of —

Orchids at Rosslyn

147

Botanical Magazine..

153

Parks appointment, the

Common Weeds of the

L.C.C

156

Farua and Garden...

152

Plants, new or notc-

Gardening Difficulties

wort>iy— ,

Solved

148

Iris ! sb inensis

146

Hardy Fruit Culture

Iris niHsia

147

for Amateurs

147

Post, an onerous

15G

Mushrooms and their

Primula Forrestii and

Cultivation

147

other Chinese st^ecies

157

Publications received

164

Rosary, the —

Carnation "Mre.Tatton"

146

Forcing house ' for

Chrysauthemiinis, trials

Roses

143

{.f single-flowered ...

153

Notes on varieties ...

148

Detidrobiiim "Mrs. Fen-

Sex, heredity of

154

lon Arnton"

149

Societies-

Edinburgh spring flower

Horticultural Club ...

irs

show

154

Linnean

157

Flowers in season

154

National Fruit-groweib

Frecbia Armstrongii ...

155

Federation

158

Freesia from seed

165

Royal Horticultural ..

153

*' French " garden, notes

(Scientific Committee)

157

from a

155

Royal Meteorological

158

Fruit trees, protection

Surveyors' Institution

153

of, from Irost

157

United Hort. Benefit

Fruit-tree culture

156

and Provident

153

Galanthns Klwei-ii and

South Devon, weather in

156

other Snowdrops

157

Victoria Park, Stafford

3 54

Gloxinias under cool

Violets, diseased

160

treatment

156

Wail trees, the pruning

}!a.arlem sliow, the

153

of

157

JaiRu-British eshibi-

Weeds, agricultural ...

152

linn

154

Week's work, the—

La Mortola, notes from

145

Flower garden, the ...

ISO

Livori-ool, horticultural

Fruits under glass ...

150

show at

153

Hardy [nut garden, ihe

151

Nursery uote.s—

Kitchen garden, the.

151

Sutton and Sons,

Orchid houses, the ..

1.0

Rending

154

Plants under [,'lats ...

150

Orel. id growers in Bel-

Public parks and

gium

153

gardens

151

ILLUSTR

ATION8.

Carnation "Mrs. Tatton

K6

Dendrobium "Mrs. Fenton A

rnton"

119

Forcing house for Roseb

148

Portrait of the late Dugald I

vlcCorquodale

168

Primula denticulata (Su

pplei

nentary Illustration)

Violet aflfeoted with the

fung

us Urocyatis violee

160

NOTES FROM LA MORTOLA.

To escape from the glare and dust of thi3
high road leading from Ventimiglia to
Mentone into the cool shade of tlis
luxuriant vegetation of the gardens of I, a
Mortola gives a delightful sense of relief and
(juiet.

Once inside, it is difficult to realise that
it is only February. The first thing that
meets the eye is a large clump of scarlet
i otyledon macranthum in full flo.ver, and as
you pass down the steps, Salvias (S. mexicana,
elegans, iSrc), Heliotropes, Acacias, Daturas,
not to mention many succulents in Hower,
form bright spots of colour among the more
subdued shades of blues and greens of a large
jriety of dry-climate plants, and the dark
masses of evergreen trees. The rampant
growth of old friends which in British green-
houses are, even at their best, but poor,
meagre specimens compared with those here,
growing in the open and under much more
natural cocdiiions, is enough to fill one witli
envy.

It would be difficidt to find a more ideal spot
for a winter and spring gai'den, situat-ed as
it is on a tongue of land, facing south, and

sloping rather abruptly from the road, which
lies some hundreds of feet up, right down to
the shores of the Mediterranean, with exten-
sive views along the coast on either side. .
The upper part of the garden is in the
form of terraces, with zig-zag paths leading
down to the house. These terraces formerly
grew vines, Olives, Lemons, Oranges, ifec,
but now the more exposed parts are
occupied by a splendid collection of dry-cli-
mate plants, such as varieties of Mammil-
laria, Echeveria, Cotyledon, Opuntia, t^ras-
Kula, Cereus, Mesembryanthemum, Aloe,
Euphorbia, Kleinia, &c. It would be end-
less to enumerate them. They range
from the extremely small Han-orthias to the
gigantic Agaves, of which the silver A.
Franzosinii, a hybrid, is perliaps the most con-
spicuous, almost white in colour, very glau-
cous, standing 7 to 8 feet, and with leaves 5 to
G feet long. Several Dasylirion have flowered,
amongst them D. acrotrichum and the glau-
cous form, D. glaucophyllura (as its name
implies) is still in bloom, the inlioreseence
being about 10 feet : a magnificent specimen.

Of the succulents in flower, space does not
permit of reference to more than a few.
There is a great assortment of Aloes, with
branched Hower-stenis, ranging in size from
A. lorticoccinea, with an in/lorescence about
the size of a fine Laclienalia, Uirougli the dif-
ferent grades of A. f-erox (wilh formidable
spine.s), A. supralaevis, to the largest A. Salra-
Dyckiana, witii flower-heads which look in
the distance like huge, loose Kniphofias,
though the unbranched flower-stems of A.
ciliaris and A. arborescens fructescens, aiid
its larger variety A. arborescens Pacliythyrs-a
are perhaps more beautiful. One would
imagine that such plants as succulents and
the Acacias must revel in the intense heat of
the summer sun on those .steep terraces. I
am told that the dry season sometimes lasts
eight months.

It is difficult, unless the}' are in flower, to
distinguish between the Alee and the Agave.
But once in flower, the matter is easy, as
the Aloe belongs to the Liliaceae, and the
Agave to the Amaryllidacefe. Another point
of difference is that the Aloe flowers every
year and has a branching habit, whereas the
Agave flowers only once and then dies.
The supreme efi'ort of throwing up its
immense flower-heads, which form such a
conspicuous feature in th.3 landscape of tlie
Riviera, seems to be too much for the con-
stitution of the plant. The popular idea is
that the Agave lives 100 years and then
flowers and dies, but, as a matter of fact,
under natural conditions they mostly flower at
a much earlier age. The Mexicans make a
strong alcoholic drink from the sap of the
common Agave americana, which they obtain
by cutting and tapping the stem of the young
inflorescence. One plant is .said to be capable
of supplying 1,000 litres of sap.

The pithy tissue of the axis of the mature
inflorescence, if cut into boards about 1 <enti-
metre thick, is considered by some to be pre-
ferable to cork for lining entomological boxes,
as small pins penetrate the Agave tissue much
more easily.

The fibres extracted from the leaves are of
use for cordage, the leaves are used locally for
palings or hedges, and as the plants grow
mostly on the driest, sunniest spots, they form
excellent substitutes for clothes lines, the

clothes being stretched out on them to dry by-
the Riviera washerwoman.

But to return to La Mortola. The soil is
calcareous and light in colour, and lime-shy
plants require to have the ground especially
prepared for them.

Before leaving the Aloijs, I must mention
one which especially attracted my notice, on
account of its beautiful colouring. To judge
from its name, Aloe rubro-violacea, one
would imagine the colouring to be rather
crude and vivid, but this is not the case. In
its rosettes of leaves, each leaf being about
Ij feet long, there are pale shades of green
at the base, gradually passing into pink
purple and blue, the whole being covered
with a delicate bloom. The flower-head, which
is massive, stands about 2 feet to 2h feet
high, with the stem of the same colouring
as the leaves. The flowers are a pleasing
cherry-red. In bright sunshine this Aloe is
a plant of great beautj'.

The above-mentioned Agaves and Aloes, the
revolting-looking Euphorbia Caput Meuusie,
trailing over the rocks, the candelabra
Euphorbias of all sizes and shapes, the brist-
ling Mamillarias and Opuntias, the hanging
masses of Mesembryanthemums, are not easily
overlooked, but woe betide anybody who
touches them! Among the less-conspicuous
varieties of succulents there is matter for
months of study to the would-be connoisseur
in dry-climate plants.

In spite of their great interest, however, the
place would be dull if not relieved by other
less abnormal forms of vegetation. Pools con-
taining water plants, overhung by Ferns,
and .shaded by groups of larger trees are met
with here and there. In one pool I found
an Aponogeton distachyon in full flower.
iN'ear the entrance of the gardens a graceful
Casuarina var. .•;tricta hangs over the steps
leading from one terrace ro another, and fur-
ther down a magnificent Buddleia madagas-
cariensis forms a regular arbour. The plant
seems to be a semi-climber, and either sup-
ports itself by intertwining its stems or finds
support in some trees, and thence hangs its
graceful pendulous, yellow-orange Rower-
heads and grey, glaucous leaves.

Palms and Cycads are scattered about
among the different trees and flowering shrubs,
and above all towers an immense Eucalyptus
Globulous, with its clean stem stripped of
its bark, scenting the air with its fragrant
flowers, and with its leaves hanging edge-
wise to the sun, a special form of adaptatiou
against excessive sun-heat. The reduction
of the leaf surface from the wide, thin lamina
of the leaves in the seedling and young plant,
to the tough, narrow sickle-shaped leaves of
the mature tree, together with the bloom on
the leaves and fruit, are so many protective
devices against excessive insolation.

The smaller-leaved Eucalyptus leucoxjdon
has a similar habit, but is not such an im-
posing tree as the common Eucalyptus
Globulous.

The difi'erent varieties of Palms and Cycads
are also a feature in the La Mortola Gardens.
The commonest. Phoenix canariensis, is to be
met with everywhere along the Riviera.
At this time of year it is very orna-
mental, with its huge bunches of orange-
yellow fruits. The more useful Phoenix
dactilifera, or Date Palm, does not do so
well ; it does not mature its fruit, and the

146

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 5, 1910.

leaves look as if they needed more warmth. A
distinguishing feature about the Phoenix, beside
its pinnate leaves, is the persistence of the leaf-
bases all the way down the stem. In the Cocos,
however, the leaf-bases fall off with the leaves,
and the leaf scars run one into the other, so that
a smooth stem, with annular markings, is pro-
duced. The leaf-bases of the Chamierops are also
persistent, and the stipules are extremely hairy,
giving the stem a fluffy appearance. The leaves
of the Chamsrops are, of course, palmate, and
the clusters of fruit dark in colour.

The Washingtonia (W, Sonorse in particular)
has the peculiarity of having its leaf bases split

and the mature leaf, all stages of transition
from one to the other occurring on the same
plant. It seems rather str.inge that a plant with,
xerophytic characteristics should increase its leaf
surface as it matures, from a narrow linear leaf
with no spines, to a very broad, much-indented,
thorny one, instead of reducing it, as is more
usually the case.

The base of the mature leaf of the H. cucuUata
is yellow, tinged with orange, and the colour
gradually shades off into green nearer the margin.
The flower is insignificant, and hidden in the axil
of the leaf.

On a sunny bank, facing S.S.W., is a collection

Fig. 62. — CARNATION

{^photograph by J. Gregory,

MRS. tatton": colour of petals light pink,

WITH WHITE MARGINS.

in two, just as if the strain of the increasing
girth of the stem had ruptured the petiole near
the stem.

Among the smaller shrubs the Hakeas and
flowering Grevilleas are of some interest, in par-
ticular Hakea cucullata, with its extraordinarily-
shaped leaves, and the dry, hard fruits lying in
the axils close to the stem. The leaves are tough,
leathery, and armed with spines, and there is an
extraordinary difference between the seedling leaf

of small Grevilleas. The habit is graceful, and
the racemose flower-heads, with two florets in
each axil, and the long, projecting styles, give
the plants a light, feathe-y appearance.

It is a pity these plants are not more grown in
cool gi'eenhouses in England. They flower when
quite small, and are certainly more ornamental
than G. robusta, the Australian silky oak, which
13 so much grown as a foliage plant. D. M.
Cayley.

CARNATION MRS. TATTON.

At the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting
held on February 22 a very distinct and pretty
Carnation of the perpetual-flowering type was
shown by Mr. H. Burnett, Guernsey. As was
stated in cur report, the colour of the petals of
this variety is of the pleasing pink peculiarly
characteristic of the Souvenir dc la INIalmaison
section, such, for instance as the variety Mar-
mion. The colour in the new variety is richest
at the base of the petals, becoming paler until
the margins are reached, these being nearly
white. The petals are slightly fringed, as is
shown in the illustration (fig. 52) ; but, in other
respects, the flowers have excellent form, and are
produced on long, erect stems. The variety Mrs.
Tatton is a very desirable novelty.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

IRIS LISBONENSIS, sp. n.*

Inability to manufacture a euphonious adjec-
tive out of Olisipo, the ancient name of Lisbon,
has led me to suggest the above somewhat
mongrel title for an Iris which gi'ows in the
immediate vicinity of that city, and which has
not been previously described, I believe.

This new species has come to light in the
course of an attempt to straighten out the tangle
that has long surrounded the Linna?an species
biflora and aphylla. By the former, Linna?us may
have meant to describe the Portuguese plant,
which Clusius found near Coimbra, and called
biflora, when he saw it in bloom in Novem-
ber, and heard that it also flowered in spring.
Unfortunately, Linnaeus confused matters by re-
ferring to a figure in the Hortus Eyslattansis
called I. biflora, which undoubtedly represents
the Central European I. aphylla, and his her-
barium in the possession of the Linnaean Society
contains a similar plant, while I. aphylla is un-
represented. Owing to this confusion, it would
eeem necessary to drop the Linnsean name of I.
biflora. and then Brotero's name of subbiflora
(Brolrro Flora iusitanira, I., p. 50, 1804) wiU
stand for the Coimbra plajit.

While going through the Portuguese speci-
mens of this Iris in the Kew Herbarium I found
one plant that differed from I. subbiflora in
several ways, and which was collected on Mon-
santo. The chief difference lies in the fact that,
whereas in subbiflora the stem bears several small
bract-like leaves, and has small purple-stained
spathes, the Monsanto plant has a naked stem,
and remarkably long and broad, green spathe
valves.

Not content to base a new species on this one
pjiecimen, I made enquiries in Portugal, and for-
tune favoured me ; for it happened that my
friend, the Baron de Soutellinho, formerly Mr. A.
W. Tait, was able to send me a flowering speci-
men of what he believed to be I. subbiflora,
gathered by his brother on Mont Estoril, a hill in
clo.se proximity to Monsanto, on the outskirts of
Lisbon. This plant, however, turned out to be
identical with the Kew specimen from Monsanto,
and 1 heard also from Professor Henriques, of
Coimbra, that he knows the plant from a her-
barium specimen as growing with Iris subbiflora
near Lisbon. Moreover, I find that a specimen
was sent by Maw to Sir Michael Foster from the
neighbourhood of Lisbon, and all these indica-
tions combine to show that the Kew specimen
is no isolated abnormality, but really represen-
tative of a distinct species, which has hitherto
remained unseparated from Brotero's subbiflora.

In this new Iris the leaves are of a somewhat

*Iris LISBONENSIS, SP. N. — Rliizvmct camosuiTi, conipactiun ;
foha ensiforniia, pallida luleo-viridia, caulem subaequantia ;
cauhs simplex, nudus, uniflorus ; spatha magns, 3-poll.
longse, omnino virides, subventricosae ; pedicellus nullus ;
ovarium rotundato-trigonum ; txtbus 1-2 poll, longus, purpureo
striatus; segmfnta omnia nigro-purpurea, f.v/friorrt obovato-
cuneala, barba ex albido coerulescente, tnterwia paulo.
pallid iora, obovato-unguiculata.

Maech 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

H/

yellowish green, about 8 in. long at flowering
time by | in. wide, the innermost pair almo.st
hiding the bare stem. The spathes bear appa-
rently one flower, and are 2^ to 3 inches long,
somewhat inflated, and quite green at flowering
time. There is no pedicel, but the tube is from
1;^ to 2 inches long, greenish with purple stripes
in the line of the standards. The falls are of a
fine dark red, almost black, purple, the beard
being blui.'sh in front, then white tipped with
I lue, and finally at the base beneath the ."itylcs
white inconspicuously tipped with brown or yel-
low. The standards are of a somewhat lighter
shade than the falls, with darker veins, and nar-
row gradually to a haft, which is veined with
red-brown on a colourless ground. IF. 7i'. Dyhex,

IRIS ]\rASIA.

The new Iris described on p. 99 should be
called I. masia and not I. Masiae, the name by
which it was known to Sir Michael Foster ; for,
as Dr. Stapf has very kindly pointed out to mo,
the ancient name of- its habitat, the Karadja
Dagh, was Mons RIasins. Foster was evidently
unaware of the origin of the name, which, in
itself, contains further proof of the identity of
the plant he received from Leichtlin with Sin
tenis's specimen in the Kew herbarium. II'. R.
Di/l'fK, Charterhouse, Goilolmituj.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ORCHIDS AT ROSSLYN, STAMFORD HILL.

The gardens of H. T. Pitt, Esq., are exceed-
ingly interesting as an example of an old-time
garden, established when Stoke Newington,
Stamford Hill, and adjacent parts were yet
country places, and had not become parts of
London. In the gardens are many old
trees, including Catalpa bignonioides, which
is said to be one of the earliest planted in
the neighbourhood of London, a district
which suits it admirably The plant-houses
are noted for a very fine collection of Orchids,
especially the. finely-blotched forms of Odonto
glossum crispum, a branch of Orchid culture
\Yhich JNIr. Pitt has encouraged liberally, many
of the best forms having been purch.ised for the
Rosslyn collection. Of these, the two favourites
in the collection are 0. crispum Pittianum, which
is very I'emarkable for size and depth of colour,
and 0. c. Persimmon, a flower of broad propor-
tions and fine substance. There are several speci-
mens of most of the distinct forms, for the prac-
tice has been to remove the old pseudo-bulbs and
keep them dry on a shelf until they begin to
grow, when they are potted up. A plant of 0.
cil.^pum Pittianum obtained from not very
promising back pseudo-bulbs, but now growing
strongly, affords a good example of the value of
the process.

Of late years, Mr. Thurgood, Mr. Pitt's gar-
dener, has turned these fine blotched Odontoglos-
sums to another account, by using them for
hybridising, and several houses contain large
batches of plants, ranging from 2 inches in
lieight to sturdy specimens, some of which will
soon flower. These include crosses with Odonto-
glossum Edwardii. Cochlioda Noezliana. spotted
and finely-formed varieties of Odontoglossum
Pescatorei, and other Odontoglossums crossed
with Odontoglossnm crispum Pittianum, 0. c.
Ashworthianum, and other deeplv-coloured varie-
ties. It 'S remarkable that such quantities of
seedling Odontoglossums, which a few years ago
were considered to be next to impossible to
raise and rear in this country, should be thriv-
ing so well, practically in Ixmdon. Some crosses
arc said to do better than others, the 0. Edwardii
crosses growing better than some, which, being
crosses of a nearer afSnity, might be expected to
succeed better than such wide crosses as those
with the purple 0. Edwardii.

To take a brief note of the content* of the
houses : the first compact span-roofed range is
filled with a fine lot of hybrid Cattleyas, L»lio-
Cattleyas, and Brasso-Cattleyas, all raised at
Rosslyn, and now strong plants, of uniform size.

The next range is a lean-to house, in three
divisions, containing many rare species and some
hybrids. In one corner are several good speci-
mens of Chondrorhyncha Chestertonii, which
thrive well, and are rarely without one or more
flowers every day in the year. Beside them is a
plant obtained by crossing Chondropetalum
Fletcheri, with C. Chestertonii, which, it is
hoped, may produce a flower with a distinctly
fringed lip. A batch of Epidendrum Boundii X
E. Wailisii should be interesting; Coelogyne pan-
durata grows well in this warm, moist house, and
is freely propagated. In one corner a batch of
Cypripedium Mastersianum has many flowers ;
and a few hybrids are in bloom, together with
strong plants of C. Earl of Tankerville, C. Hin-
deanum, C. Ajax (a very large bloom), C. faron
Schroder var. ardens, C. Our King, &c. "

The next division has hybrids on the front
stage, and Aerides. Vandas, and Saccolabiums on
the other side, the adjoining house having a good
show of Dendrobiums in flower, including D.
Roeblingianuni, varieties of D. splendidissimum,
D. Sibyl, D. Wiganise, D. nobile, D. Juno, D.
Alelanodi.scus, &c.

Here also is a good collection of Lwlia anceps
varieties, and an interesting series of botanical
Orchids, which are favourites with Mr. Pitt,
are suspended from the roof, those noted being
Bulbophyllum rufinum, with sprays of reddish-
yellow flowers; B. barbigerum, B. Erics.sonii,
and some other Bulbophyllums. The Odonto-
glnssum range has in bloom a fnw very good 0.
crispum, 0. Pescatorei, 0, ardentissimum, and
some of the smaller species, together with that
useful bright ener of the cool houses, Sophronitis
grandiflora ; and in the next division Odontoglos-
snm hybrids ; the third division having a goodly
number approaching the flowering stage.

The next intermediate house range has in
flower several plants of Odontoglossum pulchel-
lum niajus of the best old form ; some 0. Rossii
and 0. Cervantesii, the orange-scarlet Ada auran-
fiaca; several Cymbidiums, including C. Low-
grinum (Lowianum x tigrinum) raised at Ross-
lyn, and a much handsomer plant than the
original.

In the next and warmer division several plants
of Epidendrum Wailisii and hybrids of it are
in bloom ; also E. polybulbon in two varieties,
Cirlia macrostachya, Oncidium cheirophorum
and other Oncidiums, some good Lycaste Skin-
neri, Cochlioda Noezliana, bearing both flowers
and seed-capsules, several plants of Maxillaria
luteo-alba grandiflora.

A still warmer division has several good
Cypripediums in bloom, and among interesting
species in flower several Eulophia virens and E.
pulchra, similar in growth but with very different
flowers, those of E. pulchra having very pretty
purple-veined labellums.

The large span-roofed intermediate house con-
tains an arrangement on the centre stage of
plants in bloom, made up of various Cattleyas,
with a few L,'elio-Cattleyas, good .specimens of
Platyclinis glumacea, white Cnelogyne cristata,
&c., the long spikes of Laelia superbiens, and its
hybrid, L.-C. Choletiana arching over from the
back, Aerides Vandarnm. A fine lot of Dendro-
bium Wardiauum, and D. crassinode are also in
bloom, and among the plants noted were some
strong hybrid Sobralias, the fine white Cattleya
Hardyana Countess of Derby, and a uniformly
pink-tinted form of C. Warscewiczii.

Another span-roofed house contains Odonto-
glossums, some few being in flower. Overhead
are nicely -flowered Dendrobium Kingianum and
album, Oncidium cucuUatum, &c. ; the next divi-

sion is filled with selected varieties of Cypri-
pedium insigne, together with some hybrid forms,
including C. Beekmannii and hybrids of it.

The old Pine-pit is another link with the gar-
dening of a past age, and in the early days of
Mr. Pitt's possession he retained the tan-beds
and grew some very fine Pines there, but later
the beds were removed, and on the place where
they were Eucharis are grown and flower pro-
fusely. From the roof are suspended Dendro-
bium Phalaenopsis and other of the warm house
Dendrobiums, Phalajnopsis, principally P. Schil-
leriana, are suspended from the roof and
arranged on the back shelf. In bloom in the
house is the very pretty Cypripedium Grace Pitt
(niveum x Leeanum virginale), a wax-like, pure
white flower, with a flush of rose on the petals
and some fine dotted lines on the dorsal sepal,
which h.as a greenish base.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Culture of Mushrooms.*

FtTNGi abounds in all regions, excepting the
Arctic and Antarctic, but in only a few cases are
there any artificial methods of cultivating them.
In this country we eat the common Mushroom —
Agaricus campestris, the Champignon or Scot's
Bonnet, Marasmius oreades ; the Horse Mush-
room, Agaricus arvensis ; the Giant Puffball,
Lycoperdon giganteum ; the JIaned Agaric,
Coprinus comatus ; the Plum Mushroom, Agaricus
prunulus ; and a few others ; but the first-named
is the only species which we grow artificially.
Abroad, the suspicion attaching to species other
than those named is much less marked. The
Italians, by keeping moist the stumps of the
common Willow, obtain a delicious fungus ; and
the Jew's ear fungus is considered a great deli-
cacy. Truflles, both black and white, are grown
under a rough method of cultivation, but, as a
rule, both here and abroad, edible fungi are to
be found growing spontaneously in certain soils
and localities, and are not cultivated.

Although handbooks on JIushroom cultivation
are plentiful, there is still room for others, and
Mr. Sanders fills a special nook, seeing that he
gives descriptions of a number of fungi that are
agreeable additions to the table and most of them
readily recognisable. Mr. Sanders has written
this manual chiefly for the amateur growing for
home consumption, and with this intent he gives
concise and lucid directions as regards the various
modes of procedure.

A part of the handbook consists of diiectior.s
for the preparation and cooking of Mushrooms.

Hardy Fruit Culture for Amateurs, f

As the authors state in the preface. " ther"
have been frequent complaints that most ot the
books relating to hardy fruit cultivation are so
expensive as to be beyond the means of many
amateurs, and that much of the matter contained
therein is too elaborate or too technical for their
understanding." In this handbook an endeavour
has been made to deal with each subject in a
plain, brief manner.

The gardener by profession is often outstripped
by the amateur, for the reason that he is unable,
owing to lack of time, to devote his attention to
fruit culture to the same degree as the amateur.
Provided that the soil of the amateur's garden
is fairly fertile, there is scarcely a hardy fruit
he may not produce at its best ; and that being
the case, he is enabled to grow all that he
needs for his own consumption, and has good fruit
for disposal in the market. Inasmuch as the
author is an experienced fruit cultivator, his re-
commendations as to varieties and methods are
perfectly trustworthy. The pests of fruit trees and

* Mushrooms and Their Cultivation, by T. W. Sanders,
F.L.S. (London : W, H, & L.Collingridge,) Is. net." -

t By S. T. Wriglit, with notes by \V. D. Drury, F.E^H.,
on Fun:i A^ecting Fiuit Trees. Illustrated, 3rd edition,
(London: L. Upcott Gill.) Price Is. net.

148

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[M.VKCH 5. 1910.

bushes, both insectivorous and fungal, come in
for full notice, as do the protective methods to
bo employed against frost at blossoming time. He
seems, however, to have omitted the old-fashioned
though efficient method of covering wall trees
thinly with Spruce-tree branches, which lose their
needles graduallj' as the season adv'j.ices.

The lists of • the various kinds of fruit are
really selections, and very good ones, not erring
on the side of multiplicity.

Gardening Difficulties. *

If every amateur, and, for that matter, almost
every gardener and under-gardener possessed a
copy of this book, most of their problems would
be happily solved.

The Rose ocupies 53 pages. The questions and
answers apply to numerous matte.j concerning
Roses — their planting, pruning, general treat-
ment, selection of varieties, fungus and insect
foes. In every instance we find that the an-
swers given are correct and to the point. They
touch upon Roses in the open, in the glasshouse,
on walls, fences, for half-shady positions, for per-
gola.s, &c. Then come those very popular plants
— the perpetual-flowering or winter-fiowering
Carnations, an ever-increasing multitude. These,
ind the border varieties, are treated in a similar
manner, but less fully than the Rose. Of course,
the Sweet Pea comes in for many replies and
hints, as to what are the best manures, what
causes the flower-buds to fall, how to grow Roses
in pots, the cause of Pea mould on the roots,
&c. This chapter is followed by one on the
flower garden and its trials and troubles, a mass
of miscellaneous matters satisfactorily dealt
with by the editor. A good list is that of 40
Cactus Dahlias, and useful notes are given on
the reason why Violas fail in some places, and
in praise of the garden frame.

Chapter v., " The Greenhouse Gay," affords
capital hints for the amateur who, in green-
house culture, is apt to go astray. We think
that more varieties should have been added to
the lists, especially of fragrant-leaved Cape Pelar-
goniums. There are useful paragraphs on the
culture of Chrysanthemums, both indoors and
out, bud-taking, how to deal with the leaf-
miner, and the rust plague. Grape culture in
the greenhouse, methods of planting vines, prun-
ing, training and treatment of vines during sum-
mer, and a number of other fruit-growing prob-
lems are dealt with. F.

THE ROSARY.

FORCING HOUSE FOR ROSES.
In the issue for September 19, 1908, \>. 212, I
gave details, with sectional drawing, of a cool
house for growing Roses planted out in borders.

1 propose now to describe a good type of
house for forcing Roses in pots. The best house
for this purpose is a three-quarter-span struc-
ture, and we may consider one 50 feet long, with
a width of 18 feet 3 inches. The house should
be divided into two par is, one measuring
23 feet 3 inches long for the forcing and propa-
gation of the plants, and the other as a cool
house. In the warmer part, which is shown in
sectional elevation in fig. 63, there are three
flow and three return 4-inch hot-water pipes.
In the cooler division, which is 27 feet long,
only two flow and two return pipes of the same
diameter are necessary. The roof rafters are

2 feet 1^ inches apart, and the sash bars 1 foot
apart, 21-ounce glass being employed. Four
posts are required to support the ridge, and the
same number to carry the purloin. The house
should run from north to south, in order to
present the largest area of glass surface to the
sunlight. ' Both top and bottom ventilation is
amply provided for, there being four top ven-

* Gaidining Difficulties Solved, ediled by H. H. Thomas.
Expert answers to amalenrs' <iueslions. (Cassell & Co, Ltd.)
Price Is., oi in clotli Is. C.i. net.

tilators (see fig. 63), opening from the ridge, each
measuiing 3 feet by 2 feet, front glass ventilators
(B), each 2 feet by 15 inches, and I'entilating
hoards (A) both back and front, each 1 foot wide.
These ventilating boards are useful when the
weather is very cold, as the fresh air that is
admitted by means of these first passes over the
hot-water pipes. In the cooler division, the
plants are placed when first brought indoors from
the open or froTi cold frames to be accommodated
later in the warmer division. The cold end is
also useful for staging the grafted plants prior
to hardening them after takiu-g them from the
warmer division, and lor prolonging the season of
blooming. The side stages (C) and propagating
frames (E) can be removed about May, when
forcing is finished. The house could then be
utilised for growing Tomatos, and later, for
Chrysanthemums. In the cooler division, the
four roof-supporting posts should be planted with
a climbing variety each : Grus an Teplitz, Bello
Lyonnaise, Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, Jlrs. \\ .
J. Grant, or La JIarque being suitable. J. I). G.

ROSES OF RECENT INTRODUCTION.
Perhaps I may be permitted to add to the
admirable list of new Roses, given on pp. 130
and 131, the following varieties, namely, ISIar-
garet, Cynthia, and Althea, three highly-attrac-
tive Hybrid Teas, from Walthara Cross, of which

/Sf=T 3/'^ .

Fig. 63. — SECTION of a fokcing-house

FOR ROSES.

A. Ventilating boards, 1 ft. wide.

B. Glass ventilators, 2 ft. x 1 ft. 3 in.

C. Slate-covered stage, 3 ft. wide.

D. Central stase.

E. Propa:^ating bed witti movable glass flames aach

3 ft. 6 in X 2 ft. 6 in.
F. F. Hot-water pipes.
G. Rid.tle board.
H. Ventilators, 3 ft. X 2 ft.

ihe first-mentioned (deliLUte pink in colour) is
especially beautiful ; JIary Countess of Ilche.ster,
and Margaret Molyncux. from the Royal Nur-
series. Newtownards, both of which, by reason
of their distinctive colour and fine formation, ar,>
certain to prove great acquisitions; and Cynthia
Forde, sent out by Mr. Hugh Dickson, of
Belmont, near Belfast, a flower which greatly
resembles a pink Camellia. Dorothy Dennison is a
sport from that e.xceedingly popular Wichuraiana
Ro.se Dorothy Perkins, and is shell-pink in
colour, and highly effective. If grown side by
side with Christian Curie (soft salmon-pink in
colour) and the white Dorothy, the artistic effect,
I imagine, would be very fine. Among other new
Roses of great attractiveness are Theresa, named
after the Jiarchioness of Londonderry ; Duchess
oi Wellington, a richly-decorative variety ;
Walter Speed; and Nita Weldon. David R.
Williamson.

NOTES ON VARIETIES.

During the past four or five years there have
been introduced several Roses that stand out
from all others. Those I propose mentioning
now are not so generally known as they deserve
to be.

Aennchen Muller (1907). — I do not know of
a Polyantha Rose more constantly in flower than
this variety, or one that lasts longer. The
trusses are very large, and the whole plant ap-
pears to be one mass of clear, bright rose colour.

This doOD not fade in the sun, and the blooms
have never failed to come good with us under
glass. The petals are reflexed, and quilled, much
after the manner of Cactus Dahlias. Its habit
fits this variety peculiarly for bedding purposes.

Chin-Chin (19j9). — This is a yellow China
Rose that retains its deep primi-ose-yellow colour
fresh until the last. Many of the yellow flowers
pale with age ; but, although this is not a deep
yellow, it is clear and constant. As a bedding
Ro.:e it will be invaluable.

Arethusa (1903). — This is another yellow Rose
of great usefulness. There is. a shade of Apricot
ni the flower, which makes it a less clear yellow
than Chin-Chin. The newer variety is a sport
from Complesse du Cazla, and there are few
better Roses for massing.

American Pillar (1909). — This variety will
assuredly be one of our most valuable single
Roses. The flowers are a charming shade of
pink, with a white eye and very prominent yel-
low stamens. The individual blossoms are often
3 inches acros.5, and they are produced in large
clusters, followed by showy heps

Hugh Dickson (1904).— There is little doubt
but that this Rose is one of the very best deep
crimson hybrid perpetuals. Its behaviour in the
last five varying seasons has been excellent. It
is a bold, sweet-scented flower, and the plants
have a free-blooming habit. Practical.
(To be contimied.)

LATE DESSERT APPLES.

I h.we recently had the opjjortunity to inspect
a number of the dessert Apples, through the
kiiidnei.s of Messrs. Bunyard & Co., and, in a
S3a.«0ri when these fruits have kept none too
well, a note as to some of the best keepers may
be interesting. I shall only mention a limited
number of the best at this season, including some
of the newer varieties, such as Sansnareil and
Barnack Beauty. These may not be equal in
flavour to others, but their good cropping quali-
ties, appearance, and good keeping are strong
points, and the fruits are of perfect form. ]\Iost
of these late dessert fruits succeed as bushes or
pyramids on the Paj'adise stock, and several of
the varieties I shall name are valuable grown as
cordons. At the same time, I may add that for
many years I have noted that certain varieties
resent the use of the pruning knife too freely ;
I mean that the shajjcd bushes one so frequently
sees in the kitchen garden are not the best
croppers. Here is a difficulty ; space and appear-
ance have to be considered, but a medium course
can bo adopted, as root-pruning will prevent ex-
cessive growth and timely thinning out (not cut-
ting back too hard) will then give a much better
return than severe head-pruning.

There can be no question but that, in places
where good Apples are required in considerable
quantities and the space in the kitchen garden is
limited, it i.-, desirable to devote a piece of land
spec'ally to fruit culture elsewhere, where proper
space for develcpment may be given the trees.
During late years many gardeners have adopted
this plan, with great advantage. In gardens
limited as regards space, the plan is not always
possible, but in such places other modes of
culture must be specially selected to meet the
circumstances. Some of the varieties named do
s;)lendidly as cordons, and these ti'ees may be
made profitable even on low walls or spaces often
lift vacant. Thi3 mode of culture should find
more favour in gardens where varieties do not
always give the best results unless the most
favourable conditions can be given them. Ccr-
don trees succeed well on fences, wires, or other
supports, but for such purposes the cultivator
must not select strong-growing varieties; only
the small or medium-habited dessert kinds are
suitable.

AnAMs'.s Pearmain. — This is an old Apple, but
still one of the best mid-winter varieties. B'j'ng
a medium grower, it forms a neat garden tree.

March 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

149

The fruits are of first-rate quality, handsome,
and of a good size. In the northern part of the
kingdom this variety succeeds well on a west
wall. The fruits will hang on the tree even when
matured, and, in the western part« of the coun-
try, I have seen it grown under the name of
" Hanging Pearmain." This variety does well
on the Paradise stock, and it makes a good
cordon, for, though of good constitution, it is not
a strong grower.

S.4.NSP.\EEiL. — This handsome fruit is worthy of

Mr. Rivers. It is a handsome fruit of splendid
quality, but, to be seen at its best, it should be
grown on a warm or well-drained soil. It is not
such a great cropper as some, but the superb
quality makes up for any deficiency in this re-
spect, for it is one of the best flavoured Apples
in season from Christmas to April. This variety
makes a good standard tree, and it is one of the
best for pot culture. I grew the variety in the
north of England as a cordon, and it succeeded
well.

\l'hctograph by J. Gregmy.
Fig. 64. — DENDROBIUM "MRS. FENTON ARNTON " : FLOWERS WHITE, WITH

PURPLE DLOTCH.

a place in all gardens of medium size, and it is
one of the best croppers in this list. The fruits
are brightly coloured, of good shape and appear-
ance, and they keep well into April or even May.
The trees succeed well as espaliers, or cordons.
This is one of the newer varieties possessing good
flavour.

King c? Tompkins County. — An American
variety introduced into this country by the late

Duke of Devonshire. — This is not by any
means a showy Apple, hut it Possesses good
quality. The fruits should be allowed to remain
cs long as possible on the trees before gathering,
as it is somewhat like Blenheim Pippin in this
respect — it shrivels badly if stored too early. The
tree is perfectly hardy, and the fruits are in
season from March until May.

Winter Riesion. — A Continental variety ot

excellent quality, but it has the same defect as
Blenheim Pippin — the trees require age before
bearing well. The fruit is flat and of medium
size, and marked with russet. In season from
November until January.

Lord Burleigh.— A little-known variety pos-
sessing grand flavour. The fruits are small, but
the variety is a first-rate dessert Apple, in season
from January to ilarcli.

Allen's Everlasting.— This is not a large
fruit, but it is one of the best dessert Apples in
its season, as I have kept fruit* in good con-
dition until June. The fruit is of flat shape
and it has good fl-nvour. The tree is a free
grower as a bush or pyramid, r.nd though a slow-
fruiter, when grown as a standard it is one of
the best for furnishing latest dishes.

Cornish Aromatic- This is a great favourite
in the western counties for its fine flavour. It
must not be confounded with the Cornish Gilly-
flower, a much larger fruit. I have s-een good
crops of this variety on small standards.

D'Arcy Spice.— An old. Essex variety of great
value at this season, and often known under
the name of Baddow Pippin or Spring Rib-
ston. The fruits vary in colour, some being
much bronzed and others a dark green and much
russeted. The variety succeeds well in most soils
as a bush or pyramid, and, though not always a
heavy cropper, it has excellent quality, and keeps
well into April or ISIay if the fruits are allowed
to hang late upon the trees.

Barnack Beauty.— One of the newer fruits
that should find much favour, as it is a splendid
cropper, and the fruits are handsome and of
medium size. The tree makes upright growth,
and succeeds well in any form. The fruits cook
splendidly, and the flavour is sufficiently good for
dessert from November until March.

Claygate PE.A.RMAIN. — A beautiful dessert
Apple, and one that does well in most places,
bearing freely in any form of tree. The fruits
are not large, and in some soils they are mucii
russeted, in others a dull green colour. They
have soft flesh, and are in sea.wn from February
to April. In order to get the best keeping quali-
ties, gather late, and keep the fruits in a cool
store. The tree is not a strong grower, \ ut makes
good growth as an espalier or dwarf pyramid.
This is one of the best flavoured late varieties I
have grown, and it should be in all collections, as
the fruits have a splendid Ribston flavour.

Brownlees's Russf.t. — I consider this one of
the best of the Russets. The fruits possess good
flavour, and will keep a long time. This variety
does well as a dwarf standard, and it is a much
better cropper than the Boston, but, unfortu-
nately, it is known by various names.

Mrs. Phillimohe. — A new variety that has
done remarkably well as a cordon. It should
be a favourite for its sweet flesh. It is in season
from November to JIarch.

Sturmer Pippin. — This old, well-known
variety does well in many gardens as a dwarf
standard. It is not a success in all positions —
in a garden in Northumberland it did well
against a wall — but to get the best results the
fruits should be left as long on the trees as pos-
sible. If worked on the Paradise stock, it fruits
early in a warm soil. The fruits are in season
from March until .June. G. Wythns.

DENDROBIUM MRS. FENTON ARNTON.

The hybrid Dendrobium illustrated in fig. 64
was shown hy Sir Jeremiah C'olman, Bart., at a
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on
February 22. This hybrid, which gained the
Society's Award of Merit, is derived from a
cross between D. melanodiscus and D. Findlay-
anum. The flowers are white, with a blu.sh tint
on the sepals, and a purple blotch at the base of
the lip, surrounded by a yellow disc. The speci-
men attracted considerable admiration.

IbO

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 5, 1910

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John DoNoGHUt, Gardener to Joseph Pickeusgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetvvood, Yorkshire.

The Hose house. — Assuming that this struc-
ture has been thoroughly cleansed and the Rose
plants pruned, the latter may be started into
growth for supplying early blooms. Forcing
must be commenced very gradually. It is true
that Roses in pots can be purchased specially
prepared for forcing, but this does not fit them
for imn.ediate subjection to high temperatures.
In order to provide a succession of bloom, a few
pot plants may be introduced to this same house
at intervals of a few weeks. A temperature of
40° to 45° at night is sufficient to start with,
allowing an increase of 5° to 10° during tlie
day. A moist atmosphere may be maintained by
damping the paths and walls several times each
day. Extra care is necessary in ventilating the
house at this season, for the reason that the
temperatures must not be allowed to suddenly
fluctuate, neither must the plants be subjected to
cold draughts. Watering is another operation
calling for discretion. Beyond affording a top-
dressing before starting the plants into growth, I
do not recommend any artificial feeding until
the plants have made considerable advance. As
soon as the flower-buds begin to show colour a
somewhat dr\er atmosphere is needed, and more
air may be admitted in favourable weather. As
the season advances the plants will need shade
from hot sunshine in order to preserve the
flowers.

Furhsia. — If it is desired to increase the stock
of any variety, the old plants may be started
into growth without pruning them. By this
means they will give a larger supply of cuttings,
and any jiruning and training that is necessary-
can be undertaken when these latter have been
secured. Spring-raised plants, provided they are
repotted as often as required, and have their
shoots properly trained by pinching, will develop
into large specimens of service in autumn for
the decoration of the greenhou.'-e or the con-
servatory.

Heliotrope. — This plant may also be increased
by cuttings inserted now, and, like the Fuchsia,
such spring-raised plants will form useful speci-
mens for flowering in the autumn. Select the
best of the young shoots as cuttings, and insert
them in a sandy compost. Place them in a close,
moist atmo-phere of about 50°. under which
conditions roots will form in a week or two.
Keep the cuttings shaded from strong light. The
young plants will have a tendency to bloom very
early, but all such flower-spikes must be removed
if large specimens are desired. A suitable com-
post for their final potting consists of good,
fibrous loam, mixed with .'^mall quantities of sand,
charcoal and well-decayed sheep manure. The
Heliotrope is very fuitalile for training as a stan-
dard plant, in which form it displays its sweetly-
scented flowers to greater advantage.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. BECuhTT, Gardener to the Hon, \'icahv Gibus,
Aldenham House, Hertfordsliire.

Propagation. — It is now time to commence
the propagation of various soft-xfooded plants
required for bedding purposes. In most cases
this can be done from stocks that have been
preserved during the winter months for this
purpose. Cuttings inserted at the present time
will root more freely than cuttings taken
early in the New Year. Shallow wooden boxes
are the most suitable receptacles for most of the
plants; they should be well drained, and then
filled with a fine, sandy compost of a light rather
than heavy nature, which should be made
moderately firm. Where the necessary conve-
niences exist, it is better to insert the cuttings,
in the house where they will remain, which
should have a warm, moist atmosphere,
similar to that of a propagating pit or a house
used for forcing early JFelons and Cucumbers.
When the boxes have been furnished with cut-
tings, apply a watering with tepid water through
a fine rosecan. The cuttings will need shade
from bright sunshine during the middle of the
day. This treatment will suit Irisine, Alternan-
theras in variety. Lobelias, Ageratums, Tropteo-
lum Fairy Queen, an excellent variety with
variegated foliage ; Latitanas, Verbenas, and
other subjects of a similiar nature.

Seed sowing. — The present is a suitable time
for sowing seeds of many kinds of bedding
plants, including annuals. Sow the seeds in
well-drained, clean pots or pans, and raise the
seedlings in a gentle heat. Immediately the
young plants appear above the soil, place them
as near to the glass as possible, and when they
can be handled, prick them out into boxes and
cultivate them in pots or frames.

Perennial Lobelia. — Stocks of Perennial
Lobelias, having been stored under conditions
similar to those adopted for Dahlias, should
now be divided and potted into 3-inch
pots, which should be placed in a house having
a warm, moist atmosphere. They are very effec-
tive bedding plants, especially L. cardinalis and
the variety Queen Victoria. There are now
beautiful hybrids obtainable from seed which
produce a great variety of colours. Seeds may
now be sown of the species or of hybrids, if it
is necessary to increase the stock.

Stan<lar(l bedding plants. — A certain number
of standard plants is indispensable in the modern
system of summer bedding. Species suitable for
this purpose are Streptosolen, Lantana, Fuchsia,
Heliotrope, &c., and to these plants attention
must now be paid, in order to induce them to
breflk into growth. If they were pruned before
storing them in their winter cuiarters they will
now requite very little attention in that direction.
Introduce them into a moist heat, and apply
water very sparingly to the roots until a certain
amount of growth is made, but syringe them
with tepid water on all favourable occasions. As
the growths letigthen, the plants should gradu-
ally be inured to a cooler atmosphere, keeping
them iri a light position, where the growths will
not become drawn. Young plants that are cul-
tivated for the purpo.=e of forming standards
will tieed every encouragement. Any Fuchsias
or other bedding plants still in the cutting pots
should be potted up at once and placed together
in houses or heated pits.

Begonias. — Tuberousrooted Begonias that
were saved from the last year's stock, will now
need starting into growth. The be.st method is
to place the tubers iii boxes containing leaf-
mould or fibre in a fairly moist condition, that no
application of water will be needed for some
time. Put the boxes in a warm structure, such
as a plant stove, and maintain -a moist atmo-
sphere. When growth is apparent, pot them
singly into pots just large enough to contain
the tuber. Let the pots be well cleansed and
drained, and for potting use a mixture of good
fibrous loam, leaf-motild and coarse sand, adding
a sprinkling of charcoal. The plants should be
placed as near to the glass tts possible, but at
the same time they require shade from bright
sunshine. Cultivate them for the present in a
warm greenhouse temperature, but afterwards
harden them gradually ami thoroughly before
they are removed out-of-doors.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawiience,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Resting Orchids. — It is now time to return
resting plants of Vanda teres, V. Hcokeriana. V.
X Miss Joaquim and Renanthera coccinea to the
East Indian house, or plant stove, in which the
lightest position available should be selected
for them, as no gain is now likely to accrue from
prolonging the resting season. Where a Mexi-
can house exists a more suitable position could
probably be found for the first-named species,
as it does not require quite so much heat as the
others. The fine yellow Oncidium ampliatnm
and its variety majus are starting into growth,
and will .soon be sending up their large flower-
spikes. .Suspend the plants in the warmest
house, and apply water often enough to keep the
roots moist. Inject pests often devour the
fiower-spikes before the grower is aware of their
presence. Let a careful watch be kept, and
immediately the spikes are seen protect them by
fastening a ring of rough wadding round each.

Cool houses. — The flowering season of such
Pleiones as P. humilis, P. Hookeriana and its
variety platyglossa is now over, and as new
growth commences the plants should be repotted
into a compost consisting of ecpial parts of
fibrous loam, Osmunda fibre, chopped Sphagnum-
moss with a sprinkling of coarse silver sand, atid
small crocks, the whole of these materials being
well mixed together. Cut up the fibres and

moss moderately fine. Shallow pans are more
suitable than pots, and the plants should be
suspended where plenty of fresh air is admitted
to the hou.se. Water should be sparingly
afforded until the new roots have got a firm hold
of the compost. In a house which is slightly
warmer than that where Odotitoglossums are
grown, such distinct Dendrobiums as D. Kingia-
num, D. K. album, D. delicatum, D. lingui-
forme, D. Hillii, and D. speciosuin fusiforme
bloom profusely at this season, and are very at-
tractive. These plants thrive well in shallow
teak-wood baskets, suspended close up to the
roof glass, and containing only a very shallow
compost, consisting of Osmunda fibre and Poly-
[lodium fibre, with plenty of small crocks inter-
mixed. The proper time to afford fresh root-
ing material is when growth recommences, but
.IS the growths do not extend them.selves viery
far, the plants, if allowed a moderate space
wherein to grow, need no root disturbance for
many years, provided the compost does not be-
come sour or otherwise tleteriorate. On-
cidium pulchellum is now growing again, and
will need more water at the root ; the flower-
spikes will soon begin to show, and, as these take
a long time to develop, the plants should then
be elevated well up to the roof-glass. Where
Odontoglossum grande and 0. Insleayi grow well.
a similar position should suit this species. Its-
greatest enemy is the small yellow thrip ; there-
fore, the plants should be placed in any house
that is going to be vaporised : this is far better
practice than trying to eradicate such tiny in-
sects by brush and sponge. Another little gem
is the bright-scarlet Lselia monophylla, which is
now growing well, in a comparatively cool house.
It has always been a difficult plant to estab-
lish, but the greatest difficulty has been to find
a suitable temperature for it, also the proper
materials for its roots. Any plants that re-
quire fresh material should now be given atten-
tion. Place them in the smallest pots, or
shallow pans, that it is possible to get them in,
but do not repot a specimen unless it is abso-
lutely necessary to do so. Afford plenty of
drainage materials, and use the .same compost
as previously advised for Dendrobiums. Ele-
vate the plants in a shady position near to the
roof-glass, and when once e.-Jtablished in their
receptacles never allow them to become in the
least dry. Oncidium pulchellum and Lslia
monophylla are natives of Jamaica, and grow ;it
elevations of about 4.000 feet above sea level,
where the temperature is seldom more than 55°
by day, and sometimes a degree or two below
50° at night. The atmosphere is moist, but not
e.\cessively so. as the plants are found growing
on trees which are partly exposed to winds.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS

By B. GooDAcKF, Gardener to Sir Ernest Casskl,
G.C.B., Mouiton Haddocks, NewiTiarket.

t 'iiriinih'rs. — Maintain a steady bottom heat
of 75'' to 80° by occasionally renewing portions
of the Ijed with fresh manure and leaves which
have been previously prepared for the purpose.
Apply a top-dressing of soil to the plants when
the roots appear on the surface, using a light
compost of turfy loam, horse droppings and peat.
-Maintain plenty of moisture in the atmosphere
by frequently sprinkling the paths and walls
with water and sometimes liquid manure. See
that these are warmed to the same temperature
as the atmosphere of the house, otherwise they
will reduce the heat. Let the plants have all
the light available, and admit fresh air on
fine days, but only for about one hour at mid-
day. Procure dung and leaves for the making
of successional beds. When the beds are made,
place mounds of soil on them at distances of
15 inches apart. Transplant seedling Cucum-
bers into small pots after the first rough leaves
have formed, and pinch them at the third or
fourth leaf.

;l/p?r);ts.— Maintain a bottom heat of 70° to 75°,
renewing portions of the bed whenever neces-
sary. See that those parts of the bed near to
the hot-water pipes do not become dry, as this
will not only prevent the heat circulating freely
through the manure, but create a breeding place
for insect pests.

Fig trees in pots. — Trees that were started in
December are now approaching their flowering
stage, and the "fruits" do not swell at this period.
Syringing should be discontinued when it is seen

March 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

151

that the " eye " of the fruit is opening. It is
not advisable to unduly force or stimulate the
trees until it is aeen that the fruits have started
swelling again, when liquid manure may be ap-
plied and every encouragement given the plants
to perfect their fruits. The temperature of the
house should range from 55° to 70° at night-
time, with a rise of 5° bv day. Sprinkle the
paths and other surfaces inside the house several
times daily to create a humid atmosphere. The
evaporating pans placed on the hot-water pipes
should be kept full of liquid manure made from
cow or htirse dung, and the house may be
damped with the same liquid in the evening.

Fig trees in borders. — Trees which are growing
freely may be allowed a temperature of 55° to
60° at night-time, with a slight increase of
warmth during the day. Syringe the trees both
mornings and afternoons with tepid, soft water.
The Fig is naturally a gross feeder, but it fruits
best under glass in a restricted root run. When
the border is full of roots frequent applications of
liquid manure may be given, and this stimulant
may be varied by an occasional sprinkling of
soot or chemical manure. Young trees, and
those growing in large, deep boi-ders frequently
make rank, unfruitful wood ; in such cases
manures should be given very sparingly. To
secure a good .second crop of fruits it is advisable
to pinch all the young growths at the same time,
even if this necessitates pinching a few at the
second leaf.

Fifl Ire^s for sucrensioDril fruit'ihij. — These
later trees are commencing to grow. Maii\tain
a minimum temperature of 45° to 50°. Syringe
the branches once or twice daily according to
the weather conditions, and take advantage of
the sun's heat by closing the house early in the
afternoon with plenty of moisture present in the
atmosphere.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marijiiis of .North-
ampton, Castle .\shby, Norlhaniptonsbire.

Protection of the buds. — At this stage every
care must be taken to preserve the buds from
attacks of birds, and especially of the destruc-
tive bullfinch. If any damage from this cause is
observed, the trees must be protected with 1-inch
mesh netting, taking care to securely fasten the
nets so that the wind will not bring them into
contact with the trees or they will be apt to
damage the buds. In the case of standard Plums
or t'herries, these may be syringed occasionally
with some distasteful mixture or with one of
the bud-protecting compositions to be purchased
from the leading sundriesmen. In gardens or
orchards where hares or rabbits are troublesome,
causing damage by gnawing the bark, the stems
and branches may be painted up to 2^ feet in
height with the following mi.xture : One quart of
gas tar, and 4 lbs. of ordinary cart grease well
mixed together.

Plaiiliiuj operations. — If any planting has
been delayed until this time, through unfavour-
able weather, it must be brouglit to a completion
as soon as possible. At the same time it is not
desirable to tread upon the soil when it is in a
sodden condition. In cases where planting has
to be done where the soil is on the wet side, it is
useful to obtain a few barrowloads of dry soil
and some freshly-burnt wood-a.shes, and to mix a
little of these materials with the ordinary soil as
the work proceeds. Trees which are moved at
this season will require extra care and atten-
tion, as they will not become established before
the drying winds and bright sunshine occur.
After the planting is finished, secure the trees
against being swayed by rough winds, and apply
a mulch of short stable manure over the roots.
In the event of dry weather, syringe the trees
each day at about noon, in order to keep the buds
fresh and plump, and, if the dry weather con-
tinues, apply copious root waterings.

Vines. — Vino culture for Grapes out-of-doors
is only possible in a few favourable counties in
this country. Vines ^re more often planted in
the open for their ornamental and highly-
coloured foliage. If such vines are not already
pruned, they should be given immediate atten-
tion. The shoots should be cut back to one cr
two buds. Apply a little " knotting " to each
cut in order to prevent b'ceding. The roots
should be given a dressing of Gishurst Com-
pound to prevent red spider and mildew. In
training the canes, let each be given an abund-
ance of space, so that the growths, and especi-

ally the young ones from the base which may be
required to replace the older rods, can properly
develop.

General work. — If any pruning or spraying
still remains to be done the work must be com-
pleted as early as possible. Some trees are
already bursting their buds, and therefore it is
no longer safe to spraj with any of the caustic
liquids.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Seahale. — The present is a suitable time to
make plantations of Seakale for forcing in the
open. The plantations are frequently allowed to
remain too long on the same piece of ground, the
result being the produce deteriorates from year to
year. The very best Seakale can only be ob-
tained when the beds are renewed every two
years. For forming a plantation, good, clean
"thongs should be chosen, planting them in clumps
of five, so that this number of crowns may be
covered b,v one pot when forcing commences in
the following spring. The distance allowed be-
tween the pots in the row should be at the least
18 inches, which space will allow for sufficient
fermenting material to produce the degree of
heat required. Seakale needs a rich soil, and it
might be convenient to hnve the beds in some
out-of-the-way part of the garden. For the
latest supplies in the spring, good Seakale may
bo obtained by simply covering the crowns with
1 foot deep of leaf-mould. By this method, how-
ever, the heads are liable to become stained,
unless some additional covering can be applied
to keep off heavy rains.

Onions. — Plants raided in January will now be
ready for pricking into boxes filled with a good,
rich compost, consisting of three parts loam and
one part decayed manure made fine by being
passed through a sieve. Press the .soil firmly
into the boxes, and take care to lift the young
Onion plants without breaking their roots.
Shako tlie soil carefully from the plants, and
then insert the Onions at distances of 3 square
inches. Another method is to pot them singly
into small pots, keeping them m a close pit for
a few days, but admitting air in increased quan
titles afterwards. Apply water very carefully
until fresh roots are made, but syringe the plants
twice daily.

Cabbages and ('aulifowers. — Do not allow any
Cabbage and Cauliflower plants to remain in the
seed-boxes after they have made their first rough
leaves. Transplant them into boxes or portable
frames, making up the bed and soil to within
a few inches of the glass. If these young plants
are carefully treated, they should be ready to
put out early in April, in some sheltered part of
the garden.

Carrots. — Early Carrots in frames will require
thinning until the plants stand at 3 inches dis-
tance each. Apply a watering directly the plant-
ing is finished, to resettle the soil about the
roots, keeping the pit rather close for a few days.
Slugs may be caught by placing a few Cabbage
leaves around the edge of the bed. and a slight
dusting of lime can be applied early in the
morning.

Potatos. — Owing to the wet condition of the
soil out-of-doors, it will be well to plant another
pit with Potatos. The seed tubers, having been
placed in trays some time ago, will now have
shoots in an advanced stage. Be very careful
not to break these shoots, and plant the tubers
in rows 18 inches apart. Potatos planted in pits
early in the year will now be ready for earthing
up. The process is best accomplished by adding
fresh light soil to the pit. rather than drawing
the soil from between the rows, as is done out-of-
doors. .Afford the plants liberal supplies of
water, and ventilate the pit on all favourable
occasions, both by night as well as day.

Peas. — Peas that have been raised under glass
for planting on a south border must be thoroughly
hardened before they are planted out-of-doors.
In putting out these house-raised Peas, it is
desirable to place stakes to them at once, and
afford them pi'otection from rough winds by
placing Spruce branches each side of the rows
until the Peas are established. Where time and
space is available, this method of growing early
Peas is the best, and safest to pursue. Rough
winds are the greatest danger to such plants, but
protection can easily be applied if plenty of ever-
greens are at hand.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By W. W. Pettigrkw, Superintendent of City Parks,
Cardiff, Glamorganshire.

Prevention of the erosion of water edges. —
Most gardeners, whether in private or public
service, are called upon at one time or another
to deal with the w-ear and tear that constantly
goes on at the edges of streams, lakes and ponds.
It is always well when this work has to be under-
taken, that it should not merely be carried out
in the most effective manner possible, but in
such a way as to be in character with its imme-
diate surroundings.

Erosion by stream. — In the case of a stream,
it is merely a matter of dealing with the erosion
that takes place at the sides on account of the
continuous flow of water. As a rule, where a
stream passes through ordinary soft ground, the
greatest wear and tear takes place at the normal
water level, and the best method of preventing
damage will depend upon the conformation of
the banks. If these are high, with a good slop-
ing batter, then, when practicable, the edges are
beist pitched with stones for a height of 12 inches
or 14 inches above normal water level. In carry-
ing out this work every care must be taken to
give the pitching a long slope. The banks above
the stonework are always the better for being
kept in grass — regularly mown — as when flood-
ing takes place the water passes over the turf
without wa.shing away the soil. When the banks
of a stream are perpendicular to the water and
not a great distance above its bed level, then, in
such places where the soil is being worn away
wattling should be done. Although this requires
redoing every few years, it is a cheap and ex-
ceedingly effective method of protecting the
edges of brooks and even large rivers.

Erosion by /akes. — In combating the erosion
which goes on as a result of the great volumes
of water dashed on the banks of lakes by the
force of the wind, the difficulties are much
greater. In the case of a stream the precautions
taken against wear and tear are generally so
well hidden that they are Jiardly even noticed,
except by the most observant, whereas in dealing
with the sides of a large area of water they are
invariably so patent as to almost claim attention.
Where a sheet of water is shallow at the edge,
the planting of sedges, rushes, waterflags.
Acorns. &c., tend to preserve the sides from ex-
cessive washing. In dealing with the edges in
this way, however, care must be taken not to
introduce — except at very rare intervals — the
taller water plants, such as Typha and Phrag-
mites, as these are apt to shut out views of the
water and prevent fishing and model yachting
from the sides of the lake. When the water is
deep and the force of the waves on the sides
consequently strong, it is almost essential, where
the banks are composed of a soft material, to
resort to dry-stone pitching. When this has to
be done, the natural charm cf the water-edge is
often spoiled, as the whole is given a more or
le.ss artificial appeaiance. Beauty, however,
has to be sacrificed when it is a question of pre-
serving land from entire destruction, and this is
the excuse one has to make for the introduction
of pitching at the edge of a lake. Great care
has to be exercised in setting out the proposed
lines for stone pitching, as two distinct dangers
have to be avoided. The one is the introduction
of too much irregularity, and the other is too
great stiffness and formality. While in Nature,
the contour of the edge of a lake, which forms
miniature bays and tiny capes and headlands,
is quite charming to look upon, when repro-
duced in stonework by sudden curves and turns,
it looks childish and quite as objectionable as
long straight lines. In this, as in all other
matters, the ideal method of dealing with edges
of water is the happy medium between the two
extremes. It has been found that the greater
the angle of slope given to pitching, the better
will it withstand the force of water, hence the
greater will be its duration. The top layer of/
stone should always be laid on cement, to add
greater stability to the whole structure. That
the stiff formalfty of pitching can be considerably
minimised is perfectly evident to everyone who
has constructed it. Many of the crevices can be
planted with such plants as Salix repens,
Stachys palustris. Lycopus europ^us, various
Menthas, Lysimachia 'thyrsiflora, Willow Herbs,
.Scrophularias. Lythrum salicaria and many other
British plants which grow freely by the water-
edge.

152

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

[March 5, 19T0.-

EDITOR/AL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for mujiijig, should be addicssed to the EDI TORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
ComtnunicatioJis should be written on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. 1 J desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith.

Nev^spaxters. —Correspondents sending newspapers should be
caicfulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Edilots to see.

Local News. — Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendinglo
the Kditois early intelligence 0/ local events likely to be »f
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

APPOINTMENTS FOR MARCH.

SATURDAY. MARCH 5-

Soc. Fran9. d'Hort. de Londres meet,

TUESDAY, MARCH 8—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coins, meet, and Spring Bulb Sh,
(2 days). (Lecture at 3 p.m. by Mr. F. J. Baker on
" Plant Hygiene.") Biitish Card. Assoc. Ex. Council
meet.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 -London Branch of B,G,A. meet.

MONDAY', MARCH 14-

Ann. Meet. United Hoit. Ben, and Prov. Soc.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17-

Torquay FI. Sh. Linnean Soc. meet.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Fourth Masters' Mem-
morial Lecture at 3 p.m., by Mr. A. D. Hall, on "The
Adaptation of the Plant to the Soil.")

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23—

Exh. of Vegetables and Fruits (intensive cultivation) at
R.H.S. Hall. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by Mr. E. O'Sullivan
on " Intensive Culture.")
MONDAY, MARCH 2a - Easier Monday. Bank Holiday.

Average Mean Temteraturk for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 410°.

ACTt-AL TEMrERATURES : —

London.— II rrfMCSi/ni', March 2 (6 p.m.): Max. 52°;
Min. 40".
Canleners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —Thursdiiy, March 3
(10 A.M.): Bar. 30-2; Teinp. 47°; Weather—
Sunshine.

PBOVINCE.S.— Iffrfiicsffnj', March 2 : Max. 48" Corn-
wall; Min. 45'-' Donei;al.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Perennials, Plants, Liliums. &c., at IS ; Roses and Fruit
Trees, at 1.30, by Prolheroe & Morris, at 67 & 68, Cheap-
side, E.G.,

WEDNESDAY—

Border Plants and Perennia's, Liliums and Hardy Bulbs,
at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees at 1.30; Palms and Plants^
at 5, by Prolheroe & Morris, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E,C_
Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock, at Kent House Nur-
sery, Beckenham by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.

THURSDAY-

Clearance Sale of Nursery Stock at Woodcote Grove
Nursery, Smitliam, Bottom Lane, Purley, by Protheroe
& Morris, at 12.

FRIDAY—

The "Hildenley" Ccllection of Orchids, at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.G., by I'rotheroe & Mori is, at 1.

We are pleased to give a hearty
Weedsi welcome to Mr. Long's book on
weeds* and hope that it will find
its way into the hands of all good gardeners.
To the layman and to the unimaginative in
general, the study of weeds may seem a dull
and unprofitable occupation : to them, weeds
are a nuisance and nothing more ; but to the
good gardener the study of weeds makes
many appeals. Not only does man derive his
main fcwd from a plant, which, in a remote
past, yielded to the art of cultivation, and,
changing out of all recognition, became the
Wheat of to-day ; but also the many intro-
duced- plants which he cultivates in gla.ss-
houses are weeds in their native haunts. For
instance, the sensitive plant. Mimosa pudica,
forms thick carpets over many acres, both in
its proper habitat and in tropical countries
into which it has been introduced.

* Common Weedi of the Farm and Garden, by Harold C.
Long, B.Sc, in collaboration with John Percival, M.A.,
with 106 illustrations. (Smith, Elder & Co., London.) 1910.
I'rice 6s. net.

The garden Beet is a comparatively modern
convert from wildness to cultivation.

But, beside such considerations as. these,
the gardener recognises in weeds foemen
worthy of his steel ; enemies in the destruc-
tion of which all his skill and ingenuity
are engaged. Though it is — or ought to
be — war without quarter, he cannot refrain
from feeling a certain interest in his vic-
tims. For by dint of waging ceaseless war
upon weeds the gardener has learned many
a useful lesson which in their absence might
have remained unlearnt. Thus it is, in all
probability, from the use of the hoe in the ex-
termination of weeds that the value of a con-
stant stirring of the surface soil has come to
be appreciated. As everybody knows, the
value of hoeing and similar cultivation of the
soil between the rows of growing plants lies
not only in the clearing of the ground of
plants which compete with the crop for water
and mineral substances, but also in conserv-
ing water in the soil. Thus, in successfully
attacking weeds the gardener gains a double
victory.

Again, the watchful eye of the cultivator,
ever on the plants of his fields, comes to re-
cognise that the weeds afford no small indi-
cation of the fertility of the soil in which they
grow. As Mr. Long points out, Sedges, Equi-
setum and other plants indicate wet, un-
drained land. Thistles, Buttercups and
Coltsfoot usually occur on good land. The
Stinging Nettle also affects such situations,
and hence, perhaps the explanation of
Shakespeare's saying : —

The Strawberry grows underne.ith the Nettle,
And wholesome berries thrive anri ripen best,
Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality.

Yet though this might serve as a courtier-
like excuse for the wild youth of TTenry V.,
it cannot serve to palliate dirty cultivation.

Of other wee5s, some affect sandy soils ;
Spurrcy, Cornflower, small Eindw^eed, &c. ;
others, such as Burnet, Bladder Campion,
Chicory and the like, are characteristic of
chalky land.

But it is not to be supposed that Mr.
Long's book consists of interesting generali-
ties ; it is rich also in information which the
mo.st practical will find of sei'vice.

All the common weeds are described, and
their characters, upon which methods of ex-
termination must be based, are given in de-
tail. The descriptions of the weeds are aided
by good illustrations ; though we think that
Mr. Long might have added in each case a
condensed description in scientific terms of
the several species. It is a perfectly simple
matter, involving a few hours work, for any-
body to familiarise himself with the com-
moner scientific terms used in the description
of the flowers of plants ; and as much may
be said in two lines by the use of scientific
terms as can be said in a page in general
terms, and said with greater accuracy. Mr.
Long may have feared that the use of techni-
cal descriptions might have frightened the
farmer. This may be so, but we feel sure
that it would have increased the usefulness
of the book to the gardener and general
reader. Mr. Long's account of the ways in
which weeds spread — by seed, by runners,
rhizomes and other organs — is excellent, and
will serve to convince all who have to deal
with weeds that each kind of weed must be

treated on the basis of an understanding of
its habit of growth : the annual plant cut
down before seeding, the perennial eradicated
or worried to death by constant cultivation of
the soil ; Charlock killed out by spraying with
copper sulphate ; Moss on lawns treated with
sulphate of iron, and so forth.

One special reason which leads us to dilate
on the subject of weeds and to i-^commend
Mr. Long's book is that weed-extermination
can only be effected by collective action.

As the authors point out, it is of no final
avail that the good gardener cleans his land
of Thistles if his neighbour or the surveyor
of roads cultivates prolific crops of these
weeds on adjacent ground. In this connec-
tion Appendix III. of Mr. Long's book will-
prove of interest. Herein are collected the
various legislative enactments which have
been put in operation by difl'erent countries
in order to enforce cleanliness of cultivation.
Whereas Canada, Australasia, and S. Africa
have stringent laws relating to the eradica-
tion of noxious weeds, the only parts of the-
British Isles in which similar laws are in
force are Ireland and the Isle of Man. In
the latter place a " Weeds Act," passed in-
1900, makes compulsory, under certain con-
ditions, the destruction of " Thistles, Cushags
and common Docks," both in occupied land
and in that adjacent to the public highway.
Mr. Long gives the results of enquiries with
respect to the weeds which, by common con-
sent, are the wor.st pests of arable and Grass
land. On arable land Couch or Twitch ob-
tains easily the highest number of bad marks ;
Charlock runs it fairly -close, and Docks and
Thistles tie for the third place in the black
list. In Grass land Thistles may boast of
being the worst weeds, and Buttercups of
being alm.ost as bad.

Though much of the information given on
the subject of seed impurities applies more
directly to agriculture, nevertheless horticul-
turists will find it not unprofitable to read
what Messrs. Long and Percival have to say
on this matter.

The concluding chapters on weeds of ponds,
rivers and ditches, on lawns and drives, and
on the principles of seed-testing, though brief,
contain much useful information.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Primula dt-uticulata is amongst the best-known
of the hardy Primulas in this country. It was
introduced from the Himalayas, but, according to
Mr. Forrest, the species grows also in abundance
on most of the mountains of Western and North-
western Yunnan, in almost every variety of situa-
tion from the moistest to the driest and most
barren. In company with P. malacoides and P.
Poissonii, it touches the lowest altitudiual range of
the genus in that region, approximately 5,000
feet— rising to as high as 12,000 feet. The varia-
tion of form and range of colour is almost end-
less ; lilac is the dominant shade, but occasion-
ally specimens are found of a very deep
blue, whilst on the eastern slopes of the Lichiang:
Range in latitude 27° N., Mr. Forrest
discovered a form with flowers of a soft rose-
pink shade. Under the most favourable condi-
tions, it covers large tracts of mountain pasture,
to the exclusion of almost all else, and is then a
magnificent sight. The photograph reproduced
in the Supplementary Illustration was taken on
the eastern flank of the Tali range, at an altitude
o( 9,000 feet. ■>

March 5. 1910.

HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

153

Royal Horticultural Society. — The

Society's annual spring bnlb show will be held
on Tuesday and Wednesday next, March 8 and 9.
The Council decided to continue the exhibition
this year for two days because of its evident popu-
larity last year, and the crowded attendance
which then resulted from a one-day show. Be-
sides the open classes for flowers, plants, &c.,
there are additional competitive classes for forced
Hyacinths, bulbs grown in fibre (Hyacinths,
Tulips, Narcissi), and Amaryllis. At 3 o'clock
on March 8 Mr. F. J. B.4KER, A.R.C.S., will de-
liver a lecture on " Plant Hygiene."

Horticultural Show at Liverpool. — In

cunnection with the Royal Agricultural Society's
show at Liverpool in June, it has been decided
that the horticultural exhibition shall remain open
from Wednesday, June 22, to Saturday, June 25.
The schedule will be similar to that provided at
U'oucester last year, with the addition of classes
lor the best collection of eight kinds of vegetables
and for the best collection of eight kinds of
fruit. The Hon. John E. Boscawen has been
appointed steward of this section, and Mr.' Peter
Blair manager. The latest date for receiving
entries will be Saturday, June 4. The schedule,
entry forms and full particulars can be obtained
from Mr. Tho.mas McRow, secretary. Royal
Agricultural Society of England, 16, Bedford
Square, London, W.C.

Horticultural Club. — The next house
di.nier of the Club will take place on Tuesday.
.March 8, at 6 p.m., at the Hotel Windsor. Mr.
C. BoGUE Luffmann will give an address on
" Old Age in Trees."

Surveyors Institution. — The next ordinary
general meeting will be held ni the lecture hall
of the Institution on Monday, March 7, 1910,
when a paper will be read by Mr Jxjlian C.
Rogers, entitled "The Surveyors' Institution:
A Forty Years' Retrospect." The chair will be
taken at eight o'clock. At the ordinary general
meeting on Monday, April 11, 1910, a paper will
he read by Mr. T. A. Dickson (Fellow) on " The
Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor
Laws."

The Haarlem Show. — We continue to re-
ceive information respecting the Jubilee Flower
Show organised by the General Bulb Growers'
Society of Haarlem, which will be opened by
H.R.H. Prince Henry of the NETHERL.^NDS on
March 23. The exhibition halls, although sp.a-
cious, will prove too small to contain the many
exhibits for which space has already been requi-
sitioned. An extra building has been con-
structed for plants and flowers, but as the
grounds were planted with bulbs in autumn, and
are also rather crowded, it will be impossible to
erect more buildings. The show is arranged so
as to remain attractive from the opening to the
end. The bulbs planted will succeed each other
regularly. The opening week will see the bloom
nf the Crocus. Next will come the Hyacinth and
i'.s elegant " Miniature " offspring, which will be
shown in the exhibition grounds in the most
modern patterns and artistic grouping. Daffo-
dils and Narcissi are naturally grouped at
the bases of the old trees which are the
pride of the Haarlem " wood," the site of the
show. From the middle of April until the end
cf May, Tulips will flower in such variety as
few people h.nve seen at one time. There are also
numbers of miscellaneous bulbs, rockery plants,
and herbaceous perennials, flowering trees and
shrubs, banks of Rhododendrons and Azaleas
along the wate>'-side, and clipped trees in the
French garden. The temporary shows in build-
ings will be held from March 23 31, April 15-24, .
May 4-12, and May 20-22. The intn-national jury

will meet in March and April, under the presi-
dency of Mr. DE Marez Oyens, ex-Minister of
Commerce, Industry, &c., and now president of
the Netherlands Federation of Horticultural
Societies.

National Chrysanthemum Society s
Trials of Single Chrysanthemums. — We

are informed that arrangements have been made
for a trial of all varieties of single Chrysanthe-
mums during the forthcoming season, with the
primary object of determining varieties that are
too much alike. The following members of the
trade have promised to assist in this work, viz. : —
Messrs. W^ Wells & Co., Ltd., Merstham, Sur-
rey, who have undertaken to grow, outdoors, the
September and October varieties ; Mr. H. J.
Jones, Ryecroft Nurseries, Hither Green, S.E.,
and Keston, Kent, who will grow, in pots, the
November varieties ; and Messrs. H. Cannell &
Sons, Swanley, Kent, who will grow the Decem-
ber varieties. In order that these series of trials
may be of a comprehensive character, the Floral
Committee will be grateful if nurserymen or
raisers J50ssessing varieties not catalogued by the
above-mentioned firms will forward direct to
them either cuttings now, or plants later in the
spring. When forwarding stocks for the purposes
of these trials, senders are asked to attach the
names and give particulars as to growth and
habit, and any other information. The firms
undertaking the trials will affurd every facility
to all who are interested to inspect the respective
collections during the flowering season.

Peter Barr Memorial. — As already an-
nounced, a fund is being raised for the purpose
of providing a suitable memorial to the late Mr.
Peter Barr, V.M.H. The promoters aim at a
Barr Medal, to be awarded annually in connec-
tion with work among Daffodils, and the mainte-
nance of an orphan through the medium of the
Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. The fallowing
is the preliminary list of subscribers: — Mr. J. G.
Baker. F.R.S., V.M.H., Messrs. Barr & Sons,
Mr. J. T. Bennett-Poe. V.M.H., Mr. E. D.
Bland, Mr. C. Bourne, Mr. E. A. Bowles, Hon.
J. Boscawen, Mr. F. H. Chapman, Jlr. E. T.
Cook, .Mr, W. B. Cranfield, Mr. E. M. Crosfield,
Mr. Charles H. Curtis, Rev. C. T. Digby. Mr. G.
Dixon, Miss Roberta F. M. Doync, Mrs. J.
Douglas, Mr. J. Douglas, V..M.il., Mr. C. T.
Druery. V.M.H. , Rev. G. H. Engleheart,
V.M.H. , Mr. J. Harrison, Miss Jekyll, V.M.H.,
Rev. .1. Jacob, JJr. Andrew Kingsmill. ilr. Wm.
-Alarshall. V.M.H., Mr. Henry B. May, Jlr.
Donald MacDonald, Mr. W. A. Jlilner, Mr. S.
Mortimer, Messrs. J. & R. Pearson & Sons, Mr. R.
Hooper Pearson, Mr. G. Paul. V.M.H., Mr. W.
Poupart, Messrs. T. Rivers & Sons, Mr. Charles E.
Shea. Jlessrs. Sutton & Sons, Mr. J. Sweet, Mr.
Robert Sydenham, Jlr. Harry J. Veitch, V.M.H.,
Mr. P. C. M. Veitch, Mr. James Walker. Messrs.
Van Waveren & Sons. Miss Willmott, V.JI.H.,
Rev. W. Wilks, and Mr. A. Jl. Wilson.

"The Botanical Magazine."— Illustrations
and descriptions of the following plants are pub-
lished in the March issue.

Rehmannia Heneyi, tab. 8302. — This species
of Rehmannia was discovered by Mr. A. Henry
shout 18S5 in the neighbourhood of Ichang, and
subsequently collected by him near Nanto. Mr.
E. H. Wilson introduced seeds of the species to
this country. Some of these seeds were pre-
sented to Kew in 1907 by the director of the
Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts. Plants ra'sed
from them were grown in the greenhouse,
and flowered fir.H in 1908. and again in 1909.
Formerly, the plant was treated as a form of R.
Piasezkii, a native of the southern parts of
Shensi, which differs in being over 3 feet high and
in having subsessile bracts or flowering leaves and
purplish flowers. R. Henryi is nearly allied to

R. angulata, which formed the subject of the
Supplementary Illustration in our issue for Feb-
ruary 12. Its flowers are yellowish, with minute
red specks, the limb of the corolla being white.
The species is said to set seed freely, and it may
prove hardy in the warmer parts of England.

Aquilegia alpina, tab. 8303.— The plate cf
A. alpina has been prepared from material ob-
tained from Mr. D. Hill, in whose i-ockgardtn
at Herga, W'atford, the plant flowered freely
early in the summer of 1909. The species is a
native of the Alps of Dauphine, Switzerland and
Piedmont, and of the Tuscan and Emilian Apen-
nines. Mr. Hill obtained his plant from the
Pleine Madeleine, near Chandelon, in Valais,
where the species was found gi-owing on a small
level alp, bordered with low trees and shrubs, at
about 5,000 feet above sea level. The flowers
are from 2^ inches to 3 inches across, and in
colour are a rich shade of blue-violet.

Rhododendron muchonulatum, tab. 8304. —
This species belongs to the section Rhodoras-
trum, in which the flowers are solitary in each
involucre of bracts instead of being in trusses.
The present plant was looked upon by the late
Mr. Maximowicz as being a variety of R. dauri-
cura. The plant was obtained for Kew from a
firm of nurserymen in Yokohama, under the
name of R. quinquefolium. It is expected that
R. mucronulatum will prove hardy in this
country. At Kew the plants, growing in a
sr,nly, peaty soil, made shoots 6 inches to
12 inches long in the summer of 1909. The
.species is deciduous, and can be increased by
means of cuttings. It forms a dwarf shrub,
and the flowers are mauve coloured.

PITTOSPOKUM colensoi, tab. 8305.— This
species is very nearly allied to P. tenuifolium,
and is tender in most parts of the country. The
specimen no%v figured is from a plant growing in
Mr. T. A. DoRRiEN Smith's garden at Tresco
Abbey, Isles of Scilly. The flowers are rich
purple. An illustration of a specimen growing
in the late Lord Annesley's garden at Castle-
wellan w-as published in Gardeners' Chronicle
for November 18, 1899, p. 370.

Notyma trisepala, tab. 8306. — This species
of Notylia, from tropical North America, was
described as long ago as 1852 by Lindley, in
I'axfon'ii Flower Garden, vol. iii. The genus
belongs to what are termed botanical Orchids,
as distinguished from those which produce showy
flowers. The tiny green and white flowers are
piodnced in pendulous scapes 3 inches to 7 inches
Ic ng, therefore the plant would be suitable for
cultivation in a basket.

United Horticultural Benefit and
Provident Society. — The annual meeting of
this society will be held at the Royal Horticul-
tural Hall. Vincent Square, Westminster, on
Monday, Jlarch 14, at 8 p.m. Mr. Ch.\rles H.
Curtis, chairman of committee, will preside.

Belgian Orchid Growers. — The Cerc!e des
Oichidophiles Beiges, which was reconstituted in
1909, held its first general meeting on the 20t!i
ult., at the Brussels Botanical Gardens. M. le
Comts Jos. de Hemptinne presided over a large
attendance. Jlembers of the committee present
included ."\IM. Ch. Dietbich, Verdonck, Theo-
dore Pauwels, and E. Praet. Various subjects
were discussed, including the unification of the
rules governing the monthly horticultural meet-
ings at Ghent, Brussels, Bruges, and Tournai ;
the participation of the Cercle des Orchidophiles
Beiges at future national and international exhi-
bitions ; also the participation of the Cercle at the
International Horticultural Congress, which will
be held at Brussels during the World's Fair. One
f.f the main objects of the Cercle being the popu-
larisation of Orchid culture, those who under-
took ths task of reconstituting the society deserve
the thanks of all orchidists.

104

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Maech 5, 1910.

Flowers in Season. — Jlessrs. Wm. Bull &
Sons, King's Road, Chelsea, have sent us flowers
of their strain of Primula sinensis. The selec-
tion includes some 15 varieties, in colours rang-
ing from crimson to white. Amongst the double
varieties, Fulgens is notable, being a rich shade
of crimson. Salmon Queen and Pink Beauty are
two delicately-tint«d varieties, the colours of
which are indicated by their respective names.
The largest flowers were labelled Snowdon ; they
are white, and set off by a prominent yellow eye.

Edinburgh Spring Flower Show. — The

Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society will hold
a spring flower show on Wednesday and Thurs-
day, April 13 and 14, in the Waverley Market,
Edinburgh. The two most important classes
are for a group of miscellaneous plants occupying
a space of 15 feet by 10 feet, and for a group
of Orchids. Altogether there are 143 classes,
divided as follow ; — Plants 81, cut flowers 26,
fruit 4. vegetables 19, the remainder being made
up of 12 for amateurs, and one for under gar-
deners. This last is the most interesting of all.
There is a plan drawn to scale of a house and
grounds extending to about 15 acres ; the land ib
required to be laid out as pleasure grounds and
kitchen gardens. In the vegetable classes a first
prize of 30s. is offered for six distinct kinds of
vegetables. An interesting class is for 24 Aljjine
plants in pots. There are also numerous classes
for bulbs. Auriculas, Primulas, and other spring
flowers.

Aberdeen College of Agriculture. —

Members of the governing body, accompanied by
Mr. A. D. Hall, who is on a visit to Aberdeen
in the interests of the Scottish Education De-
partment, recently inspected Mains of Craibstone,
near Aberdeen, with a view to establishing a
farm and school of domestic economy for agricul-
tural students similar to the Munster Institute
at Cork. The visitors were favourably impressed
with the house and farm, and there is every
prospect that the main features of the scheme
will be carried out. Tlie instruction intended to
be given at Craibstone will niclude everything
pertaining to work on the land.

Victoria Park, Stafford. — This park,
which, since its laying out, has provided an
agreeable approach from the railway station to
the town, was extended in 1905, in such a manner
as to include the famous Isaac Walton Walk.
w hich extends by the River Sow. Considerable
planting was done in the autumn of 1905 by
Messrs. Tom B. Dobes & Co., nurserymen, of
Wolverhampton, and the necessary funds were
raised by public subscription. According to a
local paper, an extension of the park is again
being made, this time by the corporation, under
the direction of Mr. W. Plant, Borough Engi-
neer. It consists of a long border towards the
town side. The trees now being planted include
standard Thorns, with Hollies. Golden Privet,
and Rhododendrons in front. Messrs. Dobbs are
planting a number of Ivies and other species. Mr.
Davies, park-keeper, is carrying out other im-
provements, including the formation of a bowling
green.

Japan-British Exhibition. - The organising
Committee of the Japan-British Exhibition write
ns as follows: — " The city of Tokio is sending an
exquisite miniature garden. It is designed by
the renowned Taikoyen in Shiba Park, and will
he no more than 12 feet long by 7 feet broad.
Here are to be found diminutive old trees, liouses
exactly modelled on the smallest scale, ponds
and rocks in closest miniature. Such perfect care
and minute attention is bestowed on this work
of art that the very trees and shrubs are to be
changed with the changing seasons. Thus the
pink of the cherry blossom will in due course be-

come the lovely whit« and purple of the graceful
Wistaria. Naturally, the cost of these models
will be very great. In addition to this and other
horticultural attractions on small scales, a large
section of the exhibition grounds is to be ar-
ranged in two large gardens after the style pre-
valent among the highest class of Nippon's gar-
deners. The first of the areas to be so treated
will extend over some 100,000 square feet, while
the second is to cover an almost equally large
space. Large trees, bridges, and houses, quite
complete, and the very rocks to be used for lay-
ing out the gardens are being sent from the Island
Empire of the Far East, so as to reproduce a
true and typical effect. When visitors regard
the final result of all this care, the public will
have further evidence of the fact that, if ' genius
is the art of taking pains,' it is amply possessed
by Japan."

The Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary.—

Considerable interest has been aroused by a
leaflet which the Selborne Society recently re-
printed, upon the Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary.
It dealt principally with the methods of attract-
ing wild birds by means of nesting boxes. Mr.
WiLi'REn Mark Webb, hon. general secretary,
has written a second article for the JIarcli
number of The Covntry Home, dealing with the
nests that are built naturally in the enclosure
which is maintained by his society.

Heredity of Sex. - Current theories of the
heredity of sex are based on the assumption that
gametes (sexual cells) are pure with respect t<;
sex characters. By this is meant that a gamete
may carry the factor for maleness or the factor
for femaleness, but not both As against this
view, Dr. Keeble proposes, in a contribution to
Nature (February 24, 1910), a theory based on
the assumption that the phenomena of sex are
due not to a single pair of allelomorphic char-
acters, but to two independent pairs if charac-
ters, namely, maleness (M.) with its allelomorph,
absence of maleness (m) which constitute one
pair, and femaleness (F.) with its allelomorph
(f), which constitute the other pair. M.m. and
F.f. being independent of each other, representa-
tives of both pairs occur in every gamete. All
gametes are, therefore, of one or other of the fol-
lowing sex constitutions : MF, M.i, mF or mf, and
all zygotes produced by the pairing of such
gametes are of one or other of the nine possible
gametic constitutions which may result from the
pairing of these four types. The hypothesis is
worked out in considerable detail, and examples
are given of its application to biological facts,
such, for instance, as the absence of sexual repro-
duction in various groups of fungi, and the nature
of the spores produced by homosporous and
heterosporous Ferns. The high rate of mortality
which accompanies spore-formation may be due to
the inevitable reappearance of combinations of
sex characters which a given plant has ceased to
tolerate. It is also .suggested that the hypo-
thesis may throw light on such facts as pre-
potency, partial sterility, heterostylism, and the
apparently e.vcessive production of pollen and
ovules.

Gardening in Bermuda.— On the 26th ult.
Lord Cheylesmore opened a Crocus show, in
connection with the St. Mary's Guild of Total
Abstinence at Plaistow. About 2,500 bulbs in
flower were shown — the best of about 5,000
which were given mainly to the children of the
parish in November last. Lord Cheylesmore.
in the course of a brief address, said that
on his estate in the country there were
400 gardens let out to cottagers, who had a yearly
flower show. When he was in command of a
battalion of the Guards at Bermuda, 20 years or
so ago, he sought some recreations for the men
and gave to each company a plot of land to

cultivate. He and his officers also had a plot,
and, though he was told they could not grow
Carnations there, he did so. But he was not so
successful with Strawberries ; big bushes grew
but not a single Strawberry. They however, got
two crops of Potatos, and just as their third
crop — one of Melons — began to show fruit the
battalion was ordered home and they had to
leave the fruit for the natives.

Publications Receive d. — Kearton 's-
Nature Pictures, with descriptive text by Kichaid
Kearton. F.Z.S. (London: Cassell & Co.) Price
Is. net. - Gardens of Delight, a supplement to
the Manual of Horticultiiie, issued by Kelway &
Sons, Langport, Somerset. Price 6d. — The Mid-
land A gricultui al and Dairy College. Bulletins :
The Report on Field Trials on the Mauuiiug of
Seeds Hay, in 1909 ; Report on Field Trials with
Varieties of Mangels, in 1909; Results of Field
Trials on the Manuring of Swedes, in 1909.—
Plant Pests, by "The Woodlark," (London:
W Speai^ht & Sons.) Price •3d. — Two Essays on
Sweet Peas and How to Grow Them, by
Walter A. Voss, F C.S,, and W. F. Emptage.
(London: W. Speaight & Sons ) Price Id. — Native
Guano. Result of its practical applications in
the farm and garden. (The Native Guano Co.,
Ltd., London). — The Women's Agricultural'
and Horticultural International Union. Monthly
Leaflet by Mr. T. Chamberlain. (Kettering ; Chas.
T. Hart, Lindsay Street.) Price 2d. — Bees, for
Prolit and Pleasure, by H. Geary. (London :
W. H. & H. Collingridge). Price Is. net.

NURSERY NOTES.

CYCLAMEN AND PRIMULAS AT READING.

A WEEK ago I paid a visit to Messrs. Sutton &
Sons' trial grounds at Reading, where these
plants are grown, not for purposes of display, but
for the simple though very necessary and practi-
cal expedient of seed production. Nevertheless,
from the spectacular point of view, the display is
a remarkable one, for there are some 14,000 or
15.000 plants of each genus. The cultural
methods that obtain are adopted for the pur-
pose of harvesting as large a crop of seeds from
the plants as possible. Therefore, such mat-
ters as seed sowing and the subsequent
treatment of the plants are carried out on lines
which experience has proved to be the best for
the purpose, and whilst this may involve method
and specialisation in a marked degree, it is
characterised by simplicity.

To pass in brief review, firstly, the Cyclamen, I
can but remark upon the brilliance or the purity
of the scene, as the sheets of colour, white, sal-
mon, crimson, and rose, the product of many
thousands of expanded, highly-poised flowers,
meet the eye. I noted, too, their fine form and
substance, their giant proportions and great range
ot colour. Recalling to mind the original wild
species. C. latifolium, of Palestine and Greece,
I marvelled at the change which has taken place.
How long the wild species remained after its in-
troductiim to cultivation nearly 180 years ago,
before the florist seriously took the plant in hand,,
we do not know. That the greatest advances
have been made during recent years there is nO'
doubt. In this work of improvement Messrs.
Sutton have ever taken a leading part, with the
result that their strain has a world-wide reputa-
tion for its high excellence.

It was in 1884 that Messrs. Sutton first intro-
duced and catalogued their epoch-making variety,
Butterfly, a flower remarkable for its spotless
purity, its fine substance and form, and its ele-
gantly-marbled leaf.age. .Salmon Queen followed
in 1895 ; while the fringed varieties made their
debut in 1900. The latter, the result of re-
peated crosses with the Papilio strain of
Cyclamen, constitutes one of great beauty
and attractiveness. Most brilliant of all
among modern varieties are those named
Vulcan and Pha-nix, the former of a striking hue
of rich crimson, a really remarkable shade when

M.Micn 5, 1910.

THE GA RDENERS' CHR 0 NI CLE.

155

touched by occasional sunlight. Phoenix is of
cherry-crimson hue and very distinct and beauti-
ful, and the two contrast admirably with the un-
rivalled purity of Butterfly. The " Giant "
strain, which the firm has done so much to im-
prove and popularise, is probably unique, and
to-day is seen in the purest white, cherry-red,
mauve, pink, salmon, crimson, crimson and white,
and other shades. A matter which is receiving
considerable attention is fragrance : this quality
has already been implanted in many varieties in
conjunction with marked improvement as regards
size. Mucli more, however, remains to be done in
this direction, and a few more years must elapse
before the finest of the giant races of these flowers
as understood at Reading to-day have this wel-
come attribute. Then, again, much remains to
be done before those brilliantly flowered varie-
ties, Vulcan and Phoenix, attain to the present
size or substance of the giant form. Yet these
are some of the many ideals towards which the
hybridist is working, and, having fixed for him-
self that high standard of excellence, it is but a
question of years before the goal will be reached.

Turning to the Primulas, these greatly e.xceed
the Cyclamens in importance, and they entail an
increased amount of labour and watchfulness be-
cause of the infinite variety that obtains.
Roughly, there are some 90 varieties ciiltivated,
not all of which are catalogued or even regarded
as worthy of this hall-mark of merit. All are
grown, however, for some reason — for experimen-
tal work, for observation, or the possession of
some particularly good outstanding property
which it is desired others should possess. The
rich and varied display of colour contributed by
the plants, each having its one large, compact
head of blossoms lifted well above the foliage,
mean much to the average gardener, for he mar-
vels at that fineness of judgment and skill which
enables the cultivator to fix that perfect balance
and uniformity betwixt foliage and flowering
which is seen on every hand. Disproportionate
leaf growth cannot be found in a single instance
in the Reading collection.

In their endeavours to secure a maximum crop
of seeds, Messrs. Sutton leave nothing to chance,
for every flower on every head is fertilised by
hand, the plants being gone over several times,
so that each flower may be dealt with as it is
ready. In this work of pollinating the foliage,
the utmost care, even to the most minute details,
is taken, and the collection, by reason of its re-
markable trueness to stock or variety, affords elo-
quent testimony to the way in which the w'ork is
done. From the business point of view, the
vagaries of certain stocks or varieties are closely
studied, hence it is known with almost unfailing
accuracy to what extent any particular stock
will breed true or otherwise.

It may be mentioned that the salmon and
nearly-allied shades of colour require a greater
degree of artificial heat to bring them to perfec-
tion. Coral Pink, which, by the way, is a pure
sport from Crimson King, and one of the most
exquisite of Primulas, is an instance of this, and
there are others to which a similar remark ap-
plies. Royal White is regal in every way, in
size of truss and flower in particular. Brilliant
. Rose is good for anything or anybody. Brilliant
King and Crimson King, as seen in a gleam of
sunlight, baffle description. Improved White has
a flower similar to the old Snowdrift, the plant
being a stronger grower. Then, in turn, I in-
spect the remarkable " Duchess " hybrids, and
note the unmistakable influence of these in that
most valuable race of Star Primulas (P. stellata).
and which also embraces pink, ruby, dark and
pale blue, and many other shades. It is interest-
ing to note how frequently an almost identical
flower may be repeated either in the plain, fern-
leaved or palmate-leaved types, or even in all of
these, the great majority being absolutely fixed
and capable of yielding almost cent, per cent.
true to their kind.

The giant strains, while embracing salmon-
pink, white, and crimson, which constitute an im-
posing array, also include early and late pink-

flowered forms, which are reproduced true from
year to year, and others which, on expanding,
are of pale pink, but which deepen in colour
with age. To the gardener or florist decorator
who has to provide pink-flowered varieties of
these plants over extended periods of time, these
early and late-flowered types will possess a
special value. E. H. Jenkins.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

FREESIA.
This plant possesses three essential qualities
that make it invaluable to the amateur — the
flowers are handsome, fragrant, and they last a
long time on the plant, or in water. A single
bloom will scent a whole house, and the blos-
soms do not all go off together, so that one can
pick off the dead ones and retain the others.
The more forward buds will also open in water,
and it is no uncommon thing for the blooms to
remain fresh, from first to last, for over a fort-
night. Ill spile of the fact that Freesia seed is
now catalogued by many seedsmen, few people
seem to raise their stock in this manner. Yet the
flowxr-stems and foliage come much stronger,
and can be grown without any form of support,
which is rarely the case with Freesias produced
from bulbs. They can also be had in bloom quite
as soon from the time of making a start, and the
flowers, instead of being ready only at Christmas
or the New Year, can be obtained as early as
October. April is the best time for making a
start with Freesia seed, although one can sow it
at almost any period of the year. Spring-sown
plants, however, have the benefit of standing out-
cf doors all the summer, and this treatment is
essential if the best possible results are to
bo obtained. The seed must be sown in the
flowering pots (32's or 48's are best), as the
plants will not bear transplanting. A compost
consisting of three parts fibrous loam (broken
small), one part well-decayed cow manure, and
half a part each of leaf-mould and sharp sand,
should be prepared, and the pots filled to within
2 inches of the rim with the mixture. Upon
this sift a little of the same material and sow
eight or ten seeds to a large pot, covering with
fine soil to the depth of one inch. Shake down
firmly, give a good watering, and place the pots
near the glass, putting a piece of ^heet glass
over each in the usual way to check evapora-
tion. If the weather is very bright, sliading with
brown paper during the middle part of the day is
beneficial. The pots should be kept in a tem-
perature of 60° to 70° Fahr. , but it is preferable
to err on the side of coolness than in the other
direction, since coddling must be avoided. Ger-
mination takes place in five or six weeks, and
directly the little spear-like shoots appear the
sheet-gl.iss must be removed, the pots being
kept as near as possible to the roof to prevent
drawing. When the plants are an inch in
height, they may be placed out-of-doors, where
they will get some sun, but not all day long. Be-
hind a wall is a good place, but there must be
no actual shading or covering above the plants,
except, in very wet weather, w-hen a little pro-
tection during heavy storms is advisable. The
plants may remain there until they are again
brought I'lider glass in September before frost
occurs, when they should be given a temperature
of 55° to 65°, and be kept on a shelf near the glass.
When the bloom-buds appear in October, weak
liquid manure may be given, but not chemical
manures. The plants should bloom from October
onwards, and, it properly grown, the blossoms
will be larger and more numerous, as well as more
robust, than any produced from bulbs planted
in late summer and kept indoors all the time.
East Sussex.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH " GARDEN.

We are now clearing the last lot of Radishes-
in the frames. The Lettuces greatly improve
when they have the ground to themselves, and
the grower must be prepared to sacrifice the
Radishes if the Lettuces require the room before
these latter are ready.

We are marketing the first Lettuces eight
weeks after they were planted in the frames.
Their growth has been somewhat delayed, partly
because the soil used in the frames was too wet
this season, and partly because of the dull wea-
ther experienced since the commencement of the
year. The Lettuces planted under the cloches
are growing splendidly ; they will be ready for
the market in a week or so. Their growth is
always of a higher standard than those planted
in frames, as they are planted later and obtain
more light. When the Cos Lettuce, grown con-
jointly with them under the cloche, requires the
room too soon, the grower does not hesitate to
cut the Cabbage Lettuces when these are hardly
reiidy, though this case is a very rare occurrence.
The Carrots in the frames require a little ven-
tilation as soon as the Lettuces are marketed, in
order that their growth may strengthen. The
Carrots should be mulched with finely-sifted, dry
soil, to prevent the tops of the roots from turning
green. We are sowing beds of " Chantenay
Carrots in the open ground, to form a succession
to those sown under the cloches. The beds are
heavily top-dressed with decayed manure pre-
vious to the insertion of the seeds.

We are now planting Early Parisian Cauli-
flower in the frames among the Carrots, putting
five plants to each light; two against the top
and the bottom board, and one in the centre.
The main batch of the variety " Driancourt "
will be planted in a fortnight's time, four plants
being placed under each light. This sort
forms bigger heads than Early Parisian, and is
of a stumpy habit, which would injure the
Carrots if they were set too early. The Cauli-
flowers are always set very deep, and the soil
made firm at the roots. The batch of Cauli-
flowers sown last month needs constant ventila-
tion to prevent damping off. If the seeds were
sown too thickly, the plants may be pricked off
under bell-glasses, putting 20 plants in each
cloche.

The first batch of Melons is now potted into
3-inch pots, and these have been plunged in a
good hot-bed. When they are well established
in their new quarters, light ventilation can be
afforded at least one half-hour each day. This
is very beneficial to their growth, and acts as a
preventive against collar rot and canker later in
the season. Seeds are inserted each week till
March 15, to obtain a succession of.plants.

The large grower never sows Melon seeds later
than the date stated, and arranges his work to
finish planting the Melons early in May. By this
method the bulk of this crop is sold by the enrl
of July, after which date the prices are not so
remunerative.

The ground where the Lettuces were grown
through the winter has been dug, and will be
available for Tomatos in May. P. Aquatias.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Freesia from Seed. — Being interested in
Mr. H. .Juniper's note (see p. 124), I am sending
you a few flower-spikes of Freesia from plants
raised from seeds sown on March 4 last, thus
showing that they are easily flowered within 12
months from sowing the seed. /''. E. Stokes, Ven
House Gardens, Sherhorne, Dorset.

Freesia Armstrongii.— The English historj
of this plant, as I know it, is a little different
from its Dutch history, as told by Mr. Gumbleton,
in the Gardener.^' Chronicle, p. 115. In March,
1398. Mr. W. Armstrong, of Port Elizabeth,
brought to Kew a bulb of what he called
a pink Freesia. which he had found wild
on R. Meteler Kamp's farm, Zuurbon, Humans-
dorp. It did not flower that year, but it did the
next, when I named it in compliment to the
finder. A stock of it was soon worked up by
me,-ns of seeds and bulblets, and in the spring of
1901 there was quite a nice batch of it in flower
in the Cape house at Kew. The late Mr. .Moon

156

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[IMarck 5, 1910.

made a drawing of it, which was published in
The Garden, May 25, 1901, where its history is
recorded. It had then " been in cultivation at
Kevv about three years, and this year it has dis-
Ijlaved itself to the full. . . . The tallest scapes
are" 20 inches high, with three or four branches,
each bearing from six to eight flowers set i inch
apart, 1 inch long, exactly the same in shape as
V. refracta, the tube white, with a splash of
orange at the base, the segments heavily mar-
gined or hi'-ed with rich rose, in which there is
a suspicion of purple. The plants flower at the
same lime as ¥. refracta, that is, about a month
later than the larger-flowered F. alba ; some of
them are now in flower (May 14). ... It has
ripened seeds at Kew, and the seedlings (which
had then flowered) are e.xactly like the parent."
t'l-osscs had also been raised from I'". Armstrongii
and other Freesias, the best being from F. Arm-
strongii X F. Leichtlinii. This, which was nained
F. kewensis, had orange-yellow flowers with
losy-lilac segments. See Joiirna/ of Horlicu!-
tui'e. March 3. 1904. The credit, therefore, of
introducing, flowering, and naming F. Arm-
strongii and of raising the first crosses from it
clearly belongs to Kew, and it must be set down
as another instance of history repeating itself
that Messrs. Van Tubergen, of Haarlem, on re-
ceiving the plant in 1901 named it F. Arm-
strongii, and raised crosses from it. II'. IT.

The L.C.C. Parks Appointment. — The

Altrincham Gardeners' Society have noted
with pleasure your Editorial remarks in re-
cent issues respecting the London County
Council Parks appointment. I am instructed
by my committee to send you a copy of
a resolution passed at the general meeting
of my society on February 25, trusting that
you will find space for its inclusion in your next
issue. A copy has also been sent to the chairman
cf the London County Council, also the secre-
taries of the Royal Horticultural Society and the
British Gardeners' Association: — "That this
society learns with regret that a military man has
lieen appointed as chief officer of the Ixindon
County Council parks. Being of opinion that the
management of public parks requires the services
of an experienced horticulturist, and noting that
the gentleman appointed does not. on his own
admission, possess any horticultural knowledge,
this society of gardeners considers it to be Its
duty to protest against the appointment." R.
JjCrr/ij Hon. Scrrdriry.

The Weather in South Devon. — February
lias been a very wet month in South Devon.
Rain was registered on 27 out of the 28 days, the
10th being the only rainless day. The total fall
for the month was 5.68 inches, which, with the
January fall, makes over 10 inches for the first
two months of the year, or about a third of the
average annual rainfall. ]Vi/ncUiam, Fitzherbert,
Kln'j.ncear.

Gloxinias under Cool Treatment. — The

exhaustive article on Gloxinias in the (iiirilrner."'
('hirinicle for PVbruary 19. leaves nothing to be
desired in showing how Gloxinias can be grown
at their very best. Still, they can be cultivated
in a perfectly satisfactory manner under much
cooler conditions, and I find them quite amen-
able to ordinary greenhouse treatment. Where
associated with tuberous-rooted Begonias, they
form a very pleasing feature in the latter part
cf the summer. For the raising of seedlings a
considerable amount of fire-heat is necessary to
bring them safely through their earlier stages.
For this reason, when there is only a greenhouse
temperature available, the better plan is to com-
mence with one-year-old tubers about the size
of a penny. Such tubers are to be pur-
chased very cheaply during the dormant
season, and they can be sent by post for
a few pence. Mixed seedlings from a good
strain will give a pleasing variety. These
tubers may be potted early in March in a com-
po.st made up of loam, leaf-mould and sand. I
prefer to start the tubers in small pots, and as
soon as the roots are active shift them into their
flowering ones, which are from 5 t(* 5 inches in
diameter. The plants will do well mi an ordinary
garden frame if shaded from bright sunshine.
Of course, under such cool conditions, the bloom.s
develop much later than when grown in heat, as
the earliest flowers do not open till July. Dur-
ing August and the first part of September they
are at their best. IP.

Mr. C. Bogue Luffmann and Fruit-tree

Culture. — Tliere have appeared in your columns
from time to time, in recent numbers, contribu-
tions from the pen of Mr. C. Bogue Luffmann,
dealing with various physiological aspects of
fruit-tree culture. Mr. Luffmann's style of com-
position is, for the most part, obscure ; and it
may be that his writings contain much that must
surprise your readers, simply because of its con-
fusing phraseology. What strikes one first is
that Mr. Luffmann's articles are full of asser-
tions stated in the most dogmatic way, without,
in any case, giving reasons for maintaining his
statements. Had they been deduced from well-
recognised laws, one could not complain, but
when he says, e.g. (January 29, p. 65) :

" Roots made whin a tree has young, half-grown,
mature, or no leaves, are all of different characters and
values,"

one is entitled to ask for particulars. Has he
examined a large number of roots in these four
different stages? What facts has he learned
from such examination of each variety, that
force him to believe in this correlation of leaf
and root, and that they are of different characters
and values? On the occasions when he uses
anything like argument, I find it quite impossible
to connect cause and effect, as, e.g., in the
following ;

■' The most fruitful type of light root is made in
autumn. Roots made in a falling temperature are of a
more complete and fruit-yielding nature than tho^c
made in a rising temperature, because in the one case
the leaves are a robbing, and in the other, an improving
factor."

Another striking feature is ]\Ir. Luffmann's
mania for diffei-entiation. Thus we have roots
(of the same individual tree) in countless variety,
all with most important functional differences.
We were prepared to read of tap-roots and
fibrous roots, but here we learn of heavy roots,
light roots, roots made when the leaves are
young, those made when there are no leaves,
"those made in a rising temperature, and so on
ad infinitum. We must, moreover,

" contrast wild with domesticated root-systtms, note
the variation in light roots at all seasons, .-^nd make a
careful estimate nf every tree before deciding on any
form of root-pruning or soil-dressing."

Some of the statements that he makes as to the
functions of roots perplex one, amongst others
that autumn growth of roots elaborates buds
and furnishes the material requisite to leaves and
buds at the birth of spring. We had understood
that the function of the root was to obtain
crude food, in solution, from the soil and to send
it to the leaves, where assimilation was carried
on, and that the products of assimiliation alone
were used in feeding growing buds and leaves ;
and the idea of the elaboration of buds being one
of the functions of the root is novel to us. To
those who had learned to distinguish between
crude fluid from the soil and the plastic products
of assimilation, Mr. Luffmann's use of the word
mav appear ambicuoiis. He, however, declares
(February 5, p. 83) that:

" Trees, having two ' stomachs ' — leaves and roots —
can absorb and digest, according to their shape and
capacity for forming and circulating sap."

It. is, therefore, clear that he believes that the
soil-fluid undergoes some organic change in the
root itself, and according to this all sap is plastic.
He writes :

" The composition of sap changes in proportion to
the amount of water evaporated through tlie leaves
and bark. When the atmosphere is dry. every part
of the tree wastes moisture, -ind l-ecomes in some degree
more mature. Strong and impotent trees develop trjo
much sap ; the fluid from the roots passes up, and the
elaborated sap fnym the leaves passed down at such a
rate that there is insufficient time for change in the
chemical condition of the bark and the leaves and the
buds to ensure maturity or the power of forming flower-
buds."

It is surely a much simpler explanation that a
vigorous root-system, by sending up soil-fluid in
excess, puts the top to the necessity of dealing
with it, and therefore of producing (from the
reserve materials already there) shoots and
leaves in which assimilation can be carried on ;
and that a dry atmosphere, by increasing trans-
piration and the powers of assimilation, and by
diminishing growth of leafy slioots, enables the
leaves to prepare a surplus of starch, &c., which
can be used in feeding fruit, and that fruit-buds
are, in consequence, laid down. Mr. Luffmann
goes on to say :

" When the sap is drawn from light roots and
ascends slowly, it holds the richest supply of fruit-
frrming elements, and makes a deposit in the tree most
favourable to fruit-bearing."

The answer to this is a corollary of what has
been stated above. The supply of crude sap to
the leaves from a sluggish root-system does not
call lor the production of abundance of leaves,
and therefore the surplus plastic materials are
available for feeding fruit ; fruit-buds are,
accordingly, formed. In hardly any particular
do I agree with ilr. Luffmann, but space does
not permit of my discussing his views further.
iSly desire is simply to point out to your con-
tributor that, in advancing views as to horti-
cultural practice, purporting to be founded on
physiological principles, he must conform to
generally-accepted teaching. If he departs from
this, he must state clearly the facts which lead
him to take these opposite views. A. A. P.

My articles were intended for fruit-
growers, and I freely concede that my phrase-
ology may not be strictly scientific. I am charged
with giving insufficient reasons, and yet I feel
that I have crowded my articles with reasons, for
I am saying a great deal within a limited space.
Surely some laws may be unrecognised or but
little understood? In stating that roots formed
at different seasons of the year have different
characters and values. I repeat it as an incontro-
vertible and demonstrable fact. And as to the
enquiry, " Has he examined roots at different
stages? " I reply, " Yes ; and in large ni'mbers."
I am accused of " arguing." I do not. Nor am
I " dogmatic." I have made some statements of
fact which may improve orchard practice. Your
correspondent is impatient that I find different
functions in roots. I am_ indifferent wdiere he
learns if he comes by the truth. He may succeed
in proving me wrong by a yard on paper, and I
in proving him a mile out in his orchard.
_-l. A. P. has read me with some impatience, or
why does he object to my stating that we stand
to gain by studying the roots of trees in a state of
nature? I venture to say that the statement is
neither obscure nor superfluous. I had thought
these were the days for Nature study, and that
the gardener might claim all Nature for his
province. I must thank .4. A. P. for such dili-
gent examination of my articles ; but I object to
his calling them " obscure " and " ambiguous,"
and at his growing " perplexed " because I do
not write exactly as he had thought. If I had
nothing enlightening to offer, I should not pre-
sume upon your space. .4. ^4. /'. offers a " sim-
liler examination " of the root system. It may
stand, as a paraphra.se ; but, with all deference, I
cannot see that it may be as easily grasped and
]iut to use by the working gardener. I welcome
this criticism, but I do not allow ,4. ^4. P. the
right to order me to " conform to generally-
accepted teaching." Is this the utterance of an
unbia.ssed student of Nature and a servant of his
fellow-men? I may be wrong, and, if proved so,
will admit as much. Your correspondent should
know that he asks for a book where I am
limited to giving a few hints on as many inches
of space. And my object? The outdoor fruit
trees of these islands are scandalously misman-
aged, and the purely scientific men are incapable
of putting them straight. The jealous war be-
tween science and practice will go on, since it is
almost impossible for a man to be master in both
fields. I claim to be no more than a successful
tree-culturist, and if A. A. P. is able to improve
on what I advocate in the way of advancing
commercial fruit-growing, I shall gladly yield to
him, and I hope. Sir, you will give him the fullest
opportunity to make the course plain. The
teacher is rare, and there is no end of work to
be done. If the working gardener and fruit grower
have not found my writings obscure or imprac-
ticable, I shall be satisfied, for I do not look
beyond their wants. 0. Borjue Lxiffmann.

An Onerous Post.— A man. 11 years oi age,
has just been offered a situation in Hertford. Ho
has had seven years' experience in two gardens,
from Iroth of vvhich he has excellent references.
After getting these particulars from him it was
thought he would suit, and the following start-
ling offer was made liim. Hours, 6 a.m. to
6 p.m., breakfast to be taken before s'-arting each
morning: one half hour allowed for dinner;
w-ages. 17s. a week, no bothy, and lose all absent
time. This offer did not come from a poor market
gardener, but fz-om someone claiming to be a
gentleman, through his gardener. I wonder if
this heartlessness has ever been beaten. It is
the hours— 11^- per day— that particularly impress
me. S. Martin.

March 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

157

Pruning Wall Trees the First Year
AFTER Planting. — To begin at the beginning,
the leading shoots of young trees obtained from
the nurseries in the autumn should not be cut
back to nithin 6 or 8 inches of their base, as was
done up to within a few years ago. On the con-
trary, the young shoots should be left their full
length, e.xcept any that have grown excessively
strong ; these may be ttipped in order to pro-
mote a balance of growth in the trees. The
first spring, after planting the young trees, when
the sap begins to rise, bend the unpruned shoots
towards the ground and secure them to the
trellis or wall with Raffia or nails and shreds,
as the case may be, in that position, the
bend starting from the point whence the first of
the young growths is desired to proceed, say
3 or 4 inches from the bottom of the individual
shoots. The check thus given to the flow of
sap causes a sufficient number of wood-buds to
push from each shoot to form a good-sized "fan-
shaped " tree the first year after planting. As
soon as the buds nearest the base of the indi-
vidual shoots have pushed into growth, the
trees should be cut, or the nails withdrawn
as the case may be, and the main shoots spread
out on the wall or trellis, after the manner of
a hand and distended fingers, secured to the
wall in the ordinary way. The young shoots,
when developed, must be trained at proper dis-
tances over the intervening spaces. This is the
extension system of training, and applies to all
ikinds of fri.it trcrs trained to trellises and against
walls. //. ir. II'.

t>ROTECTING FrUIT TrEES FROM FrOST. —
Mr. H. W. Ward's timely note on this subject, p.
132 in last week's issue, recalls a thoughtful
jiaper by Mr. John Saul, of Durdham Down Nur-
sery, Bristol, dated August 29, 1850, and printed
in vol. V. of the — as it then was — Juurnal of the
Iliirlii'ullural Society of Lnncl'm. This paper,
which is entitled, " On Retarding the Blooming
of Fruit Trees," was apparently inspired by
some remarks on this subject by jlr. Errington,
in the Uardcnrr.^' Chronirh of" April 27 of that
year. The writer first draws attention to the
fact that, in their native countries, the Apricot
and Peach are subjected to intense hcnt during
the summers, followed by e.xtremely cold win-
ters, under which conditions the growth of the
trees becomes thoroughly hardened, and snffer
the long cold of the winters undamaged. The
short springs, with moderate night frosts, are
there soon over, and by the time the fruit blos-
soms are fully expanded, there is no further
danger of injury by frost, and abundant crops
result. The writer proceeds to advocate a stricter
adherence to the conditions under which these
trees grow naturally, by retarding their blossom-
ing in the spring, instead of hastening it, as is
unwittingly done by means of night protection.
The essayist points to the advantages derived
from dry autumns, when growth becomes sus-
pended early, and the shoot-s have ample time
to mature before winter sets in. As our climate
is usually unkindly in this respect, Mr. Saul
strongly recommended that our fruit borders
should be protected from wet — a cultural detail,
apparently, then practised by some gardeners,
but not so generally as its obvious advantages
■warrant. At the end of Febiuary the trees are
pruned and nailed, and from this time the sun
gains daily in power and duration. The walls
against which the fruit trees are trained ab.sorb
much solar heat by day, and radiate it bv night,
"bringing the Apricots 'and Peaches into bloom in
advance of their season. Often while the trees
are in bloom cold weather returns, accompanied
by severe frosts, piercing winds, sleet, &c.,
which so disastrously affect the fruit blossoms!
This, as he says, constitutes a bad fruit season ;
the reverse of which is promoted by a severe
winter and a cold, backward spring, having little
or no sunshine. From the middle of February,
the ess.ayist advocates protecting the trees aiid
walls from every ray of sunshine up to the time
the trees are fully in bloom, exposing them all
right and during the mornings and evenings to
the cold, be it never so severe, whether wind,
sleet, or frost. This procedure, and especially
the exclusion of the sun's rays from the walls,
will, he claims, retard the blooming, without
weakening the blossoms to a much later period
than many miaht be led to imagine. Mr. Saul
very properly insists that the transition from re-
tarding to affording protection must be gradual
but sl«ady. Once the trees commence to expand

their blossoms, they must be protected. The
kind of protection recommended is canvas, or
some similar material, which would effectually
exclude the sun's rays whilst retardation is going
on. Spruce Fir branches, &c., however useful
in the old system of protection, would not do
here. The canvas would also be found a better
protection against the unpropitious elements dur-
ing blooming time than branches of Coniferous
trees could be. .-t. C . Barthtt.

Primula Forrestii and Other Chinese
Species — We liave read with much interest the
note by Mr. Miliier which appeared on p. 139 in
your last issue, and are glad to note his success
with Primula Forrestii. With him, we regret
that Jlr. Reginald Farrer had to mourn the loss
of his plant. Perhaps our experience, as intro-
ducers of this and other new Primulas of last
season, may help to prevent further losses. P.
Forrestii does not love too much moisture, but it
does love lime. Its native habitat is among the
limestone rocks and crevices of the Yunnan Alps,
where it is found at an altitude of from 9,000 to
11,000 feet, and some of the specimens from which
our Mr. Geo. Forrest collected seed were, in his
opinion, 100 years old. That it is quite hardy
(though easily injured by excessive moisture) is
proved by our own e.xperience and that of others.
At our Sealand Nurseries, close to the f stuary of
the Dee, and exposed to all the wild Atlantic
weather, we have a large batch growing quite
".vithout protection, save that afforded by a wood.
Last year we planted two beds, the one raised
and dry, the other on the level and damp. Those
on the former bed came through the winter quite
safely, while those on the latter showed serious
signs of discontent, and suffered accordingly. P.
Bulleyana is, on the contrary, a moisture-loving
plant, revelling in the same conditions as P,
japonica. P. Littoniana, though less robust in
growth, is equally hardy, and does well under
similar conditions. P. malacoides should prove
liardy in the South of Kngland ; but with us it
needs protection. A bed planted side by side
with the afore-mentioncd species, after surviv-
ing the winter, succumbed to the winds cf
]March. Bees, Ltd.

Galanthus Elwesii and other Snow-
drops (see pp. 106, 12i), — I agree with those who
state that their experience with Galanthus Ehvesii
is satisfactory. I have grown it for a number of
years, and it is not nearly so reliable as G.
nivalis, which is, after all, the most dependable
of the Snowdrops. G. Elwesii appears to prefer
a poorer soil than G. nivalis, and a sloping bank,
facing south, is better for it than a place on the
level in gooel soil. I have had G. Elwesii from
many of its habitats, but while the stocks vai-y
considerably in stature, siz3 of flower, and breadth
and form of the segments, they are practically all
similar in constitution. The hybrids between
G. plicatus and G. nivalis are enduring plants,
as a whole, and the two form.' of G. n. Imperati,
both sold as the variety Atkinsii, are good
growers also, although they do not increase
quickly with me. G. Ikarife' is not trustworthy
with me, and G. plicatus sometimes fails unexpect-
edly. By the way, the Snowdrop disease (Botrytis
galanthina) has not troubled me much in my
pre.scnt garden as yet ; whereas, in my former
one, which, being close to the sea, was a little
earlier, it wrought considerable destruction with
some of my Snowdrops. G. latifoHum never
lived long, and the apparent hybrids, called G.
byzantinus, died off after a "short time. S.
Arnott, Suniiymead, Diimfrie.'!.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee,

FEBRn-4RY 22.—rre.^ent: Jlr. E. A. Bowles,
M.A., F.E.S., F.L.S. (in the Chair). Dr. A. B.
Rendle, F.R.S., Dr. J. A. Voelcker. M.A.. F.I.C.,
Messrs. A. Worsley, J. W. Odell, A. D. Michael,
W. Fawcett, J. Douglas, .J. Fraser, L. Crawshay,
W. H,ales. J. T. Bennett-Poe, F. J. Baker, E. M.
Holmes, R. H. Curtis. H. J. Veitch, R. Hooper
Pearson, and F. J. Chittenden (hon. secretary).

Azo'ea qatJ. — ]\fr. L. Cr.\\vsh.4y showed a
specimen of the gall on Azalea indica caused bv
Exobasidium japonicum. (.See Joui-naJ, R.H.S.,
xxxiv. (1908), p. 45.) Several examples cf this

gall have been received lately, and the disease
would appear to be spreading. The galls should
be picked off and burned as soon as discovered.

Ci/'himen cvk.'/i.— Jlessrs. Jackm.vn k Son snt
a pan of Cyclamen coura album multipetalum, a
form differing from the type in having seven or
eight petals instead cf five, so that the fljv.er
appeared much rounder than usual.

Acacia dealbata. — Mr. Wohsley remarked
that he had noticed in Portugal two forms of
this plant, one having a smooth bark somewhat
silvery in colour, the other rough. There seems
to be no record of these variations, and the
flowers shown exhibited no marked variation.

Allei/ed r-u.^t-precenlinr/ wood. — Dr. VoELCKEK
enquired whether any member could give any in-
formation concerning a Formosan wood which he
exhibited, called in the vernacular " Sianlam,"
which it was alleged had the peculiar property
of preventing the rusting of iron and steel. Dr.
Henry had informed him thai he had known
a wood in Formosa under that vernacular name.
Shavings of this wood were steeped in water so
as to extract a gummy secretion, which Chinese
ladies used for dressing their hair, but he had
never heard rust-preventing powers ascribed to the
wood. Jlr. Holmes took the specimen shown
in order to examine it further. Dr. 'Voelckek
also made some remarks upon variation in Prim-
roses, said to be correlated with different soils.
The Committee desired to see specimens if pos-
sible.

Lichens on Azalea mollis. — An enquiry with
respect to the destiuction of lichens (Parmelia
physodes) on Azalea mollis was received from
Fleet, Hants. It was recommended that the
plants should be sprayed with a .solution of
cojjper sulphate (1 lb") in water (25 gallons),
while the plants were leafless.

Malformation of Primula sinensis. — Jlr. L.
Cr.awshay reported that he had examined the
specimen of P. sinensis (stellata) shown at the
last meeting, and found at the base of the umbel
two green, bodies, which appeared to be very
greatly reduced and aborted inflorescences. The
linear segments which formed part of these abor-
tions probably represented perianth pieces, the
terminal knob on each possibly representing the
epipetalous stamen. At the tase of these seg-
ments, arranged indefinitely owing to the disteir-
tion of the pl:icent,T, were numerous sessile
bodies, probably representing ovules. Jlr.
Crawshay showed drawings in illustration of
his report.

Malformed Cypripedium. — From the Lord
AvEBnaY, P.C., came specimens of Cypripedium
baibatum malformed. One flower showed the
anterior sepals completely divided. They were
referred to Jlr. Crawshay for examination.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

February 17.— A meeting of the Fellows was
held on the above date. Dr. D. H. Scott, JI,A.,
F.R.S., president, in the chair.

Jlr. W. T. Saxon gave an account of his recent
investigations upon the anatomy of the genera
Widdringtonia, Endl., and Callitris, Vent., of
which the following is an abstract : —

Evidence is brought forward in this communi-
cation to show (i.) that Widdringtonia and Cal-
litris do not conform to the '* Cupressinese "
type; (ii.) that Widdringtonia cannot be merged
in the genus Callitris, but must rank as a distinct
genus.

(i.) The chief points in which these two genera
differ from the Cupressineae are as follow : —

(a) The position of the archegonia. In
Cupressinefe these are found at the apex of the
prothallus, in W'iddringtoiiia and Callitris
never at the apex.

(b) The multinucleate prothallus cells.

(c) The develoi^ment of the proembryo.
Eight free nuclei are formed in these genera,
and the proembryo tills the archegonium.

(d) At least three embryos may be formed
from a single proembryo.

Callitrineae is suggested as a tribal name to
include these two genera (possibly also Actinos-
trobus and Tetraclinis).

(ii.) Both morphological and anatomical differ-
ences are pointed out between Callitris and Wid-
dringtonia. which seem more than sufficient to
warrant the retention of Widdrinytania as a
separate genus.

158

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 5, 1910.

'Of the morphological differences, the more im-
portant of those brought forward for the first
lime are ; —

(a) In Widdringtonia about 64 potential
megaspore mother cells are formed at the basi'
of the nucellus. In Callitris about two sucli
cells are found, half-way up the nucellus.

(b) The number and arrangement of the
archegonia differ materially in the two genera.

(c) The microsporophyll normally bears four
sporangia in Widdringtonia, three in Callitris.
Of the anatomical differences, the most im-
portant is the occurrence of thickenings of the
<;ell wall in connection with the bordered pits in
both the wood and the transfusion tracheids of
Callitris ; these are not found in Widdringtonia.

A discussion followed ni which Prof. Farmer,
Dr. Stapf, and the Pre.sident engaged.

Jlr. George Massee, F.L.S., followed with a
lantern demonstration of his researches, entitled :

Evolution of Parasitism in Fungi.

To understand clearly the evolution of para-
sitism, it is important to gi-asp a fundamental
point in the evolution of fungi generally. The
most primitive forms were aquatic, and repi-o-
duced by zckispores, which necessitated the pre-
jience of water to secure their dispersion. As the
fungi gradually took possession of dry land, a
second asexual or conidia form of reproduction,
suitable for dispersion by wind, &c., was gradu-
ally evolved. - This supplementary conidial con-
dition is always the form that has assumed a
parasitic condition, the older sexual phase re-
maining as a saprophyte and developing when
the host is exhausted. Parasitism is mainly the
■outcome of opportunity, and the fact that fungi
present all stages of parasitism, and that a sapro-
phytic fungus can be educated to become a para-
site, proves that parasitism is an acquired habit.
Incipient or imperfectly evolved parasites
promply kill the host, and consequently curtail
the period of their own existence, as Pythium De
Baryanum. A higher stage of parasitism is
reached by many of the rusts and smuts, Ustilago
avenae, &c., where the host is attacked as a seed-
ling, and is stimulated to an unusual condition
of growth throughout its normal period of
growth. More advanced parasites show a ten-
dency to arrest the production of spores and
conidia, and to perpetuate themselves by peren-
nial mycelium located in some perennial vegeta-
tive portion of the host (root, tubers, &c.) or in
the seed. In the most highly-evolved parasites
reproductive bodies are entirely arrested, and the
parasite is perpetuated by hybernating mycelium
only.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

Febru.vry 22. — On this date the society held
its first meeting out of London, in the physical
laboratory of the Manchester University : the
president, Mr. H. Mellish, occupied the chair.
Dr. Hopkinson, the vice-chancellor, expressed the
gratification the University felt at receiving the
Fellows of the Society.

Dr. A. Schuster also welcomed the Society, and
said that although meteorology in itself might
be regarded by some as a small part of physical
science, yet it was intimately connected with
a number of other subjects.

The first paper, read by Dr. W. Makower, was
on the " Investigation of the Electrical State of
the Upper Atmosphere made at the Howard
Estate Observatory, Glossop."

Mr. A. W. Harwood read a paper on " The
R^esults of 25 Registering Balloon Ascents made
from Manchester on June 2 and 3 last.''

Jlessrs. R. G. K. Lswippert and R. C rkss read
a paper on " Line Squalls and Associated Pheno-
mena." The discussion on this paper was de-
ferred until the meeting of the Society in London
on April 20.

THE NATIONAL FRUIT GROWERS'
FEDERATION.

February 23. — The annual meeting of the
National Fruit Growers' Federation was held
on this date at the Royal Horticultural Hall,
London. Mr. C. S. Martin (Toddington) presided.

The annual report stated that the total mem-
bership now stood at about 500, an increase of
about 100 upon the year. Representations had
been made to the 15oard of Agriculture to the
effect that the present was an opportune time to
carry out the first recommendation of the Depart-

mental Committee of the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries appointed by Lord Onslow on the
condition of the fruit industry, viz., " That a
special sub-department of the Board of Agi-icul-
ture and Fisheries be established to deal with
matters connected with the fruit industry. That
there be two branches of such sub-department,
(a) a bureau of information, and (b) an experi-
mental fruit farm." The Council were of opinion
that if this recommendation were carried out,
practically all the other valuable recommenda-
tions of the committee would follow as a matter
of course.

Mr. C. S. Martin was unanimously elected pre-
sident for the year, and the other officers were
reappointed.

A discussion took place with reference to the
scale of conmiission charged by fruit salesmen, a
paper being- read on the subject by Jlr. F. I.
Neame, who complained that, in London, com-
missions were much too high. The matter was
referred to the connnittee.

Charles Smith. — Mr. Charles Smith, who
died recently at Guernsey, was the head of the
firm of Messrs. C. Smith &. Sons, of Caledonia
Nurseries, St. Peter Port. He was in his 80th
year, and was of English birth, but had resided
in Guernsey most of his life. He was formerly

THE LATE DUGALD McCORQUODALE.

head gardener to General Slade, then the
Governor of Guernsey, and made the grounds at
Castle Carey, the official residence, one of the
sights of the island. General Slade at his death
left his valuable collection of plants to Mr.
Smith, and this formed the nucleus of the nur-
sery at La Couture, specially known for the col-
lections of Bambusa, of Rhododendrons, of the
smaller Conifers, and of Borberis, &c. Mr.
Smith had one of the most complete collections
of Nerines even in Guernsey, and it included a
large number of his own raising. The orchards
are the best in the island. They are especially
noted for an immense Chaumontel Pear tree,
which covered allone side of a very large build-
ing to the height of about 30 feet, and from which
many hundreds of Pears of the largest size and
best quality were annually gathered. The nur-
series will now be carried on by deceased's only
son, Mr. Harry Smith, in whose hands the active
management has rested for some years past.

John Ashby.— T'ne death of Mr. John Ashby,
gardener to C. H. Palmer, Esq., of Bozedown,
Whitchurch, Reading, occurred suddenly on
the 20th ult. Jlr. Ashby had been through
the gardens in company with his employer, anfl
when returning home dropped down and expired

within six yards of his cottage door. He laid out
the grounds and gardens at Bozedown 40 years
ago last September, just before the mansion was
erected. He was then in the employ of Mr. Wil-
liam Fanning, but on the death of this gentleman
the estate passed into the ownership of JSIr.
James Russel King, and some five years ago it
was purchased by Mr. C. H. Palmer. Mr. Ashby
was 72 years of age. The remains were interred
in St. John's Churchyard, Reading.

Richard Blake. — An amateur horticul-
turist has passed away in the death, on Feb-
ruary 21, of Mr. Richard Blake, of The Elms,
Winterbourne Dauntsey, near Salisbury. Mr.
Blake was in his 95th year. His favourite plants
were Orchids, of which he had a fair collection,
including many good specimens of cool-house
varieties. Mr. Blake had been associated with
the Wiltshire Horticultural Society since its in-
ception, and frequently assisted in making the
awards at the annual shows of the society.

DuGALD McCoRQUODALE. — Mr. McCorquodalo,
a direct.ir in the firm of Jlessrs. Mackenzie and
Moncur, Ltd., passed away on the 26th ult., aft€r
a long and painful illness, in the 54th year of his
age. Deceased was born at Duror, in the North
of Argvleshire, and served his apprenticeship in
the City of Glasgow. He joined the firm of
Mackenzie and Moncur, Ltd., Horticultural
Builders, about 30 years ago. By painstaking
industry, he obtained rapid promotion, eventu-
ally becoming a director of the firm, which he
represented in London and the south district for
the last 20 years. During this time the firm made
immense strides. .\s director of Messrs. Mackenzie
and Moncur, Mr. McCorquodale carried out exten-
sive contracts in England, notably the langes at
Sandringham Elvedon, Moulton Paddocks, Pad-
dockhurst, \\ indsor, Dover House, and Welbeck.
He was a man of sterling qualities, and his
counsel and advice were often sought on account
of his wide and varied experiences. He led a
strenuous life, throwing his whole energy into
everything to which he put his hand. Owing to
his urbanity and genial disposition, he made a
luimber of friends, by whom he was highly re-
spected. A man of singularly retiring habits. iMr.
McCorquodale, though attending all the principal
flower shows, was rarely present at any functions
of a purely social character, but in ))rivate life
he was an entertaining and cheerful companion.
Deceased leaves a widow and two daughters to
mourn his loss. The i-emains were interred on
March 3 at Nunhead Cemetery, in the presence
of his wife and daughters and a vast concourse
of friends.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Hi^hgate and District Chrysanthemum Srciety*s

exhibition, to be held at the Alexandra Palace on Wednesday
and Thur^daVt November *2, 3. Secreiary, Mr. K. P.
Fenwick, 31, Harbrrton Ro.id, Arcliway Road, N.

Teddington and Hampton Wiclc Horticultural
Society's annual show, to be held on Wednesday, July 13.
Secretary, Mr. Francis A. H. Andrews, " Ashville," Cedar
Road, Teddington.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Krnt & Brydon Darlington— Farm Seeds.

Wm. Thompson & Co., Ltd., Shipquay Street, London

derry — Farm Seeds and Manures,
The Humber Fishing and Fish Mani're Co., Winchester

Hou?ie, High Street, Hull— Fisli Manures.
H. J. Jones, Ltd., Ryecroft, Hither Green, Lewisham —

Plants and Seeds.
C. Engelmann, Saffron Walden, Essex— Perpetuat-fiower-

ing Carnations.
Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset— Fruits, Flowers, and

Vegetables.
Cooper, Taher & Co., Ltd,, 90 l^ 92. Sontliwark Street,

London, S.E.— Farm Seeds (wholesale).
The Chemical Union, Ltd., Ipswich -Canary Guano.

FOREIGN.

WiLHELM Pfitzer, 74, Militarslrdscl , Stuttgart, Germany-
Seeds and Plants.

Vilmorin-Andrirux et Cie., 4, Quai de la Megisserie.
Paris— Chrysanthemums.

Georg Eggfr, Jaffa, Palestine— Flower Bulbs and Roots
from Asia Minor (wholesale).

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. Henry Henderson, until lately Gardener and Estate
Manager at Bantaskin, Stirlingshire, N.B.,and previously
Gardener for 10 years at Cromarty House, N B., as
Steward and Gardener to Georgk James'^N, Esq.. on
his estate near Dublin.

Mr. W. Collard, for 8 years Foreman at Abhotsfield,
Wiveliscombe, Somersetshire, as Gardener at the ?Hnie
place.

March 5, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

159

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending March 2.

Another warm and wet week. — The day temperatures have
been all above the average, while the night readings have
been, as a rule, rather low. On the coldest night the
exposed thermometer registered 11*^ of frost. The ground
is now at about a seasonable temperature, both at 1 and

2 feet deep. Rain fell on all but two days, and to the
total depth of three-quarters of an inch. Virtually the
whole of the rainfall of the week has come through both
of the percolation gauges. The sun shone on an average
for 4i hours a day, which is IJ hours a day longer than
is usual at this period of the year. The wind has been
on the whole, rather high, atid in the windiest hour the
mean velocity was 20 miles— direction west. There was
agiin about a seasonable acnount of moisture in the air at

3 p.m.

February,
A very warm, very wet. and yet sunny ntonth.— This was a
consistently warm February. The first two days were cold,
but after that there did not occur a single day when the
highest temperature was below the average. Then again,
there were only eight cold nights. On the warmest day the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 55°, which is
rather above the average extreme maximum reading for the
month. On the coldest night the exposed thermometer
showed 15° of frost— also a high extreme minimum for
February, Rain, hail, or sleet fell on as many as 23 days,
leaving only five days in the month without rain. This is the
greatest number of rainy days I have yet recorded here in
February. The total depth of the rainfall was 3^ inches,
which is li inches above the average for the month. In the
last 64 years there have been in Berkhamsted only seven
Februaries as wet. jOn no day was there any fall of snow.
Virtually the whole of the rainfall of the montn came through
both of the percolation gauges. The sun shone on an average
for 2J hours a djy, or for about half an hour a day longer
than is usual in February. The winds were, as a rule, above
average strength, and in the windiest hour the mean velocity
reached 25 miles— direction S.S.E. For only three hours
altogether did the wind come from any point between north
and east. The mean amount of moisture in the air at three
o'clock in the afternoon proved on the whole about season-
able.

The W^inter.

A very wartn, ivet, and sunny winter.— Th'\?, was a very mild
winter, in fact, in the last 24 years there have been only four
other winters in which the mean te:nper.iture has been as
high. All three months were warm, and more particularly
was this the case in February. On the warmest day the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 55", and on
the coldest night the exposed thermometer registered 23^ of
frost. The total rainfall amounted to 8i inches, which is
about li inches in excess of the average. For a short time
the ground was, on one occasion in January, covered with
snow to the average depth of 3 inches, but there was no
measurable fall of snow in either December or February.
The san shone on an average for two hours eight minutes
a day, o: for twent>-^ix minutes a day longer than is usual.
In the last 24 years there have been only three other winters
with such a good record of sunshine.

The Underground Water Supflv.
Since the winter half of the drainage year began in
October, the total rainfall has been 14J inches, or IJ inches
in excess of the average for the same five months in the
previous 54 years— equivalent to an excess in rainfall on
each acre in this district of 31,445 gallons. At the same
time last year there was a deficiency of 145,000 gallons
per acre. E. M., Berkhamsted, March 2, 1910.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

READING GARDENERS*. -The fortnightly meeting
was held in the Abbey Hall, on Monday, February 21, the
president, Mr. Alderman I'arfitt, occupying the chair. Tlie
minutes of the last meeting having been read and contrrined
several new members were elected. The hon. secre£ar\
announced that at Chertsey a gardener and his wife had
died almost at the same time leaving a family of six young
children. A collection was taken and a sum of £2 14s. was
sent for the benefit of the children. The lecturer for the
evening was Mr. John W. Tayleur, B.Sc, of the University
College, Reading, his subject being "The Nature and Uses
of Manures." Mr. Tayleur gave particulars concerning the
different qualities and uses of the various artificial manures.
Advice was also given to those desirous of making their
own mixtures so that the best results might be obtained
at the smallest cost.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION (Lon-
don Branch). — The nest meeting will take place at Catr's
Restaurant. Strand, on Thursday, March 10, at 8 p.m. An
address will be given by Mr, W. S. Palmer, of Finsbury
Park, on "Trees and Shrubs." The following question
has been submitted for discussionat this meeting: "Assum-
ing that all plants owe their origin to one common stock,
how can we account for two such distinct classes of plants as
the Monocotyledons and the Dicotyledons? "

EGHAM GARDENERS'.-The fifth annual dinner of
the association was held at the Constitutional Hall, Eghani,
on Thursday, February 24. The president, Mr. W. G.
Rigden, presided. A large company was present. In sub-
mitting the toast of " Prosperity to the Association," the
president said the society was in a highly prosperous con-
dition. It was perfectly evident that in the future no hall in
P-gham would be large enough to hold the members and
friends of the association when they wished to dine together.
Responding, Mr. H. Swan said the members derived a great
benefit from the meetings, and their employers would obtain
considerable advantage from the extra knowledge and ex-
perience the gardeners were enabled to obtain there.
The speaker, concludmg, expressed regret and entered a
protest on behalf of the society at the action of the London
County Council in appointing a soldier as parks super-
intendent instead of a practical gardener.

Al JL R K £ X S.

COVEST GARDEN, March 2.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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 en 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, anc the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Eds. J

Cut Flowers, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Acacia dealbata
(mimosa), per
doz. bunches...

Anemones, p. doz.

Azalea, Ghent, per
bunch

— Fielderi, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Calia (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, be-^t
American (vai .)
Carola, and other
special varieties

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bundles

Camellias, per doz.
Caltleyas, per doz,

blooms
Dafiodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eucharis grandi-

Uora,perdozen

blooms
Freesias, p. dz.bch.
Heather (winte),

per bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bchs.
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac(Frnch.),p.bch,
Liliuiu auratum

per bunch

— longillorum ...

— lane i f ol iuiii
rubruai

8 0-10 0
10-16

0 6-09
3 0-50
6 0-80

2 0-30

5 0-
1 6-

6 0
2 0

a 0-

1 0-

18 0
2 0

60-9 0

20-4 0
16-20

2 0-40

3 0-40
16-20

0 4-06
6 0-90

16-20
3 0-40

2 0-30
4 0-50

2 0-26

Lilium album
Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow ...
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches

Narcissus poeticus

(Pheasant*sEye)

per doz. bnchs.

— Soleil d'Or ...
O don to glossuui

ciispum, per

dozen blooms

Pelargoniums, shw.,

per doz. bchs.

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia airicana
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i n A.
Victoria

— C. Mermel

— Liberty

— Mme.Chatenay

— Richmond

— The Bride ...
Spiraea, p. dz.bcbs.
Stocks, p. dz.bchs.
Sweet Peas, per

dozen bunches ..
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms
Violets, p. dz.bchs.

— Parma ... •!

s.d. s.d,
1 G- 2 0

6 0-90

12 0 15 0

3 0-40

10-20
10-16

10-20
4 0-60
4 0-60

1 G- 2 6

2 6-30

3 0-40

4 0 6 0

4 0-60
2 0-40
6 0-12 0
6 0-80
4 0-60
4 0-50

2 0-40

3 0-40

3 0-60

4 0-50

16-20
16-26

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Adiantum cunea-

Ferns (French) ...

0 6-09

tum, per dozen

Galax leaves, per

bunches

6 0-80

doz. bunches

16-20

A sparag us plu-

Hardy foliage

inosus, long

(various), ner

trails, per lioz.

12 0-18 0

dozen buuclies

3 0-90

— medium, doz.

Ivy leaves, bronze

2 0-26

bunches

12 0-18 0

— long trails per

— Sprengeri

0 9-16

bundle

0 9-16

Berberis, per dozen

— short green.

bunches

2 6-30

perdz. bunches

16-26

Ctoton leaves, per
bunch

9 0-12 0

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

4 0-50

Cycas leaves, each

10-20

small-leaved...

4 0-60

Ferns, per dozen

— Fiench

10-16

bunches (ling-

Smilax. per dozen

lish)

2 0-30

trails

6 0-80

Plants In Pots

, Ac: Ave

rage Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s.d.

Ampelopsis Veit-

Euonymus.perdz.,

chii.per dozen

60-8 0

in pots...

30-80

Aralia Sieboldi, p.

— from the ground 3 0-60

dozen

5 0-80

Ferns, in thumbs,

— larger speci-

per IOC

8 0-12 0

mens

9 0-12 0

— in small and

— Mbseri

6 C- 8 0

large 60's

12 0-20 0

— larger plants ...

12 c-iy 0

— in 48's, per

Araucaria excelsa,

dozen

4 0-60

per dozen
— large plants,

12 0-30 0

— choicer sorts...

8 0-12 0

— in 32's, per

each

3 6-50

dozen

10 0-18 0

Aspidistras, p. dz.,

Ficiis elastica, per

green

15 0-24 0

dozen

9 0-12 0

— variegated ...

30 0-42 0

— repens, per dz.

6 0-80

Asparagus [flunio-

Genistas, per dz....

6 0-90

sus nanus, per

Gievilleas, per dz.

4 0-60

dozen

9 0-15 0

Hyacinths, per dz.

— Sprengeri

9 0-12 0

pots, 3 in a pot

6 0-90

— ten uissimiis

9 0-]2 0

Isolepis, per dozen

4 0-60

Azaleas, per doz.

30 0-42 0

Kentia Belmore-

Begonia Gloire

ana, per dozen

18 0-24 0

de Lorraine, p.

— Fosteriana, per

dozen ...

12 0-18 0

dozen

18 0-30 0

Cinerarias, per doz

5 0-80

I.atania borbonica.

Clematis, per doz.

8 0-90

per dozen

15 0-21 0

Cocos Weddelli-

Lilium 1 0 n g I -

ana, per dozen...

18 0-30 0

fiornm, per dz.

24 0-36 0

Crotons, per dozen

18 0-30 0

— iancifolium, p.

Cyclamen, per doz.

8 0 12 0

dozen

18 0-30 0

Cy perus atterni-

Lily of the Valley,

folius, dozen ...

4 0-50

per dozen

18 0-30 0

— laxus, per doz.

4 0-50

Marguerites, white,

Daffodils, per doz.

4 0-60

per dozen

6 0-90

Dracaenas, per doz.

9 0-24 0

Mignonette, per

Erica gracilis, per

d«izen

6 0-80

dozen

10 0-15 0

Selagirvella, p. doz.

4 0-60

— hyemalis

9 0-15 0

Solanums,per doz.

6 0-90

— melanthera ...

9 0-18 0

Spirsea japonica,

— persoluta alba.

per dozen

9 0-12 0

per dozen

15 0-25 0

Tulips in boxes of

— small plants

24 bulbs

16-20

(various)

3 0-50

— pots, special ...

9 0-12 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel 28 0-31 0

— (NovaScotian),
per barrel

— Starks

— Baldwin

— Greening

— Russett

— Fallawater

— Ben Davis

— (English),
bushel :

— Annie Eliza-
beth

— AUiugton Pip-
pin

— Newton Won-
der

— Bramley'sSeed
ling

— Lane's Prince
Albert

— Cox's Orange
Pippin, t-sieve

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case :

— Oregon

— Californian ...

— British Colum-
bia 12 0 18 0

Bananas, bunch :

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giant ,, ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles...

— Jamaica ,, ...

— Loose, pet dz.
Cranberries, per

case

Custard Apple?, p.

dozen

Grape Fruit, case 10 0-12 C
Grapes, per lb. :

— (Cape)black,per

case, large ... 10 0 —

— „ small ... 5 0-60

— Gros Colmar,
A quality

... 14 0-17 0

... 13 0-16 0

... 14 0-18 0

... 17 0-22 0

... 14 0-18 0

-. 12 0-15 U
per

5 6-66

4 6-00

5 0-70
50-7 0
5 0-60
5 0-80

10 0-12 0
7 0-90

10 0 —
8 0-10 0

8 0-10 0

9 0-11 0

4 6-60
8 0-90

5 0-56
0 6-10

6 0-76
6 0-12 0

Limes, per ease ...

Lychees, per box...

Mangoes(Cape),per
doz.

Nectarines (Cape),
per box (24 to
28 fruits) ... 5

Nuts, Almonds, p.
bag BG

— Brazils, new,
percwt. ... 32

— Barcelona, per
bas 32

— Cob, per lb 0

— Cocoa nuts, 100 10

— Walnuts(French),
per bag ... 5

— Chestnuts (Ro-
dor), per bag... 5

— (Italian), p. bag 11
Oranges—

— Californian
Navel, box (96) 10

— „ „ (112) 12

— Jaffas, per box 11
Denia, per case

d. s.d.
6- 3 0'
6-19

4 0 10 0

5 0-10 0
IG 0-42 0

0-68 0

0-34 0

3 0 3*
0-14 0

0-6 0
0-13 0

0-11 0
0-13 0
6-13 0

per
per

Bit-

— B quality

— Alicantes, A
quality

— B quality

— Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— (.Almeria), per

barrel

p. I21b. baskets

Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— selected, case..

2 0-30
10-16

16-26
13-19

16-20

14 0-20 0
5 0-80

8 0-11 0

9 0-12 0
10 0-14 0

(420)

— Valencia,
case (420)

— Jamaica,
case (176)

— „ (200)

— Messina
ters, per box...

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case ...

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case

— Tangerine, per
box

— Seville Sours,
per J chest ...

Peaches (Cape), per
box (15 to 28
fruits)

Pears (Avacado),
per doz.

— (Cape), per box
(24,28,32), Wil-
liams BonChrd-
tien

Pineapples, each...

Plums, (Cape), per
box (15 to 28
fruits), Wick-
son

— (Cape), Apple
per box
Salsuma

— Chalcot, p. box
Strawberries, p. lb.

— seconds

12

0-24 0
0 18 0

i 0-10 0
10-96

7 0-80

L 0-13 0
L 4- 1 6

) 0-11 0

) 9- 1 0

J 0-12 0'

I 0-10 0

; 0-12 0

; 0- 6 0

10-50

2 6-50

0-10 0
0 7 0
0-7 0
0-12 0
0-4 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Artichokes(Globe),
per dozen

— Jerusalem, \
sieve

Asparagus, Paris
Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle

— Laiviro, bundle 8 0-10 0
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad{French),
per pad

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to
8 lbs.)

Beetroot, perbusliet 10-16
Cabbages, p. tally 3 0-40
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Cdi rots (English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed
Cauliflowers, tally

— (Italian),basket
Celeriac, per doz.
Celery, p. dz.

— " Fans, "per dz.

Chicory, per lb. ...

Cucumbers, p. doz. 5 0-70

Endive, per dozen 2 0-23

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (French),

per dozen
Marrows(Madeira),
per doz.

16-19

0 9-10

5 0-70
10-13

16-20
5 6-66

4 0-60

8 0-10 0

2 9-30

3 0-36
19-20

4 6-50
1 6- 1

s.d.s.d.
0 9-0 10
0 6-07

Mushrooms, per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.

Onions (Dutch), p.

bag

— (English), bag ..

— pickling, p. bshl.

— (Valencia), per
case ...

Parsley, 4 sieve ..
Parsnips, per bag..
Peas (French), per

pad
Potatos (Channel

Islands),per lb. 0 4-0 4^

— (Teneriffe),per

cwt 12 0-14 0-

Rhubarb (forced),

doz bundles... 0 7-0 10'
Radishes (French),
per doz. bunches

— (Guernsey), dz.
Savoys, per tally...
Seakale, per dozen

punnets

1 0 —

3 6-40

4 6- 5 G

7 0-80

8 6-90
16 —

2 0-26

3 0-5 0-

1 a- 1 6-
0 9-0 10'
4 0-50

1 G- 2 6 I Spinach, J sieve .

12 0-14 0

r:; 0-14 0
0 2-0 2i

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

18-20

12 0-18 0

— (French), crate
Sprouts, i sieve ...

— per bag, 28 lbs.
Stachys tnberoFa,

per lb

Tomatos—

— (Teneriffe),per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bchs,...

— bags . .

— dirty, per bag...
Turnip Tops, per

bag

Watercress, p. flat

10 0-12 0

2 0-23

3 6-40
10-13
19-20

0 4-05

8 0-lG 0
2 0-30
2 9-30
16-20

16-20
4 0-66

Remarks.— The demand for barrel Apples continues
to improve for good, richly coloured samples. Prices
of Californian and Oregon Newtown Pippin Apples re-
main about the same as last we^k. Oranges of all
varieties are firm in value, and the finest samples are
realising high prices. Paris ( -reen Asnpragus is dear.
English forced Rhubarb is a poor marftct : it is arriv-
ing in large bulk both from Yorkshire and Essex.
English and Channel Island Beans are cheaper.
Canary Tomatos of the best quality are meeting
a goo'd market, but fruits of inferior quality arc
plentiful and not wanted. Celery is a short sup-
ply. Seakale is a little firmer in price. Mushrooms
are finding a better market. Guernsey Radishes are
"-lightly cheaper than the French samples. Cape Fruit
is a good supply. Clapps Favourite Pears and Burbant

160

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[MAr.cH 5, 1910.

riums are finished. There is a good supply of black
Grapes from ihe Cape. Home-grown Grapes are a
good supply, and meet with a good demand. A con-
signment of West Indian Claret or Red Bananas is ex-
pected to arrive n-e.xt Tuesday. The supply of good
Canary Bananas is deficient, consequently ripe bunrh'ts
find an e.xcellen'. market. A consignment of Pears and
other fruits from South Australia is expected in Covent
Garden next week. Trade generally is good, bo:h in
the vegetable and fruit markets. E. H. K., Covent
Garden, Wednesday, March 2, igio.

Potatos.

per cwt.
s.d. s,d.
3 0-36

2 6-29

5 6-
4 3-

Bedfords—

Up-Io-Date ...

Blacklanda...
Dunbars—

Maincrop ...
Up-to-Date...
Lincolns—
Kvcrgood ...
Sharpe's Express,

Remarks. — Trade is very bad and prices are lower.
The stock of tubers in London is very heavy. Edward
J. Newborn, Covenl Garden ayid St. Panaas, March 3, 1910.

2 6-29

3 C- 3 3

Lincolns —

Up-to-Oate

Dalnieny Beauty...
British Queen
Royal Kidney
Maincrop
King Edwards
Kents—

Scottish Triumphs
Up-to-Date

per cwt.
s.d. s.d.
3 3-40
3 6-39
3 3-39

2 6-30

3 6-40
3 0-33

3 6-
3 6-

4 0
4 0

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Lent is always a bad time for the sale of cut flowers,
and this season it is worse than usual. Roses, which
were scarce a few weeks ago, are again plentiful, and
their prices are very uncertain. The best red varieties
have been making fair prices, aho Frau Karl Druschki
and Mme. Abel Chatenay. Carnations are abundant
and of good quality. Some Tulips have been sold at
3S., per dozen bunches, or less. Yet best-quality
freshly-cut blooms may make from 9s. to iSs., and
a few of extra special double varieties even more.
Richardia africana (Calla) has been over plentiful.
■Liilium longiflorum has fallen considerably in
price, plants which, in the usual way, should be in
ficwer earlier being only now ready for cutting. It
has been much the same with Lilium lanciflorum ;
they have come in fully a month too late- Lily of the
Valley maintains fair prices, except for those of second
qu:ality. Violets from English and French growers are
abundant and cheap. Camellias cannot be cleared at
any price just now. Gardenias have been selling well.
Cattleyas, which a few weeks ago were making 125. per
dozen, are now difficult to dispose of at 6s,

Pot Pl.\nts.
Trade is very uncertain. Some things sell fairly
well, but generally trade is very dull. I noted on Satur-
day last several stands nearly full of flowering plants at
closin;;^ time. Azaleas are still over plentiful, including:
a large number of pyramidal plants. Cyclamen are of
better quality. Marguerites are well flowered, and some
Chrysanthemums are still seen. Begonia Gloire de
Lorraine is remarkably good. Hyacinths, Tulips, and
Daffodils r.re plentiful. Stoi'e bo.xes of Lobelia and
other summer bedding plants are already seen, and
there are large supplies of hardy flowering plants.
A. H., Covent Garden, Wednesday, March 2, igio.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Carnations Diseased ; MaImai/>oii. The plants
are badly affected with a fungus disease — Hel-
minthosporium echinulatum. Pinch off and
burn every leaf that is affected. The
worst of the plants should also be burned.
Spray the remaining foliage with liver of
sulphur of the usual strength — ^ ounce to
two gallons of water.' Remember this fluid
will cause paint to turn black. It is a mistake
to stand Carnations, and especially those of
Souvenir de la Malmaison type, out-of-doors for
a short season. Keep the plants on the dry
side and the foliage perfectly dry 'luring the
winter months.

Grubs in Adiantum : IF. T. G. L. The insects
are weevil grubs, most destructive pests to all
kinds of plants. Place some Carrot, Potato, or
other vegetable on the surface of the pot, by
which means they may be trapped. The per-
fect weevils feed at night-time, and are as de-
structive to plants as are the grubs. Yon
should hunt for these w-ith a lantern, using the
same baits as suggested for the larvce.

Hyacinths Failing to Make Roots : M. C.
The trouble is most probably due to bulb mites.
An examination revealed a few only of these
pests, but their presence was in keeping with
the condition of the root system.

M.\RECHAL NiEL RosE : Hadhcim. It is some
what characteristic of this Rose, after a few
j'earsof successful culture, to show sudden symp.
toms of collapse, even when the root medium,
watering, and temperature appear to be all
that could be desired. The cause can generally
be traced to the point of union of stock ancl
scion, and if this is too close to the hot-water
pipes, it has a tendency to aggravate the
trouble. When planted at all near to the
pipes, the union should be considerably above
the level of the apparatus, or just below the

surface of the soil ; tut in either case the stem
should be given protection from the heat. In
place of a single plant grown under the exten-
sion system, several plants upon the double
cordon system might be preferable. Rose Reve
d'Or makes a good stock for Marechal Niel.
Mushroom : .S'. F. C. The specimens received
are merely the common Mushroom (Agaricus
campestris), but they are distorted by an attack
of a parasitic fungus known as Hypomyces per-
niciosus. It is not desirable io use such
diseased examples for food, therefore, they
should be removed to the fire as soon as they
' are observed, in order to prevent the disease
from spreading. The attack is not due to the
spawn. It may be added that the disease is not
uncommon in forced Mushroom culture.

Fig. 66. — urocystis viol^ on sweet violet.

A, B, C, D, gouty swellitigs on leaf, petioles and stolon.
H, transverse section through swelling, niagn. 2.
F, compound spores, magn, 500.

Names of Fruits: E. Nkhohon. Castle Major.
— H. Henderson. The Pears were decayed be
yond recognition. Send other fruits next year
earlier in the season. — H. H. D. 1, Minchull
Crab; 2, Winter Hawthornden ; 3, t)umelow's
Seedling; 4, Small's Admirable; 5, Scailei
Pearmain; 5, King of the Pippins.

Names ov Plants: G. A. 1, Cupressus macro-
carpa ; 2, Tsuga diversifolia ; .3, .Tunipenis
chinensis ; 4, Cryptomeria japonica ; 5, Pseudo-
tsuga Douglasii ; 6, Pernettya mucronata ; 7,
Cupressus pisifera var. squarrosa. — L. J . G. 1,
Thuya occidentalis ; 2, Cupressus Lawsoniana ;
3, probably Thuya japonica. — B. H. 1, Cornus
Mas ; 2, please send again in summer ; 3, Juni-
perus chinensis ; 4, Buxus balearica ; 5, Philly-
rea decora ; 6, Osmanthus ilicifolius ; 7, Cistiis
laurifolius ; 8, Escallonia species, send when in
flower ; 9, Genista hispanica ; 10, Phillyrea
latifolia var.—/. If. T. The Pinus is P'inus

monophylla, and the other plant is Taxus cus-
pidata. — Essex. 1, Cotoneaster horizontalis ; 2,
Coronilla coronata. — }'. Z. Hell Bar. Lonicera
flexuosa. — J. K. 1, A species of Cereus, pro-
bably C. sylvestris ; it is impossible to name
the species with certainty, uidess flowers are
sent. 2, Opuntia (Nopalea) coccinellifjra. — ■
Reader. Antennaria dioica, as far as we can
determine from such a miserable specimen. —
K. B. 1, Manettia bicolor ; 2, Pteris longi-
folia ; 3, Aspidium (Cyrtoniium) falcatum ; 4,
Davallia dissecta; 5, Pteris cretica albo-lin^ata ;
6. Asplenium bulbiferum. — Morton. 1, Onci-
dium crispum ; 2, Odontoglossum Lindleyanum ;
3. Bulbopiiylluni auricomum ; 4, Brassia verru-
cosa ; 5, Cochlioda sanguinea ; 6, Dendrobium
monilliforme. — W . H. E. Bauhinia variegata,
which varies from pure white to the rose-
coloured form you have sent us. — N. S. Catase-
timi Hmbriatum. — A. T. Eppinq. 1, Cjpripe-
dium villosum ; 2, C. Ashburtonise ; 3, C. callo-
sum ; 4, C. Boxallii ; 5, Davallia dissecta
Mariesii ; 5, Lastrea aristata variegata ; 7, Poly-
stichimi angulare proliferum ; 8, Begonia
mctailica ; 9. Ch'.orophytum elatum variegatum.
— J. B. 1, Polygala Dalmaisiana ; 2, Libon'a
Penrhosiensis ; 3, Viburnum Tinus ; 4, Skimmia
oblata ; 5, Cryptomeria japonica ; 6, Eranthis
hyemalis. — W . 11. B. Chimonanthus fragrana.
— B. E. S. Asparagus myriocladus.
Peach Buds Dropping, &c. : J . B. The cause of
Peach buds dropping is generally attributed to
some check received by the plants. The most
frequent cause is a bad condition of the
border when the trees are resting during
autumn and winter. If the soil is kept tc<>
dry, this will induce bud-dropping, and, on the
contrary, an excess of moisture has the same'
effect : but it is gcncrallv to be attributed to
drought at that stage. So;ne varieties of Peach
are more prone to bud -dropping than others.
The Cucumber is affected with canker in the
stem and mildew on the leaves. The plant is
generally so unhealthy, w'e advise you to burn
it and others similarly affected. You may
probably prevent the diseases from spreading
bv sTjraying the healthy plants with some fun-
gicide such as liver of sulphur or perman-
ganate of potash, in the usual proportions.

Vine Shoot : Crib. The condition is not due to
either fungi or insects, but is an instance of
abnormal growth. It is desirable to remove
the shoot entirely, as the malformation will
•prevent it from bearing serviceable fruit.

Violets with Pecdlivr Growth: J. W.' B.
The swollen leaf-stalks and blistered leaves of
the Violet plants are due to the presence of the
fungus Urocystis violte, popularly known as
Violet smut (see Card. Citron., September 30,
1876, p. 421). Some of the swellings have
burst, exposing sooty-black masses of spores,
which are developed within the tissues cf the
plant. The spores are compound, that is tO'
say, they consist of several thick-w'alled fertile
spores massed together and surrounded by a
ring of thinner-walled, sterile sjwres. Such
spores (fig. t6), characteristic of the fungus.
Urocystis, produce on germination short stalks,
one from each fertile cell. These stalks, called
promycelia, bear each a crown of four secon-
dary spores. Each secondary spore, on ger-
mination, produces a germ tube, which grows
into the tissues of the Violet, and thus re-
infects the plant. The remedies to adopt are :
— (1) Spray the Violet plants with weak Bor-
deaux mixture; (2) pick off and burn all con-
torted stems and blistered leaves, taking care
to remove them before they have shed their
spores. By vigilance in this direction, you
may hope to gradually exterminate the disease,
though it may prove a slow business. .A
speedier method, though involving a sacrifice
of some plants for the time being, is to cut
back all diseased plants and to keep a sharp
look-out to see that the shoots which form from
dormant buds show no sign of the disease. If
they do, the plants should be dug up and the
soil sterilised by watering with a weak solution
of copper sulphate. The illustration in fig. 66
has been prepared from your specimens.

Communications Received. — J. Sargeant — J. C.
Harriss— Dr. L., Berlin-J. P.— S. P. * Co.— W. E.— Sir
C. D.— J. M.— S. P. E.— A. J. C— Mid-Devon Advertiser—
A. ,T. B.-T. H., Birmingham-D. W.-A. C. B.— A. S.—
.J. F. McL.— W. J. B.— T. A. C— A. V.-T. S.-G. E.—
T. S. L.-Dr. A. H.— W. B. H.— J. C. H.-John S — B. G.
— W. E. B.— Dr. .1. A. H.— B. P.-B. P. B.— Dr. J. B. P.—
A. D.-Chloris-J. D.-S. W. P.— J. D. O.— J.C.-A. H.—
W. H. Y.— Dutch Bulb Growers' Assoc— W. W. P.

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle.'

Photograph by George Forrest.

PRIMULA DENTICULATA IN CHINA.
These plants, which are shown half natural size, were flowering

ON the Tali Mountains.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.C.

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

161

THE

^irrbcncrs'Cbronirle

No, 1,211— SATURDAY. March 12, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpinist, a lady

Apple, Lfird Hindlip ...
Apples as cordons
Aquilegia alpiiia
Ai-bor Day at Letch-
worth

Biriiiingham Botanical

Gai'deiis

Carnations

Christ luas Roses in

March

Dahlias, conference on
Dahlias, pompon-cactus
Eucalyptus cordata ...
Freesia Arinstrongii ..
Fruit production of the

British Empire
Fruit trees, roots of ...
Granite dust, alpine

plants to grow in
Kirk, Mr. Alexander ...

Law note

Leonardslee, rainfall at
Moraine, plants for

granite

Obituary —

Ford. Mrs

Gihhs, Mrs. E.

AVngbt. Dr. Edward
Percival

174

note-

Plants, new
worthy—
Zygopetalum chloran-
thum

Richardia, hybrid

Rosary, the —
Cultural notes for

March

Notes on varieties ..

Salvia semiatrata

Sasifraga Biirseriana
magna

Societies-
National Dal\lia
Royal Horticultural...

Soil, natural steriliza-
lion of

Trees, lecture on

Vegetables —
Runner Beans for ex-
hibition

Vines, pruning of young

Week's work, the —

Apiary, the

Flower garden, the ...
Frui ts under glass . . .
Hardy fruit garden, the ItlG
Kitchen garden, the... KG
Orchid houses, the .. 1P6
Plants under glass .- 167

162
165

103
153
170

164

173
170

163
16}

166
169

167
167
167

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Carnation bench and propagating stage 161

Carnation " Enchantress" as grown for market ... 163

Carnation house, a 162

Eucalyptus cordata (Supplementary Illustration)

Fritillaria imperialis, chitratensis 171

Richardia, a purple-spathed hybrid 1(5

Saxifraga Burseriana magna lt)4

CARNATIONS.

THE successful cultivation of Carnations,
whether under glass or in the open air,
depends on many things; but, given proper
conditions and an intelligent observance
of rules, success is easy of achievement, for,
with the exception of a " stuffy " atmosphere,
excessive damp, and the absence of light,
there are few things the Carnation will not
endure. It will grow in sandy soil where Roses
are out of the question ; it will grow in clay and
although perpetual and Souvenir de la ilalmaison
Carnations are grown under glass, yet, if frost
enters the house and the plants are " caught,"
they will be little the worse in the long run.

Carnations fall into three groups : outdoor or
border Carnations (and i'icotees) ; " Malmaison "
Carnations, and perpetual, tree, or American Car-
nations. The last-named .•■ection is to-day the
most popular on account of its excellency as a
cut flower. Broadly speaking, we owe it to the
American raisers, who obtained it by crossing
the old English tree Carnation with the French
Carnation. The American calls it " the divine
flower," and he has reason, for the Carnation
owns to a great antiquity, and the ancient Greeks
called it by the same name, itavdoi (Jupiter's
flower).

The three classes of Carnations are quite dis-
tinct. The border varieties thrive in the open
ground, and bloom but once a year. The " Jlal-
maisons " require the protection of glass, and
usually throw blooms but once a year. The per-
petual-flowering Carnations, as their name
implies, bloom continuously. They also are

grown under glass. The true " Malmaison " is
further distinct, in that it fails to produce seed.
In order to raise fresh varieties, it has therefore
been cro.ssed with the tree Carnation. Conse-
quently some of these new varieties throw blooms
more than once a year. " Malmaison " and
border Carnations are usually propagated by
layers and perpetual-flowering Carnations by
cuttings.

Propagation of Perpetual Carnations.

The cuttings are slipped off the flowering st«ms
of the parent plants at any time of the year,
from the beginning of November till the end of
March. As a rule, the day when the flower on
the parent plant is opening is the day on which
the cutting should be taken. It should be re-
moved by a downward pull, and if it brings away

S^^j^s^k

[•IG. 67. — SECTION OF A PROPAGATING BENCH.

0), layer of sand ; (2), bricks : 13), deal joists. 3 x 2 in. ;
(4), bench bearer ; (5|, legs ; (6), braces ; (7), flow pipes ;
{8), return pipe.

with it a few of the fibres from the stem about
i inch long, it is in the right condition for strik-
ing. ^ It is generally advisable to choose for a
cutting the offshoot nearest to the flower (the
highest), or that furthest from it ^the lowest).
The former usually makes a plant which prema-
turely runs to bloom .: the latter is generally too
hard to strike ; and cuttings must be neither too
hard nor too sappy if they are to root freely.
It is also important to take cuttings when the
plant is at its best and freshest, namely, in the
earlier hours of the day. After being stripped
off the plants the cuttings are taken to a cool
room, sprayed with cold water, and the loose
fibres at the heel are trimmed ofif. They may
then be left in water for an hour or two to stiffen
up before being taken into the propagating house.

Fig. 68. — section of soil bench.

(1), side, 7 in. deep; 2, bottom boards, each (5 x 1 in, ;
(3), bearer boards, 4 x 3 in.; (4), legs, 4x8 in.; (5),
braces, 2 x 2 in. ; (6), soil ; (7), cross tie ; (8), concrete.

The propagating house should have a bench (fig.
67), say, 4 feet 6 inches wide (internally) down the
centre. The supports of the bench (legs and cross
bearers) may be of 4-inch by 3-inch deal. Across
these 2-inch by 3-inch deals are nailed longitu-
dinally, one on each side of the bench at the
edge, the others 9 inches apart from centre
to centre. That is to say, a 4 feet 6 inches bench
requires seven 2- inch by 5-inch deals its whole
length. Round the outside 9-inch by 1-inch
boards are nailed vertically to form a trough,
the lower edge of the boards flush with the
lower side of the 2-inch by 3-inch stuff. Cross-
ties of 1-inch by 2-inch deal ara inserted

every 4 feet or so of bench length, in order to
prevent the boards bulging outwards. These
cross-ties are set vertically, flush with the top of
the 9-inch by 1-inch board, to which they
are secured with nails. The 2-inch by 3-inch
deals at the bottom of the bench are to support
the bricks of which the bottom is composed. Red
kiln bricks are used. A bench 4 feet 6 inches
wide internally will hold six bricks placed length-
ways across the width of the 1 ench, each end of
each brick resting on one of the 2-inch by
3-inch deals. On the bricks clean builder's sand
is placed — the sharpest obtainable. After the
sand has been thoroughly firmed, it should be
3 inches deep and perfectly level. Note that the
bench is 4 feet 6 inches wide insirle the 9-inch by
1-inch surrounding boards, or 4 feet 8 inches over
all. Two inches of its depth is taken up by
2-inch by 3-inch deals, about 3 inches by the
thickness of the bricks, 3 inches by the sand,
which is about 1 inch from the top. Under the
bench there should be three rows of 4-inch hot-
waier pipes. The tops of the pipes must not be
nearer than 12 inches to the underside of the
Lench. To make a gentle bottom heat, the space
between the bench and the floor must he partially
shut in. This is usually done by tacking a
lalance — grey house-flannel is suitable — on the
outside of the 9-inch boards all round the bench.
This should not quite touch the floor Round the
wall of the house there may be an ordinary
bench covered with anthrtcite ashes, on which
t-o stand the cuttings after they have been potted
up. If the house is 12 feet wide internally, this
surround bench should be 20 inches in breadth.
This will allow room f<u- nn alley about 2 feet
wide all round the middle bench. It is well to
have a single hot-water pipe under the surround
bench, and this should be provided with baffles,
as it will only be w-antcd in cold weather. The
temperatui-e of the sand should be 52° to 56'^ ;
that of the air 5" less. The house will want light
shading on the outside, and the cutting bench
must have extra shading, which can be pro-
vided by thrusting short sticks into the sand
and laying newspapers on them, these being dis-
pensed with as soon as root formation has
begun.

The cuttings are set in the sand about § inch
deep, and the same distance from each other, in
rows 3 inches apart. A strip of planed wood.
1^- inch by ^ inch, serves as a guide to keep
the rows straight. The sand must be moist, not
wet. The bricks, being porous, ser^^e to pre-
serve uniform moisture in the sand. The air
must be kept humid, but not too much so, by
watering the paths, &c. The sand must be very
firm, and the cuttings must be inserted as firmly
as po.«ible by pressure of the fingers. The bench
should be watered before the cuttings are put in,
but after the sand has been firmed, the cuttings
being sprinkled again after insertion. A Hawea
propagating can is suitable.

First Two Pottings op Perpetual Carnations.

In three or four weeks properly-handled cut-
tings will be nicely rooted. The cuttings are then
potted into 2-inch pots, fine sandy soil being used.
They are nursed in the propagating house for a
few days, but well-rooted cuttings do not resent
their shift from sand to pots. The potting bench
for this first potting should be inside the propa-
gating house. The pots should be crocked with a
few pieces of charcoal broken small. When in
the course of a few weeks the plant has filled
the pot with roots, and is ready for the next shift-
into a 3j-inch pot, the charcoal is not knocked
out at the repotting, but the whole ball is trans-
ferred to the larger pot, which is also crocked
with charcoal. This saves breaking roots, and
the charcoal keeps the soil sweet. The little
plants in the 2-inch pots, as soon as they have
become established — say. in ten days from their
transference from the sand — .are taken into a
house where more ventilation can be given, as
it is not generally desirable to admit air to the
propagating house while cutlings are in the sand.

162

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

LMahch 12, 1910.

Soil for Souvenir de la Malmaison and
Perpetual Carnations.

In a place where large quantities of Carnations
r,re grown urider glass, cither for home or ir.arket,
one of the most important problems to be faced
is that of the soil. Malmaison and perpetual Car-
nations differ in their soil requirements in one
respect. For Malmaisons the grower adds stable
manure, one part manure to two of soil, the
manure being stacked with the soil at least six
months before use. For perpetual Carnations no
organic manure is generally used. The Malmaisons
are gross feeders ; most varieties of tree Carna-
tions are not. The only soil suitable for Carna-
tions is the top-spit from a meadow : fibrous stuff
that has lain in the stack, grass-side down, for the
best part of a year. This should be tested for lime.
It is said that within the memory of living man
Carnations grew on the walls of Rochester Castle.
They certainly have been found in such places,
and that because they revel in the lime which
the mortar contains. Therefore, if the soil is de-
ficient in lime, this must be added. Ground, air-
slaked lime is used. Bone-dust — 6 lbs. to each
cubic yard of soil — is also useful. If the soil lacks
potash, Kainit is added. This contains common

the soil in most cases has gone sour. More-
over, a plant twice potted is usually a plant with
twice the amount of roots.

When you are potting Carnations into 5^-incli
and 7j-inch pots you find out involuntarily which
of your pots are cracked and which are sound ;
for if a (larnation plant is not tucked in tightly
enough to make a cracked pot •' fly," the potting
bench man is either not strong enough or not
energetic enough for his work. This remark only
applies to the last two pollings ; for the first two
the pressure of the fingers suffices. A piece of
wood shaped lika a cold chisel makes a good pot
rammer.

Stoppin:j Perpetual Carnations

Usually when the plants are yet in the 3^-inch
pots, say, when they are 7 inches high, Ihey are
stopped back to the second joint. They soon
bleak, and, except in the case of very Iste-slruck
plants, the breaks must be also st,npped in similar
manner. Never stop all your plants on the same
day unless you w ish all to come into flower at the
same time.

.Soil Benches fo3. Pep.-etii \ls.

If the plants are to be flowered in pots tlicv

I'IG. 6g. — carnations grown on the bfnch svstem.

salt, and the Carnation loves salt; indeed, it is,
perhaps, never quite so happy as when it 'grows
by the seaside. All these ingredients are mixed
with the soil fully six months before it is used,
and this fertilised soil is only used for the third
and last pollings of perpetuals, and for the last
potting of Malmaisons. Some growers add san;l.
The writer does not, unless it is absolutely neces-
sary. Believing that it " deadens " the soil, he
prefers to trust for drainage to the fibrous nature
of his loam. No leaf-mould or peat is used in
Carnation culture.

Third and FotmTH Pottings of Perpetuals.
From the 3^-inch pot the plant is transferred
into a 5j-inch pot. One hears sometimes of growers
transferring plants direct from the S^-inch into
the 7^-inch pot. This, generally speaking, is an
error. A plant that has been turned out of a
3^-inch direct into a 7i-inch pot has, so to speak,
bitten off more than it can chew. A couple of
months will have elapsed before it has anything
like filled the larger pot with roots. Now roots
arc the means by which pots are drained. Com-
pared with them, crocks, sand and fibrous soil
are unavailing. Consequently, long before the
Jjlant has filled the pot with Nature's drainage,

are transferred to 7^-inch pots in July as soon
as the smaller pots are full of roots. But in
places where many Carnations are grown they aiv
usually flowered in soil benches.

Soil benches (fig. 68) are constructed similarly
to the propagating bench already described, ex-
cept that in place of the 2-inch by 3-inch quarter-
ing and brick bottom, inch-thick boards, of any
convenient width not exceeding 6 inches, are used,
and the upright boards formjug the sides are

7 inches wide, making the bench 6 inches deep
inside. A space of about a sixth of an inch
must be left between the boards forming the
bottoms to allow of drainage. These benches
iu-e usually 4 feet 6 inches wide internally (4 feet

8 inches externally), which allows six plants in
each row 9 inches apart, tlie rows (which run
the width of the bench transversely! being
10 inches apart. A cross-tie of 2-inch by 1-inch
deal is put in at every 6 feet or so of bench
length, to prevent the sides giving ovft. in the
aamo way as described for the propagating bendi.

Are perpetual Carnations best grown in pot.s
or in benches? The writer's view is best ex-
pounded by the fact that out of his 10,000 plants,
9,000 are grown in soil benches. Undoubtedly
up to January the flowers from plants in pot's

have stiffer and longer stems, and they are, per-
haps, a little earlier. But, taking the" Carnation
year right through from, say, October to July,
if a plant in a pot gives si'i blooms and six cut-
tings, a similar plant in a soil bench gives
ten blooms and ten cuttings. Some growers get
excellent results from two or even three-year-old
plants cut back and grown in pots. Two-year-old
plants in benches generally give a larger amount
of bloom than first year's plants, but the blooms
are usually inferior in size, stiffness, and ia
length of stem. E. A. Whit-.

(To be contiiiii il. )

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

ZYGOPETALUM CHLORANTHUM
(Kr.\nzl.), n. sp.
I received this plant from Baron Max von'
Fuerstenberg, Hugenpoet. near Es.sen, who in-
formed me that he purchased it in England'
under the name or among a lot of Paphinia
ci-istata, a species which it much resembles
in habit. The flower-spike is rather weak, the-
bracts are comparatively large, and embrace the
lower half of the pedicel with the ovary. The
flowers are not even medium-sized for a Zygo-
petalum ; they are greenish in colour, and un-
attractive, but they have two characters whiclt
arc rather uncommon for a Zygopetalum. Firstly,
the flowers are hairy inside, just as is found^
in a certain group of green-flowering Lycastes ;.
secondly, they have a very agreeable smell,
rather diflrcult to describe, which seemed to me
somewhat remini-scent of that of Stanhopeas,
but reduced to an agreeable perfume. The lip
shows exactly the form (much reduced in size) of
Z. maxillare ; the teeth, seven to eight in
number, are white, contrasting to the greenish-
white ground colour of the lip.

This plant is allied to Z. Murrayanum (Gardn.).
a half-forgotten species, described and figured 71
years ago in the Bol. Mat/, (t. 3674), and men-
tioned by Mr. Rolfe in this journal (1888 II.),
and in the Florri Biaziliiitia II., 575. Our
plant is smaller in every part, and without any
trace of red on the lip and column, but. except
for these differences, it is certainly a very similar
plant, so that now we have a little group of two
soecies. Therefore, I cannot Init declare Z. Binotii
(de Wildem.) synonymous with Z. Murrayanum
(Gardner). The descriptions, for instance, in
F/sra Brazil. U., 575, and ///., 575, were
prr.otically identical, and there are no dis-
crepancies of any systematic value, neither in
form nor in dimensions, between the old and the
new species. Mons. de Wildeman considered his-
plant to be a hybrid between Zygopetalum and
Colax, or perhaps other plants. I regret that I
must decline to follow this gentleman in this
direction. On account of its hairiness inside, I
regard my new species as a hybrid between a
Zygopetalum and a Lycaste, and, because of its
peculiar perfume, I consider it to be derived also
from a Stanhopea. Z. Binotii is said to be found
near Theresopilis. m the province of Rio-
de Janeiro, but it is not very probable that a
botanist like the late Dr. Glazion, who knew
every spot of this province, and who was a
very experienced connoisseur of Orchids, would'
have overlooked a plant of such size as an ordi-
nary species of Zygopetalum. Fr. Krdnzlin.

' Zygopetalum chloranthum [KranzL), n. sp.— Planta
habilu et magnitudine faphiniic cristaliF, quacuni inlro-
ducla est. Racemus laxus, pauciflorus, ad 10 cm. longus;
hracteas late obovatie, antice retusK, aniculatas, in ochreani
convolulae, virides, ovario cum pedicello exacte et iongi-
tudine et latitudine aequantes. Sepalum dorsale concavum,
ateellipticum, obtusum, sepalalateralia oblonga, anguslicra,
jongiora, acutiora, omnia 1.2 cm. longa, dorsale 8 mm.,
laleralia 6 mm. lata. Petala ligulata. basi lata pone labellum
inserta, obtusa, 1-1 cm. longa, 5-6 mm. lata; hsc omnia
intiis sparse longeque albo-pilosa, ceternm viridia. Labellum
albidum, lobis lateralibus erectis, snbrhombeis, truncatis;
lobus intermedius latissime obovatus, obtusissime acutatus,
deflexus. callus maxillasformis inter lobos laterales trans-
versus,albus,7-8dentatus, satis prominens; totum labellum
VR cm. longum, antice 8-9 mm. latum. Gynostemium
latum, paulum curvatum, album, 5-6 mm. longum ; anthera
acuta. Flores, pro Zygopetalo inamceni, odorem snavem illi-
Stanliopeanim similem, baud tamen ila gravem eibalantes..

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

163

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL NOTES FOR MARCH.
Since my last note, tlie weather hais been
very variable, with occasional hard frosts and
plenty of very heavy rains. Roses, generally,
are in a very forward condition, and in shel-
tered positions they are almost ready to break
into leaf. Changeable weather is a more
serious matt-er for Rcses than prolonged cold, as
the early growths are more lender.

Pruning.

It will soon be tnne for commencing pruning,
as a start should be made with the hardy and
half-hardy varieties about the 10th of this month,
and continued at intervals of a week or 10 days
throughout March. The cutting of the tender

severely if short-jointed, and to six or eight buds,
but, if long-jointed, to four or six. Prune to
an outward eye, with the object of keeping the
centre of the plant well open. Pruning at inter-
vals will tend to prolong the flowering season,
and will also, to some extent, avoid damage by
late frosts. All Roses, after being planted some
years, deteriorate, and require to be renewed or
cut very hard back to induce strong, new shoots
to break from the base. This severe treatment
requires to be practised with caution, and a por-
tion only of the stock should be operated on each
year, or there will be a considerable deficiency
of blooms. All plants that have been damaged
by frost can be pruned later to sound wood,
and this also applies to the standard Briars if
they have suffered from this cause.

Examine the beds carefully, and, if any
cuttings have been loosened bv the frost, tread

When the temperature of the bed declines to
80°-75°, and that of the atmosphere is a few
degrees less, insert the cuttings. Cut each shoot
with two or three leaves immediately under a
joint, and put them into small thumb pots in a
mixture of loam, leaf-mould and sand, surfaced
with pure sand. Plunge the cuttings in a layer of
fine ashes and fibre placed on the bed. After one
good watering, the moisture in the frame will suf-
fice, but after the first week a daily spraying with
the syringe with water of the same temperature
as the frame should be afforded. Shade the frames
from direct sunshine, and cover them with mats
during the night. If at first there is too much
moisture from the beds, the frames can be tilted
a little at the back for an hour or so during
the day ; as the frame becomes drier they can
be kept closed until the cuttings are rooted.
Roses planted out in borders under glass will

Fig. 70. — CARNATION " ENCHANTRESS," AS GROWN BV MR. W.

FOR COVENT GARDEN MARKET.

H. PAGE, TANGLEY NURSERY, HAMPTON,
(See p. 161.)

Tea, Hybrid Tea, and Noisette varieties should
follow on until the second and third week in
April. Local and climatic conditions will have
to be taken into account, and also the type of
Rose, If Roses of the Hybrid China, Hybrid
Bourbon, Damask, Moss, the Sweet Briar, and
other summer-fiowcring types were pruned and
thinned after flowering, they will now require
little attention beyond the removal of old and
dead wood and unripened shoots and suckers.
Hardy climbing varieties of the Ayrshire, Bour-
sault, and Rambler kinds, if not already attended
to, can be thinned out where the growth is
crowded, leaving tlie best matured shoots a few
inches apart, whether on walls, arches, or trel-
lises. The next to be done after these are the
Hybrid Perpetuals, which should have each shoot
cut back to one-third or more, according to the
variety. The weaker growers must be cut

them well in again so as to furnish a good, firm
root-run, and afterwards apply a mulch if re-
quired.

Briar seeds sown in drills should be examined
towards the end of the month and some fine soil
placed on the drills, removing any clods or lumps
.so as to enable the seedlings to break through
the ground easily in April. With the advance of
the season and increased sunlight, a little more
fresh air may be given pot Roses indoors. Main-
tain a moist atmosphere, and close the houses
early in the day. As these will be almost the
last batch that were potted, afford water spar-
ingly until the roots are active, but syringe freely
amongst the pots as opportunity affords. Give
the plants an occasional dose of manure-water
well diluted.

The hot-bed made up last month will now be
ready for inserting cuttings of well-ripened wood.

now require an abundance of air and moisture
and less artificial heat, except at night-time.
With tho increase of solar heat, forcing will not
be necessary after the middle of next month.
Lightly point the ground over with a fork after
dusting the ground with some rich fertiliser, add-
ing a little lime to make it more soluble and
sweeten the soil. J . D. Godwin.

NOTES ON VARIETIES.
(Continued from page 14S.)
Arthur R. Goodwin (1909) is a very promising
variety in the Pernettiana class, which ap-
parently perpetuates the prickles and foliage
of Soleil d'Or, This is one of the most distinct
Roses, the flowers having shades of copper,
orange, red, and salmon-pink. It is not so large
and full as Lyon Rose with us, and I think it
much more pointed in all its stages of opening.

164

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 12, 1910.

It is very fragrant, and the plants flower freely
on lateral growths.

Entente Cordiale (1909) has much the same
habit as the preceding \'ariety, but is a distinct
capucine-red, with a yellow base. This was sent
out by Guillot, and must not be confused witli
another Rose similarly named and introduced by
Pernet-Ducher. I prefer Guillot's variety.

Betty (1905). — This variety, which cannot be
called a new Rose, is one that has thoroughly
established itself in the favou.- of all. Its petals
are very large, and, if not particularly numerous,
they build up a grand flower. Its habit of growth
is satisfactdry, and it is a good autumn bloomer,
the flowers, not being excessively full of petals,
invariably cpen well. The buds are among the
longest of any, and, in colour, a clear coppery yel-
low. This Rose is showy from the bud until fully
expanded, and it will rank among the best for
general decoration.

White Dorothy Perkins. — The white sport
from Dorothy Perkins (1909) needs no comment,
only to say it is an undoubted counterpart, except
in colour, to what is now recognised as an indis-
pensable climber for arches, trees, and pergolas.
We wanted a white of this stamp.

Delight. — Another good hybrid Wichuraiana
is Delight (1907). This is single, and much after
the way of Hiawatha (1905), but a bright car-
mine, instead of scarlet, and much later in
blooming, in fact, lasting until growth is stopped.
Both have exceedingly showy stamens, are borne
in immense clusters, and last much longer in a
fresh state than the majority of single Roses.

Earl of Warwick .(1904) and Others. — Earl
of Warwick was one of the finest Roses all
through last summer. The blix)m is salmony-
pink, shaded with red ; it is large, full, of good
form, and the plant is a capital grower. An
uniquely-coloured Rose is found in Chateau do
Clos Vougeot (1908), a variety that, unlike many
of the deepest velvet scarlet, does not burn
or go dull, but remains fresh to the last. It has
bright flashes of vermilion as the light falls on it
iu different aspects. Maharajah (1904) has
proved itself one of the hardiest and most reli-
able. A very large single flower (I have had
them 5 inches across), of the deepest velvety
crimson, with rich, golden anthers, and set
among very handsome foliage. As a pillar Rose
this is excellent, and flowers a little again in the
autumn. Irish Elegance (1905) is another single-
flowered Rose that is always charming. It is
exquisite in the bud stage, and opens into a
flower that, for colour, appears to me between
the Copper and Yellow Austrian Briars : one of
the most profuse bloomers, and sure to please for
vase decoration. Of William Shear (1906) I have
seen sufficient to feel certain that it is one of
the best and largest pale pinks we have. Indeed,
this is one of the largest Roses grown. We found
it very useful and pleasing last season. Sunrise
is undoubtedly a very pretty variety, but it is
too tender for the open. Joseph Hill (1904) is
a Rose with the same handsome, bronzy foliage,
and with a hardy constitution. It is not so deep
in colour, but sometimes comes very close to the
form.er variety. Pernet-Ducher wrote to us that
they had got a " better-growing Sunrise " ; but
it is not so good under glass, and the two are
quite distinct.QMy choice would be Sunrise for
glass culture and Jcieph Hill in the open.
Where one needs a gjod yellow bedder w-hich
will give an unlimited number of flowers with
great fragrance, Mme. Paul Varin-Bernier (1906)
will please. It is a free and yet compact grower,
that carries its flowers boldly. These are not
very full, but they last well, and it is one of
the best late bloomers I know. Lady Ashtown
(1904) is very full and of excellent form ; it is a
deep pink, with a touch of yellow at the base.
This is a capital Rose, but I should like it
better if the shoots were capable of carrying
so heavy a blossom without drooping. The
growth of Mme. Segond-Weber (1907) is splen-
did, and I think it will become one of the most
reliable rosy-salmons. It is quite distinct, and
the form and substance are good. Perhaps I

should not yet class Molly Sharman Crawford
(1908) as most reliable ; but, from what it has
done here, I have little doubt it will prove so.
VrarticftJ .

SAXIFRAGA BURSERIANA MAGNA.

This is the largest-flowered variety of Burser's
Saxifrage that has yet appeared. Its flowers are
big enough to satisfy the grower, even in these
days when there is much clamouring for size.
That the variety is a large flowered one, whose
blossoms almost completely hide the foliage, may
be gathered from the iUustration (tig. 71) ; the
blossoms when exhibited had a greater diameter
than a halfpenny. S. B. magna is obviously a
selected variety of the typical species. It has
the same close, tufted cushions of spiny-glaucous
leaves from which issue the 5-inch high peduncles
supporting the solitary flowers. For general
purposes the variety may be referred to
its sister plant, S. B. gloria, which obtained an
Award of Merit some three or more ''ears ago;
indeed, the two varieties have grown together in
Mr. Reginald Farrer's Craven Nurseries for some
time as S. B. gloria. Nos. 1 and 2. That now
figured differs from S. B. gloria in its larger and
handsomer flowers, and its reddish stems, which
in the last named are pale green. The flowers
are pure white and of great substance, and there
is an unmistakable charm produced by the colour
contrast of flower-stem and petal. From time

FRUIT PRODUCTION OF THE BRITISH

EMPIRE.*

Speaking for the State I know most about,
where the growing of Apples is made a very
special business, quite small orchards return
handsome incomes to their owners. The official
estimates of returns supplied to me from Tas-
mania show a profit of about £140 per acre from
Applegrowing, so that an orchard of 25 acres
will return the careful orchardist an income of
£1,000 a year. I gather that the growth of
many varieties of tropical fruit give even a
greater return, though the conditions of life for
the grower would not be so pleasant or healthy.
The fact that so many varieties of fruit will grow
on inferior If^id, and by inferior I mean unsuit-
able for general agriculture or mixed farming,
enables large tracts of land to be used th.at would
otherwise be waste ; further, it permits of closer
settlement, and increases the capital value of
lands of a country and also its trade.

To give some idea of how it increases the trade
of a country. I need only mention that in the
case of a small State like Tasmania, with quite
a small population, the export of about half a
million bushels of Apples to the United Kingdom
is sufficient to induce all the mail steamers and
most of the large liners trading to Australia to
call regularly during the Apple season at Hobart,
the capital of the State. When it is remem-
bered that these mail steamers carry hundreds
of passengers, whose spending capacity is great,
it will be seen that the advantage of the trade
to Tasmania is not limited to the return made to

Fig. 71. — SAXIFRAGA BURSERIANA MAGNA: FLOWERS WHITE,

to time, large-flowered varieties of S. Bur.seriana
have appeared, bearing such distinctive names as
" grandiflora." " superba," " niagnifica," " mac-
rantha," and the like, but these have either
proved inconstant or stock of them lias not been
raised, hence Mr. Farrer is to be congratulated
on having secured stock of two well-marked varie-
ties during recent years.

As there appears to be confusion in the minds
of some who refer to any and every large-flowered
variety as " major," the distinct characteristics
of the latter may well be referred to here. The
plant is virtually a carpeter, the larger and more
decidedly silvery rosettes never rising into
cushioned tufts as in the type, but spreading
laterally. The 3-inch high peduncles like the ap-
pearing buds are almost scarlet at first and
somewhat paler afterwards. The crimped petals,
which are of a rare texture, have undulating
margins. The flowers are | inch in diameter,
and fragrant. By reason of the spreading
habit of the " major " form, the flowering is
distributed over a larger area, while in the more
closely-tufted and cushioned forms, of which
magna is one, it is no uncommon thing to obtain
from a dozen to a score of blossoms from a tuft
2 inches across. All the varieties, excepting
S. B. macrantha, grow freely in sandy loam, to
which sandstone or old mortar has been added,
while firm potting and ample drain.age are alike
essential to success. E. H. JtnHns.

growers fur their output of fruit. I have named
Tasmania because I know, from my own know-
ledge, that if it were not for the fruit trade these
steamers would not call there, as the shipping in
connection with most of our other industries
would be carried on by smaller vessels carrying
to and transhipping into larger vessels at one or
other of the great shipping, ports of the Com-
monwealth. We must therefore credit the fruit
production with the whole of the trade advan-
tages secured. As it means so much to a very
small spot in the Empire, what must it mean to
the larger .States and Dominions, and to the
Empire as a whole. I claim that of all land in-
dustries, viewed from the standpoint of import-
ance to the Empire, the fruit industry follows
immediately after Wheat and wool. I should
perhaps mention that another important industry,
connected with fruit growing in temperate
climates, is jam making, while in tropical and
sub-tropical countries we have the dried-fruit
industry and manufacture of wine. Every variety
of fruit and every industry connected with fruit
flourishes in some part of our great Empire; in
this connection the Empire can claim to be in-
dependent of other countries.

Cold storage and the drying of fruit secures
for the residents of one part of the Empire the
advantage of being able to enjoy the fruit of
the most distant parts. If it is not quite intact
in quality after the lengthy journey and treat-
ment, it is still a wholesome food possessing all

• Extracts from a paper by Dr. Jno. McCall, Agent-
General for Tasmania, read before tlie Royal Society of
Arts on March 1.

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

165

the health-giving qualities of fresh fruit. I
believe that to the citizens of the most distant
outpost of the Empire (Tasmania) the credit
is due for having made the early experiments
ill comiection with the carriage of Apples
ill cool store over long sea distances. It was
found necessary for them to secure other
markets for their surplus, and though at the
time England was expected to consume all the
surplus, as a matter of fact fruit is now carried
to nia.ny other parts of the Empire and in
increasing quantities to other countries. If it
be thought I speak too much of Apples I would
justify my remarks by saying that of all fruit
imported into the United Kingdom from other
parts of the Empire, Apples represent by far
the greatest in aggregate value. When I
mentioned that inferior land has been made
very valuable by the introduction of fruit-grow-
ing, I had in my mind only the land that
required no special treatment by way of
])reparation, but there are also in Australia, at
JMildura, in the State of Victoria, loamy wastee
which have been converted by means of irriga-
tion into most valuable fruit-growing lands.
There, sub-tropical and tropical fruits grow
luxuriantly, and it is hoped that the extension
of this great work will enable Victoria to supply
dried fruits in sufficient quantities to satisfy the
demands of the Commonwealth, and to contri-
bute largely to the wants of the Mother Country.
There are subsidiary interests in connection
with fruit growing besides jam making and
wine production ; there is basket-making for
small fruit, bottles and tins for fruit and pulp,
timber for cases and barrels; and another
industry I hope to see extensively taken up in
connection with orchards is the keeping cf
bees, for it has been successfully demonstrated
that cross pollination (i.e., introduction cf
foreign pollen into the blossoms) improves the
size and quality of the fruit. For this purpuse
nothing can be better than keeping beehives
in the orchards or in very close proximity to
them. It will be at once seen that the intro-
duction of bees in connection with orcharding
secures two extra profits for the orchardist ;
first, there is the improved value of the fruit,
and then the return from the honey. If pro-
perly attended to, each hive may be expected to
give" a return of 200 lbs. weight of honey —
under the old system. I believe, 80 lbs. was the
highest amount obtained. I shall now incor-
porate the figures I have been able to compile
showing the total area under fruit in the various
divisions of the Empire : —

ACRE.iGE OF OrCH.\RDS AND ViNEY.VRDS IN THE

British Empire.

.^crc:.

India (1906-7), including vegetable gardens ... 4,020,130

Ontario (19081 338,255

United Kingdom (1907-8) 335,177

Cape of Good Hope 1190S) 72,590

Quebec (1907) 77,416

Victoria, Australia (1903-9) 75 105

Nova Scotia (1907) 54,0.51

New South Wales (1908-9) 51,8(58

South Australia (1907-8) 41.816

New Zealand (1908-9) 29,217

Queensland 11908-9) 25.334

Tasmania (1908 9) ... 25.146

British Columbia (190.5) 22,000

West Australia (1908-9) 18,049

Natal (1905) 37 590

Ceylon 1,016,138

Jamaica 63,029

Total acreage 6,302,917

Canada, in 1901, the last year for which reli-
able statistics are obtainable, produced: —

Apples 18.626,186 bushels.

Peaches 54i.415 ,,

Pears 5Ji 837

Plums 557,875

Cherries 336,751

Other fruits 70,396 ,,

Grapes 24,30L^631 lbs.

Small fruits 21,707,791 quarts.

Since that year the acreage under fruit has been
much extended, and the production considerably'
increased.

Although in the fruit-growing provinces of
Canada all hardy fruits, such as Plums, Apri-
cots, Cherries, and Strawberries are largely
grown and justly esteemed, yet it must be
conceded that it is as an Apple-producing
country that she is best known. When it is re-
collected that Apple trees were introduced there
prior to 1663, and that the modern orchards
of the Annapolis and Cornwallis valleys were
founded at the latter part of the eighteenth
century, it is not surprising that the produc-
tion at the present time has reached such

enormous proportions and the export trade
attained such importance. Ontario alone has
an annual average value of the industry of
over seven and a half million dollars. Nova
Scotia's output of Apples alone reaches half
a million barrels. British Columbia, which
ten years ago did not produce sufficient for
its own needs, is now exporting, and has an
average value in fruit produced exceeding one
million dollars: I regret that it is not possible to
furnish full and uniform statistics giving the
export of fruit in the Dominion, but the figures
and returns of the output for 1901 (the latest
available), viz., 20,668,460 bushels and
24,332,534 lbs., are eloquent of what has been
and is being accomplLshed in Canada. The
nearness of the English market and the fact
that the voyage being very temperate and
short obviates the necessity for the fruit to be
placed in cool stores on board, is a great asset
to the grower and shipper, enabling him to
pack and ship more cheaply than his confreres
of Australia and South .Africa. Apart from
the importance of this large export trade to
Canada, the fact that Apples can be delivered
here so cheaply is a great boon to the poorer
classes, who are unable to purchase fruit at high
prices.

ducted with a view to ascertaining the best and
most economical method of shipping Grapes, and
the best kinds to send ; nevertheless the import
of Grapes to this country last year reached the
satisfactory total of 32,323 boxes. Apples are
not grown to any extent, but it has been proved
at the Hey River A'alley fruit-growing district
that they can be cultivated and brought to a
high state of excellence. It is simply a question.
of locality. Peaches, Pears, Plums and Apricots,
and many other temperate fruits, grow in the
west of Cape Colony, certain parts of the Karoo
midlands, and in the higher altitudes of Natal.
Citrus fruits such as Oranges, Lemons, Grape
Fruit, and Naartjes are grown.
(To he continued.)

HYBRID RIGHARDIA.

The flower shown in the illustration (fig. 72)
is a livhrid Calla raised from a cross made in
May, 1906. between Richardia Jlrs. Roosevelt
S X R. Rehmannii violacea i , the pollen parent
being an exceptionally deep coloured specimen.

R. Mrs. Roosevelt is itself said to be a hybrid,
and, if so, its habit, lornt and comparative

■^

.% .. — )v~W C?0

N^

Fig. 72. — HVBKID RICHARDIA (r. MRS. ROOSEVELT ? X R. REHMANNII VIOLACEA <J ) :
SPATHE PANSY-VIOLET BELOW, REDDISH TO VIOLET-PURPLE ABOVE.

South Africa.

No figures are obtainable as to the total
production of fruits in South Africa, but Grapes
are the principal fruit grown, the vineyards
being nearly 50 per cent, of the total area under
fruit cultivation. Fruit culture in .South Africa
is practically in its infancy, and every effort is
being made by the different Governments to
foster an industry which is yearly becoming
more important and remunerative. Already
we are familiar with Peaches, Plums and Pines
from that part of the world. The Governments
of the Cape of Good Hope and Natal have
adopted an active policy of encouraging the
growers to produce for the English market.
This will undoubtedly tend to increased areas
under fruit culture, and the produce can be
delivered here at a time when fresh fruit is
scarce, and prices tempting. At the same
time, the local demand in the large mining
centres must be great, and the supply of fresh
fruit to those places should, for a long time,
insure the South African fruit-grower from the
risk of over-production. I am not, however,
losing sight of the fact that carriage to
such centres may be at once difficult and costly.
Viticulture is practically confined to the Western
Province of the Cape of Good Hope. About 50
per cent, of the orchard area of that colony is
under vines. Experiments are still being con-

hardiness would suggest R. africana X R.
EUiottiana ; but I have flowered a species sent
to me from Natal which is very similar, and in
absence of certain evidence I should hesitate to
accept its reputed hybrid origin. I have also
seen an unsupported statement that it is a hybrid
of R. albo-maculata X R. EUiottiana, but from
the form of the spathe this is probably a mis-
take, that of albo-maculata being even more stiff
and funnel-shaped than R. EUiottiana, while Mrs.
Roosevelt approximates more to the opener, laxer
form of R. africana.

R. ilrs. Roosevelt grows 2 to 3 feet high, has
large, open spathes, pale primrose or sulphur-
coloured, with a deep purple base inside, and the
large, broad, sagittate leaves are freely spotted
white, almost, if not quite, as much as R.
EUiottiana. R. Rehmannii violacea is only
9 inches to 1 foot high (with me), and is a much
smaller plant in all its parts. The spathe is
small, stiff, and funnel-shaped, and coloured a
rosy-violet, deepening to dark violet-purple at
the base. The leaves are comparatively small
and narrow, hastate or lanceolate-shaped.

The hybrid is intermediate. It is a strong
plant, rather nearer R. Mrs. Roosevelt in habit
and vigour and hardiness. It has four leaves

166

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[JVlAacH 12, 1910.

at flowering, the flower-scape being 2 feet high.
The blades of the leaves are about 10 inches to
11 inches long, nearer Mrs. Roosevelt in size and
form, but ratlier more pointed or hastate-shaped
towards the ends. There are a few elongat-ed
and iiregular white spots (about 20) confined to
the median portion of the blade. The spathe is
intermediate in size, form and substance. The
colour of both parents is also represented in the
hybrid, but apparently is not blended. Ihe red-
violet of R. Rehmannii overlies the primrose of
Mrs. Roosevelt, and being spread over a larger
area is rather weaker. The colour at the base
inside the spathe is a deep pansy-violet (Reper-
toire (hs Couteurs, No. 191, tone 4), thinning
out gradually to a reddish, violet-purple (7?. f/c
('., No. 185" tones 4 to 1, or lighter), with the
primrose ground showing through towards the
edges. The outside of the spathe is also veined
with purplish veins, very well shown in the illus-
tration, as in R. Rehmannii. A. J. Bliss.

VEGETABLES.

RUNNER BEANS FOR EXHIBITION.

This crop likes rich living and a deep root-run,
and those who care to follow these directions will
reap a good harvest next autumn. First dig out
a trench, the width of which may vary from li
feet to 2^ feet, according to the materials at
hand. Next put in a layer of manure, pig niauuie
for preference, or, failing this, that from a cow-
shed. It is difficult to say just how much to put
in, but from 4 inches to 6 inches thick is about
right. This manure may be roughly turned in
with a fork, and a portion of the earth at the
sides spread over it. After leaving it for a while,
work along the trench again with the fork, and
finally replace the whole of the earth dug out
at the start.

If the cultivator intends to exhibit the Beans,
he should purchase seeds of one of the best exhi-
bition varieties, spread them out on the vinery
fl<Rir and lightly cover with sandy soil, slightly
damping them." In a few days they will have
" speared," and, when in this condition, are very
suitable for planting, as the strongest and finest
Beans can be selected. Draw two shallow rows
in the prepared soil over the trench, and plant
the Beans in single rows quite 6 inches to 8 inches
apart. Before covering ni with soil, apply a
liberal dusting of quicklime. As very strong
growths may be looked for, the best plan, when
sticking, is to get extra strong chestnut boughs
and give plenty of width to the row. As soon
as the hot weather connnences, give a good top-
dressing of fairly rough stable manure, and when
water is needed liquid manure should be applied.
Runner Beans flourish on diluted sewage. P. P.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Pleiones. — Such sorts as P. maculata, P. lager-
naria, P. prsecox, and its variety \\ allichiatia are
growing vigorously ; therefore they will require
more water at the root ; they should not be
svringed overhead for another month to come. A
very light spraying under the leaves will be bene-
ficial so long as the water does not enter the
growths. Elevate the plants well up to the roof
of the Cattleya or intermediate house, and, for
the present, shade them from strong sunshine.

Cypri pedium conrolor. — In close proximity
to the Pleiones, this difficult species thrives well.
The plant is in a shallow pan containing a com-
post consisting of fibrous loam, freely intermixed
with small crocks, and it is potted like one
would an ordinary greenhouse plant. During
winter only a little water is afforded about once
a week, and at other times the soil is lightly
sprinkled whenever the surface appears to be
dry. The plant has been suspended in the same
position, on the west side of the Cattleya house,
for the past six years, and still continues to
grow and bloom satisfactorily.

Mexicnn house. — In this house Odontoglossum
citrosmum is starting into growth, but the plants
should not be disturbed by repotting nor unduly
excited into making any rapid advance, or they

might grow away and produce no flower-spikes
this season. Keep them in the cooler part of
the house, and withhold water from the roots
until the flower-spikes are seen pushing up
through the centre of the young growths. The
plants .should then receive abundance of water
both at the root and in the atmosphere, and on
bright, sunny afternoons a light spraying over-
head will be beneficial to the growth and flower-
spikes. These plants which show no signs of
flowering within the next few weeks should be
rested no longer than that time, for no further
amount of resting will cause the plants to bloom.
Plants that are grown down on the stage should
be carefully watched for slugs and woodlice, or
many spikes will be lost. In the same house
such plants as Lielia anceps and its varieties will
have done blooming, and no time should be lost
in supplying fresh material or larger receptacles
to those that require this attention. Either pots
or shallow pans may be used, and these must
be well drained. Make each plant quite firm
with the best Osmunda fibre ; a little Sphagnum-
moss may or may not be used, according to the
discretion of the grower. I prefer not to use
any moss for these plants. Strong, well-rooted
plants that are in sufficiently large pots, need not
be disturbed unless the soil has become sour, in
which case it should be carefully picked out and
fresh material substituted. In potting estab-
lished plants, do not disturb them more than is
necessary, or they will not bloom satisfactorily.
All useless back-bulbs should be cut; away, as it
will be necessary only to leave just two or three
pseudo bulbs behind each leading growth. After
repotting, extra care must be taken not to ovtr-
water the plants. After the first week, it will
be sufficient to moisten the surface of the com-
post With a sprayer or fine-rose watering can,
without wetting the bulbs or rhizomes, and to
damp the stage between the pots on fine after-
noons. For the present the night temperature
should range between 55° and 50", increasing
gradually as the daylight lengthens. It matters
little how high the temperature rises by sun-
heat, providing plenty of fresh air is admitted.
When .young roots make their appearance from
the last-made pseudo bulbs, they must be care-
fully protected from woodlice and cockroaches,
as these do considerable damage in one single
night.

(Jalanllies. — The deciduous section of Calanthes
will soon be ready for repotting. The principal
soil needed for them is good, fibrous loam, which
should at once be carefully picked over, and
laid in a suitable place, so as to become just
lukewarm before it is made use of, otherwise the
plants and young growths may receive a check.
Cow dung should be collected and exposed to
the sun till it is fairly dry, when it may be
chopped up and rubbed through a fine-meshed
sieve, turning it over occasionally until quite
dry.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreinan,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Leeks. — The main sowing of Leeks ."hould now
be made in drills drawn 1 foot apart and 1 inch
deep. The Leek is a gross-feeding plant, and
it should, therefore, be given a liberal supply
of manure. There is every encouragement to
grow Leeks to a large size, as the finest speci-
mens are superior in flavour to those of ordi-
nary dimensions. Where a considerable quantity
is required, it is best to trench the ground in
autumn, and allow it to remain rough through-
out the winter. At the time of planting, deep
drills should be drawn with a hoe 18 inches
apart, and the .young Leeks planted 1 foot apart
with an ordinary garden dibber. A frequent stir-
ring of the soil will fill up the drills, and produce
blanched stems of sufficient size for ordinary
purposes. As soon as the plants are established
they may be given liberal waterings with liquid
manure. Leeks that were raised in boxes early
in January should be kept in a temperature of
50°, admitting sufficient air to keep the plants
from becoming drawn. They may br planted
into the trenches in the middle of April. These
trenches should be so prepared and manured
that the Leeks will develop into the best speci-
mens possible. When planting, let the roots be
placed close down to Ihe manure and only cover
them with a small quantity of soil, leaving the
remainder to be filled as the plants require earth-
ing up.

Brussels Sprouts.— Sow seeds for the main crop,
on a sheltered border. Plants raised from this,
sowing, though not quite so early as those
rai.sed under glass, may, all the same, give better
returns. Brussels Sprouts must be given plenty
of room to develop ; for the taller varieties, 3 feet
each way is none too much. Sutton's Dwarf
Gem is a sturdy variety, and may be planted
2^ feet apart in rows 3 feet apart.

Cauliflowers. — Sow seeds of Early London,
Autumn Giant, and Halloween Giant. These
varieties should be capable of maintaining a suc-
cession until late !n autumn when Veitch's
Autumn Broccoli, sown in the first week of
April, should come into use. Other varieties of
Broccoli should be sown in the middle of April.
The ground for Cauliflowers and early Broccoli
can scarcely be made too rich; but for Broccoli
tiiat are intended to stand throughout the winter,
rich giv.und should be avcided.

Celery. — If the main crop of Celery has not
been sown, this should be done at once. The
seeds may be sown ni a pit where there is a
gentle bottom heat, and where the lights caa
be removed on fine, sunny days later in the
season. Celeriac should also be sow-n ; this plant
requires the same treatment as Celery.

Ciuuinhers. — Plants in full bearing should be
given frequent waterings with liquid manure at
a temperature of 70°. When plants are grow-
ing and fruiting freely there is little danger
of giving them too much stimulant, provided the
latter is not too strong. Top-dress ihe roots,
w-ith equal quantities of loam and leaf-mould
whenever they can be seen above the ground.
It is better to apply light top-dressings fre-
quently than larger quantities at longn- inter-
vals. Remove old shoots and leaves from the
established plants to make room for young
growth. It is not good practice to stop young
growths during the winter months, but now
that the plants are growing freely they should
be pinched at the second joint beyond the fruit.
Cucumber plants may now be planted in flat
pits, if gentle hot-beds can be made for them.
If portable frames are used, the beds should be
made at least 4 feet larger than the frames to
allow room for linings of hot dung and leaves to
maintain the temperature of the pit.

Tomatos. — The plants potted some weeks ago
will now be swelling their fruits, and therefore
they i.eed liberal waterings of liquid manure.
As soon as each plant has set four trusses of
fruit, the tops may be pinched, and the tempera-
ture of the house increased to 70° in mild
weather at night. The heat may be allowed to-
rise to 80° during the day by sun-heat.

THE HARDY FEUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle^, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Cob-nuts and Filberts. — If the necessary prun-
ing and thinning of the branches has not already
been done, this may be effectively carried out at
the present time, as the trees are now in flower,
and it will be easy to distingui.sh the fruitful
wood from the barren shoots. It is much better
to trim the trees annually than to allow them to.
become a tangled mass of crowded growths which
would necessitate the removal of a large number
of shoots at one time and thus cause a check.
The cultivator should aim at keeping the centre
of the trees well open, therefore branches grow-
ing inside, those that cross one another should
be removed, and ulso any long, straggling
branches that would give the trees an ungainly
appearance. The Nut will succeed in almost any
kind of soil, provided it is well drained. Some
varieties produce few male catkins, and this is
often the cause of a shortage of Nuts, but Pear-
son's Prolific never fails to give plenty of pollen,
and for this reason it should be included in the
plantation. If at any season there is a scarcity
of male flowers, obtain branches of the common
Wood-nut that are well furnished with catkins,
and ehake tliem over the trees on a fine morning,
and leaV3 the cut branches in the trees after-
wards. The Nut weevil is a troublesome pest to
this crop. It may be checked by dressing the
ground under the trees with soot and quicklime
well mi.xed together. Hoe this mixture well into
the soil, and stir the ground frequently with the
hoe during the summer. Shaking the trees occa-
sionally during .Inly and August will cause a
number of the infested Nuts to fall, and these
should be gathered up and burnt.

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

167

PLANTS UNDER GLASa

Uy John Donoghue, Gardener to Josei'h I'k keksgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetvvood, Vorkshire.

Vijperus alternlforin.<. — During its season of
active growth, this plant revels m an abundance
of moisture at the rojts. The variegated variety
should be potted in nut over-large pots, and
plenty of charcoal and sand should be enipluycd
111 the compost.

Panax Vicloria:. — Insert cuttings whenever
f.uitable ; shoots for the purpose are obtainable
during March and April. Place about four or siK
cuttings around the edges of small pots ; if kept
close and moist for a v,ceK or two they will form
roots freely.

Jj'gon'ia Gloire <li' Lorraine. — If good-sized
specimens are desired fur an tarly display of
bicss>ms during the autumn, cuttings shuuid be
inserted as soon as they can be obtained. Select
shoots that spring from the base of the plants
and insert tiiem singly into thumb-pots filled
with leaf-soil and silver-sand. An important
item in the successful culture of this Begonia is
not to press the soil firmly about the roots. The
roots are suun injured, and great care must be
exercised when repotting the plants. This Be-
gonia delights in a close, moist atmosphere and a
temperature of about 60°. Begonia Agatha has
larger flowers of a deeper shade of pink than
those of B. Gloire de Lorraine. B. Agatha com-
pacta is a miirature for.n very suitable for table
decoration. Cuttings of both these varieties may
also be inserted now. Their requirements are
similar to these recommended for B. Gloire de
Lorraine. >

I'erpetual-flowerinr) Carnations. — The earliest
batch of cuttings will now be ready for repot-
ting singly into small pots. An open, porous
compost, mi.xed with a liberal quantity of sand,
should be employed. After potting them, ]ilace
the plants as near to the glass as convenient to
ensure a sturdy growth. Snade them from bright
sunshine during the hottest part of the day, and
syringe the foliage daily whenever the w.eather
conditions are favourable. Any plants that have
not formed side branches should have their shoots
pinched after they have recovered from the
efi'ects of repotting.

Souvenir de la ilalmai''iin Carnation. — The
earliest plants ai'e now producing a supply of
flowers which are much appreciated. Any
in vigorous health that promise a crop of later
flowers should be given an occasional application
of some approved fertiliser. A light top-dress-
ing of wood-ashes will have the sffect of improv-
ing the colour of the blooms. Autumn layers,
which were treated as advised early in the New
Year, are showing their flower-spikes. These
should be secured t« stakes, and, if colour is
deficient in the foliage, the ordinary watering
should be alternated with applications of clear
soot-water.

Cliri/.'anlheniinn. — The earliest rooted plants
will require a shift into larger pots. Stop such
varieties that do not break naturally. Batches
of late varieties may still be rexjted, i.nd the
main batch of cuttings of early varieties may
also be inserted now.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GoouAciiK, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Motilton faddocks, Newmarket.

Pineapple.''. — Any plants bearing fruit show-
ing signs of ripening may be removed to a cool,
well-ventilated Peach house or vinery, for if the
fruits mature in such conditions, the flavour will
be the better developed. Means must be taken to
protect them from vermin. Do not apply any
more water to the roots than is needed t« pre-
vent the fruit from shrivelling. Plants bearing
fruits in course of development may be given
liberal and frequent supplies of diluted manure
water, and the atmosphere must be kept hot and
moist. Later plants, in flower, need a ilrier atmo-
sphere, and every care must be taken to prevent
water falling on the inflorescence. Any repotting
that is ne/cessary may be done at once.
The soil should be first put into a warm
shed, as it is injurious to use it in a cold state.
A suitable compost consists of fibrous loam
two-thirds (shaking out all the fine particles
from it) and horse droppings and lime rubble one-
third, with a sprinkling of soot. Select first the
strongest plants, tie up the leaves very carefully,
removing any which are decayed. Place the
plant' in the centre of the pot, keeping it per-

fectly upright, f jr if this is not done, the crown
will not develop erectly. 'J'he ball of soil
and the new potting compost should both be
fairly dry when the process is commenced, it
being necessary to ram the compost perfectly
firm, especially round the collar of the plant.
For The t^neen variety 10-inch pots are suffi-
cient, but for the varieties Cayenne and
Rothschild larger pots may be utilised.

Siirre.^.^iona/ jt/ant.i. — These will have plenty of
room if potted into 7-inch or 8-inch pots, using
a similar compost to that already described.
When rearranging the plants, place the stronger
of them at tlie warm end of the house, and pro-
vide them with a slight shade for a few days,
applying water very sparingly until the roots
have bec„me active. Keep the atmosphere of the
house well charged with moisture, and spray the
plants overhead once or twice each day. The
atmospheric temperature should range from 65°
to 70° at night, allowing an increase during the
day with sun-heat to 85^ to 90°. Admit air for a
short time at mid-day, but close the ventilators
sufficiently early in the afternoon to retain a
little sunheat. If a fresh plunging-bed is made
to receive the plants after potting, see that the
heat does not become suificiently strong to in-
jure the roots. It is sometimes necessary to stand
the pots on the surface-bed a few- days until the
heat declines.

Tonialo'. — Plants which were raised in the
autumn, and are now in small pots in a cool
house, may be transferred to the fruiting pots or
to borders. The best compost is one consisting
of fibrous loam, roughly broken up, with the
addition of a little lime rubble. It is not advis-
able to add manure to the soil, as this tends to
produce strong, unfruitful growth, and the jilants
are apt to attain a considerable height before
bearing. Later, manure may be applied freely
to plants bearing good crops. Ram the soil firmly
about the roots to induce sturdy growth, and,
where pots are used, leave sufficient space to pro-
vide for top-dressings. Place the plants in a
light, well-ventilated house, where a heat of 55°
to 60° may be maintained at night, rising to 65°
or 70° by day. The atmosphere should be kept
fairly dry, and the roots need to be watered very
sparingly until they are growing actively. As
soon as the plants come into flower, tap the
stems smartly with the knuckle about mid-day
in order to distribute the pollen, thus .setting
the flowers. Train the jilants to a single stem
and pinch out all the side shoots as they appear.
Seedlings raised in January must be kept on
shelves well up to the light. Repot them into
larger pots as this becomes necessary.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicarv Gibbs,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Clinibrr.-:. — These will need pruning, nailing
and training before active growth commences.
The majority will be much benefited by the re-
moval of surplus and unnecessary growths. If
poles are employed, carefully e-xamine them and
replace any that are faulty or not likely to remain
firm for another season. Larch poles in a rough
condition make excellent supports for the
majority oi subjects ; large ones may be made
additionally secure by placing struts at 3 or 4
feet from the ground level. The wood of which
pergolas are constructed .should also be examined.
No hard-and-fast rule can be laid down as to how
the pruning is to be carried out, but a study of
the growth is the best guide. Endeavour to en-
courage the kind of wood which produces the
greatest amount of flower. A selection
of choice climbers should always include
Clematis ; C. Jackmannii is a well-known
hybrid of garden origin and blooms pro-
fusely in the late summer and autumn months
on the new wood. Prune closely each sjn'ing and
leave sufficient main shoots to furnish the trellis
or pergola. C. montana and the two newer varie-
ties Wilsoiiii and rubens flower from the old
ripened wood and do not require much pruning,
e.xcept an occasional thinning. C. viticella and
its varieties need a similar treatment to C. .7ack-
mannii, as do also the beautiful hybrids of the C.
lanuginosa type and the bell-shaped C. Viorna,
Actinidia chinensis is a free-growing, beautiful
climber, suitable for a warm position, as is also
Jasminum primulinum. The many soecies and
varieties of Vitis are also useful. These have
been considerably augmented recently by intro-

ductions from China. A few of the most striking
are Vitis megalophylla, V. armata, V. a. Veitchii,
V. Thomsonii, V. repens, V. Henryaiia, V.
flexuosa Wilsonii, V. Coignetiaj, V. Thunbergii,
and the varieties of V. vinifera, the common
yine> Periploca graeca, known as the Silk Vine,,
is an interesting subject, and grows freely on a
north aspect. Polygonum miiltiflorum and P.
Baldschuanicum are rampant growers and well
adapted for quickly covering arbours or unsightly
places, as are also the various Loniceras, Wis-
tarias, and Hederas. Gfcsalpinia japonica. Ber-
beridopsis corallina, Tecoma radicans, Ercilla or
Bridgesia, spicata, Solanum jasminoides. Magno-
lias, species of Kscallonia, Chimonanthus fiagans,,
Choisya ternata, and Carpentaria californica are
also well suited for growing against walls, but
in many parts of the country" thev will need some
protection in winter. Those that are not self-
clinging will require neatly nailing, after the de-
cayed growth has been removed.

Paths and Lawns. — Where renovation is.
needed, these should now be attended to without
delay. Gravel paths that have become worn
should be loosened, raised towards the centre and
a fresh coating of gravel applied and well rolled.
Lawns that have become bare through constant
wear and the continuous wet weather, or in shady
and dark places under trees, should be returfed.
Whenever the ground will allow, give the lawns
a good brushing and rolling.

The frame ;/roiind.~\\ith. the lengthening
days, the plants in the frames will require con-
stant attention in the matters of ventilation and
watering. Give fresh air whenever the weather
allows, and, when watering is necessary, apply it
early in the morning, when the weather is warm.
Guard against cold at night-time, as at this sea-
son severe frosts are likely to occur. Seedlings
and other plants newly transferred to these quar-
ters must be kept close for a time; while light
syrmgings in bright weather are beneficial, an
excess of moisture must be avoided.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.
A beehejier's refjulsiles.— The only dress a
beekeeper requires is a black n.t veil', which is
cheaper to make than to purchase. Buy a
piece of coarse black net 36 inches by 18 inches,
sew the ends together, hem round tiie top, and
in this run a piece of elastic, sufiicientlv tight,
to grip the crown of the liat. The verV timid
wear rubber gloves to protect the hands, but
when gloves are worn the manipulation is apt to
be clumsy, and this irritates the bees and leads
to more stinging. A good " smoker " is indis-
pensable to subdue the bees before opening the
hive. The fuel chamber should be large, so that
it will not be necessary to refill it frequently.
Foundation must be purchased ; that for the
brood chamber being eight sheets to the pound
where no wiring is used, but, if wired, then nine
or ten sheets to the pound may be utilised. The
base of the foundation will" be that of the
" worker " type. It is wise to purchase the
best wax foundation, for bees seldom take kindly
to adulterated foundation. Neither is there any
gain in using less than whole sheets of founda-
tion when fitting up frames, for the bees usually
fill in the remaining space with drone comb.
The foundation for sections should be " extra
thin " and of " worker base," whilst that for
shallow frames is best with " drone base," and
in both instances the whole sheets are most
economical. The sections are purchased in the
flat, the lib. kind are those most commonly
used, and they may have two or four bee ways.
Some beekeepers prefer the former, because
there is less cleaning required when they are
taken off the hives, and very little, if any, ad-
vantage is gained by using the four bee way
sections. Those grooved and having a split top
are more easily fitted up with comb than other
kinds. To space the frames, both brood and
shallow, it will be well to purchase metal ends
of two widths of the " W.B.C." type. The
brood should be separated from the storing
chamber by means of queen-excluder zinc, then,
if shallow frames are u.sed, it will save time and
expense if a centrifugal extractor is purchased
at once to extract the honey from the combs.
To clear bees easily from supers, a " super
clearer " is of great advantage. For taking
swarms every beekeeper ought to have a straw
skep.

168

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 12, 1910'.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEIHBNTS should be sent to the PUB-
LISMKR, 41. WeLlington Street, Covent Garden.
W.C.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of flints
for tmtniug, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Commiinnatwns should be written on one side onlv of
THE PAPEi!, sftil as etirtv in the 7oeek as possible and duly
signed by the writer. 1) desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a i^uarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— r/ie Editors do not
undettake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors ao not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, MARCH 14—

Ann. Meet. United Hort. Ben. and Prov. Soc.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17—

Torquay Fl. Sli. Linnean Soc. meet.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from oliservations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 42-3'^.
Actual Temperatures: —

hotiooa.— Wednesday. March 9 (6 P.M.): Max. 63°;
Min. 49".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London —Thursday, March 10
(10 A.M.): Bar. '29-8 ; Temp. 49°; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces.- H'crfnMrfn3', March 9: Max. 62" Cam-
bridge ; Min. 43" Ireland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Border I'lants, Liliums, and Hardy Bulbs, at 12;

Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30, at 67 & 68, Cheapside,

E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.
TUESD.W, WEDNESDAY, and THURSDAY-

Unreserved Sale of the fifth portion of Nursery Stock

at St. Jphn's Nurseries, Worcester, re R. Smith & Co.,

by Protheroe & Morris, at 11.30.
WEDNESDAY—

Herbaceous Plants, Lilies, Bulbs, &c., at 12 ; Trade

Sale of Miscellaneous Bulbs and Plants at 12 ;

Roses and Fruit Trees at 1.30 ; Japanese Liliuins in

cases at 2; Palms and Plants at 6 ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside,

E.G., by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

A further portion of the "Chillingham '" Collection of
Orchids, at Protheroe & Morris' rooms, at 1.

As our reader.s are aware, ex-
Natural periments carried out by Messrs.
Steriliza- Ri,sseii and Hutchinson at
Rothamsted have thrown an

tion of
SoU.

entirely new light on the origin
of the enhanced fertility brought about by
soil-sterilization. Tliat soils sterilized by
heat or by certain poisons such as carbon-bi-
sulphide yield larger crops than similar un-
sterilized soils has been demonstrated by
various observers. A full account of the ex-
planation, given by the authors just referred
to, of the mode of action of the sterilizing
agent was published in these columns on
October 23, 1909. Briefly, it amounts to this,
that heat or poi.sons kill out those organisms,
such as amiebse and infusoria, which normally
prey on the soil-bacteria. Certain of the soil-
bacteria are also destroyed. Those which re-
main have the field to themselves, and hence
increase and multiply exceedingly. In the
absence of competing organisms, the sup-
plies of nitrogen-compounds in the soil are
the more available for the crop, which, in
consequence, flourishes more abundantly in
the sterilized soil than in one in which occur
multitudes of organisms all hungry for nitro-
gen. The nitrogen compounds of the soil go
into the plant in.stead of being shared between
the plant and the teeming " population " of
the soil. An interesting application of this
sterilization hypothesis is made by Messrs.
A. and G. L. C. Howard in a recent issue of
Nature.

It appears, according to these authors, that

the Indian ryot has practised a kind of sum-
mer fallowing or weathering from time im-
memorial. During the months of April and
May he expo.ses the alluvial soil of the Indo-
Gangetic plain to the burning sun. V.'here
the soil is light it is ploughed by means of the
native wooden plough ; where it is heavy it
is, however, not worked — owing, apparently,
to the lack of suitable tackle — until the arri-
val of tjie monsoon rains.

The effect of the exposure of the worked,
light soil to sunlight is remarkable, the bene-
ficial result on the succeeding crop being
equal to that which would be obtained by the
application of nitrogenous manure. Messrs.
A. and G. L. C. Howard suggest that the
effect of the intense sunlight is to partially
sterilize the soil, and thus to induce in the
soil similar changes in micro-flora and fauna
as are effected by artificial sterilization.
Thus, if we accept this explanation, the sum-
mer weathering has precisely the same effect
as a dressing of nitrogenous manure, in that
it renders nitrogen compounds available to
the crop. The destructive action of sunlight
on bacteria has been demonstrated experi-
mentally, and is, of course, exploited con-
stantly by thrifty housewives, as, for ex-
ample, in exposing bedding and other house-
hold effects to bright sunshine.

The detailed effects of sunlight on soil bac-
teria have not yet been investigated. AVe
may predict confidently tliat results of the
greatest practical importance will be ob-
tained from such investigations. It is, at all
events, probable that the secret of the origin
of the nitrate beds of S. America, whence are
derived the bulk of our supplies of nitrate of
soda, is bound up with the partial sterilizing
effect of sunlight.

Nor is it at all impossible that the soil
lying in the deep shade of trees might not be
ameliorated by sterilization. Anyone who has
the opportunity might well try the effect of
sterilizing such soils in which little will grow,
by means of copious waterings of carbolic
acid or permanganate of potash, and then de-
termining whether Grass and other plants
would not succeed better than in similar un-
sterilized .soils. Of course, it is not suggested
that .shaded soil so treated will become fully
fertile, for evidently sterilization cannot
serve a plant in lieu of sunshine : neverthe-
les.s, it is probable that some amelioration
might be effected. In any case, the investi-
gation of the bacterial flora of the soil, which
is bound to be of no small service to horti-
culture, should receive a powerful stimu-
lus from the work of Messrs. Russell and
Hutchinson.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Mr. WoRTHiNGTON U. S.mith's drawing of Euca-
lyptus cordata was prepared from speci nens sent
us by Mr. A. J. Morgan, Porthgwidden Gar-
dens, Deroran, Cornwall. In a note on this
plant's usefulness as a bedding subject by Mr.
Melville. Superintendent of Finsbmy Park (see
Gardeners' Chronirle, December 11, 1909, p.
403), the writer referred to a specimen at St.
Anne's, Clontarf, Co. Dublin, which had sur-
vived the winters without any protection since
1905. Several correspondents wrote afterwards
on the question of the plant's hardiness or other-
wise. According to Mr. A. C. Bartlett, young
trees of E. cordata at Pencarrow, Cornwall, were
killed by 20° of frost. It would thus appear that

situation and soil, as well as locality, must b&
taken into account, for Mr. MoKG.iN states that-
the Porthgwidden specimen I' as formed a tree
25 feet high. Mr. Morgan further informs us
that " it was planted about four years ago, and
flowered very freely last year, and is again well
set with flower-buds. It has a very gi'accful
habit, and in places where it will grow without
protection during winter makes a fine specimen
plant." There appears to be very close affinity
between Eucalyptus cordata and E. pulverulenta.
Mr. Bartlett states that they differ only in
the size of the leaves, but, according to Sir
Joseph Hooker, in the Jiotankal Magazine,
vol. Iviii., tab. 7385, E. cordata has crenulate
margins to the foliage, and the calyx tube is
rounded at the base, whereas the leaves of E.
pulverulenta are entire or obscurely crenulated,
and the calyx tube narrowed at the base. But
these distinctions appear to break down in our
specimens of E. cordata, for, although the leaves,
are distinctly crenulate, the calyx tube is re-
stricted at the base, not as figured in the
Botanical Mai/azine, tab. 7835, where they
appear as round as Acorn cups. E. cordata is
said to be confined to Western and Southern Tas-
mania, and E. pidverulenta to New South Wales;
therefore, it may be the case there are geo-
graphical forms of the same species. A letter
on the subject just received from Mr. Maiden
(see page 169), director of the Botanic Gardens,
Sydney, states that E. cordata is a comniun
species on the higher mountains of Southern
Tasmania, and, in reply to Mr. B.\rtlett (.see
p. 422, vol. xlvi.), that the seedsmen of Hobart
can supply seeds in any quantity. The
confusion between E. cordata and E. pulveru-
lenta was apparent as far back as the early part
of last tjentiu-y, as will be seen on reference to
vol. .\lvi., tab. 2187, of the Botanical Magazine.
A kind of compromise, making the two plants
synonymous, an as apparently adopted to solve
the difficulty.

Linnean Society. — A meeting of the Fellows
of this Society will be held on Thursday, the
17th inst., at 8 p.m., when the following papers
will be read: 1, "The Life-history of Chermes
himalayensis on the Spruce (Picea Morinda) and
Silver Fir (Abies Webbiana)," by Mr. E. P.
Stebbing ; 2, "A Contribution towards a Know-
ledge of the Neotropical Thysanoptera," by Mr.
R. S. Bagnall.

Mr. Alexander Kirk. - Owing to the death
of Mr. Thomas P.aton, the proprietor of Nor-
wood, Alloa, Mr. Alex. Kibk will retire
from the charge of the gardens there in May
next. Our readers are familiar enough with the
success Mr. Kirk has obtained as an exhibitor
of choice fruits during the 30 years he has been
at Norwood. He contributed, a few years
ago, in these pages the weekly Calendar on
" Fruits under Glass." We hope that an
opportunity will scon present itself for Mr.
Kirk to again employ his skill in fruit culti-
vation and general gardening.

Arbor Day at Letchworth. — A public
Arbor Day was celebrated at the Letchworth
garden city on Saturday, the 5th inst. The first
specimen was planted by Mr. R. Hooper
Pearson", who delivered an address. The trees
were varieties of Pyrus Mains, several hundreds
being planted by inhabitants and school children,
who marched to the site in procession, headed
by a band. Having regard to the small number of
trees on the estate, it is particularly unfortunate
that the Elm-bark beetle continues to cause great
destruction, notwithstanding the energetic mea-
sures taken by Mr. Cole to destroy the pest. It
is feared that very few of the old Elms will be
saved.

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

169

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens.—

We have received an attractive booklet contain-
ing a description of the Edgbaston Botanical
Gardens, Birmingham, and illustrations of the
famons rockery, the interior of the Victoria Regia
house, and the Rhododendron ground. Those
who remember the square block of Rhododen-
drons that was formerly a feature of these gar-
dens, will be surprised at the attractive manner
in which the plants have been grouped by the
present capable curator, Mr. Thomas Hnji-
ruREys.'late of the R.H.S. old gardens at Chis-
wick. Notwithstanding the fact that many of
the Rhododendrons were very large plants, the
bed was entirely lifted four years ago, and re-
planted in irregular groups intersected by a
broad, straight walk leading from the Alpine gar-
den and terminating in a serpentine path.
It appears that the maintenance of these
gardens, which were established before the
middle of last century, necessitates an annual
expenditure of about £2,000. This sum is ob-
tained partly by subscription, and partly by
receipts from gate money and other sources. The
siil)scriptions amount to only £900, and this sum
is contributed by some 800 members. The presi-
dent the Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe, and the
committee, of whom the chairman is Professor I.
H. PoYNTiNG, D.Sc, F.R.S., now make an appeal
for new members. They have an excellent case,
seeing that the gardens are visited by about
80,000 persons each year, and, that in addition
to fulfilling other purposes, the gardens form an
ideal place for important horticultural exhibitions
held in this part of the Midlands. The gardens
supply specimens for the use of botanical students
in the University, and members of the society
have access to a first-class library maintained in
the gardens. The treasurer is Mr. Fred M.
Lea, and letters may be addiessed to the Botani-
cal Gardens.

Lecture on Trees. — Dr. Augustink Henry
will deliver a lecture on " The Study of Trees,"
on the 17th instant, at 8 p.m., in the Carpenter's
Hall, London Wall. Attention will be drawn to
the importance of the study of varieties, species
and hybrids of the common forest trees. Dr.
Henry Avill relate the results of investigations
he has made in sowing numerous kinds of
Elm. The Black Italian Poplar appears to be a
vigorous first-cross between the English and
American species of Black Poplar. The Cricket-
Bat Willow appears also to be in the category of
first-crosses. Whether vigorous first-crosses may
be produced in other trees by artificial means
is an interesting question. Dr. Henry will also
deal with Birches. Oaks and other trees.

A Lady Alpinist. — Miss L. S. Gibbs, who has
recently contributed articles to these pages on
New Zealand trees, is reported to have climbed
successfully Kinabalu, in British North Borneo.
This is believed to be the first ascent of the
mountain by a woman. Its height is 13,700 feet.
]\Iiss GiBBs's first expedition was to South
Africa in 1905, when she a<-companied the British
Association on their visit to Rhodesia. Next
visiting Fiji, she returned with material for a
work on the flora of those islands and New
Zealand.

Publications Received. — Missouri
Botanical Garden (twentieth annual report), St.
Louis, llo., U.S.A. (Published bv the Board of
Trustees.) — University of California publications :
The Report of the Plant Pathologist and
Superintendent of Southern California Stations,
July 1, 1906, to Juno 30, 1009, by Ralph E. Smith.
(Berkeley : The University Press) — Annual
Report on the Gardens of His Highness the
Maharana Sir Fateh Singhji Bahadur, G. C.S.I ,
rf Udaipur. Mewar. for the year l'JOS-9. (Ajmer :
Scottish Mission Industries Co.) — Roots, by H. A.
Stanhope. (London : Agricultural and Horticul-
tural Association.) Price Id.

COLONIAL NOTE.

EUCALYPTUS CORDATA.

In reply to Mr. Bartlett's statement in the
Gardeners' Chronicle, December 18, 1909, p. 422,
that it is hard to procure seed of Eucalyptus
cordat.a, I may say it is a common species on
the higher mountains of southern Tasmania, and
the seedsmen of Hobart can supply seed in any
quantity likely to be demanded in Europe.

As regards Mr. Bartlett's reference to E.
amygdalina being the hardiest of the Eucalypti,
that species grows in Australian localities of
medium coldness. In calling plants amygdalina
I would, however, like to caution readers that
certain species and varieties formerly deemed to
belong to amygdalina have, during recent years,
been proved not to belong to that species.

In further reference to Mr. Bartlett's letter, no
species of Eucalyptus is in any part of Australia
ever known as .Myrtle, but some other species of
Myrtaceie, such, for instance, as Eugtnia and
Backhousia, are sometimes called Myrtles. J . H.
Maiden, Botanic Gardens, l:iydnti/.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opittions expressed by correspondents.)

Freesia Armstrongii. — Freesia rubella,
published in the ISiiVefin /!r,i.<.<. Herb., series 2,
vol. i., page 868, 1902, by nie, appears to be the
same species as Freesia Armsirongii described by
Mr. Watson and figured by Mr. Moon in 'J'/ie
(harden for May 25. 1901. ily plant has reddish
flowers, but the rachis is not at all refracted, as
is the case in the plant described by Mr. Watjson.
Fre^,sia rubella was collected by .Junixl at Delagoa
Bay, and the specimens are at Zurich in the
herbarium of Professor Schinz. There is a
specimen of a pink-flowered Freesia in the Kew
Herbarium, collected in 1814 by Dr. Burchell in
the province of George, Soutli Africa, on the
ridge between Lang Valley and Zwart Valley,
and another specimen collected at Mussel Bay
in 1862 by the Rev. W. JMoyle Rogers. /.
Gilbert Baker, S, Cumberland Road, Kew.

Pruning of Young Vines (see p. 51).- 1
should like to add my testnnony to what Mr.
Molyneux has written in regard to the vines
which he planted at Swanmore Park. I have
seen the vines from time to time, and, as " the
proof of the pudding is in the eating," Mr. Moly-
neux's methods are ju.«tified. Last Augu.st I
visited the gardens at Longford Castle, anji there
saw some of the finest Grape* I have ever seen,
both in bunch and berry, growing on young
vines. 11'. //. Y., Rollierfield Park Gardens,
Alton.

With reference to the weights of the

three bunches each of Buckland Sweet Water
(12^ lbs.), Gros Colman (13i lbs.), and Gros
Guillaume (30 lbs.). Mr. Molyneux says (p. 140):
'■ I cannot gather if these bunches were cut from
one vine or not," adding, " Mr. Ward is not clear
on that point, but I assume they were, and, if
so, they were extraordinary bunches from vines
so young." I thought I had made myself quite
clear on that point (see p. 87). Yes. the " three
bunches " of the Grapes named were certainly
cut from three individual vines, and not from
six or nine vines. All Grape experts who saw
the bunches on the vines in the autumn of thai
year (1885) thought, like Mr. Molyneux, that
they were extraordinary bunches for such young
vines to produce, and that the length, thickness,
and vigour of the vines were remarkable for
vines less than three years old. I repeat, the
vines in question continued to yield satisfactory
crops of Grapes — prize-winning bunches at the
Crystal Palace and leading provincial shows — up
to the autumn of 1895 (inclusive), and I have
no doubt whatever in my mind that they would
have continued to yield satisfactory crops up to
the present time if the cultural treatment nad re-
mained the same. Now, Mr. Molyneux says:
" It will be news to Mr. Ward to learn that
his successor at Longf.^rd pulled out the vines
and replanted almost the whole of the vineries
because, he .states, the vines were past their

best." I did hear that my immediate successor
at Longford had upix>oted the vines in one
" mi.\ed " house to make room for Fig trees.
What I objected to (p. 89), and object to still,
in the method of pruning advocated by Mr. Moly-
neux {see pp. 51-52) is the waste of tmie, labour,
and house space, and the consequent loss of crop,
which the following of such method of proce-
dure would necessarily incur. I have no doubt
whatever about Mr. Molyncux's vines at Swan-
more being everything that he says they are,
and that they are likely to give satisfactory re-
sults for another 30 years, the cultural conditions
being equally favourable. But, supposing Mr.
Molyneux had severed his connection altogether
with Swanmore after his vines had been in full
bearing for 10 or more years, and he was suc-
ceeded by a man who considered that the said
vines were " past their best," and consequently
pulled them out and planted young vines in their
place, would Mr. ilolyneux consider the fact
proof that the said vines were " past their
best"? I think not. I repeat that I strenuously
condemn a method of pruning young vines being
advocated for the guidance of amateur Grape-
growers, which, by following it, would take
nine or ten years to furnish an ordinary-
sized vinery with fruit-bearing wood. In
the Gardeners' Chronicle for January 29,
p. 69, Mr. William Taylor, of Bath, an "excel-
lent Grape-grower, says: "I thought the prac-
tice of growing a vine to a length of 14 feet merely
to cut down was abandoned long ago," adding,
" I could point to vines which, 1 understand,
are still in the best possible condition after fruit-
ing heavily for 35 years or more, which were
never cut down at all." What has Mr. Molyneux
to say to this? At p. 52, Mr. Jlolyneux" says
that he " cuts back the 14 feet length of rod
(tlie second year's growth from the eye) to within
a few inches of the fir'st wire, and allows this
short len^gth of cane to bear ' one bunch " of
Grapes, since by ' over-cropping the first year,
the growth becomes crippled and never regains
the vigour necessary to last in goo:] condition
30 years,' " adding, " Were the vines intended
to last but a few years (as is the case in market
nurseries), it would nut matter if they were
allowed to carry half-a-dozen bunches the first
year." Quite so. The large growers of Grapes
for market, like the Messrs. Rochfords and
others, adopt the method of procedure which
pays best. They take all that a vine is capable
of producing in as short a time as po.ssible, and
then root out the vines and plant young ones.
Where there are two or more vineries, this prac-
tice might be adopted with advantage in private
gardens, in most of which the value of " pounds,
shillings, and pence " has to be considered, and
results are looked for by the owners. I hope
that the numerous aninteur readers of the
Gardeners' Chronicle will derive benefit from
the views exchanged by Mr. Molyneux and
myself in this widely-read journal. Both prac-
tices are sound, but with a difference. By fol-
lowing that advocated by the writer, you will
obtain the anxiously-looked-for results within
two or three years from the time of planting,
while, following the other method of procedure,
you will have to wait a few vears longer. That
is all. H. W. Ward.

Roots of Fruit Trees. —I have read with
very deep interest the article on 7'he Roots of
Fruit T ree.i, by Mr. C. Bogue Luffmann, in your
issue of .January 29 last. The writing is very
condensed, and on that account is not quite easy
to follow. I (and others here) would be grateful
to Jlr. Luffmann if he would kindly state the
grounds for some of his propositions. The dis-
cussion as to tap-roots does not partic«4.ajiiy con-
cern us. as the fruit trees here do not occasion
us any trouble on that account. What we more
particularly should like to have indicated are
the experiments, or, rather, the observatiooe upon
which the writer has based the proposition that
it is " the autumn growth of roots " which
" elaborates " buds. I understand this state-
ment to mean that the roots which the tree forms
in the autumn tend to produce fruit buds for the
following season. It would also be interesting to
have Mr. Luffman trace out the connection be-
tween this view of the function of autumn-
formed roots and summer pruning (i.e., pinching),
and what effect his deductions concerning that
connection has in determining the proper time at
which summer pruning ought to be done. J . T .
Benlbij, Kelson, British Columhia (author of
" Fruit Ranchin'j in British Columbia " }.

170

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 12. 1910.

Aquilegia alpina. — In the note in last week's
issue on the Botan'icnl Magazine, it is stated
that iMr. D. Hill got his original plant of Aqui-
legia alpina (tab. 8303) from the Pleine
Madeline, near Chandelon, in Valais. at about
5,000 feet. Probably this is meant for Chandolin,
above St. Luc, in Val d'Anniviers, 6,^93 feet
above the sea, one of the highest, permanently-
inhabited villages in the Alps. The dis-
trict is very rich botanically, comprising this
particular plant among others less striking. Ac-
cording to Mr. Coolidge, whose knowledge of
Alpine mattera and statistics is unique, " the
highest, permanently-inhabited village in the
Alps, as well as in Switzerland, is Juf 16,998 feet)
in the Avers Valley (Grisons). not very far from
the Maloja Pass.'"' The Botanical Magazine
states that the colour of the flowers is " a rich
shade of blue-violet." Although plants supplied
by nurserymen, as A. alpina, are sometimes of
this colour, a clear, bright blue is the true
colour, as all who have seen this very beautiful
and rather rare plant in its native haunts know-
full well. A. pyrenaica has blossoms of a slightly
more violet shade, while those of A. Reuteri of
the Maritime Alps. Liguria, Dauphine and Pied-
mont are just the same clear blue as A. alpina.
The Department of Savoy may be added to the
countries mentioned in liotanical Magazine,
where A. alpina is native. //. S. Thompson.

Christmas Roses in March. — I do no

rememljer to have seen the various forms of
Helleborus niger in such good flower so late in
the season as they are at the present rime. Near
me, as I write, is a vase of excellent blooms of
H. n. angustafolius, which is frequently good in
this district up to the middle of February. The
late flowering is not this year confined to this
variety, however, for such as H. n. major, H. n.
scoticiis, and the usually November-flowering H,
n. altifolius have all been in good condition.
Curiously enough, the variety altifolius gave no
f.owers at all at its usual time. At Christmas
time, when the flowering of H. n. major is some-
times regarded as a certainty, not a flower-bud
appeared. That these are not isolated instances
niav be gathered from the fact that Messrs. Barr
& Sons have shown good flowers at each of the
February meetings of the Royal Horticultural
Society, including all the varieties I have named.
E. H'. Jenkins, March 5.

Dessert Apples and Coltsfoot. — It is

always more easy to criticise the writing of
others than to write something original oneself,
but nevertheless criticisms are sometimes useful.
I was struck in reading Mr. Wythes' notes on late
dessert Apples to find that he had omitted the
best flavoured perhaps of any. I mean Lord
Hindlip. With us this is quite the best late
table Apple. King of Tomkins is very good on
our clay and not a bad cropper ; Lord Burghley
is a very old and good variety, but alas ! a sad
subject to canker. On p. 152 it states that
" Thistles, Buttercups, and Coltsfoot usually
occur on good land." Surely there must be a
mistake here. I naver saw Coltsfoot growing in
anything but poverty. I once saw it lifting the
asphalted platform at Mattock Bridge Station
and growing through the cracks which it had
made, whilst the navvies had hard work to
break up the same asphalt with pickaxes : this,
however, is another story. I have farmed land
where it was plentiful, and have proved that one
or two good dressings of farmyard dung will in-
variably cause it to disappear, so that I am sure
one must not take it as a weed which denotes
good land. The way to rid a pasture of Butter-
cups is to keep geese upon it: they will dig up
the roots and save the farmer any further trouble.
A. H. Pearson, Lowdham.

The Pompon - Cactus Dahlia : a New
Name. — It appears to me a pity tliat the diminu-
tive form of the Cactus Dahlia should be called
Pompon-Cactus. The term Pom-Pom, apart from
being applied in a measure to something small,
brings to my mind an object small, round and
formal. Judging from the perfect flowers shown
last autumn, this impression is a wrong one, and
I suggest that the small Cactus strain be re-
christened Rosette Dahlias. This name would,
doubtless, do much to make the section more
popular, as, after all, there is a good deal in a
name, especially during the infancy of a new
flower. Harry S'tredwici.

Weather Notes from Leonardslee
Gardens, Sussex. — The rainfall here for
February was 4.47 inches, and the total for the
year up to date 7.80, against 1.80 inch for the
same period in 1909. There has been less frost
in consequence, and trees have had a good soak-
ing with water, such as they have not experi-
enced for several years. Rhododendron praecox
is charming this season, being now in perfection.
In clumps of 10 or 12 plants it is magnificent.
I)'. A. Cool-.

Salvia semiatrata. — This plant, com-
paratively little known, is not suitable for winter
flowering, but is nevertheless a valuable species
for the sub-tropical garden. From cuttings rooted
in September, plants can be grown for planting on
a sunny border in Jlay, where they will form
fine shrubby plants, densely covered with beauti-
ful dark-blue flowers, which last well into the
autunni. It is a species that is generally much
admired where grown for summer flowering.
G. Ferrington, Cloverley Gardens, iSaloji.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

March 8, 9. — The exhibition on Tuesday and
Wednesday last may be said to represent the
" high water mark " of these fortnightly meet-
ings in the Society's Hall. Not another foot of
space was available for exhibitors, and, as re-
gards the number of visitors, locomotion was
next to impossible in the early afternoon of the
first day. Although special prizes w^ere offered
for bulbs, the exhibition was of a general and
varied character, and included fine groups of
Orchids, forced shrubs. Carnations, Clematis,
Lilacs, Roses, Camellias, Rhododendrons, and
hardy plants. The meeting was chiefly floral,
for no exhibit, beyond a display of Kales, was
staged in the fruit and vegetable section. A Gold
Medal was confererd by the Floral Committee
for a group of Alpine and hardy plants from Sir
E. Hambro's garden, the like of which we have
rarely .seen. Four Awards of Merit to novelties
were also conferred by this Committee. The
Orchid Committee, as usual, had many fine
groups to inspect, and granted several awards to
new varieties, including one F'irst-class Certificate
and four Awards of Merit. The Narcissus Com-
mittee met for the first time this season. At the
3 o'clock meeting in the lecture-room, a paper
on " Plant Hvgiene " was given by Mr. F. J.
Baker, A.R.C.S.

Floral Committee.

Present: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. Chas T. Druery, E. Bowles, Jno. Green,
R. C. Notcutt, W, .J. Bean, G. Reuthe, George
Gordon, Jas. Douglas, W. Howe, J. W. Barr,
J. F. McLeod, Chas. Blick, R. Hooper Pearson,
W. Barr, Chas. Dixon, H. J. Jones, Herbert .1.
Cutbush, A. Turner, Chas. E. Pearson, W. P.
Thompson, J. T. Bennett-Poe, Chas. E. Shea,
E. H. Jenkins, W. J. James, Geo. Paul, F. Page
Roberts, R. C. Reg. Nevill, W. B. Cranfield, and
C. R. Fielder.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, again contributed a fine display
of greenhouse flowering plants in a wealth of
colours, and admirably staged for effect. None
was prettier than the starry-flowered Crowea
angustifolia, the blooms being developed on nar-
row, arching shoots. Near by was Camellia
reticulata, with its gorgeous blooms of rosy-red
colour and elegant foliage, Coleus thyrsoideus
attracted attention, with its deep-blue spikes,
and a batch of Primula X kewensis, with the
bright yellow blossoms, gave another distinct
shade. At the back, Streptosolon Jamesonii
bore a v/ealth of rich, orange-coloured trusses, in-
termingled with densely-flowered Azaleas, Rhodo-
dendrons of the Javanico-.Iasminiflorum type;
Cinerarias, Lachenalias, Boronias, and many
other greenhouse plants were equally beautiful.
On the opposite table to this display, Messrs.
Veitch arranged about 100 plants of Hyacinths,
in great variety, and with exceptionally large
trusses of blooms. Another fine display was made
by this firm in a group of forced Lilac plants in
pots. These also were splendidly in flower, the
varieties being Marie Legraye (white), Virginalis

(white), Souvenir de Louis Spath (lilac), Mme.
Casimir Perier (double white blooms). Mme.
Lemoine and Gloire de Lorraine (pale lilac). (Sil-
ver-gilt Flora Jledal.)

One of the most imposing displays in the Hall
was a batch of forced flowering shrubs and trees,
disposed around a group of Indian Azaleas, these
latter being magnificent specimens. The exhibi-
tor was Mr. L. R. Russell, nurseryman, Rich-
mond. The Azaleas were so good generally, it
is diflicult to particularise, but we specially ad-
mired Empereur du Bresil (white and pink),
Hclen,e Thelmann (a lovely shade of light rose
pink). Van der Cruysson (deep rose pink). Em-
press of India (a semi-double variety), Mons.
Ernest Eckhaute (rose-red crinkled petals), and
ama?na hortensis, this last-named plant being one
mass of blooms. (Silver-gill Flora Jledal.)

Jlessrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, staged a group
of forced Lilacs, interspersed with standard
plants of Genista canariensis and tall Pelargo-
niums of the Clorinda variety. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Mr. C. Englemann, Saffron Walden, Essex,
contributed a choice display of Carnations, the
dark crimson-coloured Carola being prominent in
epergnes in vases. The magenta-coloured Vinca
is of a rather uncommon shade in these flowers.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, Guernsey, was also an ex-
hibitor of Carnations. The blooms were of th&
highest quality, and the largest in the exhibi-
tion. We have never seen the variety R. F.
Felton exhibited so finely. The variety named
after Mrs. R. F. Raphael is cherry-red in colour,
and exceptionally large. Mrs. Tatton, which re-
ceived an .\ward of Merit on the previous meet-
ing, and Bay State, a good Fancy, the white
petals splashed with red, were al.so noticed.
Mrs. W. B. Clode is the finest-scented of all the
tree Carnations. (Silver F'lora Medal.)

Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nursery, Hampton,,
set up an imposing exhibit of Carnations and
Liliums. interspersed with banks of large
trumpet Daffodils. Very large bunches of
the freest-flowered and best-coloured varieties
of Carnations formed the chief feature of the
exhibit, the Liliums being used as a background.
In the centre of the display was a seedling Pelar
goniuin named Winter Cheer, the flowers of
which are exceptionally large, many measuring
3 inches across. The colour is a scarlet rose.
(Silver Flora iledal.)

Messrs. William Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
Herts., showed Camellias as cut flowers. They
were grouped in batches of distinct varieties,
many of them being choice kinds of recent origin.
Alba simplex is a delightful single, and The Swafb
is also a pretty white single, and quite new.
Other good varieties were Dr. Balthazer de Mallo,
white, flaked with crimson ; Boadicea, delicate
rose, one of the newer kinds ; Marchioness of
Exeter, on^ of the best rose varieties ; Ninfa del
Tebro, white ; Adelina Patti, pink, edged with
white ; and Kotope, single white. (Bronze Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, exhibited a bright group of Carnations,
which included several of the firm's novelties,
and most of the standard sorts. Amongst the
newer sorts we noticed a large crimson seedling,
something like Carola; also Royal Purple. Regal
Mauve, and Helen JI. Gould, a parti-coloured
flower, the petals being splashed with pink and
red. Amongst the better-known sorts were choice
blooms of Winsor, White Perfection, Rose Dore,
and Rose Enchantress. Adjoining the Carna-
tions, Messrs. Stuart Low & Co. showed green-
house-flowering plants, including Ericas in
variety, Crowea angustifolia, Boronias, the red-
dish-orange-flowcred Chorizema, India Azaleas,
several Acacias, including A. cordata, A. diffusa,
and Genista fragrans. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Edmonton, showed batches of Clematis arranged
in a groundwork of decorative Ferns, and hero
and there a few brilliant Azaleas and standard
plants of Pelargonium Clorinda. The Clematis
were Lady Londesborough (lavender). Mrs.
Quilter (white), Nellie Moser (soft lavender, with
a broad, rose-coloured stripe), and Miss Bateman
(white). At one end of the group was a batch of
Polypodium cambricum, of the best types, includ-
ing very fine specimens of Prestonii and Bar-
rowii. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son. Highgate, Middle-
sex, put up an exhibit of Carnations, having

March 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

171

vases, some tall and some short, furnished with
the best varieties in cultivation. Lady Millar, the
perpetual-blooming " iVlalmaison," of flesh-pink
colour, was well shown, also Rose Dore, Beacon,
and Superior, a new variety, of cerise shade,
and of medium size. Messrs. Cutbush also
showed a rockwork exhibit, backed with flower-
ing shrubs and planted with bulbous Irises, Saxi-
fragas. Tulips, and other flowers, (Silver-gilt
Banksian Medal,)

A pretty feature at this meeting consisted of a
lawn and terrace, with a background of Cupres-
sus, and borders of spring-flowermg plants and
bulbs, arranged by Messrs, Jas, Cartek & Co,,
Higli Holborn. The back part was reached by a
flight of steps which had, on either side, a border
of bright flowers, such as Crocuses, Tulips, Hya-
cinths. Primroses, and Snowdrops, This border
was continued toward the front at either end.
Half-circular bays on the terrace were planted
with Daffodils and Hyacinths, which showed up
well against the Conifers, and in the centre a
stream of water from a fountain dropped into a
stone basin. (Silver Flora iledal.)

Messrs. H, Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed 45 varieties of Cacti and other succulents,
with an edging of Echeveria farinosa. Many of
them were grafted on more robust species ; thus
Opuntia ursinus had been worked on a tall stem
of 0. monacantha, and Cereus flagelliformis on
another species of Cereus, They were a very
clean and healthy set of plants,

Messrs, Carter, Page & Co., 52, London Wall,
London, had an attractive exhibit of bulbous
flowers grown in bowls and vases, with fibre r.s
the rooting medium. The plants were remarkably
well flowered, some of the best being : — Hya-
cinths : Gertrude (pink). Grand Maitre (blue),
Moreno (pink), Potgieter (porcelain blue).
Tulips : Keizerskroon, Joost van Vondel. Nar-
cissus : Victoria,

iMessrs, Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed
batches of Hyacinths in two colours each, the
shades being selected for their harmony. There
were about a dozen selections, one of the finest
combinations being pale blue and cream. Others
especially plea.=iing represented shades of apricot
and cream, flesh colour and salmon-jiink, pale
yellow and dark blue (a fine contrast), nnd pink
and pale blue. There were also associations of
apricot and rich red, pale pink and white, Avhite
and dark blue. The display was relieved
with Adiantum Ferns, (Silver-gilt Banksian
Medal,)

Messrs. R. Gir.L & Sons, Tremough. Penryn,
Cornwall, again showed trusses of Rhododendron
from plants in the open. Many of them were
seedlings of R. arboreum, some being new
varieties, never before exhibited. Of these the
best were Riviera Beauty, a compact truss of
rosy-cerise-coloured blooms; Florence Gill, pale
pink, edged with deeper pink ; and Meteor, a
briglit-red variety. We also noticed Wm. Shil-
son. with big blooms of soft pink colour, and
the beautiful R. Hodgensonii. In addition to
the Rhododendrons there were some exception-
ally large Violets of the Princess of Wales
variety, and two large plants of Primula imperi-
alis. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. C. Brooks & Son, nurserymen, Basing-
stoke, showed a great variety of blooms of
Primula sinensis. They were arranged on white
paper, and although the particular method of
exhibiting is to be deprecated, the flowers were
very fine, A white variety, labelled Queen Alex-
andra, was especially good, the large, waved
blooms being 2 inches in diameter. True Blue is
quite the finest in that shade, although Royal
Blue is also good. Ruby Queen attracted our
attention ; while Giant Pink and Giant Salmon
both have fine substance and large size, as well
as clear, distinct tones. Crimson King, Orange
King, Rubra, and Novelty (noticed in our issue
for February 26, p. 141) are others shown by
this tirm.

Some well-flowered crowns of Lily-of-the-Valley
were shown by Mr. W. Profittlich, Twicken-
ham.

Messrs. B.^kers, Ltd,, Wolverhampton,
showed Alpines, including Saxifragas of the
oppositifolia section ; large groups of Primula
denticulata and allied forms, Viola gracilis, and
other plants.

An exhibit of Roses was made by Messrs. Geo.
Mount & Sons, Canterbury, the most con-
soicuous feature being the new variety Lady
Hillingdon, which received an Award of Merit.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Hajidy Plants.
Hardy plants generally, and Alpine and bul-
bous plants in particular, were numerously dis-
played. One of these exhibits constituted a
feature of the show, being notable alike for the
choice plants it contained, the excellence of their
culture and attractive method of displaying
them. The exhibitor was Sir Everard Hambro,
K.CV.O., Hayes Place, Hayes, Kent (gr. ilr, J,
Grandfield), and he was awarded a Gold Medal,
The Primula family was m strong force, such at-
tractive species as P, marginata, P, Forbesii, P,
denticulata, P. cashmeriana alba, P, frondosa, P,
floribunda and others being arranged in well-
flowered batches here and there. Both the Saxi^
fragas and Androsaces were also well represented.
The Saxifragas included large, well-flowered ex-
amples of some of the rarest and choicest in culti-
vation, evoking the admiration of all. For ex-
ample, a pan of S. Boydii, 8 inches across,
was covered with the pale lemon-yellow flowers,
while S. B. alba, pure white ; S. marginata, S.
scardica obtusa. S. Burseriaua, S. 13, macrantha,
all white-flowered forms, provided a welcome dis-
play of blossoms. Other notable members of this
genus inc'.uc!:d fine non-flowering rosettes of S.

Coniferous subjects was also instructive. (Silver-
gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, also ar-
ranged a small rock-garden exhibit in excellent
taste. Messrs. J. Peed & Sons, West Norwood,
S.E., brought a quantity of Alpines and minia-
ture examples of succulent plants in boxes.

Some well-grown examples of early Alpine and
other plants were shown by Messrs. Heath &
Sons, Cheltenham, the Hepaticas constituted
the pretty feature amid a number of other in-
teresting things. ]\Iessrs. Bees, Ltd.. Liver-
pool, staged a well-flowered group of Primula
malacoides. The Misses Hopkins. Shepperton,
were responsible for a group in which Prinu'oses
and Saxifragas were well represented.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, had a
bank-like arrangement furnished with Alpine
plants, a large number of which, like Saxifraga
Burseriana, S, scardica, and S. apiculata afforded
delightful masses of colour, (Bronze Flora
Medal.) Messrs, G, & A, Clark, Ltd.. Dover,
and the Guildford Hardy Plant Nursery
each brought interesting exhibits of Alpine and
other hardy flowers. The collection from Messrs.
Barr & S3NS. Covent Garden occupied a long

Fig. 7J. — fritillarh

[Photograph by W, J. Townstnd,

imperialis var. chitralensis: flowers rich yellow.

(See *' Awards of Merit.")

longifolia and S. florulenta. while such yellow-
flowered sorts as S. Elizabetha; and S. Kotschyi
were also in the collection. Shortia uniflora
grandiflora was much admired, its white pink-
tinged flowers above the crimsoned leafage being
very beautiful. Muscarias, Chionodoxas. Squills,
and" other bulbous-flowering plants were pleas-
ingly interspersed throughout the group, which
had" for a b.ickground a few examples of forced
shrubs and other plants. As a display of hardy
plants, in which choice Alpines predominated, it
is the finest we have seen,

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston. Kent, had a pretty
and interesting group of early-flowering Alpines
in conjunction with choice Rhododendrons of
many kinds, only a few of which, however, were
in flower. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co.. Colchester, showed
a pleasing and most naturally-arranged piece of
rockwork built up with well-weathered sand-
stone blocks. It was planted with choice things
such as Saxifraga Boydii. Androsace Laggeri, de-
lightful colonies of Cyclamen Coum in variety,
and the lovely form of Primula viscosa known as
Mrs. J. H. Wilson. The method of planting
afforded useful and suggestive hints to the visi-
tor. The disposition of dwarf shrubs and

table, and was largely made up of Lenten Roses
in variety. Lachenalias, Crocuses, both species
and bedding varieties, together with a collection
of forced Narcissi. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

AWARDS.

Awards of Merit.
FritMlaria -iniperialis var. chilrahnsis (see
fig. 73).— At the meeting held on February 22
last, some cut flowers were shown of a beautiful
yellow Fritillaria, but the variety was not known
to the committee. It was resolved to send the
flowers to Kew for identification, and. subject to
the variety being given a name, it was further
resolved to recommend the next committee meet-
ing to bestow an Award of JNIerit. At the meet-
ing on March 8, it was reported from Kew that
the flowers belong to F. imperialis, being the
Chitral form of that species. In Chitral, this
particular variety is said to be as common as
Daisies in this country. The variety is appa-
rently new to cultivation here, and it is to be
called chitralensis. Miss Watson, North Court,
Finchampstead, Hampshire, who exhibited the
flowers on February 22. informs us that the bulbs
were sent home by Col. H. D. Watson, CLE,,
when he was with' his regiment, the 2nd King's.

n:

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[:Makch 12, 1910.

Own Gooikhas, in Chitral. They were grown at
North Court by JMiss Watson's gardener, Mr. A.
Langridge.,

Rose Lady Ilillingdon. — This is an excellent
Tea Rose for forcing, producing long, filbert-
shaped buds of rich apricot-yellow. The petals
are very fine in shape and size, but the flowers
are not over full. The foliage is large, smooth,
and such as the decorator appreciates. The
variety is said to be the result of a cross between
Mme. Hoste and Papa Gontier. Shown by
Jlessrs. Geo. Mount & Son.

Saxifvaga scarclia ohlu-^a. — This is a pretty
little plant with white flowers similar to those
of S. scardica, but having smaller, rather obtuse
leaves. Shown by Sir Evek.-ikd Hambro,
K.C.V.O.

Shorlia uniflora grandiflora. — This plant is a
large-flowered variety of S. uniflora. a gem of the
Alpine garden (see figs. 97 and 98 in Gardeners'
Chronicle, April 4, "1908). The blooms of the
novelty are IJ inch across. Shown by Sir
EvEE.-^RD Hambro, Hayes Place.

Cultural CoMMEND.ixioN.

Saxifraga Boijdii.—A. Cultural Commenda-
tion was awarded to Sir Everard Hambro,
K.C.V.O. (gr. Mr. J. Grandfield). for a pot of this
charming yellow-flowered Saxifraga — probably
the best specimen ever exhibited.

Narcissus Committee.

Present: H. B. Jlay, Esq. (in the Chair); R<!V.
Joseph Jacobs, Rev. G. H. Englehearl, Messrs.
R. Svdenham, P. R. Barr, Alexander M. Wilson,
E. M. Crosfield, G. W. Leak, Christopher
Bourne, W. Poupart, Walter T. Ware, and C. H.
Curtis (secretary).

Messrs. C.A.RTWRIGHT & GoODWiN, Kiddemiin-
st-er, showed a group of about 60 varieties of
Narcissi. The blooms were of high quality
throughout, and representative of choice sorts.
Two new kinds were seen in Coreen, a very
regularly-shaped bloom of the " flat-eye " type,
the broad ring being pale orange ; and Southern
Star, having a cup of deep-orange colour.
Amongst older varieties we noticed King Alfred,
Gold Finch (extra fine flowers), White Lady,
Orangeman, Sunset, Victoria, Ariadne and Wear-
dale Perfection. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert, Southgate, showed
a splendid group of Tulips in pots, both flowers
and foliage being remarkably well developed.
The following varieties represent a selection ; —
Golden Sion of Hellegom (yellow, with crimson-
tipped edges). Prince of "Austria (red-orange-
scarlet). Rose Grisdelin (rose, flushed with
white). Queen of the Netherlands (white, shaded
rose). White Swan (a pure white flower of good
substance). Pink Beauty (pink, veined with
white), Proserpine, Magnificent (pink). Vermi-
lion (scarlet), Mr. Stanley (bright pink). Fla-
mingo (pink, edged and traced with white). Van
der Neer (purplish-violet), Le Remarquable
(purple, edged with white), Sir Thomas Lipton
(scarlet), and Grace Darling (deep red). (Silver-
gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, showed forced Daffodils of choice kinds,
such as Peter Barr, Lord Roberts (the bold trum-
pet of rich yellow showing well against the paler
perianth), Duchess of Normandy (both trumpet
and perianth being white, the segments twisted).
Argent (one of the best of the double-trumpet
kinds, the bloom being a mixture of yellow and
white), Blackwell (a lovely incomparabilis flower,
the cup being rich orange), Victoria (a yellow-
trumpet Daffodil with pale segments), Alice
Knights (both trumpet and perianth, white), and
Hamlet (in which the same parts are wholly
yellow). (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Robert Sydenham, Ltd., Tenby
Street, Birmingham, had a selection of forced
Daffodils, and bulbs grown in fancy bowls,
planted in Moss fibre. Tlie Narcissi included some
exquisite Jonquils of the double Campernelle
type ; very good also were Persian Orange, White
Lady, Lucifer, Tocntit, Homespun, and Victoria.
The group included some large-flowered Freesias,
Lily-of-the-Valley, Hyacinths, and Horse Chest-
nut seedlings, grown in fancy bowls for decora-
tive purposes. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. R. Pearson & Sons, Chilwell Nur-
series. Lowdham, Nottinghamshire, had a selec-
tion of Narcissi, of such kinds as Sulphurus
plenus. Sir W'atkin, Argent, Seagull, Chaucer,
Blackwell, Emperor, Poeticus ornatus, Duke of

Bedford (a fine trumpet Daffodil), and Katherine
Spurrell.

Messrs. R. & H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, showed
Narcissi. Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocuses, ;,nd other
bulbs grown in ornamental vases filled with fibre,
a system that produces excellent results, judging
by the magnificent flowers. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

BULB COMPETITION.

Twelve classes, with money prizes and medals, '
were provided with a view to demonstrating the
best varieties of bulbs suited for gentle forcing.
The inoney prizes were offered by the General
Bulb Growers' Society, Haarlem. The classes
were divided for amateurs and traders. In addi-
tion, Messrs. Robert Sydenham, Ltd., oft'ered
prizes in three clfsss for bulbs grown in Moss
fibre, or similar material, without provision for
drainage, and Jlessrs. Robert P. Ker & Sons
offered prizes in a class for 12 pots of Hip-
peastrum (Amaryllis).

The Hon. Vicary Gibbs, Aldenhani House,
Elstree (gr. Mr. E. Beckett) won the 1st prize
for 12 Hyacinths in pots with well-finished, mas-
sive spikes. The best were Jaques, King of the
Blues, Captain Boyton, Queen of Riches, Koh-i-
noor, and Rose a Merveille. 2nd, The Duke of
Portland, Welbeck Abbey (gr. i\lr. J. Gibson),
with also a fine collection, the best being Rose a
Merveille, La Grandesse, Lord Derby, Vurbank,
and La Victoire. 3rd, T. Von Heyder, Esq.
AUerton, Liverpool (gr. Mr. A. Lewis).

There were nine competitors in a class for 12
Hyacinths in pots. The Marquis of Salisbury,
Hatfield, Herts (gr. Jlr. H. Prime) was awarded
the 1st prize : he had some excellent spikes, a
few being less good. The best were La Victoire,
City of Haarlem, King of the Blues, Ivanhoe,
and" iMr. Plimsoll. The 2nd prize was awarded
to A. Earle, Esq., W'avertree, Liverpool (gr.
Mr. Hitchman), who had several excellent
spikes. 3rd, C. Watney, Esq., Garston, Herts
(gr. Mr. G. Dyke).

There was only one collection of si.x Hya-
cinths. These came from the gardens of A.
Hanson, Esq., Victoria Park, Wavertree (gr.
I\Ir. Bnshell). The 1st prize was awarded.

The keenest competition and finest spikes pro-
bably were seen in the class for four broad pans,
each containing 10 bulbs. In this case the Hon.
Vicary Gibbs was again 1st, having superb
spikes of La Victoire (red). King of the Blues,
La Grandesse (white), and City of Haarlem (prim-
rose). The Duke of Portland, in this case, was
a very close 2nd. having in his four pans very
good king of the Blues, City of Haarlem, Moreno
(pink), and La Grandesse. The JIarquis of
Salisbury was 3rd, having Ivanhoe (deep blue),
Jaques (pink) La Victoire and La Innocence
(white).

Trade Classes.

The first of these was for 200 Hyacinths in
pots. The only competitors were Messrs. R. &
G. Cuthbert, of Southgate. Their fine col-
lection was well set up in a carpet of Ferns and
Slosses. In this case 36 varieties had to be in-
cluded. Here again Captain Boyton, Jaques,
King Menelik (dark blue). La Grandesse, City of
Haarlem, and Schotel (pale blue) gave the best
spikes.

In the class for 200 plants in 20 pans, 10 in a
pan, the same firm were again the only exhibi-
tors, and the finest spikes were chiefly those
varieties already named. A Gold Jledal was
awarded in each case

Bulbs Grown in Moss Fibre.

There were five collections in the class for six
single Hyacinths in vases not to exceed six
inches in diameter, and to be of certain named
varieties. The 1st prize was won by Lady
Tate, Streatham (gr. jMr. W. Howe), the spikes
being of medium size. Miss C. A. Michell,
Cricklewood, was placed 2nd, and Mrs. Dardier,
Ealing, 3rd.

For six vases of Tulips, the vases not to ex-
ceed 7 inches in diameter, Lady Tate was again
1st with Rose Grisdelin, Kaisers Kroon, Prince
of Austria, Duchess of Parma, and others. 2nd,
Mrs. Dardier. 3rd, Mrs. H. Gordon Thomp-
son, Potters Bar.

Lady Tate also won the 1st prize for six Nar-
cissi clumps in 7-inch vases. The varieties in-
cluded White Lady, Emperor, Horace, Beauty,
Leonie, and Frank Miles. 2nd, Mrs. Guy
Baring ; 3rd, Mi.ss Michell.

HlPPEASTEUMS.

In this class there was only one group. The
plants were of exceptional cjuality, some of the
flowers, especially the crimson and reds, being
superb. This was staged by J. A. Kenrick,
Esq., Edgbaston. Birmingham (gr. Mr. A. Cryer),
and well merited the 1st prize awarded.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. Ja«. O'Brien (hon. sec), Talbot
Clifton, Harry J. Veitch, de B. Crawshay, H.
Little, W. Boxall, R. G. Thwaites, F. Sander,
F M. Ogilvie, Clive Cookson, A. A. McBean, J.
Charlesworth, J. Cypher, W. H. Hatcher, H. G.
Alexander, A Dye, VV'. H. W'hite, H. A. Tracy,,
H. Ballantine, Gurney Wilson, W. Cobb, W.
Bolton, Stuart Low, C. J. Lucas, and Sir
Jeremiah Colman, Bart.

Baron Sir H. Schroder, The Dell, Egham (gr.
Mr. H. Ballantine), was awarded a Silver Flora
^ledal for a group of the beautiful Calanthe
Baron Schriider, which is one of the finest hybrid
Calanthes and a very strong grower, the stout
spikes being about 5 feet in height and bearing
numerous flowers with white or blush sepals and
petals. Most of the varieties had a deep violet-
purple base to the lip, some forms varying the
tint to rose colour.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., Bur-
ford (gr. Mr. W. H. White), staged a selection
of Burford hybrid Dendrobiums, including forms
of D. Wigauatum (Wigani^e x signatum), the
variety aureum being pale sulphur-yellow with
purple disc ; D. Ainsworthatum (Ainsworthii X
signatum) ; three D. Melpomene ; the rare D.
superbum Huttonii ; Sophro - La?lio - Cattleya
Bletcliley flora (L.-C. Bletchleyensis x S. grandi-
flora), with a fine reddish-scarlet flower; and the
pretty Epicattleya Nebo.

Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart, V.M.H., Gatton
Park (gr. Mr. Collier), staged an interesting
group, in which were two plants of Dendrobium
Smillite, with racemes of white flowers with dark-
green fronts to the labellums ; some yellow hybrid
Dendrobiums ; Bulbophyllura sicyobulbon, with
many spikes of yellow flowers ; Cirrhopetalum
Mastersianum ; Pholidota gracile, with sprays of
small white flowers ; a fine Odontoglossum
Wilckeanum, with 17 flowers; Coelogyne yunnan-
ensis ; and the very interesting Dia-L<elio-Catt-
leya Ciatton Rose (D. bicornutum x L.-C.
Cappei), of the habit of Diacrium bicornutum,
but with solid, not hollow, pseudo-bulbs. The
inflorescence bore six or seven flowers, one being
fully expanded ; white, tinged with lilac.

H. S. GooDSON, Esq., West Hill, Putney (gr.
Mr. G. E. Day), was awarded a Silver Flora
Medal for a select group containing two
handsome Odontoglossums, viz., 0. illustre, with
two spikes of purplish-violet flowers with white
margins and tips, and 0. crispum Memoria Battle
of Waterloo, a finely-spotted flower, figured in
the Gardeners' Chronicle, January 11, 1908,
p. 18. Others noted were Lselio-Cattleya lumi-
nosa, with two spikes ; and the rich scarlet Odon-
tioda Bradshawia; Goodson's \ariety.

J. GuRNEY Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South.
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed the beau-
tiful Odontoglossum Wyoniaruim illustrated in
the Gardeners' Chronide, April 3, 1909, p. 211,
a prettily-marked white flower; 0. ardentissi-
mum Empress of India, a very finely-blotched
flower of perfect shape ; 0. Wilckeanum Miss
Louisa Fowler, a large and distinct flower ; and
0. crispum Winnie, a good blotehed form.

-Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Haywards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
a group in which two of the best things were
Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Mendelii the Hon. J.
Lowther, a very large flower, but not fully ex-
panded, blush-white with lemon-yellow disc to
the fringed lip; and the new Odontoglossum
Cravenianum. The group was also remarkable
for the number of Odontiodas, which exceeded
any yet shown, their varied tints of scarlet and
red being very effective. Among those noted
were 0. Cnarlesworthii (still one of the best), O.
Vuylstekese, O. Craveniana, 0. Goodsonise, O.
heatonensis, and 0. Keighleyensis. Among
Odontoglossums, the fine 0. ardentissimum Xan-
tholes Charlesworthii. the new 0. Ceres, and
some other fine hybrids were noted, together with
the bright-blue Disa lacera multifida (certificated
last meeting), Brassia brachiata, Vanda coerules-
cens, the charming La?lio-Cattleya Bella alb-i and
other Lfelio-Cattleyas.

Mauch 12, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

173

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were
•awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an extensive
group, in the centre of which were selected forms
■of Oiiontoglossjms, and varieties of Miltonia
Bleuana; M. B. Gold Crest being remarkable in
having a distinct reddish gold mark at the base
of the lip. There were three specimens of Pleuro-
thallis Roezlii, with many racemes of dark claret-
coloured flowers ; a very fine form of Sophro-
Laelio-Cattleya Danse ; several deep-red Renan-
thera Imschootiana ; various Dendrobiums ; a pan
of D. velutinum, bearing many yellow flowers ;
Cymbidium Schriiderianum, and other Gymbi-
diums ; some good Cattlev'a Schroderse ; a selec-
tion of hybrid Odontoglossums, including 0. Rug.
Bians (Rossii x Adrianse), a very interesting
cross not vet developed.

liieut.-Col. G. L. Holford, C.I.E., C.V.O.
(gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed Cattleya Em-
press Frederick superba (Mossise X Dowiana
aurea), a very fine flower, with broad petals of a
delicate rose tint, the fine lip being veined with
gold, as in C. Mossise aurantiaca ; Cattleya cho-
coensis alba Westfield var., a fine white flower
with prettily-marked lip; Dendrubium Radiance,
being a D. melanodiscus cross of great beauty ;
and the very finely-coloured Ltelio-Cattleya Gold-
finch Westonbirt variety. (See Awards.)

Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons. Cheltenham, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a group rich
in Dendrobiums, including varieties of D. nobile
and hybrids. Cattleya Trianie The Gem was a fine
flower, with purple front to one lip ; the forms
of Lycaste Skinneri were good ; Cypripediums in-
cluded varieties of C. aureum, one bearing five
flowers, and others noted were Cymbidium cbur-
neum, Coelogyne cristata Lemoiiiana, some showy
Masdevallias, including Heathii, igneo-Estradse,
and tovarensis, Cattleya Suzannae Hye de Crom,
and a good selection of hybrid Calanthes.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
wei'e awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a
varied group, in which were noted a large speci-
men of Dendrobium fimbriatum oculatum, a re-
markably good strain of D. Wardianum, D.
linguaeforme, a very dark Cymbidium Low-
grinum, and the beautiful C. Holfordianum ;
Bulbophyllum comosiim, Pleurothallis scapha,
good Cattleya Schriiderse, Odontoglossum blan-
dum, the new and singularly coloured Odontioda
Seymouri (C. vulcanica X 0. Uro-Skinneri), Ipsea
speciosa, and some pretty Masdevallias.

Mr. A. W. Jensen, Lindfield, Haywards
Heath, was awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for
a group of excellent varieties of Cattleya
Schriiderie, including a white form, and a large-
flowered variety tinged and veined with rosy-
lilac. The group also included a good C. Men-
■delii and some forms of Odontoglossum cri.spum.

Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge, Haywards
Heath, was awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for
an effective group, in the centre of which were
six finely-flowered Cymbidium insigne (Sanderi),
around them being good forms of Cattleya
Schrciderae, one having the ruby-pui-|3le lip as in
Pitt's variety. Others noted were three Brasso-
■Cattleya Digbyano-Schr<)derfe ; a superb form of
Lycaste Skinneri alba, a fine specimen of Den-
drobium pallens. Stanhopea eburnea, and Den-
drobium Wiganife xanthochilum.

Mr. 0. Kirch, 60, Uplands Road, Hornsey,
showed a pretty form of Brasso-Cattleya Digby-
ano-Schrtiderae alba.

Mons. Maurice Mertens, Ghent, showed a
selection of hybrid Odontoglossums, &c.

R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Christ-
church Road, Streatham (gr. Mr. J. M. Black),
sent Odontoglossum Blackii (Rossii x Pesca-
torei), an interesting hybrid. The individual
flowers at present closely resemble O. Rossii, but
the lip shows the pandurata form of O. Pesca-
torei, and the elongated slender inflorescence is
also indicative of that species. Mr. Thwaites
also showed some interesting Dendrobium crosses,
one being D. Wiganife X D. Wiganiae xantho-
chilum, a wax-like, white flower.

G. Hanbury, Esq., Blythewood, Burnham,
Bucks, (gr. Mr. Branson), sent a very fine speci-
men of Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum. C. J.
XucAS, Esq., sent Phaius maculatus ; Messrs.
;Stanley & Co., Southgate, staged a small gi'oup,
including Cattleya Trianae splendens, a fine form ;
Odontoglossum Lambeauanum, and several Mas-
devallias.

Messrs. Heath & Sons. Cheltenham, staged a
group of Cypripediums, in which were several
■of the distinct C. Oriole (villosum giganteum x
nitens variety) of good shape, with Indian-yellow

ground colour, having numerous dark spots ; C.
Swinburnei magnificum and C. Mons. de Curte
Swinburne's variety, both good.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), showed a very large form of
Cattleya Trianae.

E. RoGERSON, Esq., Oakdene, West Didsbury,
Manchester (gr. Mr. W. C. Price), sent Odonto-
glossum Lily Wilkinson, white, finely blotched
with rose-purple, and Cypripedium Boadicea
Schofield's variety, of good shape.

C;. P. Walker, Esq., Heatherwood, Putney
Heath, tent the fragrant little Dendrobium
Hedyosmum.

Mrs. CooKSON. Oakwood, Wylam (gr. Mr.
Chapman), sent Odontoglossum percultum Clive,
a distinct flower, with a yellowish ground colour
closely barred with claret colour ; Cypripedium
Chapmaniae aureum (Fairrieanum x Calypso),
with a yellowish base to the dorsal sepal which
has purple lines running into the white upper
half, the ground colour of the rest of the flower
being yellow tinged with purple ; and C. hirsuto-
Leeanum, which retains distinct traces of C. hir-
sutissimum.

AWARDS.
First-class Certxfic.4.te.

Phaio-Calanihe Baron Srhrrkhr (P. Wallirhil
X C. Baron Schrbder }, from Baron Sir H.
Schroder (gr. Mr. Ballantine). The finest of
the Phaio-Calanthes. The plant bore two spikes
of showy flowers. The sepals and petals are
cream-white, tinged with rose-purple at the base.
The lip is large, deep, and of reddish-claret
colour.

Awards of Merit.

Lcelio-Caltlei/a Gol'lfmcli Wentonbirl variety
(L.-C. Warnhamienfis X C. Dowiana aurea),
from Lt -Col. G. L. Holford, C.I.E., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander). A most beautiful flower
of rich colour. The sepals are of old gold colour
freckled with rose, and the petals orange, tinged
with rose ; the lip is deep ruby-red with very
fine gold lines at the base.

Epi-Calllfya Neho (Kpiitemlrum O'Brieni-
ana x Cattleya Claesiana), from Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O. (gr. Mr. W. H.
White). A pretty hybrid, with the growth of E.
O'Hrienianum, but shorter and with more
broadly-ovate leaves. The flowers are produced
in a terminal head ; they are reddish-rose, with
white, fringed lip.

Odontoglossum Crarenianum (rirrhosum X
raniosissimum), from Messrs. Chari.esworth &
Co. An elegant hybrid, the flowers of which bear
some resemblance to an enlarged 0. nsevium
majus. The flatly-displaved segments are snow-
white, spotted with purple.

t'ymhidium Lowijrinum Rosslyn variety
(jAiwianum x lirjriinim X Lowianvm Pitt's
variety), from H. T. Pitt, Esq., (gr. Mr. Thur-
good). A very distinct and handsome form, with
reddish sepals and petals ; the white lip being
blotched with purple in front

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: J. Cheal, Esq. (in the Chair); also
Messrs. P. D. Tuckett, A. Dean, W. Pope, J.
Davis, W. Bates, O. Hobdav, J. Gibson, H. Parr,
G. Revnolds, O. Thomas, G. Wvthes, C. G. A.
Nix. H. Somers Rivers, E. Beckett, P. C. Veitch,
A. R. Allan, and W. Poupart

Mr. Wright brought tubers of a huge purple
Potato, much like those of Blue Giant, which
had been sent to Wisley for trial. They ranged
in weight from Ij lb. to 2 lbs., and in the bulk
were 25 lbs.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, sent a very
interesting collection of hardy Kales, all of ordi-
nary field culture. Not the least evidence of
wintry weather was visible on any of them. The
tall, green-curled section was represented by
Suttons' Al, a fine, sturdy stock; Improved
Hearting, a superb, solid-headed Kale, the stems
studded with sprouts ; and by Hardy Sprouting,
a variety which seems to come between the tall
Scotch and a Green selection from the Cottager's
Kale — a wonderful stem sprouter. The Dwarf
Green and purple Arctic Kales were excellent
samples. Specially pretty was a group of the or-
namental or variegated Kales. The new broad-
leaved hybrid Asparagus, Sutton Favourite, and
others formed a very pleasins as well as useful
group. (Silver Banksian Jledal.)

NATIONAL DAHLIA.

CONFERENCE ON DAHLIAS.

March 4.— A Dahlia Conference was held by
the Society, on this date, in the Charles Dickens
Room, at Carr's Restaurant, Strand. About 60
members and friends were present. The chair
was taken by the President, Mr. Edward Mawley,
V.M.H. The following papers were read :—
"Dahlias in Garden Decorations," by Mr. George
Gordon, V.M.H. ; " Growing Dahlias for Exhibi-
tion," by Mr. James Stredwick; and " Methods
of Exhibiting Dahlias,* by Mr. J. B. Riding.

D.AHLiAs IN Garden Decorations.

The following are extracts from Mr. Gordon's
paper ; —

" Before we can make any real advance in the
endeavour to place the Dahlia in the position it
should occupy among the many plants available
for beautifying the flower garden during the sum-
mer months, we must break away from tradi-
tional methods, and make very considerable
changes in our views with regard to the methods
of procedure by which the best interest of the
flower can be served. We must, first of all, recog-
nise the fact that all the Dahlias in cultivation
are not, for some reason or other, suitable for gar-
den decoration. Hence, I regard it as of im-
mense importance that we, as a society, should
give increased attention to garden varieties.

" Not until the past year or two have awards
been made to varieties specially shown for their
usefulness in the garden .... with the re-
sult, in the case of the Cactus varieties, that com-
paratively few are of any considerable service
otherwise than for exhibition.

" The garden varieties should be in full bloom
early in August.

" We cannot, it need hardly be said, do any-
thing to extend the season by protecting the
plants at the end ; but we can do much to
lengthen it by commencing sufficiently early to
have strong plants for bedding out at the end of
May. It matters not whether the stock be raised
by means of cuttings or division of the tubers,
they should be well established in large 60's by
the middle of April at the latest, and be then
shifted into 6-inch pots, and a compost consisting
of turfy loam and well-rotted manure used. If
the stock is purchased, the plants should be ob-
tained at the period mentioned above, and, after
a day or two's rest, be shifted into larger pots,
precisely as advised for those home raised. Sub-
sequent to the repotting, they should be placed in
a frame, where they can be near the glass, have
protection from frost, and enjoy a free circulation
of air in fine weather. Plants so raised will grow
away vigorously, and come into bloom far in ad-
vance of those kept in 60's until bedded out.

" With regard to soil preparation, it cannot be
too distinctly stated that the heavy dressings of
fat manure that are so frequently recommended
for beds and borders are both unnecessary and
undesirable. The soil should be deeply dug, and
a moderate dressing of manure applied ; but more
liberal enrichment will promote the production
of soft growths and hinder the production of
flowers."

Growing Dahlias for Exhibition.

Mr. Stredwick said ; — " The best plan is to
procure good, strong, healthy plants about the
end of April or the iSrst week in May. If the
pots are well filled with roots, the plants should
be at once repotted into, say, 5 or 6-inch pots, ac-
cording to their size and condition. After re-
potting, great care must be taken not to over-
water the plants, or they will soon become sickly.
They should be placed in an ordinary garden
frame, provided with a little heat by night, and
kept fairlv close and shaded for two or three days.
When thev are established in the new soil, the
more fresh air they are allowed by day durnig
warm weather the better ; but on cold days
care must be taken that ventilation is given
without risk of causing a check to the
plants. Bv night the frame should be closed ;
but as thi weather becomes more genial, the
frame should be gradually left open at night-
time, and finally removed altogether. In some
cases a second "shift is required, if the season
for planting-out is a late one, but over-potting
must be avoided. . '^ , , , ,

'• The ground for Dahlia planting should bo
dug deepfv. 18 inches deep if possible, and the
rougher tlie better, in the late autumn, allowing

174

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 12, 1910.

it to lie exposed in winter weather ; but then,
early in March, if possible, put on a good dress-
ing of stable manure, and dig it in deeply. The
soil should be turned again about three times
before planting out the first week in June.

" The soil having been properly prepared and
the plants ready, planting may be proceeded
with. Stretch a line in the direction of your
first row of plants, and about 2 feet from the
edge of the pathway, put in a small stump,
and then repeat this at distances of 4 feet apart.
These will be the positions for the plants
to occupy. Around the points so marked,
dig holes about 15 inches in diameter,
and a good spit deep : fill the holes half full of
fairly rotted stable manure, with about as much
soot'as a 60 pot will hold, and the same quantity
of well-slaked but fresh lime. Next widen the
diameter of the hole by digging in and thoroughly
mixing the surrounding soil with the manure.
Fill in with the soil originally excavated, and
press it all down evenly. The first row being
now ready, the others may be prepared in the
same way, leaving 5 feet at least between the
rows. The actual planting should be done with
a trowel, replacing the soil firmly.

" Dahlias at the time of planting should be
<ibout 1 foot high, and should be at once
.secured to strong stakes, not less than 4 or 5 feet
out of the ground. The plants will soon begin to
show signs of growth and, most likely, flower-
buds. The latter, if exhibition flowers are re-
quired, must be at once pinched out. and, if the
plants be of sufficient height, pinched back to
one or two joints below. AH the energies of the
plant will thus be thrown into the bottom
growths, which will soon require to be looped up
to the stake to protect them from damage by the
wind. It is now advisable to insert two more
stakes,- the three forming a triangle around the
plant.'. Around the stakes put some stout yarn,
to which, when of sufficient length, the branches
may be tied evenly all round inside the enclosure.
In the case of bushy plants, thin out the weakest
branches, leaving about six on each plant.

" It is more than likely that the first buds,
after the treatment before mentioned, will be
too early for the shows, except in late districts ;
and if it is desired that the plants should have
all the vigour possible at the most important
time, take out the leading bud of each shoot,
bearing in mind this most important fact that,
from the time this tiny bud is formed, a month
must elapse before it can develop into a perfect
flower. As soon as it has been decided to let
the plants bloom, shorten all the side shoots,
above three or four joints, and remove the flower-
buds, except the centre ones, leaving the lower
laterals to produce future blooms. As the season
advances, the lower shoots generally bear the
finest flowers.

" As the plants begin to bear a good number
of blooms, they will require feeding. It is an
excellent plan to get, say, a 40-gallon cask, and
put into it a bag containing well-rotted stable
manure, keeping the cask filled with water, and
never ^^■atering direct from a main water supply
or pump.

" Mulching is an important matter. It is a
great advantage in dry weather ; but whether it
is of value in all climates is open to question, be-
cause it prevents the sun's rays from penetrating
the soil. Our practice is to mulch in dry sea-
sons, as soon as the three stakes are put in, plac-
ing a layer of rough stable manure over the
ground to a depth of about 2 inches.

" Shading the blooms is of great importance.
In very bad weather perfect flowers cannot be ob-
tained without some protection, but it must not
be forgotten that the blooms must always be tied
firmly, so that they are in the centre of the
shade, and not too close to it. It is necessary
that a current of air can pass through, otherwise
the shade will do more harm than good when the
sun is very hot. As to the shading, we make
the shades of fine canvas or calico ; the shape is
conical, about 12 inches in height, and the same
in diameter at the base."

Methods of Exhibiting Dahlhs.
Mr. Riding said that " at the first Dahlia Show
Tield in St. James's Hall, September 23 and 24,
1858, only Show and Fancy varieties were ex-
hibited ; but, what is still more surprising, the
exhibitors of to-day and the framers of
schedules, the N.D.S. included, have not deviated
in their methods of exhibiting since the year
1858 ; there are still the long lines of Show and

Fancy blooms at exhibitions, and staged in
similar bo.xes of the same dimensions.

" The present method of exhibiting Show and
Fancy Dahlias is a relic of Early Victorian times,
and appeals to no one in these days except, per-
haps, a few keen exhibitors, and I feel sure they
would welcome a change too. Small wonder that
the general public take such little mterest in this
section, for who, except a Dahlia fancier, can see
any beauty in rows of coloured drumheads, for
as such they must be regarded by all flower
lovers 'i

" Naturally, I am asked. What would you ex-
hibit in? I reply, equally naturally, in vases.
Now I know perfectly well the objections that
will be raised ; the first, that it would be im-
possible to judge them under such conditions.
Are not Chrysanthemums and Roses staged in
vases? Yes, and judged too; so there is an end
to this objection. Then, again, the exhibitor will
urge that it is impossible to exhibit 48 varieties
in one class ; and I say to this, a good thing too.
" Twelve varieties, of five or six blooms of
each, arranged in vases, would be more
effective and pleasing. Objection No. 3 would
also come from exhibitors, viz., the difficulty of
carrying their blooms on long stems to the shows.
This is a genuine objection ; but it is one of those
difficulties that have to be overcome, and while
other flowers are taken to shows with long stems,
there is no reason why the double Dahlia should
not be treated likewise. Other objections are : —
The time taken in staging and the cost of the
vases. But I think I have said enough to con-
vince you that it is time we had a different
method of staging the Show varieties.

" The popular Pompon varieties are shown in
wires shaped like a gridiron. Oft€n, the
amateur, with 10 blooms, and 10 only of one
variety, ha^, with much patience and care,
effectually secured No. 9 ; but No. iO refuses to
take the wire properly, and it suffers from a
broken neck. 'The only justification for using
such unnatural appliances is that the work
of making up can be done at home, and, conse-
quently, takes up little time on the day of the
show.

" I need hardly ponit out the usual method of
staging, for you know the flowers are exhibited
in wire frames in threes. For my part I should
banish every wire frame from a show, simply and
solely because they are so unnatural, and because
I am convinced the flowers can be staged without
them. In fact, you will remember we have
already classes where the flowers are staged in
vases without wiring or facing, and they are such
an object-lesson that I trust the time will come
when this type of exhibiting will be the only one
seen at our shows.

" The trade exhibitors of Dahlias, who utilise
Bamboos, vases, &c., with an appropriate set-
ting of foliage, grasses. Ferns, and plants, pro-
duce a far finer effect than the competitive
classes, and it is upon these lines that we should
proceed.

" The naming and labelling of the flowers
leave much to be desired. I have been present
at the majority of exhibitions held in London for
the past 20 years, and I say that the method of
labelling and the slipshod fa.shion in which it is
carried out is only excelled by one other national
society. This should be altered."

Obituari).

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending March 9.
The fifthwarm week in 5i(Cccssrort. — This was another warm
week ; in fact, since February 2 there has not been a single
unseasonably cold day, and but nine cold nights. On the
warmest day of the past weelt the temperature in the
thermometer screen ro^e to 56" — the highest reading as yet
of the present year. There was only one cold night, and
even then tiie minimum temperature was only slightly below
the average. The ground is at the present time 1° warmer
at 2 feet deep, and 4'^ warmer at 1 foot deep, than is season-
able. Slight falls of rain have taken place on each of the
last four days, but the total quantity only amounted to about
a tenth of an inch. Small quantities of rainwater have come
through both percolation gauges during the week. The sun
shone on an average for 4| hours a day, or for 1^ hours a
day longer than is usual at this period in March. On three
successive days the sun was shining brightly for over eight
hours a day, whereas on three others the record was less
than an hour a day. The wind has been variable in strength,
but light airs and calms have as a rule prevailed. The mean
amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. fell short of a season-
able quantity for that hour by 2 per cent. A selected patch
of Chionodoxa lucili» growing in my garden came fcrst into
flower on the 4th, which is four days earlier than its
average date for the previous 23 years, and 15 days earlier
than last year. E. M., Berkhainsled, March 9, 1910.

Dr. Edward Percival Wright.— The death
of Dr. Wright, which took place in Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin, at the age of 76, removes yet
another link with th3 past. Dr. Wright held
the professorship of Botany in Dublin Univer-
sity from 1869 till the time of his resigna-
tion in 1904. Not only by reason of his scientific
attainments, but also by his zeal as a reformer,
will Dr. Wright be long remembered. As all
concerned with Trinity College, Dublin, must
know, the constitution of that powerful and
venerable institution is ludicrously antiquated.
To bring this constitution into conformity with
intelligent modern ideas. Dr. Wright — in common
with other professors — devoted much of his time
and energies. It is understood that Dr. Wright's
library will find a place in the fine, new
Botanical Laboratory which is under the charge
of Professor Dickson, who succeeded Dr. Wright
in 1904.

Mrs. Ford. — I deeply regret to liave to report
the death of Mrs. Ford, at Pencarrow, in her
95th year. Mrs, Ford was the youngest daughter
of Sir A. Ourry Molesworth, Bart. She
inherited the famous estate of Pencarrow
about 20 years ago on the death of the widow of
her eldjr brother, Sir William Molesworth. The
deceased lady was a niece of the celebrated Miss
Caroline Molesworth, whose Cohlunn Papers
were deservedly well known to the last genera-
tion. Close associations with this lady un-
doubtedly fostered the great love of plant life
which was early instilled into Mrs. Ford's mind
by her brother William, who transformed Pen-
carrow from a huge deer-park, with numerous
pits devoted to cock fighting, into one of the
most interesting gardens in the country. Follow-
ing closely upon the lead of Baron Grenville at
Dropmore, and Sir Charles Lemon at Falmouth,
Sir William Molesworth laid out an extensive
pinetum at Pencarrow. He personally assisted in
the actual planting of the greater number of the
young trees, and " Dot " (the late Mrs. Ford),
as he affectionately called his youngest sister,
then a child of seven years, always accompanied
him. Sir William, besides being a Cabinet
Minister, the foremost authority on colonial
policy, and a profound mathematician, was also
a skilled botanist. Under his tuition, Mrs.'
Ford developed a critical knowledge of plants,
and more especially of Conifers. Throughout
her ownership of Pencarrow, it was Jlrs. Ford's
aim to develop the grounds on the lines of the
plan originally, made. Besides the Pencarrow
property, Mrs. Ford owned an extensive estate
at Tetcott, in North Devon. In the Pencarrow
libraries there are many books of horticultural
interest, such as a complete edition of Loudon's
works, Evelyn's Si/lva, Lambert's Oenvs Phiu.f,
with life-sized coloured illustrations, the monu-
mental Bateman's Oiehidacew of Mexico and
Guatemala, also with full-sized coloured repre-
sentations, of which only 125 copies were
printed; Lindley's .S'ertuwi Orchidaceiim, many
bound volumes of Curtis's Bolunical Magazine,
Paxton's Magazine of Botany ; Bauer's Genera
of Ferns, &c. Despite her advanced age, Mrs.
Ford displayed the keenest interest in the affairs
of the day. She was fully aware of the difficulties
attendant on gardening in this variable climate,
and she was not slow to bestow praise when the
results warranted it. I have not only lost an
appreciative and considerate employer, but one
whose many kindly acts endeared her to those
who served her. Mrs. Ford died on March 4.
By her express desire no flowers were placed on
her coffin, but merely a cross formed of the most
favoured species amongst the Conifers she so
much loved. .4. C Barfhit.

Mrs. E. Gibes — We regret to record the death,
on February 28, of Mrs. Gibbs, wife of Mr. E.
Gibbs, gardener and steward to Miss A. de
Rothschild, Eythrope, Aylesbury. The deceased
lady, who was 57 years of age, had been in failing
health for some time.

I.Ia.-. a 12. 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

175

IVI A R K E T S.

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

COVENT GARDItN. March 9.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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, anc the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Eds.J

Cue Flowers, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

£.d. s.d.

8 0-10 U
10-16

0 0-09
3 0-50
6 0-80

5 0-60
16-20

6 0-90

Acacia dealbata

(mimosa), per

doz. bunches...
Anemones, p. doz.
Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch

— iMelderi, p. dz.
Bouvardia ...
CaDa (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (var.) 2 0-30
Carola, and othtr
special varieties

— second size ...

— smaller, per

doz. bunches 12 0-18 0
Camellias, per doz. 10-20
Calileyas, per doi^.

blooms
DaSodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eiicharis grandi-

llora, per dozen

blooms
Freesias, p. dz.bch.
Gardenias, per dz.
Heather (white),

p,-r bunch
Hyacinths, Roman,

per doz. bobs. 6 0-90
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac(I'"rnch.),p.bch
Lilitiin aiiratuin

per bunch

— longillorum ...

— lane i f o tiuin
rubniin

2 0-
1 6-

2 0-40

3 0-40
16-20
16-26

0 4-06

16-20
3 0 4 0

2 0-
2 0-

2 0-26

Lilium lancifoliuni
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches
Narcissus poeticus
(Pheasaut'sEye),

per doz. bnclis.

— Soleil d'Or ...
Od o n toglossum

crispum, per

dozen blooms

l*elargouiiims,shu.,

per doz. bchs.

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atricana
(Calla), p. doz.

Uoses, 12 blooms,
Nipbetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. 'I esioiit ...

— K a i s e r i II A.
Victoria

— C. Mermet

— Liberty

— Mme.Chatenay

— Richmond

— The livide
Spir^a, p. dz. bchs.
Stocks, p. dz. bchs.
Sweet Peas, per

dozen bunches ..
Tuberoses, per dz.

blooms
Violets, p. dz.bchs.

— Parma ...

s.d. s.d.

6 0-90
12 0 15 0

10-20
10-16

4 0-60
4 0-60

2 ti-

3 0

» U-

4 0

4 0

ti u

S 0-

5 0

2 0-

4 0

6 0-

il u

(i 0-

H 0

i t)~

ti II

4 n-

s n

2 0-

4 U

a 0-

4 0

3 0-60

4 0-50
1 6- -2 0
16-26

Cut Foliage, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiaiitum ciiiiea-
luni, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
uiosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (Kng-

lish)

s.d.

s.J.

6 0-

8 0

12 0-

18 0

12 0-
0 9

18 0
1 6

2 6

3 1

9 0-
1 0

12 <
•i 1

2 0-

!i

Ferns ll-rencli) ...

Galax leaves, per
doz. bunches

Hardy foliage
I various), per
dozen bmiclies

•yy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short c r een,
perdz.bmicbes

loss, per gross ...

lyrile, dz. bchs.
{ E n g 1 i s h),
small-leaved-..
- French

iiiiltix, )i. d?. Irails

s.d.
0 6-

s.d.

0 9

3 0-90
2 0-26

10-26
4 U- 5 0

4 0-

I ti-
6 0

r. 0

1 G

H 0

Plants In Pots, Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Acacia Drummondi,

per dozen ... 24 0-30 0
Ampelopsis Veit-

chii.per dozen 6 0-80
Aralia Sieboldi, p.

dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri...

— larger plants ...
Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— tenuis simus
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire

de Lorraine, p
dozen ...
B o ronia hetero

phvlla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— nie'gastigma ... 18 0-24 0
Cinerarias, per doz. 5 0-80
Clematis, per doz. y 0- 9 0
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
Croions, per dozen 18 0-30 0
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per u s alterni- vr

folius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Daffodils, per doz. 4 0-60
Dracaenas, per doz. 9 0-24 0
Erica gracilis, doz. 10 0-15 0

— livemalis ... 9 0-15 0

— nieianthera ... 9 0-18 0
^ persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

5 0-80

9 o-ia 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

n 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0

9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

30 0-42 0

12 0-18 0

3 0-50

8 0-12 0
12 0-20 0

4 0-60

8 0-12 0

10 0-18 0

9 0-12 0
6 0-80
6 0-90
4 0-60

s.d. s.d.
Ericas, small plants

(various)
Euonymus,perdz.,

in puts. . .. 3 0-80

— fiom theground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100

— in small and
large GO's

— in 48's, per
dozen ...

— choicer sorts...

— in 32's, per
dozen ...

Ficus elastica, per
dozen

— repens, per dz.
Genistas, per dz....
Grevilleas, per dz.
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot
Isolepis, per dozen
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
Lilium I o n g i -

florum, perdz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifoiium, p.
dozen ...

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white

per dozen
Mignonette, per

dozen

Selaginella, p. doz.
Spiraea japonica,

per dozen
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs

— pots, special ...

6 0-
4 0-

9 0
6 0

18 0-30 0

18 0-30 0

6 0-90

6 0-80
4 0-60

9 0-12 0

16-20
9 0-12 0

. 16
. 16
. 14
. 17
. 18
. 15

per

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel

— (Nova Scotiaiiji
per barrel :

— Starks

— Baldwin

— Greening

— Russett

— Fallawater

— Ben Davis

— (English),
bushel :

— Annie Eliza-
beth

— Allington Pip-
pin

— Newlon Won-
der

— Bramley's Seed
ling

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case

— Oregon

— C^lifornian ... 8

— French Russets 8

— British Colura*
bia 12

Bananas, bimch:

— Doubles ... 10

— No. 1 „ ... 8

— Extra ,, ... 8

— Giant „ -. 9

— Red coloured... 4

— Red Doubles .. 8

— Jamaica ,, ... 5

— Loose, per dz. 0
Cranberries, per

case

Custard Apples, p.

dozen b

Grape I-'ruit, case 13
Grapes, per lb :

— (Cape)black,per

s.d. s.d.

28 0-b^ 0

11

0-18 0
0-17 0
0-18 0
0-22 0
0-20 0
0-17 U

6-6 6
&-6 0
0-7 0
0-7 0

0-13 0
0-9 0
0-10 0

0-18 0

0 —
0-10 0
0-10 0
0-11 0
6-6 0
0-9 0
0-5 6
6- 1 0

7 0-76

0-12 0
0-15 0

case, large

— ,, small -..

— Gros Colniar,
A quality

— B quality

— Alicantes, A
quality

— B quality

~- Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— {.Mnieria), per
barrel ..

p. 12 lb. baskets
Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300 ..

— „ 360...

— selected, case..
Limes, per case ..
Lychees, per box...

0 -
0-6 0

! 0- 3 0
0-16

6-2 6
3-19

0-20 0
0-8 0

0 11 0
0-10 6
0-14 0
6-3 0
6- 1 9

Mangoes(Cape),per
doz. 4

Nectarines (Cape),
per bos (24 to
28 fruits) ... 5

Nuts, Almotids, p.
bag ... ... 36

— Brazils, new,
per cwt, ... 32

— Barcelona, per
ba- 32

— Cob, per lb. ... 0

— Cocoa nuts. 100 10

— Walnuts(French).
per bag ... 5

— Chestnuts (Ro-
dor), per bag... 5

— (Italian), p. bag 11
Oranges—

— Palermo Blood

(80) 8

(100) 10

— California n
Navel, box (96) 10

— „ „ (112) 12

— Jaffas, per box 11

— Deiiia, per case
(420) 12

— Valencia, per
case (420) ... 11

— Messina Bit
ters, per box..,

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case ... 11

— ^- per box ... 1

— — Jamaica, p.

case . . 10

— Tangerine, per
box 0

— Seville Sours,
per 4 chest ... 16

Peaches (Cape), per
box (15 to 28
fruits) 4

Pears (Avacado),
per doz. ... 6

— (Cape), per box
(24,2d,32),Wil-
liamsBonChre-
tien

— (Australian), p.
tray

Pineapples, each ...

Plums, (Caiiel, per
box (15 to 28
fruits), Wlck-
son

— (Cape), Apple
per box
Satsuma

— Chalcot, p. box
Strawberries, p. lb.

~ seconds

d. s.d.

0 10 0

0-10 0

0-42 0

0-^6 0

0-34 0
3 0 3i
0-14 0

0-6 0
0-13 0

6 —
6 —

0-11 0
0-13 0
0-12 0

0-24 0

0 18 0

6-11 0

0-13 0
4- 1 6

OHO

9- 1 0

0-17 0

0-10 0
0-12 0

5 0-60

10

0-6 6
0-5 0

2 6-50

7

0-10 0
0 7 0
0-7 0
0-12 0
0-4 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

.^rlichokes(Globe).

per dozen ... 16-19

— Jerusalem, J

sieve 0 9-10

Asparagus, Paris

Green, bundle 5 0-60

— Sprue, bundle 10-13

— Laiviro. bundle 8 0-10 0
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),

per lb 13-16

— Broad(French),

per pad ... 5 6-66

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to

8 lbs.) 2 6-36

Beetroot, perbiishel 16-20
Cabbages, p. tally 2 6 —
Cardoons (French),

per dozen ... 8 0-10 0
Carrots (i!.iiglisli).

dozen bunches 2 9-30

— per bag ... 3 &- 4 0

— unwashed ... 16-19
Cauliflowers, tally 6 0-80

— (French), per

crate (24-30) ... 3 6-46
Celeriac, per doz, 16-26
Chicory, per lb. ... 0 2^- 0 3
Cucumbers, p. doz. 4 0-60
Endive, per dozen 2 0-23
Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle ... 10-13

— 12 bundles ... 12 0-15 0
Leeks, 12 bundles 10-16
Lettuce (French),

per dozen ... 18-20
Marrows(Madeira),

per doz. ... 12 0-18 0
Mushrooms, per lb. 0 9-0 10

— broilers ... 0 6 —

Mustardand Cress,
per dozen pun.

1 0

3 0-36

4 G- 5 0
7 0-80

3 0-40

9 O-IO 0
I (i- 3 6
10-20

3 0-50

10 0 15 0
0 10- 1 0

Onions (Dutch), p,
bag

— (English). bag..

— pickling, I'. li--lil.

— Spring, per dz.
bunches

— (\'alencia), per
case

Parsley, \ sieve ...
Parsnips, per bag...
Peas iFrench), per

pad

Potatos (Channel

Islands), per lb. 0 4-0 4^

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

Rhubarb (forced),

doz bundlfs ..

Radishes (l-reiicli),

per doz. bunches

— (Guernsey), dz.
Savoys, per tally...
Seakale, per dozen

punnets
Spinach, \ sieve ...

— (French), crate
Sprouts. \ sieve ...

— per bag, 28 lbs.
Sprouting Broccoli,

bag

Stachys tuberosa,

per lb

Tomatos —

— (Teneriffe), per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bchs....

— bags

— dirty, per bag...
Turnip Tops, bag
Watercress, p. flat

1 3-

1 6

0 9-0 ID

4 0-

7 0

10 0-12 0

2 6-

3 0

:i i>-

4 0

1 0-

1 3

13-26

13-19

0 4-

0 6

8 0 16 0

2 0-

3 0

2 0-26

1 fi-

2 0

1 0-

2 0

4 0-

6 6

Rem.^rks— A consignment of Claret, or West Indian
Red Bananas, arrived on Tuesday in good condit.on,
and sold readily. Good samples of the Apple Plum
from the Cape sold for as much as iss. 6d. per case of
35 fruits : these were the finest fruits that had been
seen this season. Ripe Cape Pears of the Williams'
Bon Chretien variety have been scarce notwithstanding
larse arrivals, the majority being hard and quite green.
Cape Grapes also arc a plentiful supply, but the de-
mand is pool. Good Canary Bananas are still a short
supply. English and Channel Island Beans are is. 6d..
being top value. Peaches from the Cape are a short
supply, especially those of the Royal George variety,
the best market Peach grown. Cases each containing
28 fruits have realised as much as los. per case.

Canary Tomatos are a littU cheaper : their quality
generally is exceptionally good. Nova Scotia and
Californian and Oregon Newtown Pippin Apples are
dearer. English forced Rhubarb has risen in price.,
supplies from Yorkshire being shorter. Palermo Blood.
Messina, and Bitter Oranges are scarcer. Shipments
of French Cauliflowers have been much smaller, the
prices realised not being sufficient to pay the growers.
Oranges continue to sell freely, especially selected
varieties. There is a plentiful supply of home-grown,
vegetables. Trade generally in both fruit and vege-
tables is quiet. E. H. K., Covent Garden, Wednesday^.
March ^, igio.

Potatos.

per cwt.

s.d. s.d.

... 3 0-36

... 2 3-

29

... 5 6-
... 4 3-

5 9
4 6

... 2 6-
... 8 0-

2 9

3 3

Lincolns —

Up-to-Date
Dalmeuy Beauty.
Royal Kidney
Maincrop ...
King Edwards

Bedfords—

Up-to-Date ...
Blacklands...
Dunbars—

Maincrop ...
Up-to-Uate ...
Lincolns— Kents

Evergood 2 6-29 Scottish Triumph

Sharpe's Express... 3 0-33 Up-to-Date

Remarks. — Business is still very dull, and
tubers are of best samples they are difficult to
consequence the stocks in London are increasiuj
]. Newborn^ Covent Ganien ami St, Pancras^ Mai

per cwt.

s.d. s.d.
... 3 :i- 4 0

3 6-39
,. 2 6 2 9
.33-40
.30-33

4 0
4 0

3 6-
3 6-
unless the
sell ; as a
%. Edward
ch 9, 1910.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Trade is brightening up a little, atipr one of the
worst seasons experienced in the market. Those who
receive produce to sell on commission find it difficult to
make satisfactory returns. In cut flowers prices vary
from day to day, but it is not so with pot plants, except
on rare occasions. The large supplies from foreign
sources make a great difference in the cut-flower trade.
At the time of ih,- fluods in France railway traffic was
dislocated and prices advanced a little, enabbng Eng-
lish growers to clear their stocks well.

Cut Flowers.
The supplies of Daffodils from the Channel Islands
and from the Scilly Islands are enormous : still, the
English-grown are the best. English-grown Emperors
cut ten days ago are still looking fresh, while those
from other sources only lasted a few days. Varieties
^ary, and I find that Victoria is the best market
bicolor : some confuse Princeps. which is very thin,
with Princess, which is a much better variety. Hors-
heldii does not come in so early, but it is a good,
standard variety. The English-grown flowers of Golden
Spur are remarkably fine. There are several varieties
of Narcissus poelicus that are good. Ornatus is ihe
name generally given : by some in the market they are
known as Pheasant's (or Pea) Eye. It takes some time-
to get acquainted with the market names of various
flowers and plants: in many cases the salesmen do
not know their correct name. I find there are still
•■ome who only know Gardenias as Capes (or Cape
Jasmine). Eucharis are more plentiful. Lilium longiflo-
rum is not abundant, but prices have not advanced.
F:nglish-grown Violets are cheap. Princess of Wales
appears to be the favourite variety. No English
growers cultivate the Parmas so well as they are grown
in France. Tulips are still over plentiful, but being
of better quality, their prices have advanced a little.
The double yellows and double pink varieties are
worth most money. Roses have fallen considerably
in prices ; some very fine blooms of Caroline Testout
are seen. Carnations are abundant, and we do not
often sec such fine blooms early in March.

Pot Plants.
In flowering plants the most recent additions are
Acacia Drummondii and Boronia megasiigma and 13.
hjterophylla. Ericas ar^ plentiful in various sorts. E.
persoluta alba still fetches a good price, making 30s,
per dozen. Azaleas are remarkably good. Genistas
have improved with the increase of sunshine. Cinerarias
arc at their best. We are getting better Primulas this
season, but there is not much demand for them.
Hyacinths, Tulips, and Daffodils are abundant and very
good. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine is well flowered.
Lily of the Valley in pots and in boxes is remarkably
good. Some good plants of Lilium longiflorum arc
?-een : they vary in height, some are 3 feet. Callas
(Richardias) are procurable in various sizes. Spirara
japonica is good. Store boxes of various summer bed-
ding plants are seen, and there is quite a large trade in
hardy flower roots. If the weather remains favourable
Pansies and Violas will be in bloom shortly. Primulas,
Polyanthuses, and Daisies are already well flowered,
A H., Covent Garden, Wednesday, March g, 1910.

TRADE NOTE.

MR. CHARLES TAYLOR.
Mr Chas. Tavlor has terminated his connec-
tion with the firm of Messrs. Thos. Cripps &
Son, Ltd., with whom he has been for the past
21 years, and ha.s joined the firm of Messrs. John
Wa'terer & Sons, Ltd., Bagshot, Surrey. He will
represent Messrs. J. Waterer & Sons, Ltd., in
the south-eastern counties.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

R.^NSOMES, Sims & Jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswicl*
—Lawn Mowers. . .. . , ». c- j

TiLLEV Bros., 133, London Road, Brighton-Farm Seeds.

VVm. Artisdale & Son, Nelhergreen, Ranmooc— Hardy
Plants.

176

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Makch 12, 1910.

LAW NOTE.

ALLEGED CORRUPT GIFTS BY A
NURSERY FIRM.

The case mentioned on p. 138 of the issue for
February 26 came again before Mr. Plowden, at
the Marylebone Police Court, on March 3. On
February 23 the Secret Commissions and Bribery
Prevention League Incorporated brought a
charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act,
1906, against Herbert .Janies Cutbnsh, of the firm
of Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, nurserymen,
Highgate, and Richard Holden, a traveller in
Messrs. Cutbush's employ, in respect to cor-
ruptly giving a gallon of whisky to Charles
Kidd, gardener to (iaptain Starkie. of Huntroyd,
Padiham, Lancaster. Mr. Cutbush was also
summoned for rendering an account for goods
supplied to John Brown, a gardener employed by
Lord Cowley, of Cold Overton Hall, Oakham.
Rutland, containing statements which were false
and erroneous in material particulars. Jlr.
Bodkin prosecuted, and Mr. R. i). Muir de-
fended. The case for the prosecution was based
on the evidence of William Jlorgan, formerly
ledger clerk in Messrs. Cutbush's employ, but
who was discharged last year. Morgan brought
to the notice of the prosecution certain docu-
ments, which he abstracted from the office at
Highgate, including an invoice for 300 Tulip
bulbs, which he declared was substituted for a
traveller's order for one case of Cutbush's insec-
ticide, alleging that this wa« interpreted in the
ofiice as meaning a case of whiskey. The prose-
cution, however, could not produce the order for
Cutbush's insecticide which Morgan says was
received.

At the adjourned hearing on March 3, ilr.
Bodkin asked that the defendants should be com-
mitted for trial at the ne.xt Lancashire assizes,
as the actual giving of the gift took place at
Padiham. JMr. Plowden was of opinion that the
gift was given at London, but he consented to
commit the defendants for trial at the Lanca-
shire assizes. The prosecution asked that the
other charge relating to Lord Cowley's account
be adjourned sine die. Mr. Muir objected, stat-
ing that the defendants had a perfect answer to
each charge, and that in this case the accomits
were made out in the form they were sent, at
Lord Cowley's request. Mr. Plowden thought it
was unfair to have this second charge hangnig
over the defendants' head indefinitely which he
was prepared to meet, and therefore adjourned
the case for two weeks.

ENQUIRIES AND REPLIES.

Alpine Plants for Granite Dust. — What
Alpine plants may be grown in granite dust,
either pure, or mixed with granite chips or river
gravel. The dust is very soft and silky, and
might suit, one would think, some things admir-
ably, but I am doubtful whether it }night not
hold the wet in winter too much. A. 0.
Barlholometv.

Y^ou will be well advised to mix the

dust with at least its own ciuantity of granite
chips, varying in size from j, inch diameter to
^ inch diameter. A very small addition of leaf-
mould (a spadeful to a big barrow-load), and you
will have, if you make the moraine at a good
raking slope, a bed which will be perfectly secure
against excess of damp in winter. Let the moraine
have full exposure, and, if possible, water flow-
ing .at its foot. For, regarding its inhabitants,
one has to remember that many plants are in-
different as to whether they grow in calcareous,
or primary moraines. To begin with confessed
lime-haters, your list should be headed by
Eritrichium nanum. Then come Androsace glaci-
alis and A. imbricata, for certain ; A. obtusifolia,
A. Laggeri, and, indeed, most of the high Alpine
species are worth a trial, though some, like A.
villosa and A. helvetica, are normally limestone
plantf Of the Alpine Buttercups. R. glacialis
is non-calcareou?, and R. alpestris is happy on
any formation. I should certainly try R.
anemoneoidea and R. kernerranus. Of Campa-
nulas, C. pulla. C. cenisia. C. Allionii, and C.
excisa are sure to succeed on the granite moraine,
and I cannot think it likely that C. collina, C.
pusilla, C. Raineri. and C. Zoysii would offer any
difficulties. In such damp places as the Butter-
cups prefer should also be tried the more ill-tem-

pered, non-calcareous Gentians : Gentiana bava-
rica, G. pumila, G. imbricata, G. Rastanii, and
G. pyreiiaica. G. brachyphylla also likes granitic
formations, but drier levels. Of Pinks there are
Dianthus glacialis, D. sylvestris, D. microlepis,
and D. callizonus. D. alpinus seems calcareous,
and D. neglectus apparently hates the moraine.
The only Primula I recommend as yet, is the
diflScult and beautiful P. glutinosa. The
Violets I should try are V. cenisia, V. hetero-
phylla, V. pinnata, and V. pedata, possibly also
V. nummularifolia. All the Aizoon Saxifragas
and-S. Vandellii seem to avoid limy moraines,
and should do well. I have doubts os to the
others; the race as a rule is staunchly calcareous,
but S. oppositifolia and its difficult varieties,
blepharophylla and Rudolphiana, also the kindred
species S. retusa biflora and S. Kotschyi should
all enjoy a granitic moraine. Then there are the
Alpine Poppies, also Veronica canescens, Moun-
tain Artemisia. Geum reptans, Morisia hypogaea,
Mertensia primuloides. the minute Andromedas.
Omphalodes, Lucilise, &c. Nor, as I say, should
I be too timid about the many plants common to
both formations, though it would be rather a
more risky experiment to attempt Iberidella. Kho.
dothamnus, Papaver rhceticum and others, which
are generally or invariably found constant to
limestone formations. Of course, my list is hastv
and provisionary ; many other species might
easily occur to the moraine owner, and my selec-
tion includes difficult and easy plants alike.
Reginald Farrer.

Apples as Cordons (see p. 144). — Assuming
that it is intended to train the cordons obliquely,
the heads of the trees should point any degree be-
tween .south and west. The reasons for this are
as follows : The clusters of bloom on trees .'io
trained are less liable to injurv from east or north
winds, frost, cold rains and sleet. The trees
shelter each other, as it were, from the cold blast,
which would not be the case if thev pointed east
or nortli. The individual blooms pointing to-
wards south or west are less likely to be injured
by late spring frosts, as the frost will pass from
them gradually as the sun rises, and the essential
organs of the flower will become dry before the
sun can injure them. It is not always the
frost that destroys the flowers on Strawberry
plants and fruit trees, but the action of the sun
while the organs of the flowers are partially
frozen. 1/. P.

iorrejbondenf'-j

*,* T/ie Editors will be. glad to receive, for
consideration, large p/wlogra phs of horticultural
subjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.

Aspidistra : Correspondent. Y'ou are quite
right, the specimen is a flower of Aspidistra
lurida. The plant always produces its flowers
close to the ground level. It is a member of
the Natural Order Liliaceae. The flowers are
supposed to be commonly pollinated b,y slugs.

Book of HoRTicri.TnRAL Design : W. H. M.
.\ good work on landscape gardening, such as
The Ethics of Garden Design, The Art and
Craft of Garden Making, both by Thomas
G. H. Mawson, or The Art of Landscape
Gardening, by Humphrey Repton, edited by
John Nolen, would be suitable for your pur-
pose.

Fasclited Lilium : ./. IF., Xatal. — The speci-
men of fasciated Lilium shown in the photo-
graph you have been good enough to send us
is not by any means an uncommon example.
A very large number of instances of fa.sciation
in Lilium are received at the office of this
journal, probably more cases than arise in any
other genus. L. auratum appears to show fas-
ciation even more commonly than the other
species. Your specimen is undoubtedly L.
speciosum (lancifolium), either the roseum or
rubrum varietv. A fasciated specimen of
Lilium dalmaticum was figured in our issue
for October 16, 1909.

Fruit Room : S. P. E. In the issue for
November 6, 1909, p. 305, there were pub-
lished illustrations and a description of the
fruit room at Dover House. If you desire to

construct one of the best type, you cannot do
better than follow the design there given,
making the structure smaller or larger accord-
ing to your requirements.

Insects in Soil : )!'. E. The animal twisted
into a complicated knot is a Nemeritine worm
belonging to the genus Linens. It is of no im-
portance from a horticultural point of view.

Names op Fruits ; P. L. H. Annie Elizabeth.

Names of Plants : S. F. .t- Co. Arrhenatherura
avenaceum. — J. P., Ki/dare. Your plant is
not a Hoya, but an Orchid. It is commonly
known in gardens as Dendrobium pulchellum,
but has since been named D. Loddigesii, as
the former name had previously been given to
another species. It is the Dendrobium Seideli-
anum of Reichenbach. — P. McL. 1, Den-
drobium nobile, good variety; 2, D. Pierardii.
• — A. 11. 1, Dendrobium Hedyosmum ; 2, D.
transparens ; 3, Pholidota imbricata ; 4,
Cie'.ogyne sparsa ; 5, Pleurothallis lateritia ;
6, Epidendrum oncidioides. — H. G. L. Deu-
drobiuin superbum, commonly called D.
macrophyllum giganteum in gardgns. The
odour of medicinal Rhubarb is common to the
section. — T/uh. 1, Begonia incarnata ; 2,
B. maculata ; 3, Asclepias curassavica ; 4,
Codiaeum macrophyllum ; 6, probably a forin
of Codiaeum trilobum. The form of the leaves
varv considerably on the same plant. — IT. S. A
species of Trillium. W^e are unable to name
this with certaintv without the flowers. — S. B.
There is only one species of Chimonanthus in
cultivation, namely, C. fragrans.

Nectarine Flowers: Lich. The Nectarine
flowers show imperfect development in the
ovary, the pistil being less than half its proper
length and having no stigmatic surface. Such
flowers cannot, of course, bear fruit. It is prob-
able that the condition is owing to imperfect
maturation of the shoot and bud.

Peach Royal George : 7'. H. B. The damage
to the buds has been caused by a fungus, Cory-
neum Beijerinckii, which also attacks the
Cherry, Apricot, Almond and Plum. According
to Dr. M.C. Cooke, the young leaves, in spring,
are found to exhibit red or rosy spots on the
under surface as well as on the young shoots.
Later on, the tissue in such places turns brown
and dies, when the fungus appears in minute
black dots, which are grouped on the dead
spots, and in these the conidia are produced.
No remedy is known ; all that can be done is
to remove and burn the diseased shoot?

Plant Cultivation at Kew : J. ('. H. It is
scarcel,v fair to judge the plants at Kew by
the ordinary standards. Many of them are
,gTown only for collection or lx>tanical reasons.
These have little horticultural interest, and a
considerable number do not thrive under glass-
house conditions. It must also be borne in
many that many of the g.irdeners are
vouths who have entered Kew for its
educational advantages ; indeed, it might be
said that cultural excellence is not the
sole, or even the principal, object, seeing
that all the gardeners, except the five depart-
mental foremen, are young men, engaged
for a limited term (two years), during which
they are moved from one department to
another. This is not conducive to good culti-
vation, however helpful it may be to the
young men employed at Kew. ' The director
is a distinguished botanist by profession and a
soldier only by courtesy.

Vine Shoots : //. J. W. No fungus or insect
pest is present in the vine. The cause of the
abnormal growth is not understood, but such
shoots never bear fruit, and therefore should
be removed.

Violets: B. H. The plants are affected with
the fungus (Ascochyta viohe), which is
now so common amongst cultivated Violets.
As the disease spreads rapidly, and is
difficult to eradicate, it is best to burn the old
stock and start afresh with healthy phmts. Be
sure to remove the old soil, and thoroughly
cleanse all parts of the frame before planting
the new stock.

Communications Received. — J. H. G — Liverpool'
Hort. Assoc— B. L. H.-S. A. A.— J. A. C— A. J. C—
H. A.— Readiiie Gardeners' Assoc. -B. P.— H. W. \V.—

E. J. L.— S. F. G H. H. P.- B. G.— J. C— E. S. S.—

W. F.-A. D. -M. B.— East Java— T. W. Coivburn—
C. H., Fircrott— A. B , La Mortola— E. N.— W. H. T.—

Linnean Soc— J. D.— F. M R. P. B.— Rev. H. F. —

W. I,_C. T. D.— R. M. L.— C. P. K., Potsdam— W. H.—
H. W,-Journeynian-J. M. F.-C. M.— J. H.— P. C—
C. S.

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle."

EUCALYPTUS CORDATA. Calyx whitish-grey ; Stamens, yellow.
From Specimens grown in Mr. A. J. Morgan's garden, Porthgwidden, Cornwall.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.G.

March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

177

THE

diiirbencrs'CbronicIe

No. 1,212.— SATVBDAY, March 19 1910.

CONTENTS.

Almond, floweriBg of

ihe

Apples, late dessert ...
Appointments at Kew...
Begonia Gloire de Lor-
raine

Bird sanctuary, a
Books, notices of —
The Flora of Costa

Rica

Brussels International
Congress of Botany...

Carnations

Chrysanthemums,

single, a trial of
Dahlias. the early

flowering of

Denning, Mr. William
Florists' flowers—
Propagation of

Dahlias

Sweet Peas in tubs ...
Flowers in season
Forestry in India
Foshill, the residence
of Mr. Rufua Isaacs...
Fruit production of the

British Empire
Fruit-tree culture
Fungicides

Herrington, Mr. Arthur
Horticulture and the
Development Grant
Innes Horticultural In-
stitution, appoint-
ment of garden super-
intendent at the
Japan-British Exhibi-
tion

180

Laird, Mr. James W.,

presentation to
Law notes-
Flower-show dispute
Nurseryman's failure
Nitrogen compounds in

rain and snow
Nursery notes —

James Carter & Co. ...
Obituary —
Drewett O. Drewett...
Mclndoe, James
Polygonum capitatum
R.H.S. meetings, the ...
Societies —
British Gardeners' ...
Horticultural Club ...
Leeds Professional

Gardeners'

Manchester and North
of England Orchid

Reading Rose

Royal Horticultural
(Scientific Committee)
Royal Horticultural

of Ireland-
Scottish Horticultural
United Hort. Benefit

and Provident
Wolverhampton Flo-
ral Fete

Sweet Peas, unsatisfac-
tory germination of -..
Trout breeding in the

Cardiff Parks

Vines, the pruning of

young

Wetk's work, the,

181. 182, 183

185

191
191

191

180

191
191
187
184

190
189

190

190
190
1H5

188

185

190

190
185

185.
185
187

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Allard, Mr. E. J., portrait of 180

Carnation support as attached to the bench 178

Carnation blooms as packed for market 179

Drewett O. Drewett, Mr , portrait of the late ... 191

Foxhill, Reading (Supplementary Illustration)

R.H.S. meeting, views of, as seen from the gallery ... 183

Rehmaniiia Briscoei 188

Rehmannia Henryi 189

FUNGICIDES.

THE Eleventh Report* from the Woburn
Experimental Fruit Farm is concerned
almost entirely with the subject of
copper-containing fungicides, their chemi-
cal and physical properties, the nature
of their fungicidal action, and of the scorching
which, under certain circumstances, such fun-
gicides produce on the sprayed parts of plants.
The results of these researches appear at a
time when growers are paying increased atten-
tion to spraying as a preventive against fun-
gus diseases, when — to give but one instance —
gardeners, as well as commercial fruit-
growers, are learning by experience that clean
Apples and Pears, free from all trace of
" scab," can only be obtained in this country
if the frees are protected by the proper spray.
Spraying experiments on a practical, com-
mercial scale have shown in Kent and else-
where in England—just as they have shown
in all the fruit-producing countries of the
world — that Bordeaux mixture is by far the
most efficacious spray yet discovered for
" scab " and fungus diseases generally.

• Eleventh Report of the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm.
by the Duke of Bedford, K.G., F.R.S., and Spencer U
Pickering. M.A., F.R.S. 1910. Piice 4s. 3d., post free.
Nummary, 6*d., post free. (Amalgamated Press, Ltd.)

Considering the importance of Bordeaux
mixture for the fruit-grower, whether ama-
teur or commercial, it will be well to note
first the information which the Eleventh Re-
port gives on this subject.

Although the value of Bordeaux mixture was
demonstrated by Millardet so long ago as
1882, it was not' till 1907 that, thanks to Mr.
Pickering's investigations, the exact chemical
nature of Bordeaux mixture was elucidated.
Thus, of this fungicide it may be said that
France discovered it, the United States de-
monstrated practically the efficacy of various
modifications of the mixture, and England,
through Mr. Pickering's labours, supplied the
explanation of its true chemical composition.
AVith respect to the manner in which Bor-
deaux mixture exerts its fungicidal action, the
last word is still to be said.

In the Eighth Report it was state<l that " it
seems to have been well established that the
fungicidal action of Bordeau.x mixture does
not come into pla}- until a week or more after
it has been applied to the foliage," and the
opinion is expressed that this action de-
pends on the amount of normal copper
sulphate liberated from the Bordeaux mixture
by the action of the carbon dioxide and mois-
ture in the air. AVith regard to this point,
we find, in the Eleventh Report, the state-
ment that " There can be no doubt that some
soluble copper is liberated from ordinary Bor-
deaux mixture (the mixture made of equal
parts by weight of copper sulphate and quick-
lime) almost at once after it is applied, i.e.,
within a few hours, possibly within a few
minutes." This occurs, it is to be noted, even
when an excess of lime is present, because,
when the Boi-deaux mixture is sprayed on to
foliage, it dries up and the particles of basic
sulphate of copper and of lime become sepa-
rated from eatli other. Hence, when the for-
mer are attacked bj- the carbon dioxide, there
may be no lime particles sufficiently close to
decompose tlie copper sulphate formed.
Analyses show that (as Millardet and Gayon
stated) some of this soluble copper penetrates
into the cells of the sprayed leaf. In one case
ten .sprayed leaves of the Bismarck Apple
were found to contain 0.0OU3 grams of copper.
Mr. Pickering believes that this impregnation
of the leaves with copper is one way in which
Bordeaux mixture acts as a preventive agent ;
such " immunised '' leaves affording an
unsuitable medium for the growth of fungi ;
and the opinion is hazarded that " the copper
doubtless passes gradually into the other
parts of the tree and thus gets disseminated."
AVith respect to both these points, however,
proof is required before the explanations here
suggested can be accepted. AVe may note in
passing one interesting point which the ex-
periments established, viz., that in every case
where copper is found to have passed into the
leaf, iron passes out of the leaf.

In the present Report, also, another sug-
gestion as to the mode of action of Bordeaux
mixture is made. According to this, the
efficacy of this mixture is probably not due
merely to the gradual way in which the
copper is rendered soluble, thus entailing a
prolonged action, but to the fact that the
carbonate of copper produced from the in-
soluble basic sulphates of copper by the action
of the air is deposited in a very adherent
form, and constitutes a protective cover-
ing over the leaves, sufficient to prevent

fungus spores from germinating on them.
This point, as we shall see, is one of con-
siderable importance when estimating the
value of the ' AVoburn Bordeaux paste." In
leaving this part of the subject, we may men-
tion that Mr. Pickering states that the chief
and, he believes, the only agents which render
the copper of the Bordeaux mixture soluble
are the carbon dioxide and moisture in the
air, and he concludes that substances excreted
by the fungus spores or by the leaves of the
plant do not normally play an active part in'
this jjrocess. Any fungicidal action on the
part of the coating of copper carbonate on
the leaf is to be attributed to the fact that
it becomes soluble to a very slight extent,
and thus prevents the germination of fungus
spores which may settle on the sprayed leaf.
The likelihood of a fungus spore, while boring
its way into an epidermal cell, acting on the
insoluble basic sulphates of copper in such a
way as to render some of the copper soluble,
and thus bringing about its own death, is, in
my opinion, dismissed with too little con-
sideration.

AVith regard to the AVoburn experiments
on the best method of making ordinary
Bordeaux mixture, the results obtained
are of considerable practical importance. The
Bordeaux mixture that gives the best results
is well known to be that in which the pre-
cipitate (which forms as the result of the
chemical action between the copper .sulphate
and the lime) is as finely divided as possible,
since it will then settle in the liquid more
slow ly than when the precipitate is less finely
divided. Hitherto it has been thought that
the best method of mixing for ensuring this
result was to dilute both the copper sulphate
solution and the milk of lime, as far as pos-
sible, before mixing them together. Mr.
Pickering now furnishes proof, showing that
though the above method (which is that gene-
rally adopted in the United States and our
Colonies) gives a very finely divided precipi-
tate, a still finer precipitate is obtained — and
as the result, a slower " settling " of it in
the fluid — if a solution of copper sulphate as
strong as possible is poured into the '' milk
of lime," which has been diluted as much as
possible. As in all previous investigations, it
was found that the wonst quality of Bordeaux
mixture was obtained when .strong solutions
of both copper sulphate and lime were mixed
together, and then diluted with water to the
proper strength. In all the numerous prac-
tical points touched upon in this Report, Mr.
Pickering has expressed the results in as plain
a language as possible, and since the method
of making the best quality of Bordeaux mix-
ture is a matter of the greatest importance
to the fruit-grower, we will repeat here the
paragraph dealing with this subject :— " Take
the lime in as weak a condition as possible,
and, consequently, the copper sulphate in as
strong a condition as possible, and add the
sulphate to the lime. The milk of lime, after
being diluted with the bulk of the water, and
stirred up several times during about half
an hour, should be left for the grosser par-
ticles to settle before the sulphate is added
to it, and after the addition of this, very little
more stirring should be » done." Instead,
therefore, of having to provide himself as
heretofore, with a wooden tub capable of
holding half the quantity of the water, in
which to dissolve the copper sulphate, th»

178

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 19, 1910.

latter may be dissolved in a wooden pail or
stone jar (iron or tin receptacles must not
be used) at the rate of 2 lbs. to the gallon
of water. Tlie quicklime (in lumps) may be
slaked in a galvanised iron tank, and then
made into milk of lime with the rest of
the water. If the copper sulphate solution
is poured into the middle of the tank, and
not allowed to touch its sides, the copper will
unite ivith the lime before it can affect the
galvanised iron. The mixture must be used
fresh, and the tank washed out with water.

It may be noted, as showing the closeness
of scientific reasoning, that every feature of
the different results obtained by Mr. Picker-
ing when making Bordeaux mixture by dif-
ferent methods was found to be in strict ac-
cordance with what had been previously
established as to the chemi,stry of the mix-
ture. The account of this liarmony of the
practical with the theoretical results — given
ae it is in clear and simple language — is
most instructive reading. E. S. S.
(To be continued. J

FRUIT REGISTER.

LATE DESSERT APPLES.

Many late dessert Apples are valueless as far as
flavour is concerned. Although often classed as
good late-eating varieties, I consider Barnack
Beauty, Duke of Devonshire, Lord Burghley,
Brownlee's Russet. Baumann's Red Winter Rein-
ette, Gascoyne's Scarlet, AUington Pippin, and
Sturmer Pippin quite useless.

All will agree that Cox's Orange Pippin is the
ideal dessert Apple, but, nevertheless, I do not
think as much use is made of this variety for a
late supply as might be. The common notion is
that it is a November Apple, that may possibly
last in condition until the early part of Decem-
ber. Many varieties catalogued and described
lay writers as being wonderful successors to
Cox's Orange Pippin are not equal to some
late culinary Apples, as, for instance, New-
ton Wonder and Annie Elizabeth. But those
who find fault with what obtains should be pre-
pared to offer something better in its place. My
remedy is to grow a greater number of trees of
Cox's Orange Pippin, for this Apple, if stored
with care, will, with reasonable attention, keep
well into the early part of JIarch, or even
longer.

If Apples are required after that date — and it
is only in a few instances that they are — supplies
of Cox's Orange Pippin and many other excellent
varieties may be obtained from Tasmania, British
Columbia, and Canada. Many of these imported
Apples are much better in point of flavour than
prejudiced per.sDns will admit. At one time I
myself thought them inferior, but I have since
had sufficient experience to change my opinion.
It would be most difficult to find an English
Apple, always excepting Cox's Orange Pippin,
superior to Grime's Golden Pippin in November.
I mention Grime's Golden Pippin variety as an
instance of how prejudice ma\ cause English
consumers to miss a really fine Apple. Another
English Apple that might be made greater use of
during the winter for dessert purposes is Blen-
heim Pippin. With me it will keep quite fresh
until the end of Febraary, and is distinctly good,
not only for dessert, but also for cooking. For
use in tarts and stewing no sugar is needed with
Blenheim Pippin, a point likely to be appreciated
by those who have to avoid the use of sugar.
With a long experience of its requirements,
I find that the trees will crop quite as early and
as freely as many other varieties. To induce
early fruitfulness in Blenheim Pippin, an exten-
sion of branch, rather than close, pruning is re-
quired. E. Mnlyneux.

CARNATIONS.

(Concluded from page 162.)
Supports for Perpeiual Carnations.
Where many plants are grown, it is impos-
sible to support them with sticks and raffia ties.
The ordinary Carnation support, formed of
three or four wire rings at different heights,
saves a lot of time, but it is hardly high
enough for the robust varieties in the light
ilays of spring and summer. Accordingly, a
ahortfer support with two rings only is generally
used, and this is supplemenied by a sort of net-
work of wires and strings so constructed that
after the plant has grown through the rings it is
supported by a series of squares, four in num-
ber (if the two-ling support is used), one above
the other. Two sides of each of these squares —
those running lengthw ays with the bench — are
formed of wire, and two — those which run trans-
versely across the bench — of string. The adjust-

<--

-.--4.'8'—-

— > t

C'

ir;

JLt

: j'2" }

\

—

^/ ^

4

Fig. 74. — appliance for supporting
carnations.

Elevation as seen from the end of bench : (1), wooden
cross-bars; (2), uprights ; (3), bench legs.

ment is as follow : — To the ends of each bench,
outside the bench, are fixed two uprights of
3 inch by 3 inch quartering, either 2 feet 2 inches
or 3 feet 2 inches apart. The tops of these are
3 feet 5 inches above the top of the bench. Four
bars of 2 inch by 2 inch deal are secured by bolts
to the uprights on the outer side, i.e., the side
remote from the bench, at right angles to the up-
rights. The centre of the lowest bar is 18 inches
above the top of the bench (if two-ring supports
are used), the next 8 inches above that, the next
8 inches above that, and the next at the top of
the uprights. The 2 inch by 2 inch bars are
as long as the e.\ternal width of the benifi. ^\'e
will suppose the bench to be 4 feet 8 inches wide
externally, and that it has si.\' plants 9 inches
apart in each row. Into the 2 inch by 2 inch
bars at one end of the bench galvanised iron

n

n

c 2'. 2"- >

VwJ

Fig. 75. — A cross-bar showing the holes
where the straining bolts or blind-
hooks ARE inserted.

threaded blind-hooks must bo inserted (on the
inside, towards the plants), one hook an inch
from each end of the bar, the others at distances
of 9 inches apart — seven hooks in each bar. The
bars at the other end of the bench must be
drilled, holes being made at the same distances
as those at which the hooks are set, for the in-
sertion of 6-inch straining bolts and nuts such as
are used for espaliers. Pieces of wire aTe cut
of the same length as the bench. The wire is
looped on to a blind-hook and strained up on
a bolt. Galvanised wire, gauge 16 or 17.
answers well. An iron washer must Ire inserted
between the wood and the nut of the bolt. The
3 inch by 3 inch uprights must be made per-
fectly firm at the base by being concreted into the
ground or otherwise. In' place of the wooden

straining ends iron ones may be used,- and are
recommended on account of their lightness. A
4 foot 8 inch bench will take seven wires
on each cross-bar. When these are in pcsi-
tion, pieces of fine string as long as the
width of the bench, plus 2 or 3 inches, are
tied on one of the outside wires. Two such
strings, about 3 inches apart, are set between
each row of plants. For stringing, the services
of two men are requisite, one man standing
on either side of the bench. The strings, having
been .made fast to one of the outside wires, are
wrapped once round etich of thi five inside wires,
and secured by a knot to the other, outside
wire. They are placed, of course, at right angles
to the wires. Care must be taken not to pull
the strings too tight, or the wires will be drawn
together. If a light rod with seven notches cut
in it 9 inches apart is laid athwart the wires and
pushed along as the work proceeds, it will, in
so]ne measure, prevent this. Wlieti the bench is
finished, the string will probably be " saggy " in
places. Light Bamboo rods, cut to the i-equisite
lengths and slotted at the ends so as to engage
the outside wires, may be inserted as spreadera
to rectify this. In like manner, if the v/ires sag
— as they will do if the bench is a long one — they
may be supported by Bambccs f.lott.ed at one end,
the other end being thrust into the soil of tho
bench. If these are inserted close to the spreaders,
one on each side of the bench, placed under the
second wire from the outside, will suffice.
Another layer of wires and strings must not be
commenced until the one below is completed, and
the start must always be from the lowest. The
strings in the different layers must be exactly
over each other. Some of the shorter varieties,
notably Mrs. Lawson and Britannia, do not
usually require the top layer. The result of the
wiring and stringing is a series of squares ovei'
each plant, each square measuring about 9 inches-
liy 6 inches. The only care of the grower now
is to keep each plant strictly within its own
circles and squares.

Regarding the tripod Carnation supports, it
should be mentioned that the diameter of tlie
lower circle is 45 inches, that of the upper
5i inches ; that a two-ring support is 18 inches
high, nearly 6 inches being under the soil ; and
that the rings are 9 inches apart The three-
ring support is 9 inches higher, and the diameter
of its top ring 6^ inches. The gauge of wire is
12. The supports fold for packing ^nd storing.

Stimulants.
Many special Carnation manures are on the
market at present, but growers on a large scale
will find that they save time and money in ths
long run by having their soil analysed. They will
then see \\'here it is deficient, and be able to
supply the deficiency by buying the requisite
manures at first cost. Stimulants must ne\'er bo
given till the plants are m bloom, and the pots
or benches are full of roots. Then phosphate of
potash and nitrate of potash — ^ ounce of each in
a gallon of wat«r — may be applied two or three
times at intervals of a fortnight. This is a com-
plete manure. If the petals stick together, and
the buds will not open, the plants are over-fed.
Certain varieties, among them Mrs. Burnett, wiU
stand more feeding than others. Never suppose
that a sickly plant can be helped by stimulants.
The patient must be well before high feeding
commences. Clay's fertiliser, a teaspoonful scat,
tered on each pot, is a good thing for Malinaisons
showing bud.

For Insects and Fungal Pesxs.

A dusting of Apterite is excellent when soil
benches are being filled for perpetual Carnations,
or it may be applied when stacking the soil.

When the old plants are cleared out of the
benches — usually in July — the soil should be re-
moved at once, the benches should be scrubbec
and be lime-and- sulphur-washed inside.

The soil is best run straight out of the houses
on to the land from which the turf for the new
season's soil was removed. It may be spread out

March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

179

and sown down in autumn. Messrs. Sutton sup-
ply seed specially suitable for this purpose. It
consists of grasses which root very freely, and
sod sown with these will bo ready to cut up in
three years or so.

The XL-All vaporising compound destroys
green-fly ; cupram, applied through a spray nozzle
or an Abol syringe, with rust and spot. For red
spider, moisten the paths, &c., in dry weather,
and spray with salt water — 2 ounces salt to each
gallon of water — applying as forcibly as pos-
sible. Two days later the plants must be sprayed
with clean water. The salt spray may be re-
peated once a fortnight. Remember that damp
is inimical to red spider, but piuductive of spot.

west in the winter, north and south in the sum-
mer. When erecting houses it is well to bear
in mind that in England the winter lasts longer
than the summer, and that Carnations are not
much in request between July and September.

It is necessary to be able to get at the soil
benches from both sides. They must, therefore,
not be set close against the side walls of the house.
A space of at least 20 inches should be left be-
tween wall and bench, and an alley 2 feet wide
should run between each couple of benches. Car-
nation houses should be not less than 5 feet 6
inches high at the eaves, though 6 feet is better.
" Side glass " is therefore desirable, and every
light should be made to open. It is impossible

Fig. 76. — BOX of carnation blooms as packed for market.

Always keep a little sulphur brushed on the flow-
pipes in w'inter.

Veniil.wion and Aspect of Houses.

Both Malmaisons and perpetual Carnations
must have ventilation every day in the year,
particularly when grown in small houses. The
air temperature in the houses containing per-
petual-flowering varieties should not fall below
42° at any time when plants are flowering or
coming into flower ; 50° to 55° is the best tem-
perature. The Lawson type will stand more
forcing than the Enchantress breed. Sharp rises
and falls must be guarded against.

Carnations do best in houses running east and

to have too many ventilators on both sides of
the ridgo of large houses. The doors of the
house should open straight into the alleys so as
to avoid having to turn corners when wheeling
in soil.

As to heating, 1 foot of 4-inch piping to every
55 cubic feet of space will suffice. Sectional
boilers burn less coal, but require deeper stoke-
holes than horizontal tubulars.

Benching and Watering.
It is usual to stand the perpetuals on ashes
in the open air while they are in the 5^-inch
pots. In our climate they are undoubtedly
better when kept always under glass, it room can
be found for them. This is particularly the case

in rainy summers when the pots are liable to get
water-logged. Anthracite ashes are to be greatly
preferred to coke or bituminous coal ashes for
standing plants on. Seemingly the sulphur in
the latter repels the roots. .

By July 10, or earlier, the plants should be .
ready for transference to their flowering pots or
benches. Early planting is recommended, but .
the pots should be full of roots before it is
begun. Before planting the house must, of
course, be thoroughly cleaned and fully shaded.
Spray the plants when they are in their places,
and do the first watering by instalments, i.e.,
do not soak the bench right through on the day
of planting.

Give water to Carnations in pots as to other
greenhouse plants — when the pot rings hollow..
The benches may be soaked right through at a
watering as soon as the plants have struck .root
in the bench soil. Be sure that the ball, as Nyell
ns the surrounding soil, is soaked. The soil in
111? benches must be well firmed at planting time.

Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnations.

" Malmaisons " should be layered as soon as ;
possible after they have flowered and the side ,
growths have hardened sufficiently. They are
best layered in cold frames, the back of the
f.-ame being placed to the south. The frames
.-r3 half filled with soil, the plants are knocked
cut of their pots and put down horizontally.
L'ght and extreme heat is kept out of the
f.-ames by putting nuits over the lights {which
should be tilted) till the layers begin to root.
A handful of fine, sandy soil placed u^der the
taague of each layer will assist root formation.
Aa soon as rooting commences, sever the layers
f.-om the parent plant. Layers should be ready
to be potted up into 4 inch pots about a month
cil2r they have been put down. They should be
ill their flowering (6-inch) pots by October.* No
n.aiune is used in the soil for the first potting.

'" Jlalmaisons " may be struck in a sand bench
in the same way as tree Carnations, provided
that the cuttings can be obtained early in the
year — a sand bench must not be used, at any rate,
nfter .\pril, as the air temperature is too high.
" Slalmaisons " propagated in the sand bench
v.ill be a little earlier than layered stock. Some
varieties strike more easily m sand than the true
Malmaisons (Princess of Wales and Blush).

The temperature of the Malmaison house
in winter should be from 40° to 50° ; 6° more is ■
allowable if earliness is a desideratum, and in
any case the temperature may be raised as the
days lengthen. Second-year plants produce
bloom earlier than first-year, but the bloom is
usually smaller. Plants to be flowered a second
year must be potted on into 10-inch pots as soon
as they have bloomed, or very strong plants may
be transferred first into 8-inch or 9-inch, and
later into 11-inch or ] 2-inch pots. A one-year-
old Malmaison throws one bloom ; a two-year-old
about six or eight blooms, a third year's plant
(in a 16-inch pot) about 50 blooms. Malmaisons
are best supported by Bamboo canes. A con-
venient wire support for sustaining the petals,
if " Malmaisons " are used as pot plants, is sup-
plied by Messrs. Wood & Sons, of Wood Green,
If used as cut flowers, most Malmai.sons require
a card at the back, inserted between caly.x and
petals. For perpetual Carnations that liave split
their calyces rubber rings are used.

Concluding Hints.

All Carnations must be disbudded to one bud — •
the top one.

Finally, as the Carnation is prone to fungous
pests, let cleanliness prevail everywhere — on
paintwork and glass, in pots and benches, on •
Bamboos and wires. Never leave disbuds, old
plants, or refuse of any sort Ij'ing about. Con-
sign it, not to that breeding ground of pestilence,
the rubbish heap, but to the incine-rator or stoke-
hole on the instant.

At fig. 76 an illustration is given of the proper
system of packing Carnation flowers for market.
E. A. D. White. >

180

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[March 19, 1910.

NURSERY NOTES.

PRIMULAS AT FOREST HILL.

The great demand for Primula sinensis as a
greenhouse flowering plant is readily understood
when a visit is made, at this season, to some
seed-nursery, such as that of Messrs. James
Carter & Co., at Forest Hill. We speak of this
variety as the Florists' Primula, and also as the
Chinese Primula, terms that at once sug-
gest the species, notwithstanding the hosts of
other species grown in gardens that are natives
of China. There are few jilaces where P. sinensis
is not grown, as it makes an ideal plant
for pot culture, is easily raised from seed,
and blooms when other flowers are scarce.
At the Forest Hill nursei-y, most of the
glasshouses are filled with the various types
of the plant in a great selection of colours,
for the purpose of producing seed. Messrs.
Carter raise each year about 13,000 Primulas,
but many are sold either as seedlings or as pot
plants, the stock for seed purposes numbering
about 8,000. They are staged in batches of the
respective varieties, some large, according to the
demand for the seed of that particular kind. No
precautions are taken to prevent cross-fertilisa-
tion, as there are no insects about at this time,
and the pollen is not disseminated readily by
other means. Each bloom has to be pollinated
by hand, and it is the duty of the operator
to see that the stigma of every individual flower
is brushed two or three times. No matter how
carefully this work is done, some of the types
never produce a great quantity of seed, although
many are very free in this respect. For instance,
in Messrs. Carter's experience, the pin-eyed
varieties are not so prone to set seeds as those
of the thrum-eyed type ; such, for instance, as the
old alba magnifica variety. This is still a great
favourite with many, and there is no trouble in
obtaining a supply of seeds, but the flowers are
rather small, and some people prefer to grow
King Edward, which may be termed an improveJ
alba magnifica.'" The Giant varieties — with extra
large flowers — are all bad seeders. The operator
can tell at a glance which blooms have been
pollinated, as the pollen gives a greyish appear-
ance to the stigma. Unlike the older types of
doubles (e.g., alba plena) thosd with inner up-
standing rows of petals are fertile.

It Is a common practice in gardens to pinch out
the first inflorescence in order to procure two or
three heads of blooms instead of one, but the
first spike always gives the best seed result.
Seed harvesting is begun about the first week
in June if the conditions are favourable. The
capsules are well dried for about a fortnight
on shelves in a warm greenhouse and then cleaned
by means of sieves of various sizes. Seeds are
at once sown for next year's stock in a mixture
of equal parts leaf-mould and loam, incorporated
with plenty of sand, in trays, and germinated in
a temperature of 80°. In a normal season this
will be about the middle of June. Last season
was an unfavourable one, and it was difficult to get
the seed to ripen, so in man}' cases the sowing was
not performed before the middle of August. The
eeedlings are first pricked off into boxes and later
into 60 pots, and then removed to a cold pit in
the middle of August, where they remain till the
middle of September. They are then brought
into greenhouses and potted into 4j-inch pots by
the end of September. The seedlings must not
be kept too long in the cold pits, because there
is a danger of damping. During their growing
season they require plenty of light and fresh air
and shading from bright sunshine. Flowering
from the earliest batch commences about the
middle of February. The star or stellata varieties
are the easiest to cultivate and the seeds of this
type germinate with the greatest freedom. Their
flowers are distinguished from those of the
sinensis type by the facts that they are never
fimbriated at the margins, nor do the petals
overlap. They have just the simple, smooth

corolla with indented petals. A few parti-
culars of the varieties may be useful. We
have already referred to King Edward ; the
flowers are amongst the largest of the white
kinds, and are produced with freedom. The
petals are prettily frilled. The plants of this
variety occur in two forms on a bright-red
and on a dark-red stem, but this, apparently,
has no influence on the colour of the flowers.
Crimson King is the finest of its shade, and
is as popular as ever with growers. It is one
of the freest in flowering and most prolific in
seeding. The inflorescence is borne well above
the foliage, the dark green leaves showing them
to advantage. Bouquet White belongs to a dis-
tinct type, which originated with Messrs. Carter.
A main stem bears a truss of flowers, and others
are borne in the axils of the leaves where the stem
arises. The calyces of the bottom flowers in the
truss are foliacious, each like a united whorl of
leaves. The stem may develop a second tier of
flowers. Carmine is really a rich shade of pink,
deepest at the margin and passing to pale pink
with a greenish-yellow eye. It is a free-flower-
ing variety, three stems being common, each with
a good truss of blooms. This variety also pro-

MR. E. J. ALL.ARD.

duces secondary whorls of flowers. Prince of
Wales is a fine double salmon Primula, very free
and useful for a supply of cut blooms.

Lilac Queen is a double-flowered variety which
has a very long stem to the blooms. Elaine
is of the Palm-leaf type. The plants are
very robust growers and furnish a profusion
of blossoms, which often arise tier after tier.
It is a good doer and one of the best
Primulas in cultivation. Although the " wood "
is dark the flowers are white. Holborn Crested
is rose-pink in colour. The cresting is seen in the
edges of the petals, and this character is also
observed in the foliage, which is more cut than
in most of the others, there being about eight
divisions. It readily produces a number of heads,
provided the first one is pinched out. Holborn
Queen has a good bold spike of white flowers,
the stem and leaf-stalks being also pale. Holborn
Rose is of the Fern-leaf type. The colour is
nothing remarkable, but the blooms are large and
the plant is a strong grower.

There is also a Fern-leaved form c>f the Elaine
variety, each leaf being divided about eight or
nine times on either side and narrower and
longer than the Palm-leaf. Some of the flowers
measured 2 inches across. Aurora has double
pink blossoms that are useful as cut blooms. Oak

Leaf is a new variety not yet in commerce. The
leaves are like those of the Oak-leaved Pelar-
goniums. The rather small flowers, more double
than most varieties, are of a light salmon colour.
In the variety Princess of Wales the white,
double flowers are splashed with red. Giant
Salmon produces flowers 2|^- inches in diameter.
It is a very fine variety, throwing a strong
flower-spike, the edges of the petals being
almost plain. A novelty is seen in Orange
King, the flower-buds being of an orange tint,
although the expanded blooms are a shade of
salmon. The orange is very pretty, and would
make a fine break in Primulas if it could be
obtained permanently in the blooms. Giant
White is new. It is something like King
Edward, but the " wood " is always dark, thus
throwing the white flowers into greater relief.
The flower-stems are tall. The best of the blue-
flowered varieties is True Blue, there being, in
addition to Light Blue already mentioned, s,
Dark Blue. But the tone in all of these leaves
much to be desired, although, no doubt, their
perfection is only a matter of time. The stellata
or star Primulas are represented by batches of
white, crimson, pink, salmon, blue (palest
lavender), and lilac. We have not enumerated
all the varieties which attracted our attention,
but those to which we have referred suffice to
show that Messrs. Carter cultivate a fine selec-
tion of this popular flower.

INNES HORTICULTURAL INSTITUTION.

Me. E. J. ALL.4ED, foreman of the outdoor
departments of the Botanic Garden, Cambridge,
has been appointed garden superintendent of the
Innes Horticultural Institution. Mr. Allard com-
menced his career in gardening at Gore Court,
and afterwards was employed for some months
with Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans. In 1895
he removed to the Botanic Garden, Cambridge,
as an improver-gardener. Three years later he
went to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. After
serving the usual period at Kew, he returned to
the Cambridge Botanic Garden to take up the
duties of foreman in the plant houses, a position
lie occupied for five years. Later, he became fore-
man of the outdoor departments, where he served
fur another five years. Mr. Allard has thus had
wide experience at Cambridge, which will fit
him for experimental and other work. For this
there will doubtless be full scope in the develop-
ment of an institirtion that must have an im-
portant influence on British horticulture. Mr.
Allard entered on his ne>v duties on the 12th
inst. His name is associated with two good
hybrids he has raised — Nepenthes Allardii and
Passiflora Allardii.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The Flora of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is the smallest of the seven areas
into which Mexico and Central America are
divided for phytogeographical purposes in the
Appendix to the Botany of Salvin and God-
man's Biologia C'entrali- Americana. It is less
than 25,000 square miles in extent, that is, about
half as large as England and Wales. The centre
of Costa Rica lies in 10° north latitude. The
country is very mountainous, with a number of
volcanic peaks, the highest, Irazu, reaching
11,500 feet. At the date (1887) of the part of the
Biologia in question, the botany of Costa Rica
was very imperfectly known, and what was
known was mainly due to the labours of A. S.
tErsted, from 1846 to 1861. Nevertheless, some
1,200 species of vascular plants are therein re-
corded. Since then, various contributions to
its botany have been published, and the latest,
by Carlos Werckle,* is full of interesting

* La Subre^ion Fito^eografica Costarricense. por Carlos
Werckle. Sociedad Nacional de Agricultura de Costa Kica.
Large octavo, pp. 54. Tipografaa Nacional. San Josd,
Costa Rica. 1909.

March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

181

particulars, not so well marshalled, it must be
added, as they might have been. The author
begins with general sketches of the vegetation of
the climatic zones, namely, the coast or tropical
zone, up to 800 metres (about 2,650 feet) ; the
temperate zone, 800 to 1,500 metres (about 2,650
to 5,000 feet) ; and the cold zone, 1,500 metres
(about 5,000 feet) and upwards. There is no real
frigid zone in Costa Rica, and such genera as
Ranunculus, Nasturtium, Draba, Cerastium,
Arenaria, Stellaria, Geranium, and many others,
represented in the higher mountains of Mexico,
do not occur in Costa Rica. Gunnera insignis is
one 'of the most striking plants in the moimtain
flora, where, in the region of snows, its peltate
leaves attain a diameter of 6 or 7 feet, borne on
petioles of the same length and of corresponding
thickness. Following his remarks on the vege-
tation of these several zones, Mr. Werckle passes
in review the most important families, in rela-
tion to their preponderance.

With respect to the Ferns, which number 600
described species, he says: "Los Helechos bar
alcaiizado en Costa Rica un desarrollo asombroso.
Hay, hasta ahora, 600 especies conocida.? y descri-
tas, pero estas representan apenas la mitad de las
que forman le flora pteridofita sin iguae de est?
pais." This may be rendered : Ferns have attained
an astonishing development in Costa Rica. At the
present time 600 species are known and de-
scribed ; but they barely represent one-half of
those constituting the unequalled Fern-vegeta-
tion of this country He further states that
there are no fewer than 100 arboreous species of
Cyatheaceae in the temperate regions alone I
This is certainly an astonishing and unparalleled
concentration of species ; but we cannot help ex-
pressing the opinion that the number has been
reached by an unusually critical line of segrega-
tion. Passing on to other families, elaborated by
different botanists, we encounter almost equally
appalling numbers ; but the author nowhere gives
an approximate estimate of the number of genera
and species represented in this small country.
Respecting the Bromeliacese, it is asserted that
they have attained a greater development than
in any other country, 300 species of epiphytal
Tillandsise having been recorded. The total for
the whole family is, however, not given.

Orchidaceaa are also exceedingly numerous,
but, on the whole, not so showy as those of
Colombia. Palms are numerous, varied and beau-
tiful, and the majority still undescribed or un-
determined. Arboreous Leguminosie are ubi-
quitous and especially numerous on the Pacific
side, where they constitute a large element in the
dense forests. Among other families abundantly
represented in Costa Rica are : Melastomaceie,
Urticatese, Compositse, Myrtacese and Euplior-
biaceae, under each of which the author has a
number of instructive notes. A special chapter
on epiphytic plants is of great interest to culti-
vators. From this chapter we hope to make
Bome extracts on a future occasion. Mis-
cellaneous notes constitute the concluding section
of this little book. One relates to the native
country of the Cocoa-nut and of the Banana.
Concerning the former, Mr. Werckle is in agree-
ment with the best authorities that it is American,
and has spread westward through the Pacific
Islands. Few have ever doubted t'lo genus Musa
being wholly of old-world origin. W. B. H.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

SWEET PEAS IN TUBS.
A GOOD display of Sweet Peas may be had by
growing the plants in tubs and even in a back
yard, provided they receive a fair amount of sun-
shine and the tubs are kept well supplied with
water. Paraffin barrels cut in halves, and burnt
out, are best, but if .■'pace is hmited, or, if they
are required for standing by the side of paths,
lard tubs will be found most convenient. These
should have a few holes drilled in the bottom
to allow excess of water to drain away. Place a

good layer of crocks at the bottom of the tubs,
and then a layer of short manure or decayed
leaves. This will provide sufficient material for
drainage purposes. The soil should be placed in
the tubs to within a few inches of the top and
made moderately firm. A mixture of ordinary
soil and well-rotted manure is suitable. Should
the compost be wet, do not ram it until it
has become moderately dry, otherwise it will
cake and leave the sides of the tubs when dry,
allowing water, when applied, to run away
without moistening the soil. The tubs or pails
look tidier if painted green and the hoops black.
Twelve seeds are sufficient for each tub. When
the plants are a few inches high, they should be
reduced to five in the case of paraffin barrel.^,
and three in the lard buckets. Three good,
strong plants are bett-er than 12 weakly ones.
By keeping the colours separate a better effect
is produced than by mixtures. Frank Dolby
(lavender). King Alfonso (crimson), Princess
Juliana (primrose), Mrs. A. Ireland (bicolor),
Elsie Herbert (white picotee), and Prince of
Abturias (maroon) are six robust growers suitable
for this method of planting. When the plants
are well established weak applications of manure
water, or a little Clay's fertiliser, will benefit
them .

Staking may be done in various ways. Hazel
sticks, trimmed neatly and tied together with
small twine, serve well. The Peas will also cling
readily to a lattice-work or wire. I have grown
Sweet Peas in tubs to a height of 10 feet, and
gathered exhibition blooms from them. (Imnje
Herhert, Coldew Common, Twijfurd.

PROPAGATION OF DAHLIAS.

Where large, bold effects are desired many
growers simply start the old roots again and
plant them out at the proper time, but if fine
individual flowers are required this plan will not
do. For the latter purpose the old roots should
be placed in a genial warmth — say a bottom tem-
perature of 65°. When the growths are 3 to 4
inches long they should be taken and inserted
as cuttings in a temperature similar to that in
which the roots were. They will require to be
shaded, but must not be kept too close or they
wUl damp off. In two to three weeks they will
be nicely rooted, and must then be potted off
singly into " 50 " pots and kept growing. When-
ever they have filled the pots with roots they
must be given a shift — twice if neces.'sary. so as to
obtain at planting time, early in June, fine
bushy healthy plants 15 to 18 inches high. A
capital way to get fine Dahlia plants is to grow
them from pot-roots. The latter may generally be
purchased from a nurseryman, or a grower can
prepare them himself in this way : — Pot up a col-
lection of plants into large " 60 '' or 4-iiich pots,
plunge them in ashes or other material in an
open frame in June and allow them to grow on
there right through the season. A stake must
be placed to each plant and a bloom or two will
be produced in August or September, which
will enable the grower to see if the varieties
are true to name. In spring, these roots are
started, and one strong leading shoot is gener-
all\- produced which makes a most vigorous plant
that will flower earlier than plants produced from
cuttings.

All sections of Dahlias are capable of being
treated in this way. In the large nurseries,
where Dahlia propagation is carried on exten-
sively, the stock for sale is always worked up
from cuttings. Many people have the mistaken
notion that Dahlias will not strike as cuttings
unless they have a heel, i.e., part of the old
tuber attached to them. This is erroneous,
as hundreds of thousands of cuttings are struck
every season which are just cleanly cut below a
joint. They must bo inserted firmly in pots of
fresh loamy compost, and it is well to cover the
tops of the pots with a quarter of an inch of clean
sand, which, to a gi-eat extent, prevents the cut-
tings from damping off. Grower.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernrst Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Fruit trees in pots. — Trees which have set
their flowers may now be afforded an atmo-
spheric temperature of 55° to 60° at night, Avhich
may rise 5° during the day. If there is the least
sign of aphis, let the house bo vaporised with
one of the nicotine vaporising compounds.
Syringe the trees early in the afternoon on fine
days, and close the ventilators of the house at
the same time in order that the sunshine may
increase the temperature. 'Ventilate the house
freely in mild weather, but let this be done very
carefully when cold winds are blowing, for the
young "leaves are very susceptible to injury
from cold draughts at this season. Let any
necessary disbudding be carried out and pinch
the young shoots at about the fourth leaf. Occa-
sional applications of diluted liquid manure will
be beneficial, also light top-dressings of rich,
loamy soil applied at intervals of three or four
weeks. In order to provide for these top-dress-
ings, collars may be placed on the rims of the
pots. These collars may be composed of clay,
cow-dung, and fine mortar rubble mixed together
with water to the consistency of soft dough.
x\llow this mixture a few days to set, then mould
it to the rim of the pot to form the collar. Such
collars are not only neater than those of zinc
usually fixed to the pots, but they greatly en-
courage the multiplication of surface roots.

Strawberries. — Plants on which the fruits are
commencing to colour should be moved to a cool,
well-ventilated position near the glass, where
they will be fully exposed to .sunshine. In the
cooler atmosphere the fruits will gain in firmness
and flavour. The use of licpiid manure should
be discontinued at this stage, and only sufficient
clear water applied to prevent the foliage from
flagging As soon as the fruit is gathered, any
plants it is intended to plant out-of-doors may
be placed in a cold frame to harden. Succes-
sional plants are making considerable progress ;
thev should be given careful attention, according
to directions given in previous Calendars.

Strawberry plants in cold frames. — These
plants may now be encouraged to grow quickly
by so managing the frame as to make use of all
the sun-heat available. If the plants are very
lightlv svringed on fine days, the frames may be
closed as" early as 2 p.m. 'When the flower-spikes
appear, the "plants should be removed t<i the
house. Care must still be taken to protect plants
in frames on cold nights, or the tender leaves
might suffer injury from frost.

Young vines — Plants which were cut back to
two eyes are now growing freely. Keep them well
up to the glass, and give them every encourage-
ment to make strong, short-jointed growth.
When the canes have grown tc the required
length pinch out the points and pinch the laterals
and sublaterals immediately after the first leaf.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Tkevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Deciduous species of Calanthe.—As mentioned
in my last Calendar, many of these will now
need "repotting. This applies particularly tc the
earlier-flowering sorts, as C. 'Veitchii, C. Wm.
MuiTay, C. Victoria Regina, C. Burfordiensis, C.
Sedenii. C. Harrisii, C. Bella, C. revertens, C.
Cooksonii, C. versicolor, C. rosea, C. luteo-ocu-
lata, and C. rubro-oculata. The plants are
already starting to grow, and when the new
shoots are a few inches high, turn the plants out
of their pots and shake away the exhausted sod,
cutting oft the old roots to about 1 inch; the
stumps will help to keep the pseudo-bulbs steady
in the new soil until the plants are established.
Previous to repotting, carefully examine the base
of each pseudo-bulb for scale insects. Select
round, clean pots of sizes varying according to
the requirements of the cultivator. The usual
practice is to pot the pseudo-bulbs singly, but
where accommodation for the plants is limited,
four or five of the strongest bulbs may be placed
into 5-inch pots and the same inimber of smaller
bulbs into 5-inch pots. The pots should be about
■« half-filled with clean crocks, and these should be
covered with Sphagnura-moss. - The potting

182

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 19, 1910.

compost should consist of friable loam three parts,
and dry, finely-sifted cow-dung, or well-decayed
leaf-soil, small broken crocks and coarse silver
sand one part. If the cow-dung is not properly
prepared, but used in a rough, lumpy state, it
induces the growth of a white fungus injurious
to the plants" When potting, the soil should be
shaken down till it is moderately firm around
the base of the pseudo-bulbs ; to make s'are of
this, we take some of the roughest parts of the
compost and press it well down on to the old
root -stumps, filling up to within half an inch of
the rim ; this will leave sufficient space for water-
ing, also for a top-dressing of fibrous loam when
the plants are well established. After potting,
stiiuil the plants in a light position in the East
Indian house or ])lant stove, or in a pine stove
or Cucumber house. During the earlier stages of
growth, shade the plants from direct sunlight.
Tlie critical time with Calanthes is after repot-
ting until they become established. They require
no "water for several weeks, but merely a damp-
ing between the pots occasionally, according to
the state of the weather. When the growths
show signs of progress and the new roots are seen
^'ushing through the soil, the latter may be
'BgHtly" sprinkled with tepid rain-water by means
i',f a fine-rose watering can, but even then the
beginner must use much discretion, for if the
soil be made too wet before the roots are in full
iucivity, their points, and also the tips of the
young growths, are liable to turn black. As each
"plant becomes firmly rooted and the growth in
full vigour, an abundance of water may be af-
forded alternately with weak liquid cow-manure.
The varieties now in bloom, as C. Regnieri, C.
Sievensii, and C. Sanderiana, will also require
repotting after the spikes are cut and growth re-
commences. These deciduous Calanthes may be
easily propagated by taking off the old back-
bulbs when repotting, and inserting them close
together in pots or shallow pans filled with dry
■ Sphagnum-moss, but affording no water. Place
them on a shelf close up to the gla.'is, and damp
between the pots occasionally, and when they
commence to grow they may be repotted and
treated as previously advised. If any of the
plants are carrying seed capsules, they should not
now be disturbed by repotting, but be placed in
full sunshine to ripen the seed. Immediately the
pods appear likely to burst, carefully wrap a
small bag of tissue paper around them to pre-
vent loss of seed, and when the old st«ms com-
nience to die down, cut them off and repot the
plants. Keep the seed in a warm, dry place,
and when the plants now being potted commence
to root, sow the seed thinly over the compost
where there are the greatest number of roots, and
never allow it to become the least dry. They will
germinate in a few months, and must afterwards
be kept moist, but should not be removed till
next spring. Seedlings from sowings made last
spring may be now repotted.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foieman
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

But. — In order to obtain a supply of Beet
roots early in .Tune, a sowing should be made at
once on a south border or on some other shel-
tered position,, in light and rich soil. It is not
desirable to apply manure to this crop ; there-
fore, it is best to let it follow some crop for
which the land was manured liberally last sea-
son. New Red Globe and Egyptian Turnip-
rooted are good varieties for this early sowing.
The main crop of Beet should not be sown until
the end of May or early in June, otherwise the
roots become coarse, owing to the longer-growing
season. The soil should be dug deeply and the
clods broken finely with the fork, so that there
may be no hard lumps with which the roots may
come into contact. For the present sowing, 18
inches may be allowed between the i-ows, and
the young plants should be thinned to 9 inches
apart as soon as they are large enough to handle.
Little further will be necessary beyond hoeing
and keep the ground clean until October, when
the plants should be carefully lifted and stored
out of reach of frost. Examine all Beetroots still
in the store, and remove any shoots upon them.
The air should be kept from them as much as pos-
sible, in order that they may keep their pilump
condition until the first crop is ready in June.

Prjiilm. — A liberal plantation may now be
made in some sheltered part of the garden, where
protection can be given the plants when neces-

sary. The surface-soil should be thoroughly
forked over as planting proceeds, especially in
view of the wet weather experienced in February.
If the soil is of a cold nature, add a quantity
of leaf-mould or manure from a spent Mushroom
bed, spreading this along the drills during the
planting. The seed tubers, having been laid in
trays, will be in an advanced state of growth,
therefore great care must be used in planting
and covering them, so that the young shoots are
not broken. It is too early yet to plant the
main crop of Potatos. except in the mildest parts
of thf; country, but the seed tubers may be laid
out in single layers, as was done with the earlier
varieties. May Queen is one of the best Potatos
for planting now, being a heavy cropper and of
good quality. Admit air freely to Potatos in
pits during mild weather, and if fire-heat is em-
ployed, the top ventilators should be left open a
little all night. On bright days, when the wind
is not rough, the lights may be removed for a
few hours. Apply a liberal quantity of water
before earthing them up, which should be done
when the plants are 6 inches high.

I^/itiharh. — If new plantations are to be made,
this work must be done at once, as the plants will
soon be too far advanced in growth to be lifted.
Rhubarb requires a deep, rich soil and full ex-
posure to the light. Enough old plants may be
lifted to provide crowns for the new plantation ;
these should be pulled to pieces with the hand
rather than be cut up with the spade. They
should be planted so that the crowns will just
show above the ground at a distance of 4 feet
each way. Place a light covering of long litter
over the crowns in the open beds to protect them
from frost.

Freiirh Beans. — Makb further sowings in
heated pits to provide for a crop about the
middle of JIay. A suitable variety is Progress,
and it should be planted in rows 2 feet apart.
As soon as the young plants are well above the
soil, draw the earth about the stems with the
hand. If sufficient air is admitted to the pit, the
plants should be so sturdy as not to require any
sticks. Syringe French Beans in pots liberally to
prevent red spider, and apply frequent waterings
with liquid manure. As soon as the crop has
been gathered, the plants should be cleared out
before any insect pests make their appearance
upon them.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Josei-h Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetvvood, Yorkshire.

Gardenia. — Healthy plants are now producing
an abundance of shoots suitable for cuttings ;
these will joot readily during March and April.
The Gardenia responds to a liberal tyeatment,
and, so long as the plants remain in a healthy
condition, with good root systems, they will be
benefited by frequent dcs:s of well-diluted manure
water, and an occasional sprinkling of some ap-
proved fertiliser. These manorial stimulants are
especially beneficial when the plants are develop-
ing their flowers. Gardenias must be rigorously
kept free from attacks of mealy bug bud other
insect pests.

Difff'fnhachia. — The propagation of this hand-
some, ornamental stove plant may be easily
effected by division of the .'tern, inserting small
pieces with a healthy bud on each, in a shallow
pan filled with sandy soil, and plunged in a brisk
bottom heat. As soon as the cuttings have made
sufficient growth both above and underground,
pot them singly in peat and loam in equal parts.
When the plants are growing freely, place them
in a position near to the glass, but shade them
whenever excessive sunshine renders it necessary.
To procure large specimens several plants may be
placed together in one pot. This is preferable
to potting up the old plants, for the foliage from
the young ones is always more healthy a;id
vigorous. By this system large specimens may
be cultivated in relatively small pots, provided
manorial stimulants are given regultrly.

Fandanu.'i Veilc/iii. — This plant may be in-
creased from the young suckers which are now de-
veloping at the base of the stem. Place the
suckers into thumb pots, and plunge the recep-
tacles into material that affords bottom heat.
When they are rooted, take them from the pro-
pagating bed, and place them on a shelf near
to the glass. This species, like the variegated
Cyperus. presents a better degree of variegation
when planted in small pots in a rather p;or, isandy
compost.

Arjtaonema. — The propagation of this useful.

greenhouse, edging plant is readily effected by
division of the crowns. The leaves develop the best
colour when the plants are grown in small pots.

r'i.--.sM.5' di.^color. — This plant succeeds best
when planted out in a border. Cuttings inserted
now ni a propagating case will form roots in a few
weeks. Pot the plants as soon as they ;.re ready,,
using a rich compost of loam and peat. They
require plenty of water at the roots during their
season of active growth and frequent syringings
overhead ; shade them from bright sunshine.

Seedlinq.i. — Seedlings of all subjects require
careful watering. They must never be allowed
to remain too long in a close atmosphere, or be
exposed to cold draughts. Prick them off as soon
as they become large enough to handle, and.
place them in a position near to the glass, - '-'ord-
ing a light shadinf; during bright sunshine.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Becki;ii, Gardener to the Hon. \'icAiiV GiBBS,
.Mdenhdin House, Hertfordsiiiie.

C'liinhiiii/ J/v.^e'. — Clionbing Roses upon poles,.
pergolas, arches, fences or buildings now require
attention in regard to nailing or tying the shcwts.
Remove any old and weakly growths, cutting
them back as near to the base as possible. En-
deavour to get the whole of the available space
furnished with young and vigorous shoots. The
growths retained will, as a rule, need to be
shortened to one-third of their length. In carry-
ing out the thinning, it should be borne in mind
that there is nothing to be gained by ov^.rcrowd-
ing the growths. !\lany Roses of the Rambler
type form suitable subjects, where space per-
mits, for covering beds of old tree roots, logs,
&c. Rosa embrifolia forms a particularly strik-
ing subject when employed for this purpose. It
has very distinct foliage, and its stems are of a
glaucous, bluish-grey colour. The flowers are not
very striking, but they are succeeded by
richly-coloured haws. For massing in beds, few
Roses provide a better efftct than the Japanese
species R. rugosa. If this is now prnncd to
the ground level, the result would be an even
amount of young growth, which will form a
picturesque sight when in flower, and later, when
followed by the large globular seed vessels. The
white variety of this Rose is equally free in
flowering. R. nitida is admirably adapted for
the shrubberies ; it is seen at its best when the
growths are pegged down to the ground — the
young growths are of a striking bronze colour.
During winter the bare growths, being of an
intense red, are a welcome feature. R-. rugosa
repens alba and Blanche de Coubert are excel-
lent varieties for associating with rockwork.
The hybrid Sweet Briars, raised by the late
Lord Penzance, are profuse bloomers and of
hardy constitution, whilst their flowers are de-
liciously scented. Moss Roses requiye little prun-
ing beyond shortening the growths and thinning
out the old wood : few sorts give a greater
amount of flower than Moss Roses, or continue to
bloom for a longer period. Tall, weeping stan-
dard Roses are e.xcellent objects for isolating, on
the law.n. A great point in the cultivation of
these is that they must be held securely by
stakes.

Other Ro-ifit. — If Tea or Hybrid Tea Roses have
been protected, the protective material should
now be removed. The pruning of these
sections should be deferred as late as pos-
sible, but Hybrid Pcrpetuals may be treated
now. Remove first all the weak growths and
dead wood, and afterwards thin out the centre
of the plant. As a general rule, it may be said
that the stronger the growth a particular variety
makes, the longer should the shoots be left
after pruning. This statement applies, to plants
for garden decoration or for supplying a quantity
of flowers for cutting ; but it does not apply to
exhibition culture. A good pair of secateurs is
the best implement to prune with. Always cut
a shoot back to an eye which points outwards,
and endeavour to attain a well-balanced, shapely
bush. Any Roses of the Tea or Noisette sec-
tions, if required for exhibition, must be severely
pruned to three or four eyes, but if they are only
w'anted for producing decorative flowers, they
will need little pruning beyond removing the
weak grow'ths. Any growth that may arise from
the stock should he re-iioved with a knife as
near to the wood as possitile. Any late-planted
Roses should not be privied until IT, isjabsolutely
necessary. For very late planting it is better
to employ pot "~

..March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

183

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

By VV. \V. Plttigrew, Superintendent of City Parlts,
CardiS, Glainorganslnie.

Adcertif:eiHeiits lieijii/ation Act, 1907. — It
seems somewhat an irony of circumstance tliat.
while public bodies are striving, by the judicious
jjlanniiig of streets and buildings, the laying out
of parks and open spaces, and the planting of
trees in suitable thoroughfares, to add dignity
and beauty to their towns, great numbers of rate-
payers in their private capacity are doing every-
thing in their power to nullify these good efforts.
This unfortunate tendency on the part of some
ratepayers can hardly be better illustrated than
by the way in which every conceivable position
in our towns and villages is converted into bill-
posting stations. The presmit craze for ostenta-
tious advertising is responsible for many of the
ugly features in cities, and for the destruction
of much beauty, even in the country-side. In
the past the authorities have been almost power
less to deal with this matter, even when adver-
tising hoardings were admittedly little short of a
public nuisance. To remedy this condition of
things an Act of Parliament — known as the -Ad-
vertisements Regulation Act, 1907 — was passed,
which gives town councils a good deal more
power to check advertising excesses than they
formerly possessed.

I'oiocr uncle)- /he Act. — Under Section 2 of this
Act, a town authority lias power to make by-
laws regulating the posting and e.\hibitiiig cf
bills and advertisements of a certain size and
character in the vicinity of public parks. By
means of such by-laws, unsightly bill-posting
hoardings or other means of exhibiting adver-
tisements when placed within 100 yards of a
park, open space, or public pleasure promenade
may be prohibited. If such hoardings, &c., wers
in existence prior to the making of these by-laws,
#hen they can only be removed at the end of
five years. ^

All imffaiice of diaagreeahle advertisement. —
While it is quite easy to understand that many
present-day advertisem»nts may offend the
aesthetic tastes of certain sections of the com-
munity, it is rather difficult to realise that they
may also have a bad effect upon their health.
A few years ago an enterprising local undertaker
secured a site overlooking the main entrance to
one of the most popular open spaces in this city
and erected thereon a large notice-board, upon
which were set forth his various charges for
carrying out funeral arrangements. To an ordi-
narily healthy mortal an undertaker's notice has
no more significance than anv other tradesman's
and he may pass it many times a day and be
quite oblivious to its presence. It would appear,
however, that this is not the case with invalids,
for a number of these who frequented the open
space in question made representations to the
Parks Committee to get this obiKixious adver-
tisement removed, as it had a most depressing
effect upon their spirits. These representa-
tions were so persistent and strong that the
committee were compelled to negotiate with the
undertaker, who after much trouble was prevailed
upon to remove his board elsewhere. Under the
new Act such an advertisement could have been
prohibited, provided advantage had been taken
of it to draw up the necessary by-laws.
■ Legaliti/ of bij-lau:?. — Needless to say, before
any by-laws of this description can be enforced
they must be approved by the Secretary of State.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By .\. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle .\shby, Northamptonshire.

Basjiberries. — Examine tho canes, and if any
are found to have been damaged by frost, cut
them back to a plump bud. All the canes that
have been planted this season should be pruned
during the present month, according to the direc-
tions given in a former Calendar. Place one foot
immediately over the root of the plant before
cutting the growths to prevent tho roots from
being loosened, and be careful to use a sharp kmu
for the pruning. The autumn-fruiting Raspberries
.should also be pruned according to previous direc-
tions, taking care to prevent any crowding of
the growths. Later, when the plajits have com-
menced to grow, occasional applications of liquid
manure water will gve-atly assist them.

liaspherrxi-Strawherry. — If it is desired to in-
crease the stock of this plant, the-clumps may be
divided during the present month. They in-

crease very quickly, spreading over the ground
in a very similar manner to the garden Jlint.
The permanent plants need to be checked with
the spade occasionally in order to keep them
within bounds. The fruit is borne on canes made
during the current season, therefore the practice
is to cut the old canes close to the ground as soon
as the foliage has fallen in autumn. The brightly-
coloured berries are very ornamental and tempt-
ing to the eye, but they are most insipid to the
taste, and birds even do not appear to have
much liking for them. The plants will grow in
atiy poor soil, and the fruits commence to ripen
early in September and continue until prevented
by frost. If planted in clumps in front of a
shrubbery, the bright scarlet berries afford a
pleasing contrast to the changing tints in the
foliage in autumn.

General work. — The better weather experienced

during the past fortnight has been favourable to
the completing of fruit-tree planting. It has also
been possible to use the hoe frequently in the
fruit quarters for preventing weeds. Examine
recently-planted trees, especially those which
were planted in autumn, for, owing to the strong
gales and the wet condition of the ground during
winter, they may have become loosened at the
collar. When the soil is in a dry state it
should be made quite firm by treading with one
foot around the collar of each tree. Examine all
the supports and make sure that the bark of the
trees is not suffering damage by rubbing. Pre-
pare the net which will be wanted presently for
protecting fruit and fruit-tree blossom, and mend
those that are worth this trouble. If any new
ones have to be purchased, the order should be
sent as soon as possible, that they may be at
hand when required for use.

^

"

-■- -

lUf

V

'

V

i

Fig. 78, — VIEW in the k.h.s. hall hakly on march 8 before many visitors

WERE PRESENT.

[Fycin photographs by IV. J. Vascv,

Fig. 79. — SCENE in r.h.s. hall on same day at 3 p.m.

184

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

.[March 19, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDI TORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Oarden, London.

Comfiiunicalicms should be written on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early tn I he week as possible and duly
signed bv the uniter. If desired, the sigtiature will iiot be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ie Editors do not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors ao not hold thetnselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Local Hti-ws.— Correspondents will greatly oblige bysendingto
the Editojs 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 Editois will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or draivings, suitable for reproduction, oj
gardens, or of remarkable plants, fio^vers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOB THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Fourlh Masters' Mem-
orial Lecture at 3 p.m., by Mr. A. D. Hall, on "The
Adaptation of the Plant to the Soil.")

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23—

Exh. of Vegetables and Fruits (intensive cultivation),
arranged by the Stour Valley Gardening School, at
R.H.S. Hall. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by Mr. E. O'Sullivan

on " Intensive Culture.")

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 423''.
Actual Temperatures: —

LonDOH. — WeitKcsday, March 16 (6 p.m.): Max. 54°;
Min. 31°.
Cardencti' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —Thursday, March 17
(10 a.m.): Bar. 299 ; Temp. 51°; Wcatlier—
Sunshine.
PKOvitiCES.— Wednesday, March 16: Max. 49" Eng-
land and Ireland, S. ; Min. 46"" Lincolnshire.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Clearance Sale of Specimen and other Palms, Green-
house Plants, Ferns, &c., at Dicksons' Nurseries, LTpper
Tulse Hill, S.W., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12 o'clock ;
Perennials and Border Plants, Liliums and Hardy
Bulbs, at 12; Roses, Fruit Trees, Azaleas, &c , at 1.30,
at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Herbaceous and other Plants, Hardy Bulbs and Roots,
at 12; Trade Sale of Miscellaneous Plants and Bulbs,
at 12 ; 6,M» Roses, also Fruit Trees, at 1.30 ; Japanese
Liliums in cases as received, at 2'; Palms and Plants,
Ferns, &c., at 5, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.. by Protheroe
& Morris.

Judging by the crowds of vi.sifcors

Tha at the last meetinK at the Horti-

R H S
Meetings, fn'ti'iil Hall, Westminster, and

the probability that similar con-
ditions will continue for the next few months,
it is obvious that the Council has to face a
serious problem. Notwithstandisg the fact
that last week's meeting remained open for
two days, this circumstance had nO' effect in
mitigating the crowding on Tuesday. An effort
was made during the afternoon to relieve the
pressure at the entrance — wliere the incoming
stream had to meet the outgoing stream — by
allowing visitors to leave by the exit at the
lower end of the hall ; but, nevertheless, com-
paratively few seemed to use these doors.
One cause of the congestion lies in the tend-
ency on the part of Fellows to stop and talk,
thus blocking the gangways. Another is that,
owing to the demand for exhibition space, the
tables are set too close to one another. Visitors
press each other in every direction, and circu-
lation becomes impossible. If visitors were
required to move in one direction it would as-
sist locomotion ; but Fellows would probably
resent any interference with a view to enforc-
ing such discipline, preferring to enjoy them-
selves in their own way, and we have much
eympa-thy with them in the matter. These

Tuesday meetings are not merely spectacular
displays to be walked through to the beat of
a constable's drill ; indeed, if serious horti-
culturists are to get the best possible re-
sults from the shows, they must be allowed
to go their own pace, and have time for
note-taking and questioning. It will be said
the Hall should have been larger. This is
all verj- well, but it may be pointed out
that the building answers all requirements
for some nine months of the year, and the
excessive crowding only occurs at the spring
shows. When the plans for the magnificent
Hall were accepted, few people thought the
Society would so soon have a Fellowship
exceeding 11,000.

In order that readers at a distance may
have an opportunity of seeing something
of the character of the last meeting, we re-
produce photographs on another page which
show, in one instance, the Hall as it appeared
when few visitors were present, and, in the
other case, the conditions which prevailed at
three o'clock in the afternoon.

If horticulture, including fruit-
Horticulture growing, is to obtain its proper

Devriopmtnt ^'^''"" °^ ^^^ ™°"«y available
Grant. in the Development and Road

Improvement Funds, it will
be necessary for those who are specially in-
terested in that branch of enterprise to put
their claims before the administrators of the
Funds. Of the £.500,000 a year voted for de-
velopment, one-half has been promised by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer tcj agriculture,
which, of course, includes horticulture. The
chief, central agricultural associations have
arranged to co-operate on. behalf of their
industry ; but the claims of horticulture
will not be properly represented in their
councils unless the Royal Horticultural
Society and the Fruit Growers' Federation,
and possibly other bo<lies, are associated with
them in their deliberations. It is to be hoped
that arrangements will be made in order to
secure the representation of the claims of hor-
ticulture to a substantial allocation from the
Development Fund.

The great danger to be guarded against
is the frittering away of the funds on
a multiplicity of objects. Even £250,000
a year for agricultural development through-
out the whole of the United Kingdom
will not achieve any substantial results if
spread over all the item.s named in the Act
which have reference to that indu.stry. Thir-
teen agricultural objects are named, and it is
further provided that " any other means
which appear calculated to develop agricul-
ture and rural industries " may be adopted.
Apart from the unlimited scope thus allowed
for expending the funds in useless, or almost
useless, driblets, a little consideration will
show that even the specified objects are too
numerous for the funds available. They are
agricultural research, education, experiments,
the organisation of co-operation, instruction
in the marketing of produce, the extension of
the provision of small holdings, tlie purchase
and planting of land for forestry, instruction
and experiment in forestry, the reclamation
of land, drainage, and the improvement of
rural transport.

Agricultural education is to include the
foundation and maintenance of farm insti-
tutes, and the improvement of rural trans-

port covers the construction of light railways.
The latter is a highly desirable object, but far
too costly to be properly included. As to
the extension of provision for small holdings,
there is no need to come upon the Develop-
ment Fund for that purpose, as there are
aniple means available under the Small Hold-
ings Act.

By far the most urgent needs of agriculture,
including horticulture, are research and ex-
periments. There are insect and fungus pests
injurious to outdoor fruit and hothouse plants,
of which even the life histories are not fully
known, whilst the best methods of treating
them are equally obscure. Knowledge con-
cerning spraying is in only a crudely empiri-
cal stage, and the investigation of the science
of spraying materials is in its beginning, Mr.
Spencer Pickering being the only authority,
at least in this country, who has devoted any
considerable amount of research to it. Then
there are numerous problems relating to the
planting, pruning, and manuring of fruit trees
which require elucidation. What is being
done at Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm,
and a great deal more besides, should be done
at a dozen other stations in different parts of
the country.

Equally urgent is an official agency for
affording information and advice to growers
of fruit and plants who send inquiries relat-
ing to injurious insects or disea.ses. At pre-
sent there is no properly-equipped official
agency of the kind. The Intelligence Divi-
sion of the Board of Agriculture does its best
to answer inquiries ; but it has not on its
staff either an entomologist or a mycologist,
and, therefore, questions and specimens have
to be sent to some outside authority involv-
ing long delay — so long in some in.stanees that
the senders have forgotten all about their en-
quiries and the diseased plants are dea-d anci
gone before the answers reach them. Seeing
that immediate treatment may be necessary
to meet insect or fungus attacks, it is obvious
that promptness, as well as fullness of reply,
is of great importance.

As the foundation of arrangements for
meeting the needs of horticulture, a Horti-
cultural Division of the Board of Agriculture
should be established, fully provided with
specialists and equipment. Further, in con-
nection with every agricultural or horticul-
tural college, on the staff of which there are
an entomologist and a mycologist, an experi-
mental fruit station should be established, and
financial help should be given to these special-
ists to carry on research work, as well as ex-
periments, out-of-doors, in hothouses, and
in the college laboratories Most of the col-
leges have farms attached to them, and por-
tions of the land could be devoted to fruit
growing and other horticultural experiments.

It is hardly necessary to state that the ex-
perts entrusted with the work of investigatioH
must include men who have had a practical
as well as a scientific training. In connection
with the experiment stations, lectures on hor-
ticultural subjects should be organised in their
several districts, and demonstrations in such
arts as those of pruning, spraying, and fruit
packing might be given at the stations or on
fruit farms outside. In the colleges, too,
there might be special courses of instruction
in fruit growing and other horticultural sub-
jects.

It is a pitiable fact that, at present, though

-Mabcii ly, lyiu.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

J 85

the total sums expended on tlie development
of scientific agriculture and horticulture are
not inconsiderable, there is not one single
adequately-endowed or staffed institution in
this countrj'. The men engaged in these in-
stitutions are often able men, but their efforts
are crippled by lack of funds, lack of buildings
and lack of equipment. Research at its best
is a slow business ; at its worst — that is,
as it is now situated — it amounts to little more
than nothing. A wise allocation of the De-
velopment Grant to a few objects should con-
tribute in no small measure to remedy the
present dejjlorable state of affairs.

It is suggested that a conference to discuss
the whole subject of horticulture in i-elation
to the Development Grant should be arra.nged
\sithout delay.

Royal Horticultural Society. — The ne.. ■
meeting of the Committees will take place on
Tuesday, March 22, at 3 p.m. The fourth
Jlasters Memorial lecture on " The Adaptation
of the Plant to the Soil " will be delivered by
Mr. A. D. Hall, M.A., F.R.S.

Royal Institution. — Among the lectures
aiiiiouuced to take place at the Royal Institution
after Easter are three by Dr. D. tt. ScoTT on
" The World of i'lants before the Appearance of
Flowers."

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland.

— The schedule of arrangements for 1910 iucliides
a spring flower show, to be held in the Arts
Industrie.s Hall, Ballsbridge, on Wednesday and
Thursday, April 20-21. The .'•how will bo held
in conjunction with the Royal Dublin
Society's spring exhibition. Besides numerous
cla.sses for bulbous plants, there are also several
for Roses, the most valuable prize in the schedule
being offered for nine pot plants of Roses. A
challenge cup of the value of £a) accompanies
that for a display of foliage or flowering plants,
artistically arranged. The summer show will be
held on Wednesday, July 6, but the place has not
yet been decided upon. Roses will be a special
feature, 15 classes being provided for this flower.
An autumn e.vhibition is fi.'a?d for August 25 ;
at this no fewer than eighteen classes are pro-
vided for Sweet Peas, and other features will bo
Carnations, Dahlias, and fruit. The schedule
can be obtained from th^ Secretary Mr. E.
Knowluin, 5, Molesworth Street, Dublin.

Flowers in Season.— Some choice Violets
of the comparatively new variety Mrs. Arthur
have been sent us by Mr. L. E. Walker, Barton
Hall Gardens, Bury St. Edmunds. This kind is
of the same type as the old Marie Louise, but it
has a richer colour, due to a mingling of mauve
in the blue petals. The blooms are deliciously
fragrant, and very large. Mr. Walker states :
"It is a much stronger grower than Marie
Louise, and throws it,s blooms, which are borne
on thick stems, well above the foliage. The
plants flower both early and late in the season,
and for quantity and quality of bloom the variety
is hard to surpass."

Cardiff Trout Hatcheries. — Mr, W. W.

rETTiOREw recently reported to the Cardiff Parks
Committee that 2,600 yearling trout from the
hatcheries at Roath Park were sold last year at
£8 50s. per 1,000, and that he had orders for
double that number for this year. Councillor
Mander said he saw no reason why they could
not rear 120,000 young trout annually. It was
resolved that Mr. Pettigrew be asked to report
as to the possibility of enlarging the rearing
grounds.

Wolverhampton Floral Fete will again
be held in the West Park, \Volverhampton, the
dates being July 12, 13, 14. The flower show
ranks amongst the most important in the
country, and beside cups and medals, cash prizes,
to the value of nearly £900, are offered in the
115 classes which comprise the schedule. Every-
thing points to continued success, and no fewer
than 10 new classes are provided for, including
an important one for a rock and water-garden
e.xliibit, with prizes to the value of £50, includ-
ing a 1st prize of £21. Another important
addition is a competition for a collection of
10 dishes of fruit in not fewer than seven kinds,
with a 1st prize of £8, followed by £5, £3, and
£2. A scm of £40 is offered as the 1st prize
for a display of miscellaneous plants, in or out of
bloom, and flowers ; altogether the sum of £100 is
offered as prizes in this class. Very liberal prizes
are also offered for Ferns, collections of plants,
Roses, Carnations, and Sweet Peas. The decora-
tive classes are numerous and varied, with sub-
stantial prizes. The li»t of donors of special
prizes includes the Mayor of Wolveekampton,
m-ny local gentlemen, and seed firms. The
sctij.iule may be had from the secretary, Mr.
Will;.\m E. Barnett, Snow Hill, Wolverhamp-
ton.

Eucalyptus cordata.— By an inadvertence
Mr. Morgan's name appeared on the Supple-
mentary plate last week as the owner of Porth-
gwidden, instead of Lt.-Col. the Hon. H. F.
Trefusis. Mr. Morgan is head gardener there,
as was pointed out in the paragraph on p. 168.

The Japan-British Exhibition.— Wc are

informed that the .Japanese gardens at the Shep-
herd's Bush Exhibition are beginning to assume
an attractive appearance. A large portion of the
available land for British horticulturists has
already been let, but nurserymen and seedsmen
can still obtain plots. The plans and arrange-
ments can be obtained by application to the
Administration Offices, Wood Lane, Shepherd's
Bush. In most respects they follow the prece-
dents of the Franco-British E.xhibition of 1908.

Appointments. — The following appointments
are announced iu the Kew Bulletin (No. 2,
1910) :— Miss E. M. Wakefield, late of the
School of Rural Economy, Oxford, to the post of
assistant in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Mr. Thomas Douglas Maitland, a member of
the gardening staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
as Curator in the Agricultural Department of
"•luthern Nigeria.

Mr. Arthur Herrington has resigned bis
position as superintendent and landscape gar-
dener at Flm-ham, U.S.A., the estate of the late
H. JIcK. Tv.'OMBLY, which position he has held
for 14 years. On April 1 he will commence busi-
ness as a landscape gardener. Mr. Herrington
will be remembered in this country as gardener
at Gravetye, and later as a member of the edi-
torial staff of The Garden.

Presentation to Mr. Jaivi^ s W. Laird. —

The many friends of this wel'.-known Dundee
nurseryman, a member of the firm of Messrs.
Laird & Sinclair, Ltd., assembled on -March 4
to pay him honour and present him with parting
gifts on his leaving for Virginia, which he intends
making his future home. Mr. W. S. Melville,
J. P., president of the Dundee Horticultural and
Dundee Chrysanthemum Societies, occupied the
chair. The company included the leading nursery,
men, seedsmen, and gardeners of the district.
During the evening the chairman called upon
William Grant as one of Mr. Laird's oldest
associates to present him with their gifts,
and with an appropriate address Mr. Grant

handed Mr. Laird a gold' watch and chain
and a pur.se of sovereigns. The watch
bore the following inscription: "To Mr.
James W. Laird from his horticultural friends
as a mark of esteem on his leaving for
America. Dundee, March 4, 1910." Mrs. Laird
was also given a gold watch. Mr. Laird is the
second son of the late Mr. R. B. Laird, of
Downie & L.ubd, Edinburgh ; Downie, Lalrd &
L.iiNG, Ix)ndon ; and Laird & Sinclair, Dundee,
who was well known in the horticultural world.
As a boy " Jem " (as his intimate friends elected
to call him) served his apprenticeship in the
Edinburgh nurseries of the firm, afterwards
going south to Sheffield, where he remained for
two years in the Handsworth nurseries of Messrs.
Fisher, Son & SiBR.iy. In 1878 he again joined
the old firm, this time in Dundee. After five
years, in 1883 he set sail for Australia, where
he remained for two years. After returning home
ho assumed the managership of the firm's nur-
series at Monifieth, a position he has held up to
the present t>ime.

Mr. William Denning. — The many friends
of Mr. Wm. Denning, florist, Hampton, who,
for many years, was gardener to the Earl of
LoNDESBOROUGH, Kingston Hill, will learn with
regret that this well-known gardener is lying
seriously ill at his Hampton residence. Mr.
Denning is known locally as one of the most
energetic members of the Urban District Council,
and near the close of an important meeting of
that body on the 8th inst. it was noted that he
was ill. Medical aid being at once summoned, it
was found that he was suffering from a paralytic
seizure, his condition being so serious that he
was detained at the Council's offices during the
night. Early on the following morning Mr.
Denning was removed to his home in a still
unconscious condition. A slight improvement is
reported, but he has not yet regained his speech.

The Flow/ering of the Almond.— The state

of vegetation at the present season is illustrated
by the flowering of the Almond trees in the
London district. The first flowers on a tree situ-
ated in a favourable position in Wandsworth,
five miles south-west of London, expanded fully
on March 12. Previous dates for the same tree
are: April 1 last year; .March 23 in 1908;
March 20, 1907; February 28, 1906; March 7,
1905; and March 21, 1904.

Germination of Sweet Peas. — We hear

many complaints about the germination of Sweet
Peas this spring, but after the exceptionally bad
weather at harvesting time last year such are
not to be wondered at. One large grower re-
ports that while whites, creams, lavenders and
orange-coloured varieties are very bad, all the
pinks, cream-pinks, reds and blues have come
well. It is certainly very disappointing to get
oidy six or 12 plants instead of 20 or 30, but
nowadays the difficulty is got over by giving
the smaller number extra care and attention.
They are grown on under glass and planted out
perhaps 2 feet apart, and much better results are
obtained than if 50 seeds were crowded into the
2 feet space as was the custom not so long ago.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine. — The variety
" Peterson's Glory of Cincinnati " is looked upon
in the States as a sterling novelty. It is said
to last longer in the dwelling than any other
Begonia, its flowers are of a beautiful soft,
satmy-pink ; they are larger than those of Gloire
de Lorraine. The variety is readily propagated,
is a robust grower, and it blooms from October
to April. The Lonsdale variety of G. de Lor-
raine is also largely grown in the States, because
it seems to be better able to withstand the air
of the dwelling, tban the type.

186

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 19, 1910.

State Forestry in India.— Mr Saint-Hill
Eardley-Wilmot, C.I. 15., recently contributed
before the Indian section of the Royal Society of
Arts, a paper on " Indian State Forestry." Mr.
Eardley-Wilmot has recently retired from the
Imperial Forest Department of India, after reach-
ing the highest post in the service, that of
Inspector-General. The paper was read by Mr.
E. P. Stebbing, of the same service, who is at
present on leave from India. Sir William Lee-
Warner presided. According to The. Times, Mr.
Eardley-Wilmot stated, in the course of
his paper, that the area now under the
control of the Indian Forest Department was
240,000 square miles, representing about a
fifth part of British India. The Forest Depart-
ment would have liked the wooded area so dis-
tributed that its produce would have been easily
accessible to all its inhabitants, but they arrived
fo(.> late ; mankind had been warring against the
forest with fire and axe thousands of years before
their time, and the department had saved what
was left. The total income from the forests of
British India in 1906-7 was £1,776,000, and a net
profit of £839.000 accrued to the State. The in-
fluence of the forest began immediately below the
snow-line at about 15,000 feet elevation. First
came the upland meadows, next the shrubby
growth of Juniper and Alpine Rose, and after-
wards the Birch and Firs : below these appeared
the forests of Oak and Rhododendron, Cedar, and
Pine, and further down the forests of long-
leaved Pine, which yielded good timber and much
resin ; and the submontane forests at still lower
elevations contained the most valuable timber,
such as " sal," teak, ironwood, sandal, rosewood,
red Sanders, and ebony. Lastly, across the Bay
of Bengal there wei-e the primeval forests, where
ocean currents had brought the seeds of exotic
trees to flourish on the island shores. With the
exception of teak, sandal, and a few ornamental
woods practically the whole of the timber output
was consumed in India itself. The agricultural
population needed the wood and Bamboos of the
forests for their carts and ploughs ; the timber
and grass for their houses and sheds ; fibre for
their ropes ; reeds for their mats : bark for tan-
ning; leaves for thatching and manuring; dyes,
gums, resins, and oils for various domestic pur-
poses ; fruits, flowers, and roots for food and
alcoholic drinks. In short, the people were be-
ginning to realise that the forest in its regulated
form was no longer, as of old, the enemy of man,
and that they could not do without its produce.
.The indirect benefits of the forest were even
greater. The trees formed barriers against
avalanches, they prevented erosion of the soil by
the torrents, and at some future time, when the
importance of water storage in the soil was pro-
perly realised, we should no doubt reckon t.'ie ccst
of more fully utilising a portion of the large
forest area for the purpose for which it was
designed by Nature. With regard to the recruit-
ment of the Imperial Forest Service, between
1869 and 1881 its officers studied their profession
in France and Germany, but now the University
of Oxford had been entrusted with their proba-
tionary training.

The International Congress of Botany.

. — The third International Congress of Botany
will be held in Brussels on May 12-22. The
section which deals with systematic nomenclature
will consider questions of a general character,
and also matters bearing on the nomenclature of
the non-viscular cryi'togams and of fossil plants.
Of the four members of the " permanent bureau
of nomenclature' this country supplies one in the
person of Dr. A. B. Rendle, while Messrs. G.
Massee (Kew) and E. Salmon are members of
the inteirnational commission for the nomen-
clature of cryptogamic plants. The names of
delegates appointed to attend the Congress must
reach the general secretary. Dr. De Wildeman,
Jardin Botanique, Brussels, not later than May 1.

FOXHILL.

(See Supplementary Illustration.)
This estate of about 30 acres lies about a mile
to the south-east of Reading. It came into the
possession of Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.C., M.P.,
about four years ago, and now the distinguished
lawyer and Solicitor-General, like many other
busy men, seeks recreation in developing and
beautifying the garden.

Enthusiastic gardeners soon reveal their pre-
dilections in the garden, and at Foxhill pride of
place is given to the Rose. There ;.re Roses
everywhere — Teas, Hybrid Tea. Hybrid Per-
petual, China and Polyantha Roses, varieties of
Wichuraiana, rugosa and Sweet Briar, in end-
less profusion

The Rose garden proper was designed by
Messrs. W. Paul & Son three years ago, and
the trees have thriven extremely well. Some
of the beds are planted entirely with one kind,
whilst others are planted with shades of pink
and red.

All the older, favourite kinds are represented,
as well as many of the newer and less-known
Roses. Caroline Testout. Mme. Abel Chatenay,
Mme. Ravary, Lady Waterlow, Grace Darling,
G. Nabonnand, and Betty were noticed among
the Tea scented varieties. Hybrid Teas in-
clude Lady Gay, Dorothy Perkins, and Alberie
Barbier, and are used as festoons encircling the
garden, whilst the whole area is broken up by
pillars of similar kinds. Trailing varieties may
be seen on tall standards, and there is a hedge of
Sweet Briars and a pagoda exclusively covered
with Roses.

Below the terrace the lawn slopes smoothly
down to the edge of the lake, which divides the
property from White Knights Park. A good
view of the lake is obtained from the terrace.

Hardy plants aie grown extensively, long bor-
dei-s being filled with choice, herbaceous plants
edged with white Pinks, Saxifragas, Alpine
Phlox, and oth^r dwarf species.

At intervals, along the back of the border.
Roses and Clematis, trained to Larch poles, add
to the effect.

Spring bulbs are naturalised in the grass and
also under trees where little else would thrive.

The beds are filled with annuals, biennials
and bulbs in spring and summer, for there is
little of the more formal kind of bedding. In
the spring, Primroses, Forget-me-nots, Pansies,
and Wallflowers are the principal occupants, and,
in the summer, these are replaced by Stocks, An-
tirrhiimms, Pentstemons. and similar plants.

The planting operations of the Churchills, who
originally owned the whole of White Knights,
— of which estate Foxhill was once a part —
appear not to have extended as far as this part,
for, unlike White Knights, which possesses good
examples of choice trees, the gardens at Foxhill
have few trees of interest, though two trees of
the blue Cedar (Cedrus atlantica glauca) are
striking exceptions to this general rule.

The glasshouses are neither extensive nor
modern, but a good number of pot plants are
grown for furnishing the large conservatory at-
tached to the house. In the latter building there
were recently exceptionally fine baskets of
Asparagus Sprengeri.

Large numbers of bulbs are forced for flower-
ing in spring, while Schizanthi, Fuchsias, C
panulas, and Chrysanthemums are cultivated in
numbers.

The walled kitchen garden encloses about
1^- acres, and is separated from the remainder
of the garden by the high road.

Neither the soil nor site is the best that could
be wished for fruit and vegetable culture. The
land slopes to the north, and the soil is a thin
loam overlying strong London clay. The garden
is approached by a straight path flanked by
borders of hardy flowers, and backed by short
standard Pears. Nearly all the fruit trees are
of considerable age, but thinning has brought
about great improvements in their condition.
They have been allowed to extend their growths,

and these in most cases are now well 6*t witll
fruit-buds. In spite of the dulness of tfle
summer of 1909, the wood of the Peaches on the
south walls was most promising, and the crops
distinctly good.

In the frame-yard Violets are successfully
grown on beds of leives, the blooms being very
fine, and the plants free from disease. These
flowers are great favourites.

The general condition of the garden reflects
credit on those responsible, particularly as some
of the work is carried out under great diffi-
culties. F. G. D.

FRUIT PRODUCTION OF THE BRITISH
EMPIRE.*

(Continued from page IGo.)
India.

Although it is not possible to obtain detailed
figures as to the production of fruit in India,
some remarkable statistics are furnished as to the
acreage under orchard and garden crops in the
various provinces. Eastern Bengal and Assam
head the list with over a million acres ; then
Madras, with close on a million. Bengal has
three-quarters of a million, the United Provinces
nearly half a million, and Burma four hundred
thousand ; these Provinces between them account
for 3,582.148 out of 4,020,136 acres, the total
acreage under such crops in India.

The figures for India are, perhaps, somewhat
misleading, including as they do the acreage
under garden crops, of which detailed statistics
are not available. Garden crops include vege-
tables, &c., produced by natives, not only for
their own use, but for market purposes. The
large number of Europeans resident in India,
both for military and civil purposes, has fostered
an industry in European vegetables which could
hardly have existed, and certainly could not have
flourished, before the advent of the British race.
The excellence of English vegetables now ob-
tainable in large quantities says much for the
efficiency of the native gardeners, and such pro-
ducts as the Potato, Turnip, Radish, and even
Cabbage are readily obtainable for the
table. The market-gardens and those supply-
ing the natives' wauts in this direction would
probably account for a large portion of the area
under fruit and garden crops. India, with its
varied altitudes, soils and climates, is able to
produce almost any fruit grown in other parts of
the world. In the hills are to be found such tem-
perate fruits as the Apple, Pear, Apricot,
Peach, &c., which are grown extensively, and
give rise to an important trade from Kashmir
and els^'where. In warmer districts, Almonds,
Limes, Oranges, and Lemons are widely
cultivated ; and tropical varieties such as the
Guava, Pomegranate, Banana, Pineapple, Cocoa-
nut, &c., flourish in the plains and in Southern
India. If it were possible to obtain figures on the
subject, it would probably be found that the
Jlango is the most widely-cultivated fruit. At
certain times in the year it forms the staple food
for millions of natives, and its wide use for many
such purposes as chutneys, curries, preserves,
&c., must cause the consumption of enormous
quantities. The Mango plays, and has played for
many centuries, an important part in the dietetic
history of India, so much so that it is involved ini
the ancient mythology of the country.

Ceylon.
In 1908 Ceylon had 100,765 acres in fruit gar-
dens, but no figures are yet available as to the-
quantity of fruit produced. Probably a large
percentage of the produce is raised for the per-
sonal use of the natives. The Cocoanut Palm
is largely cultivated, 915.373 acres being under
the Palm. The importance of this branch of
the fruit industry may be gauged by the fact
that in 1907 the' value of the export of Cocoa-
nut Palm products was £1.738,523.

Jamaica.

Fruit forms now one of the principal items of
export from this island. The export of Oranges
in 1907-8 was \alued at £77,105, and that of

• Extracts from a paper by Dr. Jno. McCall, Agent-
General for Tasmania, read before the Royal Society of
Arts on March 1.

March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

187

Bananas at £1,038,721. The same year the area
under Banana cultivation was 62,164 acres. There
can be no more striking example of the value of
a Government subsidy wisely conferred than the
case of Jamaica. A few years ago the country
was in a most deplorable state of depression ; but
the subsidy of £40,000 a year granted jointly by
the Imperial and Jamaica Governments enabled
the Imperial Direct West India mail service to
maintain a fortnightly steam communication with
this country, undertaking to bring here 20,000
bunches of Bananas by each steamer. The wis-
dom of this policy is amply proved by the enor-
mous expansion of tlie industry, the export value
being now, as I have shown, over a million ster-
ling. The benefits to the inhabitant.s of these
islands, too,' must not be overlooked. A nourish-
ing article of diet is placed on the market in such
quantities and prices that enable the poorer
classes to be consumers.

Fruit-growing in the other West Indian Islands
i.s but little carried on, and figures regarding the
industry are not obtainable. That some fruit is
grown there goes without saying ; but, with the
.exception of Montserrat, where there are about
. 1.000 acres under Limes, it would appear that the
industry is not on a commercial basis.
(To be continued.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editors do not hold themselves responsible (or
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Mr. C. Bogue Luffmann and Fruit-tree
Culture. — Mr. Luffmann concludes his rejoinder
to my letter, on p. 156, by declaring that :

" If the working gardener and fruit-grower have not found
my writings ob=cure or impracticable, I shall be salistied,
for I do not look beyond their wants."

It was as "a working gardener and fruit-grower"
myself that I felt called upon to utter a protest
at the extravagance of his assertions, and inci-
dentally at the obscurity of his language (as, at
any rate, they appeared to me), and I fail to see
that his reply has, in any way, cleared him of the
accusation. In answer to my objection that his
assertions were not supported by a statement of
the reasons that led him to maintaiir them, he
replies that he feels that he has crowded his
articles with reasons. Then I say that these
reasons, so-called, are themselves mere assertions,
in support of which he has advanced no state-
ment of facts. He complains that I ask for a
book where he is litnited to giving a few hints on
as many inches of space. That is true enough,
perhaps, and I propose, therefore, to press him
to enlighten us with regard to one only of his
statements, or " reasons." I referred, on p. 156.
to his assertion that :

"Roots made when a tree has young, half-grown, mature,
or no leaves, are all of different characters and values."

I encjuired if he had examined roots in all these
stages. To this he replies " Yes, and in large
numbers." I want him now to amplify his reply
by telling us how he conducted these examina-
tions of organs buried beneath the soil. Further,
I asked him to state facts, gained from theee
examinations, that go to show that his conclu-
sions are reliable ; his reply to this is " I repeat it
as incontrovertible and demonstrable fact." Let
him now tell us how he demonstrates the facts.
I am amused at Jlr. Luffmann's complaint that
I accuse him of " arguing." Where? I fully
concur with him in his rejoinder that he does nut
argue ; I had thought that to be the whole
burden of my complaint ! He objects to my
" ordering " him to conform to " generally-
accepted " physiological teaching, in advancing
views on horticultural practice. By " generally
accepted," I of course meant teaching, the truth
of which was reasonably demonstrable, as op-
posed to teaching such as your contributor's
appeared to me, in support of which no sort of
evidence is advanced. Mr. Luffmann goes on to
enquire :

" Is this the utterance of an unbiassed student of Nature
and a servant of Ins fellow-men?"

The latter part of the question seems too incon-
sequent to require an answer, but, in reply to
the former. I certainly am biassed in favour of a
truthful interpretation of Nature, and it is on this
account that I have ventured to question Mr.
lAiffmann's statements on the behaviour of fruit-
trees. We gardeners are as sceptical as the rest

of humanity, and have a right to assure ourselves
of the soundness of all precepts advanced with
the purpose of influencing our methods of prac-
tice. It is no answer to this objection to say,
as does your correspondent :

" 1 may be wrong, and if proved so, will admit as much,"
since the onus of proof is with him who advances
opinions at variance with such as are generally
maintained. But, be his opinions ever so correct, I
fail utterly to grasp in what way he advises their
application to practice. Taking, for instance, his
article on " The Roots of Fruit-trees " (p. 65), I
think I am right in supposing that the whole
consists of " reasons " that should influence us
" before deciding on any form of root-pruning or
soil dressing." But not one word is forthcoming
as to how this knowledge is to influence our
practice. I do not doubt 5lr. Luffmann's creden-
tials as a " successful tree-culturist," but in " the
jealous warfare between science and practice,"
let him at least take fair side wiih the latter
and confine his teachings within cultural limits.
■' The outdoor fruit-trees of these islands." says
Mr. Luffmann, " are scandalously mismanaged,"
and he adds, truly enough, " the purely scien-
tific men are incapable of putting them straight."
But this is no argument in favour of attempting
to influence the poor ignorant growers by means
of a.ssertions that until substantiated, can only
be described as pseudo-scientific ; and by stating
them in a manner so disjointed as to leave us
utterly in the dark as to how they might be
assimilated to practice. ,1. A. 1'.

Pruning of Young Vines.— Mr. Ward says

" I did hear that my immediate successor at
Longford had uprooted the vines in one
' mixed ' house to make room for Fig trees."
This was quite true, but it will be another piece
of news for Mr. Ward to learn that net only
" one " " mixed " house was uprooted, but as
many as six vineries were replanted, and all
because they were exhausted. Mr. Ward says
he still objects to my metliod of pruning, owing
to waiite of time, labour, and consequent loss of
crop. I wonder what is the loss of crop, time,
etc., from my method as compared with the
necessity of renewing the vines in such a short
■ space of time as was found to be an absolute
necessity in the case of the Longford vines?
I have no proof that a second lot of
vines would not also require renewal if
treated on the same lines as advocated by
Mr. Ward. With reference to the quotation
which Mr. Ward makes from Mr. W. Tay-
lor's note, p. 59, I note the writer there says :
" I agree with most of what Mr. Molyneux
says." Mr. Ward does not give us the context !
Mr. Taylor is. no doubt, an excellent cultivato:-.
but that does not alter my position in regard to
the advice I have to give the amateur Grape
cultivator who wishes not to have the trouble of
renewing his vines after only a few years' cultiva-
tion. I believe the vines established at Cloven-
fords by the late Mr. W Thomson (it must be
more than 30 years ago, though I write from
memory) look to-day as promising as they ever
did. E. Molijneux. [This correspondence will
now cease. — Eds.]

The N.C.S. Trial of Single Chrysanthe-
mums (see p. 153). — These trials will be a boon
to many do do not know- which are the best in
the various sections, though single-flowered varie-
ties increa-se so rapidly that too many sorts are
sure to be given a trial. There is no doubt what-
ever of the importance of the section as an aid
to floral decoration, and especially to the amateur
cultivator, who naturally requires a good return
for his labour. It is well that some authoritative
body should take the matter in hand to decide
which are really good varieties and which are not
required, because there is such a wide difference of
opinion as to what constitutes a desirable variety.
Speaking broadly, I do not think raisers are the
best people for this purpose ; they are too apt to
see superiority in their progeny when it is not suf-
ficent to impress an outsider. Few persons can
agree whether there should be one or niore rows
of florets, whether they should be narrow or
wide, cup-shaped or leflexed, large or small
blooms, early or late flowering ; in fact, there is
really no unanimity on the subject; therefore, I
welcome the project, but I do not envy the
growers. There is no doubt that the variety
;\Iary Anderson has done more to popularise the
section than any other variety. It was intro-

duced by Teesdale in 1885. Some of the finest
specimen plants and blooms of Mary Anderson
ever seen were staged at the Birmingham Chry-
santhemum Shov.s, which were among the lead-
ing meetings at that time. Seeing this hand-
some variety there, many growers were inspired
to a desire to grow similar ones. It 'vould be
extremely difficult to know how many \arieties
have been raised since those days : not far short
of one thousand, I venture to say. Unfortunately
many inferior varieties have been allowed to take
the place of others of better quality, although,
naturally, many present-day sorts are excellent.
Last season's introductions seem to foreshadow
a new era with sorts like Mensa (pure white). Sir
Walter Scott (rich yellow), and Aurora Borealis
(crimson). The blooms are large, with bold,
semi-drooping florets, not merely a single row
of floret, nor so many as to prohibit their being
classed as singles. I do not approve the
September and tjctober-flowering varieties out-
of-doors ; they are not equal to the early .Japanese
section. In the open the singles have a
" flimsy " appearance, and too many have their
florets cup-shaped, which is not graceful. I think
this type nearly superfluous, as the ordinary her-
baceous border will supply flowers at that period
with the addition of the early-flowering and .Japa-
nese sorts. I notice one firm alone catalogues
over 80 of these early-flowering singles. It is
during the months of November, December, and
January that single-flowered sorts are especially
prized, and for tlic latter two months fev/ sorts
are needed, for what is required at that time is
a quantity of blossom of distinctive colours rather
than a variety of colour. This massing of one
or more colours is in the spirit of the age, and
caterers have to provide it. E. Moli/nriix.

Polygonum capitatum.— I was surprised not

to see this species mentioned in the article on
Polygonums that appeared on page 123, for it is
a lovely little plant and one that compares fav-
ourably with the best of the dwarf forms of the
genus. The species is a native of the Himalayas,
w'here it is found from Chamba to Bhotan
at an elevation of from 3,000 to 6,000 feet.
It cannot be considered hardy in this
country, and is often killed in the winter.
Probably on that account it has been classed
as an annual by some writers, but it is
a true perennial, and, by affording winter
protection, I have kept a plant alive for several
years. It is the most persistent flowerer of its
family. My plant has already expanded blos-
soms, and will continue to bloom through the
spring, summer and autumn until November.
Self-sown seedlings are continually appearing
around the plant, and I have taken up dozens
of them It is a very charming Polygonum, form-
ing a cushion of foliage studded with a profusion
of rouud heads of bright, rose-pink flowers. The
oval leaves, 1 inch to 2 inches long, are dark
green, and are marked with a red, V-shaped
band extending from the mid-rib at the centre
to the base of the leaf. Their stems are red,
and covered with minute crimson hairs. Borne
on long stalks well above the foliage, the
flower-heads are produced in abundance at the
axils of the upper leaves. Most Polygonums are
such robust growers that they can only bo ad-
mitted into the roughest parts of the garden, but
this species is of very neat, prostrate habit, and
does not spread unduly. It is a useful plant
for covering the bare ground beneath taller-grow-
ing subjects, as it is always beautiful, remaining
in bloom for many months. In general habit it
comes nearest to P. vaccinit'olium, but the leaves
are larger and softer. In Flora and Sylva. it
was said, " As a basket or hanging plant for the
greenhouse, and to cover bare ground beneath
stages or in a winter garden, there are few plant*
that would give so good a result with so little
trouble." Wtjndhain. Fitzherbfrl, Kinjiwear.

Although a charming little plant in

places where it flourishes, P. capitatum can
hardlv be considered among the most useful
members of the genus for general garden pur-
poses, but those mentioned in the article were
selected from that point of view. The article
did not profess to deal with all species of Poly-
gonum in cultivation. There is the native P.
bistorta, an attractive plant for the wild garden,
and among the climbing species P. cilinode and
P. multiflorum are useful plants for covering
trellis-work and such-like places in summer

ir, I.

188

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 19, 1910.

The Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary. — Ou

iDehalf of the members of the Brent Valley Bird
Sanctuary Committee, I appeal, now that the
nesting season will soon be in full swing, for
renewals of, and additions to, the contributions
that have enabled us to maintain the sanctuary
in the past. We shall be pleased to enter the
name of any subscriber of Is. 6d. against a
nesting box in our numbered list, and report
as to the result obtained, while, in the case of
those who contribute 5s. and upwards we shall
be glad to make arrangements for a visit to the
sanctuary. Hilda E. Wehb, hon. secretary of
the Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary Committee,
Odstoch, Hanwell, W.

How TO Get Dahlias to Flower Early. — ■

Many times I have been asked to state what
Uahliaa will flower early, say, at the end of July.
It is, of course, ([uite unnatural for a Dahlia to
flower at that time, as the weather is usually
unfavourable to this moisture-loving plant, but
as blooms are often wanted, the following
method is the best ia ensure getting them.
Old roots very often throw up stems and flower
as quickly as it is possible for any plant to do,
but the drawback is that the flowers seldom keep
up to a high standard after the first batch. The
ideal system is to start with small, pot-grown
roots, which are obtainable from all Dahlia sales-
men. These roots should bo potted into 3j-incli
pots in a light, fairly-rich compost, and buried
about 2 inch below the surface of the soil. If
the roots are very dry and the compost moist, do
not water at all for a few days, or possibly not
until the roots start growth. As a rule, they
root very considerably m advance of making top
growth, and, in fact, they are much best if
allowed to start gradually in a cool temperature.
Once they have made new roots they grow with
rapidity, and it kept in heat or in any way
shaded will run up 6 or 8 inches high before pro-
ducing the first pair of leaves, and to check
this tendency as much as possible, a frame is
the best place in which to stand them. The one
great mistake so often made is :'n letting the
plants become pot-bound. Very soon after start-
ing top growth, the tubers throw out strong,
young roots all round the base of the new shoots.
These roots wiD form the tubers of next autumn,
and the all-important point is to get the plant
properly transferred to the open ground before
these roots gets distorted and twined round
the side of the pots. Plants from pot roots, if
treated in this way, grow without a check and
flower very early, especially if naturally early-
flowering sorts are selected. On the other hand,
pot-root plants very quickly get hard and
stunted if not planted out, and may in conse-
quence prove worse than useless. Here are a few
early Cactus varieties, but, though good, they
are not the finest in other respects. Sirius, Ante-
lope, Dreadnought, Mrs. Grinsted, F. M. Stred-
wick, Eureka, Mrs. Raby, Mrs. W. Ba.xter,
Brigadier, Rev. A. Bridge, Sunshine, Harold
Peerman, Kathleen Bryant, Mercury, and J. H.
Jackson. P. P.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

Maboh 8. — Present • Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A.,
F.L.S., F.E.S. (in the chair), Prof. Sir A.
Church, Messrs. J. T. Benneit-Poe, F. J. Baker,
W. Hales, R. Hooper Pearson, H. J. Veitch,
A. W. Hill, J. S. Arkwright, L. H. Crawshay,
J. Douglas, W. Fawcett, J. Fraser, .'.. D.
Michael, Dr. J. A. Voelcker, and F. J. Chit-
tenden (hon. sec).

Scale on AUhr. — Mr. R. Newstead, A.L.S.,
reported that the scale insect on the stem of
Alder shown from Mr Lynch at the last meet-
ing was Aspidiotus salicis.

Fungus on Saxifiaga. — Mr. Chittenden re-
ported that he had examined the Saxifraga longi-
folia sent to the last meeting by Mr. F.^rree,
and found it to be attacked by the rust fungus,
Puccinia saxifraga. This fungus attacks several
species of Saxifrage, but appears to be rather
uncommon in Britain.

Hyacinth hulls failing. — Mr. Michael re-
ported that he had failed to find any bulb mites
on the Hyacinth bulbs submitted to him at the
last meeting. He thought the death of the roots

had, in all probability, been caused by excess of
moisture soon after they were formed.

Malformed Cyprlpediums. — Mr. L. H. de B.
Crawshay showed drawings illustrating the mal-
formations shown in the twin-flowered inflores-
cence of Cypripedium barbatum from the Lord
Avebury exhibited at the last meeting. He re-
marked that the two-flowered scape had
branched about the middle. The terminal flower
had a complete perianth except the labellum,
which was absent, its only indication being a

being divided to the base. The ovary contained
only one placenta, placed anteriorly.

Pigments in. Bean seeds. — Mr. E. A. Buny.^rd
having examined the pigments in the seeds of the
Beans shown at a recent meeting, wrote a letter
stating that they exhibited seven distinct tints of
brown, two shades of green, one black, and one
blue-black. All the tints of brown are due to one
pigment.

" It is insoluble in carbon bisulphide, water,
alcohol, ether, acids, and alum, but soluble in

{Fycin a photograph by ]. Gregory.

Fig. So. — rehmannia briscoei, a first hybrid fhom r. angulata (of commerce) ?

AND r. HENRYI i . (See p. 189.)

median streak in the anterior sepal. The column
was formed of two normal anthers and two sta-
minodes, the stigmatic plate being absent and
its place occupied by the anterior Ftaminode.
The ovary contained two placentas placed oppo-
site to one another. The lateral flower was
normal in every way except in the trimerous
outer whorl of the perianth, which showed rever-
sion to the primitive type, the three segments

an aqueous solution of ammonia. A flocculent
precipitate is thrown down from this solution by
acetati^ of lead, and a strong black colour formed
when treated with ferrous sulphate.

It seems probable therefore that the pigment
is a tannin, hut the small amount of material
renders it impossible to affirm this with any
accuracy. It is apparent that they are merely
quantitative differences of the same pigment.

Makch 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

T89

The Beans are referred to under numbers, as
No. 1, &c. ; the colours (Repertoire des Colours)
as C 100 &c.

Bean No. 1 is, for instance, a near approach
to C. 107, and the pigment, in a state of purity,
would probably be between the " standard
colours " Nos. C. 101 and 126.

Nos. 9, 6, 3, are closely matt'hed by C. 107,
113, 143 respectively, and the parent Beans
show the pigment much diluted in C. 128 D.

No. 8 has, however a distinct green tinge. In
this, microscopical examination reveals the pig-
ment in a finely-granulated condition, which
causes, of course, greater light absorption than
when in a liquid or semi-liquid condition. C. 167
gives this tint v.ell.

No. 2 might at first be considered black, but a
careful examination reveals its greenish hue, due
to a large amount of the same pigment, also very
finely granulated. No. 11, an apparent black,
reveals the same condition. The colour in these
two cases is soluble in ammonia, and gives a
solution identical with that extracted from No. 1.

The only other case I have met where a yellow
pigment strongly concentrated gives an appear-
ance of black, is the case of Coelogyne pan-
durata, in which the black lines are formed of
highly-concentrated yellow pigment.

which had been taken from a cement tank, on
the sides of which they had grown. The pre-
sence of the Algffi, which proved to belong to a
species of Oscillatoria, rendered the water un-
pleasant to drink. It was suggested that the
tank should be covered, as the Algaa would not
develop in the dark, or that a weak solution of
copper sulphate should be added to the water.

Lilac sporting. — Messrs. P.iuL showed a white-
flowered Lilac with two bunches of lilac flowers
and one bunch of white at the end of one of the
branches, affording a somewhat remarkable case
of a whit« flower sporting to lilac.

[This interesting occurrence is to be explained
probably on the basis that white Lilac is — as
is the case with many white varieties of Primula
sinensis — a dominant white. That is, that it
is carrying colour which is prevented from
showing owing to the presence of an inhibiting
factor. The reappear.^nce of the Lilac colour is
to be attributed to segregation in the bud, of
dominant white character from colour character,
the latter only being represented in the coloured
flowers. — Eds.]

Malformed Beerk. — Mr. \V. Fawcett, F.L.S.,
showed a branch of a Beech from Tunbridge
Wells having several large, smooth swellings
upon it. A section through one of them showed

[Frotn a photogtaph by /. Otigoiy,

Fig. 8i. — rehmannia henryi, one of the parents of r. briscoei.

Nos. 8, 2, and 11, in which the pigment is
much granulated, is paralleled by the dark choco-
late varieties of Sweet Peas. In these the
anthocyan sap is deposited in dense granules
instead of being in liquid form, and the very
dark shades are thus produced-

No. 10 is of a blue-black tint, not lepresented
in the Code, and is due to a strong concentra-
tion of an anthocyan pigment. The well-known
dwarf Bean Negro Largo is coloured with the
same pigment. The limited material made it
impossible to ascertain in which division of the
anthocyans it should be placed."

Woid alltged to prevtnl iron rufting. — Mr.
E. M. Holmes reported that he had examined
the wood shown at the last meeting by Dr.
VoEL^'KER, and found it to be from a Coniferous
tree which Mr. Herbert Stone, F.L.S., sug-
gested might be an Agathis ; he had not seen it
before, however. Mr. Holmes could suggest no
reason why a decoction of the wood should pre-
vent rusting. It appears to contain resin, but
that is insoluble in water. It is certainly not
the wood of Machilus Thunbergii, as has been
suggested, for that belongs to the Lauracete.

Algct in water tank. — Dr. Voelcker showed
Bome small, rather leathery, masses of Algae,

that the middle portions were quite dark brown,
and that there were dark streaks in the wood.
No fungus mycelium, however, could be dis-
covered. It was suggested that the specimen
should be referred to Dr. Henry.

Sucker.^ on Plums, d-c. — Mr. J. Fraser,
F.L.S.. showed specimens illustrating the deve-
lopment of suckers on Plum roots. He pointed
out th.it the first sign of a sucker appearing is
a swelling on the root. On this swelling, scale
leaves, rather thick in texture, arise, and later
the little bud develops into a shoot. He sug-
gested that, in order to avoid the development
of suckers, seedling Plums should bo used for
budding, and not suckers.

Fa.iciated Asparagus. — Mr. J. S. Aekv^right
showed a remarkable specimen of fasciated
Asparagus measuring about 2 inches across and
somewhat spirally twisted. Fasciation is com-
mon in this plant, but it is seldom that such a
large specimen is sent to the Committee.

llehmannia X Briscoei. — Mr. H. J. Veitch
showed a hybrid between Rehmannia angulata
'of commerce) $ and R. Henryi i . The hybrid
had been raised by Mr. T. W. Briscoe, after
whom it was named. The parents were also
shown, for comparison. The hybrid was in most

characters intermediate between its parents, being
dwarfer than R. angulata, but having an erect
inflorescence instead of a condensed one, as in
the pollen parent. The flowers were intermediate
in colour and of a soft, pleasing pink. The
leaves were arranged in a rosette, and were simi-
lar in shape to those of K. Henryi (see fig. 81),
and had the same dark veininga, while they
were much mora velvety-hairy than those of R.
angulata, though a little less so than those of
R. Henryi.

On the motion of Mr. Michael, seconded by
Mr. Grawshay, a Botanical Certificate was
unanimously recommended for Rehmarmia
Henryi, now for the first time exhibited, and on
the motion of Mr. R. Hooper Pearson, seconded
by Mr. Beunett-Poe, a Certificate of Appreciation
was unanimously recommended to Messrs. J.
Veitch & Sons for work in connection with the
raising of the interesting hybrid. [The hybrid
makes a beautiful pot or vase plant, as may be
seen from our illustration at fig. 80. — Eds.]

Ili/brid Strelitzia. — Mr. Hill remarked that a
hybrid, intermediate in character between its
parents, was now flowering at Kew. It had been
raised by Mr. Dallimore, between Strelitzia
Augusta and S. Reginae, and, whilst it had leaves
similar to those of S. Augusta, it was only about
1 foot high. A fuU description is given in the
Kew Bulletin.

Seedlings from Amaryllis. — Mr. J. HtJDSON
showed two seedlings from an Amaryllis which
had been pollinated with pollen from Vallota
purpurea. They did not show in any essential
point the characters of Vallota, and it was sug-
gested that the flowers should be self-pollinated
and seedlings raised from them, to nee whether
the next generation showei any segregation in
the direction of Vallota.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.

OLD AGE IN TREES.

March 8. — After the usual monthly meeting of
this club, held at the Hotel Windsor under the
chairmanship of Mr. C. T. Druery, V.M.H., Mr.
C. Bogue Luffmann gave a lecture on the subject
of " Old Age in Trees," Ulustrated by a number
of diagrams. In the first place, he pointed out
that there was a material difference in the factors
which governed the effects of age in animals and
trees. Animals grow old and incapable in spite
of the most generous food and surroundings ; but
trees have a duration of life governed by their
environment. The animal's vitality declines by
reason of internal changes, and it is sustained by
constant renewal of effete old cells ; while the
tree, if favourably situated, continues for an in-
definite period to add fresh material to its bulk,
whilst retaining the old material. The life of
the tree is ther^^fors determined by its capacity
to find nourishment through its root system,
lo hold ibs oiMi 111 the competition with other
trees for light, and air, and moisture, and by
its greater or less immunity from disease, in-
sect attacks, and damage in other ways. Given
.sufSciently favourable conditions, the duration
of life of a tree may be immense, as is wit-
nessed in the giant Sequoia, Eucalyptus, Ban-
yans, &c. The lecturer considered, however,
that, as time went on and the fabric of the tree
extended, the difficulty of transit of the crude
sap to the farthest leaf systems increased, as also
the return of the elaborated sap, manufactured
in the leaf under the influence of light. It fol-
lowed naturaOy from the facts adduced that con-
stant increase of size was a vital essential in
tree life. A tree could only continue to exist
by forming fresh growth, and in course of
time much of the old growth perishes. Many
interesting points were cited by the lecturer
in connection with the sympathetic relations
between the root and branch systems. The
normal tendency of stem growth is perpen-
dicularly upwards, and the tendency to tap-
rooting at the outset of root formation is the
direct corollary of this, but is usually checked by
the fact that the root system requires aerated
soil, and is thus forced to extend laterally, the
result being that the tap root perishes. This
often, the lecturer explained, left large cavities
or wells in the soil beneath the trunk of the tree
concerned. Moisture is one of the main needs of
vigorous tree life, forming, as it does, both the
circulating and the cooling medium. This is sup-
plied by the root system, and conveyed to the

1#0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Makch 19, 1910.

foliar system through the young wood which
lies between the bark and the internal, inert
wood. When it reaches the leaves it is eva-
porated through the stomata, and thus cools
the foliage. If the supply be inadequate,
the temperature rises, the bark is rendered
harder, and the tree suffers. Different exposure
to aerial moisture or drought may, therefore, ren-
der the timber in one and the same tree of very
different quality, harder or softer, as the case
may be, and a cross section of a trunk shows, to
experienced eyes, from which quarter the moist
winds generally blew, by a greater thickness of
the ring on that side, the character of the soil
is another factor, since it is within that that the
roots have to travel and collect the moisture and
earthy salts which constitute the raw^ material of
uhe sap, and it is obvious that, in this direction,
there is a certain check upon life duration, since
the farther these roots extend the higher or wider
the tree grows, and the longer the consequent dis-
tance between the points of collection and those
of transpiration where the formative work of the
tree is done. Due to tiiese causes, plus the risks
of storm and disease and insect attacks, the ap-
parently indefinite life of a tree comes to a natural
end at last, the depth of the vital wood becomes
thinner and more detached, the .sap grows less in
quantity and inferior in quality, and the leaves
fewer and fewer. Circulation slackens, growth
ceases, decay sets in, and the tree dies.

A discussion followed, in which Messi-s. Barr,
Shillito, Bean, Druery, and others joined.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

February 17. — A meeting was held on this
date in the Corn Exchange. Z. A. W.^rd, Esq.,
Northenden (gr. Mr. Weathcrby), was awarded a
Silver-gilt Medal for a display of Odontoglossums.
0. X Mrs. Whitmeyer, a hybrid between 0.
X Harryano-crispnm X 0. X amabile received
an Award of Merit.

H. J. Bromilow, Esq., Rainhill (gr. Mr.
Morgan), was awarded a Silver Medal for a group
of Cypripediums. C. x Leeanum var. Excelsior
received an Award of Merit.

J. JIcCiRTNEY, Esq., Bolton (gr. Mr.
Holmes), made a good show of Cattleyas and
Lselias, for which a Silver-gilt Medal was
awarded. Lfelio-Cattleya X callistoglossa var.
\V. Holmes, Cattleya Trianse var. Prince Henry,
and Cattleya Trianse var. Castle Hill all received
Awards of .Merit.

Mrs. S. Wood, Glossop (gr. Mr. Gould), re-
ceived a Silver Medal for a miscellaneous dis-
play. Cattleya Trianse Moorfield var. received an
Award of Merit. Cymbidium X Holfordianum
was a prominent plant in this group.

S. Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mr.
Shill), exhibited Dendrobium X Melpomene
West Point var. (Awai-d of Merit), and a well-
grown plant of Cypripedium x Rosettii.

A. Wareurton, Esq., Haslingden, staged a
large group of beautiful and rare forms of Odon-
toglossums, choice varieties of 0. crispum being
particularly noticeable. 0. crispum var. xan-
thotes WarburtonifB, a flower of the greatest
purity, uncommonly large in size and perfectly
•shaped, was awarded a First-class Certificate and
a Gold Medal. A First-class Certificate was also
awarded to 0. X ardentissimum var. Sultan, and
Awards of Merit to 0. crispum var. Gloria
Mundi and 0. c. var. Grand Duke.

Dr. Ai.EX. HODGKINSON, Wilmslow (gr. Mr.
Moore), exhibited Odontoglossum crispum var.
landenii and a distinct form of 0. x Wattiauum
named princeps.

J. T. Clifton, Esq., Lytham (gr, Mr. Float),
showed mi-scellaneous Orchids, among which
were a number of botanical species, nearly all
of which were submitted to the Committee. These
provided a pleasing change from the large-
fiowered species and hybrids.

Mr. W. Shackleton, Great Horton, Bradford,
was voted an Award of Merit for Cypripedium x
Cleola.

R. AsKwoRTK, Esq., Newchurch (gr. Mr.
Gilden), staged a group of well-grown and showy
plants, principally Odontoglossums in varietv.
(Silver Medal.)

Other exhibitors were Messrs. Cypher & Sons,
Cheltenham (Silver Medal) ; iMessrs. Keeling &
Sons, ]\Ir. J. Rutherforti, Mr. E. V. Low,
;\fessrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, Mr. N. Galioway,
and Messrs. Stuart Lov? & Co. P. W.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.

February 22. — At the last meeting of this
association, Mr. Geo. Hemming in the Chair,
resolutions were passed, condemning the action
of the recent Parks' appointment of the London
County Council. A sub-committee was ap-
pointed to consider the holding of a congress
of gardeners. Invitations will be issued to
leading member.'! of the profession to take part
in it. Fifty-three new members were elected,
bringing the total up to 1,706. John Weathers,
tStrrtitdry.

March 10. — The monthly meeting of this
Branch took place at Carr's Restaurant on this
date. Two new members were elected, making
the total membership of the Branch 183.

It was decided to send a letter of protest to
the Greenwich Boi'ough Council on the recent
appointment of an engineer to the post of super-
intendent of Charlton Cemetery.

The lecturer for the evening was Mr. Palmer,
who gave an address on " Trees and Shrubs."
Mr. Palmer dealt with their propagation by
means of seeds, cuttings, layers, budding, graft-
ing, and division. He also referred to *he plant-
ing and pruning of the various species, and gave
a list of trees and shrubs suitable for different
purposes.

In the discussion which followed the reading
of the paper, Mr. Friend said that in Islington
even such hardy subjects as Privet gradually
died, and needed to be replaced every two or
three years.

The members will hold a Bohemian concert at
Carr's Re.staurant on March 19. The chair will
be taken by Jlr. E. F. Hawes at 7.30 p.m. The
proceeds will be given to a London hospital.

READING ROSE.

February 23. — The annual meeting was held at
the Abbey Hall, Reading, on this date. The Rev.
F. Page-Roberts, president of the National Rose
Society, presided.

It was stated in the annual report that, despite
the attractions at Foxhill (the grounds of which
were kindly lent by the president, Mrs. Rufus
Isaacs), the gate receipts at the annual show were
ordy £38 18s. 9d., whereas the takings at
shows four years ago were about £60. This
was a great misfortune for the society. The
year's work shows an increased deficit of £34
19s. 6d. The show was otherwise a great success.
Owing to the serious financial position in which
the society is now placed, the committee have
very carefully considered the advisability of con-
tinuing the show, and have been obliged to decide
that it is useless to do so unless some other ele-
ment can be introduced to attract the public.
They will, therefore, recommend to the members
that classes for Sweet Peas shall be offered, and
as several ladies and gentlemen have very kindly
promised assistance in the shape of prizes, it is
not likely to add to the expenses of the society,
but, on the contrary, it is thought that it will be
the means of not only making a more attractive
show, but of securing a better gate. The com-
mittee will further recommend that the 1910
show shall be held on Saturday, July 16, in the
Forbury Gardens, if available. '

The members of the committee were re-elected,
with the exception of Mrs. Ashbv, Miss Ratcliffe,
Mr. Toogood, Mr. Webb, and Mr. W. C. Blaxill,
who resigned. Commander Humphery and ilr.
J. L. Martin were elected as new members.

It was decided to hold the show on Saturday,
■July 16, and to alter the title of the society to
the " Reading and District Rose and Sweet Pea
Societv."

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

March 1.— The monthly meeting of the
association was held in Edinburgh on this
date. Mr. Whytock, the president, occu-
pied the chair, there being about 90 present.
A paper was read by Mr. James Moncur,
Colinton, on " Weather Forecasts," dealing
with the subject of approximating the wea-
ther without the aid Of recording instru-
ments. He pleaded for more attention by gar-
deners and others to the observance of natural
phenomena as a means of foretelling local weather
conditions. The paper gave rise to a lengthy dis-
cussion.

A number of exhibits were shown, including
seedling Clivias from the Edinburgh Public Parks
Department; some well-grown spikes of Richardia
africana, from Miss Burton, Polton (for which
a Cultural Certificate was awarded); "Match-
less " Greens and " Ormskirk " Savoys, from
Mr. J. W. Scarlett, market-gardener, Mussel-
burgh ; and a plant of Coelogyne cristata, in a
7-inch pot, carrying 16 spikes and 41 flowers,
from Mr. A. R. Henderson, Salisbury Green,
Edinburgh.

Five new members were elected. The subject
for the meeting on April 5 is " Comments on the
Introduction to iMcIntosh's Book of the Garden."

LEEDS PROFESSIONAL GARDENERS.

March 7. — The quarterly meeting was held at
the Green Dragon Hotel on this date. Mr.
Preece presided. Eleven new ordinary, and two
honorary members have joined the society during
the present year. The sum of £16 has been paid
in sick benefits and £20 in funeral allowances.
Two aged members have received financial assist-
ance during the quarter. Only gardeners are
eligible for membership. Application forms may
be obtained from the secretary, Mr. George
Carver, Chapelallerton, Leeds.

UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT
AND PROVIDENT.

March 14. — The annual meeting was held on
Monday last in the Horticultural Hall, Vincent
Square, Westminster. Jlr. C. H. Curtis pre-'
sided.

The following are extracts from the Report : —

" Sixty-five new members were elected during
the year, but as 24 members lapsed and seven
died, the net increase is 34, the total member-
ship now standing at 1,325. One of the deceased
members was Mr. Nathan Cole, who, in the
earlier years of the society's work, was a member
of committee. The amount paid out to nominees
of deceased members was £300 10s. lid., this
sum including £30 4s. Id. paid to the nominee
of a lapsed member.

" The sum of £9 7s. 2d. has also 6een paid to
lapsed members on reaching 60 years of age.

" Subscriptions to the Benevolent Fund
amounted to £231 3s, 4d., and the payments
therefrom to £129 lis., the latter amount in-
cluding the sums regularly paid to several mem-
bers over 70 years of age. as well as a few grants
made to members in great distress.

" The Convalescent Fund does not thoroughly
fulfil its mission, and the committee believes that
if members recovering from severe illness would
take advantage of the benefits it offers there
would be a material reduction in the amounts
paid out during sickness. Members often re-
turn to business before fully recovered, and con-
sequently have sometimes to come again upon the
Sick Fund, whereas a brief holiday and change
of air fcjllowing sickness would fully restore them.
The subscriptions to this fund, including £5 5s.
from Mr. N. N. Sherwood, "V.M.H., amounted
to £10 2s., and the one grant from the fund was
£1 10s.

" The management expenses have been kept
as low as possible consistent with the proper
working of the society. There has been no
special or extra expenditure of any kind, and the
total management charges amount to £195
lis. lOd., as against £192 19s. lOd. in 1908.

" The subject of providing for a grant to any
member who may have the misfortune to lose
his w-ife by death has been considered by the
committee, but .... the committee pro-
poses to take actuarial advice before putting any
proposals before the members, and to take sncli
advice in connection with the forthcoming quin-
quennial valuation of the society."

The total investments of the society amount to
£36,514 lis. 7d., of the approximate market
value of £32.400.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the
report and balance-sheet, referred to the steady
progress of the society. Mr. E. Burge seconded
the motion.

Mr. J. Harrison Dick suggested that the man-
agement should consider the advisability of
forming an advertisement and publication sub-
committee, for the pui-pose of making known the
aims and objects of the society. Mr. Price con-
sidered a good way of advertising the society

March 19, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

191

was for the membei-s to bring it before the notice
of the members of local horticultural societies.
Mr. Mark Webster also spoke to the same effect,
after which the report was adopted unanimously.

The retiring members of the committee, Messrs.
Woods, Harding, Harrison Dick, and Wilson,
were re-elected. On the motion of the Chair-
man, Mr. W. Collins was elected secretary for
the ensuing year for the twenty-third time in
succession. The treasurer, auditors, and trustees
were also re-elected.

The monthly committee meeting was

held at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent
Square, Westminster, on Monday, ilarch 14,
Mr. C. H. Curtis in the chair. Six new members
were elected, making a total of 52 for the past
three meetings. Several members over 60 years
of age took advantage of Rule 18 to draw the
interest on their deposit account. A cheque for
£11 14s. 4d. was drawn for the nominee of a
late mem'jcr. The amount paid to sick members

was a great lover of hardy herbaceous, Alpine,
and aquatic plants, as well as ornamental trees
and shrubs. Owing to the northern situa-
tion of his garden, it was a difficult matter some-
times to get certain species established, but he
was generally successful, and especially in the
case of Bamboos. Mr. Drewett resided at Riding
Mill for the past 35 years and during the greater
part of that time he interested himself in the
hybridisation of Orchids. He was especially suc-
cessful in the inter-crossing of the western world
Oypripediums ; one of his earliest successes was
the raising of Cypripedium X Juno (C. callosum
X C. Fairrieanum). During the last 10 years, Mr.
Drewett devoted his attention principally to the
inter-crossing of the winter-flowering Cypripe-
diums, and his name will be associated with the
introduction of C. insigne Aberdeen. He collected
all the best varieties of 0. insigne, and gave much
attention to crossing them. Perhaps the finest
variety he raised is G. i. James Renwick, which

THE LATE MR. DREWETT O. DREWETT.

since the last meeting was £60 5s. At a subse-
quent meeting, Mr. C. H. Curtis was elected
chairman of committee and Mr. T. Winter vice-
chairman for the ensuing year.

©bituavjj.

Drewett O. Drewett. — We regret to
record that the death of Mr. Drewett 0. Drewett,
of Willow Wood, Riding Mill, Northumberland,
took place on Wednesday, March 9. The deceased
gentleman, who was 72 years of age. was prepar-
ing to accompany Mrs. Drewett on a visit to
friends, when he was taken ill in his dressing-
room, and died shortly afterwards. Mr, Drewett
had two hobbies — gardening and fishing. Par-
ticulars of his interesting gardens, with illustra-
tions, have been given in these pages at various
times during the past quarter of a centurv. He

lie named after his gardener, who ably assisted
his late master in this work. The local Gardeners'
Mutual Improvement Societies, especially that of
Corbridge, will miss Mr, Drewett's advice and
support. The portrait now reproduced is from a
painting, and represents Mr, Drewett in fishing
costume. II. J. C.

James McIndoe, V.M.H.— As these pages
are passing through the press, a telegram has
reached us announcing the death, on Wednesday,
evening, of Mr, James McIndoe, late gardener
at Hutton Hall, Guisboro, Yorkshire, Jlr.
McIndoe was appointed gardener at Hutton by
the late Sir Joseph Peace, early in the 'seventies,
and rapidly made a name for himself as a grower
and exhibitor of choice fruits. Since his retire-
ment from Hutton Hall, some years ago, Mr.
.McIndoe has resided at Dartford. in Kent, where
he died after a long illness caused by cancer, A
few years ago he visited Xew Zealand, and, on
his return, contributed articles to the Garc/eitn:^'
C/ironirh on Grape-growing as practised there.

LAW NOTES.

FLOWER SHOW DISPUTE.

At the recent Chester Assizes, before Lord.
Coleridge, an exhibitor at the Gresford and Dis-
trict Rose Society's exhibition brought an action
for damages for slandev against a collier, also an
exhibitor. The complainant asserted that the
defendant had accused him of stealing Roses from
his garden and exhibiting them as his own. The
evidence revealed the fact that such illicit prac-
tices were quite common at the local exhibitions
around Gresford, and tho defendant said that he
had on several occasions furnished the plaintiff
with flowers for exhibiting, whilst plaintiff him-
self admitted in cross-examination that he had
asked for things for other people, but not for
himself. It was proved that onj of the members
of the committee had furnished plaintiff with
Stocks for another show. This committeeman
sat at the inquiry, instituted by the Gresford
Show Committee, which e.\onerated plaintiff from
the charge of corruptly exhibiting. The judge,
ni summing up. advised the jury to set aside
the question of the committee of inquiry, re-
marking that they might as well have a number
of poachers to try a poacher as accept the evi-
dence of the committee.

The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff
with one farthing damages.

NURSERYMAN'S FAILURE.

In regard to the failure of Mr. Thomas Albinus
Thomsen. of Painter's Lane, Waltham Cross,
nurseryman, the official receiver for the Essex
district has issued particulars, from which it ap-
pears that the debtor has filed a statement of
affairs showing gross liabilities amounting to
£11,009 5s. 7d., of which £9,428 2s. 7d, is ex-
pected to rank against the estate for dividend.
The assets are estimated to produce £18 17s.,
thus leaving a deficiency of £9,409 5s. 7d.

The debtor alleges his failure to have beer»
caused through " Want of sufficient capital for
rapidly extending business, and heavy interest
of moneylenders."

NITROGEN COMPOUNDS IN RAIN AND
SNOW.

Since February, 1907, determinations have
been made at the Ottawa Experimental Station
by Professor F. T. Shutt, on the nitrogen com-
pounds in each fall of rain and snow that fur-
nished on the catchment area a sufficient quan-
tity for analysis.

From the data so obtained and the precipitatiorr
results (rain and snow in inch-s), the author has-
been enabled to calculate approximately the-
amount of combined nitrogen furnished to the soil'
per acre in the vicinity of Ottawa, U.S. Another-
year's determinations are now reported, and in:
certain respects they are extremely interesting, as
showing that practically twice as much nitrogen'
(chiefly as free ammonia) was found as in the-
ram and snow of the preceding year. This was
traced to the smoke-laden atmosphere which pre-
vailed during the autumn months in the neigh-
bourhood of Ottawa, caused by the extensive bush
fires which raged for many weeks, and which
resulted in a large destruction of timber.

The first year's results in this investigation
(March, 1907, to February, 1908, inclusive)
showed that the total precipitation during that
period was 24.05 inches of rain and 133 inches
of snow, and furnished per acre 4,323 lbs. of
fertilising value to the soil. ■ '" (

In the table that follows are given the data
of the year ending February 28. 1909, and it will
be noticed that in certain respects thev differ
markedly from those of the preceding year. The
difference lies chiefly in the much larger amounts
of nitrogen found in the rain, more especially in
the months of September and October,

The monthly precipitations, tiie average"

192

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

.l\lARCH 1.9, 1910.

amounts of nitrogen present as ammonia and as
nitrates, as obtained from the several analysis,
and tiie pounds of nitrogen furnished per acre,
are set forth in the table printed below.

The amount of nitrogen in the rain and snow
at Ottawa during the year, it will be seen, was
8.364 lbs. per acre, practically twice the quan-
tity found in the preceding year.

Further leference to the foregoing data shows
that the rain falling in September, October and
November was particularly rich in ammonia. A
very severe drought prevailed during August,
September and the first three weeks of Octo-
ber, the rainfall being considerably below the
average for these months. This excessive dryness
of the weather allowed the bush fires, which are
not unusual at this time of the year, to spread
and gain very considerable headway. These fires
raged almost continually, the rainfalls being very
light for many weeks, so that for two months,
more or less, the atmosphere was heavily charged
with smoke. Hundreds of acres of forest were
burnt, and thousands of dollars' worth of timber
destroyed. This smoke naturally contained large
proportions of ammonia as a product of com-
bustion, and hence the scanty rainfall that oc-
curred during these weeks was exceptionally rich
in that constituent.

Lorr^cjbondent'^

•^* The Eilitors will he glad to receive, for
consideration, large photographs of hortieullural
subjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.

■Editors and Publisher. — Our Correspondents would
obviate delay in obtaining answers to their communica-
tions, and save us much time and trouble, if they would
kindly observe the notice printed weekly to the effect
that all letters relating to financial matters and to
advertisements should be addressed to the Pubhshcr;
and that ail communications intended for publication, or
referring to the Literary department, and all plants to be
named, should be directed to the Editors. The two
departments. Publishing and Editorial, are distinct, and
much unnecessary delay and confusion arise when letters
are misdirected.

Blinds for Glass Houses: //. A. B. The
simplest type of blinds are those employed so
extensively on the glass houses at Kew Gar-
dens. Thin canvas is used, this being nailed
or fastened with a lath screwed into the ridge
board, the other end being rolled around a
pole piovided with a reel at one or both ends.
It is a simple matter to lower or raise the
blinds by means of a cord which travels in
the reel and ihrouch a pulley at the top of

Rain and Snow at Ottawa fob the Yeab ending Febbuaky 28, 1909.

Month and Year.

Rain.

Snow.

Total as
Rain.

Nitrogen as
Ammonia.

Nitrogen as
Nitrates.

Total
Nitrogen.

Nitrogen
per Acre.

1908.

inches.

inches.

inches.

per million

per million.

per million.

lbs.

March

2-24

13V5

367

•291

-183

■474

•383

April

1-34

400

1-74

-758

-374

1-132

■446

May

5.46

5-46

•550

-174

-724

■903

June

1-31

1-31

■340

-194

-534

-159

July

277

277

-505

■114

•619

-450

August

1-72

1-72

-699

■208

-907

•354

September

1-OU

100

5-555

■897

6-452

1-462

October

2-28

2-28

3-702

■551

4-253

2197

November

1-48

1000

2-48

1-466

■171

1637

-920

December

021

41-75

4-39

■830

•148

-478

-476

1903.

January

2-46

11-00

3-56

-390

•129

-519

-450

February

0-72

16 25

2-35

-253

•109

-164

-194

Yearly Total

22-99

96-25

32-63

-

-

-

B-364

Of the total amount of nitrogen, 8.364 lbs.,
84 per cent., or 7.025 lbs., occurred as free and
organic ammonia, and 16 per cent., or 1.338 lbs.,
as nitrates and nitrites.

The nitrogen furnished by the rain was esti-
mated at 90 per cent, of the whole, or 7.528 lbs.
per acre; that by the snow at 10 per cent., or
0.836 lbs. per acre.

The data thus obtained confirms the results of
the previous year, that the rain is much richer
in nitrogenous plant-food than is the snow. J . J .
Willis, Harpenden.

TRADE NOTES.

Mr. W. G. Inglis, for the past three years a
representative of Messrs. Dicksons & Co., Edin-
burgh, has entered the service of Mr. David W.
Thomson, nurseryman and seedsman, George
Street, Edinburgh, in a similar capacity.

MESSRS. MACKENZIE & MONCUR, LTD.
We are informed that Mr. W. E. Turnbull has
been appointed by Messrs. Mackenzie & Moncur,
Ltd., to succeed the late Mr. Dugald McCorquo-
dale in the management of the business as car-
ried on from 8, Camden Road, London, N.W.
Mr. Turnbull has had 25 years' experience.

ENQUIRY.

Wood Mic*. — Can any gardener from experi-
ence give working details of any remedy, such as
poison, &c., for the devastations of wood mice,
which, in spite of trapping, are destroying entire
species of Lilies and other plants in the wild
garden? A friend of mine, and a far larger
grower of Lilies than myself, writes to me that
he is beginning to suffer in the same way. Basil
lie vet I J Co. Staffs.

the roof. You will find a note on the subject
of shading in the Orchid Calendar for Feb-
ruary 26, p. 135.

Bulbs Failing to Grow : C. S. There is no
disease present, but the bulbs are impover-
ished, there being an almost complete lack
of starch in the bulb scales. Having no
reserve food they have been unable to develop
a healthy root system.

Carnation : H. II". S. H. The trouble is due
to a fungus (Rhizoctina). -ndiich has destroyed
the rootlets directly they w.-re formed. The
disease was probalily present in the soil used
for potting the plants. Make a solution of
nitrate of potash — 1 ounce in one gallon of
water — and water the plants with this twice,
the second time after an interval of four days.

Columbines : J . H. It is not unusual for seed of
Aquilegias (Columbines) sown in the autumn
to remain dormant till the following spring,
and then germinate. The best time to sow
Aquilegias is in the spring, transplanting the
seedlings out-of-doors when large enough. By
this method they will have the whole summer
in which to grow, thus enabling them to
make good plants which will flower well the
following year. Fresh seeds sown in the spring
germinate readily in about three weeks, but
the 1908 seed you have will probably take
longer, as the seed coats gi-adually become
very hard.

Grub for Identification : F. S. <f- .S'. The
insect millepedes is one of the Polydesmus
complanatus. You give no particulars regard-
ing the nature of the injury or of the uame
of the plant attacked. Millepedes may, how-
ever, be trapped by burying pieces of Man-
golds near the infested plants. They may
also be poisoned by soaking pieces of Man-
golds or Cabbage leaves in Paris green, and
placing these near their haunts.

Names of Plants : T. M. F. 1, Asplenium
marinum ; 2, Cheilanthes sp. ; 3, Cheilanthes
hirta. Please not* when sending material in
future that the specimen should bo as com-

plete as possib.le. In the case of Ferns, the
whole of a fertile frond should be sent. —
Journeyman. Melicytus ramiflorus, a native
of New Zealand, probably imported as a seed
or seedling on the tree Fern .stem and of little
horticultural interest. — A . E. S. It is im-
possible to distinguish Bamboos from speci-
mens so small as those you send ; a piece of
stem at least should be included, but we think
No. 1 is Phyllostachys aurea ; No. 2 may be
P. viridi-glaucescens. — Erin. 1, Begonia sub-
peltata nigro-rubra ; 2, Selaginella uncinata
(Ciesia); 3, Maranta Makoyana ; 4, Jacobinia
Ghiesbrechtii (commonly called Sericographis
in gardens) ; 5, Lopezia miniata ; 6, Rivinia
humilis. — T. 0. Scilla bifolia. — J . B. A poor
form of Primula denticulata.

" Newton's Herbal " : O. A. F. The first edi-
tion of Newton's Herbal was published in
1770 at 12s. It depends on the condition, of
your copy of the sixth edition whether or not
it will be worth as much. Lackingt«n's books,
owing to his practice of .selling off remaining
copies for what they would fetch, are usually
cheap on account of their number.

Plants for an Unhe.wed Vinert : E. A.
Half-hardy Ferns may be grown in your vinery
under the .shade of the vines, such as Aspidium
aculeatum, A. artistatum, A. capense, A. fal-
catum, A. frondosum, A. trifoliatum, Asple-
nium Adiantum-nigrum, A. crenulatum, A.
cittrifolium. A. Filix-fcemina, A. f. cristata, A.
formosum. A. lucidum, A. pteridoides, Blech-
num australe. Cystopteris bulbifcra, C. mon-
tana, Davallia canariensis, U. pulchella, Cya-
thea medullaris, Gymnogramme triangularis,
Lomaria alpina, L. discolor, Nephrodium
moUe. N. montanum, Osmunda regalis, Pteris
cretica, P. tremula, P. cristata ; also Aspara-
gus plumosa, A. Sprengeri. If there are stages
at each end of the vinery, you could grow a
few Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, tuberous-rooted
Begonias, and such like plants, with fair suc-
cess. You might also try a few plants of
Tomato (Sunrise is a free-setting variety). Put
the plants out of 6-inch into 8-inch pots to
fruit in, and confine the plants to one stem,
pinching all side shoots as they appear.
Stop the individual plants when they show
three or four clusters of flowers. When the
flowers have set and the fruits begin to swell
give a surface dressing of artificial manure
twice a week before applying clear water at
the roots.

Sweet Williams Diseased : H. E. H. The
disease is known as the Large Dianthus Spot —
Septoria Sinarum. Spray the plants with
potassium sulphide, ^ ounce to two gallons of
water.

Vines Unsatisfactory; Anxious. There is no
tr.ace of disease in the shoots. The weakened
condition of the vine is due to some error
of culture, which has caused a check. Most
probably the trouble is in the root system,
but only those on the spot can determine
this. A suitable artificial manure for vines is
3^ ounces of superphosphate, 3 ounces of
Kainit, 1 ounce of magnesium sulphate, and
Ij- ounce of nitrate of soda. Apply this quan-
tity, well mixed together, to. each vine, and
lightly fork it in the soil.

Worms: J. H., Burton. The specimen received
is known popularly as the hair-worm (Gordius).
The English species have not been carefully
studied, but it is known that several exist,
and that they pass one portion of their lives in
the intestines of beetles, insects and animals.
— 11 . //., Kirll)y Stephen. The white worms
you send (Euchytraeus) are common in well-
rotted manure, vegetable mould, and else-
where. There are many kinds, and they are
at times very destructive. We have submitted
the samples to the Rev. Hilderic Friend, who
is the highest authority in this department,
and hope to publish an article on the subject
shortly.

" Worms " in Soil: C. W. See reply to W. E.
in the last issue, p. 176. Apply a little lime to
the soil about the Violets.

Communications Hcccivcd.— W.D. (Thanks for photo-
graph)—H. S. T.-J. D— W.-G. W.— C. P. D.-C.A. L.
— F. M.— P. S.— A. P.— H.-W,— J. D.— B. M.— W, Marshall
(Thanks) — H. J.— A. B.— J. V. & S.— E. J. L,.— H. Y. (Next
week)-R. H. K.-A. B.-R. N.— B. E. P.-Q. B.— B. P.B.
- B. E. P.— D. G.— B. H. J.— E, D.— A. E. S.— P. C. S.
Tring — Rosa — J. F.— W. N. — C. A. L.— Royal Meteoro-
logical Soo,

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle'

Photographs by F. Mason Good.

FOXHILL, NEAR READING, THE RESIDENCE OF Mr. RuFUS IsAACS, K.C.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.C.

Mahch 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

193

THE

^lubcncrs'Cbronicl

No. 1,213.— SATURDAY, March S6, 1910.

c

CONTENTS.

Agave Elemeetiana ...

201

Japan - British exhi-

Alpine garden, the—

bition

200

Root-systems of im-

Lichiang Range in

ported and home-

China, flora of the ...

202

raised plants

195

Lilium, fasciated

204

Valeriana saliunca ...

195

Obituary—

Books, notices of—

Mclndoe, James 203

207

Fungous diseases of

Rosary, the—

plants

200

Some climbing sports

194

Bordeaux mixture, the

203

Weeping Roses

194

Carnation " R. F.

Societies—

Felton "

196

Royal Horticultural ..

204

Carnations, perpetual-

Shropshire Hort.

207

flowering

203

Speedily and his books

193

Cordyline, propagation

Tibetan fonst. scene in a

202

of

195

Trees and shrubs —

Crops, the improvement

The Stuartias

195

of, by selection

200

Trees, the tallest

203

Florists' flowers-

Vegetables—

New Sweet Peas

195

Karly Peas

196

Flowers in season

200

Violets in frames

194

Formal gardening, a

Wall trees, pruning ...

203

curious aid to

200

Week's work, the—

Fruit production of the

Flower garden, the ...

198

British Empire

202

Fruits under glass ...

199

Fruit tree bloom, the

Hardy fruit garden, the

11)9

retarding of

203

Kitchen garden, the...

197

Fungicides

197

Orchid houses, the ..

199

Herbert Park, Dublin ..

200

Plants under glass ...

197

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Agave Elemeetiana flowering in the Succulent House

at Kew 201

Anemone sulphurea, imported and home-raised roots of 195

Carnation " R. F. Felton" ', 196

Crown or rind-grafting 199

Dracunculus vulgaris 198

Lichiang Range, view of portion of the {Supplemen-
tary Illustration)

Mclndoe, Mr. James, portrait of the late 206

Rose "Mrs, F. \V. Flight" as a standard 194

View in a Tibetan Forest (Supplementary Illustration)

SPEECHLY AND HIS BOOKS.

ENOUGH is known of the history of
William Speedily to enable me to sup-
ply an instructive, if brief, sketch of
his career. Born in 1723, the son of a farmer
■who lived in the neighbourhood of Peter-
borough, his father either gave him an extra
good education for one in his position, or,
as it is related, he himself supplemented his
school studies by self-instruction. His writ-
ings display a good knowledge of English, and
the ])lates which he drew for his books, and,
in at least one instance, engraved, demonstrate
accomplishments of no mean order. He com-
menced gardening at Milton Abbey, whence
he went to Castle Howard, one of the then
famous gardens of England. Next he became
head gardener to Sir AV. St. Quintin, whom he
left in 1767 in order to become forester and
gardener to the Duke of Portland at Welbeck.
There Speechly seems to ha\e been given
every encouragement by his noble employer to
carry out experiments. His name is usually
associated with the culture of Pines and
Grapes, but he was also an expert kitchen
gardener, and occupied liim.self with forestry
on an immense scale.

The student of historic horticulture must
be struck with the epochs which mark the
popularity of certain plants and fruits. The
Orange, at the time of Evelyn, was the chief
fruit that engaged the attention of the lead-
ing gardeners. The Pineapple, by degrees,
caused the Orange to suffer semi-neglect, and
later still the Grapa vine superseded the Pine-
apple. Speechly's great horticultural work
was to revolutionise the cultivation of the
Pineapple, and to place it on a sound and
permanent basis. At the same time he was
the pioneer of the modern methods of Grape-
growing, though he himself seems to have
regarded Grapes as holding but a secondary

place in fiiiit culture. His second year
at Welbeck was marked by the raising
of about 70 seedling Pine plants, and shortly
afterwards the structures in which these
plants had been cultivated were replaced by
others of a better class. In 1771 he visited
Holland, and in 177-5 he made his first known
excursion into the domain of rural literature.
This was in the form of a description of the
method of raising and planting forest trees
at Welbeck, which he wrote for Dr. Hunter,
who edited an enlarged edition of Si/lrci, pub-
lished in 1776. The Welbeck system was too
complicated for notice at this moment, but
the working details were of the most sys-
tematic character, and, though expensive,
they were probably eminently successful. TIib
Oak trees made special progress, and some
planted exactly 50 years previously had, at
the time of his writing, clean boles .50 feet in
height. A scarce pamphlet of tlie date 1790,
by H. Rooke, describes and illustrates " some
remarkable Oaks in the park of Welbeck,"
but these were old trees.

In 1779, Speechly's Trcnfisf on the Pinc-
apldc appeared. This was followed in 1789 by
an equally important volume on the Grape
vine. Both volumes had fo be re-issued — the
first in 1796, and the other, though undated,
in 1805. Sir John Sinclair, the first President
of the Board of Agriculture, was attracted by
Speechly's writings, and got him to prepare
some papers for his Board, but they were
never published. In 1801 Speechly's younger
son, who tenanted a large farm, died, and
this led to the retirement of Speechly in order
to manage the farm. Repton, a few vears
previously, had been making alterations on
the grounds at Welbeck, but there seem to
be no data connecting Speechly with these
operations. As a farmer he conducted many
experiments, and wrote articles which were
favourably received, the Board of Agriculture
showing its ap])robation by the award of an
honorary medal. After leaving the farm he
seems to have changed his residence several
times. He died at Great Milton on October 1,
1819, leaving a posthumous work which was
afterwards published.

It may be of interest to note some of
the gardeners who succeeded Speechly at Wel-
beck. His immediate successor was Joseph
Thomson, a pupil of his own, and at that
time gardener at Billing, where he instituted
a method of heating the hot-house bv means
of a lime kiln, which some will remember was
revived as a novel system about 35 j-ears ago.
Thomson left Welbeck in 1832-3 to engage in
landscape gardening. John Mearns succeeded
but retained his situation only a few years,
when William Tillery was appointed, and at
once took a very high position among the
gardeners of the last century. More recent
gardeners at Welbeck were Mr. Hortou and
Mr. Roberts, and the present gardener is Mr.
Gibson, who bids fair to increase the fame of
these historic gardens.

Before discussing the salient points of the
Trcatiac on tlw I'inrapph , it will make its
value more apparent if I refer to the measure
of success attained by cultivators previous to
its publication. The Pineapple engraved by
Bradley some 60 years earlier, and another
in the Fruits of the Twelve Months a little
later in the century, shows three to four pips,
and without going into further details,
nothing seems to have been gained in the

interval, for we gather from Weston's Tracft
on Gardening (1773) that fruits less than a
pound weight were usual. The hot-house had
been evolved almost solely to cultivate Pine-
apples, and advantage had been taken of it
to cultivate tender exotics, and to force
Strawberries, French Beans, &c., and, in some
instances, to train vines on the back walls.
The Pine pits seem to have been kept ex-
tremely hot and with very little ventilation,
and, while the mussel scale was recognised
and treated as a pernicious intruder, the
mealy bug was tolerated as harmless.

Speechly's tieatment was of a nature to
increase the weight of the fruit enormously,
although his achievements would be thought
nothing of now, 84 ozs. being the heaviest
weight he mentions. In the matter of heat-
ing, he condemned high winter temperatures,
and he advised, in the summer months, abun-
dant ventilation during suitable weather, and
when it was very hot never closed the venti-
lators '■ sometimes for many weeks together."
I cannot discover the temperatures ha
favoured, for, although ho made thermome-
ters for sale, these were marked in scales to
suit the Pineapples. To induce the fiuiting
of shy varieties he " shaved " the roots, and
one of his usual practices was to shake the
soil from fully-grown plants in autumn and
repot them in pots of the same size in order
that the plants might have fresh soil to carry
them over the fruiting period without an in-
crease in the dimensions of the root-recep-
tacles.

On going to Welbeck he found the Pines
infested with bug, and one of the severest
trials of his skill was the extermination of
these, which he soon discovered to be the worst
of all insect pests. Tlie insecticide he favoured
was quicksilver or mercury, and the adoption
of this is one of the failings in his otherwise
dear-siglitedness. One of his contemporaiies
has left the assurance in print that by simply
placing a little quicksilver in a hole made
with a brad-awl in the stem of a fruit tree
infested with insects, these had all disap-
peared in three days. So we must be not too
hard on Speechly, especially as many gar-
deners who adopted his " receipt '' confirmed
his statements. He poured a gallon of boil-
ing water on a pound of quicksilver, repeat-
ing the process as soon as the previously-
applied water had become cold, until suffi-
cient to dip the plants had been obtained.
.Six ounces of soft soap were added to the
water, and, after bru.shiug as many insects
off as was possible, the plants were dipped
in the solution. This was followed by a
second " dipping," when sweet oil emidsified
with soft soap had been added, and the leaves
were subsequently .sponged. For a year after-
wards the plants were watered with mercurial
water. Tillery, it may be remarked, on his
going to Welbeck, found the Pine plants
badly infested with scale and bug, and
later he also claimed to have delivered them
from these enemies. Speechly figured the
brown and the white scale and the mealy bug,
" commonly called Pinebug," and etched the
plate himself. Eleven sorts of fruiting Pines
are described besides some variegated forms,
and there is an interesting chapter on the
many insects which infest hothouses, and
methods of destroying them are described.
B. r. Brotherston.

(To he continued.)

194

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 26, 1910.

THE ROSARY.

WKEPING ROSES.

Weeping Roses add much to the beauty and
interest of the garden in summer and autumn. If
budded upon tall stems of the common Dog Rose,
the numerous varieties of Wichuraiana Roses
specially lend themselves to this form of train-
ing. Ayrshire Roses make effective subjects when
grown in this manner, but their comparative short
season of flowering is a point against their use
on a large scale.

*-4 , <: .-

Flight," is a very free-flowering garden Rose, of
the multiflora type. It can be grown in any
form, and is suitable for every purpose for which
climbing Roses are employed. The flowers are
semi-double, of large size, and are borne in
huge corymbs of from 20 to 30 blooms each. The
colour is bright pink, paling to white in the
centre, and the individual flowers retain their
beauty for a month, withstanding the effects of
sun and rain, with no apparent loss in colour,
and shelving no evidence of decay until the
last. The standard shown was budded in these

value, being inferior to climbers of similar .sha''.'3.
of colour; but I think the climbing sport, as a
rule, carries a little heavier flower than ti.s
normal type — is, in fact, stronger altogether. Wo
notice this in Climbing K. A. Victoria and
Climbing Mrs. W. J. Grant. These two,
and the sports from Caroline Testout, Captain
Kayward. La France, and Perle des Jardins, are
almost indispensable ; but the last-named is, un-
fortunately, rather tender, by reason of its ex-
ceedingly late and soft growth. All of these
Roses are so well known that I need not describe
them here ; but there are several newer sports
that are not so well known. Climbing Frau Karl
Druschki is only a little stronger than the type,
wliich. in itself, makes a good piljar or wall Ro.se.
No better white variety exists ; but I do not find
it so satisfactory upon a wall as in the open. It
is surprising how this Rose glories in exposure to
any but the most inclemenl weather. Climbing
Lady Aslitown will be an improvement, liecanse,
although the type is an excellent grower, the
drooping tendency of its heavy blossoms will not
be so inconvenient when they are raised higher
from the ground. The same will apply, only in a
lcs.ser degree, to Climbing Lady Moyra Beauclerc.
Climbing Liberty should be very good if we can
secure a little more hardiness in its wood than the
type possesses ; there is no more brilliant scarlet.
Ards Rover is grand, but it is a crimson-maroon
more than deep red or vermilion. Climbing
Cecile 13rnnner is a gem, and, 1 think, a little
deeper in colour than the type, being more like
I'crle d'Or. It carries enormous trusses, each
flower being carried very wide and sliowing itself
well. Climbing White Pet is another good one
frjm the small-flowered section. Pr,:'t'i(xil.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

* £^i ''V

Fig 83. — ROSE " MRS. F. W. flight" as a standard, in bed of viola " WILLIAM NEIL."

Among climbing Polyantha Roses are many
varieties of surpassing beauty ; in most cases
the growth is vigorous, so that the weep-
ing habit may be most rapidly developed if as-
sistance is given by tying the shoots down to a
skeleton framework in the first instance. These
artificial supports will be completely hidden when
the specimens have made two years' growth.

The variety illustrated in fig. 83, " Mrs. F. W.

gardens in July, 1905, and planted in its present
position in .January, 1907. Thomas Smith,
Walmsgatt Gardens, Louth.

SOilE CLIMBING SPORTS.

A FEW excellent varieties of normal growth
have produced sfiorts of extra vigour in habit,
and yet retaining all the other characteristics of
the originals. Some of these are not of much

VIOLETS IN FRAiMES.
Many people endeavour to grow Violets in
frames for autumn, winter, and early spring
blooming, but comparatively few achieve real
success. Yet if a few important points are
closely attended to, Violet culture is by no
means a difficult matter. Both the large single
and the double or semi-double varieties may he
grown for winter-blooming in cold frames, the
fir.st thing to insist upon being an early start
with good, strong, divided plants. These are to-
be obtained in .\pril from any grower, and
.should be set out on a border which is shaded
during the hottest and brightest part of the day
by a wall or fence. A north-east or north-west
aspect is as good as any. The border should be-
prepared of sound loam, with a liberal admixture
of sand and leaf-mould. The remains of a spent
hot-bed forked in will improve matters if the
soil is poor. Eighteen inches apart between the
rows and a foot apart in the rows is not too-
much, and in planting, which should be done
firmly, care must be taken not to bury the
" crowns " of the plants. After planting, give
a good watering, and see that the plants never
suffer for want of moisture. During the sum-
mer weeds must be kept down and the soil be-
tween the plants lightly stirred on the surface
with a Dutch hoe. After midsummer, runners
and, at a later date, flower-buds are apt to ap-
pear, and these should be carefully removed as
GOon as they are big enough to handle. No shad-
ing beyond that given by the wall or fence will
be necessary, supposing that the shade at mid-
day practically covers the bed, for, although
Violets cannot .stand a great deal of sun, tbcy
like a certain amount, and always plenty of
light. Towards the end of September, the plants,
which by then should have developed into big,,
strong clumps well set with crowns, should bo
carefully lifted with a big ball of soil and trans-
ferred to a cold brick or w'ooden frame (the
former for choice) in which a bed of soil, similar
to that in which they have been growing, has
been prepared. The bed should be made up to
^\ithin 5 inches of the glass, as it is important
to keep the plants from getting drawn. Plenty

March 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

195

of air should be admitted at all times, except
during very hard frost, and water must be given
rather sparingly — just enough to keep the plants
from .suffering. Mats or old bags will be quite
sufficient protection on the lights during frost or
snow. Plants thus treated sliould bloom from
October to April, the greatest show of blossom
being ;',enera!ly produced in February and March.
There are so many good kinds, both of double
and single nowadays, that it is hardly necessary
to recommend any particular varieties, but the old
double Marie Louise and the single Princess of
Wales are difficult to beat. East Huss".!.

CORDYLINES.

When propagating Cordylines (Dracaena.^) from
stems, the young shoots should be taken off about
1 inch from the joint, and not close to the stem,
otherwise it would be a considerable time ere
any new growths are produced, but when this
amount of the shoot is left, two sprouts will
arise forthwith. Slow-growing species take about
two years to develop canes of the required length
■ — 4 feet to 5 feet — for propagating purposes.

DracEena Massangeana is a capital decorative
plant for the dwelling, the variegation beiiig con-
fined to the middle area, whilst the margin is
green and not liable to decay. F. M.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

NEW SWKET PEAS.

Whereas hooded forms of the " grandi
flora " type of Sweet Pea were the prevailing
fascination with cultivators a few years ago, the
Spencerian hybrids, with their waved or crenu-
lated standards, now prevail. Doubtless size and,
to some limited extent, gracefulness of aspect
have been gained thereby ; but they do not seed
so well as their predecessors, while certainly the
crosses are not so easily established. During last
summer, in far California, my Eckfordiau naiih'
sake was crossed by Mr. Henry Ohn with lln
Counte.ss Spencer (at the nurseries of Messin
C. C. Morse and Co.), but Mr. Lester Morse : ^
not yet quit* certain if the result will prove sue
cessful, as it is usually a long period before sue h
hybrids — always somewhat capricious and unrr
liable — become perfectly fixed.

Some of the very finest of recently-introducoci
varieties have come to us from British raiser.-*,
and especially from Miss Hemus and Messrs.
Dobbie & Co. Miss Hemus has just given us a
supreme beauty in Zero, which many cultivalnr>
regard as the most graceful, pure white
Sweet Pea that has hitherto appeared — surely
a high tribute, seeing that it has such for-
midable rivals as Etta Dyke and the beauti
ful Nora Unwin. Evelyn Hemus, by reason
of its distinctive colour, has already attained
to a unique position. The latest varieties
of great merit sent out by Messrs. Dobbie & Co.
are Mrs. Hugh Dickson and Masterpiece, of
which the latter — the only existing rival of Mrs.
Asta Ohn — has been raised by that renowned ex-
hibitor and assiduous hybridist, Mr. Malcolm,
of Duns. " Sweet Lavender "' would have been
an expressive name for this charming variety,
which, in addition to its exceedingly refined ap-
pearance, is commanding in dimensions. Mrs.
Hugh Dickson has close affinities with that
charming variety, Mrs. Henry Bell, and may
be characterised as the Queen of the Cream-pinks.
Mr. Eckford has this season sent out four new
varieties, of which the most popular is certain
to be Picotee, a waved flower of large size and
exquisite form, pure white, with a delicate edg-
ing of softest carmine. The other Eckfordian
introductions are Vicomte de Zanze, deep, bright
rose ; Mrs. E. Oilman and Mary Vipau.

Among the most notable of the new Cali-
fjrnian varieties introduced by Mr. Burpee and
Mr. Lester Morse are W. T. Hutchins, Senator
Spencer. Jliriam Beaver — a very beautiful new-
Spencer, soft, glowing apricot in colour — and
Marie Corelli. David 7?. WiHinmson.

ROOT SYSTE:\IS of IMPORTED AND
HOME-RAISED PLANTS.

One of the greatest difficulties that cultivators
of Alpine plants have do contend with is the
establishing of collected specimens, and par-
ticularly those which, in their native habitats,
occupy rocks or very stony ground. Besides this,
the recipient of any consignment of wild plants
has always to contend with the ruthless
manner in which many plants are torn from
their original positions, to say nothing of the
losses attending delay in transit and bad pack-
ing. A good example of the greater value of
the home-raised seedling plant, as compared to
the collected specimen, is seen in fig. 84. The
plant from which the roots on the left-hand side
were taken had a root-stem, still attached, of
about 12 inches in length, and, judging by its
uniform size, it Avould be safe to assume that a
further 12 inches or even 24 inches was attached
to the plant before a fibrous root-system was
formed. This length of root— 36 inches in all-
is not unknown in the case of Alpines of the
dwarfest stature; hence it need surpri.se no luo

■jg^

P

/

V I

W^

'j^fB^^JL -^^r^

Wmm ^

'^^

1

i :

f^

Fig. S4. — IMPORTED AND HOME-RAISED ROOTS
OF ANEMONE SULPHUREA.

in the case of a plant of bolder growth. To the
fibreless condition of these long-extended roots
must be attributed the lo.ss of many plants,
which, in other respects, are sound enough when
received. Clumps of wild Hellebores, .\donis.
Anemones, and other Alpines are often received
with the merest stumps of roots. The larger
rosettes of Saxitraga longifolia often perish out-
right as soon as they come into contact with cold
soil at the beginning of winter. It was the know-
ledge of this fact, and the discovery, years ago,
that the plants placed in ashes or fibre, or a mix-
ture of the two, rooted quite well, that caused
me to suggest its general adoption for collected
plants. Those interested in the root-propagation
of choice hardy plants — the roots of the collected
example shown at the left of the picture
would doubtless have perished if planted in cold
soil — will know that a slightly-increased scil-
warmth. with freedom from cold and continuous
wet. are necessary to set up a renewed
activity and growth. Apart from this, how-
ever, the extra fine root-sy.stem on the right
proves that choice Alpine plants are be.st raised
from seeds The two plants shown are of one
species, Anemone sulphurea. the one a fibrolesa

root-system, the other, which is three years
old, a compact mass of fibrous roots. That the
advantages of the latter are great — just as the
disappointments and failures from the planting
of the collected examples are numerous — no one
having knowledge of such things will gainsay.
The fine specimens of Anemone sulphurea ex-
hibited by .Messrs. Cutbush & Son at the R.H.S.
Hall last summer I have already referred to in
these pages. They were gathered from seed-
ling plants of a similar age to the one now
figured. No finer e.-chibit of the species has,
to my knowledge, been before the Royal Horticil
tural Society during the past 20 years. A bed of
Anemone sulphurea in full flower is almost un-
known in gardens, but it is worth much trouble
to obtain. E. H. Jenk'nis.

VALERIANA SALIUNCA.
I HAVE always been indifferent about the merits
of the Valerians, great and small. Dull and
dowdy I have considered them. lacking in all
brilliance and personality — the tall English weed
being the finest of its race — and uninteresting at
that. The small Alpines, in particular, I regarded
as insignificant pallid affairs, unworthy of culture.
Well, now. I must make an apology to Valeriana
saliunca. the type of the dwarf Valerians —
such as V. supina and V. arizonica. I do it now,
■IS perhaps the plant hardly deserves the space
:iud labour of a sunnner apology. But it is cer-
tainly well entitled to a note at the present time
when greater glories are holding themselves in
reserve. For V. saliunca, established, is dis-
tinctly pretty — a wide, flat carpet of dark-
green leaves, thickset with heads of rosy blossom,
cluse upon the foliage. And these pink flow'er-
clusters fill the wide air with a most sweet and
delirious fragrance. This, of course, is a rare
and signal merit among high Al|)ines ; it is pos-
sessed also by Valeriana supina and the famous
V. celtica; but celtica, being a spike, not a car-
pet, finds no place in this note. It was on the
.southern face of the Schlern tliat I best realiseii
V. saliunca, which there, in ordinary rich loam.
fi-.rnied broad mats of pink all down the steeji
debris slopes, and gave promise of perfect amen-
ability to cultivation. It is, of course, abso-
lutely weedlike in its easiness : only, hitherto, one
had merely grown a few oddments of it, in pots,
and thus been so bored by its lack of effect that
one had never troubled to plant it out. To get
its full value out of V. saliunca, you must ob-
viou.sly aim at having broad masses of it well-
established in the open garden. Full sun and
a light, rich loam, cool and friable, should easily
secure this end. Bff/iiia/rl Fai-rer.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

THE STUARTIAS.

Although the Stuartias are extremely lovely
shrubs, they are but rarely seen in gardens, pro-
bably owing to the facts that they are considered
capricious and difficult to establish, of slow
growth and by no means easy to propagate.
Coming as they do from North America and
•Japan they should be hardy, but nevertheless
they seldom succeed in the North of Eng-
land, though in the South, in the few
gardens in which they are grown, they do well
if their requirements are satisfied. Moist
ground is a necessity for the Stuartias, whicli
will never flourish in sites where they .are likely
to be dried up in hot summers. In wet seasons
the Stuartias always make the finest growth, and
in their native lands they are generally found by
the sides of streams or in moist places.

In America these shrubs are often found grow-
ing in the shade, but in this country, where the
rifiening of the wood is a desideratum, an open
hut sheltered position is the best for them.
Sh»lter is a necessity, for cold and biting winds
are very harmful to Stuartias. Care should iio
taken that they are not crowded by robust grow-
ing neighbours, as they will never- succeed unless-

196

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 26, 1910.

they have plenty of space for roots and branches.
They are very difficult shrubs to transplant when
of any size, and for this reason nursery plants
should be kept in pots and the positions finally
selected for them before they are planted in the
open ground. Since small, young plants establish
themselves more quickly than larger and older
specimens, they should be planted out when they
are not more than about 9 inches or a foot in
height and given an open position where they are
not crowded. A peat soil is generally recom-
mended for Stuartias, but they will git)w well in
good, free loam, and may sometimes be seen in
good health in very indifferent soil. They may
be propagated by layers of the lower branches,
by cuttings and by seeds, though the American
species rarely ripen seed in this country.

The Japanese Stuartia pseudo-Camellia, how-
ever, often ripens seed, and Messrs. Veitch have

are creamy-white with golden anthers, whilst,
in the bud stage, they are tinged with
pink on the e.xterior. The edges of the petiils
are delicately fringed and the blossoms are of
such purity that they have been termed shell
flowers. The leaves are oval, and are from 5 to 6
inches long. The blooms appear singly at the
leaf-a.xils, and open in July and August. It is a
plant that flowers very freely when once perma-
nently established, and succeeds in sandy loam.
Stuartia? are much benefited by a thick mulch,
which will keep the soil moist in the driest seasons.
S. PSEUD0-C.4MELLI.A. differs from the other
species in having a more slender and upright
habit, and in its leaves being smaller. It is a
denizen of Japan, w'hence it was introduced in
1879. In its native country, on the mountains
of Xikko and Hakoma, at an elevation of betwciu
2,000 feet and 3,000 feet, it is said to reach

^Photograph by J . Gregory,

Fig. 85.— perpetual-flowering carnation " r. f. felton": colour pink.

(Award of Meril at R.H.S. meeting, Marcli 22, 1910.)

raised many plants from seed collected in their
nursery. Where seed is not readily obtainable,
cuttings of half-ripened wood taken early in
autumn and placed in pots in sandy soil under a
bell-glass will probably live, though they root
very slowly and with difficulty. Six species are
given in the Index Kew(:ii.-<is, but only three are
in cultivation. S. monadelpha and S. serrata,
two Japanese species, have not as yet been intro-
duced. The following are the cultivated species :
S. PENTAGYNA is a native of North America,
introduced into this country in 1785. It
is a beautiful summer-flowering shrub, the
hardier and more vigorous of the two Ameri-
can species. It is of freely-branched, erect
growth, and in its native country attains a height
of from 15 to 20 feet, growing in dense thickets
near streams and rivers. The flowers, which
are fragrant, are from 3 to 4 inches across and

a height of 50 feet with a trunk-girth of 6 feet.
The white flowers, with orange stamens, are
about 3 inches in diameter, but retain a cupped
shape and never open flat, as do the blossoms of
the other species. The leaves much resemble
those of a Camellia, hence the name, and are
smooth and of a bright green, narrow and about
3 inches in length. It blooms in July. In this
country plants have attained a height of from
12 to 15 feet. The stems and branches of old
bushes are coated with a smooth, red bark, which
peels off in large, thin flakes. A large and
well-grown specimen is a lovely sight in July,
when covered with its snowy blossoms. The
autumnal colouring of this Stuartia is very fine,
it assuming glowing tints of yellow, orange and
scarlet. It is also known as S. japonica and S.
grandiflora.

S. VIRGINICA, for which another name is S.

malachodendron, is said to have been intro-
duced from America in 1745, but as it is stated
to have flowered in 'Sir. JIark Cate.sby's garden
at Fulham, in 1742, it was probably first im-
ported at an earlier date. It is found in t!ie
v.armer Southern States of North America, where
it grows on river banks, in swamps and in shady
spots, from the coast to the base of the moun-
tains. It is less vigorous and more tender than
the other .'species and rarely exceeds a height of
from 10 to 12 feet. Its habit of growth is also
looser than that of the others. At its best it is
certainly one of the most beautiful of flowering
shrubs, and its flowers are the largest of all,
measuring fully 4 inches across. The shell-like
petals are white and the central stamens red.
The petals are generally streaked with crimson
near the base and their edges are smooth. This
is the earliest-flowering of all the species, the
blossoms expanding in warm localities in the
month of Jlay, but in cooler districts they are
often not at their best until July.

The Stuartias are handsome shrubs, and
should be far more widely grown, for in the
warmer districts their culture presents no in-
superable difficulties, and a fine example in full
bloom is one of the loveliest sights it is possible
to conceive, while the flowers are invaluable for
cutting. The autumnal colouring of S. pseudo-
Camellia, with its glowing tints of crimson and
gold, is particularly fine, ?nd creates a splendid
effect in the garden. ]Vyndhum Fitzhrrbert.

CARNATION "R. F. FELTON."

The perpetual flowering Carnation illustrated
in Hg. 85 is one of the most recent novelties in
this, the winter-flowering, section. Flowers were
exhibited by Mr. H. Burnett at the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society's meeting on March 22, and
they were generally admired for their large size,
wide petals and rich pink colour. The blooms
are so full of petals, that the calyx does not hold
them intact in all cases, but Carnation growers
have so got into the habit of using the india-
rubber bands, that many of them prefer large
flowers, even if the calices occasionally split.
" R. F. Felton " is a magnificent variety for
decoration, and will b« one of the most popular
in its colour.

VEGETABLES.

EARLY PEAS.

We sow our first Peas at the beginning of
February in turves. The turves are cut into
4-inch widths, and laid (grass side downwards)
on strips of board, the same length and width
as the turves. This is a much better plan than
that of placing the turves in boxes, the advantage
being that the Peas can be more easily planted in
their permanent quarters. All that is necessary is
to carry the Peas in the turves, still on the boards,
on a hand barrow, or similar carriage, to ths
border in which they are to be planted ; take
out a trench with a spade, place the boards with
the Peas on by the side of the trench, and by
gently raising the side of the board, the turves
will slide into the trenches. Anyone who gives
this plan a trial will probably discard the method
of placing the turves in boxes, and thus having
to move one of the sides before being able to
plant them out.

The Peas, when sown, are placed on the border
of a recently-started Peach house. In the course
of a few weeks they are ready for planting in
their permanent quarters. We plant ours on the
outside border of an early vinery or Fig house
having a south aspect, choosing a mild and fine
day for planting. We next proceed to protect
them in the following manner : — Around the
whole of the border in which the Peas are
planted, boards or planks about 1 foot deep are
fixed ; across the top of these battens are nailed
at about 3 feet apart. All that is then necessary
is to draw a dressed canvas cover over the top

March 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

197

when frost or cold winds render it necessary ;
thus the Peas are growing in a sort of rough
frame, and if one of the very early dwarf varie-
ties is grown, this frame will be quite high
enough for them until all danger of frost is past.
Harbinger is one of the earliest and best varie-
ties for this culture. The frame can afterwards
be knocked to pieces and stored away in a very
small compass. We usually gather our first crop
of Peas from such plants in June, our garden
and climate being lata and cold.

The ne.xt sowing is made early in JIarch,
alongside the front wall, and under the eaves
of a range of glasshouses. Chelsea Gem or
William Hurst are e.xcellent Peas foi this sow-
ing, but both varieties require a little support.
as they attain a height of about 18 inches. A
string drawn along and fastened at intervals
to nails in the vail will be found ample for the
purpose.

These are followed by Pioneer and Early
Giant, which are sown in the open ground.
Both these varieties are excellent Peas, and in
large establishments, when Peas are in great
demand, they are difficult to beat. Both bear
heavy crops of Peaa of first-class flavour, and
they will satisfy the demand until the main-
crop varieties come into bearing. W'ilmot II.
Yates, Hotherf-ld Park. I/anf<.

FUNGICIDES.*

(Concluded /yom page 17S.)
A word or two may be said here on the
important point as to the best f-trength to
make Bordeaux mixture for use on fruit trees.
Mr. Pickering points out tliat, owing to the
difference between the American gallon
(8.34.J lbs.) and the imperial gallon
(10 lbs.), the strength of the mixture used
commonly in the United States and our
Colonies on fruit trees (Apjiles, Pears, Plums,
Cherries, but not Peaches or Apricots), viz.,
8 lbs. copper sulphate, 8 lbs. quicklime, to
100 gallons (American) becomes altered to
Oj lbs. copper sulphate, 94 lbs. quicklime to
100 gallons (imperial). Having regard to the
fact, however, that excellent results have
been obtained in this country with Bordeaux
mixture made on the formula" 8.8.100 (im-
perial gallons), and that some " scorching "
may result with this mixture in certain sea-
sons, we would certainly advise growers not
to increa.se the amounts of copper sulphate
ami lime to Qj lbs.

We must not leave the subject of Bordeaux
mixture without mentioning the special form
of it investigated by Mr. Pickering, and now
known as the '' Woburn Bordeaux mixture."
In the Eighth Report attention ■.\as drawn to
the fact that a number of different com-
pounds (insoluble basic sulphates) are formed,
according to the aifl'erent proportic:ns of
copper sulphate and lime taken. To econo-
mise material, and at the same time to secure
other advantages, as little lime as po.ssihle
should be used consistent with throwing down
all the copper. Full directions for making
such a mixture (for whidi it is necessary to
use " lime-water "' — a clear liquid consisting
of lime dissolved in water) were gicen in the
Eightli Report. In that Rejiort it was
shown that, according to its chemical com-
position, this form of the mixture — which, it
may be mentioned, has been in common u,so
in Italy since about 1886 — should be 2^ time.s
as efficient as ordinary Bordeaux mixture, if
the efficiency is measured by the amount of
copper sulphate which is ultimately reformed
on exposure to the air. In the pre.sent Re-
jKJrt, as the results of experiments in wliich
Bordeaux mixtures made in various ways were
subjected to the action of carbon dioxide in
the presence of water, the sui)eriority of the
Woburn Bordeaux mixture in the above-noted
respect to the ordinary mixture was found
to be as 20 to 1 — though, for certain reasons
mentioned in the Report, it is considered

* Eleventh Report of the Wfiiwrn Experimental Fruit Farm.
by the Duke of Bedford, K.G., F.R.S., and Spencer U.
Pickering, M.A., F.R.S. 1910. Price 4s. 3d., po!.t free,
SuDimary, G\d., post free. (AmaJgamated Press, Ltd.)

advisable to take a lower estimate of the
relative efficiency, viz., 12 to 1. But it must
be remembered- and tliis is an important
point — that if, as there are grounds for be-
lieving, the chief function of Bordeaux mix-
ture lies in the protective covering of
sprayed parts with copper carbonate and in-
soluble basic sulphates of copper, then the
" Woburn Bordeaux mixture " wotild be much
inferior to the ordinary mixture. It is a point
that can only be settled, as Mr. Pickering
points out, by experiments on a practical scale
carried out by growers for severa'. seat.oiis.
The " Woburn Bordeaux mixture '' is ad-
mittedly more difficult to nuike than the ordi-
nary mixture; it is best, thereiore, for the
grower to purchase it in paste form. Mr.
Pickering, working with Messrs. W. Voss &
Co., has succeeded in preparing a paste, now
put on the market under the name of the
" AVoburn Bordeaux paste," which, when
diluted with water, reproduces a mixture
which is practically identical, both chemically
and physically, with the freshly-made " \\o-
burn Bordeaux mixture."

This mixture in paste form must not be
confused by growers with the proprietary
" Bordeaux mixtures " in powder form
(Strawsonite, &c.) ; such dried Bordeaux mix-
tures are, as Mr. Pickering jioints out,
unsatisfactory, and should therefcu'e be
avoided by the up-to-date grower. Straw-
sonite and similar dried mixtures are made by
adding lime slaked with very little water to
a very strong solution of coiiper sulphate,
and then drying and grinding the mixture.
Mr. Pickering obtained evidence, similar to
that obtained in 1900 by Air. R. J. Mo.ss
(whose work is not here mentioned), sliowing
that Bordeaux mixture made from powders
are inferior chemically and physically to the
fre,shly-made mixture. For instance, the
power of Strawsonite of keeping in suspension
is nearly ten times less than that of the ordi-
nary freslily-prepared Bordeaux mixture.

We can only allude briefly to some of
the many other discoveries of practical im-
portance announced in this Report. In con-
nection with the '■ scorching " which occa-
sionally results on the leaves and fruit of cer-
tain varieties of Apples, Mr. Pickering dis-
cusses critically the work of )'rofes.sor ['. P.
Hedrick and of Professor C. S. Crandall, of
the' United States, and reviews it, together
with the results of his own spraying experi-
ments, in the light of our new knowledge of
the chemistry of Bordeaux mixture. The con-
clusion is arrived at that some amount of in-
jury to sprayed trees must be expected occa-
sionally in England, as has been found to be
the case in other countries, but that, on the
average, the go<Kl done by Bordeaux mixture
far outweighs the harm.

The chemi.stry of '' Soda Bordeaux," made
by mixing copper sulphate and carbonate of
soda (" washing soda ") is fully explained. It
is a curious fact — and ou^ showing how
greatly research work is needed — that, until
1909, when Mr. Pickering communicated to
the Chemical Society the paper, entitled
" The Carbonates of Copper and the Cupri-
carbonates " (reprinted as an Appendix to
the present Report*, the chemistry of this
mixture was unknown, although it has been
used extensively for many years in Ireland
and elsewhere. Mr. Pickering, from his
chemic?' standpoint, does not advise the use
of '■ Soda 3ordeaux," and .states that it is
unlikely, on account of the insolubility of the
copper compounds formed, to be a satisfac-
tory fungicide. We should like to mention,
however, that we have used it on a fairly
large scale for the past two years, and found
it efficacious, when spirayed on Potatos, in
keeping off the " blight."

Some interesting reasons are given why the
addition of treacle to Bordeaux mixture is
inadvisable. Experiments have shown that
nicotine may be safely added to Bordeaux
mixture. E. S. S.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to JosErH Pickkusgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Hydrangea liortensis. — Plants which have
been wintered in cool frames or oti shelves in a
greenhouse will now be showing their flower-
buds. The roots should be given weak farmyard
manure on alternate waterings. If blue (lowers
are desired in this plant, plenty of peat and some
iron filings should be incorporated with the com-
post at the time of potting, and a small quantity
of charcoal and coarse sand. Later, as the
blooms develop, give an occasional application
of alum water. If it is desired to obtain large
specimens, shorten the fiowerstems after bloom-
ing, and place the plants into larger pots. Stand
them ill a cool greenhouse until the weather is
w^arm enough for them to be removed <jut-of-
doors. The old plants should now be started into
growth, and if suitable shoots from these are
potted single, into small pots, and planted in a
brisk bottom heat, they will soon form roots.
The variegated form is a very ornamental plant.

I'rimuhi. — Seedlings always give better results
than plants propagated from either layers or cut-
tings. The seed-pans should be filled with suit-
able soil, the surface made even, then thoroughly
watered, and allowed to drain. After the seed
is sown, cover the pans with squares of glass,
and a layer of damp moss. When the plants
have germinated, remove the coverings, and
when the seedlings have become used to the ex-
posure, place them in a position as near to the
glass as possible, taking care to shade them
lightly during the hottest part of the day. The
temperature should range from 50° to 55°, and
the atmosphere of the house be well charged
with moisture. When the seedlings are large
enough, transfer them singly into thumb pots.
Water them carefully, and, as soon as they have
formed a good root-system, admit fresh air on all
favourable occasions, but not in a manner to
cause cold draughts. Endeavour to promote a
continual and steady growth.

Maraiita. — This plant revels in an abundance
of heat, shade and moisture. The stock may be
increased by division of the crowns previous to
starting the plants into growth. Maraiitas do
w'ell in a mixture of peat and loam, and, as the
plants require an abundant supply of moisture,
the pots require to be well-drained. In the
autumn they must be kept drier and placed in
full exposure to the sun to assist in the proper
ripening of the crowns.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dlnn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Cauliflowers. — The plants which have been
wintered in cold frames should now be exposed
to plenty of fresh air, by removing the lights en-
tirely in the morning and replacing them again
before night-time. Leave the frames partly
open even at night, so that, by the end of March,
they may be removed altogether, with a view to
placing the plants in their permanent quarters a
week later, if the weather is favourable. Cauli-
flowers grown in pots for an early supply need
very careful watering, for if they are allowed to
become dry at this stage they are very liable to
bolt. The object of the grower should be to
have the plants growing steadily from start to
finish, without check. Cauliflowers should always
be planted in rich soil, and it does not matter
much whether the land is of a heavy or light
character, provided plenty of farmyard manure
is incorporated with it in the autumn previous to
planting. The ground should be forked over a
few days before the planting, and the plants
should be well watered before they are turned
out of the pots. The distance at which they are
planted must be regulated by the habit of the.
variety. In the case of Early London, a distance
of 2 feet both between the rows and from plant
to plant in the row is suitable ; but in the case of
Magnum Bonum and Early Market, 1^ feet each
way will be sufficient. . After the plants are set
out in the rows, they will need careful attention
in watering, for if they are allowed to become
dry, bolting is liable to ensue, and especially if
the roots have been pot-bound. Later, when the
plants have become re-established, they should
be given waterings with liquid manure, and the
soil should be stirred with the hoe as often as

198

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Map.ch 26, 1910.

possible. In these gardens, 7,000 Cauliflowers are
grown ill pots during tlie winter, to be planted
out as early in April as possible, batches being
placed in different parts of the garden. The
varieties cultivated are Early Market, iVlagnum
Bonum, and Early London, the first heads, in
favourable seasons, being ready for cutting in
the first week of June.

Carrots. — The main crop may be sown as soon
as the soil is in a suitable working condition.
The land should be light in texture and rich in
quality, but no manure should be applied now.
Break" up the soil deeply with a fork, and after
it is made level, sow the seed in drills, made 15
to 18 inches apart, and 1 inch deep. When the
seed is sown, and before the soil is raked level
again, dress the land with soot ; this is especially
useful in gardens where (he Carrot fly is trouble-
eome. If the soil is of a heavy nature, and e.xtra
fine roots are desired, the seeds may be sown as
follows: — Jfake holes in the ground by means o*
a dibber, about 18 inches deep, and fill these with
finely-sifted soil, made moderately firm. Place
a few seeds in each hole, and when they have
germinated remove all but the strongest plant
nearest to the centre. To provide a succession,
frequent small sowings of Early Gem or some
other suitable variety should be made from now
until the middle of July. These crops will afford
a supply of good, small roots well into the win-
ter. Old Carrots in store should be e.xamined
Occasionally, and have any growths removed.
They will keep best in the coolest place avail-
able, and if a quantity of dry sand is mixed
among them, this will prevent them from
sln-ivelling. Young Carrots in pits should bo
given their fuial thinning, and then a good water-
ing, allowing sufficient fresh air to keep the
plants sturdy.

Herb fjaichn. — Make new plantations of herbs
in light, rich soil, and a sheltered situation.
Mint is best increased from cuttings, and such
plants produce the best roots for forcing in win-
ter. Sage may be propagated from cuttings in-
serted about the end of April. Thyme may be
increased either by dividing the plants or from
seeds, but the latter method is preferable.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. \'|(;arv Gibbs,
Aldenhain House, Hertfordsltiie-

Dracunciilus vulgaris. — This plant was for-
merly known as Arum Dracunculus, and is tho
Dragon Plant of South Europe. It gi-ows about
2 or 3 feet high, and bears a number of fleshy
leaves which are divided several times, almost tr
the mid rib. Like our native Arum maculatum,
the leaves and the leafstalks are spotted, the
mottlings being black. The illustration (fig. 86)
gives a good picture of the inflorescence, the
tapering spadix being just about to wither at
the base. The spathe, which wraps completely
around the part of spadix bearing the flowers, is
■coloured on the inner surface a deep purplo
or claret, the outer side being pale in compari-
son. Like many other Aroids, the inflores-
cence has a very disagifeeable odour, which
may, or may not, serve the purpose of attracting
flies. The plant grows well in sandy soil in warm
situations, and may be easily increased by off-
sets.

The water garden. — The time is at hand when
hardy aquatic, bog, and waterside plants will
need attention. Water, whether in the form of a
stream, lake or pond, can always be made an
attractive feature in a garden. ' Often it is so
naturally, and, whenever any alteration is under-
taken, the object should be to pre.'serve, as much
.is possible, the natural character. It is astonish-
ing what can be done with even an ordinary
pond, and how attractive it may be made to
appear when judiciously planted.

Water Lilies. — The Nympha;a should play an
important part in any scheme of water-gardening.
To obtain the best results with these beautiful
plants, they should be placed in an open position,
where they will receive the full benefit of the
sun's rays. There is now a large selection, and
tire various kinds differ consideyably in the
length of stem and leaf. Because of' this, one
of the first considerations must be the depth
of the water in which they are to be planted.
Some of tlie strong-growing species, such as
Nymphfsa alba, and its variety candidissima. also
N. Laydekeri, and the manv' beautiful varieties

of N. Marliacea, may be planted in as much as
5 or 6 feet of water, but others need to be placed
in shallower parts. Now is a good time to pro-
pagate the plants by dividing the clumps, and
planting may also be performed. The best
way to plant Nympha?as is to place the root-
stocks in old baskets filled with good, stiff loam,
smearing the surface over with a layer of clay
to prevent the soil being washed out of the
basket. The plants should be sunk where they
are required to grow. If basins are provided for
the growing of these water plants, the stonework
should -be thoroughly cleaned out each season.
Many other aquatics maj' be planted like this in

sends up very conspicuous, blue flowers. Amongtt
subjects suited for the water's-edge, or in the shal-
lows, the following may be recommended : Meny-
anthes trifoliata (the Bog Bean), Sagittaria
sagittifolia (The Arrow Head) and its double-
flowered variety ; Scirpus zebrina, a very orna-
mental Rush that requires protection from rough
winds ; Caltha palustris, C. polypetala ; Rumex
hydro-lapathum (the giant Water Dock), Typha
angu.'itifolia and T. latifolia ; Phragmites com-
munis (both the Typhas and Phragmites are effec-
tive throughout the winter, but the old spikes
will now need cutting down) ; Cyperus in variety,
Butomus umbellatus (the Flowering Rush),

[rhot.'i^rapl by C!:.is Junes.

Fig. 86. — dracunculus vulgaris: stathe deep purple colour.

baskets; such, for in.stance, as Nuphar luteum. a
native species known as the Yellow Water Lily ;
N. advena and Orontium aquaticum, a beautiful
plant known popularly as the Golden Club, which
produces its flower-scapes before those of the
Water Lilies appear. Amongst other decorative
aquatic plants may be mentioned Yillarsia (this
requires to be kept within bounds, or it will in
time prove a pest) ; Aponogtton distachyon,
which produces a continuous supply of sweetlv-
scented blooms, and is appropriately named the
Water Hawthorn ; and Pontaderia cordata. which

Acorns Calamus (the Sweet Flag), and its varie-
gated variety, and Miscanthiis. Then for the
bankside or bog-garden, the beautiful Japanese
Irises, I. K<empferi, are specially attractive.
These need to be planted in a good rich soil, and
one containing plenty of decayed maiuu'e. Other
pla]its that can be associated in the water garden
on the banks are Astilbes in variety, and espe-
cially A. Davidii, Senecio clivorum, the broad-
leafed Gunneras, Gvnerium (Cortaderia) argen-
teum, Funkia Sieboldiana, Polvgonnm Bistorta,
Cilyceria aquatica fol. var., Eulalias, Elymu?

.9iJ.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

vy^

glaucus giganteus, Saxifraga peltata, Selinum
lenuit'oliuni. Helianthus orgyalis and Lysimach.a
vulgaris. Suitable slirubs include the hardy Bam-
boos, also the choicer liinds of Aider and Willows,
whicJi always associate well with water scenery —
those with coloured stems and shoots create a
fine effect during the winter months, and as the
young shoots are the most effectively-coloured,
"the plants should be annually pruned to the
ground level. Where it is practicable to apply a
top-dressing to any of these plants, this will be
of much benefit. Such plants as have needed
protection during the winter should now be ex-
amined, and if growth is observed, the protect-
ing material should be removed, but it will bo
necessary to place a temporary covering over the
plants whenever frost is apparent.

supply of ripe fruit a little in advance of the out-
door crop. Choose a lofty, airy, and light house.
Examine the bottom of the pots to see that the
drainage is in good order, and any worms in the
soil will come to the surface if a soaking of
clear lime water is given. Do not use fire-heat
when 45^^ can be maintained without it.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GotiDACnF, Gardener to Sir liuNhsT Cassrl,

G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.
I'lnnt'iriq vliici — The present is the best time
for planting vines. Procure some good, turfy
loam, chop it up roughly, and mix with it
plenty of rough mortar rubble, wood ashes, and
soot. I do not advise the use of manure, as this
has a tendency to make the shoots long-jointed
and sappy. In turning the compost, do not
throw it into a conical heap, as this would cause
all the larger pieces to fall to the bottom instead
of being evenly distributed. If the border re-
quires to be entirely made, material for drainage
purposes must be provided. A layer of broken
bricks and other rubbish to a depth of 12 inches
must be provided, and as the conippst should be
placed 2^ feet deep, this will mean excavating a
trench to the depth of 3 feet 6 inches. Place
turves grass side downwards for the drainage,
:-nd then fill in with the compost, making it firm
as the work proceeds. If the buds of the young
vines are swelling, it will indicate that the roots
are becoming active, and ready to take posses-
sion of the new soil. Turn them carefully out
of their pots, place them on the top of the
border where they are to he planted and spread
the roots around evenly with the fingers. Cover
them with just siiflicient soil, remembering thiit
young vines should never be planted deeply.
Place stakes to secure the rods, but do not tic
the vines to the trellis, until the border is be-
coming settled. Give a good soaking with w-ater,
and then place as a mulch a little rough, flaky
leaf-mould. Syringe the vines once or tw-ice
each day, and maintain an atmospheric tempera-
ture of 45°, without, if possible, the use of fire-
heat.

7^vt vines. — The plants having set their fruits,
the thinning of the bunches must now be con-
sidered. Those of Black Hamburgh, Foster's
Seedling, and Frontignan varieties may be
thinned as soon as the berries are set, but in the
case of Muscat varieties the thinning shoidd be
deferred until after the berries have stoned.
From this date, sharp forcing may be practised,
in order to have the Grapes ripened as early a.'i
possible. The minimum temperature should
lange from 65" to 70°, with an abundance of at-
mospheric moisture. See that the evaporating
pans are filled with liquid manure, and damp the
paths with the same fertiliser each evening. Pay
great attention to watering, and feed the plants
liberally with liquid manure. At this stage, the
\ ines will be benefited with a top-dressing of
turfy loam, enriched with some fertiliser, arrang-
ing pieces of fibrous loam around the top of the
pot to form a rim to hold the top-dressing.

Eailjj vines in horderx. — Vines which were
started into growth in December, being now in
flower, require a night temperature of 60° and
a fairly dry atmosphere. On hot, sunny days,
after the vines have been pollinated, say about
2 p.m., sprinkle the paths and other bare sur-
faces of the vinery with clear water. The pol
lination must be practised daily, using a rabbit's
tail, as advised in a previous Calendar.

Successionnl I'ines. — These will require atten-
tion as to disbudding, pinching, tying, and train-
ing. See that the roots are given sufficient mois-
ture but no more. The latest vineries should
now be closed and the vines allowed to start into
growth. Only a little fire-heat will be necessary,
the rods should be syringed once or twice daily,
and the floor damped to maintain a moist atmo-
sphere. Close the ventilators very early in the
afternoon.

Pot trees of Apple and Prnr. — A few trees
may now be placed under glass, to provide a

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. SEARLt, Gardener to the Martinis of North-
AMrTDN, Castle .\shby, .\orlhaniptorishire.

Grafting. — In many districts the stocks are
now fit for grafting, but in colder localities they
may not be ready until later. It may be readily
determined when the conditions are proper be-
cause when the sap is rising the buds commence
to swell. It was advised in a previous Calendar
to heel the scions in under a north wall, so as to
keep them dormant, as the stock should always
be m the more active condition. If tliis advice
has been taken, the only point necessary for suc-
cess is to see that the stock and scion, when
united, meet, on one side at least at the active
growing tissues, just near the bark. The graft-
ing tools should have very keen edges, so that
clean cuts may be made, which will heal and
unite together quickly ; some of the trees to
be grafted, may have been headed back pre-
viously, in that case it is advisable to cut off a
little more of the stem, so as to get into th--
sound, fresh tissue and saw it off in a slanting
direction in a manner that will lea.st expose it to

riG. 07. — CROWN OR RIND GRAFTING.

the wet. In the case of those trees which are
headed back, crown or rind grafting (see fig. 87)
is usually practised. Make the scion about 6 or 8
inches long and cut the lower end in the shape
of a long-pointed pen with a shoulder to it. The
cut from the shoulder should measure about 2^ or
3 inches. Slit the bark of the stock about the
same depth as the cut portion of the scion, lift
the bark from the wood by means of a pointed
bone or piece of hard wood, and then place the
scion in position. In the case of stout stems,
two. three, or even more grafts may be inserted.
Grafting should always be done quickly, because
any delay may cause the tissue to become dry and
probably result in failure. After the required
number" of grafts have been placed on the stock,
bind the bark tightly with broad strands of
raffia, but not so tight as to cause injury. After
this, either wax or grafting clay must be applied
so as to exclude the wet until the union is effected.
■Tongue or whip-grafting is the best form for
small stocks. A portion of the bark is removed
in a slanting manner, and then a notch is made
in the top of the stock to receive a small-tongued
portion, which has been cut in the scion about
half-an-inch deep. Prepare both the stem and
the scion to fit perfectlv. and keep the cut sur-
faces clear of soil or dirt before binding them
together and applying the clay or wax.

Saddle r/raftind is generally practised where
the saddle and stock are about the same size.

Both sides of the stock are cut so as to form .1
kind of wedge, and the scion is shaped in a
similar manner, placed thereon and made securo
in the ordinary way. Grafting wa.x is the
simplest substance to apply, and is to be pur-
chased cheaply from the horticultural sundries-
man; the French preparation known as iMastic
I'homme Lefort is also recommended. If clay is
used, it should be quite free from grit or stones,
and be well worked together in the hands ; it
will hold' together better if horse-droppings
rubbed through a sieve are incorporated with it.
Before it is applied it should be of the consist-
ency of soft putty.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir TRLVolt Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Bejjotting T/iuniax. — Such species as Thunia
iMarshallii, T. Bensonije, T. alba, T. pulchra, T.
candidissima, and the pretty hybrids T. Veitchi-
ana and T. Winniana, now commencing to grow,
are in a suitable condition to be repotted. The
plants should be turned out of their pots, all the
■>ld soil shaken away, and the longest of the dead
roots cut off, leaving them merely of sufficient
length to enable the operator to fix the base of
each stem firmly in the new soil. The general
way of growing Thunias, in order to make
specimen plants, is to place eight, ten, or a dozen
stems in a good-sized pot. I see no advantage
in bedding the stems out as some growers recom-
mend, ily practice, which is to place the base of
the stems as closely together as possible, leads
invariably to excellent results. The pots should
be almost half-filled with crocks, which should
be lightly covered with rough Sphagnum-moss.
Over this place a thin layer of turfy loam ; the
advantage of having good loam below the
ordinary compost is that the new roots find their
way into it about the time the flower-spikes
show. The compost may consist of good, fibrous
loam three-parts and prepared cow-dung, as ad-
vised in my previous Calendars for the Calanthes,
and finely-chopped Sphagnum-moss one part,
adding a sufficient quantity of small crocks and
coarse silver sand to keep the compost porous.
The base of the young growths, when potted,
should be just below the rim of the pot ; each
stem requires a stake to hold it firm. The soil
should be pressed only moderately firmly. The
plants should be afforded as much sunlight as
ptssible, therefore choose the lightest available
position in the East Indian house, or plant stove,
with the tips of the stems nearly touching tho
roof glass. When such growths are excessively
long, bend them over at the top, and tie them
down to the stakes, so that the young breaks at
their ba.se may be brougiit well towards the light.
Until the plants have become re-establi.'-hed
w'ater should be \ery sparingly afforded. When
the new growths are about three-parts made, an
occasional watering with weak drainings from the
cowshed will be beneficial. In potting, do not
destroy any of the back living stems, because if
it is found desirable to increase the stock of any
particular variety, they will be useful for this
purpose at the proper time.

C/ii/.'iis. — C. Sedenii and C. Chelsonii produce
their flower-spikes in conjunction with the young
growths, and should therefore not be disturbed
at the roots by repotting until after the flowers
have faded, "fhe plants should be suspended at
the warmer end of the Cattleya house, where
they Avill get plenty of light, sun-heat, and air.
After the plants have once started to grow, they
need to be lightly sprayed overhead several times
a day and given sufficient water to keep the roots
moist. Examine the plants every day for small
vellow thrips, for if these once obtain a footing
low down in the growths, it is difficult to eradi-
cate them. After the flowers have faded, any
plant that may need repotting should be seen
to; they succeed admirably in ordinary flower-
pots, w'ith copper wir3 handles attached, so
that they may be suspended to the roof.
The pots should be about half-full of drainage
materials, and a rooting Viedium of Os-
munda fibre, with plenty of small crocks inter-
mixed, is suitable. Throughout the growing
season the plants should be thoroughly watered
each time they become dry, but although great
levers of water whilst growth is being made,
they suffer if the soil is constantly saturated.
C. bractescens. C. Sedenii, and C. Chelsonii are
now in flowei at Burford.

200

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 26, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

w.c.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of t>la"'s
(or namin/^, should be adihcssed to the EDIIORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Comtnunicutums should be writtkn on onic side oni-V of
THK TAPRR, sent as early in the week as possible ami duly
signed by the writer. Ij desired, the signature will not be
printed,' but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ic Editors do not
undeitalie to pay jor any contributions or illustrations, or
to icturn unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Local Seviri.— Correspondents mill greutlyoblige bysendingto
the Kddois early intelligence of local events likely to be o)
interest to our readers, or of any matters lohich it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

must rat ion.<. - The Editors will be glad to receive andto select
fholoi^iaphs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
caidens. or of remarkable plants, /lowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

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

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Liliums, Hardy Bulbs,
&c., at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30; Palms,
Plants, Ferns, &c.. at 5; at 67 cS; 68, Cheapside, E.G., by
Protheroe & Morris,

FRIDAY—

Perennials, Border Plants, Hardy Bulbs, Liliums, &c.,
at 12; Roses, Fruit Trees, Plants, &c., at 1.30; Im-
ported and Established Orchids in variety, at 12.45; at
67 i 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe & Morns.

Average Mean Tempebatube for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 445'*.

Actual Temperatures: —

London.— Tuesday, March 22 (6 p.m.) ; Max. 62°;
Min. 38".
Gardeneis' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London —Wednesday, March 23
(10 A.M.): Bar. 30-5; Temp. 48°; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces.- riicsrfa;', March 22 : Max. 50" Ireland
S.W. ; Min. 47° Yorkshire.

So much activity has been de-
Plant voted in recent years to the in-
Diseases. ,- ,* ,■ r ~ i i- r

vestigation ot tungal diseases or

plants that a new work from the pen of an
authority on the subject is most wekome.

It is true that we have in tliis country
the treatises by Mr. Masses, which serve as
excellent introdiicti.ms to the study of plant
diseases; nevertheless, we have lacked,
hitherto, a text^book which would serve for
the student who has passed beyond the ele-
meutiiry stage, and is embarking on a more
advanced course. This lack is now supplied
by Professor Diiggar's new volume in the
American Country Life Series.*

The study of plant di.seases is, up to a
certain point, so easy and straightforward
that anyone with a microscope and a little
patience can pursue it. The spores produced
by most parasitic fungi are of definite shapes,
sizes and patterns, and hence, by comparing
their microsf^opic appearances with the figures
in the text-books, the several pe.st8 may be
identified. But the trouble begins when the
fungus suspected of causing mischief is not
in the sporing stage. Then, to all but the
specialist, the work of identification is well-
nigh hopeless, unless means are at hand for
keeping the fungus alive under such condi-
tions as are calculated to indtice it to form its
tell-tale .spores.

Hence the .student will be particularly
grateful to Professor Duggar for having

* Fungous Diseases if Flants, by B. M. DuRKar, Pro-
fessor of Plant PhysioloRy in the New Y'ork State Colleee
of Agriculture, Cornell University. (Genn & Co., rp. 508.
Illustrated. $2.00.

given, in the first part of his book, instruc-
tions for tha cultivation of fungi in the
laboratory. As he points out, the application
of bacteriological methods to the cultivation
ot parasitic fungi is of the highest import-
ance. Nor are these methods difficult of appli-
cation ; with the help provided by Professor
Duggar's book, an intelligent student may
carry his studies beyond the more empirical
stage, which consists in the " running down"
of fungi, to a stage in which he is able to
control their cultivation and thus gain an in-
sight into their peculiar modes of life.

So important is it that parasitic fungi should
be studie<l in this manner, that we could have
wished that Professor Duggar had dealt with
" methods " even yet more fully. The in-
formation given in the seven chapters which
rcake up Part I. (on Culture, Methods and
Technique) is sound, .and includes methods of
isolation, preparation of pure cultures, and
the terfuiitjue of microscopical preparations.

Part II. consifc'ts of descriptions of para-
sitic fungi and of the methods whereby they
may be kept in check. The perusal ot this
work demonstrates at once its excellence and
the very primitive state of our knowledge
with respect to preventive methods. The
references to original memoirs, given at the
head of each chapter, should prove of con-
siderable se:-vice to the student, and m.ust also
give him — if, perchance, he is a native of
this cotintry — some food for reflection. For
although one of the pioneers of plant
pathology was the British botanist, Berkeley,
of recent years, with three or four distin-
guished exceptions, our botanists appear to
have .almost deserted this field of investiga-
tion.

This is the more unintelligible, since not
only may a study of fungal diseases lead to
advances of the greatest practical importance,
but it is bound also to advance botanical
science no less considerably.

It is hardly an exaggeration to say that
our only method I'f coping with these agents
of plant disease is tliat of spraying ; but spray-
ing, important as it undoubtedly is, cannot
be the last word of advice of science to the
practical man.

Truth to tell, the aetiology of plant diseases
remains in large measure for the future to
discover. New methods are required. The
enormous progress made in the combating of
human diseases — progress which a few years
ago the pessimist would have pronounced im-
possible— encourages us to entertain the con-
viction that new modes of attack on fungal
pests will be devised.

Is it too much to hope that some of the
botanical laboratories of this country will take
up, methodically, this promising line of re-
search? In it science and practice meet, and
have much ground in common.

But though our perusal of Professor Dug-
gar's book has suggested to us how much
remains to be done, it also, as we have said,
indicates how remarkable has been the pro-
gress in .some directions in the unravelling of
complex life histories of parasitic fungi, such,
for instance, as the ru.sts.

It is indeed a graceful act of reparation
tliat the country which has supplied us with
so many mischievous pests should now come
to our aid .so successfully in the work of
mitigating the evUs for which they are
responsible.

Flowers in Season. — We have received
from Mr. A. J. Bliss hybrids of N. cyclamineus
and N. obviillaris. Jlr. Bliss writes: " I enclose
a few flowers of Daffodil seedlings — obvallaris X
cyclamineus. I think only one cyclamineus X
Trumpet cross, ' Comet,' has been shown in
London. These are very early — earlier than
cyclamineus itself sometimes, and very hardy.
1 have crosses of Golden Spur X cyclamineus and
ethers, which have larger flowers but they are
not so neat in form, and none are so early."

Japan-British Exhibition. -Mrs. Eugene
O'SuLi.iVAN has been invited by the Committee
of the Japan-British Exhibition (Women's Work
Department) to speak on French gardening (in-
tensive culture) at the congress to be held for
women at the exhibition on July 5.

Herbert Park, Dublin. -A premium having
been offered for the best design for the laying-
out of Herbert Park, Dublin, the site of the re-
cent International Exhibition, that of Messrs.
J. Cheal & Sons has been accepted, and the
premium awarded accordingly.

A Curious Aid to Formal Gardening. —

We have received, from Dr. Landmann, of
Berlin, specimens of a curious invention for the
purpose of assisting amateurs and others to
easily form geometrical designs in their flower-
beds. The aid offered by the inventor consists
ot sheets of tissue paper, on which the various
designs are marked by rows of Cress seeds which
are stuck to the paper with an adhesive liquid.
In the case of a large symmetrical design, it is
recommended that the sheet of paper should be
spread over the bed and a little fine soil sprinkled
over the paper to keep it in place. In the course
of a few days the Cress seeds grow and mark out
the lines the planter is to follow. Having
planted his bed, the Cress may be pulled up. It
is obvious the tissue must not be spread upon
the bed many days before the cultivator wishes
to plant his design. The inventor states that his
designs may be used in the verandah, balcony,
or even window sill, or in dishes or plates, pro-
vided the ti.ssue of seeds is attached to a sheet
of pure wood pulp impregnated with salts. A
specimen we have placed upon a plate and merely
watered shows conclusivelj' that all the seeds
gummed to the tissue may be depended upon to
grow. The invention is certainly ingenious, but
it comes at a time when geometrical flower gar-
dening in this country is probably at its lowest.

Improvement of Crops by Selection. —

At a meeting of the Students' Association in
connection with the Aberdeen and North of
Scotland College of Agriculture, held in the
Aberdeen University Buildings on Friday, 11th
inst., it was decided, on the initiative of Mr.
R. B. Greig, Lecturer in Agriculture, to con-
duct an experiment with reference to the im-
provement of grain crops by selection. Put in the
form of a resolution, and unanimously adopted,
the particulars and arrangements proposed for the
experiment are as follow : The attention of mem-
bers is requested to the great improvements
which have been made in American and Conti-
nental crops by selection of superior plants from
an ordinary field crop. It has been shown that
all ordinary fields contain a few superior indi-
viduals, and the discovery of those individuals
has given to agriculture such well-known strains
;is Sandy and Potato Oats, Chevalier and Gold-
thorpe Barley, &c. There is no doubt that a
systematic search for superior individuals in the
crops of this country would result in . consider-
able increases of produce without an appreciable
increase in the cost of production. The association

March 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

201

considers that sw a work is worthy of en-
couragement, and would result in great benefits
not only to the individual member by enabling
him to increase his profits, but to agriculture as
a whole by the introduction of superior strains
and by giving publicity to this important method.
The association therefore proposes to award a
prize for any superior breed of Oats or Barley

crop as judged by the conmiittee of experts, and
an extra and additional award will be given to
the introducer of a strain which is superior to
all others in the college experiments. The proce-
dure to be followed would be : — First year. — The
member who proposes to enter for this competi-
tion must select not less than 12 of the best
plants of Oats or Barley which he can find in

Fig. 83. — agave elemeetiana flowering in the succulent house at kew.

which may be introduced by a member who will
adhere to the following scheme : The plots of a
member who undertakes this work will be in-
spected during growth by a member of the
college staff, who will assist by advice in any
difficulty of detail. In due course the i.iiproved
strain will be tested by the college, and the prize
awarded to the variety which produces the largest

his ordinary field crops at harvest time. In
selecting the plants he should have regard to
these characters : Abundance of pickles or grains ;
strength and stiffness of straw ; earliness and
full maturity ; number of stems per plant ; and
he should note that exceptional strength or pro-
lific appearance is not due to extra space or
manuring. He should proceed as follow ; Count

the grains in each ear and find the total weight
if possible. Sow 20 grains of each ear in one
row, thus making 12 rows. The seeds must be
planted singly, each seed 4 inches apart and each
row 5 inches apart. The rows must be across
the rigg in the middle of a field of grain, and not
in a garden or specially prepared ground. Sow
the same number of the ordinary unselected seed
of the same crop in four rows at each end of the
plot and in four rows in the middle, thus ; — v
Ordinary. Selected Ordinary. Selected. Ordinary.

xxxx 1,2,3,4,6,6 xiix 7,8,9,10,11,12 xiii
When ripe, cut each row separately, carefully
marking it and making one bundle of it. Weigh
the grain and straw of each row. Second year. —
Sow the produce of the four best ears on small
plots in the middle of the field, taking care to
sow the same quantity of grain on each plot.
Sow alternate plots of ordinary unselected seed.
Cut and weigh the prodnae. Third year. — Send
1 lb. of the produce of the best selected plot and
1 lb. of the ordinary seed to the college for com-
parative testing. The award will be made by
the college on the result of a careful field test in
competition with well-known and recognised
varieties. All the indications point to the ex-
periment being taken up enthusiastically by the
members.

Agave Elemeetiana (see fig. 88).— A fine
example of this species has been flowering during
the past few weeks in the succulent house (at
Kew). The spike, which reaches to the roof, is
about 15 feet in length, and, with the exception of
the lower 2 feet, is densely crowded with flowers.
From an estimate there would appear to be about
3,150 flowers on the spike. According to Mr.
Baker this plant is a native of Mexico. It was in-
troduced about 1854 and named in compliment to
;\lr. DE JoNGE Van Elemeet, of Overduin, in
Zealand, the companion and biographer of
General Von Jacobi and the owner of a remark-
able collection of Agaves. It was flowered in
1867 by Mr. Saunders, and a coloured figure
ippeared in the Itefurjium. It is now widely
spread in collections and flowered at Kew in
1874, 1877, and again in 1883. It is mono-
carpic, dying after flowering, like its near ally
A. attenuata, and is a most distinct and unmis-
takable species. Kew Bulletin.

Village of the Tudor Period. — We are

informed that an attempt to revive interest in
Elizabethan architecture, now becoming more
and more rare in London, is to be made at Olym-
pia next month at the exhibition devoted to the
Ideal Home to be opened by Princess Christian.
The whole of the large annexe is to be trans-
formed into a Tudor village, with quaint rustic
shops ranged in picturesque fashion round the
green. There will be the village stocks, the
forge, the barber's shop, and the old inn, whilst
close by the brook will fall in a cascade over
rocks into the trout pool. To add to the veri-
similitude, all the occupants of the shops will
be firms not less than 100 years old. The
Tudor buildings have been designed by a well-
known architect, and w-ill be historically accu-
rate in every detail.

Publications Received. — Botany:
Contributions to the Flora of Queensland and
British New Guinea. Extract from The Queens-
land Agricultural Journal, Vol. XXIII., Part 3,
September; Part 4, October; Part 5, November,
1909; Conti ibutions to the Flora of Queens-
land, Part 1, July. 1909, by F, JIanson Bailey,
PL S., Colonial Botanist. — United States De-
partment of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant
Industry. Bulletins : Yautias, Tares and Das-
heens, by O. W. Barrett ; and Agricultural
History and Utility of the Cultivated Aroids, by
0- P. Cook ; New jlethods of Plant Breeding, by
Geo. W. Oliver. Circulars : The Utilisation of
Pea-Cannery Refuse for Forage, by M. A. Crosby,
(Washington : Government Printing Office.)

202

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[JIarch 26, 1910.

OUR SUPPLEMENTARY ILLUSTRATION.

Scene in a Tiketan Forest. — The scene
depicted in the illustration is from a photo-
graph taken on the slopes of the Tsedfrong
Valley, a tributary of the Mekong on the
Mekong-Salwin divide just within the Tibetan
frontier, about latitude 28° 10' N. It was taken
with the object of showing the undergrowth and
also the diameter of the conifers which constitute
the bulk of the forest at that altitude— 10,000 feet.
The scrub consists largely of Daphne, Cotoneaster,
and dwarf specie.s of Rhododendron. The conifer is
a species of Abies, and growls to an average height
of nearly 200 feet with straight and shapely boles
which, in extra large specimens, are fluted at the
base. Some attain a greater height ; one which I
noted was fully 250 feet, and measured 11 feet in
diameter at 5 feet from the base.

In the same situations and altitude Magnolia
Campbcllii grows in large numbers, and a speci-
men, that with the whitish bark, is shown
on the left side of the picture. I shall always
remember my first sight of a group of these
magnificent Magnolias in bloom. I got within
two miles of them, from which distance the
masses of pink colouring showed up distinctly,
but, surrounded as they were by heavy snow-
drifts, 10 to 30 feet in depth, it was some weeks
before I could reach them, and then the flower-
ing period was almost over. It is said that the
species is not hardy in Britain, but I fail to
see why this should be, with plants grown from
seed obtained at such altitudes and in such a
rigorous climate.

The Lichiang Range.— Though this range is
amongst the shortest in Western Yunnan, it
is one of the most interesting, owing to
its chief point being one of the highest
peaks in that region. It reaches a height of
fully 20,000 feet, carrying about 3,000 feet of
perpetual snow. Stretching over more than a
degree of latitude, the general trend is N.E. by
S.W. This stupendous bulk interrupts the course
of the River Yangtze, turning it abruptly to the
N.E. for about 70 miles, where, at the end of the
range, it again returns to its southerly course,
thus forming a large, semi-elliptical loop, which
is known to those interested in the geography
of the region as the " Big Yangtze Bend."
On the N.W. face the slopes of the range descend
abruptly to the river bed, a drop of about 15,000
feet. The slopes are, for the greater part, covered
with heavy Pine forest, with a deep belt
of Oak running along the base. On the east,
the descent is not so sudden. The country
ascends gradually from the southern end of the
Lichiang Valley to an altitude of 9,000 feet, but
this face is much more rugged, wild and pic-
turesque, being built up of a series of ladder-like
piecipices with very broad, timber- and scrub-
covered ledges. The latter were probably formed
by denudation and gigantic landslips.

Right in the centre tower the two needle-
like pinnacles forming the main pe-ik, one of, if
not the most, imposing sights amidst the super-
lative grandeur of the highlands of Yunnan, and,
during the dry seaison, the dominant feature over
a radius of nearly 200 miles. During the rainy
season the summit is seldom visible, being
swathed in dense mist and rain-clouds, but in
the intensely dry, rarefied atmosphere of the
winter season, with the virgin white of the peaks
standing out in all their dazzling purity against
the deep blue of the sky, the beauty of the
scene is indescribable. On the N.E. flank of
the main peak, and arising from a cup-shaped
depression formed by the two peaks, is a mag-
nificent glacier : it descends for 4,000 to 5,000
feet, where it has a face of fully halt a mile.

The basis of the whole formation is limestone ;
in fact, one might safely say it is purely so.
The basiu at the base forming the upper portion
of the Lichiang Valley is composed of heavy
lacustrine deposit, the Lichiang Valley having at
one time been the site of an extensive lake,
which, judging from the strata, was fully 12 miles

in length. The formation in the centre is of
great depth, a sti-eam which occupies the middle
having worn a gutter of 150 feet in depth with-
out having cut completely through it. This part at
all seasons is more or less barren, bearing only a
few species of grasses, two species of Berberis,
two dwarf Anemones, and a few large patches
of Spenceria ramalana. On the banks of the
stream the vegetation is much more luxuriant,
species of Berberis, Philadelphus, Deutzia,
Clematis, Lonicera, &c., growing in profusion.
Most prominent amongst the herbaceous flora are
Primulas — Poissonii, denticulata, Beesii, pul-
chella, and Ferrestii ; a very dwarf form of Incar-
villea grandiflora var. breoipes ; a few Anemones,
Stnecios, and other Compcsitae.

The lower slopes of the range are covered with
two dwarf species of evergreen Oak, used ex-
tensively by the inhabitants for converting into
charcoal, and Pines, the deep side valleys hold-
ing the most interesting flora. There are shrubs
in endless variety, with the ledges of the cliffs
and surfaces of the boulders clothed with masses
of Primulas, Saxifrages, beautiful Crucifers, seve-
ral species of Meconopsis, amongst others
the beautiful IMeconopsis Delavayi, Meconopsis
rudis, and two new species, several magnificent
new species of Cremanthodiums, Anemones, Ges-
neras, Ghrysospleniums, Senecios, and numerous
representatives of other genera.

The Pine belt proper commences at about 10.000
feet, and extends as high as 12,000 to 13,000 feet,
where it gives place to Rhododendron forest and
scrub; whilst above that again, and up to the
limit of perpetual snow at 16, SCO to 17,000 feet,
is Alpine pasture.

Along the I'ine belt at intervals there are
large, sheltered openings, covered with rich,
limy pa.sture ; these are, floristically, the
" creme do la creme ' of the range. There
are found huge masses of the finer Primu-
las, such as vinciflora, vittata, secundiflora,
amethystina, cortusoides var. lichiangensis, yun-
nanensis, membranifolia, and the finest and
most luxuriant form of Forrestii ; also several
species of Androsace, the finest being spinulifera;
many fine and new Codonopsis ; several new
species of Cyananthus, amongst them being one
with the habit of Cyananthus incanus, but with
large canary-yellow fl.nvers ; also quite a number
of Liliums. amongst them the beautiful Liliuni
Icphophorum, and a host of other rare and in-
teresting species.

In the Alpine pastures are many Alpine forms
of Primula, with innumerable Gentians, Cory-
dalis, Anemone, Meconopsis, the species integri-
folia being in abundance. Compositse is again
largely represented by the genus Cremanthodium,
with several fine and brilliantly-coloured species
of Lactuca, a few dwarf Senecios, two or three
species of stunted Willows, and a number of the
smaller and hardier Rhododendrons. Terrestrial
Orchids are in abundance, amongst them being
the beautiful Cypripedium tibeticum and C. mar-
garitaceum.

The last two plants found were two unique new-
species of Saussurea ; these were several hundreds
of feet beyond the limit of even the hardiest
grasses, growing on limestone rubble in the shel-
ter of boulders, one at 16,500 feet and the other
a couple of hundred feet higher. Both species
were densely hirsute, so much so as to resemble
at a short distance balls of loose cotton, inflores-
cence foliage and stem being completely hidden.
Above this point was a frost and snow-bound
chaos of limestone boulders and pinnacles.

What I consider the finer situations on the
range, viz., the immense flower-clad ledges which
I have already mentioned, I had to leave almost
entirely unexplored, finding most of them quite
inaccessible. To botanise some of them one would
require a flying machine, or some more practical
plan than I had. Certainly, for anyone who
can overcome the natural difficulties, there is
an exceptionally rich harvest in store. I
found it most tantalising, for, in many situations,
viewed from above, I could distinguish large

masses of rich colouring, representing what werei
probably horticultural and botanical gems. How-
ever, they will undoubtedly be added to our col-
lections in the near future.

The Supplementary Illustration, though it
shows but a \ery small portion of the range, gives,
an admirable impression of the scenery. G^
Forre.'it^ .s\.?-. " I rrawaddi/," Ilanijoon.

FRUIT PRODUCTION OF THE BRITISH
EMPIRE/

(Concluded from page IS/.}

Fiji.

The published statistics of Fiji are very
meagre ; the acreage under fruit and the produc-
tion are not obtainable. The export trade, how-
ever, consisting mostlv of Citrus fruits, was
valued in 1907 at £97,678.

New Zealand.

New Zealand is not, comparatively speaking, a
country where orcharding has attained large
dimensions. Indeed, it does not produce suffi-
cient for the needs of its own population. It is a
country of many climates, and hardy fruits grow
abundantly in certain places. In the North
Island Citrus fruits, such as the Orange, Lemon.
&c., grow well, and the industry is capable of
considerable extension.

Australia.

Virtoria, during the vear 1908, produced
2.509.965 bushels of large "fruits, 24,489 bushels
of small fruits, 501.679 bushels of Grapes, and
121,000 lbs of nuts ; also 1.437,106 gallons of wine,
of a total value of £655.474. The principal crop
was 1,241.326 bushels of Apples.

iVcH' Soii/h IFa/e.?.- Tills State, in 1907-8,
produced 3,879 tons of Grapes and dried fruit,
12,957,216 dozen of Citrus fruits, 778.500 gallons
of wine, and 28.887 gallons of brandy, of a total
value of £523,910. Citrus fruits were the princi-
pal crop.

Smith Aiifitrc(/ia.— In 1906-7 the State sold
26,369 cwts. of Grapes, and made 2,441.504 gal-
lons of wine, 39,404 cwts. of Raisins and Currants,
produced 311.538 cases of Apples, 141,150 cases of
Oranges, 37,378 cases of Lemon, and 15,154 gal-
lons of Olive oil.

Queevxland. — In 1908 this State produced
4.239,980 lbs. Grapes, 1,551,163 bunches Bananas,
593,794 dozen Pineapples, 440,312 bushels
Oranges, 77,698 gallons wine. The value of the
Grapes and other fruits was given at £399,754.

Wnstern Australia. — Fruit-growing in this
State is at present in its infancy, the principal
crop being Grapes, of which 90,187 cwts. were
produced in 1907, from which 153,755 gallons of
wine were made.

Ta.^mania. — The smallest State in the Com-
monwealth of Australia is pre-eminently an
Apple-growing country. The production of Apples
was 1,070.546 bushels for the year 1908-9. Pears
are a bad second at 71,306 bushels, and of small
fruits 3,110 tons were produced. The export
value of fruits for that year was well over
£300,000 sterling.

Australia is peculiar, inasmuch as, having large
areas of fruit-growing country, it has few in-
digenous fruits. The flourishing orchards and
plantations are the results of enterprise and ac-
climatisation. In Queensland are grown in abun-
dance sub-tropical fruits, and there is a consider-
able export trade in Pines. Bananas, &c., to the
sister States. As we come further south, to New
South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, we
find large orchards, vineyards, and gi'oves of
more temperate varieties, such as Citrus and stone
fruits. The harder varieties, viz., Apples, Pears,
Plums, Peaches, &c., are mostly to be found in
Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

Viticulture has, during the past few years, at-
tained gi'eat importance, and there are now over
60,000 acres under vines, producing Grapes for
the table, and in 1907-8 4,450.000 gallons of wine.

As examples of what capital and enterprise can
perform, we have the irrigation colonies of Mil-
dura, in Victoria (already referred to), and

• Extracts from a paper by Dr. Jno. McCall, Agent-
General for Tasmania, read before the Royal Society of
Arts on March 1.

March 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

203

Renmark, in South Australia. The scientific ap-
plication of water has converted dry wastes into
orchards and vineyards, each a centre of con-
siderable population, and annually adding largely
to the prosperity of the community. Victoria anil
South Australia produced, in 1907-8, 13,800,000
lbs. of dried Raisins and Currants. The impor-
tance of the orchard industry in Australia may be
gauged by the value of the production of fruits
(other than Grapes) for the year 1907-8, when it
reached the satisfactory figure of over a million
sterling. Apples are the principal fresh fruit ex-
ported from the Commonwealth, the bulk
coming from Tasmania. The export from that
State to Europe last year numbered about 350,000
rases : this coming seasoi\ we hope to send be-
tween' 500,000 and^ 600,000 cases.

In the northern part of Australia where, at the
present moment, settlement has been hardly com-
menced, we have a large area suitable for all
kinds of tropical agriculture. The Chinese gar-
deners have already demonstrated this, for they
have succeeded in growing the very finest Pine-
apples. The Pawpaw Apple grows luxuriantly
all over the pi ice, and Limes, Oranges, the
JIango stem, Cocoanut, Banana. Passion fruit,
and Mulberries flourish equally well. When
this northern territory is developed and con-
nected by rail with other parts of Australia,
and when the magnificent harbour at Port Dar-
win is more generally used, the fruit production
of Australia will attain dimensions which will far
exceed the present fruit production of the whole
Kmpire.

United Kingdom.

No figures are obtainable as to the production
of fruit in this country. In 1908 there were under
fruit cultivation 172J51 acres of Apples, 9,604
acres Pears, 11,868 acres Cherries, 15,683 acres
Plums, 28,815 acres Strawberries, 9,323 acres
Raspberries. 26.241 acres Currants and Goose-
berries, and 60.892 acres of other kinds. Of this
acreage of 335,177, it appears that 27,433 acres of
small fruits were grown in the large fruit
orchards, leaving a net acreage of 307,744 under
fruit cultivation. The industry in this country is
growing, and the year 1908 shows an increase of
2,826 acres over the preceding 12 months. That
it is capable of considerable extension in the
United Kingdom is borne out by the fact that
over 4,600,000 cv.t. of fruit, valued at ovei
£3,750.000, were imported into this country in
1908. These figures do not comprise the total
imports of fruit, but only of those varieties which
are grown also in the United Kingdom.

The fiscal policy of this country, together with
the fact that the railways are privately owned,
and therefore run on commercial lines, and, fur-
ther, that cheap water carriage is available for
tlie transport of fruit from the countries compet-
ing in the open markets here, offer no prospect of
success to the growers of certain classes of fruit
in this country, and, therefore, the increase in
production is not likely to be at all great in the
class of fruit suitable for long-distance trans-
port by water. I am informed that Apples
can be placed in London from countries thousands
of miles away at a lower cost than they can be
brought by rail from the fruit-growing districts of
England to the great consuming and distributing
centre at the heart of the Empire — the City uf
London.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{r/ie Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Late Mr. McIndoe.— I was very sorry
to read in your issue of last week the account of
the death of one of my oldest horticultural friends
and the serious illness of another. I allude to
the late Jlr. J. McIndoe and to Mr. William
Denning. It was in 1873 I first met Mr.
Jlclndoe, he being at that time gardener to the
late Archbishop Thompson at Bishopthorpe.
York. In 1874 he went to re-lay out and de-
velop the gardens at Hutton Hall. Guisborough.
for the late Sir Joseph Pease, whei'e he remained
for nearly 30 years and established his reputa-
tion as a grower and exhibitor of fruits generally.
I sent you some notes of his gardening career
about the time he left Hutton. My acquaintance
with Jlr. William Denning began in 1866. At
that time he was sent by his then employer, the
late Lord Bolton, Bolton Hall. Beclale. "to look

out a likely man from Messrs, J. Veitch & Sons'
Chelsea Nursery, to act as gardener at Hackwood
Park, in Hampshire. The present writer was
chosen, and went on May 5. Two years after-
wards ilr. Denning came to take charge of the
gardens at Grimston Park, Tadcaster, for the late
Lord Londesborough. His predecessor was the
late Mr. .lohn Richards, father of Mr. .J. Richards,
of XL-All fame. At that time Orchids in flower
were sent regularly to the R.H.S. meetings at
South Kensington in a specially-built van, which
at that time, was regarded ^is an innovation. In
1872 the Grimston estate was sold to the late Mr.
John Fielden,of Dobroyd Castle, Todmorden, who
requested j\Ir. Denning to remain as his gardener,
but as Mr. Denning was about to lay out an
extensive new produce garden at Kingston for
Lord Londesborough he declined the offer. He
was then asked to name a likely man, and the
present writer was engaged in October, 1872. Mr.
Denning began nis gardening career at Grimston
about 1849 or 1850 under a Mr. Tester, his
father at that time having charge of the woods
and plantations, coming to Grimston from the
Denbies, in Surrey, when the first Lord Londes-
borough in the late 'forties purchased the estate
from Lord Howden. After gaining experience at
Tortworth Court, Patshull, and other places, he
went as gardener to Lord Bolton in the early
'sixties. Ileiinj J. Claytun

Bordeaux Mixture. -Although the value of
Bordeaux mixture was demonstrated in Fi'ance
as long ago as 1882 the readers of the Gardeners'
Chronide were put in possession of its value long
before it came into general use in this country
as a fungicide. For in the issue, April 4, 1891,
p. 436, fig. 93, is shown its effect from a photo-
graph from France on the Potato disease, the
result of an experiment by M. Aime Girard.
Charles li. I'lirwriijht, M.D., Sun Dial Cottage.
North Woolton, March IS.

The Tallest Trees in the World. — At

p. 59 of the ]iresent volume of tlie Ciirdeners'
Chronicle are some figures and facts concerning
the reputed tallest trees in the world, collected
by me from the most reliable authorities in
Australia and America, where the tallest trees
undoubtedly exist. According to the most trust-
worthy evidence there brought forward, America
can claim possession of the tallest trees ; but
further researches have revealed the fact that
there is still some uncertainty as to the species,
though first position is generally accorded to the
Big Tree or Mammoth Tree of California, Sequoia
gigantea, otherwise S. Wellingtonia, the earliest
combination under the adopted generic appella-
tion. Relying on Professor Sargent, who states
in his North American Silva that " this is the
largest inhabitant of the American forests,
though not the tallest tree in the world," I did
not carry my investigations concerning American
trees beyond this positive statement. It will be
understood from the wording of the quotation,
that at that date Sargent accepted the measure-
ments of Australian Eucalypti, which, as I have
shown, on the authority of Prof. ."V. J. Ewart.
in the place cited, are quite unreliable and greatly
exaggerated. Since I wrote the paragraph on
p. 69 a most interesting and valuable paper, by
Mr. E. H. Frothingham, of the United States
Forest Service, on the Douglas Fir, has come
under my notice. Respecting the dimensions of
this tree the author says : The height-record is
attained by the coast form of the Douglas Fir,
whose height, as well as that of the Redwood,
Sequoia sempervivens, reaches 380 English feet,
or 125 metres.* This exceeds Sargent's greatest
authenticated height (325 feet) of the Big Tree
by 55 feet. Turning again to Sargent's S'ilca,
he describes the Douglas Fir as often 200 feet
high, and frequently much taller, adding that
he had not been able to obtain any reliable in-
formation of the maximum height, but thought
the existence of individuals exceeding 350 feet
probable. His maximum authenticated height
of the Big Tree, I may repeat, is 325 feet.
Again, in his account of the Redwood Tree
(Silva, vol. x.). he states (p. 141) that it is the
tallest American tree, attaining 350 feet, the
tallest actually measured being 540 feet high
He further adds that it may occasionally reach
400 feet or more. Then (p. 143) he remarks of
the Redwood that among American trees it is

* There is evidently a misprint here, as 380 feet = 115 8
metres, and 125 metres = 410 feet.

exceeded in size by the Big Tree only ! From the
context there is no doubt that by size, height is
meant, and not merely dimensions of the trunk.
These statements are contradictory and confusing,
and between ascertained and conjectured heights
the question which is the tallest tree in the world
— the Big Tree, the Redwood, or the Douglas Fir
— is still unanswered. I!'. Ilottinrj Hemsley.

Perpetual- FLOWERING Carnations. — The

unconditional recomniendalion by Mr. White
(p. 162) to stop this class of Carnation at the
second joint, when the plants have attained to
7 inches high, will not be likely to find main-
adherents among professional growers. To wait
until a young Carnation plant reaches 7 inches
high and then cut it down to within an inch of
the soil is a sacrifice both of time and plant.
JMoreover, it is unnecessary. If we take three
well-known Carnations, say. Enchantress,
Britannia, and White Perfection, we find that
in a good type of the cutting-raised pljnts, there
are, often enough, six or more joints within

2 inches of the soil, hence it would savour of
wanton destruction to cut such a plant as re-
commended ; my remarks apply to plants raiseti
from joint-made cuttings, short and sturdy. The
" heel " cutting is of a somewhat different type
and, below the line of full-leaf production, has
an attentuated base, the young plant not infre-
quently elongating rather quickly in the early
.stages. Such as these require a somewhat dif-
ferent treatment, while those varieties of the
dwarfest habit require to be treated separately.
There is a type of cutting, however, that re-
quires to be dealt with more severely than the
rest. This is the late autumn-struck cutting,
which not infrequently bolts into flower in the
earliest days of spring. In such a case, every
care should be taken to ensure that the stopping
is made below the line of flower-bud production,
otherwise all subsequent breaks from the upper-
most joints will be of the abortive flower-bud
type. With such as these latter, no mistake will
be made if the stopping is done within the
limits of the closelj-set joints that abound on
the first 3 inches or so of the stem of the plant,
E. J. Jenl-ins.

Pruning Wall Trees the First Year
AFTER Planting (see p. 1.57). — I was looking at
hundreds of trained wall trees last week which
were being sold from an English nursery ; many
of the one season's growths were 4 feet long,
not coarse shoots but of medium thickness. It is
absolutely essential for a quick return that the
trees should be pruned the first season after
planting. What is required is to obtain the
largest area of established tree growth in the
shortest space, so that the greatest quantity of
fruit can be had from such a tree each year after
it is once established, and vigorous growth of the
branches with a due regard to the shape and
future training of the trees, so that those who
follow half a century after have still a fruiting
tree to depend upon. The waj- to obtain such
a tree is by vigorous pruning of the shoots the
first year after planting, but not so low as 5
inches of their base. Why do we prune the
shoots at all, and why does a person cut down
a hedge or tree which has become weakly at the
base? The object is to obtain a vigorous growth
from that part of the bush or hedge which is left.
What generally happens to a fruit tree that is
left as H . ir, 11', advises? Why, a few weakly
shoots pushing from the points of the unpruned
growth and many fruit-buds forming on the
remainder, the shoots to be developed into
blossom the next season, but very little growth
such as will cover wall space and give a full
crop in a short space, A shoot, if shortened to
within, say, 8 or 10 inches of its base, will have
sufficient vigour to push satisfactory growth
from the base eyes below that point and inducing
such growth to become at least 1 foot to 2 and

3 feet long the first year. Such rate of progress
will be more satisfactory than that emanating
from unpruned shoots even if treated on the
bending principle.

On Retarding the Blooming of Fruit
Trees. — I have read with interest Mr. A. C.
Bartlett's note (see p. 157) on the paper written
by Jlr. John Saul, of the Durdham Down Nur-
sery, Bristol, in the autumn of 1850 (neari.y
50 years ago), on " Retarding the Blooming of
Fruit Trees." In this paper " the writer first
draws attention to the fact that, in their native

204

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 26, 1910.

countries, the Apricot and Pencil are subjected to
intense heat during the summers, followed by
extremely cold winters." I do not thinic the
winters experienced in Florida and the Cape and
Natal Colonies (in which the Peach flourishes)
can be termed " extremely cold." Mr. Saul is
alleged to have " advocated " a stricter adher-
ence to the conditions under which these trees
are gi'own naturally, by retarding their blooming
in the spring instead " of hastening it, as is
unwittingly done by means of night protection."
I may say at once that no practical present-day
gardener would protect his Peach trees at night
with a view to retarding the flowering period.
This is done by withdrawing the nails and shreds
from all the young fruit-bearing shoots of the
Peach and Nectarine trees early in January in
order to allow them to hang out tree from the
influence of the sun-heated wails, the main
branches being allowed to remain in their summer
positions secured to the wall. When the flower-
buds begin to swell, the necessary thinning and
pruning back of the branchlets are attended to,
and the shoots are then rearranged in position on
the wall. Meanwhile, the canvas protection with
coping-boards, referred to on p. 132, is fixed in
position, and brought into use at night as
soon as the flowers begin to open. The canvas
is taken down when the blossoms have set their
fruits, and stored for future use. The canvas is
not drawn from the tre"" on frosty mornings
until the sun has shone thereon. I have used this
method of proteciion for 25 years and have every
year secured excellent results. H. W . Ward.

Fasciateo LiLiuM (see p. 176) — In L.
auratum fascial ion is often seen in its ex-
tremest form, while there are recognised varie-
ties of Lilium speciosum (L. lancifolium, Hort.),
in which fasciation has become a permanent fea-
ture. There is both a white and a coloured
form, which are generally known by the respec-
tive names of album corymbiflorum and rubrum
corymbiflorum. Beside this, they are sometimes
called monstrosum and fasc^^atum. The white
variety is, with the exception of the fasciated
character, a counterpart of the album as grown
by the Dutch ; that is to say, with dark-tinted
bulbs, stems, and flower-buds, whereas Krsetzeri,
which is often sent from Japan as album, has
light-coloured bulbs, green stems, and greenish
buds, and, except in the case of isolated in-
stances, shows no trace of fasciation. The two
varieties above alluded to as album corymbi-
florum and rubrum corymbiflorum are less
vigorous than the other forms, the bulbs showing
a great tendency to split up into small crowns,
from each of which a flowering stem is de-
veloped. With the energy of the bulb thus
divided between several stems, it is not surpris-
ing that many of theru reach only a height
of about 2 feet. The flowers are borne in a
confused head or cluster, but though showy
at a little distance, a closer inspection reveals
the fact that the individual blooms are very irre-
gular, and wanting altogether in the symme-
trical shape which forms such a pleasing feature
of most of the varieties of Lilium speciosum. A
quarter of a century ago, when Japanese Lily
bulbs were sent to this country in far less num-
bers than they are now, large quantities were ob-
tained from Holland. Then these two varieties
were fairly popular, but they are rarely seen at
the present time. The Dutch, however, still re-
tain them in their lists, and sell them at a cheap
rate. W.

socic:t<i£:s.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

March 22. — Another very successful meeting
took place on Tuesday last, the occasion being
the usual fortnightly Show. Visitors were not
quite so numerous as on the 8th inst., but at
times there was considerable crowding, notwith-
standing the Council had erected small notice-
boards at each transept directing the visitors
in certain directions. Few, however, took notice
of these : perhaps they will serve a useful pur-
pose in time to come. The Show was representa-
tive of all sections of gardening.

The Floral Committee granted three Awards
of Merit, and the Orchid Committee one First-
class Certificate, four Awards of Merit, and one
Botanical Certificate.

No Award was made to a novelty by either the

Fruit and VEGET.iBLE or the Narcissus Com-
mittees.

At the 3 o'clock meeting in the lecture-room
the fourth " Masters " lecture was delivered by
Jilr. A. D. Hall, F.R.S., the subject being ■' The
Adaptation of the Plant to the Soil."

Floral Committee.

Present: Henry B. May, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Jlessrs. Geo. Paul, W. J. James, E. H.
Jenkins, W. P. Thomson, F. Page Roberts,
Charles E. Shea, Wm. Cuthbertson. R. W.
Wallace, Arthur Turner, Chas. Dixon. W. Bain,
Jas. Douglas, Charles Blick, C. R. Fielder, J.
Jennings, J. F. JIcLeod, Herbert J. Cutbush,
W. J. Bean, Wm. Howe, G. Reuthe, T. W.
Turner, John Green, James Walker, W. B.
Cranfield, E. A. Bowles, Jas. Hudson, H. J.
Jones, and Ed. Mawley.

Messrs. J.ames Veitch & Sons. Ltd., Kings
Road. Chelsea, showed three distinct groups,
each being of exceptional merit. One was com-
posed of several hundred plants of Primula
obconica. This exhibit demonstrated the great
advance that has been made in the size and
colour of this Primula, besides being an object
lesson in good culture. On the table this firm
usually occupy they displayed about 100 plants
of Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) in fine bloom, the
varieties being of the choicest ; also some deep-
blue Cinerarias, greenhouse Rhododendrons,
Streptosolen Jamesonii. a yellow-flowered Iman-
tophyllum (Clivia). hybrid Gerberas, and other
tender plants, in flower. The third group was
composed of forced trees and shrubs in flower,
such as Rhododendron,*. Viburnum plicatum
(very fine), Cytisus Andreanus. Clematis mon-
tana rubens. Wistaria and Veronica Hulkeana.
(Gold .Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey, again
showed a bold group of forced shrubs and Aza-
leas, the display being imposing in appearance
and of considerable extent. (Silver-gilt Banksian
Jledal.)

Messrs. R. & G. Cutheert, Southgate. staged
an imposing group of forced shrubs. Brightly-
flowered Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Labur-
nums, Lila-es, double-flowered Hawthorns,
Viburnum Tinus, and Staphylea colchica were
the chief subjects. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
Hertfordshire, staged flowering sprays of trees
and shrubs, having small plants of C'hoisya
ternata in the foreground, with taller speci-
mens of Camellias in the rear. The sprays of
Prunus triloba, double crimson and double
white-flowered Peaches, Almonds, and similar
plants were crowded with blossoms. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed a bright exhibit comprising an
assortment of flowering subjects, such as
Azaleas, Acacias, Cyclamens, Ericas. Roses,
Carnations, Chorozema illicifolia, Correa mag-
nifica, Boi-onia megastigma, and Genista fra-
grans. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
staged a balch of Begonia manicata, a tall-
flowering species with rose-coloured flowers in
spray-like inflorescences ; also the beautiful B.
rosea gigantea and B. Verschaffeltii. A plant of
Sempervivum Bollii, in flower, was exhibited in
this group.

Messrs. Thos. Rochford & Sons, Ltd., Brox-
bourne. showed a number of plants of Nephro-
lepis lycopodioides. which received an Award of
Merit on May 4. 1909 ; a fine form of Cyrtomium
falcatum named Rochfordii, certificated at the
meeting, held on May 5, 1907; and Polypodium
glaucum crispum, which has also received the
Society's Award of Merit. The finest culture
was seen in these various Ferns. Messrs. Roch-
ford also showed a group of Rambler Roses, the
variety Tausendschon predominating. (Silver-
gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Edmonton, again showed banks of large-flowered
Clematis arranged with Ferns in great variety.
They also displayed pot plants of Rose Baby
Dorothy, Astilbes (Spirieas) and coloured Prim-
roses. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., showed Alpine plants arranged in a
natural manner, with ornamental shrubs as a
background. Species of Primula were a feature,
also a great bank of blue, pink, and white Hepa-

ticas, these being very attractive. The most
floriferous subject was Pyrus Scheideckeri.
Messrs. Cutbush also staged an excellent exhibit
of Carnations. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Jlr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nursery, Hampton,
contributed, as at the last meeting, a bold group
of choice Carnations and Liliums set in Ferns
and Asparagus, with a few golden-coloured Daffo-
dils for relief. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, Guernsey, again contributed
a fine collection of Carnations, including magni-
ficent blooms of the varietv " R. F. Felton " (see
fig. 85). (Silver Flora Medal.)

R. B. Leech. Esq., Dulwich, was awarded a
Silver Flora Medal for some excellent plants of
Anthurium.

Messrs. Felton & Sons, Florists, Hanover
Square, London, showed vases of Roses, the
blooms and the receptacles being exceedingly
choice. The varieties of Roses were popular
market kinds, the dark-red Liberty being especi-
ally good. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mrs. BiscHOFFSHiEM, Bute House, South
Audley Street (gr. Mr. J. Edney). staged a group
of pot Roses in bloom, bordered with Ophiopogon
Jaburan, and set in a ground of Adiantum Ferns.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. Geo. Prince, Longworth, showed blooms
of forced Roses, and another display of these
popular flowers was made by Jlessrs. Geo. Mount
& Son, Canterburv, who had their new yellow
variety Lady Hillingdon in considerable num-
bers. (Silver Flora jledal.)

Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holborn,
again ari'anged a rock and water-garden exhibit,
this time as a corner group. The scheme was well
carried out. the water dripping into a pool, with
Ferns and Rushes around, whilst the rockv urk
was gay with seasonable flowers. ^Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. G. and A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, showed
Alpine plants arranged in rockwork with a few
shrubs for a background. Ranunculus nyssanus
is like a big Buttercup and is very free in bloom-
ing. There were also some choice Polyantlii in
a variety of colours. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., The Flora Farms,
Wisbech, showed a great assortment of bulbous
flowers grown in bow!-3 and vases in moss -fibre
without drainage.

Messrs. Gilbert & Son, Bourne, Lincolnshire,
showed a group of Anemones, in which the beau-
tiful King of Scarlets variety quite eclipsed all
others.

Mr. Frank Lilley, Guernsey, showed Daffo-
dils in assortment, all gathered from the open,
most of them of the kinds grown for Covent
Garden JIarket. In the centre of the group wero
other spring flowers, including Crocuses, Ane-
mones, Scillas, JIuscari, and Lachenalia.

.Messrs. R. Gill & Sons, Tremough, Penryn,
Cornwall, again showed trusses of Rhododen-
drons. The group included a specimen of Cordy-
line indivisa vera, the New Zealand Toil. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Co., Woking,
.staged an attractive exhibit of Alpine ar. 1
hardy garden flowers. Androsace carnea, Adonis
amurensis flore pleno, Lithospermum prostra-
tum, and a double white Primrose attracted cur
notice. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. W.A.RE, Ltd., Feltham, Middle-
sex, showed choice and rare Alpines arran.gi 1
on a rock garden. Very fine were Shortia uiii-
flora grandiflora. Primula viscosa nivalis, Epij'ea
repens, Soldanella Clusii, and Saxifraga ciliata.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Bakers, W'olverhampton, staged a
pretty group of Alpines, amongst which batches
of Primula rosea, P. Cashmeriana, and P. Jlrs.
J. H. Wilson were very good.

Jfessrs. Paul & Son. Cheshunt. were awarded
a Silver Banksian Medal for an exhibit of Rhodo-
dendrons.

Other exhibitors of Alpine and hardy plants
were the Misses HorKiNS, Mere Gardens, Shep-
perton ; Messrs. Barr & Sons. King Stre;>t,
Covent Garden, London (Silver Banksian Medal) ;
Messrs. .John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London — this firm showed a very large group of
Lachenalia luteola, with the spotted type of
leaf; Messrs. J. Che.«l & Sons, Lowfield Nur-
series, Crawley ; Guilpford Hardy Plant Nur-
sery ; and Mr. Geo. Reuthe. Keston. Kent.

Messrs. .Jarman & Co., Chard, showed plants
of their strain of Cactus-flowered Cineraria.

Messrs. S. Bide & Sons, Alma Nurseries,

M.uicH 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

20i

Farnham, showed bunchos of Violets of the I'rin-
cess of Wales variety.

Messrs. C.4RTER, P.\GE & Co., 52 and 53,
London Wall, London, showed varieties of Violas
and large bloonio of I'ansies, also the beautiful
blue Nemophila insignis, Linaria maroccana,
Nemesia sirumosa, Schizanthus and other
annuals.

Awards of Merit.

Carnation " R. F. Fellon." — See fig. 85 and
p. 196 ; shown by Mr. H. Burnett.

Caluthea croi-cita. — This stove plant is well
Jtnowu in gardens, but it is seldom seen in such
excellent condition as the admirable specimens
ahown by Sir Trevor Lawrence. Each plant
was about 9 inches high, and had reddish-
orange inflorescences. The leaves are rather undu-
late, being dark green above and rose-purple
beneath. The spi^cies was introduced from
Me.\ico in 1874, and is figured in B(jt. Mag.,
t. 7820. Shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence (gr.
Mr. Bain).

Ithodochnrlron priiiiur'nuni. — A hardy species
grown and flowered at Coonibo Wood Nursery
from seed collected in Western China by Wilsou.
The plant is described in Gardeners' Chronicle,
January 1, 1910, p. 4. Shown by Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea.

Narcissus Committee.

Present: H. B. May, Esq. (in the Chair), and
Messrs. Robt. Sydenham. 1'. D. Williams, Alex.
M. Wilson, Geo. H. Engleheart, J. T. Bennett-
Poe, F. H. Chapman, E. A. Bowles, Christopher
Bourne, Joseph Jacob, Chas. Davison, P.
Rudolph Barr, .James Walker, W. Poupart,
Arthur R. Goodwin, R. W. Wallace, and Chas.
H. Curtis.

Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin, Kiddermin-
eter, again showed a beautiful display of Narcissi
of choice varieties. Amongst notable kinds were
Southern Star, Circlet, Aspasia, Leyden Jar,
Glory of Noordwijk, Mrs. H. J. Veitch, Lucifer,
Orangeman, White Lady, Ariadne, Weiardale
Perfection and Waterwitch. (Silver-gilt Bank-
sian Medal.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, made an at-
tractive exhibit with Tulips. They arranged
them in batches of distinct varieties, including
white, yellow, red. scarlet, rose, cream, and other
shades. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Robert Sydenham, Ltd., Tenby
Street, Birmingham, again showed bulbous plants
grown in bowls of moss-fibre. They had also a
selection of Narcissi of the best sorts. Chante-
cleer is new, being of the parvi-coronati section
with deep orange-red crown ; Cavalier is also
new and of the same type ; Persian Orange, Jlme,
de Graaff, Northern Queen, and Mrs. Langtry
were also shown well.

Mr. Alex. M. Wilson, Bridgwater, Somerset,
showed a small collection of Narcissi, several
being seedlings. One, marked R.H., had a mag-
nificent " eye," the colour being deep reddish-
orange set off by a well formed perianth. Tamer-
lane is a bold flower, the yellow segments being
•very broad. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. B.^rr & Sons, King Street, Covent
■Garden, staged varieties of many types of Nar-
<;issi, ha,ying good flowers of varieties that force
well. Fire Dome is a new variety ; it belongs
to the incomparabilis section, and the cup is an
inch deep and rather more than that wide ; the
<;olour at the edges is a very deep orange, pass-
ing to a paler shade at the base. Seraphim is
one of the largest of the bicolors, with sulphur
trumpets and cream perianth ; Peter Barr, Home-
.spun, King Alfred, Fairy Queen, and other stand-
ard sorts were noticed. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
■Chair), and Messrs. jas. 0' Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, Talbot Clifton, F. Menteith
Ogilvie, F. Sander, W. Boxall, A. Dve, A. A.
McBean, J. Charlesworth, J. Cypher, W. H.
Hatcher, H. G. Alexander, \V. P. "Bound, W. H.
White, H. A. Tracy, H. Ballantine, Gurney
WQson, J. Wilson Potter, W. Bolton, R.
Brooman White, C. H. Curtis, and de B. Craw-
:shay.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, staged
a fine group, which contained several rare species,
the best novelty being the new Houlletia Sanderi
(see Awards). In the centre were three plants of

finely-coloured Vanda coerulea, and around
these were good forms of Cattleya Schroderae,
one of blush-white, with orange throat, being
specially attractive. Good hybrid Odontoglos-
sums, includnig a large, light form of 0. har-
vengtense, Brasso-Cattleya jMadame Jules Hye,
and other Brasso-Cattleyas ; the yellow Dendro-
bium bellatulum, D. Brymerianum, with finely-
developed fringe on the lip ; Scuticaria Hadwenii ;
a selection of Lselio-Cattleyas, Cymbidium Schro-
derianum, Pluilfenupsis Luddemanniana, Renau-
thera Imschootiana, Dendrobium callipes majus
from a new district, the strong growths bearing
erect spikes of showy yellow flowers, four or five
on each ; various Erias, Epidendrums, &c. (Silver
INIedal.)

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
a very attractive group, rich in good hybrids.
Among the home-raised seedlings, a new and
grandly-coloured 0. crispum, raised between a
rose-tinted blotched form, and the fine 0. crispum
Louis Sander, and now flowering for the first
time, displayed great beauty in its darkly-
blotched flower. At one end was a selection of
showy L.-elio-Cattleyas and Brasso-Cattleyas,
B.-C. Cliftonii being one of the best "and
L.-C. Hypatia, with a bouquet-like spike of
12 copper-orange flowers with crimson lip.
Among the Odontoglossums, 0. amabile
Mosaicum, O. Persephone, 0. Thompsonianum,
j'lid a finely-coloured 0. Lambeauanum were
noted; also Odontioda Bradshawi.e, 0. Vuyl-
stekea.', and 0. Bohnhoffia?, with their bright
scarlet tints ; Cymbidium eburneo-Ixjwianum con-
color, of an uniform cream colour ; Cattleya
Trianae Mafeking has a charming flower with
claret-red tips to the petals and a finely-
coloured lip. Of rare species, Cypripedium glan-
duliferum, Bulbophyllum barbigerum, and Vanda
Bensonii were noted.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an excel-
lent group containing great variety, and includ-
ing many pretty species, among which were not«d
Cirrhopetalum Mastersianum, which freely pro-
duces its umbels of coppery -orange flowers ; C.
picturatum ; a fine specimen of Bulbophyllum
cupreum ; JLaxillaria sanguinea, with prettily-
marked flowers, the base of the labellum being
carmiue-red ; Pholidota chinensis ; and the dark-
coloured Odontoglo.'ssum cordatum Low's variety,
with two spikes. Among a good selection of Den-
drobiums w as the best white form of D. crassinode
album; also a selection of Cymbidum insigne
(Sanderi), including a magnificent form, which
has the peculiarity of producing an arching in-
florescence. Others noted were the white
Cattleya Dusseldorfei Undine, the scarlet
Odontioda Bradshawiie, and 0. Keighleyensis, a
fine Lycaste plana with 12 flowers, a selection of
Dendrobium Jamesianum ; seyeral specimens of
D. Venus, very strongly grown and flowered ; and
a dark-flowered Cymbidium Lowgrinum.

Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge, Haywards
Heath, was awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an
effective group of exceptionally good Orchids,
the centre being of Cymbidium insigne, around
which were some good Cattleyas, the best noted
being C. Triante Edgar Knight (a fine flower,
with a claret blotch on the petals, and deep
claret-red lip), C. T. Mrs. T. JI. Crook (with
silver-white sepals and petals delicately tinged
with lavender, the front of the lip being bluish-
lilac), and C. Schroderae Jfrs. J. Marshall (a fine
flower, of a French-white tint, with orange disc
to the lip). At one end was a selection of
Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Schriiderae, and others
noted were Dendrobium Wardianum ochroleucum
(clear vyhite, vyith orange disc to the lip), D.
xanthocentrum, D. pallens, D. nobile virginale,
the best form of Lycaste Skinneri alba, and
Cypripedium aureum Surprise.

Sir Jeremi-ih Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park (gr. Mr. Collier,, showed a very interesting
selection, including the rare lemon-yellow
Bulbophyllum Sillemianum, the pretty Poly-
stachya pubescens (with two spikes of yellow
flowers), Dendrobium teretifolium (with many
elegant sprays of white flowers), Pleurothallis
Grobyi, IMegaclinium falcatum (with 12 spikes),
Cirrhopetalum picturatum, Coelogyne lactea, and
other pretty species. The hybrids included Odon-
toglossum Thompsonianum Gatton Park variety
(see Awards), Dendrobium Gatton Yellow (a clear
yellow flower, with dark eye), and an interesting
selection of Gatton hvbrids of Diacrium bicor-

nutuni, including Dia. -Cattleya Colmanii, Epi.-
Diacrium Colmanii, and Brasso-Diacrium Col-
manii, chiefly with white flowers. Cattleya
Schrodera; Gatton Park variety was also shown,
with a glowing reddish-orange "disc to the lip.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., Bur-
ford (gr. Mr. W. H. White), showed Dendrobium
Dalhou-nobile in fine form, with flowers as large
as D. Wardianum; Lycaste Mantinii, a hybrid of
L. Deppei, with cream-white flowers, prettily
marked with dark rose ; the pretty hybrid, Lajlio-
Cattleya Cooksonise, and several " others, for.
which see Awards.

J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed Sophro-
Laelio-Cattleya Olive (S.-L. Psyche x C. Enid),
with flowers of good size and of a bright magenta-
rose colour, together with flowers of both the
parents.

Lord Onslow, Clandon Park, Clandon, Surrey,
exhibited a specimen of Dendrobium Wardianum
album.

iMessr®. J. & A. A, McBean, Ccoksbridge,
were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for an
effective group of fine forms of typical Odont>3-
glossum crispum. With them were several good
Cattleya Schroderae, one especially good variety
bearing seven flowers of a lilac-pink tint, the lip
having a purple blotch in front of the yellow
disc. Others noted were Jliltonia Phalasnopsis
with four flowers ; a good blotched Odontoglos-
sum crispum, 0, Wilckeanum, Cypripedium
Ettyi (Godefroyea x insigne), a cream-white,
finely-blotched flower ; and the new Odontoglos-
sum Gladys var. H. W. Cheal (.see Awards).

Jlr. A. W. Jensen, Lindfield, Haywards
Heath, showed a selection of his excellent
importation of Cattleya Schriiderae, the flowers
varying from white to pale rose, with deep orange
disc to the lip, several having the fronts of the
labellums of a deep-purple tint. With them
were some good forms of Cattleya Mendelii and
Odontoglossum crispum, one form of vyhich was
tinged with pale yellow.

Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
shovyed a group of Dendrobiums, including D.
nobile giganteum Berkeley's variety, a very dis-
tinct and handsome form distinguished by the
purity of its white ground colour and the" dark
and rich colouring ; D. nobile Ashworthiae, a
distinct, light form ; the true D. rubens grandi-
florum, still one of the best hybrids; D. Schnei-
derianum, the yellow D. Jlelpomene, D. Luna,
D. nobile Heathii, and others.

Fergus JIenteith Ogilvie, Esq., Oxford (gr.
Mr. Balmforth), showed a spike of the yellow
Odontoglossum triumphans aureum, well repre-
senting this rare form, from the late Dr. Smee'a
collection.

A. Harrison, Esq., Lyndhurst, Watford,
shovyed Dendrobium Wardianum and D. nobile.

Mr. W. H. Young, Mercury Nursery, Romford,
sent a light form of Cypripedium villosum anna-
mense, with white margin to the dorsal sepal.

W. Bolton, Esq., Warrington, showed flowers
of a batch of Cypripediums between C. Maudia;
and C. Charlesworthii, showing extraordinary
variation.

AW^A.RDS.
First-class Certificate.

Cattleya liobert de Wavrin WeMonhirt varieti/
(Schilleriana X Si firiidera). from Lt. -Col. G. L.
HoLFORD, CLE., C.V.O., Westonbirt (gr. Mr.
H. G. Alexander). A magnificent Cattleya, and
one of the largest and finest in form of any yet
raised. Sepals and petals are rose-pink, the large
and finely-displayed lip being pure dark rose in
front, the crimped margin lighter in tint. The
original form of this very beautiful flower, which
secured an Award of Merit, was also shown.

Awards of Merit.

Lmlio-Cattleya Trimyra (C. TriancE X L.-C.
MyraJ, from Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.,
K.C.V.O. (gr. Mr. W. H, White). A good
yellow flower, in size and shape equal to Cattleya
Percivaliana ; there were three blooms on the
spike. With two crossings with the rose-tinted
C. Trianae, it is remarkable how the yellow of L.
flava, coming through L.-C. Myra, should have
been deepened, and the colour of C. Trianae
obliterated, as seen in the new variety.

Odontoglossum T honi p.-ionianum Gatton Parh
variety (Edwardii X crispum Mary Colman),
from Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart. (gr. Mr.
Collier). An improved form, with violet-purple
segments tipped and margined with pale rose.

'J 06

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[March 26, 1910.

Houlhiia Sanderi, from Messrs. Sander &
Sons, St. Albans. — A remarkable species of the
section intermediate between HouUetia and Peri-
steria, the individual flowers bearing some resem-
blance to those of the Dove Orchid (Peristeria
elata) and the growth to Houlletia Brocklehursti-
ana. Scape very stout and erect, one 9 inches,
the other 1 foot, and bearing two and three in-
verted flowers respectively ; the sepals are hooded
over the lip ; cream-v/hite, with yellow at the
base of the large, fleshy lip.

OdoiUoglossum Gladys var. H. 11'. Cheal
(chrJiosuni. X crispo-Harryamim), from Messrs.
J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge.— a very bright
and attractive hybrid, with white flowers tinged
with canary yellow at the margins, and bearing
very dark purple blotches, especially on the
sepals.

Botanical Certificate.

Pulystachya hracieosa from Sir Trevor
Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O.— A curious species
from tropical Africa, with flattened pseudo-bulbs
and racemes of pale-greenish flowers with reddish
markings.

CuLTCjRAL Commendation.

To Mr. W. H. White, Orchid grower to Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., for Sarco-
chilus Hartmannii. with four spikes of pretty
white flowers, and which had been in the collec-
tion at Binford for about 30 years.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: George Bunyard, Esq. (in tho
Chair), and Messrs. Jos. Cheal. W. Bates, Alex.
Dean, E. Beckett. H. Parr, H. Markham, J.
Davis, James Vert. G. Reynolds, Chas. Foster,
P. C. M. Veitch, Geo. Wythes, Owen Thoma.s,
H. Somers Rivers, John Lyne, W. Poupart,
€. G. A. Nix, A. H. Pearson, and G. Hobday.

Prior to the consideration of ordinary business.
Mr. 0. Thomas, V.M.H.. proposed a vote of
sympathy with the members of the family of
Mr. J. Mclndoe, "V.M.H., whom he characterised
as a great gardener, and one of the n * se eminent
of British fruit-growers. In not less kindly terms
Mr. G. Wythes, V.M.H., seconded the proposi-
tion, which was also cordially .supported by the
Chairman, and was carried in silence.

Messrs. SnTTON & Sons, Reading, staged a
collection of some 50 dishes of early vegetables,
including some capital ,sala.ds. The entire col-
lection was of high-class quality. Their Early
AVhite Broccoli was shown in perfect form,
many of the heads being almost white.
All had been cut from a seed stock grown
in an open field. They also showed Early
Purple and White Sprouting Broccolis of hiszii
excellence, especially the white form, which
seemed the ideal sprouting variety. There were
also two baskets, each holding 12 heads of that
very early, firm-hearting Cabbage Harbinger, of
perfect form, and three dishes of Pea Duchess of
York. The exhibit also included four dishes of
Tender and True climbing Bean, showing its
fitness for forcing, two baskets of 20th Century
Mushrooms, Potatos Sutton's Seedling and Satis-
faction. Cucumber Delicacy, Winter Lettuces,
Endives, blanched Chicory, Seakale, Rhubarb,
Tomato Early Market, Mustard and Cress in
boxes, and young Onions. (Silver-gilt Knightian
Medal.)

Messrs. .Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed
a lesser collection of similar vegetables, includ-
ing numerous Cabbage Lettuces Paris Market,
Early France, White Passion, Early Favourite.
Heartwell, and Golden Queen, the last-named
being very dwarf ; also Borecole New Sprouting
with partially curled leafage and very dense
heads, and two baskets of variegated Kales,
numerous varieties of Radishes, and good Sea-
kale. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

prepared, on which the acreage of fruit in each
parish was indicated by a series of black dots,
thus forming together a shading showing
the density of planting. Such a map, when
considered alongside a geological map of the
same district, at once showed that the fruit was
congregated on certain formations and absent
from others. Moreover, if the soils on which
the fruit was found to flourish were subjected to
what is called a mechanical analysis, i.e., a sepa-
ration into groups of particles according to their
size, "the coarser groups forming sand, the finer
silt, and the finest of all clay, we find that they
possess constitutions so similar that we can
draw up a specification or type of what a fruit
soil should be. The analysis of any unknown
soil would then show if it agreed with this
specification, and, therefore, if it were suitable
or not for fruit, supposing that other factors of
elevation, aspect, etc., were appropriate. The
lecturer exhibited maps showing the distribution
of Hops, Turnips, Barley and other crops, which
revealed a similar correlation between the crop.

FOURTH MASTERS MEMORIAL LECTURE.

Mr. A. D. Hall, F.R.S.. Director of the
Hothamsted Experimental Station, delivered the
second of the blasters memorial lectures for 1910
at the Royal Horticultural Society on March
22, Professor Bateson, F.R.S., in the chair.
In order to obtain some basis of knowledge for
the association of given plants with certain soils,
the lecturer turned to farm crops, about the re-
quirements of which so much was known experi-
mentally, and began by exhibiting a map show-
ing the distribution of fruit in the counties of
Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. A map had been

growth has only been determined for a few farm
plants, and how that figure is affected by tem-
perature, sunshine, wind and the humidity of
the air has not yet been experimentally deter-
mined. What, then, is wanted is more experi-
ments and more data. In collecting data, how-
ever, the competition factor to which allusion
was made in the former lecture must be elimi-
nated, only plants growing under similar condi-
tions of cultivation can be compared.

But though the mechanical composition of soils
reveal the chief factor in the association of plant
and soil, one or two chemical factors of impor-
tance can be discerned. A distinction must be
made between acid and non-acid or neutral soils,
the acid soils being generally recognisable in
nature by the tendency of peat to accumulate
on them. It is probable that the plants them-
selves are indifferent to any acidity of the soil-
water from which they are drawing nutrition,
but in an acid medium the action of bacteria is
generally suspended. In such soils, for example,
when the action of the decav bacteria and of those

THE LATE JAMES McINDOE, V.M.H., WHOSE DEATH WAS ANNOUNCED
IN THE LAST ISSUE.

the geological formation, and the structure of
the soil as determined by mechanical analysis.
Vet farm crops are amongst the least particular
of plants, otherwise they would not have re-
ceived the widespread cultivation by which they
are characterised. When dealing with more
.special and fastidious plants a closer correlation
between mechanical composition of the soil and
the distribution of the plant would be expected.
The importance of the mechanical composition
of the soil lies in the fact that upon the size of
the particles making up the soil depends such
important factors as the supply of water to the
plant, the temperature of the soil. and. to some
extent, the temperature and humidity of the air
surrounding the plant. These are "among the
most potent factors in the well-being of the crop,
as every owner of a greenhouse is aware.

In order to decide upon the kind of soil re-
quired by a given plant, empirical methods alone
can be followed, beginning by putting together
a number of analyses of soils in which the plant
does well. A priori, it would be impossible to
predict what the requirements of the plant will
be. Indeed, not enough is known about the re-
quirements of plants under natural conditions:
even the amount of water transpired during

causing nitrification are suspended, the soil be-
comes wholly permeated by the mycelium of
various moulds and other micro fungi. As a con-
sequence of the stoppage of nitrification, plants
are driven to feed upon ammonia and other
nitrogent compounds to which the micro-fungi
gives rise, and many plants appear to be in-
tolerant of such conditions. Again, many classes
of plants — certain Ericas, Conifers and Orchids —
derive their food supplies from the .soil by the
aid of the mycelium of certain fungi with which
their roots are associated. Such cases of myco-
rhiza are associated with acid soils in which
nitrates are lacking ; probably the mycelium of
the .special fungi cannot stand the competition
with bacteria in neutral or slightly alkaline soil
in which bacteria flourish.

The association of acidity or neutrality of
soil with particular plants would seem to be an
ecological factor worthy of more observation.

The other factor of importance is the amount
of carbonate of lime in the soil, but a distinc-
tion must be drawn between the cases in which
carbonate of lime acts merely as maintaining a
neutral reaction and those in which it acl.i
positively, and is of direct benefit to cer-
tain plants. Carbonate of lime is regarded as

March 26, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

207

poisonous to certain plants, e.g., Eiica. Rhodo-
dendron ; but this is probably not a positive in-
jurious action of the line on the plant, but a
secondary one in that the lime removes the acid
soil conditions which these plants find necessary.
The very distinctive aspect of the chalk and the
limestone flora, the prevalence of certain plants
oniy on such areas, e.g., Clematis vitalba, would
seem, however, to show that a positive correla-
tion e.\ists between certain plants and an abun-
dance of carbonate of lime. Here, again, more
experimental evidence is wanted, but experi-
ments are made difficult by the necessity of in-
troducing the competition factor. When plants
are grown in pots and trial plots the treatment
may depress the vitality of one lot by 20 per
cent., an amount more than enough to secure
its total elimination in a state of nature with-
out any effect being perceptible in the growth.
When protected from competition the growth
does not depend upon what might be. called
vitality or con.stitution. but upon food supply.
Cci'taiu special cases also have been recorded
in which the presence of particular constituents
in the soil seems to produce pathological dis-
turbances in the plant, even to the extent t f
setting up teratological changes such as were
studied by the distinguished man in whose
honour these lectures were founded, but here,
again, experimental evidence is lacking. The
lecturer concluded by stating that hi.s lectnr<\s
had been all along directed to indicating the
extent of our ignorance and the field for work
that is open. In the present state of our know-
ledge it is vanity to dogmatise aboyt the re-
quirements in the way of soil of more than a
very few plants.

SHROPSHIRE HORTICULTURAL.

Mari'h 18. — The .innual meeting of the Shrop-
shire Horticultural Society was held at Shrews-
bury on this date. The Mayor of Shrewsbur\
(Mr. Benjamin Blower) presided. Jlr. Naunton
presented the committee's report, which stated
that the total receipts at the gates on the
two days of the show amounted to £2,689 6s.,
while the receipts from all sources amoinited
to £5,245 IBs. 7d. Th'3 balance-sheet showed that
the receipts from the sunnner show reached the
sum of £4.952 12s. 3d., and the disbursements
£4.306 2s. 2d., leaving a profit of £646 10s. Id.
The expenses connected with the spring show
amounted to £139 31s. 5d. Mr. E. C'. Peele
moved the adoption of the report and balance-
sheet, and the motion was carried. Mr. A.
Wynne Corrie was elected president for the year,
and the retiring president. Sir Clement Hill,
JI.P., was thanked for his services.

©bituarp.

James McIndoe.— Tlie late Jlr. Mclndoe,
whose death was recorded in our last issue,
gained his early gardening experience at Archer-
field, East Lothian, but he must have come to
England while still young, for he served in
various places as foreman ; the last was prob-
ably at Addington, near Croydon (at that time
occupied by the Archbishop of Canterbury).
In the early 'sixties he was appointed gardener
to the then Archbishop of V'ork, at Bishopthorpe
Palace. He remained at Bishopthorpe some
seven years, and made a name at the northern
shows as a successful exhibitor, especially of the
Hollyhock. In the year 1874, the late Sir .loseph
Pease was making great extensions to his gardens
at Hutton Hall, and ilr. Mclndoe was engaged
to undertake the management. All the fruit
borders were formed, and the vines. Peaches, and
other trees planted under his direct supervision,
therefore the credit for the excellent results
which followed is due to him, Mr. Mclndoe
found in Sir Joseph Pease a kind and generous
employer, who provided him with the most up-
to-date glass structures. There were serious draw-
backs, however, to meet and combat, chiefly ow--
ing to the situation of the gardens and the cold
climate. Hutton Hall is situated in a valley at
the foot of the Cleveland Hills, and within a

short distance of the North Sea. It is not
unusual for the gardens to be enveloped by a
dense cold " sea fret," as it is termed there," for
many weeks together during the spring and early
summer months. Owing to these circumstances
frequent anxiety and difficulty were found in set-
ting the flowers of vines. Peaches, and even
Melons. Similar trouble was experienced in the
autumn, when sunshine was required to mature
the crops and the current season's shoots.
Most varieties of Grapes were given a trial
in the extensive vineries, and though many
failed to fruit satisfactorily, some, owing
to their free and strong habit of growth, were
retained as stocks to be grafted with the satis-
factory kinds. Perhaps this fact may, in some
measure, account for the vines continuing so long
to produce exhibition bunches. Instances could
be given of varieties which were improved by this
grafting system at Hutton, such as the Black
Hambro' worked on the Barbarossa, &c. Mr.
Mclndoe followed no rule-of-thumb practice in
the treatment of his vines, unless it was in allow-
ing plenty of room between the leaves and root
glass, and in keeping the foliage as thinly dis-
posed as possible. In most instances the "vines,
being planted 6 feet apart, the spurs were in-
duced to form alternately ; thus each shoot was
trained along the wire until it met the next
cane. In this way there was no fear of over-
crowding, and each leaf had, as it were, its own
position. Perhaps one of the finest exhibits in
Grapes Mr. .Mclndoe ever made, was at Edin-
burgh some years ago. the 12 bunches weighing
something like 86 lbs. It would be impossible to
refer to the many grand exhibits of fruit made
by .Mr. .Mclndoe both in Scotland and through-
out England ; they wore always amongst the most
successful and they were continued for a great
number of years. Mclndoe's " Best of AH "
Melon has. perhaps, secured more prizes through-
out the country than anv other variety.
He also raised and sent out another good variety
under the name of Scarlet Premier. ^Ir.
Mclndoe w'as selected as one of the first to
receive the Victoria Jledal of Honour. Since
retiring some years ago from the charge of the
gardens Mr. ^Iclndoe resided chiefly at Dart-
ford, and attended the meetings of the Fruit
and Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society. As s<x)n as he found himself at
liberty and could take a holiday, he sailed to
Auckland, New Zealand, to vi.sit a brother who
had been established there as a nurseryman
for nearly half a century. This was no small
undertaking for a man turned 70 years of age.
The deceased was 73 years of age. His remains
were interred at Wilmington Churchyard, Dart-
ford, on the 16th inst.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

SHINFIELD COTTAGE GftRDEN. — This o M
society, which lapsed after 25 years good woik. has betn
revived. The annual 0o\ver show was always regarded as a
local holiday. The show will be held in August.

ELSTREE HORTtCULTURAL.-At the meeting,
on Tuesday, Marcli In, held in the Church Room, Elstree,
Mr. \V. Cutbu'^h, of Barnet, gave a lecture on "Rose^."
At the close of his remarks, the lecturer answered several
questions on the subject. An exhibition of Hyacinths, in
competition for prizes by the school children, was held in
conjunction with the meeting. A superb collection was
staged by Mr. E. Beckett, V.M.H., gardener to the Hon. V.
Gibbs. the president of the society, as a special exhibit.

BATH GARDENERS*.— A well-attended meeting of
the society was iield on March 14, when Mr. W. T. Parrjtt
presided. A paper on " Asparagus " was read by Mr. W. G.
Edwards. The lecturer sketched the early history of the
plant, and gave the various methods of cultivation. Pro-
pagation, he said, could be eflfected by seeds or by division,
but the former method was by far the best. Seed should be
sown diiri[ig the first week of April, in drills, and the seed-
lings should be thinned to 6 inches apart. In the following
March or April they should be transplanted to the permanent
beds.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION (London
Branch).— On March 19 about 100 members and friends were
present at a concert at Carr's Re^^taurant, Strantl. Mr. E. F.
Hawes, chairman of the branch, presided. The musical
programme was arranged by Mr. Andrews and proved a
great success. Selections from Shakespeare were ad-
mirably rendered by Mr. Clarke.

BANBURY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

This society met at the White Horse Hotel, Banbury, on
Friday, March 18, when Mr. Wadhain, gardener to Mrs.
Bradshaw, Steeple Aston Grange, gave a lecture on ■* The
Culture of Early-fiowering Plants for the Garden and Allot-
ment," in the place of Mr. G. Hunter, of Blenheim Palace
Gaidens, who at the last moment was unable to atiend.
About 30 members were present. Mr. Wadham dealt
principally with Stocks, Mignonette, Forget-me-Nots,
Violets, and some of the easily-cultivated Orchids.

IVIARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, March 22.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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
m the market, anc the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Eds. |

Frulc: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d. s d.

Apples Newtown

Mangoes(Cape),per

(U.S.), per bar-

doz.

4 0 10 0

rel

26 0-28 0

Nectarines (Cape),

— (NovaScotiaii),

per box (24 to

per barrel ;

28 fruits)

5 0-10 0

— Slarks

16 0-18 0

Nuts, Almonds, p.

- Baldwin

14 0-n 0

bag

96 0-42 0

— Greening

14 0-18 0

— Brazils, new.

~ Russett

17 0-21 0

percwt.

32 0-36 0

— Fallawater ...

18 0-20 0

— Barcelona, per

— Ben Davies ...

16 0-18 U

bag

32 0-34 0

— (English), per

— Cob, per lb. ...

0 3 0 3.*

bushel :

— Cocoa nuts. 100

10 0-14 0

— Annie Eliza-

— (Italian), p. bag 11 0-13 »

beth

5 6-66

Oranges—

— Newton Won-

— Palermo Blood

der

5 0-70

ISO)

7 6-86

— Bramley'sSced

(lOU) _.

8 0-96

ling

5 0-80

— Cal iforniaii

— Newtown Pip-

Navel, box (96)

10 6-11 6

pin, per case ..

7 0-86

— .. „ (112)

12 0-13 0

— Oregon

11 6-14 0

— Jaffas, per box

9 O-ll 0

— French Russets

8 0-10 0

— IJeiiia, per case

— British Colum-

(4-JO)

12 0-22 0-

bia

12 0-18 0

— Valencia, per

Bananas, biincli:

case (420)

11 0 20 0

- Doubles

10 0 —

— Messina Bit-

— No. 1 „ ...

8 0-10 0

ters, per box...

10 6-11.0

— Extra „ ...

8 0-10 0

— Mandarine,

— (iiant „ ...

9 0-11 0

Florida, p.

— Red coloured...

4 6-60

case

11 0-13 0

— Red Doubles ..

8 0-90

— — per box ...

14-16

— Jiinaica ,, ...

6 0-66

— — Jamaica, p.

— Loose, per dz.

0 6-10

case

9 6-10 6

Cranberries, p. case

6 6-76

— Tangerine, per

Custard Apples, p.

box

0 6-0 10

dozen

6 0-12 0

— Seville Sours,

Grape Fruit, ca^e

10 0-14 C

per J chest ...

15 0-16 0

Grapes, per lb. :

Peaches (Cape),per

— (Cape)black,pcr

box (12)

8 0-12 0

case, large ...

10 0 -

Pears (Avacado),

— „ small ...

5 0-60

per doz.

6 0-12 0

— Gros Cfilinar,

— (Cape), per box

A quality

2 0-30

(24, 28, 32), Wil-

— B quality

10-19

liams' BonChrt:

— - .Alicantes, A

tien

2 6-40

quality

16-26

— (Australian), p.

— B quality

13-19

tray

4 0-50

— Gros Colmar

Pineapples, each ...

3 0-50

(Belgian)

13-20

Plums, (Cape), per

— (.\lineria), per

box (15 to 28

barrel ..

14 0-20 0

fruits), Wick-

p. 121b. baskets

6 0-80

son

4 0-60

Lemons, box :

~ (Cape), Apple

— Palermo, 300 ..

7 0-96

per box

9 0-14 0

— „ 360...

9 0-10 0

Satsuma

5 0-70

— selected, case..

11 0-13 0

— Chalcot, p. box

5 0-70

Limes, per case ...

2 6-30

Strawberries, p. lb.

r, 0-8 0

Lychfees, per box...

16-19

— seconds

2 0-40

Vegetable!

: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

s.d.s.d.

AiticlioKesiGlobe),

Mustard and Cress,

pei dozen

2 0-23

per dozen pun.

1 0 -

— Jerusalem, i

Onions (Dutch), p.

sieve

0 9-10

bag

3 0-36

Asparagus, Paris

— (English),bag..

4 0-46

Green, bundle

6 6-76

— pickling, p. bslil.

7 0-80

— Sprue, bundle

0 10- 1 0

— Spring, per dz.

— Lavvies, bundle

6 0-80

bunches

3 0-40

Beans (English and

— (Valencia), per

Chan. Islands),

case

8 6-96

per lb

1 0 —

Parsley, ^ sieve ...

16-36

— 8road(French),

Parsnips, per bag...

16-20

jier pad

4 0-5 6

Peas (French), per

— (Madeira), per

pad

3 0-5 0'

basket i6 to

Potatos (Channel

8 lbs.)

2 6-36

Islands). per lb.

0 4 —

Beetroot, per bushel

16-20

— (Tenerifle), per

Cabbages, p. tally

2 6 —

cwt

10 0-15 0

Cardoons (French),

Rhubarb (forced).

per dozen

8 0-10 0

doz. bundles...

0 4-08

Carrots (English),

— Natural, per

dozen bunches

2 9-30

tally

5 6-66

— per bag

3 6-40

Radishes (Guern-

— unwashed

16-19

sey), per dozen

0 8-09

Cauliflowers, tally

6 0-80

Savoys, per tally.-.

4 0-70

— (French), per

Seakale, per dozen

crate (24-30) ...

3 6-46

punnets

10 0-12 0

Celeriac, per doz.

16-26

Spinach, ^ sieve ...

2 6-30

Chicory, per lb. ...

0 2J- 0 3

— (French), crate

4 0-50

Cucumbers, per dz.

3 6-46

Sprouts, i sieve ...

10-13

Ell. live, per dozen

2 0-23

— per bag, 28 lbs.

13-26

Horseradish, for-

Sprouting Broccoli,

eign, new, per

bag

13-19

bundle

10-13

Stachys tnberosa.

— 12 bundles ...

12 0-15 0

per lb

0 4-05

f eeks, 12 bundles

10-16

Tomatos —

Lettuce (French),

— (Teneriffe), per

per dozen

10-16

bundle

6 0 12 0

— (Cos), per doz.

3 6-5 6

Turnips, 12 bchs...

2 0-30

Marrows(Madeira),

— bags . . ..;

2 0-26

per doz.

12 0-18 0

— dirty, per bag...

16-20

Mushrooms, per lb.

0 8-09

Turnip Tops, bag

10-20

— broilers

0 0 —

Watercress, \>. flat

4 0-6 6-

208

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Mabch 26, 1910.

Remarks.— There are now large supplies of Jaffa Oranges.
Californian Fiuit is arriving in increased quantities, and
prices are a little easier. Apples continue to sell well at
about the same prices. French Asparagus sells well, espe-
cially Paris Green, which is very dear. Forced Rhubarb is
not quite so plentiful, but is being sold very cheaply. The
shipments or French Cauliflowers are smaller, and conse-
quently prices are slightly dearer. The English and Foreign
Grape trade is good. Trade generally good. £. //. Rides^
Covcut G(j;i/fH, March 2J, 1910.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Pocatos.

Bedforda—

Up-to-Dale .
Blacklands
Dunbars—

Maincrop
Up-to-Date.
Lincolns—
Evergood ...
Sharpe's Express.

percwi.

s.d. s.d.

... 3 0-36

...5 8-6 6
... 4 3-46

,23-29
3 0-33

Lincolns^

Uli-loDate

Ualnieny Beauty...
Royal Kidney
Maincrop
King Edwards

Blacklands

Kents—

Scottish Triumphs

Uji-to-Date

per cwt.
s.d. s.d.
3 3-40.
3 6-

2 6-

3 3-
3 3-
2 9-

3 9

2 9

3 9
3 9
3 0

3 6-40
3 6-40

Remarks. — The stocks in London are not quite so large.
Best tubers have a fair demand, but inferior ones sell very
slowly. Prices remain about the same as last week,
Edward J , Newborn, Covent Garden and SI. Pailcras, March
22, 1910.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

National Auricula and Primula Society (Southern

Section). — The annual exhibition will be held in the Royal
Horticultural Society's Hall, Westminster, on May 3, in
conjunction with the fortnightly meeting of the R.H.S- The
schedule includes 30 classes, 21 for Auriculas and 9 for
Primulas, Polyanthuses and Primroses. Two silver-gilt
medals are oiiered by Mr. James Douglas to amateurs who
obtain the highest aggregate number of points in ceitain
classes. The committee will meet at 2.30 p.m., to con-
sider the merits of new varieties submitted for certificates.
The schedule may be obtained from the hon. sec. and
treasurer, Mr. T, E. Henwood, Auricula Villa, 16, Hamilton
Road, Reading.

National Carnation and Plcotee Society (Southern

Section).— This society is still doing good work, but it has
been unfortunate in the last year or two in losing by death
seveial of its most prominent supporters. The annual
exhibition will again be held in ilie Royal Horticultural Hall,
Westminster, the date being fixed for July 26, A cup,
valued at f 5, will be given to the exhibitor who gains the
highest number of points in the first 9 classes, which com-
prise the first division. Cups to the value of £4 and £3 will
also be given respectively in the second and third divisions.
We are glad to notice that the committee insists upon
exhibitors properly naming their varieties. The Martin-
Smith Memorial Challenge Cup will be awarded, together
with a medal, for the best exhibit by an amateur of 12 un-
dressed flowers of distinct varieties of Selfs, Fancies and
Yellow-grotmd Picotees, three blooms of each variety. In
the open classes, the Cartwright Challenge Cup will be
awarded for tlie best exhibit or exhibits of an exhibitor.
The secretary is Mr. T. E. Henwood, |16, Hamilton Road,
Reading.

The Haywards Heath Horticultural Society will hold
the twenty-second annual llovver show, on Wednesday, July
27, in the Victoria Park, Haywards Heath. Also, a
Chrysanthemum show on Tuesday and Wednesday,
November I, 2, at the Public Hall, Haywards Heath.
Secretary, Geo, Prevett, The Kosery, Haywards Heath.

Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.— A horticultural
exhibition will be held in conjunction with this society's
Horse Show at Balmoral, Belfast, on July 21, 22. Compe-
tition is confined to amateurs. There are 33 classes, and
in each a small entrance fee is imposed. The most im-
portant classes are those for 24 distinct varieties of Roses,
12 butiches of decorative Roses in not fewer than nine
varieties, 24 Lunches of hardy garden flowers, an(l 12
bunches of Sweet Peas, in distinct varieties. The schedule
may be obtained fiom the secretary, Balmoral, Belfast.

Royal Agricultural Society's Show.— The horticultural
exhibition in connection with the Royal Agricultural
Society's annual show appears to be a permanent feature.
This year the competitive classes number 13, but the
Society also invite honorary exhibits, so that it is probable
an imposing floral display will be seen. The exhibition is
fixed for June 6, and will continue for four days. A
first prize of £30 is offered for a group of miscellaneous
plants, with £25 and £'20 respectively, as second and third
prizes. A gold medal and £10 are offered as first prize for
a collection of Orchids, and similar prizes are offered for
the best display of hardy flowers and p'ants. Gold and
silver medals will be awarded to non-competitive exhibits
of special merit. The show will again be under the manage-
ment of Mr. Peter Blair, Trentham, and intending exhibitors
must give notice to the secretary before June 4.

Bolton Horticultural and Chrysanthemum Society's

24th exhibition to be held in the Albert Hall, Bolton, on
Friday and Saturday, November 19, 19. Secretary, Mr.
George Corbett, Heaton Gtange Gardens, Boiton.

Dulwlch Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society's

17th annual exhibition to be held at the Bailis, Goose Green,
on Wednesday and Thursday, November 9, 10. Hon. secre-
tary, Mr. R. B. Lee^h, Woodhall Cottage, College Road,
Dulwich.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent Garden, London-
Hardy Perennial, Alpine and Aquatic Plants.

Chas. Ramsay & Son, Ball's Bridge, Dublin — Hardy
Garden Flowers.

FOREIGN.

F. W. Kelsev Nurserv Company, 150, Broadway, New
York, U.S.A.— Trees and Hardy Plants.

[Coriespottdriits are requested to write th» aamea of persons
and places as Ie£ibly as possible. A'o clinige is
made for these atiitcmncefiiettts, but if a small cunlnbtttion
IS settt, to be placed in our colleitnig Box for I lie Gaideueis'
Otphan Fund, it will be thankjully received, and an
acknowledgment made in these colum7is,'\

Mr. John C. Pope, for 12 years Gardener to Charles
Bailv, Esq., Clumber House, Frome, as Gardener to
Mrs. G. W. Medlev, Winsford Tower, Seaworthy,
North Devon. (Thanks for 2s. received for R.G.O.F,
Box.— Eds.)

Mr. R. H. Knight, for more than 3 years Gardener to
G. ,^. ZiEGELE, Esq., Bellevue, Woodford, and pre-
viously Gardener to A. W. Lobb, Esq., Rolls Park,
Chigwell, as Gardener lo E. Moore, Esq., Drakecourt,
Blackheath.

Mr. Albert R. Pearce, for 6^ years Gardener to F.
Dudley Docker, Esq., J.P., The Gables, Kenilworth,
and previou-^ly 4 years Gardener to F. J. Pitman, Esq.,
Bray mead, Berkshire, as Gardener to J. Stafford,
Esq., J. P., Elmsleigh Hall, Leicester.

Mr. Rlfus Horne, as Gardener to J. A. Fairhurst, Esq.,
Arlington Manor, Newbury, Berkshire. (Thanks for
contribution to R.G.O.F. Box. — Eds.)

Qm\fe/r^
LorrcdpomknU

*,* The Editors will be glad to receive, for
consideration, large photographs of horticultural
subjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.
Apples Ecklinville Seedung and Worces-
ter Pearmain : P. S. You will find a brief
history of these varieties in Hogg's Fruit
Manual. Ecklinville is situated about 18 miles
from Dublin. Tiie tree was raised there by a
Scotch gardener named Logan in the early
'eighties. Worcester i'earmain originated with
Messrs. Richard Smith & Co., of Worcester: it
is a seedling from Devonshire Quarrenden. The
best work on Apples and Pears, with illustra-
tions, is the Herefordshire Pomona. The
book may be out of print, but you would be
almost certain of obtaining a copy from the
secondhand booksellers.
Aqullegias: Sen Vietv. You appear tc- be rais-
ing your plants year after year on the same
ground, and your difficulty is that they deterio-
rate. Ne\t season raise the seedlings in bo.xes,
so that the ground will be free all the winter
to undergo thorough cultivation and enrich-
ment. A quantity of slaked lime would be very
benoficial. A dressing of superphosphate of
lime, say 4 ounces to the square yard, is the
best fertiliser you can apply now, and this
should be lightly pricked into the soil. You
appear to be saving your own seeds each year ;
this would also in time cause deterioration ;
therefore you had better purchase seeds or
seedlings for a year or two. A change of seed
in conjunction with the soil treatment sug-
gested would doubtless prove beneficial. The
season of 1909 was not a good one for seed
ripening, and \our case appears to support the
general rule. There are several varieties of
the common Honeysuckle, but we do not know
to which you refer.

Book : A. B. Miss JekyU's Colour in thz Flowr
Garden would be suitable for your purpose.
This can be obtained from our Publishing De-
partment, price 13s., free by post.

Fertilisation of Cucumbers and Melons :
H. Y. The flowers of both Cucumbers and
Melons are moncecious, which means that the
stamens and pistils are borne in different flowers.
Consequently, unless the pollen fronr the male
flower is distributed either by the hand or by
other agencies such as wind, insects, &c., to
the female flower, it is impossible for the
female flower to produce seed. Gardeners do
not find it necessary to fertilise Cucumbers, for
the reason that the fruits swell, although
no seed is set. The fruit or Cucumber
develops just as perfectly without ferti-
lisation as with it, though, as we have
said, in such circumstances the Cucumbers are
seedless. In the case of Melons, the fruit
does not develope unless fertilisation is
effected, consequently, whilst pollination is
generally included in case of Cucumbers, it
is almost invariably practised in the cultiva-
tion of Melons, especially of indoor Melons in
this country.

Fig Diseased : R. C. S. The branches are badly
attacked by Libertella ulcerata, a fungus very
injurious to the Fig tree. All diseased branches
should be removed, being cut .so far back that
no trace of the dark colour of the wood, caused
by the fungus, can be seen.

Mercury or Lincolnshire Asparagus : H.
Bechan, Germany. These terms are applied to
Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus, a plant used in
many parts as a vegetable.

Names of Plants : H. IF. Cymbidium aloi-
folium. It varies considerably, and yours is a
good form — often called C. pendulum. — D. At.,
Edinburgh. Odontoglossum gloriosum and a
small-flowered Dendrobium, but the flowers
are not distinguishable. — J. W. Bulbophyllum
Pechei.

Neri.ve BowDEKir, Croydon HaU.—li Nerines
are grown in an ordinary cold greenhouse, such
as the Cape Heaths generally occupy, they 'are
amongst the easiest plants to cultivate. They
flower as satisfactorily as any bulbous species,
provided they pass the necessary dry, resting
season, either on a shelf in the cold house in
which they have been grown, or in a cold, sunny
frame, or in the open garden. Nerine Bowdenii
is ..lie of the strongest-growing, freest-bloom-
ing and most lasting of the genus. Nerines
should only be repotted at long intervals, for,
once established, they are best left undisturbed
for years, and if they are repotted annually it
often prevents them flowering. The main fac-
tor in the case is to see that the plants get
an abundance of rain water when growing and
making leaf-growth, and a long, dry rest after
the foliage fades and until the flower-spikes' are
well advanced. The Nerine fle.xuosa section,
including N. fle.xuosa alba, N. Bowdenii, N.
undulat-i (crispa). &c., require a rather shorter
resting season than the N. Fothergillii section,
but if they are treated the same as N. Fother-
gillii no harm results. Stove house tempera-
ture is injurious ro Nerines, even in the grow-
ing season, and causes rapid decline, especially
if the plants are not allowed to pass a period
in the open air in summer. A cold frame is
preferable to a warm house, and a position on
a slielf near the glass of the roof is desirable.
Yellow fibrous loam, with the addition of a
little sand, is the best compost. N. Bowdenii
was figured in Gardeners' Chronicle, Novem-
ber 25, 1904.

Pruning Newly-planted Trees : //. /. You
say it is not recommended to prune trees of
Apple and Pear which have been recently
planted. There are two .schools, and some
growers advocate the pruning of such trees
whilst others do not. The system of non-prun-
ing is recommended mainly on the grounds that
pruning causes more or less check to the tree,
and the dormnnt shoots contain reserve food
wjiich will help the plant to form new roots.
Thos'! who favour pruning do so on the grounds
that (1) the roots having suffered a severe check
strong top-growth can only be obtained by
limiting the number of slioots in the first sea-
son; (2) that by pruning, the cultivator can be
more certain of getting growth fix>m near the
base, thus forming a good foundation for the
future development of the tree.

Roots of Fir Trfe : A. A. T. The plant is a
seedling Pine, and the white substance about
the roots is a fungus known as Mycorhiza.
This should be present on the roots of all the-
trees you mention, and is a sign of healthy con-
ditions and vigorous growth.

Rose Maeechal Niel : Posa. The damage has
been caused by excess of moisture, and a cool,
stagnant atmosphere. There is no disease pre-
sent. Keep the house drier and warmer, afford-
ing fresh air whenever the conditions are
favourable.

Worm in Strawberry Soil : T . T). This is the
mischievous Aster worm (Enchytraeus parvu-
lus. Friend). The soil is too rich in fibrous and
vegetable matter. Water with dilute insecti-
cide.

Communications Received.— W. W.— F S.-O. W.—
B. E T.— Leafles8-E. L. J.— H. J. V.-F. W. E.-J. O.
—A. H.-P. & E, S., Ltd,— E, F. H.-H. Y.— A. C. B.—
P. K. M.— G. M.— J. D.— Reading Gardeners' Assoc—
Boyal Horticultural College. Swanley-S. A.-H. H. W.
— C. H P.— W. F.— A. G. S.— G W.— R. R.— J. O'B.—
Chloris-B. H. J.— C, F. D.— A, P,— W. M.— P. M.—
H. S. T.— W. D.— W.— G. W.— A. B.-J. F.— T. S.-A.P.

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle.

PhoiografJis by George Forrest.

SCENES IN TIBET AND CHINA.
(Above) Interior of Tibetan forest, showing conifers and mixed shrubs. The tree on

EXTREME LEFT IS MaGNOLIA CaMPBELLII.

(Below) View of Southern part of Lichiang Range, alt. 17,000 ft.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.G.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

209

THE

6iirbcncis'Cbroniclc

No. 1,S14.— SATURDAY, April 3, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the—

Law note

223

Lithospermum

212

Lectures in trains

217

Apples, late dess&rt ...

220

Nasturtium in America

218

Books, n itices of —

Orchid notes and glean-

A History of Garden-

ings—

ing in England

213

Disas, blue-flowered

210

Chrysanthemum Cul-

Lycaste gigantea

210

ture

213

Peach bloom, protecting

221

Brussels Interna ional

Primula obconica

221

Exhibition

218

Rossdohan and other

Cacti, Mexican species

Irish gardens

209

of

216

Societies-

Camphor, the produc-

Dutch Bulb Growers'

222

tion of

218

Linnean '

218

Congress, proposed gar-

National C'hrys.

221

deners'

220

Royal Hui-ticultural...

217

Corydalis cheilanthi-

(Scientitic Committee)

221

folia at Monreith ...

220

Torquay Gardeners'...

221

Dahlias for garden de-

Speechly and his books

211

coration ... 209-221

Strelitzia, a hybrid

217

ICpilnbiunis, the snuiller

213

Tennis lawn, dimensions

Exhibitions, do they

of a

2-24

pay?

220

Thalictrum aquilegifo-

Florists' flowers-

lium

211

Japanese Chrysan-

Thomson, the late

themums for exhi-

David, proposed me-

bition

210

morial to

21H

Flower show, a chil-

Trees, the study of ...

220

dren's

218

Week's work, the—

*' French " gardening

Apiary, the

2U

exhibition

218

Flower garden, the ...

211

" French " garden.

Fruits under glass ...

21.''.

notes from a

219

Hardy fruit garden, the

21.''.

Haarlem International

Kitchen garden, the...

215

Exhibition

222

Orchid houses, the ..

214

International Exhibi-

Plants under glass ._.

2l.'i

tion, the proposed

216

Welwitschia mirabilis

210

ILLUSTRATIONS.

*' French " garden, views in a 219

Haarlem International Exhibition, view in the special

show at the 222

Lithospermum Gastonii and L. graminifolium, in

Walnisgate Gardens, Lincolnshire 212, 213

Primula Maximowiczii 221

Strelitzia, hybrid, raised at Kew 217

Thalictrum aquilegifolium album 211

Welwitschia, structural details of ... 210

ROSSDOHAN AND OTHER
IRISH GARDENS.

THK southern coast-line of Ireland is mar-
vellously beautiful. The island-studtled
bays are in fine weather as blue as the
sky, and, in the background, the tawny moun-
tains rise. The white shore, the profuse vefj;e-
tation, the warmth on summer days, and the
general outlook recall some southern clime
rather than the coast of the British Isles.

Rossdohan, the property of Mr. S. T.
Heard, is some miles to the westward of
Kenmare, and not far distant from
Parknasilla. It is a most picturesque and de-
lightful spot, standing on the margin of a
lovely bay, and flanked with bold head-
lands. The gardens are stocked with a
large collection of rare plants, and are well
■worthy of a visit from any who take an in-
terest in tender and uncommon shrubs.
Hakea saligna was present in (juautity,
there being numbers of enormous bushes,
some, fully 25 feet in height. They were
crowded with large seed-pods, from wliich
seedlings have since been raised. An excep-

tionally fine specimen of Edwardsia (Sophora)
microphylla was 20 feet in height and 18 feet
through, and was said to "he a cloud of yellow
with innumerable expanded blossoms in the
spring. The Australian Leptuspermum flaves-
cens was 25 feet in height, and the rare L.
urnigerum 20 feet, L. scoparium 25 feet, L.
lanigerum 15 feet in height and 18 feet in
diameter, and there was a good example of
L. falcatum. This is probably the best collec-
tion of Leptospermums in the United King-
dom. An extremely rare plant was a varie-
gated form of Cordyline australis, which was
the only one known. Asparagus plumosus,
which had been planted out for three years,
had climbed to a height of 10 feet up a
Cordyline, and was losking the picture of
health. There was a fine, large tree of Euca-
lyptus urnigera, and a goo<l specimen of E.
viminalis. An interesting shrub was Cassinia
aculeata, a native of Australia. Its flowers,
at first, are white, then change to pink, and
last in perfect freshness until the frosts.
This specimen was 15 feet in lieight. Another
rare plant was Virgilia capensis, a Soiitii
African shrub with rosy-puri)le flowere — the
sole representative of its genus. Other rari-
ties included Callistemon salignus, comnuin in
the south-west; the scarcer C speciosus and
Melaleuca Ijcucadendron. Pittosporum bicolor
was 12 feet in heiglit, and there was a good
example of the rare P. Ralphii. Olearia mac-
rodonta was well represented, and there were •
good specimens of 0. argophylla and O. lyrata,
the latter a very uncommon phiiit. There was
a fine shrub of the North African Lycium
afrum, about 8 feet high, which bears violet
flowers, and specimens were note<l of the Aus-
tralian Pomaderris apetala, a busli bearing
countless, small, greenish flowers, and known
as the Victorian Hazel. Acacia decurrens wa.s
in the best of condition, and covered with
flowers. Aralia Maximowiczii was represented
by a very fine and tall specimen.

In one spot, ridges of rock cropped out of ■
the soil, and of these had been formed a rock-
garden ; prepared, gritty compost having been
placed between th» ledges. The stone-work
was formed of the living rock, the efl'ect was
charmingly natural, and the plants evidently
appreciated their surroundings.

There are many very interesting and at-
tractive gardens in the South of Ireland that
are well worth}' of a visit. At Bantry House,
the gardens have been taken in hand of late
years, and there is a good collection of rare
and tender subjects, most of them at present
.small. Among them is a plant of Khododen-
dron Nuttallii, which is plante<l as a bush, but
would probably succeed better again.st a wall,
as it is a tender species that is rarely grown
in the open even in Cornwall. At CUengarifF
Castle are some fine specimens of Eucalyptus
Globulus which are over 70 feet in height and
about 7 feet in girth. At GlengarifF Lady
Ardilaun has a garden in a delightful spot
sloping down to the water, where it was pro-
jinsed some years ago to build a house : but
the project was never carried out, and the
])lace has become some\vhat of a wilderness.
It is, however, most beautiful, and might
be transformed easily into a charming gar-
den. Many good things were planted in
former times in the grounds, there being
numbers of fine Rhododendrons of the rarer
species and varieties, and the largest speci-
men of Tricuspidaria lanceolata, better known

as Crinodendron Hookerianum, that it has
ever been my fortune to see. This splendid
plant was fully 20 feet in height and 12 I'eet
through, and in July was covered with seed-
pods from its highest shoots to the base. On
Lord Bandon's estate at Castle Bernard there
are some exceptionally fine trees, among these
being Silver Firs 90 feet in height and a Chest-
nut with a branch circumference of 154 yards.
In the old days there was a conservatory
against the house, in which was growing a
plant of Acacia Riceana. The conservatory has
long since been pulled down, but the Acacia,
which has grottn into a very large plant, is
in vigorous health, and flourishes in the open
against the wall. Wyndham. Fitzherhcrt.

DAHLIAS FOR GARDEN DECORATION.

I w.\s interested in the extr.Tcts from Mr.
Gordon's paper on this subject, published in the
issue for March 12, p. 175. Dahlias are very
effective, used either in groups or as screens.
First as to groups : these are effective in the .
autumn months when associated with, though
not placed too near, clumps or belts of treee
and shrubs. As a rule, only strong-growing
varieties of single or Cactus-flowered varieties
should be employed for this purpose, and they
should be of one colour only. In my
mind's eye are two groups which were thought
very effective as seen during the warm autumns
a few seasons since. The bed was permanently
planted with a margin of Funkia Sieboldii varie-
gata; then a broad band of Anemone japonioa,
with here and there a strong plant of Salvia
patens. The centre was filled one year with the
variety Juaresii, another, with a seedling scarlet
cactus-flowered variety provisionally named
H. J. C. The bed accommodated about a score
of plants at 1 yard apart. The soil was deeply
dug each year, working in a good dressing of ordi-
nary manure at the same time. For planting,
we always used strong, old roots which had been
established in 8-inch pots but not grown in too
much heat, and hence provided with sturdy
shoots. One year, when the spring was
warmer than usual, we planted them direct
from the cellar where they had wintered,
and they did quite as well as if they had
been first planted in pots. A small spade-
ful of sifted coal ashes was put on each
crown to prevent injury from slugs, and a few
small Yew branches were placed as protection
from late frosts. Finally a good mulching of
decayed lawn mowings and leaves was put all
over the bed. Tall, stout Pea rods, with some
of spray shoots cut out, were used as supports.
The growths fell naturally and were supported
amongst the twigs — a far more effective method
of supporting them than is usually employed.
Strong-growing varieties of the single type were
used in the same manner in other parts of the
grounds. For brightening up the fronts of shrub-
bery borders, groups of singles of one colour
are well adapted. Only those of crimson, scarlet,
yellow, pink or white should, however, be used.

The same varieties and the same treatment are
indicated when Dahlias are used for hedges or
screens. They are useful for screening the vege-
table quarters when the kitchen garden is near
to the dwelling-house. Unless some colour
scheme is in view I would suggest a mixture of
colours of single varieties for this purpose. If a
few clumps of Sweet Peas, single Sunflowers, and,
here and there, a plant of Tropajoleum canariense
are intermixed, the result will be a natural-look-
ing hedge of garden flowers. As showing the
comparative hardiness of Dahlias, I know of a
specimen planted some years ago near the south
wall of a church that comes up each year like any
hardy, herbaceous plant. Inside the church are
hot-water pipes kept warm all the winter months. •
Yorkshire Gardenur.

210

THE QARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

LYCASTE GIGANTEA LABELLO-VIRIDIS.

Although this form is nearer to the type than
the varieties usually seen in gardens, or which
have been figured — the labellums being more
or leas of a reddish-brown tint — it was
named in gardens, and enumerated in Williams'
■Orchid Manual some years ago. A fine flower,
measuring 6 inches across the sepals, is sent by
Talbot Clifton, Esq., Lytham Hall, Lytham (gr.
J\Ir. Float). The whole flower is thick in sub-
stance, the sepals, petals and lip of a pale green,
the lip having a slight yellowish shade in the
middle, and with a narrow, slightly fimbriate,
whitish margin. The stout column is ivory-
white above and tinged with green beneath.

The species was di.=ccvered by Hartweg above
Guayaquil, in Ecuador, in 1842, and sent by him
to the Royal Horticultural Society, in whose
gardens at Chiswick it flowered in 1845. It has
since been received from various parts of the
Cordillera, of Colombia and Venezuela, always
at a high elevation. It is a very striking flower
and lasts a long time in bloom if kept at the cool
end of the intermediate house. Its nearest ally
is Lycaste fulvescens, which is also in flower at
Lytham Hall.

BLUE DISAS.
On two occasions recently Messrs. Charles-
worth & Co. have shown the pretty violet-
coloured Disa lacera, which has also bloomed
with Mrs. Bischoffshein in the gardens at The
Warren House, Stanmore, where her Orchid
grower, Mr. Taylor, grows Disa grandiflora
splendidly. But the Blue Disas have never been
grown satisfactorily in gardens generally.

Some years ago I wrote to Mr. James Hall,
then in S.E. Cape Colony, asking him if he could
account for the Blue Disas of the D. gramini-
folia section not growing for any length of time
in gardens here, and he replied that he could
only think that they were kept too close and
warm and were "too much nursed." He wrote:
" I notice that Blue Disas form a new tuber
every year, and that the old one slowly decays
also every year. In a week or so after the
flowers fade the wind and sun dry up the old
flower-stems, and all traces of the plants
are lost until the next flowering season
comes round, their scanty foliage being
mixed up with the long grass and Heather.
This ought to give the key to success-
ful culture, for everyone knows so well where
Heather grows at home, and it is in a similar
place that our lovely Disas and Satyriums grow
here. The soil is sandy and not particularly dry.
At the same time 1 must impress upon you that
there is nothing tropical in the climate of the
district to which I refer. If the Blue Disas
would only bloom as freely at home as they do
here they would be in great demand."

Rentembering Mr. Hall's remarks I planted a
few Blue Disas tubers of three species in the
open garden at the base of a small Lilac bush
last summer, in a little mound of rough grit and
peat, and they sent forth their grassy leaves and
looked quite healthy until the frosts came, when
the leaves, already well matured, died off.
To-day I lifted several, and found the tubers
quite sound, which proves that they will with-
stand a considerable amount of cold and even
frost. The tubers are not those I planted, but
the new ones formed while the old ones gradually
died, as they do annually. They are only half
the size of the old tubers, the growth having
stopped when the frosts came, and I do not think
they will ever make up sufficiently to flower.
Therefore in any but warm and genial localities
outdoor culture would not succeed. But I cannot
help thinking that a cold frame or greenhouse
would give better results than the moister and
warmer houses where the Blue Disas have been
hitherto grown with D. grandiflora.

Disas may be divided into two classes — D.
grandiflora, D. racemosa, D. tripetaloides, and
others of the class having tubers, and increasing

by stolons, therefore requiring similar treat-
ment; and D. graminifolia and others, which
extend by new tubers only, require a drier
air and a prolonged, di-y, resting season, during
which, hov-ever, a little water should be given
occasionally to ensure the full growth of the new
tuber. James O'Brien.

WELWITSGHIA MIRABILIS.

In the interesting article by Professor Pearson
(see Gardeners' Clironide, January 22, 1910),
describing the first stage of the growth of Wel-
witschia, he states: "Meanwhile, these appear
on the flat top of the stem, between these leaves
two small outgrowths— green, leaf-like expan-
sions— becoming, in the older plants, corky
knobs, whose nature is obscure."

Having had the opportunity of examining
various specimens, I believe I am able to define

traces of them are lost, and only a flat, table-
like surface remains, as seen in the dried speci-
mens."

The scaly bodies appear very early, and, at
first, ■^tand in relation with the cotyledons ; they
are, undoubtedly, axillary branches. During
their growth, each resembles the stem somewhat.
The stems soon loose the terminal, but continue
their peripheral growth, forming a cavity in
which the two branches are enclosed. It is
from the bottom of this cavity and from the out-
side of the insertion of the two branches that the
permanent leaves grow (fig. 90. 1). During their
growth these branches unite in the centre by
the uppermost parts (fig. 90. 3, 4), and. having at
last joined together, become, as it were, part of
the stem, constituting what Hooker called the
crown ; between these branches and the stem
there is a slit, and at the base of this the per-
manent leaves are produced. • The stem and
crown continue growing together, the lateral and
peripheral growth being always very pronounced
in the parts corresponding to the leaves. The
growth of the plant is very slow. A plant culti-
vated for 12 years in a greenhouse in the
Botanical Gardens only reached 35 mm. in
breadth, with 4 cm. in height, and the leaves
1 metre. It is from the crown that almost all
inflorescences are produced.

In a classic memoir on Welwitschia, Sir J. D.
Hooker writes : — " I have no evidence of the
plant ever bearing more than two leaves ; there
is, however, no reason why more than this num-
ber should not be developed, for the embryo may
occasionally be tri- or poly-cotyledonous, as is
the case with so many other Gymnosperms, in-
cluding its near ally Ephedra."

In the Botanical Museum at Coimbra there is a
specimen with three branches and three leaves.
J. /lenriques, Co'imhra Botanical Garden.

GChron
Fig. go. — structure of welwitschia.

1 and 2, young stages before the outgrowths have fn?ed:

3 and 4, old stages, in which the ontRrowths have coalesced

with the stem.

the nature of these green leaf expansions, and
on this subject I published a small note in Vol. 1
of the Tranaacllons of the Academy of Sciences
(Portugal), 1909.

These growths I believe to be branches.

In the Gardeners' Chronicle (January, 1882)
the late N. Monteiro published the following
very exact description of the gi-owth of the Wel-
witschia:— " As seen in a very young plant, they
are two separate, scaly bodies ; these, as they
advance iii age, go on spreading and take the
appearance of two mamillse, very similar to the
remains of the flower on a ripe Pineapple.
These gi-ow on, and, filling the tigellum,
oblige it to take a rather oblong . form. When
about five years old, they are quite close to-
gether, but are, to all appearances, separate.
With an increase of age, they coalesce completely,
and the jointure is imperceptible, though retain-
ing the appearance of two mamillfe ; but when
older they are so distended and rough that all

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

In compiling the following list of varieties I
have included only the very best kinds for ex-
hibition purposes. It does not contain the
novelties of last season, as these need to be
tested further before their merits can be ap-
praised. Much interest was centred last season
in the beautiful yellow variety named after the
Hon. Mi. Lopes. This supplied some of the
finest blooms of the year, but in a few cases
it caused disappointment, as the flowers some-
times, even from first crown buds, were almost
single.

It is probable that practically every enthu-
siast will thoroughly test it again this year.
The growth of the plant is especially strong,
sturdy and of magnificent constitution. It
flowers on the natural, first crown buds.

Lady Ed. Leichworth. — This also is one of
the finest yellow varieties, the reflexing and in-
curving florets making a very deep and band-
some flower. The plant is of moderate constitu-
tion, and blooms naturally on the first crown
buds.

Exquisite. — This is a flower of large size,
although not of particularly pleasing form, as
the florets finish somewhat roughly in the
centre. Like both the preceding varieties, it
flowers on the first crown buds, and is a
free and healthy grower of medium height. The
florets are coloured dark chestnut, but they are
golden beneath, and the reverse side shows
freely.

Lady Crisp. — A variety of the best Japanese
type as regards free and perfect development of
blossoms. The florets are of a good substance
and very long. The plant grows above medium
height, and is inclined to produce an ungainly
type of foliage, but the leaves are healthy. The
colour of the flower is yellow, slightly splashed
with chestnut in the case of the latest flowers.
It should be taken at the first crown bud.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

211

Master James. — This forms a dwarf plant ; the
shoots are barely 3 feet in height, but it throws
a huge flower. Those who have seen the large
blooms on the delicate plants of Mrs. Chas. Pen-
ford variety will be surpri.sed to see even larger
flowers on the small plants of Mister James.
It is one of the best exliibition varieties, but
comes a trifle early on the first crown buds. The
colour is crimson.

Sir Frank Crisp.- -The flowers of this kind
reminds us of the old Godfrey's Pride, the florets
being so numerous as to be a source of trouble
when finishing the flowers for exhibiting. The
plant is of medium height, and a splendid
grower. The shoots may be stopped in March
for developing the second crown buds, or they
may be grown natin-ally and taken on the first
cr<'wn.

Ma.steh David. — This variety is chiefly re-
markable for its lovely colour, which is a deep,
rich crimson. The plant grows fairly tall and
is very healthy. The flowers are freely produced
and are of the reflexed form. The blooms de-
velop best from the tii'st, natural crown buda.

not extra robust in constitution, but they put
plenty of strength into the blooms, which are
best from the first, natural crown buds.

Two sports furnished two useful varieties, viz..
Miss Annie Nicolls and Mrs. A. M. Falkner, the
former a sport from Walter Jinks, and in con-
sequence well known, and the latter from Edith
Jameson, a lovely, but very late-flowering
variety.

The Japanese varieties of 1908 that still hold
foremost places as exhibition varieties are as
follow : —

Melchet Beauty.— -A bronze flower which
finishes well in the centre. Best taken at the
first crown buds.

H. J. Jones. — One of the deepest of yellow
Chrysanthemums. The plant is a very dwarf
and sturdy grower, and flowers well from any
bud, the florets being of great substance.

Mrs. Chas. Penford. — This does well when
grown from late-rooted cuttings and trained to a
single stem for the first crown bud. The plant
is exceedingly delicate, but rep.iys careful attend
tioa.

{.Photograph by S. Arnolt.

Fig. gi. — thalictrum aquilegifolium album.

Geo. J. BuNYARD. — This is another flower of
rich colouring. The form is distinct, the florets
incurving and interlacing, and showing much of
their reverse sides. It should be stopped as re-
commended for the variety Sir F. Crisp.

Bef.cham .Keeling. — This develops a large
flower, but the plant grows too tall to become
very popular, even when the crown buds are
taken.

Miss Ellie Green. — The medium-sized plants
develop a flower of pleasing form and pretty
blush-pink colour. They flower a trifle later
than the majority of Japanese Chrysanthemums,
and should be stopped early for the purpose of
developing the second crown buds.

.T. Lock. — Although not of very brilliant
colour, the flowers of this variety are very large,
and this tells in competition. The plants are

Mrs. L. Thorn. — This is another of the
yellow kinds and one of the best. The flowers
are exceedingly large, the florets interlacing in a
delightful manner, and forming a mass of yellow
petals. The plant is a good grower, and flowers
best on the first crown buds.

Rev. R. T>. Eves. — Although not one of the
largest, this is certainly one of the most beauti-
ful of Chrysanthemums. The flowers are com-
pact, of beautiful form and colour. Early plants
should be stopped for the second crown buds,
but the variety does well later if taken at the
first crown buds.

Splendour. — The flowers of this variety are
curled and interlaced as if to form a club or
knob. It should be flowered on first crown
buds and propagated early, as the flowers re-
quire an unusually long time to mature.

Rose Pockett. — The very large blooms of
this popular vaiiety are coloured old gold shot
with a warm, reddish tone.

Mrs. F. G. Carter. — A dwarf and sturdy
variety, flowering best on the first crown buds.

Geo. Mileham. — An incurved flower of great
merit, having the best size, form and colour.

Of older varieties the following are still good :
— F. S. Vallis, Mrs. F. W. Vallis, Mary Inglis,
Mrs. G. Mileham, W. Beadle, Algernon Davis,
Mrs. N. Davis, Mrs. A. T. MiUer, Reg. Vallis,
Mrs. W. Knox, Walter Jinks, J. H. Silsbury,
Bessie Godfrey, Lady Talbot, Mme. Rivol, Mme.
P. Radaelli, Edith Smith, Valerie Greenham,
W. A. Etherington. and Marquis of Northamp-
ton, the last named being a sport from W. A.
Etherington. H. S.

THALICTRUM AQUILEGIFOLIUM.

The Thalictrums, or Meadow Rues, supply the
garden with many beautiful border and rockery
plants, and the charm of the foliage of the
greater number of the species is heightened by
the beauty of their flowers.

One of the most beautiful and easily cultivated
species is Thalictrum aquilegifolium, which, in
its early stages of growth is often mistaken
for an Aquilegia. Not only is the foliage
graceful, but the feathery inflorescence is also
remarkably pleasing. The flowers of the white
variety (see fig. 91) much more resemble foam
than do those of the Tiarella known as the Foam
flower ; indeed, the latter name might more ap-
propriately be applied to this Thalictrum. The
illustration was pi'epared from a photograph taken
on a misty morning in the summer. The plants,
with their many little flowers of creamy-white,
make an attractive ornament in the border. Be-
sides this white-flowered form, there are others
with purple or reddish flowers, but the white
variety is the prettiest.

In poor and dry soil this Thalictrum may be as
little as 1 foot in height, but in a good border,
not too dry, it will grow three times as high.
The plant shown in the photograph was about
3 feet high. T. aquilegifolium will flourish in
either sun or shade, and its accommodating ways
are an advantage to those who have to furnish
a border with flowers which will thrive under the
partial shade of trees. It was introduced to cul-
tivation in 1731, and is propagated by division
or by seeds. .S^. Arnolt, Zlumfriiif.

SPEEGHLY AND HIS BOOKS.

(ConcluiUd from pa/^e 193.)

In the second edition of the Treatise on fhe
Pineapi^h, the then novel method of heating by
means of steam is described, and drawings of a
Pine pit designed to be heated in that manner are
given. It was expected that the steam which was
confined in a chamber beneath the tan-bed would
find its way through the plunging material and
maintain a steady, moist heat, but the expecta-
tion was not realised in practice.

In T/ie Treatise on the Culture of the Vine,
Speechly first describes the v.arieties he knew
or cidtivated. Of these he enumerates 50,
but some were synonymous, and a good many
worthless. Following this, the hest method of
making a vine border, and the material of which
it .should be composed, are discussed. Bone-dust
he considered decidedly beneficial. He speaks,
further on, of the possibilities involved in cross-
ing varieties, of seeds and the raising of seedlings,
and discourses on propagation by layers and cut-
tings. The cuttings, previous to Speechly, were
never less than 16 inches in length, but he oper-
ated with eye-cuttings, an expedient which origi-
nated with" the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, Thornhill,
about the year 1774-5. These " eye " cuttings
were about 4 inches in length. Speechly culti-
vated vines to a large extent trained to the
rafters of Pine stoves. He mentions leaving over 23
feet of young rod and fruiting it all its length the

212

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

second year, but th« rods were left on only every
other plant, the others being cut down to three to
five eyes and reserved for fruiting the succeeding
year. After fruiting, they, in turn, were cut
down. He allowed no lateral growth what-
ever. The back wall of the Pine stove was fur-
bished by one or two rods being set apart for
the purpose, shoots being trained downwards
from them. For the vinery proper he seems to
have preferred a span-roof structure, but there
were also lean-to's, and some of the latter were
constructed so that (he vines were all trained to
the back walls.

A short chapter on grafting demonstrates
Speechly's accomplishments in that practice
which he carried to extreme lengths, having had
as many as 16 varieties on one stem.

Bed spider and thrips would appear to have
been the great enemies of the vine in Speechly's
day as they are still, and his advice to cultivate
on rational principles, not to keep the vineries too
hot, but to ventilate freely on all favourable
occasions, and to keep the vines freed constantly
from superfluous growths, are as opportune now
■iS then. For a very long period his 194 lbs.
cluster of Syrian Grape remained the heaviest
:uid largest bunch produced in Great Britain.
This was in 1781, and it was not till 1874. when
Mr. Hunter, of Lambton, produced a Black Hatti-
nurgh weighing 21| lbs., that Speechly's large
bunch took second place as regards weight.
The volume concludes with an interesting de-
scription of old vines and vineyards. Mention is
made of the Hampton Court vine, and of that
at Valentine's, near Uford. which, at that time,
covered the root of a Pine-stove 70 feet by 18
feet. It was said that the crop in the year
previous to that when Speechly examined it sold
tor f.lOO, but this Speechly doubted. T saw the
vine some 20 years ago, and it was then reduced
to very small proijortions. A house with a vine
covering its front is depicted as growing at
Northallerton, and many curious details of the
outdoor cultivation of vines are given. As in
the volume on the Pineapple, this, also, is illus-
trated with several plates. According to Miss
Amherst, the two volumes were reissued in one
in 1821, but I have been unable to trace the
single volume. It. P. Brolhrmton.

L. FRUTicosuM — This forms a small shrub
2 feet or less in height. The wood is hard, and
the narrow, dark-gre€n leaves form something
like a brush at the end of the branches. The
small flowers are axillary, of a good blue colour,
and borne at the top of the branches in small
blue bunches. The plant grows wild in the
south of France, in the oriental Pyrenees and
oo the littoral. Its oriental limits are upon the
Mont de la Ste. Baume, above Toulon. A beau-
tiful tuft of this rare plant was exhibited at the
Ghent Quinquennial Exhibition, 1908, by M. Fir-
min de Smet. The plant prefers limestone as
a rooting medium, and flowers from May till
autumn.

L. OLE^FOLIUM. — This species also grows in

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

LITHOSPERMUM.

No plants are better suited for planting in ex-
posed iix'keries than the Litjiosperinuins The
flowers are either white, blue — the blue of the
(Jentians — or a rich shade of yellow, some even
approaching orange. The European kinds are
either blue or white-flowered, the American
species are yellow or yellowish. They are either
herliaceous plants or dwarf shrubs, and all flower
freely. I have in my garden. a.t the foot of a
weli-expoS'jd wall, a tuft of L. rosmarinifolium
which has flowered from the beginning of Iho
winter without interruption.

'I he blue-flowered Lithospermums are dwarf
shrubs with two exceptions, L. purpureo-coeru-
leum, which is an herbaceous species, and L.
Gastonii (see fig. 92). The hedges and some of
our wild underwoods near Geneva are adorned
in summer with L. purpureo-coeruleum. This
plant prefers the shade, but it will grow well
in sunny places, where it will develop in May
and June an abundance of beautiful deep-blue
and purple flowers.

The beautiful L. Gastonii, which grows in
the Central Pyrenees, is a rare plant, and sel-
dom seen in gardens. It is half herbaceous and
half .shrubby ; the leaves are deep green and
hairy, and the large flowers, produced in April
and May, of a very deep and soft blue, the buds
being purple. The plant grows best in peat or
leaf mould in partly-shaded places.

The following species are shrubby and frutes-
cent : —

although the Index Kcwensis makes them
synonymous. The plant is a low, running species,
covering the soil (in L. fruticnsum the stems,
are erect), and the leaves are more lanceolate,
shorter, bi-oader and reflexed at the edges. The-
flowers are deep blue, but the buds are purple. It
blooms throughout the whole summer and till
winter time. The plant hates limestone, which
kills it, which is not the case with fruticosum.

L. GRAMiNiFOLiUM (see fig. 93). — AU over the
Italian peninsula and on the strand of the Adri-
atic, flourishes a Lithospermum which is cele-
brated for its most brilliant blue flowers. I was-
once ascending the Monte Summano, near
Vicenza, when my eyes were suddenly arrested
by a slope covered with a glorious azure of blue

[Photograph by T. Sm.i'i'

Fig. 92. — lithospermum gastonii in walmsgate gardens, Lincolnshire.

the eastern Pyrenees, near the hermitage of St.
Ansol, and is the dwarfest of all the Lithosper-
mums. It grows between stones or in the cre-
vices of the rocks, the long stoloniferous growths
covering big spaces. The leaves are oblong,
whitish, silky and shining. The flower."= are
light blue and pink, forming small bunches. They
appear early in spring — April and May. T have
a specimen growing in a wall facing south which
flowers sometimes as early as March. This rare
species makes a good garden plant, and is easy
of culture.

L. prostratum. — This native of the western
Pyrenees is quite different from L. fruticosum.

flowers. Judge of my surprise when I recognized
an old friend in Lithospermum graminifolium.
At a glance it seemed as if the whole mountain
was covered with it. Some Serapies, the beauti-
ful pink flax (Linum viscosum), Viola hetero-
phylla, and other treasures surrounded it hero
and there, and the picture which the plants pre-
sented was most beautiful. The blue of the Italian
sky was reflected in the meadow. This Litho-
spermum forms a small, dwarf shrub, covered
with long, narrow, greyish leaves, and with
numerous clusters of flowers, the buds being pink.
It prefers a sunny and dry situation on the
limestone.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

213

L. PETR.T-.UM (SYN. MOLTKIA PETR.SA and

EcHiUM petr.eum) is near to L. granipiifolium.
but is more shrubby, more er'^ct, and the leaves
are shorter. It grows in Da.hnatia, ,and is well-
known in gardens. The plant succeeds well in
dry and sunny places, where it will flower from
May till October.

L. ROSM.uiiNiFOLiUM, from South Italy, Oala-
bro, Agbruges and other neighbouring districts,
is the species I like best, as it flowers the whole
winter through. It forms a small shrub about 6
inches high, bearing leaves very similar to those
of the Rosemary. It blooms with great freedom,
the flowers being pink in the bud stage. The
plant is not particular as to soil, and will grow in
limestone as well as silica ; but it require* a shel-
tered and sunny position. The deep blue of its
flowers is exquisite.

Several Lithospermums, either yellow or white-
flowered, are natives of North America. The
best is L. canescens, of the south-western
United States. But the plant is tender and not
ea.sy to cultivate. Its deep-orange flowers are a
beautiful sight, and a plant in bloom is one of
the most brilliant pictures in a garden. L.
angustifolium, L. longiflorum and L. multiflorum
are also to be recommended, with their yellowish
or lemon-yellow flowers. Hpxry Correron,
Floraire, near Geneva.

THE SMALLER EPILOBIUMS.

The large Willow-herbs, it is knqwn, are the
wild-gardener's greatest trap and curse. Hand-
some, and even splendid though one may think
E hirsutum or E. angustifolium, it is absolute
suicide to admit either within any approachable
distance of the ijarden. But it is unjust that
the smaller Willow-herbs should be included in
the same condemnation, seeing that one of them
is certainly not a ramper, while the other two
can easily be restrained. All the same, I do
not advise anyone to decorate their moraine with
E. Flcischcri or E. Dodoniei. These two species
are similar ; Dodonsei abounds in the stony banks
and beds of Swiss rivers, an elegant, narrow-
leaved plant of graceful growth, reaching a foot
or so in development, and producing through-
out the smnmer months on into autumn a splen-
did profusion of big, starry flowers, of that bril-
lia]it magenta-rose especially associated with the
Willow-herbs. It is a very diflicult plant to
collect, as i! sends its twiggy stems far down
and down into the shingle before it makes
a few fibrous roots. On the other hand,
it conies profusely from seed, and is of the very
easiest possible culture, especially recommended
as a most valuable, late-summer decoration for
rough, stony places (or paths) in full sun. But
it ramifies and spreads too freely to be safely
invited into the choice moraine.

Epilobium rosm.irinifolium is a surprise
among Alpine plants. It has the graceful port
of a Jussieua. I saw it for the first time last year
on hot, rubbly slopes above Waidbriick in the
Schlern-Dolomites. Apparently this species dots
not ramify or spread, but from one central, tap-
rooted crown sends up a number of very dainty,
slender stems, willowy and erect, clothed in the
narrow Rosentary leaves that give the plant its
name. I should say that 18 inches to 2 feet made
the usual limit of its stature : from each crown
three or four stems aspire with a delicate yet
wiry grace that almost recalls Dierama pulcher-
rima. For, when I say that the stems rise erect,
it must be understood that they are not stiff nor
stocky, but strong in that resilience which has
the look of frailty, as they rise diverging from
the crown, and yield, ever so little, to their load
of blos.som. For the inflorescence of E. ros-
marinifolium is a very loose spike of big, bril-
liant flowers, a trifle larger in size and solider
in shape than those of E. Dodonfei ; and also, if
my memory serves me, of a rather hotter and
cleaner rose-purple than those of any other Epi-
lobium that I can remember. It struck me then
as having a tropical, exotic beauty, and I antici-
pate that it would prove a jewel for hot, rough

places in the garden. I found it impossible to
collect at the time, but hope to rear a good stock
of it from seed.

Of E. luteum and E. latifoliiun I hope this
season will give me a tale to tell; of E. Hectorii
and E. glabellum, small trailing species, I do
not conceal my opinion that they are among
the gardener's most ubiquitous and pervasive
little pests. lieginald Fairer.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Chrysanthemum Culture. *

Thts is a handbook written by an expert,
chiefly for amateurs — an ever-increasing army.
The mnnner in which they and also allotment
holders have taken up with the cultivation of the
Chrysanthemum, especially the early-flowering
varieties, astonishes even ilr. Wells. He gives in
outline the methods of the American grower,
which, owing to the climate in that country,
differ so widely from those employed in our own
country. We note an account of the cultures of
Mr. Totty, of Maddison, New York, the most
prominent raiser of Chrysanthemums in the
U.S.A. ; and of those of Mr. Pocket, who went
from England to ,\ustralia in 1873, and who has

[thuUxiapli by I . ^milh.

Fig. 93- — lithospermum graminjfolium in
walmsgate gardens, lincolnshire.

(See p, -212.)

raised a number of the finest large-flowered
Japanese varieties, of which a long list is given.
The methods of the American growers make in-
teresting reading, especially for the English ama-
teur. The way in which the Americans exhibit
the plants and flowers at their shows is also de-
.scribed, and might, in some directions, be fol-
lowed here. The book contains a great deal of
information on matters connected with the pro-
pagation, treatment in general, exhibiting, dress-
ing and packing of the blooms, soils for potting,
insect and other pests, and lists of Chrysanthe-
mums most suitable for various purposes.

A History of Gardening in England.!

In the preface to the present edition, the
authoress expresses the belief that this volume
still remains the best work of reference on the
history of gardening in England. This is the
case, for, though one or two books on somewhat
similar lines have appeared since 1896, the date
of the second edition, none is so comprehensive

* IVells's Book on the Culture of the Chrvsanthemu^n for
Exhibition, Decoration, Cut F/oi^'c's, omi Mttrkft. 4th edition,
revised and enlarged. Publiphed by the author, Merstham,
Surrey. Price 1?. 6d., post free.

t By the Hon. Mrs. Evelyn Cecil (the Hon. Alicea
Amherst). Third and enlarged edition, (London : John
Murray. Price 12s. nett.)

or full of details. When we are informed that
the Honourable Mrs. Evelyn Cecil, from her
girlhood, has had access to a library famous for
its early books and manuscripts, and that it was
her delight to decipher the quaint characters of
mediaeval scribes, and to grub among the
National Pipe Rolls and Treasury Papers, while
she was still so little of a bookworm as to find
pleasure in flowers and the garden, we are able
to comprehend how it is this historical disquisi-
tion stands apart and alone. She has had, more-
over, access to letters and accounts in numerous
private collections, and hence her work contains
much valuable information not obtainable from
other books.

In the portion of this work devoted to early
gardening, as in preceding editions, the import-
ance of gardening in the social economy is some-
what belittled. The exceedingly interesting ac-
counts of fruits, especially that in connection
with the reign of Edward I., show that extensive
orchards and vineyards must have existed at
that time. Chaucer and other poets who are
referred to, afford us illuminating glimpses of
domestic, as opposed to monastic gardens, which
were essential not only for the production of
" worts " for cookery, but also for medicinal pur-
poses. Not only so, Lut the quantity of flowers
used on special occasions of rejoicing and for
ecclesiastical ceremonies which are also referred
to, must have been enormous. Mention is made
of flowers in relation to home life, but their use
was even more extensive than the authoress in-
dicates. The custom of decorating beds and bed-
chambers on special occasions, and the use of
flowers for personid adorimicnt, w-earing them on
the arm and in the ears, are all well attested.

The distillation of waters was carried out to
an enormous extent, the account of tho Earl of
Northumberland's requirements proving that a
very large area of ground would be required to
grow the herbs for this one purpose. The
authoress does not fail to remark that in large
establishments there were two gardens, a private
one within the moat and another outside, in
which useful plants were cultivated. The
e.xtraordinary gardening designs of the time of
Henry VIII. are pleasingly remarked on, ana it
must be remembered that these expensive gar-
dens were not uncommon, Maitland relating liow
the Earl of Winton laid out just such another,
only, of course, on a smaller scale.

The raid-period between Elizabeth and .\nne
provides many interesting details, and the
authoress discusses the probability of Le Notre
ever having been in England. This is quite a
new suggestion, which, however, the authoress
does not favour. The amount of research
involved in working out this problem is ap-
parent from the notes. Among other data two
letters from Le Notre to the Earl of Port-
land are included. In one. the latter is thanked
for " a so beautiful present," and his protection
invoked for his nephew " in his little voyage."
The .second letter begins by thanking the Earl
for his kindness to the nephew, and, among other
things, requests him to procure the acceptance
of designs by the King and to furnish his nephew
with any instructions regarding them. There is
also in this part a detailed account for flower-
roots which were brought from France by
flabriel MoUet, the cost being £115. With
the exception of one dozen double Hyacinths and
one dozen yellow Jonquils, there were all Ane-
mones and Ranunculi. One of the former, " a
very lovely Anemone, a phiche, raised this
year by the florist Sieur Ogev, which is extremely
bizarre in its colours," is priced 15 livres and is
the dearest.

The chapters devoted to the eighteenth cen-
tury are occupied largely with remarks on the
rise and progress of landscape gardening. With
many others, the authoress deplores the wholesale
destruction of the many, beautiful, formal gar-
dens entailed by the general adoption of the
" natural " system. In discussing the part taken
by Switzer, she makes one mistake in failing

214

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Apuii. 2, 1910.

to credit him with the inclusion of Cornfields in
his grand garden, which he shows he does in
observations on plate 38 of Ichnoijraphia
Jiustici, vol. iii., and in the Appendi.'C inserted
in the second edition, Switzer, in reference to
this very matter, expressly states: "I vvas
always a promoter of this farm-like way of gar-
dening before it was used by anybody in any
place, in Great Britain."

The matter relating to the nineteenth century
is almost wholly rewritten, and an additional
chapter is added on the progress made in the
present century. Attention is drawn to the part
played by writers on gardening throughout the
centuries, and a brief history of the Onrdevfrs'
Chronicle does justice to the high position that
journal has always occupied in the gardening
world. The bibliography has been slightly ex-
tended, but this is, perhaps, the least satisfactory
portion of the volume, the names of many books
being omitted, and in some cases not all the edi-
tions of those named are enumerated. Many of
the old names of plants are also misapplied, but
it is no wonder that lapses should occur in such
an encyclopaedic work. The infinite pains to
secure accuracy which the authoress has taken
are shown in almost every page. B. P.
Ijrotherston.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. BtcKETT, Gardener to the Hon. Vicarv Gibbs,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshiie.

Soses. — These plants, like most other forms of
vegetation, art) showing unusually early indica-
tions of growth, ana it may be feared that they
will suffer lor it during the cold winds that
may be expected during April. However, it is
necessary to keep abreast of the work, therefore
the pruning of Roses must be commenced soon,
starting with those varieties which are hardiest
and most vigorous in growth and constitution.

Carnations. — In gardens where it is customary
to lift newly-rooted layers in autumn and pot
them into 3-inch pots for wintering in cold
frames, the present time is suitable for planting
them in their permanent quarters. The soil
selected for them should have been worked well
and manured liberally, as advised in an earlier
Calendar. If this has been done nothing will
now be required beyond firming and levelling.
If a considerable area is to be devoted to these
plants, and, more especially if the soil is of a
heavy nature, it is desirable to mark out the
area into smaller beds, such as will accommodate
five or six rows of plants, forming an alley
between each bed. This plan not only serves the
convenience of the grower, but has the effect of
draining the surface soil. When all is ready
take the plants from the pots carefully, and
plant them firmly at equal distances in straight
lines. After the planting, make the beds over
neatly and apply a dusting of soot the same
evening. Occasional applications of soot in
showery weather throughout the season will be
beneficial.

Pi;ifa.— Cuttings of Pinks which were taken
last year soon after the flowering period, and
rooted in boxes, pots or frames, may now be
transferred to the open ground. Suitable situa-
tions may be found in front of the hardy flower
border, or immediately on the side of paths in
any part of the garden. If Pinks are planted in
colonies or mounds, and a little well-prepared
soil is afforded them at the time of planting,
they usually produce a very fine effect. There
are several improved varieties of Pinks now-
obtainable, and they are a valuable feature in
any garden.

Hardy flower border. — It is not too early to
carefully treat hardy flower borders with' the
Dutch hoe in order to thoroughly loosen the sur-
face. Many plants of a trailing habit, such as
Iberis, Helianthemums in variety, Phlox for-
mo.sa, and Aubrietias, are improved in condition
if some fine soil is worked over the roots, and
the stronger growths pegged down to the soil.
Asters and Phlox decussata should have their
growths thinned out, merely removing weaker
ones, or others as well, in cases wherethey are
too numerous. Many of the more vigorous-

growing of the mossy Saxifragas, if divided
now, replanted,' and a little fine soil worked
in round the roots, will gi-ow speedily and
make good edgings for borders. Birds being
very troublesome to these Saxifragas, it is desir-
able to stretch threads of black cotton just above
the plants.

Montbretia. — We make a practice- of lifting
Montbretia corms late in autumn, storing them
in boxes containing sand and leaf-mould, which
are wintered in cold frames, because, in our dis-
trict, the wet during winter is detrimental to
the corms. They are now starting into growth
and require planting out again. Montbretias
are not fastidious in regard to soil, but the addi-
tion of well-decayed manure and leaf-mould
usually has a good effect. A few of the best
varieties would include Prometheus, George
Davison, Lady Hamilton, Ernest Davison,
Westwick, Hereward, Lord Nelson, and Ger-
mania.

General worh. — The improvement in the
weather has enabled the ground work to be
pushed forward. The lawn mower will soon
need to be brought into use, but in the mean-
time continue to sweep and roll the lawns fre-
quently. This treatment will not only improve
their appearance, but will contribute to the easy
working of the mower. Spring-bedding plants
are fast coming into bloom. Every means
should be taken to make them appear as effec-
tive as possible by frequently stirring the surface
soil with the Dutch hoe and keeping them free
from weeds. The improved strain of Polyanthus
makes an excellent show ; any plant of particular
merit and of good colour should be marked for
seed-saving purposes. Seedlings of Polyanthus
which have been pricked out in boxes and
wintered in cold frames may now be planted out
in some out-of-the-way corner of the garden.
Ivy which has become untidy should now be cut
back ; it will soon make new growth.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Hahenaria. — There are at the least four or
five distinct species of this pretty, terrestrial
Orchid which are well worth adding to any col-
lection, viz., H. pusilla (militaris), H. rhodo'chila,
H. carnea, H. carnea nivosa, and H. Susannae.
Plants of H. rhodochila that are now showing
their flower-spikes should be placed quite close
to the glass in the warmest division of the house,
and be afforded copious root waterings until all
the flowers are expanded. When the blooms are
over, the plants should be allowed to die down
naturally and enter upon their long season of
rest. The other varieties mentioned are com-
mencing to grow, and may now be repotted.
Select long thumb-pots, place an oval piece of
crock over the hole at the bottom, and then some
smaller pieces, allowing the base of the tuber to
rest upon these. Keep the top of the tuber just
below the rim of the pot, and then half fill the
receptacle with pot sherds, before putting in the
compost, consisting of one-half fibrous peat and
loam, one half finely-chopped Sphagnum-mess,
some finely-broken crocks, and a small quantity
of coarse silver sand, well mixed together. The
potting should be done moderately firmly, and
the plants afterwards placed in a warm tempera-
ture and as near to the roof glass as possible, so
that they may grow freely. Sprinkle lightly the
surface of the compost with moisture whenever
it becomes dry, and when the new growths are
seen pushing up through the compost, the quan-
tity of water may be graduallv increased. In
their season of full growth, Habenarias may
receive an almost unlimited quantity of moisture.
Enlophia guineen'i<.— -This West African
Orchid makes a beautiful flowering plant, send-
ing up during the month of August strong spikes
of large, rose-lipped flowers, which last fresh for
a long time. Growth is now starting, and the
plants should be treated as recommended in a
former Calendar for deciduous Calanthes. With
this exception, it does not require such a light
situation.

Li.isochilus giijatUevs.—PUnts that are now
commencing to grow should, if repotting is
necessary, be attended to without delay. Use a
mixture of good, fibrous loam, leaf soil, and fine
crocks, with a little river or drift sand. R.ather
deep Orchid pans are the most suitable Tecept.a-

cles, and immediately growth recommences stand
them in a water-tight pan or a wooden tub a
size or two larger than the pots. The water
should at first be several inches deep, increasing
it as the growths develop until about three-parts
of the pots are immersed. Plants that do not
need larger pans should have the surface of the
old soil carefully removed down to the tubers,
and fresh potting materials substituted. Grow
the plants in the sunniest position of the hottest
house, when, if strong enough, they will soon
develop their spikes of large, red-mauve, scented
blossoms.

M!scellaneou.< .^pcries. — The tall-growing Re-
nanthera coccinea thrives best when trained up
a moderate-sized Birch pole, and it is astonishing
how thickly the roots entwine themselves around
the wood. The plant should be placed in a
sunny position at one end of the hottest house,
and be well sprayed overhead several times a
day. The better known R. (Vanda) Lowii should
also be placed in the same house, but the foliage
should not at any time be exposed. R. Im-
sehooti.ma thrives best in the cooler division of
the Mexican house, but with rather less sun-
shine than is generally afforded to the other
occupants. Plants of this brightly-coloured
species will now be producing their flower-spikes,
and should be kept only just moist at the roots.
Such plants as Aerides, Saccolabiums, strong-
growing Angraecums as A. sesquipedale and A.
eburiieum, which have lost a number of their
lower leaves, may be shortened and repotted.
Other plants of these Orchids requiring more root
room should be seen to at once, for, with the in-
crease of daylight and sun-heat, their roots wiU
soon begin to grow, and the growing points are
very tender, being easily injured by the slightest
touch. Place them in well-drained pots filled
with Sphagnum-moss well incorporated with
small crocks.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.
Ocerhaul'iiig the hivca. — The spring examina-
tion of the hives is the most important inspection
of the year. The state of the larder is a most
important consideration. Next note the quan-
tity of brood, the strength of the colony, and tho
condition of the comb, i.e., is it old or broken,
does it contain an abnormal number of drone
cells, or do the combs contain too much pollen?
Then the floor board must be scraped and all the
waste matter, cappings, &c., be removed.
Should any of the combs be found defective,
these should be placed on the outsides, and as
soon as they are emptied of honey they must be
replaced with full sheets of foundation properly
wired in. If the hive is not water-tight the bees
should be transferred to another hive that is.

Stimulative feeding, iCr. — Where the store of
food is low it will be necessary to feed with
syrup, and when the beekeeper needs strong
colonies for gathering honey when the fruit-trees
are in bloom it will be well to stimulate the
queen. To do this, if the colony has plenty of
honey stored, all that is required is to break the
capping by bruising with a knife daily; but
when the stock of honey is low food must be
put in feeders. In 3 pints of boiling water dis-
solve 5 lbs. of good sugar, together with ^ ounce
of salt, and let the syrup boil for a few minutes,
taking care not to let it burn. When cool fill a
jam bottle to the brim, and over the mouth tie
securely a piece of strong calico. This, whilst
still warm, can be placed over the feed hole in
the quilt, and warmly wrapped up to prevent
the heat escaping. Cold syrup should never be
given to bees. There is a warning required for
the hurrying and sometimes careless beekeeper :
be very careful not to spill any of the syrup, for
it will cause robbing. Should robbing follow,
then the entrances must be contracted so that
only one bee may enter or leave the hive at one
time, and do the feeding in the evening. When
empty the bottle should be removed carefully ;
slip a piece of slate, zinc or glass over the hole in
the quilt to prevent the escape of bees. In some
districts pollen-producing plants are not suffi-
ciently plentiful to supply all the pollen re-
quired for brood rearing. The beekeeper
should place a skep — an old one if possible,
having a strong honey and propolis smell — in a
sunny ."orner, well protected from cold winds.
Scatter flour, peaflour. or oatmeal amongst chaff
in the skep and the bees will soon discover it and
use all they require.

Apiul 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

215

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Cherry trees in po/s. — The fruits of the earlier
varieties will now have formed stones, therefore
the atmospheric temperature may be raised to
55" to 60° at night, and may reach during the day
under the influence of sunshine to 75° to 80°. Con-
tinue to syringe the trees freely on bright days,
employing for this purpose soft water warmed to
the temperature of the house. On the first
appearance of aphides, the house muet be
vaporised with one of the nicotine preparations,
for, if unchecked, aphides cause the fruit to
become bitter and unfit for table use. Cherry
trees do not require much manure water, but
occasional top-dressings of rich loamy soil are of
great benefit to them. See that the drainage
does not become choked through the action of
earthworms. Attend carefully to waterings,
never allowing the soil to get dry. Trees which
have set an extra heavy crop should have some of
the fruit thinned out with a pair of scissors, those
which show signs of swelling most freely being
left on the tree.

Cherry trees in borders. — These will now re-
quire treatment similar to that recommended for
pot-trees. Care must be taken that the soil about
the roots is in a moist condition.

Young vines. — The plants which were inserted
as " eyes " in January should now be ready for
a shift into 6-inch or 7-inch pots. A suitable
compost is one consisting of fibrous loam, three
parts, leaf-s-ijjld and old mortar rubble, one part,
with a sprinkling of soot. The soil should be
nicely warmed by placing it in the' house a few
days before it is required for use. It should
be in a fairly dry state so that it may be
rammed firmly in the pots, this being necessary
to ensure the plant making a sturdy growth.
The vines are very tender and susceptible to
injury at this stage, therefore the potting should
be carried out in the house where they are grow-
ing. Support each plant with a neat stake, and
in making the ties he careful to allow for the
swelling of growth. Shade the plant from sun-
shine for a few days, after the potting operation,
but, beyond thi.s. expose them to all the light
possible' and give them every encouragement to
make vigorous growth, placing the pots in a
position near the glass. Syringe them once or
twice each day, but apply water only sparingly
to the roots uiitil these latter are actively multi-
plying in the new compost.

Sucker.-:. — Remove any suckers found at the
bases of Peach or other fruit trees. They can be
best removed by pulling them clean away from
the bottom, using a sharp knife to sever any
pieces of bark which may be torn away during
the process. Suckers, especially on Fig trees,
rob the trees of a very great deal of the tuitriment
that should go to the development of the crop.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Shading. — I have found Parisian lath blinds
admirably adapted for shading plant houses, but
the Japanese blinds made of split Bamboos are
less expensive, and may be purchased with fit-
tings that can be readily adapted for fixing the
blinds in position. Take advantage of the first
opportunity to get all the blinds into their places
in order that they can be used when occasion
requires.

Climbing plants. — Thin out the weak growths
and train the others into their proper positions.

CodiiTiim (Croton). — Plants which were
notched and treated as advised in a previous
Calendar may now have the tops severed by
successive cuts made at intervals. After the
operation, the tops may be repotted care-
fully into suitable-sized pots, according to
the size of the plant ; these should be placed
in a close, moist atmosphere, such as that
of the Cucumber house, where they may be
shaded from direct sunshine and syringed fre-
quently, until they have become sufficiently
established for renewed exposure to sunshine.
In order to get highly-coloured specimens the
plants should be grown as near to the glass as
possible, and exposed to as much sunshine as the
leaves can stand without injury. Later in the
season, as the pots become filled with roots, the
leaves will develop higher colour, if frequent
light top-dressings of some approved chemical
fertiliser are given.

Coleus. — This plant is useful for decorative
purposes, owing to its capacity for quick de-
velopment, its ea.sy culture, and its brilliantly-
coloured leaves Propagation may now be car-
ried out. by taking cuttings, and inserting them
singly into small pots, which should be placed
in an intermediate house, and arranged thinly
enough to allow the plants to develop their side
shoots perfectly. The plants are all the better
for a fair amount of sunshine, but if it is ex-
cessive they may be protected by a thin blind of
tiffany during the very hottest portion of the
day. If large, pyramidal plants are desired, give
them plenty of pot room, but it will not be
necessary to stop the shoots.

Pelargonium. — Plants of Zonal-leaf Pelar-
goniums which have started into growth will
now need repotting. Cuttings which were
rOLited with a view to supplying bloom in
autumn may be stopped to induce growth.-;
to come away from the bases of the plants.
The earliest plants intended for spring flower-
ing that were placed in their final flowering
pots during the autumn will now be producing
their flower-buds. If the training of the shoots
has not been done it ought to be carried
out without further delay, as the weight of the
blooms, when fully developed, may cause injury
to the plants. For this purpose, select neat,
green stakes and loop up the growths securely
with green raffia tape. At this stage the plants
will benefit by alternate waterings of clear soot
water and occasional top-dressings of a favourit*
fertiliser.

Bouvardia. — Plants raised from cuttings which
were inserted during the autumn or spring will
now require larger ixjts. If they are still grow-
ing two or three together in the thumb pots
they may be repotted without division, and, in
this case, they will make useful specimens for
flowering early in autumn. As the season ad-
vances, the stock of Bouvardias should be gradu-
ally hardened preparatory to placing the plants
in their summer quarters, such as a well-venti-
lated span-roofed pit or frame. Ventilation
must be carefully carried out, fluctuations of
temperature avoided, and, in order to avoid the
'iKc of much fire-heat, the ventilators must be
closed early in the afternoon. A shading with
some light substance will be required during the
liottest part of the day. The long shoots must
be pinched at intervals as they develop until
about the end of June. Bouvardias are benefited
by a gentle spraying overhead daily in favourable
weather. For potting purposes, the following
compost may be recommended : fibrous loam, two
parts ; peat and leaf-mould, each one part, with
plenty of silver sand and powdered charcoal to
keep the soil jKirous.

at the base, and thus prevent them from coming
into contact with the blossoms.

Aphides. — Aphides or flies will soon become
source of trouble to fruit-growers. All trees
that are known to be subject to attacks should
be syringed with quassia extract or some other
safe insecticide just previous to the flowers ex-
panding. This spraying m,ay serve to keep the
trees clean until the fruits are set, when the
syringings may be resumed. The insecticide
should be applied in the forenoon of a fine day
so that the trees may become dry before night.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby. Northamptonshire.
Protecting fruit blossom. — Some trees of the
Apricot are all ready in full blossom, and the
earliest varieties of Peaches are unfolding their
flowers, yet we have registered 7° and 9° of
frost here on several nights during the past week
or two. Fortunately, the atmosphere was dry,
and the blossoms have not suffered up to the
present. In cases where protecting material is
employed for these fruit trees, great care should
be exercised in its use, in order to avoid any
coddling of the trees. If the covering is used
when it is not needed, or if too thick a covering
is employed, it will be sure to have a harmful
effect in bringing forward the blossoms too
quickly and also in making them tender. The
best practice is to be prepared to protect the
trees when occasion arises, but to let the
blossoms develop as naturally as possible, em-
ploying protection only when sharp frosts
threaten to occur. These temporary means of
protection should be so placed that they may be
drawn easily over the trees when required. If
there is no coping to tho wall, a board 11 inches
in width may be fixed in a slanting direction
against the top of the wall or immediately over
the tops of the trees. Into this board a few-
hooks can be driven to hold the rings fixed to
the canvas or tiffany. At the base of the lines
thin rollers should be fixed enabling them to be
easily drawn up and down by means of good-
sized cords arranged on pulleys or rings
fastened to the top. Some stout ))oles should be
stood against the walls in a slanting direction to
support the blinds 2 feet or 3 feet from the wall

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

SeaUale.- — The cuttings which were laid in the
ground early in winter are now ready for plant-
ing, which should be done as soon as growth
commences, otherwise they will be injured during
the process. If the ground was trenched and
manured in winter, it will now require little
more than forking over. Seakale needs a light
but rich soil. The young plants must be lifted
carefully and planted in rows 2 feet apart, allow-
ing 15 inches between the plants in the row.
The roots may be planted by means of an
ordinary garden dibber, and only a small quan-
tity of soil need be placed round them. After
planting, the crowns should be just under the
ground level, so that by hoeing the surface of
the bed the holes will be loosely filled. As soon
as the young growth is well above the ground,
the plants should be examined and the shoots
on each reduced to one; this treatment will
secure good crowns for forcing next winter.
Seakale roots still unforced may be planted
closely together behind a north wall, covering
them '8 inches deep with fine leaf-mould or ashes;
they will then afford a supply of Seakale during
May.

C'eleri/. — Plants raised from seed a month ago
should be pricked off as soon as they are large
enough to handle into a box frame, where a
genial, moist atmosphere can be maintained and
where the lights can be removed as soon as the
young plants have become established in the
soil. Celery loves water, therefore the plants
r/.ust never be allowed to become dry at the
roots.

jl/u.'.Aroom.?.— Prepare beds for furnishing
supplies during June. The best situation for
them is in a shed with a north aspect. The front
of the shed may be covered in with mats to pre-
vent the wind" unduly drying the beds. The
beds should be formed on the ground, and made
to a depth of 18 inches, as it will be necessary
for them to maintain a temperature of 80° for
at least a week after the spawning is done.
When the beds have been properly spawned and
covered with a thin layer of soil, the whole may
be covered with straw to the depth of 4 inches.
Collect further quantities of horse manure so
that other beds may be made up behind a north
wall to produce a few small Mushrooms during
.Inly, when the weather is usually too hot to
admit of Mushrooms being grown indoor.s. Out-
door beds should be made with a slanting sur-
face, so that when covered with straw they will
throw off the rain.

Sorrel. — The present is a good time to make
fresh plantations of Sorrel. When removing the
old plants from the forcing pit they may be
pulled to pieces and used to make up new beds.
The young plants may be put in rows 2 feet
apart'on rich soil, and may be allowed to remain
two years before being forced..

Sweet Basil. — Seeds may now be sown in a
gentle heat. Prick off the young seedlings, when
large enough to handle, into pots or boxes. This
herb requires a temperature of 65° for the next
month, but the plants may be gradually
hardened off for planting out on a warm border
in June. For the winter supplies, seeds will need
to be sown about the middle of August for plac-
ing in a Cucumber pit, where they may remain
during the winter.

Sweet Marjoram. — Sow seeds in a gentle heat
and pot off the young plants when they can be
handled. This herb does not. require much heat,
and may be grown in a cold pit during winter
if frost is excluded. Plant them on a good border
as soon as the plants are large enough, and in
September lift sufficient plants and pot them to
produce supplies in winter. The soil for Sweet
Marjoram should consist of loam and peat in
equal proportions.

21G

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

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

■Letters for Publication, as well us specimens of plants
for 7taming, shoulii be aildtessed to the EDI TORS,
41, Wellin^rton Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be writtkn on onk side only of
THK PAPER, sent as early in the iveek as possible and duly
signed by the wi Her. 1/ desired, the signature ivill not be
printed^ but kept as a guarantee of good faith.
Illustrations.- The Editoisivill be gladto receive and to select
photographs or drait'ings, suitable for reproduction, :df
gardens, or of remarkable plants, Jloivers, trees^ &-c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or iiijury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR APRIL.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2— ,

Soc. Frail?. d'Hort. de Loridres meet.
TUESDAY, APRIL 6-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Prof. Henslow on "The Use of the Spectroscope iti
the Study of Plant Life.") Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet.
Bournemouth Hort. Soc. Spring Sh. (2 days). British
Gard. Assoc. Ex. Council meet. Bournemouth Spring
Fl. Sh. (2 days).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6—

Liverpool Spring Fi, Sh. (2 days).
THURSDAY, APRIL 7— Linnean Soc. meet,
MONDAY, APRIL 11—

Surveyors' Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben. and Piov.
Soc. Com. meet.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13—

Roy. Caledonian Hort. Soc. Spring Sh. in Waverley
Market, Edinburgh (2 days). Cornwall Daffodil and
Spring Fl. Sh. at Truro (2 days).
FRIDAY, APRIL 15-

Dutch Bulb Growers' International Sh. at Haarlem
(10 days).
TUESDAY, APRIL 19—

Roy. Hon. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger on ** The Wild Flowers of the
West of Ireland.") Devon Daffodil and Spring Fl.
Sh. at Barnstaple (2 days).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20—

Roy. Hort. Soc. of Ireland Spring Sh. (2 days).
Huntingdonshire Daffodil and Spring Fl. Sh. Roy.
Hort. Soc. General Exam. 6 to 9.30 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21—

Ipswich and E. of England Daffodil and Spring Fl.
Sh. Falmouth Spring Fl. Sh. (2 days). Linnean Soc.
meet.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22— Exeter Daffodil Sh.
MONDAY, APRIL 25— Surveyors' Inst. meet.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exam, of School Teachers.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28—

Midland Daffodil Soc. Exh. at Birmingham Bet. Gardens
(2 days).
SATURDAY, APRIL 30-

Brussels' International Hort. Exh. (4 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 46"1'^.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday^ March 30 (6 p.m.) : Max. 57*;
Min. 33".
Gatihneis' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — Thursday^ March 31
(10 A.M.): Bar. S9-5 ; Temp. 43°; Weather—
Sunshine.
Provinces. — Wednesday, March 30 : Max. 50" Ireland
S.W. ; Min. 43° Preston.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Liliums, Hardy Bulbs,
&c., at 12 ; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30 ; at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris,

WEDNESDAY-

Perennials, Border Plants, Hardy Bulbs and Tubers, at
12; Roses, Fruit Trees, &c., at 1.30; Trade sale of
Miscellaneous Bulbs, at 12; Japanese. Liliums as
received, at 2; Palms, Plants, Bays, &c., at 5; at
Protheroe & Morris' Rooms.

FRIDAY-

Imported and Established Orchids in variety, at 12.45,
at Protheroe & Morris' Rooms.

Our readers will see from the

"f**^ official notice printe(3 on-

International ., ,, , ,,.

Exhibition, anotlier page that a puhlic
meeting is called for Tuesday
next to consider the advisability of holding
an International Horticultural Exhibition in
London in 1912, and to appoint a Committee
of Management. It is scarcely necessary at
tlie moment to state in detail the reasons
which have been urged again and again in
these columns wliy such a project should
command the hearty support of all who have

an interest in the progress of horticulture.
As a body, it has always been the fair boast
of gardeners that their sympathies and
aspirations are not limited by ties of
nationality. Hor(;iculturej like science gene-
rally, knows no nationality; in furthering
its interests, horticulturists are united the
world over, and some of the pleasantest ex-
periences and highest aspirations many of
us have known, have come to us during visits
made to foreign shores for the purpose cf in-
specting the international exhibitions. It is
good for horticulturists and for horticulture
that colleagues, whose work is carried on in
places separated by such distances that fre-
quent observation or association is impossible,
should meet from time to time to compare
notes and report progress.

In these matters Englishmen have received
much in the past 40 years, but they have
given little. Time and again they have been
received with the utmost cordiality by the
various nations, and have had placed before
them all the different phases of horticultural
practice in which each nation excels, but for
ourselves we have been content with our
annual shows ever since that great event in
British horticulture, the 1866 exhibition.
Readers will not need to be convinced that
the time is now ripe for the repetition of
that great effort. The development in hor-
ticulture since that period has been so vast
that it is difficult to estimate, whilst the
amelioration of certain plants under cultiva-
tion and the introduction of new species to
these shores, have altered greatly the charac-
ter of our plant houses and even the landscape
effects all over the country.

It is intended to organise the forthcoming
exhibition on lines similar to those which led
to succe.ss in '66, and this fact in itself is
highly satisfactory. The Royal Horticultural
Society, as the one great representative asso-
ciation in these isles, has taken the initiative,
l)ut the Council is desirous that a separate
Committee of Management shall be appointed,
which shall fully represent every branch of
horticulture. In order to be prepared for
eventualities, a guarantee fund is to be estab-
lished, and, towards this fund, the society is
prepared to make a liberal contribution, which
will be at once a substantial indication of the
society's sympathy with the movement and a
great help in making it successful. The con-
sideration of details may be undertaken later
on, but for the present it is necessary for all
to realise that the event is one of the greatest
importance, and one that should call forth all
the energy, enthusiasm and resource of which
the horticulturists of this country are capable.
The exhibition must be planned on the
broadest lines ; for, on the worthiness of the
ideal which inspires it, will depend the success
which it achieves.

It is not possible, nor is it desirable, that
commercial considerations should be entirely
disregarded, but we are sure that these will
not be the principal interests which British
exhibitors will pursue. They will he actuated
by a desire to obtain the best foreign exhibits
it is possible to attract, and by the deter-
mination to exhibit British horticulture to
the notice of distinguished guests in such a
manner as to surpass all previous efforts. Such
an event as we are now considering is one of
the most effective means of extending good-
will among nations, and of establishing ties of

friendship which are not of personal signifi-
cance only, but serve to consolidate interna-
tional goodwill. We trust, therefore, that a
good scheme will be evolved, and that it will
be taken up in true British fashion and
carried to a successful issue.

Mexican
Cacti.

The Cactacese of North-Ea.stern
and Central Mexico is the title

of a paper by W. E. Safford in
the .Smithsonian Report for 1908, pp. 525-563,
v.ith 15 plates and 24 figures in the text.
Mr. Safford's monograph has also been
issued separately. It is written for the
cultivator rather than the botanist, but
there are many details of interest to both ;
the result of the author's observations on
a journey through the regions named. Mr.
Safford's explorations were mostly in the
Northern States, Nuevo Leon and Coahuila,
but he also visited Aguas Calientes, Guada-
lajar.i, Guanajuato and Mexico. He describes
(and figures) the characteristic species and
their habitats. He also gives some interest-
ing information respecting notable collections
of cultivated Cacti, in the United States, at
New York and Washington, under glass, and
at Tucson, Arizona ; Riverside, California ;
Mesilla Park, New Mexico ; and Laredo,
Texas, in the open air. In Mexico City, too,
he met with some enthusiastic cultivators. /
Respecting the cultivation of Cacti, it is not
generally known that they grow in a great
variety of soils and situations. In the Botany
(if the Biolofjia CentrnU-Americana (vol. iv.,
p. 248), we read that " some flourish in the
sands of the seashore ; others in clay ; others
in loam ; others in sandy and stony wastes ;
others in grassy pastures ; whilst many grow
on rocks or in crevices of rocks. In some dis-
tricts they grow ar.sociated with other plants,
forming a mixed vegetation ; in others
they have almost or quite exclusive possession
of wide areas." In Mexico, they range
from the sea-coast to an altitude of 13,000
feet.

Mr. Safford has a special paragraph on
the edible fruits of Cacti. Apart from the
" tun.is," fruits of Opuntia and Nopalea,
which are marketed on an extensive scale,
there are many others. In his own words:
" The triangular forms of Cereus usually bear
edible ' pitahayas,' some of them of enormous
size and delicious flavour; and in Texas and
Northern Mexico several long-spined ' ali-
coches ' (Echinocereus spp.) are known to
Americans as ' Strawberry Cacti,' from the
delightful flavour of their succulent berries."
The acid, " Limas de Viznaga " is the fruit
of Echinocactus longihamatus of Nuevo Leon.
Various Mamillarias bear the smooth, red
" chilitos " and the Currant-like " garam-
bullas " is the fruit of the arboreous
Myrtillocactus geometrizans. Mr. Safford
states that the seeds of nearly all
Pachycerei (" cardones ") are used by the
Indians for food, and the " Higos de
tetetzo " of southern Puebla (P. columna-
trojani) are a regular food-staple, sold in the
markets of Tehuacan.

The greatest concentration of Cacti is in
Mexico, M-here there are jjrobably not fewer
than five or six hundred species; but it is
difficult to form an approximate estimate,
since a large number of the propased species
liave been founded on single, often dead,
plants received in Europe.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

217

We employ vans in this country
Ocmonstra- ^^ through the counties from
tion Trains. ,, , .,, - .,

village to village tor the purpose

of propagating religious or political ideas.
Americans have adopted recently this prac-
tice for the purpose of disseminating agricul-
tural and horticultural information. A circu-
lar just issued gives an account of the agri-
cultural and horticultural demonstration
train which is to be inaugurated under the
auspices of the Southern Pacific Railway
Company.

The College of Agriculture of the University
of California will place in the cars of this
train full and comprehensive exhibits of dlus-
trative material, covering various phases of
agricultural and horticultural work in that
State. These exhibits are de«igne<l to show
better methods of work upon farms, and to
indicate more economical methods of produc-
tion. Men from the College of Agriculture,
and men from the farms of the State, will
deliver, at stopping points, lectures on the
metluxls which should be adopted in order to
increase the value of the agricultural and
horticultural products. Similar demonstra-
tions will be given ^^■ltll respect to stock rais-
ing, dairying, poultry raising, and kindred
industries. It is the aim to make these meet-
ings practical. Discussion is invited and
(juestions will be answered.

The equipment of the train will include five
care, containing exhibits to be used in illus-
trating and demonstrating the points brought
out in the discussions. A spe^'ial coach will
serve as a lecture room in places where no
hall is available.

Where the place of meeting is elsewhere
than in the train, it will be made known
locally through the railway agent, newspapers
and other sources of information.

The horticultural division will be under the
charge of Professor D. Clarke. The exhibit
will include young fruit trees, showing their
condition when received from nurseries, and
illustrating methods of preparation for plant-
ing; methods of pruning will also receive
attention. Systems of spraying will be illus-
trated with the object of introducing better
and more economical methods. The subject of
])Uint diseases will be under tlie charge of
Professor K. E. Smith, of the South California
Pathological Laboratory of the University of
California. There will be a comprehensive
exhibit of the various blights, mildews, rusts,
and smuts that attack cultivated plants
Altogether 18 speakers are enumerated, and a
list of 53 stations is given, showing the datt-
and time at which the demonstration train
will reach each station ; the time at which
the meeting will commence, and that of the
departure of the train. The scheme is a fine
one, and worthy of adoption with moditica-
iion in our own country. Though we cannot
hope for one of our great railway companies
to imitate the Southern Pacific, motorcars
would prove, in such a country as ours, yet
more convenient for the purpose. It would
be a sweet revenge of time if the instrument
of so much rural discomfort were pressed into
the service of rural development.

A Hybrid Strelitzia. — In the Mexican
house at Kew, states the Ktw Bulletin, there is
now in flower for the first time a hybrid Strelitzia,
the result of crossing, 11 years ago, S. Reginae
and S. Augusta, the former being the mother
parent. The plant is 5 feet high and has 10
leaves shaped as in S. Augusta, but the petioles
are 18 inches long and the blades 2 feet bv

tuft of leaves spring from a fleshy root-stock , the
petioles are 3 feet long and slender, and the
blades measure a foot by 4 inches ; the peduncle
is about a yard long, the spathe is glaucous-
green tinged with red and the flowers are of a
bright orange colour, the conspicuous arrow-
shaped fused petals being violet-blue. Both the
parent species are also in flower in the same

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the Committees will take place on
Tuesday, the 5th inst. At the afternoon meet-
ing, the Rev. Prof. G. Henslow, V.JI.H., will
deliver a lecture on " The Use of the Spectro
scope in the Study of Plant Life."

(F.

15 inches. The peduncle is axillary, 18 inches
long; the spathe is horizontal as in S. Reginse,
with several vertical flowers, which expand in
slow succession and are of a pale, watery-yellow
colour. There is a wide difference between the
two parents, S. Augusta having a woody stem
12 feet or more liigh and distichous leaves, of
which the petioles are 6 feet and the cordate
blades 3 feet long ; the peduncle is very short and
stout, the spathe is purple and the flowers are
white. S. Regin» has no distinct stem, but the

iPhot.ygraph by C. P.
Fig. 94. — HYBRID STRELITZIA RAISED AT KEW.
Regina X S. Augusta.)

Kii/B//.

house. The hybrid has been named S. kewensis.
The dimensions of the flowers are as follow :

S. Augusta S. Regince S. Iceivensis
Sepals length ... 6^ in. 4i in. 5 in.

Petals „ ... 4|- in. 3^ in. ' 33 in.

The general appearance of the flower in S.
kewensis resembles that of S. Regime more closely
than that of S. Augusta. The stamens are en-
closed in the fused petal-sheath in the hybrid
and in S. Regiuse, but are exposed in S. .\ugusta.

218

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

The small hooded petal of the hybrid, however,
is much more like that of S. Augusta, and it is
also interesting to notice that the lilac-pink
patches at the base of the petals in S. Augusta
are also present in a similar position in the
hybrid.

LiNNEAN Society.— Tlie next meeting will be
held on April 7 at 8 p.m., when the following
papers will be read: — Mr. Augustine Henry.
M.A., F.L.S., " Elm Seedlings showing Jlende-
lian results "; Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., "On the
Forarainifera and Ostracoda from Soundings,
chiefly Deep-water, collected round Funafuti by
H.M.S. ' Penguin.' " A ballot will be taken in
respect of Miss Winifred Elsie Brenchley,
B.Sc. (Lond ), Mr. James Meikle Brown. B.Sc.
(Lond. and Sheff.), and Mr. Hayward Radclifpe
Darlington, M.A., LL.M. (Cantab.), as Fellows.

Brussels International Exhibition. —

Reports from Brussels regarding the temporary
horticultural exhibition to be opened on May 30,
in connection with the General Exhibition . at
Brussels, indicate that it promises to be a very
great success. In view of the possibility that the
buildings set apart for the temporary show may
be inadequate to accommodate the numerous ex-
hibits, the authorities have announced that posi-
tions will bo allotted in tlie order in which appli-
cations are received. Requests for space should
be addressed to Monsieur le Commissaire-
General t,v Gouvernement (Concours horti-
coles), 12, Rue de Berlaimont, Brussels. No
applications can be entertained after April 15.

"French" Gardening Exhibition.— The
exhibition of intensive culture, which we an-
nounced last week would be held under the
auspices of the Stour Valley Gardening School, at
the Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, West-
minster, took place on Wednesday, March 23
The result was disappointing so far as " French "
gardening wasjroncerncd. Four classes were pro-
vided for in the schedule, the fust being open
only to owners of gardens not exceeding a quarter
of an acr(? in e.ttent ; a second, to gardens not
exceeding one acre ; a third, to larger gardens ;
and., .a fourth for the best exhibit of 12
Lettu^'s. Owing to the absence of any class
cards, it was not possible to find to which of
the classes entries belonged, but it seems that
in' one cla.ss a 1st prize was awarded the Fels
Fruit Farm, Mayland, Essex. This exhibit
comprised rather poor and stained White Passion
Lettuces, the sriiall, Little Graine Noir variety
with very firm and good hearts, fair Witloof
Chicory, Seakale. Cucumbers, Rhubarb, Canadian
Wonder Beans, French Breakfast, Long and
Round Scarlet Radishes ; sprays of Aspara-
gus plumosus, Daffodil flowers, and, on one
side, but not in the competing collection, a fine
young trussed cockerel, eggs. Apples, butter.
Broccoli, and herbs. No 2nd prize seems to
have been awarded in any class, but in one case
a 3rd prize was given to Mr. H. P. Fitzoek.ild,
Ledwells Gardens, Goudhurst. In another class,
Messrs. T. & T. Gillett, Slurry Road, Canter-
bury, had a small Cabbage Lettuce like the
variety Golden Ball, very good Mushrooms,
and Radishes. A Silver Bowl offered in the Let-
tuce class was awarded to the Christchuroh
French Garden for some really good produce,
that had apparently been grown in frames, the
variety being evidently of All the Year Round.
There was quite a small collection of vegetables
with some model glazed span frames, from the
Stoue Vai ley School. Other exhibits included
examples of frames, cloches, and garden sundries.
Messrs. Sutton & Sons' and Messrs. Veitch &
Sons' collections of vegetables remained from the
preceding day's show. To Messrs. Sutton, the
judges awarded a. Gold .'\Iedal, and they made a

similar awaid to a superb collection grown under
ordinary English conditions at the 2'ime.s Experi-
mental Farm, Sutton Place, near Guildford, of
which Mr. Ch-4rles Foster is the superin-
tendent. This collection was much superior to
any of the exhibits of so-called French gardening
produce.

CHILDREN'S Flow/er Show. — The 5th annual
show of bulbs grown by children attending the
schools within the burgh of Dunfermline was
held on March 19. The show was a great suc-
cess, the quality of the blooms being, in many
cases, exceptionally good. The bulbs were sold
to the children by the Dunfermline Carnegie
Trust at a nominal price, and comprised Hya-
cirths, Crocuses, Tulips, and Daffodils. There
were also competitions for drawings showing
the growth and development of plants and for a
collection of pressed or dried leaves.

Nasturtium. — In America Nasturtiums rank
with Sweet Peas as the most popular and best-
selling annuals. In Britain the Nasturtium
(Tropseolum) does not take anything like the same
high rank. It may be that the American climate
ensures better results than can be obtained here.
One often hears the remark that Nasturtiums do
best in a poor soil. Certainly they bloom best
in a dry season when growth is restricted. In
Esse.x a very large acreage is grown every year
for seed, much of which is exported. Is there
not an opening for someone to specialise in the
flower? One of the American introductions this
year is Queen of Fordhook, a tall variety, the
green foliage being blotched or variegated with
white and yellow, making an attractive plant, as
llie rosy scarlet ilowers ?how up exceedingly well.

The late Mr. David Thomson. — Jlr.
'Harry J. Veitch writes to inform us that it
is proposed to establish a memorial to per-
petuate the name of D.wid Thomson. It is sug-
gested that the memorial take the form of a
fund from which to grant pensions to aged and
infirm gardeners, or their widows, such pensioners
to be always known as " the David Thomson
Memorial Pensioners," the fund to be adminis-
tered by the cominittee of the Gardeners' Ro; al
Benevolent Institution, of which Mr. Thomson
was for so many years a very warm friend and
to which he subscribed so liberally. When it is
remembered how much Mr. Thomson did, during
3 long and strenuous life, for the advancement
of every branch of gardening, what a noble ex-
ample he aIwa,YS set by his uprightness of char-
acter, his great courtesy, and his readiness
always to impart to others any information
which could benefit them in any way, it is felt
that such a proposal as that now suggested is
not only duo to his memory, but will be moat
cordially welcomed by every lover of gardening.
Jlr. Thomson's great abilities were recognised
during his lifetime by many honours. He was
one of the original recipients from the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society of the Victoria iMedal of Honour,
and was awarded the Neill prize by the Royal
Caledonian Horticultural Society. The many
friends of Mr. 'Thomson are desirous that the
memory of so good a man — one of the very
foremost gardeners of his generation — should
now be perpetuated in a manner which shall
be worthy of him and shall serve as an
incitement for future generations of gardeners
to follow so noble an example. The under-
signed will thankfully receive contributions
from any who desire to further so good an ob-
ject:— Harry J. Veitch, V.M.H., treasurer of
the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution,
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, S.W. ; James
Whytock, president of the Scottish Horticultural
.Association, The Gardens, Dalkeith Palace, N.B. :

J. W. McHattie, vice-president of the Royal
Caledonian Horticultural Society, Public Parks
Office (City Chambers), Edinburgh; George
.Monro, V.M.H., Covent Garden Market, Lon-
don, W.C. ; J. H. Goodacre, V.M.H., The Gar-
dens, Elvaston Castle, Derby; W. Henderson,
The Gardens, Balbirnie, Markinch, N.B. We
commend this movement to the consideration of
our readers. David Thomson was undoubtedly
one of the greatest gardeners this country has
produced. His name deserves commemoration,
and no better mode of effecting this could be
devised.

The Production of Camphor. — Notwith-
standing the threatened destruction of the cam-
phor industry in China many years ago, by the
chemical production of an imitation camphor, to-
gether with experiments that have been carried
on more recently in Ceylon, in extracting cam-
phor from the leaves and twigs of the trees in-
troduced into that island, the produce in China
and Formosa still goes on, but with diminished
supplies from some well-known districts. On the
other hand, some new sources have been dis-
covered in the provinces of Hupeh and Hunan.
From the report of the British Consul at Foo-
chow, it would seem that a very serious diminu-
tion occurred in 1908, when the exports
amounted to only 9,644 cwts. of the value oi
£69,302 against those of 1907, which amounted
to 23,231 cwts. valued at £271,453, thus showing
a decrease of 13.587 cwts., and a loss 01 £200,000
in value. The average values per cwt. for the three
years 1906, 1907 and 1908 were £11 15a., £13 15s
and £7 3s. 9d. respectivelj-. The falling market
is attributed to the speculation both by foreigners
and Chinese in 1907, when abnormally high
prices obtained ; the inevitable collapse followed,
partly due to the fear that synthetic camphor
could be produced at lower rates than the natural
product, and partly because the home markets
were overstocked, while there were excessive sup-
plies at Foochow, and holders, both at export and
import docks, were anxious to get rid of their
stocks on account of the declining rates. Be-
sides which, Formosa camphor was being disposed
of at continually declining rates. With regard
to the fear of any shortage in the general sup-
plies, as we have before said, this question seems
to be partially answered by a report that has
recently appeared to the effect that a Chinaman,
who has had some experience in the camphor
industry, has discovered considerable numbers
of camphor trees (Camphora officinalis) in the
province of Hupeh, near Shing-Ruo-Chao, in
the neighbourhood of the Tayeh Mine dis-
trict, and also near Lin-Yang in the pro-
vince of Hunan. It is further stated that
he has obtained the monopoly for the pro-
duction of camphor in both provinces for a period
of 15 years, and has further obtained the assist-
ance, of 30 workmen from Formosa to instruct
the natives in the manufacture of camphor, as the
local population are entirely ignorant of the busi-
ness. The work is said to have begun already,
and that Hankow will be the market for tlie
product.

Publications Received. — Board of
Agriculture and fisheries. Acreage and Live
Stock Returns of Great Britain, witli Sum-
maries for the United Kingdom. (Loudon:
Eyre & Spottiswoode, Ltd.) Price !}3.- Ontario
Department of Agriculture. Bulletins: Farm
Underdrainage : Docs it Pay? by W. H. Day,
B.A. ; Farm Drainage Operations, by the same
author. (Toronto : L. K. Cameron.) — Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, Bulletin of Miscel-
laneous Information. Some of the Contents
are : The Gienus Myxopyrum, Garden Notes on
New Trees and Shrubs, Trees of the North-
Eastern Transvaal, Diagnoses Africans!, For-
ests of the Gold Coast, Miscellaneous Notes.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

219

(Loudon: Darling & Son, Ltd.) Price 3d. — Fruit
Tree Pruning, by George Quinn. (Adelaide :
]i. E. E. Rogers, Acting Government Printer.)
I'rice Is. 3d. — The Forest Flora of New South
Wales, by J. H. Maiden. Vol. IV., Part 7. (Pub-
lished by the Authority of the Government of
the State of New South Wales.) — The British
Fern Gazette, edited by Chas. T. Druery,
March, 1910. (The British Pteridological
Society, Kendal, Westmoreland.) — t/niYct/ States
Department of Agriculture : Varieties of
American Upland Cotton, by Fred. J. Tyler.
( Washington ; Government Printing Office.) —
Purdue University. Twenty-second annual re-
port of the Agricultural Experiment Station,
Lafayette, Indiana. For the year ending June
30, 1909. (Lafayette, Indiana : Press of Burt-
Haywood Co.) Bulletins : The Estimation of
Pat in Unsweetened Evaporated Milk by Modified
Methods, Growing Better Gems, Steer Feeding,
Dairy By-products as Supplements to Corn for
Fattening Hogs. Circulars : Growing Onion*
from Seed, by J. Troop and C. G. Woodbury ;
Agricultural Extension, by G.I. Christie; The
Parmer's Orchard, by J. Troop and C. G. Wood-
bury ; Corn Shows and Selecting, Preparing and
Scoring Exhibits, by A. T. Wiancko and G. I.
Christie ; Industrial Contests for Boys and Girls,
by G. I. Christie and Henrietta W. Calvin ; Milk
Production, by 0. F. Hunziker and O. E, Reed,
— Gardening for the Million, by Alfred Pink.
(London: T. Fisher.) Price Is. net. — Journal of
the Royal Horticultural Society, edited by F. J.
Chittenden, FL.S. (London: Spottiswoode &
Co , Ltd-. New Street Square.) Pric(5 7s. Gd. —
The Book of Nature Study, edited by J. Bret-
land Farmer. (London : The Caxto;i Publishing
Company, Surrey Street, Vi G )- Department of
Agriculture. Bulletins, Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa: Strawberry Culture, by W. T.
Macoun. (Ottawa: Fisher) The Problems of
Plant Diseases, by jMr. H. T. GiisFow, (Ottawa :
C. H. Parmelee.) — Ontaiio Department of Agri-
culture. Bacterial Blight of Apple, Pear and
Quince Trees, by D. H, Jones. (Toronto, Ont. :
L. K. Cameron.) — U.S. Department of Agri- ■'
culture. Traction Plowing, by L. W. EUis.
(Washington : (iovernment Printing Office.) —
Department of Agriculture, Federated Malay
States. Collea robusta, by W. J. Gallagher,
M.A. (Federated Malay States : Kuala Lumpur.)
— Colonsay — One of the Hebrides, by Murdoch
McNeill. (Edinburgh : David Douglas.)

Lettuces, and the Onions in the open ground. A
full-sized bed measures 55 feet by 11 feet, and
accommodates five rows, 18 inches beiug allowed
each plant in the row. If needed, seeds of Cauli-
flowers can now be inserted in the open.

Onions planted in the autumn are now forming
their bulbs, and will be ready for marketing
within a fortnight.

The young Melon plants are growing well ;
ventilation is given as often as the weath?r per-
mits. The amount of water they receive is very
moderate, but a light spraying on fine days
greatly assists the growth.

The first stopping of the main stem is done at
the third leaf as soon as the growth of the plants

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH " GARDEN.

The inipuitiuice of ijrupei' ui''.;inii.sation is now
emphasised in the numerous operations which
have to be carried out daily. The packing of the
produce for the market, the ventilation of the
crops under glass, and the watering must all be
done without hindrance to the planting and sow-
ing of the successive crops.

The gathering of the produce is always accom-
plished as early in the day as possible to keep it
fresh and cool. Watering should also be done
before 9 a.m., as the plants would receive a check
were it done when the sun was excessively hot.

The Cos Lettuces under the cloches are now-
hearting, and will, with favourable weather, be
ready for cutting within a fortnight. The French
varieties for forcing are self-hearting, and re-
quire no tying. The shac. ig must be carefully
done before 10 a.m., or the leaves would be-
come spotted.

The Carrots in the frames are now very for-
ward ; ventilation is given freely both day and
night, whenever possible. I'his crop requires fre-
quent waterings, and the lights may be removed
entirely .should a steady rain be promising.

Cauliflowers planted among the farrots are
touching the glass; the frames should therefore
be raised bodily to give them more head room.
The paths between the frames are filled with
dry, well-broken manure, and brought level with
the soil within the frames to prevent it rolling
off when they are removed for the planting of
Melons later.

Cauliflowers are planted among the Passion

.seedlings may be pricked out in the open at 10
or 12 inches apart about four weeks after the
sowing.

Turnips sown on the hot-beds in the middle
of March have been thinned out, and ventilation
is given them day and night. When the weather
is calm, one light is open at the top, the next
at the bottom, and so on, to establish a free cir-
culation of air.

Shoots of Artichoke " de Laon " have been
potted in 60's pots. When they become well
established they are hardened off and planted
early in May, in heavily-manured ground, 2 fe«t
6 inches apart. It is absolutely essential to
forward their growth to :'.?sist the plants to d«-

JM' fc'gW:»tii-J:.M»IWA-i^.; j??; ■■■3 j&aB8W,/j)|)tC-

IPhotographs by J. 11. Gibson,

Fig. 95.— views in dr. pridmore's "French" garden near westenhanger, kent.

allows, and, generally, one week before planting
them in their final quarters.

The frames and lights have been removed from
the Passion Lettuce, being required for the
ilelon beds. The first row of frames set late last
week have since been planted with Melons, two
plants per light. Some growers set three plants
and mature only one fruit per plant, but experi-
ence has proved that this system leaves not suffi-
cient room for the roots, whilst the frames are
filled with too many leaves, which entails extra
labour in the pruning of the plants and allows
very little light for the growth and ripening of
the fruits.

Seeds of Endive " La Rouennaise " and " La
Ruffec " may be inserted among the Melons. The

velop their inflorescences before the autumn, as
they can then better withstand the frosts of the
following winter

Tomatos that were pricked out m. the middle
of JIarch are well established, and receive ample
ventilation. The space now occupied by the
ilelon plants in the nursery bed will be utilised
for the second pricking out of Tomatos (100 plants
per light) late this month.

Celery raised from seed sown in February is
now being pricked out in a cold bed, 24 plants
under each cloche. The bell glasses are kept close
and shaded till the seedlings are well established.
It is essential to prevent any check to the plants,
as this would cause them to run to seed during
the summer. P. .iquatias.

220

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

THE STUDY OF TREES.

On Thursday, jiarch 17, Dr. Augustine Henry,
Reader in Forestry at the Cambridge University,
gave an interesting lecture on " The Study of
Trees," at Carpenters' Hall, London.

He told his hearers tliat he would deal with
species of trees, and also with their varie-
ties. He reminded them that Darwin, when he
wrote his Oriijin of S'pcrirs, never defined what
he meant by species, and that he (Dr. Henry)
would not do so either, e.xcept that he would go
so far as to say that species were " large groups."
Among the European trees he remarked that it
was a curious circumstance that many trees oc-
curred in " pairs of species." There were, for
example, two species of Oaks, two of Birches,
and ihe same could be said of the Limes, the
W|Iiite Poplars, the Black Poplars, and the largo
tree Willows. He pointed out that, before man
changed the face of the country, there were
two great classes of land, the " alluvial
flats " and the " hilly land," and that one
of the " pair of species " grew in the former
situation, and the other pair occupied the latter.
T'his fact, he said, had been overlooked
by foresters, even in Germany ; moreover,
gardeners and farmers had for hundreds of years
been careful in their choice of seed, and had
raised many varieties and sub-varieties, yet, in
forestry, this had never been done, and not even
the better of the two species had been always
chosen. Of the two varieties of Oak iQuercus
pedunculata and Q. sessilifiora), the only one that
had been planted of late years was Q. peduncu-
lata; whereas Q. sessilifiora was the better one
to plant on dry, hilly land, since it had
hairs on the leaves, which prevented ex-
cessive evaporation of water. He then in-
stanced the two species of Birches (Betula
verrucosa and B. pubescens), showing how B.
verrucosa has glands on the leaves, which pre-
vent rapid evaporation in dry weather, since
these exude varnish, but that rain, when it falls,
is able to penetrate the varnish and so nourish
the trees. This species is a native of dry situa-
tions. B. pubescens inhabits wet, peaty soils,
which are physiologically dry on account of the
absorption of moisture by the roots being hin-
dered by humous acids. A year ago the subject
of crossing trees first attracted his attention. In
studying the Black Poplars, he found that the
tree commonly called the Black Italian Poplar
was, in fact, a cross between Populus nigra, the
oI(i English Black Poplar, and P. deltoidea, the
American species. The Black Italian grows
by far the fastest of the three, making as
much as 2 cubic feet of timber per year, a fact
not to be overlooked by foresters, who look to
vigour of growth. Its timber, though not, per-
haps, of very good quality, is not easily inflam-
mable, and would probably pass the tests
for fireproof flooring. This tree was the result
of an accidental cross made in a French nursery
in the eighteenth century, and the question Dr.
Henry asked was: " Can this phenomenon be re-
peated in other trees? " The astonishing vigour
displ.iyed by the " first cross " is common in
other cases. Dealing with the Willows, he ex-
plained the origin of what is commonly called
the ■' Cricket Bat Willow." This also is
a " first cross " (Salix fragilis X S. alba,
known as S. alba ccerulea). It was origi-
nally thought that S. alba ccerulea was only
a variety of S. alba, except ihat, for some
unknown reason, it grew much faster : but Dr.
Henry has now shown its true pedigree. Like
the Black Italian Poplar, it exhibits the extra-
ordinary vigour of growth of a " first cross."
It occurs only as a female plant, whereas
the Black Indian Poplar occurs only as a
male. Dr. Henry then dealt with the Lucombe
Oak, which is a " first cross " between Quercus
Cerris (the Turkey 0,-ik) and Q. Suber (the Cork
Oak). Passing on to the Elms, he pointed out
that the Huntingdon Elm was a " first cross " be-
tween Ulmus glabra and U, montana, the former

being the species which grew on the alluvial
flats, whereas the latter uihabited the hills. This
originated in 1745, and it shows the char-
acteristic of a " first cross " by growing
with extraordinary vigour. The lecturer had
been enabled to study the Elms last year as,
owing to the exceptional amount of sunshine in
the spring of 1909, Elms all over the country
bore fertile seed in enormous quantities. He had
sown GO kinds of Elm seed in small plots, and
the seedlings of the Huntingdon Elm fol-
lowed" Mendel's law of heredity, some showing
U. glabra characteristics, and others U. mon-
tana in the proportion of three to one, whilst
numerous new forms appeared in this second gen-
eration. Owing to lack of time. Dr. Henry was
unable to deal with the other trees he had
studied, but he told his audience that trees could
probably be produced by cross-fertilisation,
that would show in the " first cross " very
vigorous growth, and he instanced the advantage
to the forester of a fast-growing Ash or Walnut :
how, in the first generation, we should obtain
that vigorous growth, and how, by sowing seeds
of that, we should be able to pick out forms
exhibiting great vigour, that would breed true.

The lecture was illustrated throughout by Ian
tern slides, and, at the conclusion, the chairman,
Ixird Kesteven, proposed a vote of thanks to Dr,
Henry, which was heartily accorded.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

International Horticulturau Exhibi-
tion.-l^otice is hereby given that a public
meeting will be held on T'uesday, April 5, at the
Royal Horticulturiil Hall, Vincent Square, S.W.,
at 4 p.m., to consider the advisability of holding
an international horticultural exhibition in Lon-
don in 1912, and to appoint a committee of
management. 11'. Wilks, Sec, li.H.S., by
order of the Council of the Royal Horticultural
Society.

"Do Exhibitions Pay p ■ — This question
has no connection with the balance-sheets of
exhibitions. It arises in a totally different
sense, and one which can hardly fail to have
special interest for horticultural exhibitors and
iraders, in view of the proposed international
horticultural exhibition of 1912. In the general
Press this question was asked recently, and re-
plies were given to the effect that exhibitions
do not pay the trading exhibitor. Naturally, to
the ordinary trader or business man mere senti-
mental or even national considerations can hardly
weigh against pecuniary loss. The incidence of
the subject, so far as we are concerned, is soma-
what narrowed, for it relates to internation.al
e.xhibitions of a general nature held in other
countries, which seem to occur very frecjuently.
seeing that from 1900 to 1908 no fewer than six
exhibitions have been held abroad, at which
British traders and manufacturers were expected
to exhibit their goods at enormous expense. If
toreigi! orders are obtained at such exhibitions all
is well ; if they are not, then great loss results,
and it would seem that this is now the general
experience. That, however, may be due to hold-
ing international exhibitions far too frequently.
In the horticultural world, our traders have had
considerable experience of home exhibitions, and
can say, if they cire to do so, whether as a
means of advertising — for that is what it amounts
to — the exhibition of their products is remunera-
tive. It is well known that many of them expend
great sums annually in exhibiting, and none can
better tell than they whether or not it pays.
If it does not pay, why, then, is the habit per-
sisted in? Perhaps it may be pleaded that
if they do not do so, if ttiey fall out of the
ranks of exhibitors and lose touch with the
public, their business would suffer, even
though exhibiting means to them a heavy finan-
cial burden. But any such plea would sliow the
exhibitor to be between Scylla and Charybdis.
It is earnestly hoped that his case is not so
bad as that, and also that, amidst all his financial
burdens arising from exhibiting, he finds means
to live and prosper. But the question which

heads this article is raised in connection with
the cost incidental to exhibiting at international
shows in other countries. Some few of our lead-
ing traders have had large experience of that
form of competitive advertising. How interest-
ing it would be to learn from them, whether
as a trading speculation it paid, or whether a
determination to have British horticulture well
represented at all cost dominated the decision.
When the proposed international horticultural
exhibition is held in London, many exhibits will
be expected from other countries, traders and
horticulturists who are our brethren across the
Channel. Will they weigh the financial aspect
of their exhibiting first, or will they come re-
gardless of cost, not merely hoping but believ-
ing thit their visits will be beneficial in every
sense? It is in this latter spirit we look for
their products and their heirty co-operation.
Whatever may be urged about the frequency of
international horticultural exhibitions abroad,
here in Great Britain, at least, they have been
rare. So seldom, indeed, have they taken place
that we can hardly estimate the growth of horti-
culture since 1866. Thus, no complaint can be
made against us, such as is now being made with
respect to other nations, that the international
gatherings are too frequent. There are those
to-day praying they may be spared to see what
it shall be possiHe for 1912 to bring forth. In
relation to that exhibition, no British horticul-
tural trader will ask " Do exhibitions pay?" The
desire to participate in it will be overwhelming.
May all engaged in tlius forming the greatest
gardening exhibition of the age find in it ample
reward, in sentiment and in substance. British
JIorii'SHltuiist.

Dessert Apples (see p. 170). — With regard
to Lord Hindlip, I agree w-ith Mr. Pearson it
is a splendid late dessert fruit, but I
cannot say it is the best flavoured oi all.
My reason for omitting such a good variety
was that, on a totally different soil from
that at Lowdham, a light soil resting on gravel,
wo did not often get a good crop from Lord Hind-
lip. I am quite in agreement with the remarks
concerning Lord Burghley, but this variety,
worked on the Paradise stock and cultivated on
a warm soil, did not canker nearly so badly as
it is known to do in a heavier soil. Grown as a
cordon, this variety was one of our best croppers,
and though the fruits were small, they were much
liked. (J. ]Vijthv.<.

CORYDALIS CHEILANTHIFOLIA. — A few Weeks

ago I drew attention to Adonis amurensis as one
of that large iimnber of plants which require to
be well established liefore their merit can be ap-
preciated. The Fumitory named above is an-
other. It is far eailicr than the old Corydalis
lutea ; the beautiful Fern-like leaves, 6 inches or
8 inches long, begin to push in January, and
when they aie crowned, as they are now. with a
profusion of blossoming spikes, clear yellow in
colour, the plant takes high rank among spring
flowers. I have it in a retaining wall without
lime. I do not know whether it would take to
old masonry as freely as C. lutea. It is a ram-
pant spreader, both by runners and seeds, and
should not be planted in the neighbourhood of
choice Alpines. The fir.st blossoms opened this
year on February 10. Herbert Maaoell, Mon-
'veitk, March SS'.

A Gardeners' Congress. — It has been

suggested that the time has arrived when the
gardeners of the United Kingdom should meet
together to discuss matters affecting their in-
terests and profession. The chief difficulty in
the way is to select a day and a time that would
be convenient to any very large number of gar-
deners. Probably the first day of the Holland
House Show at "Kensington (i.e., on Tuesday,
July 5) would be as good a day as any to secure
a good meeting of representative gardeners from
various parts of the kingdom. Gardeners gene-
rally are beginning to feel that, unless they co-
operate in some way, the best positions in
their calling are likely to be filled by men who
have had no horticultural practice or experience.
If any gardeners in sympathy with the idea of
holding a conference w'ill kindly send their names
and addresses to me, I think 1 may say that the
Executive Council of the B.G.A. will be only too
pleased to co-operate and to defray the expenses
of such a conference. John Weathers. Talbot
Villa, Tsleworlh.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

221

Primula obconica. — I am sending herewith
some spikes of Primula obconica. I have mea-
sured several (lowers over 2 inches across, and I
have been told by visitors here that they are
the finest lot they ever saw. A. BeniitU, •Siielfton
Hall Gardens, Ashbourne. [The flowers are
amongst the largest we have seen. — Eds. J

Protecting Peach Bloom.— Is it necessary
to protect I'each trees growing on walls out-of-
doors against frost whilst in bloom? This ques-
tion I know has been asked before, but has not,
so far as I know, been satisfactorily answered,
and, probably, no dehnite answer can be given.
From long experience and extensive practice in
the growth of this fruit on walls out-of-doors,
I am led to the conclusion that an exaggerated
importance is attached to the practice by many
growers. At a garden over which I had charge
for a good many years, we had a long, outside
wall devoted ti) the growth of Peaches and
Nectarines. A large proportion of these waJls
were effectively protected by glass copings
and roller blinds, in the best and most orthodox
fashion. In the same garden, a little distance
away, was another wall, devoted to the same
purpose, which for many years received no
protection, although it was rather more ex-
posed to the inclemency of the weather than
were the protected walls. Yet the crops the
trees bore on this wall were as good as
were the crops on the protected trees, and
failure was quite as infrequent. This is
an important point, and well worth clearing
up if possible, as the covering-up business
entails the loss of much valuable time, and is
adopted at considerable cost. Moreover, any-
thing which will help to the cheaper, simpler,
and more extensive growth of this delicious
fruit will be a decided gain to growers. I refer
to the subject now because the trees will soon
be in bloom, and those interested can, if they
wish, test the matter for themselves by leaving
a tree or two unprotected, covering the uther
trees as usual. The results would make interest-
ing reading. Peachgrower.

How TO Get Dahlias to Flower Early

(see p. 188). — I have frequently had plants of
Cactus Dahlias in flower in Lancashire at the
end of June. The old tubers were potted in
10-inch pots, and grown with very little forcing.
As soon as the state of the weather ]>ermitted.
they were moved into an unheated glasshouse,
and in the first week in June they were placed
in the open air for a few days, ftlany of them
would have flower-buds on them at planting-out
time. The holes were dug some time previous to
planting, manure being worked in with the Ixit-
tom soil. I always selected a sunny day to plant,
so that the soil put round the roots would be
warm. Inster.d of staking in the usual way, I
placed around the plants a number of twiggy
Pea sticks, with a baud or two of string around
them. P. P. (see page 188) states that " flowers
from old roots seldom keep to a high standard
after the first batch." If he means exhibition
standard, I admit that the first batch would
barely come up to that, but I did not notice any
deterioration up to late autumn, and dozens of
good flowers have been cut year after year in the
second week in October "from each bush for
church decoration at the harvest festival. Two
dozen plants were always planted in such a posi-
tion that canvas could be placed over them in
case of frost, in order to preserve the flowers for
that occasion. IK. P. P., Cwmystwyth, near
A be ri/slivi/th .

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

March 22.— Pre.^nit : Mr. E. A. Bowles, il.A.,
F.L.S., F.E.S., Sir George Watt, Sir John Llew-
elyn. Messrs. A. Worsley, F. dn Cane Godman,
R. Hooper Pearson, W. "Cuthbertson, J. Fraser,
W. Hales, J. W. Odell. J. T. Beunett-Poe, H. J.
Elwes, J. Douglas, F. J. Baker, E. M. Holmes.
Dr. Voelcker, ^md F. J. Chittenden (hon. sec).

Ahjae in water trovijh. — Dr. Voelcker re
ported that the alga which he showed at the last
meeting had been identified at Kew as Phormi-
dium laminosum. and that treatment with coppci-
sulphate at the rate of one part to 5,000,000 of
water had proved effective in killing it.

Cyclamen lati folium. —Mr. A. W. Sutton,
V.M.H.. sent two plants of Cyclamen latifoliura
for comparison with others recently shown,
^rown from corms collected by him in Palestine.
He remarked that young corms were very diffi-
cult to obtain, because they are almost always
deeply embedded in the crevices of the rocks, and
it is only the large and overgrown roots that
one is able to get without much trouble, with
the result that the flowers then are not so large
as they would be on younger plants. The
majority of the Cyclamen he had seen in Syria
are white with red base, but he had also seen
self-coloured reds of various shades and often
considerably larger than those shown.

Branching of mid-ribs. — Mr. E. A. Bowles
showed, on behalf of Canon Ellacombe, a leaf
of Carpenteria californica having the mid-rib
forking at about one-third from the base. He
also showed a flower of Iris reticulata from his
own garden exhibiting a similar phenomenon.

Fig. g6.-

-primula maximowiczii :
Flowers purple.

W. P. Stauk, Esq., of Hillstead, Basingstoke,
were shown. Their appearance suggested the
probability of their being hybrids with one of
the garden forms.

Pritzel's " Iconum Botanicarum Index." —
Mr. H. J. Elwes brought forward the question of
the republication with amplification of Pritzel's
Iconum Botanicarum Index locuplelissimns,
which had been referred to in the Annual Report
of the Council. He .suggested that it was a
matter that the Society might itself undertake
with great benefit to horticulture, and a resolution
embodying that idea was sent from the Com-
mittee to the Council.

Primula Maximowiczii (see fig. 95). — Messrs.
J. Veitch & Sons sent P. Maximowiczii, which
had been obtained from \V. China at an
altitude of 9,000 feet, and was now seen for
the first time in cultivation. The elliptic,
oblong leaves, with small teeth along their
edges, are about 2 to 3 inches long, quite
glabrous and without farina, and form a rosette.
The scape, about 10 inches tall, bears many
flowers, arranged verticillately as in P. japonica,
having long, narrow, triangular bracts. The
calyx is campannlate and about half the length
of the corolla tube. The coroUa is dark, clear
pm-ple, and has the lobes reflexed. On the motion
of Sir J. Llewelyn, seconded by Mr. J. Douglas,
a Botanical Certificate was unanimously recom-
mended for the plant.

Monceciov-i Salix. — Mr. E. A. Bowles showed
branches of Salix cinerea from Jlyddelton House,
Waltham Cross, bearing both male and female
catkins. Mr. Eraser said the pistils appeared
t-o be metamorphosed stamens. He had seen a
somewhat similar condition before in S. aurita in
several successive years.

Seedling VioIa.s. — A number of flowers of a
seedling of Viola hirta from Devon, sent by

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM.

March 21. — A meeting of the Executive Com-
mittee of this Society was held at Carr's Restau-
rant, Strand, when Mr. Thomas Bevan occupied
the chair. St. Peter's (St. Albans) Chrysanthe-
mum Society and the Lytham Gardeners' Asso-
ciation were admitted to affiliation.

The interim financial statement was submitted,,
showing a small balance in hand. The report of
the Floral Committee as to the trial of singles
was submitted and adopted. The secretary, Mr.
Witty, then reported on the arrangements that
had been made with the Crystal Palace Co.
The sum of £150 was offered for two shows,
which will be held on October 5 and 6, and
November 2, 3, and 4. It was resolved that the
Bame be accepted.

A conference will be held in the Essex Hall,
dealing chiefly with large show varieties, and the
subjects will be left in the hands of the Schedule
Committee. The Floral Committee meetings
w ere revised as follows : — September 5 and 19,
October 5 and 24, November 2 and 21, Decem-
ber 7 and 19.

An official visit of the Society will be made to
the growers who have undertaken the trial of
the single-flowered varieties. The committee will
visit the nursery of Messrs. W. Wells & Co. on
September 10 and 24, Mr. H. J. Jones on Novem-
ber 12, and Messrs. Cannell & Sons on December
10 ♦

'J'he chairman referred to the opening of the
Urussels International Exhibition, and to the
• 'hrysanthemum Show to be held there later in
the season He had already received promises
of support from various members, and hoped
others would contribute towards the display
that it was intended the N.C.S. should make.
In regard to the expenses Mr. Harman Payne
said he hoped some official assistance might be
procured, tor the N.C.S. was probably the only
society likely to exhibit, and it would scarcely
be reasonable to expect the Society to incur heavy
transit and other charges, especially as no corre-
sponding benefit was likely to accrue to the
Society or its members.

TORQUAY GARDENERS'.

March 17. — The society's spring show was held
at the Bath Saloons on this date, nearly a month
earlier than that of the first Cornish exhibition —
the Truro Daffodil Show. 'The display was the
finest ever held under the auspices of the associa-
tion, while the bright weather made it financially
the most successful spring show on record.
Amaryllis, Cyclamen, Daffodils, Schizanthuses,
and Cinerarias were particularly prominent.
Cinerarias being exceptionally fine. The 1st prize
group of stove and greenhouse plants was greatly
admired. There was very keen competition in
the classes, and the exhibits were, as a rule, of
high merit. Nurserymen contributed greatly to
the attractions of. the exhibition: — Messrs.
Robert Veitch & Son, E.xeter, staged the hardy
Draciena Prince Albert, with leaves striped with
green and white. Magnolia Soulangeana nigra,
Correa cardinalis lUioium religiosum, Lithosper-
mum rosmarinifolium. Cytisus kewensis, Clmatis
montana rubra, Grevillea sulphurea, Osteomeles
anthyllidifolia, and a representative collection of
rock-garden plants. The Devon Rosery, Tor-
quay, had an excellent show of Azaleas, Mag-
nolias, Acacias, Genistas, varieties of Pyrus
mains and cut blooms and pot plants of Roses.
.Mr. W. B. Smale. Torquay, exhibited a splendid
strain of Cinerarias, including the pretty Coleus
Lady Alverstone, with spotted leaves, and an
improved strain of Primula obconica. Messrs.
Barr & Sons, London, had a magnificent display
of Narcissi.

222

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

In the competitive classes the following were
successful exhibitors : — Dr. QnccK, Mr. H. Giies-
woLDE-WiLLiAMs, Hon. Helen Cuuitt, Mrs.
ToiiENH.ui, Mr. R. V. KiTsOiN, Mrs. E. R.
Lloyd, Mr. F. Pershouse, M;-. H. E. Bowring,
Co). Gary, and Mr. R. N. Acuii.

DUTCH BULB GROWERS'

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT

HAARLEM.

March 23-31.— The first .Jubilee Flower Show
of the Dutch Bulb Growers' Society was opened
on Wednesday, March 23, by H.R.JJ. the Prince
of the Netherlands. It formed part of a general
scheme consisting, first, of a permanent exhibi-
tion of flowers planted in beds in the open ground,
for which purpose a large area of the famous
" Wood " at the south end of the town has been
fenced in, and, secondly, of four special tempor-
ary shows which are to be arranged in hand-
some wooden buildings erected for the purpose.

The first of these indoor exhibitions commenced
on March 23, and continued until the 31st.

The English members on the international jury
were : Mesars. G. H. Cuthbert, Walter T. Ware,
J. Duncan Pear.son, G. Gordon, V.M.H., J. W
McHattie and Charles Pearson.

The inside display consisted, for the most part,
of Hyacinths, Tulips, Lilacs, Azaleas and Rlio-
dodendrons, supplemented with other flowering

in ten days time the display will be magnificent,
and visitors wiU then be able to see, in a small
compass, many of the best varieties of bulbs for
which Holland is so famed. Besides the show,
the visitor will also be able to visit the many
bulb nurseries in the immediate neighbourhood
of Haarlem and also those at Lisse, Hillegom
and other places which are easily reached by the
steam tram. In the town itself in the Klein
Hontweg, are the show grounds of Messrs. E. H.
Krelage and Son and Mr. Polman Mooy, while
not far away are the Zwanenberg Nurseries of
Mr. C. G. van Tubergen.

Just inside the entrance to the main building
was an oblong grass plot on which was arranged
a pleasing combination of Hyacinths — each plant
was an example of good culture, and the harmonv
of the different colours employed was perfect.

At either of the four corners was planted the
pale blue Enchantress variety, while between, at
the ends, was the pretty pink kind named
after Lady Derby, and at the sides L'ln-
nocence and Yellow Hammer, with the rich
reddish-purple blooms of Sir William Mans-
field in the middle. Around this, in the
centre, was a broad, gravelled path, and
then filling up the space to the walls was a
broad border of grass with oblong beds of Ciner-
arias, Tulips and Polyanthus Narcissi, and then
again at the back of these were arranged Palms,
Lilacs, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Callas, and
many other flowering and foliage plants.

Fig. 97.— view in the haarlem international exhibition
during the holding of first special show.

plants, such as Cinerarias, Primula obconica, and
Callas ; whilst outside, the handsome parterre at
the old Palace (now the Colonial Museum) end
of the grounds and immediately in front of the
chief temporary building was planted with
Crocuses. Large beds "of the pale purple
Maximillian and the deep purple Agnes Maria
varieties were set off with " King of the
Whites " and the striped Albion, with just an
occasional splash of a deep yellow kind. The
flatness was relieved by the sunken grass
panels on the interior of the designs and by the
Box trees clipped in the form of spirals, obelisks,
cannon balls and vases which were placed in just
the right places — towards the edges. The whole
design was excellently conceived and admirably
carried out. It is intended that this scheme o"f
formal gardening will be kept bright with fresh
plants until the show closes on May 29, and that
Hyacinths, Tulips, and hardy herbaceous plants
will in turn replace the Crocuses when these are
over.

From this parterre the grounds stretch for
more than a quarter of a mile down a stately
avenue of trees until a pretty wooden building is
reached ; this is devoted to a small collection of
modern flower paintings, many of them being by
the celebrated Haarlem painter, A. L. Koster.

On either side of the avenue there are beds of
Hyacinths, early and late Tulips, Daffodils and
pl.ints which almost entirely fill up the space un-
der the trees and extend right back to the bound-
ary. At present the only bits of colour are fur-
nished by Crocuses, Scillas and Chionodoxas, but

This hall communicated with a second one by a
short corridor, that was lined on one side by
Prunus triloba and on the other by Pyrus
Scheideckeri. The general grouping in this in-
terior hall was very similar to that of the first,
but the arrangement was not so formal. The
classes of Hyacinths in pans occupied the corners
of the gra.ss plot, and at the side were Lily of the
Valley and Primula obconica, while in the middle
were Spirreas and Liliums (see fig. 97). A large,
round bed filled up the space in front of the exit ;
in this were Azaleas, Imantophvllums, Primula
obconica (from Mr. Ch. Deus, Haarlem), of an
exceptionally fine red shade ; two varieties of
Polygonatura (Solomon's Seal), Callas. and a big
batch of the bright red tulip " Brilliant Star,"
which is well known for the lasting properties
of its flowers.

_ The third building, which is situated on the
right of the entrance to the psrk, was devoted to
Amaryllis, pot Hyacinths, Tulips, Begonia Gloire
de Lorraine, Freesias, Gloxinias and other flower-
ing plants in pots, while the centre was a glorious
mass of Lilac sprays arranged in tall vases. One
particularly gcod scheme of arrangement was
that of Messrs. D. and J. Kees.sen Brother.s.
A large basket of the pale Lilac President Grevy
was in the middle, and was connected with trails
of Smilax with others, at a lower level, filled
with Marie Legraye (white), Charles X. and
Audenken an L. Spath.

■The following is a list of some of the most
striking exhibits or novelties: —

(1) The group of Rhododendrons of Messrs. C.

B. VAN Nes & Son at one end of the main
building. Between masses of well-grown plants
of Rhododendron White Pearl there was a lovely
blush-pink variety named Princess Juliana, witn
a delightful wavy edge. It is unique in its
class, and was raised by the exhibitors as the
result of a cross between a Rhododendron hybrid
and R. Griffithianum. Its great value is as a
forcing variety.

(2) The large masses of hybrid Azaleas of
Jlessrs. M. Koster & Son and Jlessrs. Felix &
Dykhuis which were arranged on either side of
the exit in the inner hall. In the exhibit from
the former firm was a new hybrid with scented
blooms (Occidentalis X sinensis). The flowers
open a pale lemon and with age become white
with a pale orangje blotch on one petal. The
plant is very free in blooming.
^ (3) The hybrid Freesias of Mr. C. G. van
TuBEHGEN, Jun., of Haarlem. L'Apogee, a large,
somewhat pale, yellow variety ; Contrast, a white
kind with very conspicuous orange markings ; Le
Reye, deep mauve; Luminosa, clear, pale rose;
Dainty, rose and white striped ; and Robinetta,
pink, were some of the best, but the whole collec-
tion was an object lesson in the improvement of
the Freesia.

(4) The magnificent group staged by the Firma
Weyelenburg, Hazerswonde, in the apse on the
left-hand side of the main hall. We noticed here
Rhodora canadensis, Azalea Godogawa, A. pon-
tica " Fanny," A. sinensis " J. C, van Tol,"
Daphne Cneorum, an excellent specimen ; A.
Maxwellii and Rhododendron fastuosum flore
pleno.

(5) The Hyacinth exhibits of Messrs. Ant.
RoozEN & Son, Messrs. W. J. Elderino k Son,
Messrs. G. van der Meij and Mr. J. C.
Gehrels.

(6) Sprays of forced shrubs shown bv Messrs.
D. J. Tas & Son.

(7) A group of Syringa exhibited by Mr. V. A.
Vreeken, of Aalsnieer.

(8) Iris lazica (from the Caucasus), a new Iris,
something like I. stylosa, but hardy, and now
flowering for the first time. Anemone ranancu-
loides : (1) var. pallida, with yellow flowers and
dark foliage; (2) var. flore pleno. These were
shown by Mr. van Tubergen.

(9) The Tulip exhibits of Messrs. M. van
Waveren & Son.

(10) New or good Hyacinths noticed :— La
Victoire, an early-flowering, bright rosv-crimson
variety ; Ivanhoe, a dark sport from King of the
Blues; Myosotis, a lovely shade of pale blue;
Louis Pasteur, pale purple with lighter centre ;
Orange Brilliant, orange-red, an improved Solfa-
terre ; Queen of the Pinks, a pink sport from
Captain of the Blues ; Marconi, pink striped ;
Princess Juliana, palest blush, very large
" bells " ; Excelsior, a magnificent variety of
blush shade.

(11) New Tulips (.SiiKjh): General de Wet, an
orange sport from Prince of Austria; Rose Gris-
de-lin superba, a deeply-coloured form of the
ordinary Rose Gris-de-lin variety; Rose de H0I-'
land, white, with a pink edge; President Taft,
a long white flower with rose-flushed edge ; Presi-
dent Cleveland, a pale form of the last-named ;
Cullinan, a pale Flamingo ; Princess Elizabeth, a
deep rosy-pink . Darwin kind with blush edge;
Princess Amalia, another deep pink Darwin
Tulip. (Double): Mr. Van der Hoef, pale double,
yellow; Electra, bright crimson, shading to pink
at the margins of the petals ; Rosea perfecta, a
double form of the old Cottage Maid ; Couronne
Royale, bright yellow.

(12) Anemone Pulsatilla rosea^ a pale, faded
rose form of A. Pulsatilla.

(13) The cut I3ox " Chantecler " yard in the
outside grounds.

(14) Narcissus " Golden Giant," an immense
yellow flower measuring 5^- inches across the
perianth. It did not seem very free-blooming.
Exhibited by Mr. M. Warnaar. of Sassenheim.

(15) Lilac Gloire de Lorraine, fine large flowers
and truss, pale purple in tone. Shown by Messrs.
D. J. Tas & Son.

The dates of the remaining special shows are
April 15 to 24, May 4 to 11, and May 20 to 22.

TRADE NOTICE.

MR. DIXON.
We are informed that Mr. H. Dixnn, late with Messrs.
Bull & Snns, Chelsea, has commenced bnsiness on his own.
account as a Plant and Bulb Merchant, Orchid Grower and'
Importer, at Spencer Park Nursery, Wandsworth Commons
S.W.

April 2, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

223

LAW NOTES.

ALLEGED CORRUPT PRACTICES.

The adjourned hearing, referred to on p. 175,
of the case charginj^ Herbert James Culbush, of
Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, nurserymen, High-
gate, with knowingly giving to .lohn Brown, a
gardener employed by Lord C'owley, of Cold
■Overton Hall, Oakhaiii, Rutland, an account for
good." supplied, amounting to £279 Is. Gd., which
contained statements which were false and
erroneous in material particulars, with intent to
deceive Lord Cowley, came before JMr. Plowden
at the Marylebone Police Court on iMarch 17.

Mr, Bodkin, who prosecuted, said a difficulty
had arisen which prevented the prosecution from
proving the case, and he therefore asked to with-
draw the summons. Mr. R. D. Muir, who de-
fended, said the prosecution had received a letter
from Lord Cowley, saying that the account was
prepared in the form i*. was sent at Lord
Cowley's expressed desire. Mr. Plowden said
that so far as he could see there was no ground
for the prosecution, and Lord Cowley's letter had
cut the ground completely from under their (the
prosecution's) fett. He allowed the case to be
withdrawn.

Li our report of the case (see p. 176) in which
the defendant and his traveller, Richard
Holden, were summoned for corruptly giving a
gallon of whiskey to Charles Kidd, gardener to
Captain Starkie, Huntroyde, Padiham, Lancas-
ter, we stated that the prosecution could not pro-
duce the order for Cutbush's insecticide, which
Morgan, the informant, says was received. This
is incorrect. An agent's order form, sent by
Holden to Messrs. Cutbush & Son, was duly
produced by the prosecution, containing these
words: " Please to have forwarded at once per
passenger train to Mr. Kidd one case Cutbush's
insecticide, £1 10s."

IWIARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, March 30.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. lliey are furnisbed to us regularly every
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the qiictanons. 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 precedinj^ the date of our
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in which they are packed, llie supply
in the market, anc the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Eds. ]

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending March 26, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office; —

GENERAL OBSEUVATIONS.

The wmthcy was generally dry, but a good deal of cloud
was experienced in Ireland, and the slty was sometimes
cloudy or hazy over a considerable area in Great Britain.

The temperature was above the average except in England
S.E., the excess amounting to about 4" in the north and east
of Scotland. The highest of the maxima were recorded
early in the week very genei;ally, and ranged from 60" in
Scotland E.. England N.E., and Ireland S. lo 55*^ in England
S.E. and to Sl"^ in the English Channel. The lowest of the
minima, whicli occurred on somewhat irregular dates, \aried
from 'IV^ in England S.W. and 25* in England E. and the
Midland Counties to 30* in Scotland N. and to Sf in the
English Channel. The lowest grass readings reported were
14*^' at Cambridge, 15*^ at Llangammarch Wells, '20'^ at Here-
ford and Kew, and 21" at Clacton-on-Sea and Tunbridge
Wells.

The mean temperature of the sea differed little from that of
the corresponding w^eek of last year as a whole but was
more than S'' higher on the soutb-^ast coast of England.
The actual means for ihe period ranged from about 49" at
Newquay and 48" at Plymouth to 44" at Margate and Lam-
lash, and to 41" at Burnmonth.

The rainfall was much less than the average. Over the
greater part of England the weather was rainless, and in
most parts of Ireland and Scotland less than a tenth of an
inch was registered.

The bright sunslU7ie was much less than the normal in
Ireland and rather less in the north and west of Scotland
and the north-east and north-west of England. Elsewhere
there was a slight excess. The percentage of the possible
duration 'ranged from 54 in the English Channel and 42 in
England S.E. and S.W. to 24 in Scotland N., 18 in Ireland
S., and 14 in Ireland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending March 30.

No rain for eleven days,— The days have been as a rule
rather warm, while the nights on the other hand proved
with one exception cold. On the warmest day the tempe-
rature in the thermometer screen rose to 57*^, and on the
coldest night the exposed thermometer registered IL' of
frost. The ground is at the present time at about a season-
able temperature, both at 1 and 2 feet deep. There has
been no rain for 11 days. In order to show how persistent
the rainfall has been for some months I may state that we
have to go back to the beginning of August last to find a dry
period lasting as long. No measureable percolation has
come through either of the soil gauges since the first day of
the past week. The sun shone on an average for 3.^ hours a
day, which is half-an-hour a day short of the average dura-
tion for this period in March. Two days were altogether
sunless. Calms and light airs have alone prevailed, and the
direction has been principally some point between north
and east. The mean amount of moisture in the air at
il o'clock in the afternoon fell short of a seasonable quantity
for that hour by 2 per cent. E. M., Bokhamsled, March 30.
1910.

Plants in Pots, Stc: Average Wholesale Prices rCou^/.;,

s.d. s.d

Spirsea japonica, dz. 9 U-12 u
Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz. ... 9 0-12 0

Cut Flowers. &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

;.d. s.d.

8 D-10 0
10-16

0 G- 0 9
2 0-30
4 0-60

0-3 0

4 0-
1 6-

Acacia dealbata

(mimosa), per

doz. bunches...
Anemones, p. doz.
Azalea, Ghent, pec

bunch

— I'ielderi, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Caila (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (var.)
Carola, and other
special varieties

— second size ...

— smaller, per

doz. bunches 12 0-18 0
Camellias, per doz. 1 6- U 0
Catileyas, per doz.

blooms
Daflodils, best, ptr

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eucharis graiidi-

flora, per dozen

blooms
Freesias, p. dz. bch.
Gardenias, per dz.
Heather (white),

per bunch
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac(Frnch.),p.bch
Liliiim autaliini

f)er bunch
ongillorum ...

— lane i f o liuiu
rubrnni

— Ian c i f o 1 i um
album

Lily of the Vallej,
p, dz. bunches

— extra quality

i.d.s.d.

2 0-

3 0-

1 6-
1 0-

3 0

4 0

2 6
1 6

10-20

6 0-90

2 0-40
16-20

16-20

3 0-
1 0-

1 6-

1 0

16-20

3 0-40

2 0-30
2 0-40

2 0-26
16-20

6 0-90
lii 0 15 0

Margiieiiies, p. ilz.

bunches white

and >ellow
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches
Narcissus poeticus
(Pheasant'sEye),

per doz. bnchs.

— Soleil d'Or ...
O d o n to glossuui

crispum, per

dozen blooms

Pelargoniums, shw.,

per doz. bchs.

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atricana

(Calla), p. doz.
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K ai se ri n A.
Victoria

— C. Mermet

— Liberty

— Mme.Chatenay

— Richmond

— The Bride ....
Spiraa, per doz.

bunches
Stephanotis, 72

"pips" ...

Stocks, per doz.

bunches
Sweet Peas, per
dozen bunches...
Tuberoses, p. gross

— per doz. blooms 0 4-06
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, p. dz, bchs. 16-20

— Parma 16-26

4 0-

60

4 0-

CO

1 6-

2 G

1 0-

2 0

2 0-

3 0

3 0

4 U

1 0-

30

1 fi-

2 0

1 fi-

3 U

2 0-

5 0

2 0-40

2 0-

3U

4 0-60

2 0-30

3 0-40

2 0-
4 0-

4 0
6 0

Cut Foliage, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Adiaiitiiui cunca-
mm, per dozen
bunches

A sparag u s plu-
niosus, long
tiails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

bunch

Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (ling-

lish)

s.d.

s.d.

6 0-

8 0

12 0-18 0

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6-

3 0

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-

3 0

S.d. S.d.
Ferns (French) ... 0 6-09

Galax leaves, pdr

doz. bunches 16-20
Hardy foliage

(various), per

dozen bunches 3 d- 9 0
Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-26

— long tiails per

bundle 0 9-16

— short green,

perdz. bunches 16-26
Moss, per gross ... 4 0-50
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved... 4 0-60

— Fiench ... 10-16
^milax, p. dz. trails 3 0-40

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

s.d. s.d.
Acacia Drummondi,

per dozen ... 24 C-30 0
Ampelopsis Veit-

cliii.per dozen fi 0- 8 0
Aralia Sieboldi, p.

dozen 5 0-80

— larger speci-
mens 9 0-12 0

— Moseri 6 0-80

— larger plants ... 12 0-18 0
Araucaria excelsa.

per dozen ... 12 0-30 0

— large plants,

each 3 6-50

Aspidistras, p. dz.,

green 15 0-24 0

— Tariegated ... 30 0-42 0
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per

dozen 9 0-15 0

— Sprengeri .. 9 0-12 0

— tenuissinins 9 0-12 0
Azaleas, per doz. 30 0-42 0
Begonia Gloire

de Lorraine, p.

dozen 12 0-18 0

Boronia hetero-

phylla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— megastigma ... IS 0-24 0
Cinerarias, per doz. 5 0-80
Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90
Cocos Weddelh-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
Crotons, per dozen 18 0-30 0
Cyclamtn, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per u s alterni-

folius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Daffodils, per doz. 4 0-60
Dracaenas, perdo^. 9 ^^2* o

d. s.d.
Erica gracilis, doz. 10 0-15 0

— hyemalis ... 9 0-15 0

— melantbera ... 9 0-18 0

— persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

Euonymus,per dz.,

in pots 3 0-80

— from the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thunjbs,

per IOC 8 0-12 0

— in small and

large 60's ... 12 0-20 (

— in 48's, pel dz. 4 0-6 C

— choicer sorti... 8 0-12 0

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

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 6 0-90
Grevilleas. per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6 0-9
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Lalania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
L i Hum longi-

florum, per dz. 24 0-36 0
■ — lancifolium, p.

dozen 18 0-30 0

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignonette, per

dozen 6 0-80

Selaginella, p. dcz. 4 0-60

s.d. s.d.
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs ... 16-20
— pots, special ... 9 0-12 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d- s.d.

... 16 0-18 0
... 14 0-17 0
... 14 0-18 0
... 17 0-20 0
... 18 0-20 0
... 16 0-18 U

per

5 6-66
5 0-70

Apples Newtown
(U.S.), per bar-
rel

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :

— Starks

— Baldwin

— Greening

— Russett

— F'allawater

— Ben Davies

— (English)
bushel :

— Annie Eliza-
beth

— Newton Won-
der

— Bramley's Seed-
ling 5 6-76

— Newtown Pip-
pin, per case ... 7 0-80

— Oregon - U 6-14 0

— French Russets 8 0-10 0

— British Colum-
bia 12 0-18 0

Bananas, bunch:

— Doubles ... 10 0 —

— No. 1 „ ... 8 0-10 0

— Extra „ ... 8 0-10 0

— Giant „ ... 9 0-11 0

— Red coloured.., 4 6-60

— Red Doubles... 8 0-90

— Jamaica ,, ... 5 0-56

— Loose, per dz. 0 6-10
Cranberries, p. case 6 6-76
Custard Apples, p.

dozen 6 0-12 0

Grape Fruit, case 10 0-14 0
Grapes, per lb. :

— (Cape)black,per

case, large ... 10 0 —

— „ small ... 5 0-60

— Gros Colmar,
A quality

2 0-
1 0-

1 6-
1 3-

— B quality

— Alicantes, A
quality

— B quality

— Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— (.\Imeria), per

barrel 14 0-20 0

p. 12 lb. baskets .50-80
Lemons, box :

— Palermo, 300...

— „ 360...

— selected, case..
Limes, per case ...
Lychees, per box...

13-20

6 0-90

7 6-90
11 0-13 0

2 6-30
1 6^ 1 9

Mangoes(Cape),per

doz.

Nectarines (Cape),

per box (24 to

28 fruits)
Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag

— Brazils, new,
percwt.

— Barcelona, per
bag

— Cob, per lb —

— Cocoa nuts, 100

— (Italian), p. bag
Oranges—

— Palermo Blood

(80)

(100)

— Californian
Navel, box (96)

— ., ., (112)

— Jaffas, per box

— Denia, per case
(4-20)

— Valencia, pet
case (420) ...

— Messina Bit-
ters, per box...

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case ...

— Tangerine, per
box

— Seville Sours,
per i chest ...

Peaches [Cape),per

box (12)
Pears (Avacado),

per doz.

— (Cape), per box
(24, 28, 32), Wil-
liams'BonChre-
lien

— (Australian), p.
tray

Pineapples, each ...

Plums, (Capel, per
box (15 to 28
fruits), Wick-
son

— (Cape), Apple
per box
Satsuma

— Chalcot, p. box
Strawberries, p. lb.

— seconds

s.d. s.d.

4 0 10 0

5 0-10 0

36 0-42 0

45 0-43 0

82 Q'?A 0
0 3 0 3i

10 0-14 0

11 0-13 0

7 6-86

8 0-96

10 0-U 0

11 0-12 0

8 0-10 0

12 0-22 0

11 0 1:0 0

10 6-11 0

10 0-12 0
14-16

9 G 10 6
0 6-09

15 0-16 0

8 0-12 0
6 0-12 0

2 6-40

4 0-5

3 0-50

4 0-60

9 0-14 0

5 0 7 0

5 0-70
3 0-40
10-20

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
2 0-26
0 9-10

Arlichokes(Globe),
pet dozen

— Jerusalem, i
sieve ..'.

Asparagus, Paris
Green, bundle

— Sprue, bundle

— Lawies. bundle
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),

per lb 0 10-

— Broad(Frencb),
per pad ... 4 0

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to

8 lbs.) 2 6-36

Beetroot, perbushel 16-20
- ■ - ■■2 6 —

4 0-50
0 9-0 10
4 0-56

1 0

5 0

s.d. s.d.

1 0

3 0-

4 0-

3 6

4 6

Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen ... 8 0-10 0
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches 2 9-30

— per bag ... 3 6-40

— unwashed ... 1 G- 1 9
Cauliflowers, tally 6 0-80

— (French), per
crate (24-30) ... 3 6-46

Celeriac, per doz. 16-26

Chicory, per lb. ... 0 2^ 0 3

Cucumbers, perdz. 3 0-40

Endive, per dozen 2 0-23

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle ... 10-13

— 12 bundles ... 12 0-15 0
I.teUs, 12 bundles 10-16
Lettuce (French),

per do/en ... 10-13

— (Cosi.per doz. 3 6-56
Marrows( Madeira),

per doz. ... 12 0-18 0
Mint, doz. bunches 3 0-40
Musluooms.perlb. 0 8-09

— broilers ... 0 6 —
Remarks.— Best quality Canary Tomatos are firmer in

price, but there are plenty of inferior fruits. Ripe Canary
Bananas of good colour and quality are scarce ; most
of the bunches now arriving are frozen. The Grape
trade generally is quiet. The supplies of Canadian and
American Apples are getting shorter, and quantities are
arriving in a damaged condition ; consequently, sound
parcels are realising high prices. Oranges are selling very
slowly ; there are plenty 'n the market. Navel and Jafla
Oranges in good condition may be bought cheaply. The
Lemon trade is verv quiet. Business in vegetables and
fruit is quiet. E. li. Rides. Ccvent Garden, March 30, WW.

Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Dutch), p.

bag

— (English), bag ..

— pickling, p.bshl. 7 0-80

— Spring, per dz.
bunches

— (Valencia), per
case ...

Parsley, i sieve ...
Parsnips, per bag...
Peas (French), pad
Potatos (Algerian),
cwt

— (Channel Is^
lands), per lb,

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

Rhubarb (forced),
doz. bundles...

— Natural, per
tally

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 8-09

Savoys, per tally... 4 0-70

Seakale, per dozen
punnets

Spinach, ^ sieve ...

— (French), crate
Sprouts, i sieve ...

— per bag. 28 lbs.
Sprouting Broccoli,

bag

Stachys tnberosa,

per lb

Tomatos —

— (Teneriffe), per
bundle

Turnip?, 12 bchs....

— bags

— dirty, per bag...
Turnip Tops, bag
Watercress, p. flat 4 0-66

3 0-40

8 0- 9 0
16-36

16-20
3 C- 5 0

12 6-13 0

0 3- 0 4

10 0-15 0

0 5-07
5 6- G G

10 0-

12 0

2 (i-

3 0

2 0-

2 «

1 0-

I 3

1 3-

2 6

1 3-

1 9

0 4-

0 5

7 0 12 0

2 0-

3 0

9, 0-

2 fi

1 11-

2 0

1 0-

2 0

224

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 2, 1910.

BedfordB—

Up-to-Date
Blacklands
Dunbars —

Maincrop
€p-lo-Date.

Lincolns—

Hvergood

percwt.

s.d. s.d.
... 3 0-3 6
... 2 3-29

... 5 3-56
... 4 3-46

.23-29

Sharpe's Express... 3 0-33

per cwt.
Lincolns— s.d. s.d.

Up-to-Pate 3 3-40

Dalmeny Beauty... 3 6-39
Royal Kidney ... 2 6- 2 9
Maincrop ... ..33-39
King Edwards ... 3 3-39

Blackiands 2 9- 3 0

Rents-
Scottish Triumphs 3 6-40
Up-to-Date 3 6-40

Edwird J. Newborn, Covtnt Garden and St. Pancras,
Match 30, WO.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

From the first of April to the end of July the market is
open for the sale of plants each morning. Du/'ng, '"«
other months of the year plants are not sold on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays, the market being then only open
for the sale of cut flowers. Though there are often many
plants left over from the previous day, and many which
arrive with the cut flowers, the rule is strictly enforced,
except in the case of forced bulbs. A year or two ago, the
time for opening the markets for the sale of plaiits and
flowers was altered to 5 a.m. for April, which hour is quite
early enough. Under modern conditions it would be better
for many buyers if it were opened later, and kept open late
enough for them to execute their orders received by post.
In order to supply this late demand, many salesmen have
stores outside the proper flower market. These stores are
on the increase, and it is possible to procure from them
up to mid-day almost anything seasonable at ordinary
market prices. They also do a very large business in
country consignments and orders which often do not arrive
before the market closes at 9 a.m. I noticed the other day
that one salesman had a large number of "expressed
letters." There has been some discussion on this subject,
as the outside stores have been established to the detriment
of the holders of stands in the market who are unable to
take outside accommodation.

With a continuance of fine weather there will soon be a
busy trade in summer bedding plants, and already some
growers have made a start. Buyers who are enabled to
give the plants a little protection will be able to get them on
better terms than they will later on. If some glass were
available it would pay to buy the store boxes of plants and
grow the various subjects on in pots. Last week I noted
quite a number of subjects which could be treated in this
manner. Pansies have opened their flowers well, and this,
with the fine weather, has caused a large trade to be done.
Primroses, Polyanthuses and Daisies are also in flower.
All hardy, herbaceous plants that are usually in demaiid are
procurable. There is not much that is new to record in the
trade in flowering plants. Supplies of all seasonable sub-
jects are abundant, and it may be said unseasonable also,
for through the retarding system many flowering plants may
be had in bloom all through the year. Taking such plants
as Lily of the Valley, Liliums and Spiraeas, those from
retarded roots are the best at the present time. There are
some flowers which still retain their proper season, for
example, Cinerarias; these, though their season may be ex-
tended, refuse to flower all the year round, and Poinsettias
have never been induced to flower in summer ; the earliest I
have known them in bloom is the first week in November,
and the latest I have seen were observed in February.

Cut Flowers.
Though there was a good general Easter trade no exces-
sive prices were made, supplies being abundant. Daffodils
and Tulips have been the prevailing features. Callas and
Liliums were well supplied, and the florists had no difii-
culty in obtaining other subjects. A. H., Covtnt Garden
March 30, 1910.

*,* The Editors will he, glad to receive., for
consideralioii, large pJwtogra'p/is of horticultural
subjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.
Abnormal Peach Flower : E. li. The sepals
have developed into leaves, pre.senting a good
example of a foliaceous calyx. The abnor-
mality is not uncommon in flowers.
American Gardening Papers: D. it Van chr
L., Veenda7n. The Flori.'^ts' lieview, pub-
lished every Thursday by The Florists' Pub-
lishing Co., 530-560, Caxton Building, 334,
Dearborn Street, Chicago ; Horticulture, pub-
lished every Saturday, at 11, Hamilton Place,
Boston, Mass. ; The American Florist, pub-
lished every Saturday by American Florist
Co., 324, Dearborn Street, Chicago; and 7' he
Florists' Exchange, published every Saturday
by the A. T. De La Mare Printing and Pub-
lishing Co., Ltd., 2, 4, 6, and 8, Duane Street,
New York. These are amongst the more im-
portant papers published in the gardening and
nursery trad© interests in the United States.

Aspidistra Leaf; A. P. The leaf appears to
have been eaten by somethiiig or other, but
we cannot say whether by a slug or cockroach.
Examine the plants at night after the lights are
turned out. Perhaps if you sponge the leaves
with quassia extract, this liquid will make
them distasteful to the nocturnal visitors.

Carnations for Market; G. J. T. It would
not bo possible to flower Carnations in the
open in January if covered by bell-glasses as
you suggest, though such covering may induce
an earlier flowering than usual were you to
employ the sections known as " Marguerite "
and " Riviera Market." For the border types
and those known as " American Perpetual "
Carnations the cloches would be quite useless.
In short, we cannot advise you to undertake
the work at all in this country and in the form
you suggest. A better crop, and one likely to
prove to .some extent remunerative, provided
labour is abundant and cheap in your district,
would be the single Violet La France. Any
profitable result, however, would naturally
depend upon the early flowering of the crop
and the quantity available. Winter-flowering
Carnations bloom freely enough in January,
but the plants are ciiltivatcd in houses or
frames.

Gardenia Flowers : G. IP. li. There is no
disease present ; the browning has been caused,
probably, by an excess of moisture in the
atmosphere and keeping the house too close.
Ventilate as opportunity affords, and use less
water.

Names of Fruits: P. E. M., Penrose. The
Apple is Pile's Russet.

Names of Plants : If. H. W. Cornus mas. —
G. W. The specimens are so inadequate and
shrivelled that we give the names with reserve ;
1, Kleinia articulata ; 2, Ophiopogon Jaburan ;
3, not recognised ; 4, Cyrtomium falcatum ; 5.
probably a portion of a Kentia leaf ; 6, Nephro-
..ipis cordata; 7, a young frond of Cyrtomium
caryotideum ; 8, Doi-onicum sp. ; 9, Lithosper-
mum prostratum. — E. J. F. Sophronitis
grandiflora. — T. N. All three specimens
are varieties of Picea excelsa (not Abies) ; 1,
Clanbrassiliana ; 2, pygmsea ; 3, tenuifolia. —
ir. ./. C. Rhododendron prtecox. — T. W . C.
Lamium maculatum var. aureum. — 0. E. 1,
Pleurothallis obovata ; 2, Oncidium pubes, not
Brunleesianum ; 3, Aerides odoratum ; 4, Odon-
toglossum blandum ; 5, Hartwegia purpurea ;
6, Brassia verrucosa; 1, Oncidium flexuosum.
— F. M. 1, Pteris longifolia; 2, P. tre-
mula ; 3, Asplenium trichomanes ; 4, Cysto-
pteris bull)ifcra. — V. Epidendrum bifidum. —
If. P. C. 1, Erythronium dens-canis (Dog's
tooth Violet) ; 2, Omphalodes verna. — A. S. 1,
Cypripedium Argus; 2, C. venustum; 3, Cirr-
hopetalum O'Brienianum ; 4, Chlorophytum
elatunt variegatum. — F. D., Malvern. 1.
Anemone palmata ; 2, A. pidsatilla ; 3, Ompha-
lodes verna ; 4, not recognised ; 5, Cupressus
Lawsoniana ; 6, Thuycpsis dolobrata var.
variegata.

Newly-planted Fruit Trees : L. J . We think
you may safely plant Lucerne in the orchard
"provided you keep a clear, circular space,
3 feet in diameter, around each tree. The re-
sults will be disastrous if the crop is allowed to
approach to the tree stems.

Pe.ich Tree : M. A . P. The trouble has been
caused by aphides, which have deposited
" honey-dew " on the branches. On this sub-
stance a fungus (Fumago varians) has de-
veloped. It is not a parasitic disease, and will
cause no harm to the trees. Fumigate the
house to destroy the green fly, and then cleanse
the branches with soft soap in warm water.

R.H.S. Ceetifioate: Correspondent. The
Royal Horticultural Society hold each year an
examination for schoolmasters who wish to
prove their fitness for teaching elementary
school gardening. You also ask what is re-
quired in order to become a Fellow of the
R.H.S. This is quite a different matter. Any.
one can be elected a Fellow of the R.H.S. on
payment of one guinea a year and one guinea
entrance fee. Professional gardeners are not
asked to pay the entrance fee. Write to the
Secretary of the R.H.S., Vincent Square, West-
minster, iS.W.

Tennis Court : J. C. The following diagram
will illustrate the amount of ground required,
and the lines that are usually made and kept.
The lines A B and B \ indicate a double court
for three or four players ; S S, S S, a single
court for two players ; A A and B B are the
base lines ; C C and C C, service lines ; H H,
half-court line ; N N, net. A court for the

single game is 27 feet wide and 78 feet long ;
and for the double game, 78 feet long and
36 feet wide. The posts for supporting the
net shoidd be placed 3 feet beyond the sides.
The service lines run parallel to the net, and
are 21 feet distant from the same. The net
should bo 3 feet high in the centre, and 3 feet
6 inches at the posts, which are put 2 feet or
3 feet outside the line, to allow of the net

7tJ : feet

42 ; feet

78 '■ feet

dropping. When the outside measurements
have been taken, and a line drawn straightly
and tightly, it may be marked with the
machine made for the purpose, or by the use
of a whitewash brush and a solution of whit-
ing, lime and water. The machine is better,
because by its use it is easier to obtain per-
fectly straight and thin lines. These particu-
lars are taken from the Calendar of Garden.
Operations, of which a new edition wiU
shortly be issued from the offices of this jour-
nal, price 7id. free by post.

Value of House and Land : S. A. P. It is not
possible to form a correct estimate of the value
of house and land property when information
regarding situation of house, depth, quantity,
and aspect of land is withheld. Moreover, you
do not say whether you contemplate buying or
leasing the property you refer to in your note.
We will assume the latter to be your intention.
The value of the 2=, acres of Strawberry plants
(say, 17,425 plants), in full bearing, should, it
the ground is good and has been liberally
dressed with farmyard manure, yield an average
crop of % lb. of ripe fruit per plant — 3,068 lbs.
(about 5 tons I65- cwt. weight of fruit). Thus,
at 2d. per lb., the crop would tmount to
£108 8s. (gross). The cost of gathering the
fruit, for market would be one halfpenny; to
three farthings per lb., according to the weight
of the crop~£27 4s. 6d. at the former price,
and £45 16s. 9d. at the latter scale. Adding to
this amount about £12 salesman's commission,
market expenses, and freight of goods by rail,
it would reduce the total to £50 lis. 3d. The
question now is, how much of this amount the
landlord should receive as rent for the 2^ acres
of Strawberry plants in full bearing. We think
£10 would be a fair allowance for the second
and third year of the plants fruiting. After
the third year of fruiting the plants should
be ploughed into the ground, when the neces-
sary number of the strongest-rooted runners for
making fresh plantations have been taken.
After the third crop of fruit has been gathered,
only the ordi:iary rent per aero as charged for
uncropped land in the neighbourhood should be
paid. You do not give any particulars of the
mixed fruit trees growing in the one-acre
orch.ird. If the trees (about 108 in number)
are fairly established, and they consist of good
market varieties, in a clean and vigorous con-
dition, £7 would be a fair rent to pay for the
orchard, and 6s. per week would be a fair rent
for the eight-roomed house attached thereto,
providing a good supply of water is available
for domestic purposes. The rent of cottage
may be 2s. 6d. per week, and the 3 acres of
adjoining land (after the third crop of Straw-
berries has been taken) £1 per acre, or what-
ever money value land is let at in the district.
We are assuming the house and cottage are in
good condition.

Communicntions Received.— W. T., Jamaica- W. 0.
— W. W. P.— Redhill Gardeners' Assoc.— Bristol Gar-
deners' Assoc— R. R.— Lacy— H. & Co., Ltd.— F. D.,
France— P. Soriyens— B. D. K.— Leafless— A. D —
H. a. T.— E. H. J,-R. P. B.-J. G.-.J. D.-W. P.—
J. D. G.— P. P.— A. B., La Mortola-W.- A. G. D,—
G. W.— W. B. H.— B, G.— Rev. J.— C. & S.— J. H. E.

AiTviL 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

2'^D

THE

^arbencrs'CbronicIc

Wo. 1,215.— SATimDAY, April 9, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine plants. lecture on

234

Selection versus hy-

American notes —

bridisation

a-i^

Leitneria floridana ...

228

Shakespeare Festival

Apples, late culinary ...

234

Celebrations ...

23a

Books, notice'; nf—

Societies—

Botanical Magazine,

Linnean

23B

the plates of the ...

234

Nursery and Seed

Carnation Year-B^ok

2:m

Trade

23H

The Simple Carbo-

Royal Horticultural

2:-i4

hydrates and the

Scottish HoVticultural

233

Gluco.sides

230

Trade notice

238

Capparis spinosa

2-M

Trees, the management

Cyclamen

233

of common and street

232

Dahlias

234

Vegetation.comparative

Dover House, Roe-

stages of

2*/;

hampton

225

Ventnor, a note from ..

234

Fruit-growing in Mid-

Walker, Mr. James ...

2;j;j

Ulster

233

Wallflower, the old

International Exhibi-

English double

2:'4

tion, 191'> ... 233

237

Wall trees, pruning ...

2;.4

Obituary-

Week's work, ihe —

Denning, William ...

240

Flower garden, the ...

231

Ryan, Thomas

240

Fruits under glass ...

231

Pampas Grass and Tri-

Hardy fruit garden, the

231

tomas, effect of

234

Kitchen garden, the...

230

Rhododendron primu-

Orchid houses, the ..

230

linum

2B

Plants under glass ...

230

Rosary, the —

Wisley Gardens, sprmg

Cultural hints for

flowers in the

22-)

April

2-26

Wythes, Mr. George ...

233

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Denning, William, portrait of the late ..-

Dover House gardens, views in

(and Supplementary Illustration)

Lonicera pileata

Rhododendron primulinum

240

225, 226, 227

236
229

DOVER HOUSE.

(See figs. 98, 99 and 100, and Supplementary Illustration.)

Dover House, Roehamjjton, is one of the
show places in the immediate vicinity of
London. Situated only about 7 miles from
Charing Cross, the gardens are distinctly sub-
urban, yet so admiraWy are they maintained
that it is difficult to believe that London lies
so near. The e,state consists of about 170
acres, of which the pleasure grounds and gar-
dens occupy 18 acres, including the fruit and
veget-able cjuarters, which amount to 6g acres.
The upper picture in the supplementary illus-
tration shows the south front of the house
and part of the formal flower garden, which
at present remains just as it was designed in
1863 for one of the EarLs of Clifden. In the
circular bed may be seen the stem of a some-
what decrepit specimen of Araucaria inibri-
cata, for which a sentimental regard is en-
tertained, but which cannot be expected to
live much longer in its present unsuitable
conditions. In the meantime a kindly care is
expended in draping the exposed tiiink with
ornamental vines and similar plants. At the
jiresent time this flower garden is brilliant
with flowering bulbs, Wallflowers and other
spring-blooming plants ; but in summer the

beds are planted in the manner shown in the
illustration, although the details are varied
from year to year for the sake of variety.
At every sea.son, excepting the dullest winter
months, a display of flowers of one kind or
another is maintained. Tlie lower picture in
the supplementary' illustration shows a portion
of the pleasure ground, situated immediately
in front of the house, on the same side as the
flower garden, and divided from the Roehamp-
ton Road by an Oak and brick fence. It is
surprising, considering the narrow strip of
ground on the right-hand side of the path,
how well careful planting has screened the
fence and concealed the boundary. The
limited extent of the pleasure grounds
is compensated bj' the choicene.ss of the
plants which they contain. In recent
years many old shrubberies have been re-
moved, and beds of a size appropriate to the

tance as bright as a floral group, and it is
certainly one of the most effective arrange-
ments of Ivy that have come before our notice.
The subsoil of the estate being pure
gravel, it was necessary in this, and all
such cases, to remove the staple soil, and
substitute for it a compost suitable for the
particular plants which are used. On every
hand instances of similar careful plant-
ing abound. Large beds here and there
contain some of the choicest and most
effective Rhododendrons, each variety
grouped separately. Pink Pearl is represented
by a huge group, in which some of the
earliest plants distributed are now acquir-
ing a considerable size, another group con-
tains about 100 plants of Doncaster, which is
one of the most effective scarlet Rhododen-
drons, but whose habit would be better if
it were less dwarf. A third bed contains the

^

^JH

■H^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H'-

^^^1

^'^^iWH!

"''"^^^^ *^ ^^^^^^^l^^l^l^

ill iiiiiMiiMi^^^ii " *

' . , ySHHPHHIII^Bill

HI^I^I^IIIIIHHHIIIM yfffW -^

" ■ • ■ - - . - » ■

•

„T^^^csJ:k ^Weredith

Fig, gS. — roses .^t Dover house gardens.

grounds have been formed for the purpose of
nias.sing in them the best flowering siirubs,
and shrubs with variegated, or brilliantly-
coloured foliage. The bed shown in the lower
picture illustrates particularly well how care-
fully the planting is carried out, each speci-
men, having proper room for development,
can be seen perfectly in all its outlines.

In this portion, and just in full view of
the house windows, a bed has been planted
recently with specimen Ivies. The talle.st
|>lants are grouped in the centre, and the
dwarfest at the edges in order that the bed
shall present a gootl effect when viewed from
any side. The idea has been to provide .a
bright effect in winter, therefore, the most
variegated sorts have been favoured, and the
Nur.series have been ransacked, in order to
get the best. ■ As we looked upon the effect a
few weeks ago, it appeared at a short dis-

variety John Walter, whilst Lord Palmerston,
a rosy-crimson variety with a large yellow
blotch, gives a good account of itself in
other beds, in close proximity to beds of
Rhododendron molle (Azalea mollis) var. An-
thony Koster. Interspersed with these floral
beds are others of similar size, planted with
Holly, large specimens of Japanese Maples,
and other species. Here and there the path is
spanned by an arch covered with Vitis
Coignetise and other species, as shown in the
illustration, and with varieties of climbing
Roses.

In fig. 98 a view is given of one portion of
the rosary. In making the Rose garden the
soil was excavated to a depth of 3 feet, and
the beds filled with Banstead loam over
6 inches of clay. By this means the Roses are
made to thrive in a garden where Roses could
scarcely be expected to succeed under natural

226

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 9, 1910.

conditions. In the same illustration Violas
may be .seen iu full flower, for they are used
as a groundwork. Violas furnish another in-
stance of plants which are peculiarly unsuit-
able for such soutliern gardens as iiave a
staple like that at Dover House, but which,
■nhen provided with a suitable soil may be
made to flourish. The head gardener, Mr. J.
F. McLeod, devotes considerable attention to
Violas, which he propagates year by year by
cuttings inserted oui^of-doors in September ;
the}' receive no protection during winter be-
yond that afforded by a hedge. Hand-lights,
so frequently u.sed for Viola propagation in
other districts, have been found unnecessary

mens in the country, but it is interesting to
note that a very similar tree thrives in the
garden at Broome House, Fulham, the resi-
dence of Miss Sullivan. Another interesting
tree (see fig. 100) at Dover House is a good
specimen of the Judas tree (Cercis Siliquas-
trum), which blooms freely evei'y season.

In the glass houses a first-rate represen-
tation is maintained of the choicest, tender,
flowering and foliage plants; indoor fruit cul-
ture includes vine. Peach, Melon, Fig cultiva-
tion, and the forcing of Strawberries. AH
the fruit trees flourish and bear crops quite as
well as if they were growing in a place 100
miles from Loudon. One Peach house is fur-

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL HINTS FOR APRIL.

Most of the pruning, except in the ease of
the tender sorts, such as those of the Tea and
Noisette sections, w'ill be nearly finished, and
the tender ones can be dealt with during the
present month. Where any plant has been
severely damaged by the frost, cut the shoots
well back to a prominent bud on sound wood :
the most severely pruned Rosea often produce
the best blooms for e.thibition purposes. All pro-
tecting material, including soil that has been
heaped about the stems, should now be removed.
The wisdom of thinnmg out useless spray and
weakly growths during the past summer will

Fig.

[Phoiograpk by 1!'. /. Vusey.

99. — VIEVlf JN THE KITCHEN GARDEN AT DOVER HOUSE.

here, and, as a rule, not more than 5 per cent.
of the cuttings fail to .strike.

In fig. 99 is illustrated a small portion of
the kitchen garden, and the path leading
from it towards the front of the liouse and
pleasure ground. It will be seen that the
vegetable quarters are in most cases bor-
dered with flowering plants, so that tliis
kitchen garden is made to present a de-
corative and smart appearance. Cordon Pear
and Apple trees may be seen growing on the
freshly whitewashed walls, and Rose arches
relieve the general effect, whilst behind the
wall is the great specimen of purple Beech,
which stands close to the front of the resi-
dence. This Beech is one of the finest speci-

nished entirely with a single tree, which is
now in the very best of health, and measures
18 feet by 30 feet. It bears an enormous crop
of fii-st-rate fruits each year. On previous
occasions we have referred to the new Palm
house, and the new Orchid houses and Cor-
ridor, and in the issue for November 6 last,
illustrations were given of the model fruit
room, which was rendered necessary by the
greatly increased yield from the out-door
fruit trees which have been planted during
the past 20 years. We may, therefore, re-
serve any further notes of this interesting
place for a subsequent issue, when we hope
to have something to say of the head gar-
dener.

now be apparent in the firm, well-ripened wood
which, up to the present, has not been damaged
by frost. The pruning of the Tea-scented,
Hybrid Tea and Noisette varieties may be begun.
Cut out all immature wood ; shorten tlie strongest
growtlis a few inches, and the weaker ones to
quite a third of their length — in many cases to
three or four buds. All suckers should be cut
away at the time of pruning. The latest planted
bushes should be pruned hist.

Insect pests will soon become troublesome en
Roses out-of-doors, and they nmst be summarily
combated by a warm infusion of tobacco, soft
soap and quassia extract. Use the specific in
mild weather at nightfall, and wash it off well
with clear water the following morning.

All surface mulcliings, especially ■ over plants

April 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

227

raised from cuttings, should be made good for
the season : the litter, if objected to as un-
sightly, may be covered with a thin layer of soil.
Stake and tie securely all standards and climbers.
Spare beds may be made very effective with a
raised centre of wood trellis or wirework covered
with good varieties of Wichuraiana Roses, such
as Delight, Hiawatha, Minnehaha, and Jersey
Beauty, all of which are distinct. A pleasing
effect is also to be had with a bed of Rosa
rugosa, Blanche do Coubert, the creamy-white,
semi-double flowers of which are very striking,
as also later on are the scarlet hips. Most of the
kinds I have mentioned may be procured as
established pot plants from the nurserymen, and,
indeed, for late planting, this is the only course
to adopt. The seedling Briars will soon be
coming through the ground. If the soil is
dry, thoroughly soak the rows with water, to
enable the seedlings to break through the. seed-
bed. Should fresh Roses be required for forcing
in the autumn, it is not too late to put up some
maiden plants in 6-inch pots in a mixture of two-
thirds good, turfy loam, and the remainder.

milder weather prevails. Cut out all weakly
shoots that are not likely to flower, and, if mildew
appears, syringe the plants with soft soap tho-
roughly dissolved in hot water at a temperature
of 90° to gS". Spray well under and over the
foliage. The early forced plants of Hybrid Per-
petual Roses and the later ones also, when flower-
nig is done, should be taken into cooler fjuarters,
and, when gradually hardened off, plunged out-
side for further use next season. Those of the
Tea-scented section, if kept rather dry at the
roots and top-dressed later on with turfy loam and
bone-dust, will come in later, and be useful for
autumn flowering.

The repotting of autumn and spring grafted
Roses should soon be completed ; the first batch
should now be strong and vigorous, and will be
ready next month for plunging outside for the
season, A goodly number of the cuttings in the
hot-beds will now be rooted, and, as they become
ready, should lie repotted into 4-inch and 4^-inch
pots and placed in a fresh hot-bed, prepared
in advance. The plants will require care-
ful watering ; a light syringing overhead is

Fig. 100, — cercis siliquas'^kum in dover house g.\rdens.

sharp sand and well-decayed nanure. In pot-
ting, make the soil quite firm. Plants with
three or four well-ripened shoots should be se-
lected, and, if kept plunged outside all the sea-
son, they will be i-eady for gentle f'jrcing in
Novembe-r. The old plants that have been
forced for some years may be gradually dispensed
with, for, after being forced for some years, they
become exhausted, and the quality of the flowers
deteriorates.

The final batch of pot Roses may now be
brought into the house and lightly pruned.
Except for an occasional use of the hot water
system during dull weather and cold nights, fire-
heat may be dispensed with entirely towards the
end of April. Keep the plants free from insect
pests by fumigation or vaporising ; allow them
plenty of sunlight and fresh air, with the neces-
sary moisture, using weak liquid manure on alter-
nate waterings. The weather during April is very
changeable, cold rains and winds alternating with
hot sunshine, and ventilation will need great
car» Fresh air should be admitted at the bot-
tom of the house, so as not to come directly
on the plants, and very little, if any, should be
allowed to enter by the top ventilators until

all the moisture they require for the first
few days, and they should be kept shaded from
direct sunlight. Keep the frames covered at
night-time to maintain the requisite heat. If
the old hot-bed is made up with fresh linings
it will be useful for accommodating the newly-
potted cuttings, which must be kept close and
shaded for a time, but afterwards they may re-
ceive a little air admitted at the back. U.se t«pid
water to the roots as required. The amount of
water to be given to Roses planted out under
glass depends largely on the nature and construc-
tion of the border and whether the soil is light
or tenacious in character. If in any doubt, make
a hole a foot or so down, and, if the soil therein
is very dry, give a thorough soaking of water.
Soil, to be well aerated and sweet, must be
efficiently drained, and should have mixed with
it plenty of lime siftiiigs. Good, strong,
yellow loam, some well-fermented manure,
and several thin layers of g-inch bones form
a suitable staple manure, and will provide
all that will be required for some time to come.
An occasional tcp-dressing or a little fertiliser
will assist the plants after they are w^ell estab-
lished, whilst two or three light sprinklings of

lime on the surface will tend to counteract any
sourness or acidity in the coil, and liberate the
plant-food. Maintain a moist atmosphere, ply
tho syringe well amongst the foliage, and give an
abundance of fresh air whenever the weather per-
mits. A little (ire-heat during damp weather
will dry up excess of moisture, but, after the
buds and flowers are cut, artificial warmth may
be dispensed with altogether. J . D. Godwin.

COMPARATIVE STAGES OF VEGETATION.

From records of stages of vegetation kept for
17 years previous to the current year, some inter-
esting comparisons with those of this season may
be made. For the first seven years the records
were made in a suburb of London, where vege-'
tation is about as forward as it is where I haft'e .
since been living, about 50 miles further to the
south, and near to the coast.

This year the Snowdrop was in full blossom on
February 16. It has been as early, or a day or
two earlier, on several occasions. The Yellow
Crocus, on the contrary, has never been in full
bloom earlier than it was this season, namely,
February 20. A bunch of Double Yellow Daffo-
fils was gathered on March 7. In the same place,
a bunch was picked on February 28, 1903, but
not so early in any ot.her year. No Wallflowers
were in bloom on March 31, though the buds were
showing. They have been as forward on Febru-
ary 16, and in 1903 they were half out at the end
of March. The comparison, however, is not of
much significance, because much depends upon
'he condition of the seedlings when planted out,
and on the time of planting. The Almond was
not at all early this season, not being in bloom
before March 31, whereas it was fully out on the
first day of that month in the early season of
1903, and in several other years it has been in
full blossom in the middle of March.

Turning to shrubs and certain trees, the Elder
was a quarter in leaf on Jlarch 1. It was as far
advanced on January 31, 1898, the earliest season
for starting vegetation of which I have any re-
cord. But, in that year, a prolonged check fol-
lowed the premature development, so that many
subjects of observation were but little, if any,
more forward at the end of March than they had
been on January 31. In 1903 the Elder was half
in leaf on March 1, but in other years it was not
more forward than this season. Other premature
developments in 1898 were those of the Willow,
which was in the pretty stage of feathery green-
ness, seen when the buds are bursting all along
the slender shewts, on February 20 ; and the Haw-
thorn, which was a quarter in leaf on the same
date. Neither was appreciably more advanced
at the end of March. This year the Willow was
less forward on March 31, while the Hawthorn,
in sheltered situations, was a (juarter in leaf,
being as early as in any year of observation other
than 1898. Lilac leaf was less than a quarter out
this year at the end of March, whereas it has been
as far advanced by the beginning of that month,
and in 1898 the buds were bursting on Janu-
ary 31. A similar comparison holds good for the
leafing of the Wild Honeysuckle and the Black-
berry. The flowering Currant was in full beauty
on March 31. It has never been more than a few
days earlier in the years of observation, but has
been as forward in about half of them. Horse
Chestnut buds were well burst at the end of last
month, as is usual in the majority of seasons.
Very seldom have they been earlier in bursting.
The Hazel is not forward, no approach to the
bursting of buds being noticeable at the end of
!March. whereas that state was reached in 1903
and 1905 at the date named. The middle of
April, however, has been a more common date.

More practical importance atta<:hes to observa-
tion on fruit bushes and trees. Gooseberries haTo
often been earlier in leafing and in showing blossom
buds than they were this season. The leaf-buds
were beginning to burst on March 1, and blossom-
buds were showing to a great extent on the 31bI.
In 1894 the bushes were nearly half in leaf on

228

THE GARUENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Apbil 9, 1910.

February 8, and in 1896 they were in the same
stage on March 16. The leaf was a quarter out
on February 20, 1898, and the blossom was full
at the end of JIarch, 1905, Black Currants were
a quarter in leaf at tlie end of last month, but not
showing any blossom-buds. In 1902 and 1905
they were in half-leafage on the corresponding
dates, but were not as early in any other year of
observation, I'he same comparison applies to
Red Currants, except that they were a day or
two behind Blacks in showing leaf this year,
though they showed some blossom-buds on April
2, while Blacks showed none. Nectarines on a
wall in the open were in full bloom at the end
of last month, a stage reached 11 days
earlier in 1894, and 10 days earlier in 1896. In no
other year of observation were they more forward
than in the present year. No Peaches other than
a few standards are grown by me in the open,
and they are later than they would be if on
walls, only a few blossoms being open when Nec-
tarines were in full bloom on a wall. The fruit-
buds of early Pears were burst on Jlarch 25.
showing clusters of blossom-buds beginning to
emerge from their sheaths. In 1893 the like
stage was reached on March 11, and in 1896, 1897
and 1898 on the 20th or 21st of the month. In
1899 a few buds had burst on February 20, and
in 1903 the trees were in full blossom on March
31. These comparisons show that Pears, although
dangerously advanced, are less so than they have
been on several occasions.

The buds of Monarch, Czar, and Black
Diamond Plums were on the point of bursting on
March 31. They had been nearly as forward for
a few days, but had been checked by north-east
v.ind and slight frosts at night. In 1903
Monarchs were in full blossom on JIarch 25, and at
the end of the month in 1905 they were nearly as
advanced, but not in any other year of observa-
tion. Plums and Cherries are dangerously for-
ward, the fruit buds of both having been on the
point of bursting at the end of March, Only in
1903 have I any record of equal precocity. Rasp-
berry leaf was a quarter out at the same date.
It was a little earlier in 1898 and 1903, but later
in other years. Apples are relatively more for-
ward than any other fruit. The clusters of blos-
som buds were unsheathed on Beauty of Bath and
Golden Spire at the end of March, an early de-
velopment noticed only in 1899, 1902, and 1903.
These were the only varieties out of a great num-
ber grown to show such precocity this season.
In some previous years Iri.sh Peach, Mr. Glad-
stone, and Bismarck have been nearly or quite
abreast of the two varieties which are ahead at
present.

It is impossible to avoid feeling some anxiety
with respect to the forwardness of Plums, Cher-
ries, Pears, and Apples. The danger is greatest
in relation to the first two fruits, because their
blossoms expand much more quickly than those
of Pears and Apples, The flower-buds on the
latter two fruit trees are safe enough from any
ordinary frost to be anticipated at this season of
the year until they unfold, and this development
may be delayed by the recent bitterly cold north-
east wind and night frost. On the other hand.
Plums and Cherries would be brought into full
blossom by a few sunny days, and probably will
be in that stage before these remarks are before
their readers.

In the night of April 2 there were 6° of frost
at my station, as measured 4^ feet above the
ground level. This was the nearest approach to
severity measured since January, and it was suffi-
cient, perhaps, to kill any stray blossoms of Plums
that were expanded. Let us hope that it was also
sufficient to kill any mother-queen aphides and
any Apple suckers that had hatched. No doubt
the frost was much more severe in the inland
districts of the country.

In further reference to the aphis, it is worth
while to mention that the examination of some
hundreds of Plum and Apple trees during the
week ended on April 2 failed to disclose a single
egg, while only two mother-queens were found.

A good lens was used, and trunks and branches,
as well as fruit spurs, were examined. Does this
indicate immunity from aphis infestation? I fear
not ; for my experience in hunting for the pests
and their eggs last year was similar, and yet we
had the worst infestation that I have ever seen.
Whence come the aphides, when they are not
hatched from eggs on the fruit trees? Apparently
no c ne knows. Myrobella Plums and Blackthorns
in the hedges were included in my examination,
and no aphis or aphis egg was found on either.
Eggs of Apple suckers were found on Apple trees,
though not in great number ; and on both Plum
a.:d Apple spurs there are myriads of tiny red
globular eggs, which one entomologist thinks are
those of the red spider, and another believes to
be those of harmless beetle mites.

Fruit-growers may be excused from appre-
ciating the beauty of the natural arrangement
under which the hatching of insect and similar
pests synchronises with the varying stages of
vegetation in different seasons, ApiJarently
meteorological conditions influence development
in vegetable and insect life simultaneously, so
that when the opening foliage is fit for the aphis
and the Apple sucker, these pests are ready for
the foliage, ^-l iSuutkern Gruioer.

AMERICAf^ f^OTES.

LEITNERIA FLORIDANA.

The Cork Wood (^Leitnena Floridana) is a tall,
slender shrub or small tree. It grow's spar-
ingly in JMissouri, and is rarely found m the inter-
vening area between Missouri and the saline
shores of the northern side of the Gulf of Mexico,
It occurs usually in swampy situations with the
roots immersed in water. The plant is said to
attain to the height of a small tree of 20 feet,
with a trunk 4 inches to 5 inches in diameter.
The simple alternate leaves are from 4 inches to
6 inches long and Ij inches to 2j- inches broad,
and at maturity bright green above r-nd pubes-
cent below. The catkin-like, staminate and pis-
tillate flowers are borne on different individnaLs.
The staminate catkins are more than twice as
large as the pistillate. The flowers are \ello\vi.sh
and come in bloom at Rochester about the
middle of April. In Missouri they bloom eariy
in March.

About four years since. Professor William Tre-
lease, director of the Botanic Gardens, >St. Louis,
Missouri, gave us about 12 plants, which were
planted in peat amongst Azale:i5 in a warm, pro-
tected hollow in Highland Park — one of the parks
of the city pari system. They have made ex-
cellent growth, and some of them are over 5 feet
high, and have apparently commenced to sucker,
which is a marked feature of the species in a
wild state, and up to the present time they shinv
no ill effects from our severe winters. This ap-
pears to us to be rather remarkable, as the sta-
tion in Jlissouri is about 400 miles south of Ro-
chester. It is true there are many plants that
show as much hardihood as far removed from
their native haunts to a northern latitude as the
Leitneria, but they are usually at a higher alti-
tude, or occupy more exposed positions than this
plant does.

In .1 private letter to the writer a thort time
since. Professor Trelease said, in regara to Leit-
neria Floridana: " It behaves like a pl.ant v.hich
has taken to the swamps to escape competition,
like the Cypress, and not like a swamp plant by
nature ; and, like the Cypress, it goes through
our summer drought with no more care than we
give to ordinary shrubbery, and it suckers freely
everywhere."

It is said to be the lightest wood known, and
weighing about 12^ lbs. to the cubic foot, is
lighter than cork. In contrast with it might be
placed the Black Iron Wood (Krugiodendron
ferreum), which is the heaviest known Ameri-
can wood, and weighs about 81.14 lbs. to the
cubic foot. The Cork Wood is used by fisher-

men in Florida for floating fishing nets. The
ordinal position of Leitneria has been con.sider-
ably discussed by botanists. At the present time
it is maintained in Leitneiicss by Engler, anii
is placed between Myricacere and Salicaoeae.

It is not of any particular ornamental value,
but is botanically of much interest. John
Dunbar, Bochester, N.Y., U.S.A.

SPRING FLOWERS AT WISLEV.

It is ahvays a delightful experience to see
spring-flowering bulbs and other hardy subjects
arising from the grass or natural moss covering of
the soil, as if they had come there by natural
means. In trim beds and borders, bulbs have a
less natural appearance, are later in making their
growth, and seem most appropriate when asso-
ciated with formal gardening. Towards the end
of March I had the pleasure of inspecting the
gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at
WLsley. and in particular the wild garden laid out
and planted by the late G. F. Wilson. Many of
the plants have reproduced themselves from seed,
and come up in a variety of jjositions and groups.

A large colony of Narcissus cyclamineus is par-
ticularly interesting on account of the variation
in size and form of the flowers, some of which are
as large as N. .Tohnstonii, sliowing how well the
sandy but moist soil of the low grounds suits
them. The trumpet, in many cases, is deeply
fringed and more or less revolute, and in sucli
cases :t is proportionately shortened, as hap-
pens in other species having a long corona.
Narcissus Bulbocodium springs up frequently on
the grass and under deciduous trees and bushes,
showing endless variation in the size and colour
of the flowers, and closely resembling N. B.
citrinus, N. B. conspicuus, and other named
varieties. .Many of them are of the palest lemon,
almo.it white, with much larger flowers th n N. H.
monophyllus. Leucojum vernum is also perfectly
at home, some of the plants bearing twin flowers
on a scape, like L. v. carpaticum. The European
Dog's-tooth Violet (Erythronium Dens-canis) has
the most handsomely marbled foliage of all the
species and was the first to bloom, none of the
American species having made their appearance.
Narcissus obvallaris and other named and name-
less early varieties were flowering in all sorts of
positions.

The bright yellow Viola biflora, from the
European Alps, was flowering in shade all over
the garden like a weed, and no doubt most of the
plants are self-sown. V. biflora is one of the
Violets, not a Pansy. The Rue Anemone (Thalic-
trum anemonoides) I have never seen so happy
as on a sloping piece of ground, lightly shaded
by trees. Its white flowers are more like
an Anemone than the great majority of the
Thalictrums. Under similar conditicns, Anemcnj
nemorosa Robinsoniana thickly starred the
ground with its lavender-coloured blossoms.
Close by, Meconopsis integrifolia was pushing up
its flower-buds. All the above-named plants,
from Viola biflora to Meconopsis, rejoice in a
little shade by which the ground is kept cool and
moist, Wilson's blue Primrose, in a great
variety of colours, keeps them company in its old
home, secure from London fog and the deposit of
tilth on the foliage which are so inimical to Prim-
roses generally, and this strain in particular. In
the sandy, moist soil of the wood, Shortia galaci-
folia grows almost as strong as Galax aphylla.

Early-flowering shrubs are a conspicuous
feature in March and April, and their choice
character recalls the knowledge and discrimin:.-
tion of the master-hand that planted them.
Kalmia latifolia, on a gently rising mound, makes
a bush 5 feet high and 8 feet through. Pieris
japonica measures 7 feet by 7 feet at the least,
and has been covered with its drooping racemes
for some time past, like showers of pearly spray.
The inflorescence of P. floribunda is erect, the
flowers whiter, and clumps of it are 8 feet high.
Large patches of the sweet-scented Daphne
Blagayana. in full bloom, show that they have

ArRiL 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

229

received proper treatment for years past. It
is never so happy as when its procumbent
branches have been weighted with pieces of stone,
like the debris which has tumbled down from a
mountain side. Healthy masses of Skimmia
japonica, 6 feet high, are still carrying last year's
berries and showing the flowers that will pre-
sently expand. This, like Pieris, is also planted
on a low mound. A well-furnished specimen of
Ile.x latifolium stands about 25 feet high, and

respect it differs from every other European
Willow. It blooms every year at Wisley, a little
above the level of a small pond, but in a situa-
tion where the natural drainage from the high
ground above it keeps the ground perpetually
moist. Near by, under similar conditions, the
American Cranberry still carries its last year's
berries, overlooked by birds or distasteful to
them.

A more recent addition to the garden is Nut-

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

Fig. IOI. — KimDODENDRON PRIMUI INCM.

still carries the small, red berries of last yea.r. It
is usually trained upon a wall, but here it is
merely sheltered by other trees and bushes.

The woolly Sallow (Salix lanata) is rare in culti-
vation, at least in Britain, and often dies out even
when planted under seemingly favourable condi-
tions. An inhabitant of the coldest parts of
mountains and northern region's, it dislikes warm
and dry situations. The long, silky catkins are
densely clothed with yellow hairs, and in that

tallia cerasiformis, or Oso Berry, that strange
rosaceous shrub, with drooping racemes of
strongly fragrant flowers. The most common
form in this country bears male flowers only, but
a few of the bushes are monoecious, some racemes
being wholly male and others wholly pseudo-
hermaphrodite, the stamens being imperfect.
The pistil consists of five carpels, and the bush
ripens its small, red. Cherry-like fruits in early
autumn. A Fellow.

SELECTION VERSUS HYBRIDISATION.

Cross fertilisation is undoubtedly a great fac-
tor in the improvement of most flowering plants,
yet careful selection of plants for seeding-pur-
poses is the basis of all good results, and it re-
quires years of experience to find out which are
the best varieties of any particular class of plants
to breed from. My experience has proved that
it is not always the finest hybrids or most showy
varieties which prove the best parents. A good
fixed type is needed to start upon, and it may
bo crossed with another of a better colour. I
have carried out a good deal of cross fe?»ilisatiou
and have made many mistakes.

The older generation of growers know the
value of selecting plants for their own stock
before selling any, but there are others who sell
the best and depend upon the refuse for increas-
ing their stock, a method sure to prove di.sas-
tious. I have been asked the question, " Why
I is it that market growers excel?" It is this
way. Where some thousands of plants are grown
for sale, a good grower is careful to select only
the very best for seeding, but those who grow
for seed only, merely discard the worst typis,
therefore the selection is less severe in the latter
case.

It is much the same in regard to plants grown
from cuttings, the first and strongest plants should
be reserved to propagate from. The treatment of
stock plants is often neglected in a busy season,
with the result tliat they become infested with
insect pest«. While in charge of a large estab-
lishment, I made a point of selecting for stock
both for seeding and for propagating from cut-
tings. There may be some subjects which do
not require so much care in the way of selec-
tion. An experienced grower once said that no
two plants were exactly alike, and I renjember
that a shepherd once said he knew the face of
every sheep in a large flock. We do not often
realise these things, yet it is a fact that there
are great variations in individuals, and careful
selection for stock is the first step towards suc-
cess.

Take Chrysanthemums, for instance. A grower
will cut his finest blooms for show purposes and
the plant may be cleared out, while the same
variety with the flowers of a poorer quality may
be kept for stock. I remember years ago, when
growing Carnations, I started with a strong,
healthy stock, and for several years kept up a
good stock, yet later, when a large trade was
done, I had to increase the stock as best I could,
and the results were bad.

In seedling Conifers there is great variation.
Perhaps Cupressus Lawsoniana varies most. The
same thing occurs in various other cultivated
species. I am reminded of a remark which a
friend made in regard to colours. It was to the
effect that while under natural or normal con-
ditions very slight variations are seen, as soon
as animals or plants come under the influence of
man, we get variations of colour. A. Hemsley.

RHODODENDRON PRIMULINUM.

The plants of this species are dwarfs, and
flower when but a few inches in height. R.
primulinum bears a large number of yellow
flowers, each about 1 in. in diameter, and, as
will be seen on reference to fig. 101, occur-
ring in clusters of about four or five. Plants
were discovered by Mr. E. H. Wilson, when
plant-collecting for Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons,
in China, and it was from seeds sent home
by him that the specimen shown in fig. 101
was raised. The plant attracted considerablo
attention at the R.H.S. meeting on March 22.
wiien the Floral Committee conferred on it ;.n
.Award of Merit. The species was first described
by Mr. W. Botting Hemsley in the Oardcncrs'
C'hronirle. January 1, 1910, p. 4.

230

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[Aran. 9, 1910.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Plant-Chemistry.*

Though the leisure be denied him to keep
abreast of the many advances in the study of
the chemistry of plants, the horticulturist cannot
but regard with satisfaction the activity dis-
played by chemists in the investigation of the
organic compounds of vegetable origin. In illus-
tration of this activity, we may cite the excel-
lent series of monographs )io-chemistry issued
by Jlessrs. Longman under the joint editorship
of Messrs. Plimmer and Hopkins. The latest
volume of the series is by Dr. E. F. Arm-
strong on " The Simple Carbohydrates and the
Glucosides." Dr. Armstrong has done a difficult
piece of work in an admirable manner. Starting
with glucose — the sugar which green plants syn-
thesise from carbon-dio.\ide, and water — he pro-
ceeds, after a thorough discussion of its chemical
nature and properties, to deal with the more
complex sugars, and then with the sugar-con-
taining glucosides, of which large numbers
occur in plants. It is interesting to learn that
the chemist is ahead of the plant in the manu-
facture of sugars ; for by no means all of the
sugars made in the laboratory are to be found in
the vegetable kingdom.

In this connection, Dr. Armstrong makes the
suggestion that the sugars which occur in plants
represent, as it were, a survival of the fittest
(not, we may interpolate, a survival of the
sweetest), and thus opens up vistas of long lines
of chemical evolution.

The book will prove of the greatest value both
to chemists and botanists, and in particular to
that small band of workers on the border-line
between the two sciences.

As an indication of the enormous amount of
work which has been done on the chemistry of
the sugars, we may mention that the references
to original memoirs make up no fewer than 18
closely-printed pages.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yoiksbire.

Plumhago rosea. — This plant is useful for
flowering in winter, and may be propagated
from cuttings easily at this season. The cuttings
are best rooted singly in thumb pots, but if this
is not convenient, four or six cuttings may be
inserted around the edges of 5-inch pots, plunging
the pots in a gentle bottom heat in the propa-
gating frame, which should be kept close and
well shaded until the cuttings have formed roots.
The little plants should be potted on later as they
require additional root-room, using a compost
similar to that recommended in last week's
Calendar for Bouvardias. Use the compost in a
rather more lumpy condition for the final potting.
P. rosea has naturally an erect habit, and for
this reason it is neces.sary to pinch the points of
the shoots from time to time during the season
when the plant is growing freely. Keep them
as near to the glass as possible, but provide a
little shade during the sunniest hours of hot days.

Med'uiiUa. — Cuttings of the remarkable stove
plant Medinilla magnifica will form roots quite
easily at this iennon. if they are removed from
the parent plant with a heel attached. Any
growths 2 or 3 inches in length should be se-
lected for the purpo.se. Insert them singly in small
pots filled with a sandy compost, Avater them
well, and then plunge the pots in a bed having a
considerable bottom heat. Medinillas are best
cultivated as specimen plants, therefore thev
should be treated as liberally as possible in
their early stages. Give them plenty of pot-
room from time to time, and feed them occasion-
ally with diluted manure-water from the farm-
yard when the pots have become filled with
rcK)ts. A suitable compost is one consisting cf
fibrous loam. peat, broken charcoal and lime
rubble. These materials should not be broken
up finely.

** The Simple Carbohviirates and the G'ucosides, by C. F.
Armstrong, D.Sc, Ph.D. (Longman's.Green & Co. 1910. 3s.)

Treatment of forced plants. — Plants which
have been forced at this season must not be
treated with neglect. Rhododendrons and
Azaleas, as they pass out of bloom, should have
the seed vessels removed, or the ripening process
will seriously weaken the parents. Such plants
need to be placed in a structure where the atmo-
sphere is warm and moist, and where they can
be syringed freely until growth is in an advanced
condition. At this stage more fresh air may be
admitted to the house, and the atmosphere kept
rather drier and cooler, thus preparing the plants
for removal out-of-doors at the commencement of
the summer. If the shoots require training the
present time affords a favourable opportunity for
carrying out this work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Catasetum, Cycnoches, and Mormodes. — All
the members of these genera have quaint and
interesting flowers. The following species all de-
serve extended cultivation, and would form an
/ ti.'lent representative collection, which would
■ yield many surprises to amateurs who may now
be taking up their culture for the first time : — C.
pileatum (Bungerothii) and its beautifully distinct
forms, which include such varieties as Lindenii,
imperiale. aureum, mirabile and aurantiacum ;
also C. barbatum, C. fimbi'iatum, C. Russelli-
anum, C. Scurra. C. macrocarpum, C. discolor, C.
Darwinianum, C. Christyanum. C. tabulare, C.
Rodigasianum, C. Imschootianum, G. maculatum,
C. labiatum, C. Clfesianum, C. laminatum, C.
splendens, and its varieties imperiale, punctatissi-
mum, and leucanthum. Among the best of the
Cycncches are C. chlorochilon, C. maculatum, C.
Peruvianum, C. pentadactylon, C. Warscewiczii,
C. Egertonianum, and C. versicolor. IMormodes
are probably not so well known as Catasetums
and Cycnoches, but they are equally well worthy
of cultivation. They include JI. Rolfei, M. buc-
cinator, M. collossue, M. pardinum, M. Wend-
landianum, jNI. Lawrenceanum, M. lurafum,
M. 1. cburneum. and M. 1. punctatissi-
mum. The majority of these plants are now
commencing to grow, and, when the new growths
are a few inches high, there then being no dan-
ger of the young roots being injured, the plants
jhould be turned out of their pots and all dead
roots and useless back pseudo-bulbs cut away. If
the compost in front of a plant is solid and in
good condition, it need not be removed, especially
if it is permeated with living roots. Pre-
vious to repotting, every vestige of mealy bug
and scale should be thoroughly eradicated, other-
wise the pest will cause endless trouble through-
out the growing season. For this purpose, we
dissolve about 2 ounces of Gishursfs Compound
in a gallon of boiling water, to which is added
two tablespoonsful of the X.L.-All insecticide.
When the mixture has become cool enough
for the hand to be put in it without hurt,
the plants should be thoroughly cleansed
with a small, stiff brush. If mealy bug
is found in the old compost, every par-
ticle should be removed and burnt ; the living
roots should be closely examined, and all traces
of these insects carefully removed. The best re-
ceptacle is an ordinary flow-erpot, with copper
w-ire handles, about 12 inches in length, so that
the plants may be kept well up to the roof-glass.
The pots should be about half filled with clean
crocks, and the compost should ccnsi.-t of
Osmunda fibre. It is advisable to pack the fibre
firmly around the base of the pseudo-bulbs, and
to keep the base of the young growth just above
the rim of the pot, so that the plant may be
easily watered without any fear of water remain-
ing about the ba.se of the growths. These plants
should not be sprayed or syringed overhead dur-
ing the early stages of growth, as the young
shoots are susceptible to injury if waller is
allowed to accumulate in them. The Catasetums
and Cynoches should be suspended in the lightest
position available in the hottest house, while the
Mormodes succeed best in a similar position in
the Cattleya house. For several weeks to come
all the.se plants, w'hether repotted or not. .should
be watered sparingly, merely sprinkling water
around the edge of the compost whenever it ap-
pears dry. but when new roots are seen push-
ing th ough the compost the quantitv should be
gradually increased. Every attention should be
given to the plants to enable them to finish
growth as early in the season as possible, so that

they may have the benefit of the late-summer and
early-autumn sunshine to consolidate and ripen
the new pseudo-bulbs.

S'Iciioijlutlis tnngifolin. — This is a very pretty,
Cape, terrestrial Orchid, which thrives well upon
a dry shelf in the cool house. It should be
afforded fibrous loam, with some small crocks and.
coarse silver sand. The young growths are now
beginning to develop, and, if necessary, the plant
may be repotted, but repotting is not advisable
while the soil remains in good condition. In such
cases we rem.ove the surface of the compost, and
refill with fresh material ; this has been done for
several successive years, and with good results.

Barlholina pectinata. — This is another charm-
ing terrestrial Orchid from the Cape, of which
a good figure is given in the Gardeners'
Chronicle for July 1, 1899. The Bartholina re-
quires similar treatment to Stenoglottis, but it
opens its flowers better, and they last for nearly
two months if removed from the cool to the
intermediate house immediately the spikes ap-
pear. When in full gi'owth these plants require
plenty of water at the root, but while dormant
should be kept rather on the dry side.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Gaiden Forenian,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Potato planting. — Push forward with the plant-
ing of the main crop and late varieties of Potatos
whilst the ground is in its present excellent con-
dition for working. Notwithstanding that the
land for this crop may have been dug, it will be
necessary to stir it again in consequence of the
wet weather during the early portion of this year.
This forking of the ground and the planting may
be done simultaneously. Every effort should be
made to thoroughly pulverise the soil to the full
depth of the fork. As regards the distances for
planting, the main crop varieties may be allowed
30 inches between the rows and 15 inches from
plant to plant. If the .seed tubers have been
laid out singly, what growth they have made will
be sturdy and short-jointed, and the tubers should
be handled very carefully i'l order that such
shoots may not be injured. Cover the sets lightly
with fine soil to the depth of 4 inches. Of main
crop varieties. Windsor Castle is still one of the
best, whilst Duchess of Cornwall also succeeds
very well in these gardens. A list of the best
varieties would also include Sensation, The
Factor, Langworthy, and White City. The
variety named last is a recent introduction, and
possesses splendid cooking qualities.

Protrcting Potato.?. — As soon as the earliest
crop shows growth above ground constant care is
necessary to protect the haulm from frost. Keep
the soil drawn closely up to the stems, and have
a quantity of dry Fern or other material in readi-
ness for placing over the growths when frost
seems imminent.

Cabbage. — If this work has not been already
done, the main crop of Cabbages should be
earthed up as soon as possible. JIake further
plantations as soon as the spring-sown plants are
large enough to be put out in the beds. The
earliest batch will be ready for cutting, and it
is better that they should be cleared off the
ground rather than be left to produce a second
crop. It is a better practice to make frequent
small plantations, and maintain a constant
supply of Cabbages by succession. From plants
raised from seed sown last July we have plenty
of young Cabbages ready for cutting, and these
will soon be cleared off the ground to make
room for the main crop of Celery.

Peas. — Make a good sowing of main crop
varieties to afford supplies for about the begin-
ning of July. It is a good practice to sow several
varieties at once in order to obtain an unbroken
supply of young pods. As soon as the last sow-
ing shows above the ground another should be
made. If this is done until the middle of June
there is not much fear of any break in the supply,
always providing the weather is favourable. Peas
raised in June should afford supplies well into
October. Good varieties for present .sowing are
Matchless Marrow. Royal Salute, Superlative,
and Distinction. All these varieties grow about
4 feet high, and yield Peas of splendid quality.
For exhibition purposes Quite Content is one of
the best. All Peas requiring sticks should be
given immediate attention, but first draw a little
soil up to the plants and place a few Spruce
branches along the rows to protect the tender
shoots from cold winds.

Ai'RiL 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

231

spinach. — Sow seeds of Spinach frequently.
If New Zealand Spinach is sown now, it will pro-
duce an abundance of green leaves throughout the
summer. The hotter the weather the better does
the New Zealand Spinach seem to grow. Plants
may be raised in pots for planting out when all
danger from frost is past, or seeds may be sown
out-of-doors in rows 2 feet apart. The plants
grow freely when once they get a start, and their
spreading branches soon cover the ground.
Spinach Beet may be also sown at the present
time, to yield young leaves in the summer and
autumn. The seeds may be sown in rows
18 inches apart, and covered with fine soil 1 inch
deep. As soon as the plants are large enough
they may be thinned to 15 inches apart.

Tomalox. — Tomato plants raised early in March
for cultivation out-of-doors will now be ready for
potting. They must be kept a.s near to the glass
as possible, and be given sufficient fresh air to
keep them sturdy and short-jointed. As soon as
the young plants have made fresh roots, they
should be given liberal supplies of water, so that
growth will be quick and unchecked.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

B7 B. GooDAcitE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.H., .Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Vine eyes. — The vine eyes inserted in January
iaving made roots, may be moved into 5-
incli pots. A suitable compost consists of
good fibrous loam three parts, and leaf-mould and
decomposed manure on« part, with a sprinkling
of soot and bone-meal, and enough old mortar
rubble to ensure porosity. Let the pots first be
thoroughly cleaned and crocked for drainage, and
the compost should be warmed by placing it in
the house a few days beforehand. In potting it
is desirable to make the soil moderately firm ;
therefore the soil should be in a moderately dry
state when used. The young vines require very
careful handling, as both roots and tops are ten-
der. The potting should be performed in the
house where the plants are growing, in order
that they may not be exposed to outside air.
Support each plant with a neat stake and plunge
the pots in leaves or tan in a light position.
Shade them from the- sun for a few days after
the potting, and syringe them overhead "once or
twice each day with soft water. Root-waterings
must be given very sparingly until the roots have
been active for some lime .

Early Peaches. — The earliest varieties have
passed the stoning stage, and the fruits are
in course of swelling for the second time.
At this stage the fruits should be propped up
towards the light by means of pieces of lath tied
crossways under the shoot bearing the fruit. Any
leaves which obstruct the light may also be tied
back so that the fruit will be the better exposed.
The atmospheric temperature may now range
from 50" to 55° at night, allowing this to rise
about 5° or 8" during the day. Close the house
at about 2 p.m. on bright days and syringe the
trees vigorously at the same time Give fre-
quent attention to watering, and, in the case of
well-established trees, frequent applications of
liquid manure may be given with advantage.
Red spider is apt to infest early Peach trees
where much fire-heat is used, but if the foliage
is regularly and vigorously .syringed with clear
water, the pest will scarcely get a footing. It
is important that the under sides of the leaves
should be thoroughly wetted each time the trees
are syringed. As soon as the fruits show signs of
ripening a cooler and somewhat drier atmosphere
will conduce to their development and flavour.
Ventilate the house freely whenever the outside
conditions are favourable, and leave the venti-
lators open a little at the top of the house in mild
weather. Syringing must not be practised at
that stage, but the paths may be sprinkled with
water once or twice each day. As the trees in
one house seldom ripen their fruits simidtane-
ously, those which still show no signs of ripening
may be syringed as usual.

Successional trees. — The fruits on Peach trees,
which were started into growth early in the year,
are now at the stoning stage. Therefore it is not
advisable to stimulate the trees by high tempera-
tures or rich nitrogenous manures, as any high
stimulation or check would alike have the effect
of causing the trees to cast their fruits. The
atmospheric temperature may range from 55° to
60° at night, allowing the usual increase during
the day. Syringe the trees twice daily in favour-

able weather, and close the house early in the
afternoon on bright days. Give frequent atten-
tion in tying and regulating the growths and
take care that the swelling of the wood is not
hindered by ties cutting into the bark. Afford
water to the roots as often as required and let
the water be of the same temperature as the
house at the time it is applied. It is not desir-
able to use more water than is sufficient to
thoniughly moisten the border down to the
drainage.

Later houses.— Th& Peach trees in later houses
will need attention according to their several
stages of growth. Disbudding of the shoots may
be extended for a period of several weeks, as
advised in a previous Calendar. These later trees
usually set heavy crops, and it is advisable to
remove a portion of the fruits at an early stage.

A'fce.5.s)7i/ for shading.—The recent bright
weather has been favourable to fruit forcing, but
the bright sunshine has been somewhat trving to
recently -planted vines and any other fruit trees
which have been disturbed at the roots during
the winter. Such as these will be benefited by a
light shading in the middle of the day until such
time as their increased root action will enable
them to endure full exposure.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. VicARV GiBBS,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Sweet /Vcii.— Plants raised in pots from seed,
as advised in a previous Calendar, will now be
large enough for planting out in their permanent
quarters ; if they have been grown in a moderate
temperature and have since been hardened off
thoroughly they will not suffer any serious check.
The ground at the time of writing is in excellent
condition for breaking up and preparing a good
tilth, for there has been a welcome spell of dry,
fine weather. When forking over the ground, "a
sprinkling of artificial manure, especially that' of
a slow-acting nature, such as basic slag, may be
applied. Stand the plants on the position they
are to occupy ; knock them out carefully from the
pots and loosen the ball, but do not injure the
roots. Allow ample space for ( acli plant to grow,
and avoid overcrowding, whether they are planted
in rows or clumps. Carefully label each clump
or variety as the work proceeds, and draw up the
Eoil around the plants -.0 protect them ; should
east winds be prevalent, a few twigs of Spruce
or other material will afford additional shelter.
I strongly advocate staking the plants imme-
diately these are planted, and have found aothing
better than good Pea sticks for the purpose.
Other devices have been tried, from time to time,
such as branching poles— these being very
substantial as well as effective for single clumps —
wire, and fish netting, but nothing is better than
the best Pea sticks. Another sowing may now
be made in pots or in the open ground for ,a
succession. It often happens, in a dry season
especially, that the earliest sown plants become
exhausted somewhat early, and if a later batch
is planted in a more shad'y and cooler part of the
gardeii, a continued supply of fresh flowers may
be maintained.

Aniivnls. — In favoured positions a sowing of
many of these may now be made out-of-doors,
whenever it is possible to make a good seed-bed.
Both in the borders, and in bar© positions in the
front of the shrubberies and clumps, these make
an effective display, and provide useful material
for vase decoration. To produce the best results,
however, the plants must be allowed to develop
in a free, uninterrupted manner from the very
earliest stages, therefore vigorous thinning should
be carried out in order to promote a sturdy
growth. Godetia, Nigella, Clarkia, Eschscholtzia,
Coreopsis, Dianthus, and Mignonette are a few
plants which we find particularly useful for this
purpose. For a dry sunny bank or similar posi-
tion where a blaze of colour is required, a sowing
of Portulaca grandiflora will produce a brilliant
display of varied and rich colours.

Summer heddiny plants.- — Many of these will
now be needing cooler quarters. The hardy-
annuals which have been raised in heat and
pricked out into boxes and grown in cold frames
may now be stood out-of-doors, and a skeleton
frame erected so that they may be covered at
night. Lobelia and Pyrethrum will make better
plants if transferred front the boxes into shallow
frames, in not too deep a soil and grown on close

to the glass, gradually hardening them off.
Violas which were rooted last autumn in frames
or boxes and are intended for bedding must have
the flowers removed periodically and the surface
soil stirred. Small plants of Pelargoniums,
Fuchsias, Calceolarias, Swain.sonias, &c., may be
removed to cold frames, and the lights entirely
removed in warm, sunny weather. Stop the
shoots and endeavour to form neatly shaped,
biishy plants. Standards of the same subjects
will also need stopping to induce them to form
good heads, and these, too, must be inured
gradually.

Hollies, ct-c— The present is the best month
for transplanting plants such as the Holly,
especially when warm showers are prevalent!
Dry, cold winds are especially detrimental to
freshly-moved plants. Many species of Pinus
and other Conifera; move well now, just as the
new season's growth is forming. Apply a mulch
to them after planting.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.
Alpine Strawberries. — In gardens where
Alpine Strawberries are likely to be appreciatc^d,
the plants may easily be rais'ed from seeds sown
during the present month. Tliey should be sown
thinly in boxes, which should." be placed in a
moderately warm house, and. as soon as the seeds
have germinated, exposed to'the light as much as
possible. When the plants have" become large
enough to handle, they should be pricked off into
other boxes, keeping them in the same tempera-
ture until the roots have become established in
the soil, when the boxes may be removed to a
cooler house or frame, in order to harden the
plants gradually, preparatory to planting them
in the positions in which they are desired to fruit.
These seedlings should be pl.inted at distances of
15 inches apart each way ; they prefer a rather
light soil which has been deeply worked anil
liberally manured. The ground should be con-
solidated well before planting is commenced, and
if dry weather follows immediately after plant-
ing, artificial waterings will be necessarv, whilst
an occasional application of soot-water will serve
to prevent the attacks of red spider and of insect
pests generally. The first flower trusses may be
pinched out, also the runners until the crowns
have become quite strong. If the plants are
treated in this manner they will furnish good
crops in the following season — that is, from June
well into the autumn months. Some of the best
varieties include Improved Large Red and Im-
proved White.

Aiiliimn-fruitiny Strawberries. — These are
valuable because dessert fruits are not obtainable
in great variety late in the season. The plants
succeed best in a deep, rich soil, which has been
deeply dug or trenched some considerable time
previous to planting, in order that it may become
consolidated before the new beds are formed. It
is not too late to make new beds. St. Antoine
de Padoue and Laxton's Perpetual are two of the
best varieties. Both these kinds may be put out
at distances of 18 inches apart each way. Plant-
ing should be carried out when the soil is in a
good condition so that it may be trampled well
before any of the plants are inserted. As soon as
they are established they will need frequent appli-
cations of liquid manure. If it is desired to have
a few very late dishes of fruit during October
and November, a number of runners should be
layered during the early part of July, into 5-inch
pots. See that the receptacles are perfectly clean
and are provided with good drainage. The com-
post should consist of good, turfy loam, pulled
to pieces by the hand, three parts, and decayed
manure w-ith a sprinkling of wood-ashes and soot,
one part. The soil should be made very firm
in the pots by means of a potting stock. When
the plants have become well rooted they may be
given liquid manure once or twice each week
until good crowns are formed. All runners must
be removed and the flower-spikes pinched out
until the plants are required to produce fruit.
Autumn-fruiLing Strawberries should be placed in
a cool frame in October in order to have them
under proper control ; they can then be brought
into fruit as required. Mildew can only be kept
in check by careful ventilation, this preventing a
close and stagnant atmosphere. If mildew makes
its appearance, the plants should be dusted
with flowers of sulphur or treated with Camp-
bell's sulphur vaporiser.

2 32

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 9, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

•Letters for Publication, (is well as specimens of ptauls
toi naming, slumUt be addressed to the EDI TORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Qarden, London.

Communications should be writtln on onk side only of
THK PAPER, sent as early in the ureek 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.— r/i£ Editors do not
undeitake to pay /or any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Local News.— Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendingto
the Editors early intelligence oj 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.

■tievspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, APRIL 11—

Surveyors" Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben. and Prov.
Soc. Com. meet.

■WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13—

Roy. Caledonian Hort. Soc. Spring Sh. in Waverley
Market, Edinburgh (2 days). Cornwall Daffodil and
Spring Fl. Sh. at Truro (2 days).

PRIDAY, APRIL 15-

Dutch Bulb Growers' International Sh. at Haarlem
(10 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 46"3'^.
Actual Temperatures; —

l.onD0ti.— Wednesday, April 6 (6 p.m.) : Max. 54";
Min. 39°.
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London, — Thursday, April 7
(10 A.M.): Bar. 300 ; Temp. 47°; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces. — Wednesday, April 6 : Max. 51" Cambridge ;
Min. 42° Scotland, E.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY AND FRIDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Lilies and Hardy Bulbs
and Roots, at 12; Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30; at
67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY—

Perennials and Border Plants, Lilies, Begonias, Gladio-
lus, &c., at 12; Trade Sale of Miscellaneous Bulbs and
Roots, at 12 : Roses and Fruit Trees, at 1.30 ; Japanese
Liliums, Sec, at 2 ; Palms and Plants, at 5 ; at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

Imported and Established Orchids, at 67 & 68, Cheap-
side, E.G., by Protheroe Sc Morris, at 12.45.

_ The impoi"tant and wholesome

The Manage- 4. i j i 1

ment of P^^'^ played by avenues, parks,
Common and open spaces generally in
and Street -tjjg economy of urban life is
gradually becoming under-
stood. Year by year more thought and
money are expended upon this branch of
municipal work, to the advantage of the
ratepayers. In many towns the authori-
ties strive to secure all the available land
they can for purposes of recreation, and
they are often assisted by outside Societies
interested in the preservation of land for the
people.

Whilst there are scarcely two opinions as to
the advisability of providing public grounds,
tiiere are always many ideas expressed re-
garding the manner in which such places
should be dealt with and controlled. Indeed,
few questions give rise to more diversity of
opinion, or evoke more criticism than does
the management of public grounds, whether
these are laid-out parks, commons, heaths or
downs. Such criticism is not merely con-
fined to those whose intimacy with these
matters entitles them to give an opinion, but
the general public is a party to it, and thus
we find that the subjects are discussed in-
telligently in the daily Press.

For a week or two past a number of in-
teresting articles, together with considerable
correspondence, have appeared in the 1 imes,
dealing with the regulating of commons, so
as to secure them for all time for the use
of the public, the preservation of the present
character of Hampstead Heath, and other
cognate matters.

AVith reference to the regulating of com-
mons much useful information has been given
concerning the services rendered by the Com-
mons Preservation Society — a society which
has done much to save, for public use, land,
which otherwise would have. been converted
to other purposes. I'he authorities in pro-
vincial towns where any common land exists
would obtain much userul information and
as-sistance by putting themselves in communi-
cation with this body.

We are tempted to think that the regulat-
ing of commons for public use should be dealt
with quite independently of local feelings,
and should be undertaken by a Government
department as one general policy. It does
seems unreasonable that the public should
suffer from the parsimonious attitude of a
local authority in refraining from putting
the law in motion simply from a fear of in-
creasing the local rates. This, it appears,
has happened in several localities in different
parts of the country.

Directly a common comes under public
control the question arises. How is it to be
administered ? In this problem there is room
for much difference of opinion. At the present
time thd London County Council is being
severely criticised by tiie Hampstead Heath
Protection Society for its method of dealing
with Hampstead Heath. The complaint of
this Society is that the planting carried out
by the Parks Committee this season bids
fair to destroy the characteristic features of
this popular open space, and there seems
to be much reason for the criticism.

"Wliilst it is advisable, as a general rule,
not to interfere with the characteristic fea-
tures of a common, there are instances
where it would be unpardonable stupidity to
alter them in the slighte.st degree, much less
impart to them a i)ark-like character. On the
contrary, we know of certain commons — for-
merly little better than "howling wildernesses"
— that, since their purchase by the Cor-
poration, have been converted into beautiful
[larks, and made the home of the best kinds
of flowering trees and shrubs. It is obvious
that no hard and fast rules should be laid
down, and that the dictates of a cultured
taste, assisted by experience and sound com-
mon sense, are the best guides in such matters.
One thing, however, is fairly certain — that
is, no hybrid method of dealing with .such
grounds can prove satisfactory ; they must
either be preserved in their old character or
laid out and planted afresh. As a rule, it is
safe to say that the former policy is gen-
erally the more satisfactory, and there-
fore, on no account should any exotic trees
and shrubs, not previously represented on
the ground, be introduced. If tree planting
has to be done it should be carried out with
care. There is nothing more difficult than
to plant young trees in such a way as to
imitate nature, for we are so apt to plant
in rows and stiff groups that our handiwork
betrays us. If planters could scatter young
trees about as one scatters Daffodil bulbs,

and plant them where they fell, muv h for-
mality and stiffness would be obviated. Fail-
ing some such method, the person responsible
for carrying out the planting should study
the manner in which young trees spring up
in a copse, where nature has controlled the
issue ; the better he learns his lesson the more
pleasing will be the result of his own work.

If such care must be exercised in planting
new trees on a common, needless to say an
equal amount of care must be shown in the
preservation of the trees already growing
there. AVhile we disagree with the assertion
made in the Times that " among many gar-
deners and foresters there is a certain pro-
fessional satisfaction in the use of the saw
for its own sake," we know it to be a fact
that the untrained men often employed by
[lublic bodies to carry out this kind of work
are responsible for a great deal of wanton
destruction. The untraine<l men are, as in
the present ca.se, often confounded in the
public mind with the trained exjionents of the
art of tree culture, who are blamed for the
shortcomings of the labourers.

Closely akin to this is the question of tlie
proper management of .street trees. Here,
again, considerable criticism has been offered
with respect to the way the Caniberwell Coun-
cil has dealt with the trees in Camberwell
Grove and Grove Park.

It appears that, in the opinion of this Coun-
cil, the trees in certain di-stricts of the borough
have grown out of bounds, and, in some in-
stances, have become a danger to the public.
As a result, a wholesale pruning, lopping, and
cutting down of trees has been in progress
for some time, and this work has, apparently,
been confided mainly to the " unemployed."
In these days, when the columns of
the daily papers are open for the ven-
tilation of every kind of public grievance,
there is but little likelihood that work of
this description can fail to arouse pro-
test. The present case is no exception. Thi>
is as it ought to be, and tends to serve as a
warning to public authorities to prevent
them from taking in hand work of this charac-
ter witliout first satisfying themselves that
it is not merely desirable but absolutely
necessary. The Camberwell To^^•n Clerk as-
sures the public that they have had expert
opinion — and that what appears on the face
to be wilful vandalism may prove in tim.e
to have been the means of sparing many of
the trees for a further term of usefulness
and beauty.

The whole subject of the planting and
maintenance of street trees is necessarily
attended with many difficulties which the lay-
man can hardly be expected to appreciate.
It is very easy to condemn — true tree lovers
can hardly refrain from condemning — the an-
nual mutilation of street trees. This method
of dealing with trees is abhorrent to
the instincts of the arboriculturist, and we
are assured that tho Parks superintendents,
under whose direction the work is invariably
carried out, thoroughly dislike having to
do it. Ifnfortunately, however, there is but
little choice in the matter, for the con-
clusion is forced upon us that trees
growing in crowded thoioughfares must
be kept in bounds, no matter how much
they are mutilated in the process, or how
much labour is spent on them each season.
It is liard for tree lovers to admit this, but

April 9, 1910.J

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

233

it is a disagreeable fact, and must always be
so until streets are constructed with some
regard to the possibility that they may be re-
quired subsequently to serve as avenues.

It is often asserted that much needless
pruning takes place simply because the
wrong kinds of trees are planted in towns.
We have much sympathy with this view,
for it is a fact that there are certain
kinds of trees — especially those of a fasti-
giate character — which are specially suit-
able for town-planting and need very little
l)runing, but it is equally true that only
strong, fast-growing forest trees are suitable
for the busiest parts of towns. In such
places the branches must be high enough to
be out of the way of traffic, in which case
they ought not to be lower than 14 feet from
the ground.

Apart from the rigorous pruning which has
to be carried out to keep branches from in-
terfering with traffic, the residents in
private houses often worry the authorities to
have trees near their dwellings lopped or cut
down altogether ; they sometimes go so
far as to threaten legal proceedings if this
is not done. AVhat with the protesting
householder and the people who object to a
single branch of a tree being pruned, the lot
of those charged with the management of
public trees is not an enviable one.

At the same time, if the branches of street
trees growing in such places as Camberwell
Grove were systematically thinned out and
the more obstructive branches shortened,
there would never arise the need to prune and
lop in the manner recentl}' adopted by the
Camberwell Council. Where lopping is really
necessary it is desu-able to treat a few trees
each season rather than to lop all the trees of
sin avenue at one time. The system of thus
pruning by instalments is practised with
marked success in some provincial towns.

The International Exhibition. — The

meeting which took place on Tuesday last to con-
sider the deisirability of holding an international
horticultural exhibition in 1912. decided in favour
of the project. On another page will be found a
report of the proceedings, which, if not remark-
able for a display of enthusiasm, were, neverthe-
less, attended with unanimity There was no
discussion, except by members of the R.H.S.
Council. A provisional committee was ap-
pointed, with power to add to the number of its
members. This committee will need to be
strengthened greatly, for as it is at present con-
stituted it is by no means representative of
practical interests. Whilst many of the names
of the members of this committee may be of im-
portance in respect to the provision of a guaran-
tee fund, there are few which we recognise as
those of men who are familiar with the best ex-
hibitions which have been held on the Continent.
No doubt this will be rectified at the first meet-
ing of the committee.

Scottish Horticultural Association. —

The annual Chrysanthemum exhibition will be
held in the Waverley JIarket. Edinburgh, on
W'cdnesday, Thursday and Friday, November 16.
17, 18. The schedule includes 103 classes, and of
these, exclusive of the decorative section, 29 are
for Chrysanthemums solely. The remaining classes
are for plants, fruits and vegetables. Prizes
are presented by the Lord Provost, Magistrates,
and Town Council of Edinburgh. The City of
Euiiiuurgh Cup and £12 is offered for the best
exhibit of 15 vases of Japanese Chrysanthemums

in 15 varieties, three blooms in each vase ; whilst
the Scottish Challenge Cup goes to the winner in
the class for eight vases of Japanese varieties,
distinct. In a class for private gardeners and
amateurs for six vases of Japanese Chrysanthe-
mums, the prizes are £4, £3, £2, and £1 respec-
tively.

SwANLEY Horticultural College. — The

annual meeting was held at Caxton House, West-
minster, on March 22, under the presidency of
the Hon. Sir John Cockbtjrn. The report
states that there is a steadily increasing de-
mand in secondary schools for " Garden Mis-
tresses " who are competent to teach outdoor
work as well as scientific subjects. Of the 26
applications received for teachers of gardening
and nature study in schools and institutions and
gardeners in charge of school gardens, nine have
been filled by students from the college. Twenty-
eight applications for head gardeners have been
received, and 18 for companion and under gar-
deners, and of the former six have been engaged,
and of the latter 11, through the agency of the
college. More than a dozen requests have been
received to recommend past students for garden
designing, advisory and temporary work. Nine
students have started market gardens of their
own in England, one in Ireland and two in Cali-
fornia. The governing body appeals to its many
friends for increased support.

CvcLAMEN. — A week or so ago a remarkably
good plant of Cyclamen reached us without any
indication of who sent it. The plant is in a
5-inch ])ot, and bears an abundance of well-ex-
panded flowers of rosy-carmine shade approaching
salmon-rose. It is certainly amongst the best
flowering specimens of this plant we have seen,
A ticket attached to the box containing the plant
showed that it was sent by the London, Brighton
and South Coast Railway from Emsworth to Lon-
don Bridge.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill

Park, Enfield, have sent a bloom of a rosy-
crimson Cyclamen of the crested type, with white
margins and white tips to the crestings. The
ground colour forms a fine contrast to the white
edges, and the variety, which has been named
Eileen Low, forms a pleasing and attractive
plant. Messrs. Low inform us that the variety
comes true from seed.

Mr. James Walker. —We learn that this
distinguished gardener, who is the senior mem-
ber of the Ham Common Urban District Council,
is shortly terminating his connection with local
affairs. Mr. W.ilker is a native of Rutherglen.
one of the oldest burghs in Scotland. In 1875
he acquired the business of a market-gardener
which had been carried on with much success by
the late Mr. Decimus Clarke, at Whitton, near
Twickenham. Eight years later, in 1883, Mr.
W.^LKER acquired the Farm at Ham. on which he
still resides and where he has developed a large
and important industry, particularly in fruit and
flowers. Mr. Walker paid special attention to
the culture of Daffodils, and was a pioneer in
growing these flowers for the London market.
Since 1885 he has been a member of the Floral
Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.
He was offered the distinction of V.M.H., but,
with characteristic modesty, he declined to accept
the honour.

Fruit Growing in Mid-Ulster. — At a

largely attended meeting of fruit-growers, held at
Pertadown. Ireland, on Jlarch 26, it was resolved
to form a fruit-gx-owers' association, and repre-
sentatives of the Department of Agriculture, who
attended, promised the support of that body.
Professor Campbell said that because fruit-
gi-owing docs not shov/ sp:;dy profits, many
farmers neglect it. But in districts like Mid-

Ulster, where fruit orchards are already plentiful
and the people know something of the industry,
there should be small difficulty. One speaker
said he thought they would find that the markets
in Dublin and Belfast would not be able to take
all the fruit that would be produced. In Dublin,
at any rate, the market is far from being over-
stocked with Irish fruit. On the contrary,
English and foreign fruit is sold very extensively
even when Irish fruit is in season.

Mr. George Wythes, treasurer of the
National Vegetable Society, having removed from
Brentford, requests that all communications shall
be sent to Bovington, Hertfordshire, his present
address.

The Carnation Year Book. — This bro-
chure is compiled very much on the lines of the
Sweet Pea Annual, and is a record of the doings
of the Perpetual Flowering Carnation Society,
with articles concerning the history, cultivation,
hybridisation, and the decorative value of the
Perpetual-blooming Carnation. The membership
of the Society is 230 ; the president is Lord
Howard de Walden, whose portrait forms a
frontispiece to the year-book. A list of Carna-
tions compiled from American sources should be
valuable for reference. Mr. Felton's remarks on
the decorative value of Perpetual-flowering Car-
nations, and his list of varieties for blending
in effective contrasts, are very informative.
According to Mr. E. F. Hawes, the varieties
most suited for cultivation in the open border
are Britannia, Mrs. T. W. I.awson, White Per-
fection, Enchantress, President, Robert Craig,
Harlowarden, Lady Bountiful, Nelson Fisher,
Afterglow, Beacon and Winsof. Copies of the
Year Book can be obtained by non-members from
the Editor, Mr. J. S. Brunton, Westbourne
Grove, Ightenhill, Burnley, price Is. 2d. free
by post.

Shakespeare Festival Celebrations,
1910. — We understand that the decoration of
the streets, public buildings, and houses in Strat-
ford-upon-Avon during the celebration of the
Shakespeare Festival promises to be on more
beautiful and natural lines than the conven-
tional decorations of flags, coloured masts, and
artificial festoons usual on such occasions. It has
been decided to rely mainly on festoons of ever-
greens and devices in natural foliage and flowers,
among which will be displayed, as far as pos-
sible, the flowers and plants familiar to the
readers of the great poet. Upwards of three
miles of evergreen festooning will be required,
and the Decorations Committee, Edward Dreer,
Esq., Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, A. D.
Flower, Esq., chairman of the Governors of
the Shakespeare Veniorial Theatre, and F. R.
Benson, Esq., director of the dramatic perform-
ances, have issued an appeal for help in the
matter of cut evergreens. Though the appeal
has met with a ready response, yet more assis-
tance in this direction would be welcome.
Jlr. J. 0. Clarke, The Gardens, The Pop-
lars, 20, Avenue Road, Regent's Park, Lon-
don, honorary advisory expert to the Decorations
Committee, who is taking the lead in preparing
the festoons, writes that he is running short of
evergreens, and would be glad to receive at the
above address, and pay carriage for, sacks, or
crates, of cut Laurel, Bay, Yew, and Box, sent
by goods train and at owner's risk. The festoons
have to be sent off on April 19, so that any who
are assisting in the work should attend to it at
once. Branches of Rosemary or any other Shake-
spearean shrubs would be of great use. If any
I'enerous lovers of Shakespeare are inclined to
supply festoons ready made, they are to be
22 feet long, with 2 yards additional rope at
each end. No. 3 sash line.

234

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 9, 1910.

R.H.S. Gardens Club. — In accordance witli
the decision at the reunion las," year, the annual
mueting for 1910 will again be held at Wisley
Gardens. The date has been fixed for Saturday,
June 11. The time of trains and other details
have yet to be arranged, but they will be
obtainable later from t»ie hon. sec, Mr. R. J.
WalliS, Cudworth Nurseries, Newdigate,
Surrey.

Alpine Plants. — At a recent meetmg of the
Wimbledon Gardeners' Society, Dr. BEETL.iNn
Farmer, F.R.S., delivered a lecture on " Alpine
Plants." He said that it was almost impossible
to get as good results in cultivation as when these
plants. were growing in their natural wild haunts,
the chief drawback being the climatic conditions.
On the mountains they had magnificent clear air,
bright light, more sun rays, low temperature and
perfect drainage, and these conditions tended to
dwarf the plants and to brighten the colours.
The British Isles had a splendid variety of Alpines
if one only knew where and how to seek them.
He found the most favoured spots were those
having a north or north-east aspect, and where
the strata of the rocks sloped inwards. The
latter fact was a very important one, as the
inward slope allowed for the penetration of
moisture to a sufficient depth to give nourishment
to the plants in very dry weather. Views of the
mountain La Meije in the French Alps, taken
during an expedition, were shown, and the lec-
turer described the various plants found there,
some of the finest specimens being discovered on
the very summit, some 15,000 feet above set level.
He concluded by showing views of the Edinburgh
rock-garden.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves re'ponsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Pampas Grass and Tritomas. — Few hardy
subjects are more suitable for planting in groups,
to give a pleasing elfect in the autamn, than
these intermingled. The writer has a vivid re-
collection of a large, mixed mass of Tritomas
and Pampas Grass, as seen in the mid-'si.\ties
of last century. The position was an open glade
facing south, surrounded by Rhododendrons in
variety, with a background of forest trees, mainly
Oaks and Cedars of l.ebanon. The place was the
home grounds attached to .Packington Hall,
Coventry. The season was, if he recollects rightly,
a fine, war.m one ; at any rate, the gardener (Mr.
J. G. Temple) gathered quite a lot of ripe seed
from the Tritomas that year. The object, when
planting, was partly with a view to form cover
for pheasants at a favourite " rise " for shoot-
ing in November. Unfortunately the Pampas
Grass is liable to injury from frosts in very-
severe winters in some districts. But the com-
bination is worth trying, and the present is a
good time to plant both subjects. 11. J . C.

Pruning Wall Trees the First Year
AFTER Planting. — A correspondent, writing
under the above heading (see p. 203), advocates
the cutting back of the individual shoots of wall
or trellis trees to within 8 or 10 inches of their
bases the first year after planting, thereby wast-
ing a period of two or three years in the' forma-
tion of evenly furnished fruiting trees. He says :
*' What is required is to obtaui the largest area
of established tree growth in the shortest space."
And a few lines lower down he says : " The way
to obtain such a tree is by vigorous pruning of
the unpruned growths the first year after plant-
ing." What I recommended in my note as the
result of many years experience was that the
young shoots should be left their full length,
except any that have grown excessively strong,
which may be topped in order to promote a bal-
ance of growth in the trees. The first spring
after planting the young trees, when the sap be-
gins to rise, bend the unpruned shoots towjirds
the ground and secure them to the trellis or wall,
the bend starting from the point at which the first
of the young growths is desired. The check thus
given to the flow of sap causes a sufficient num-

ber of wood-buds to push from each shoot to form
a good-sized, fan-shaped tree the first year after
planting. As soon as the buds nearest to the
base have pushed into growth, the bands of
raffia should be cut, or the nails withdrawn, as
the case may be, and the main shoots trainc i on
the wall or trellis after the manner of a bund and
distended fingers. The younj shoots, when de-
veloped, must be trained at proper distances over
the intervening spaces. I cannot understand
his aversion' to the extension system of
fruit-tree training as set forth in my short,
and. I think, perfectly clear, note, more
especially as the very results which your
correspondent rightly claims to follow the " cut-
ting-back " of the young shoots the first year
after planting are obtained by following the .sys-
tem I recommended ; the only difference being
that large, perfectly-shaped, fruit-bearing trees
are secured thereby a few years earlier. That
is all. In conclusion, I may say what all prac-
tised gardeners know well, that young wall trees,
when procured from the nurseries, have from
three to five extra strong, central shoots,
which, if cut back to within 8 or 10 inches of
their bases, would probably result in producing
even stronger growths than the first. But by
bending these strong central shoots in the direc-
tion of the ground and treating them as recom-
mended above, they will produce good healthy
fruitful growths along their entire length.
H. W. W.

A Note from Ventnor. — The weather at
Easter was grand ; day after day, from early
morning till late in the afternoon, there was
glorious sunshine. The following records of
iiours of sunshme, may be interesting ; — Good
Friday, 6 hours ; Saturday, 2 hours ; Easter Sun-
day, 5 hours ; Monday, 11 hours ; Tuesday. 8
hours ; Wednesday. 8 hours ; Thursday, 11 hours.
In this sunny island there are now abund;;nt
flowers out of doors. I noticed in the park n
tall plant of Dracaena indivisa, with large
bunches of flowers. The following plants are in
full flower ; — White Arabis, Aubrietias in variety
(very fine). Polyanthuses, Wallflowers, white and
yellow Alyssum, Coronilla. Primroses, double
and single Daffodils, Polyanthuses, Narcissi
in variety. Marigolds, Ribes atrosanguinea,
.\lmonds, Veronicas, Violets, &c. Although
flowers are abundant, the trees of every descrip-
tion are later than usual. London Nurseryman.

The Platesofthe "BotanicalMacazine.-

— Is it not piossible for something to be done to
improve the colouring of the plates in the
Botiinical Magazhn' ' For the best part of a
century these illustrations have generally been
all that could be desired from an artistic stand-
point. Of recent years the accurate engravings
of careful drawings have often been more or less
spoilt by bad and frequently too opaque colour-
i!i.g, however good the originals may be. so that
some subscribers would doubtless prefer them
uncoloured. As the three-colour process has made
such extraordinary development during the last
few years, would it not be possible to adopt it
in Curtis's Botanical Mnc/azine? I under-
stand it is merely a question of cost which
prevents the plates from being more care-
fully hand-painted to-day. //. S. Thompson.

Dahlias. — An interesting experiment has been
carried out in America, an account of which is
given in a recent Bulletin of the Bureau of Plant
industry, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Four
years ago a new species of Dahlia (Dahlia
chisolmii) from Mexico wa» crossed with a variety
known as the Twentieth Century Dahlia. The
seedlings were strictly intermediate between the
parents. In the Fa generation a larger assort-
ment of forms and colours was obtained. About
50 were saved for further crossing and selection.
The following summer these were crossed with
pollen from the Cactus and other varieties. It
is claimed, as a result, that a few crosses were
produced which show that varieties may be
raised in this way with h^rge and well-formed
flowers, some of them equal in these respects to
our best varieties bred from plants in cultiva-
tion for nearly a century. Is not this just such
a result as one would expect seeing that the ac-
cumulated qualities of a century would be intro-
duced by the pollen parent? If our American
friends could discover a hardy type of Dahlia
and work on it, they would make the world their
debtor. W.

Capparis spinosa.— I wonder whetber any
reader can help me in the growing of Capparis
spinosa. The seed comes up pretty easily and
regularly, but then the plants hang fire and ulti-
mately die. I have tried keeping them in a cool
i;reenhouse and planting them out at the foot of
hot walls, have given them old mortar in abund-
ance and have tried them without. I have
planted them on walls horizontally, as one sees
them growing in Italy. One note I have, upon
which! have not acted, which says, " Plant out
late in autumn." As it is a plant for which I
have a great admiration, and which once did
extremely well here, I should indeed be grateful
for hints. I have planted the seedlings in drain
pipes let in horizontally or with a gentle down-
ward slope on to a raised rockery. A plan for
raising the seeds, by placing one or two in a ripe
Turkey Fig and placing the Fig in a hole in a
wall, has not proved successful. A. C. B.

Old English Double Wallflower.— One

seldom sees this charming herbaceous perennial,
although when grown in a mass, like Arabis or
Aubrietia, there are few more attractive subjects.
The plant does not produce seed. It is quite
distinct from the German double Wallflower,
being smaller in the flower, yet it is dainty in
form and of a pleasing, soft yellow colour. The
plant is perfectly hardy, but resents disturbance.
I enclose a handful of spikes cut from plants
growing in Earl Morley's garden at Whiteway,
Chudleigh, whose gardener cultivates success-
fully many of these almost-forgotten but highly
interesting English garden plants. This Wall-
flower is lightly but delightfully scented. A.
Hope. [The small, individual flowers were very
double and like tiny Banksian Roses. They were
fragrant and very attractive. — Eds.]

Late Culinary Apples. — For some years
past I have obtained a supply of cooking
Apples well into May. Although last year was
an unfavourable one for late Apples our
stock is by no means exhausted. The great point
in keeping Apples is to gather them at the proper
time, for if they are harvested before they are
quite ripe, shrivelling and general bad keeping
will be the result. The room in which our
Apples are stored is situated on the side cf a
north wall, and no provision is made for heating
it. The varieties that we grow for providing a
late supply of Apples are Alfriston, Annie Eliza-
beth, Striped Beefing (these three are alike good
for either cooking or dessert purposes), Bra:n-
ley's Seedling, Lane's Prince Albert, and Tower
of Glamis. Bramley's Seedling I consider the
very best of all for a late supply, but Princs
Albert is almost as .good. We have fruits of both
these varieties in a plump, firm condition, and
they promise to keep well for some considerable
time yet. Since Christmas, and up to the pre-
sent time, we have been using Tower of Glamis.
Trees of this variety should be planted in every
garden, as it is a strong grower, rarely fails to
furnish a good crop, and the shoots are never
troubled with canker. Although there are
doubtless other good, late, culinary Apples, the
half-a-dozen I have named will be difficult to
surpass. Wilmot H. Yates, BofherfieUl Park
Gardens, Hants. [Our correspondent sent some
excellent examples of Tower of Glamis with this
note. — Eds.]

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

APHTt, 5. — There was again a highly successful
meeting on Tuesday last," the occasion being the
usual fortnightly exhibition. The Hall was filled
with, principally, floral groups, many being (Or-
chids ; two exhibits of these flowers were out-
standing features, and one from H. S. Goodscn,
Esq., was awarded a Gold Medal. The Orchid
Committee conferred three First-class Certifi-
cates, three Botanical Certificates, and three
Awards of Merit.

The exhibits before the Floral Coximittee in-
cluded important groups of Cinerarias, Carna-
tions, forced flowering shrubs and trees, Roses,
Begonias and hardy flowers. This Committee
granted three Awards of Merit.

There were many groups of bulbous flowers, a
magnificent exhibit of seedling Daffodils shown
by Mv. A. Wilson receiving a Gold Medal. The

Ai'RiL 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

235

Narcissus Committee in3;jcc'ted severaj new
varieties, but made no Award to a novelty.

The exhibits in the fruit and vegetable section
were unimportant, and no award was made to a
novelty. At the afternoon meeting in the lecture
room, an address on " The Use of the Spectro-
scope in the Study of Plant Life " was delivered
by Prof. Henslow.

Floral Committee.

Present : Henry B. May, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. \V. J. James, Chas. E. Shea, Chas.
Dixon, R. Hooper Pearson, T. W. Turner,
George Gordon, G. Reuthe, \V. .T. Bean, Jno.
Green, Chas. T. Druery, Arthur Turner, W. P.
Thomson, E. H. Jenkins, J. T. Bennett-Poe,
Geo. Paul, Chas. E. Pearson, Herbert J. Cut-
bush, Chas. Blick, Jno. Jennings, J. F.
McLeod, Wm. Howe, and C. R. Fielder, and
Rev. F. Page Roberts.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, furnished one of the largest tables
with Cinerarias, having the plants in batches of
colours, which gave a fine effect when viewed
from either end. Most of them were of the strain
known as Feltham Beauty, and these were in
batches of light and pale blue, pink, white and
rose. The inflorescences are very compact, light
and graceful, and each plant makes a perfect
table specimen. An Award of Merit was given
to the strain. Other kinds were Veitch's Supei-b,
in a variety of shades, very broad in the petal
and approxmiating to the florists' Cineraria ; An-
tique Rose of a unique shade, the growth being
dwarf and compact, and Matador, a' novelty of
a shade of reddish-scarlet, of the habit of Antique
Rose. As a separate exhibit, Messrs. Veitch
showed an imposing group of forced shrubs with
a bank of Polyantha Roses in front. The group
found room for several plants of a handsome Dra-
caena, named atropurpurea; also very pretty were
several pans of Shortia galacifolia. The other
subjects were Andromeda speciosa cassinefolia.
Acacia juniperina. Viburnum Opulus var. sterile,
Veronica Hulkeana, Cyti.sus priecox. and Azaleas
in variety. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nursery, Hampton,
showed, as on several former occasions, Perpetual-
flowering Carnations in great numbers, and these
were contrasted with immense bcucjuets of
Lilies. (Silver Flora Jledal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey, made
an imposing display with forced flowering shrubs,
overhung by very fine Kentia Palms. The gor-
geous masses of colour provided by Azaleas, Cle-
matis, Lilaco and similar subjects were the sub-
ject of comment. Some standard plants of
\Veigela Eva Rathke, Cytisus .\ndreanus, C. prae-
cox and Lilac were used as foils. On a table op-
posite, Mr. Rus-SELL showed two plants of the
elegant-leaved Anoectochilus petola and A. seta-
ceus in fine condition, also a standard specimen of
MetrosideroB floribunda, and several well-bloomed
plants of Gardenia floribunda. (Silver-gilt Bank-
sian Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co.. Bush Hill Park
Nursery, Enfield, had a pretty display of a mis-
cellaneous character, which included many dwarf
and strong-growing Rambler Roses in pots, all
profusely flowered, namely. White Pet. very
dwarf and floriferous; Crimson Rambler,
Flower of Fairfield, a brightly-coloured variety
and double-flowered ; the new, double-flowered
Mrs. Taft, the blooms developing in terminal
bunches ; White Baby Dorothy. Whit« Kil-
larney ; Tausendschfin, Queen Alexandra., with
double rose-pink blossoms 2^ inches in dia-
meter ; and, lastly, a novelty named Orleans,
with double flowers of a bright crimson tint,
white in the centre. Beside the Roses, there
were greenhouse Ericas ; a number of Acacias —
including A. cordata and .some standards of A.
armata pendula, an improvement on the type,
with larger and more abundant flowers ; Boronia
megastigma and B. heterophylla ; Eriostcmons :
Pimelea spectabilis, Sparmannia africana and
other subjects. The same firm exhibited several
fine Perpetual-flowering Carnations, viz., C. P.
I'assett, Ro.56 Dore, White Perfection, and Mrs.
'1. Burnett. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt,
showed polyantha Rose Jessica, a variety with
the small crimson blooms having a white centre ;
numerous sorts of Azalea mollis, Cytisus
(Brooms) in variety, including C. Handsworthi-
ensis — the white flowers are flushed with pink

and produced on long racemes. There were other
seedling forms of Cytisus, having varied colouring
in the flowers. Deutzia gracilis carminea, the
white blooms flushed with pale rose, is a desirable
novelty. A number of Lachenalia seedlings un-
der names were also noted.

Mr. P. Ladds, Swanley, showed excellent inter-
mediate Stocks of good habit and full of bloom.
Messrs. H. B. M.iY & Sons, The Nurseries,
Upper Edmonton, arranged a large bank of
flowers in varieties of dwarf Roses in bat<'hes,
with clumps of Pelargonium Clorinda, large-
flowered Clematises, with a bunch of Boronia
megastigma and some delightful Pansies at ap-
propriate spots. The whole was set in a ground
composed of choice Ferns, and at the back was
a row of the variegated Acer Negundo. The
varieties of Roses were Mme. Levavaisseur. White
Pet, Phyllis, and Baby Dorothy. The Pansies
were remarkably fine, representing a splendid
strain of th« giant type, the blending of colours
in the blooms being especially good. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., made an imposing exhibit of forced
flowering shrubs, using these as a background
to varieties of hardy and Alpine plants. There
were such florifeitms subjects as Pyrus Schei-
deckeri. Rhododendron Jacksonii, White Lilac,
Wistaria sinensis. Magnolia Halleana, M.
amabilis, and Pyrus japonica vars. coccinea
and rosea plena. Amongst the Alpines we
noticed a fine display of Hepaticas, especially
the double blue variety ; Anemone vemalis,
very finely in flower; Edraianthus serphylli-
folius, Tulipa Clusiana with white and red
stripes alternately, and Sanguinaria canadensis
with the flowers held in position by the unex-
panded leaf, ifcssrs. Cutbush also made a splen-
did display with Carnations of the perpetual-
Iilooming type, showing bunches of all the best
kinds in remarkably fine blooms. (Silver-gilt
liankbian Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, St. Margaret's, Forest Road.
Gue-riisey, made a di.=play with Carnations. The
quality of the blooms was unsurpassed by any in
the Hall. Countess of March (soft sahnon-pink).
White Perfection, Mrs. H. Burnett, Mai-mion,
Afterglow, Baj' State (white splashed with
red), Pluto (clove), and Emperor (rose flaked on
white) are a selection. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Mr. G. Kngelmann, The Nur.sery, S.affron
Walden. showed bunches of the clove-coloured
Carnation Carola, with perfume like the Old
Clove ; also White Perfection, White Enchan-
tress, Vinca, Winsor and other well-known sorts.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannell & Son, Swanley, Kent,
staged a batch of the tall-flowered Begonia
Saturne, each plant having not fewer than 20
flower-spikes. The long peduncles are reddish,
and the flowers a shade of pink. Adjoining these
were bunches of Zonal Pelargoniums, about 30
varieties in all. The finest scarlet kind in the
group was New York. Clevedon is also a good
fcarlet, but it has an orange sheen. Amongst
the white varieties Venus, Goodwood and Snow-
drop are to be recommended in this order. Syd-
ney is by far the best light-pink Pelargonium.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Geo. Prince, Longworth, Berks., ex-
hibited Roses in show boxes and vases. Amongst
them was a new variety, Mrs Longworth, a
large, globular-formed flower of a pale-pink tint,
carried erect on a strong stalk ; also the new
Rose Mrs. Alfred Westmacott, a pale fawn Tea
variety, with an edging of pink, and of the
favourite filbert shape. White Killarney is a
loosely-built flower, about 4 inches in diameter
when fully developed. Other notable kinds were
Mrs. A. Waddell, a flower of an orange colour,
having a reddish tinge, and filbert shape until
fully expanded ; Fortune's Yellow, shown in con-
siderable numbers, and Molly Sharman Crawford,
a white Tea Rose. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)
Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
showed the new Rose Juliet, a large bloom of a
deep pink colour, having a tinge of orange on the
reverse of the petals ; the flower is very full.
The parents are Soleil d'Or and Captain Hay-
ward. The seedling has much vigour, and the
stalks carry the flowers erect, without artificial
support.

Messrs. George Mount & Sons, Ltd., Canter-
bury, made a beautiful exhibit with Roses, the
object being to display the new variety named

after Lady Hillingdon. There were five large
banks of this kind, shown in the bud stage, the
deep apricot-yellow being very efl'ective. The
others were mainly red kinds, such as Liberty
and Richmond. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Gill & Sons, Penryn and Falmouth,
were exhibitors of trusses of Rhododendrons cut
from plants growing in the oijen ground and un-
protected, Slany were of the arboreum section,
and possessed large trusses and flowers. Con-
spicuous amongst these blooms were flowers of
Camellia reticulata 7 inches across. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. J. Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookham,
Surrey, showed 40 plants of Auricula, including
selfs, white-edged, and green-edged varieties, and
all of them of tine quality. A purple self, with a
large, bold centre of white, received an Award of
Jlerit (see Awards).

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Kilnfield Nur-
series, Colchester, staged a fine collection of
Alpine species, the beautiful Primula named
after Mrs. J. H. Wilson being conspicuous at
one end of the group. There were several Fritil-
larias, including the climbing F. Thunbergii, the
upper leaves having their tips modified as ten-
drils ; the flowers are greenish-yellow. The
brightest-flowered was F. recurva, the colour
being orange-red on a yellow ground. Aubrietia
Perkinsii was showy, also Viola gracilis, and near
these was a fine pan of Shortia galacifolia. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, exhibited
miscellaneous hardy-flowering plants. Especially
fine was Anemone pulsatiUa ; also Primulas in
variety, Himalayan Rhododendrons, and Nar-
cissi of several sections. (Silver Banksian Medal.)
The Guildford Hardy Plant Co. showed
hardy Ericas, Veronicas, Mertensia virginica,
Andromeda floribunda, and other rock plants.
Messrs. Gilbert & Son, Anemone Nurseries,
Dyke, Bourne, Lincolnshire, exhibited Anemones,
such as A. Pulsatilla, King of Scarlets, and St.
Brigid.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
showed hardy subjects in pots, chiefly rock
plants, as Primulas, Auriculas, Ericas, Cereus,
Aloes, and other succulents.

The Misses Hoi'KiNs, Mere Gardens, Shepper-
ton-on-Thames, showed a bright group of Prim-
roses, Daisies, Anemones, Trilliums, and other
spring-flowering plants.

ilessrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, showed a number of Alpine plants in
boxes, with a setting of bulbous flowers, May-
flowering Tulips and Narcissi being a feature.
Messrs. G. Jackman & Son, Chard, exhibited
Rhododendron hybridum Jackmanii, Genistas,
Spiraea arguta, species of Primula, Scilla,
Anemone calyculata, Trillium, and other Alpines.
Jlessrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, showed a
beautiful stand oif Violas, among which we
noted Kitty Hay, Lizzie Paul, Isolde, Kingcup
(all yellow kinds). Lady Carlisle and Swan
(white), Mrs. W. Kern and Rosy Morn (both
purple), Picotee (a white-edged purple), Mr.
Chichester (blue with a white centre), and J. S.
Baker (a bright purple variety).

Messrs. Carter Page & Co., London Wall,
showed Pansies of their giant strain in many
colours, the large, circular blooms having bold,
clear markings. 'There were also some delightful
bunches of annuals, the magnificent blue of
Nemophila insignis and the darker N. atomaria
showing up prominently. Linaria maroccana,
Limnanthes Douglasii, and Nemesia strumosa
were also noticed.

Me&3rs. Heath & Son, Cheltenham, showed
Alpine plants on a bank of rockwork. There
were colonies of Grape Hyacinths, Primulas,
Corj'dalis bulbosa, Arabis, and other spring
flowers.

^Messrs. Thos. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, put up
a rockwork exhibit arranged with Alpine plants
in variety.

Captain Doerien Smith showed a number of
interesting photographs representing the flora
of the Chatham Islands.

Award of Merit.

Auricula PhyUts Douglas. — This is, perhaps,
the finest Alpine Auricula Mr. Douglas has
ever raised. In size, form and colour the flower
is equally satisfactory. The colour is very rich
purple with lighter edges and the centre white.
Shown by Mr. James Douglas.

236

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 9, 1910.

Lonicera pileata.- — This species was intro-
duced for Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons by Mr.
Wilson, about 1901, from Central China, having
previously been discovered by Mr. A. Henry
near Ichang. It is an evergreen (or, in severe
winters, semi-evergreen) shrub of neat, bushy
appearance, the branches often taking a liori-
zontal direction. The plant is of special interest,
being the only hardy, evergreen, bush Honey-
suckle in cultivation. The habit of the plant,
together with its neat, lustrous green, jlsmall
leaves are .strongly suggestive of one of the
dwaif Cotoneasters. The flowers are yellowish
white with the twin arrangement characteristic
of the bush Honeysuckles. The fruit is red, and
we learn that plants liave fruited in Ireland and
that they proved attractive. The shrub is very
easily propagated by cuttings of moderately-
ripened wood, placed in gentle heat. It would
apparently make a very pleasing, low evergreen
covering for sloping banks, &c. It is perfectly
hardy in the London district. Shown bv Messrs.
Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt.

Strain of Cineraria. — An Award of Merit
was granted to a strain of dwarf-flowered Ciner-
aria shown by Jleissrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons.
There were six varieties, and all showed the
habit characteristic of the variety " Feltham
Beauty."

Narcissus Committee.

Present: H. B. May, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. G. W. Leach, J. Pope, Robert Sydenham,
Charles T. Digby, W. W. Foster, F. H. Chap-
man, W. A. Milner. J. Walker, W. Poupart, J.
T. Bennett-Poe, P. D. Williams, E. M. Crosfield,
J. Jacob, E. Willmott, H. Backhou.se, A. R.
Goodwin, J. D. Pearson, R. W. Wallace, C.
Bourne, H. A. Denison, E. A. Bowles, and
Charles T. Curtis (secretary).

There was a good display of Narcissus, some of
the exhibits being from Ireland and Guernsey.
A large number of the flowers had been grown
either in glasshouses or frames, which enable
the cultivator to develop the best exhibition
blooms and much finer than by open-air cultiva-
tion.

A notable e-xhibit was presented by Mr. Alex.
M. Wilson, Bridgwat«r, Somerset, and for which
a Gold Medal was awarded. The collection em-
braced a remarkable selection of giant forms of
Leedsii, in white and bicolor flowers; magnificent
trumpet Daffodils, the red-cupped section and the
finest Poeticus varieties being shown splendidly.
Those of the named sorts that appealed n;ost
strongly to us were Conqueror, bicolor Ajax, Em-
pire (a white and cream giant Leedsii, Michael
(apparently raised from King Alfred), Ingles-
combe (which might well be said to reach the
highest excellence in a double lemon yellow In-
comparabilis), Cossack, and Gadfly (both of the
Engleheartii type, with richly-coloured crowns).
Tennyson and Ibis are two of the finest of the
Poeticus race in the group. There were also some
fine Poetaz varieties.

Messrs. Baru & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, displayed a particularly fine collection,
and amongst a very choice assortment we noted
Bedouin medio red-cup ; Seraphine, a fine pale
Aj^, of very large proportions ; Homespun ; Red
Chief ; Peter Barr ; Gadfly, with a fiery crown ;
Loveliness ; White Ajax ;' Jaspar, of the Engle-
heartii type, with a brilliant crown ; and Mer-
maid, a giant white Leedsii. Buttercup is a gem
among the self-yellow Daffodils. (Silver Flora
M(;dal.)

Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin, Kidder-
minster, showed some superb flowers, presented
in tht highest degree of perfection. Of the more
conspicuous we remarked the rich yellow Ajax
Rising Sun ; Bard of Avon, a handsome Poeticus
variety; JIaster of Balliol. a fine yellow Ajax
kind; Southern Star, with a bright cup; Sailor;
Homespun; Mme. de Graaff ; King Alfred, and
many other well known varieties. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, again made a garden scene, represeiiMng
border, graes plot, and flower beds, with dripping
pool and water basin. The background was
planted with Cedars, and a bank in front was
planted with magnificent plants of Narcissus
King Alfred. Very fine also was a bed of Hya-
cinth Leonidas, and the corresponding bed of the
white Alba grandiflora. There were also Tulips,
and the water was planted about with Alpines.
(Silver Bankeian Medal.)

Mr. J. A. Cooper, Lissadel Bulb Farm, Sligo,
also received a Silver Flora Medal for a choice col-
lection of these flowers, of whicn Glory of Leiden
Incognita (with red cup), the giant yellow Ajax
kind Sir Horace Plimkett, Lissadel (a seedling,
resembling apricot in the colour of its crown).
King Alfred, Muriel, and Cassandra were
amongst the finest in the group.

Mr. John Pope, King's Norton, Worcester-
c.hire, had a small group, in which Estelle, Sur-

Mr. F. LiLLEY, Guernsey, had a somewhat ex-
tensive collection of good commercial varieties of
NarcLssi, of which Lucifer, King Alfred, Fire-
brand, Oriflame, and Rev. Charles Digby were
a few of the more conspicuous. (Bronze Bank-
siaii iledal.)

Orchid Committee.

Prei^enl: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec).

X 200

C^F^CMS^X"^

Fig. I02. — LONICERA pileata.
(Received an Award of Merit on Tuesday last.)

prise, and King's Norton stood out conspicu-
ously.

Messrs. R. H. Bath & Co., Ltd., Wisbech,
contributed cut Daffodils and Tulips in great
variety, a margin to the group being formed by
Chionodoxas and Squills. (Bronze Banksian
Medal.)

Harry J. Veitch, W. Boxall, A. Dve, W. H
Hatcher, W. H. While, H. A. Tracy,"H. Ballaii-
tine, H. G. Alexander, J. Charlesworth, Gurney
Wilson, J. Wilson Potter, W. Bolton, H. Little,
Stuart Low, F. J. Hanbury, Walter Cobb, and
de B. Crawshay.

H. S. GooDSON, Esq., Fairlawn, West Hill,

Ai'KiL 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

237

Putney (gi-. Mr. G. E. Day), was awarded the
Society's Gold Medal for a group rich in
good things and especially in blotched and
hybrid Odontoglossums and scarlet Odoutiodas,
two of which secured awards. Others noted
were Odont |(^lossum Frederickii, 0. percultum
Fairlawn variety, Odontioda Vuylstekese and
the lighter variety Albion ; good scarlet Odon-
toglos.sum Bradshawife, 0. Cravenianum, O. Errir
estii (a fine flower, probably a Wilckeanum cross),
some richly-coloured 0. ardentii-simum. 0. ama-
bilc, and 0. eximium. The back of the group
was formed of handsome hybrid Phaius, with
Cynibidiums, Dendrobiums, and Odontoglos-
sums. In the middle were arrangements of
white Cattleyas, including many G. intermedia
alba and nivea, C. Dusseldorfei Undine, C.
Susanne Hye de Crom, the very beautiful C.
SchWiderje Queen Alexandra, Brasso-Cattleya
.Mme. Chas. Maron, and other Brasso-Cattleyas,
Sophro-Ltelias, &c.

Lieut-Col. G. L. Holfobd, CLE., C.V.O.,
>Vestonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed
a selection of beautiful and splendidly-grown
Orchids, among which the handsome Odontoglos-
sum Pescatorei Westonbirt variety, a large,
slightly-spotted flower, having an eight-branched
spike of 45 flowers, secured a well-merited Cul-
tural Commendation ; and the fine Lycaste Skin-
ntri hellemensis a First-class Certificate (see
Awards). The others were Odontoglossum ama-
bile Westonbirt variety, 0. ardentissimum Wes-
tonbirt variety, both large and finely blotched,
and Cattleya Apelles (Mendelii X Whitei), a
large, rose-coloured flower of fine shape.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.. K.C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. W. H. White), showed an interesting selec-
tion of curious Orchids, for some of which see
Awards. Otliers noted were a fine specimen of
Cirrhopetalum Cumingii, with 16 heads of deep-
rose flowers (Cultural Commendation) ; Epiden-
drum variegatum, a singular species with up-
right spikes of brownish flowers ; Dendrobium
Clio, and Odontoglossum Rossii roseuni.

J. GuRNEY Fowler, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Air. J. Davis), showed a very good
blotched form of Odontoglossum crispum, and
the pretty pink-tinted O. ardentissimum Star-
light, with the segments bearing a number of
small rose spots.

F. Menteith Ogilvie. Esq.. The Shrubbery,
Oxford (gr. Mr. Balmforth), showed 11 finely-
grown plants of the deep-yellow Veitchian form
of Dendrobium Thwaitesife, which received a
First-class Certificate when first shown.

Sir .Tere.mi.ih Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park. Reigate (gr. ]\Ir. Collier), staged an in-
teresting group, at the back of which were sev-
eral of the Ciatton Park variety of Phaius Nor-
man, all very beautiful ; a splendid deep-scarlet
variety of Odontioda Bradshawiie. raised at
Gatton ; the rare, large, white Maxillaria Lin-
denise, Coelogyne Sanderse, Warscewiczella dis-
color, a new white hybrid Dendrobium, and the
curious little Panisea apiculata were also in the
group.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, were awarded a Silver-gilt Flora Medal
for an extensive and well-arranged group,
the ends of which were of hybrid Dendrobiums.
and varieties of D. nobile. among which the pure
white variety, and a new seedling named D.
nobile Armstrongiaj. with fine, white flowers
with deep-purple disc to the lip, were con-
spicuous. The centre was of handsome Odonto-
glossums, Cynibidiums, &c., and in the lower
spaces good selections of Cypripediums and
various rare species, among which the plant of
Odontoglossum crispum Solum, with its clear,
white sepals and petals and deep-purple lip was
a fine object. Other plants noted were Den-
drobium Harveyanum, Lyca.ste Lawrenceana
gigantea. Odontoglossum eximium var., with
light-violet flowers ; Lielia Gwennie, pale yellow ;
Lielio-Cattleya WiUonii (L. Jongheana X C.
Hardyana) ; and some brilliant scarlet Sophro-
nitis.

Messrs. Ch.a.rlesworth & Co., Haywards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
an effective group of fine hybrid Odontoglcssums,
Odoutiodas, &c. One of the best novelties was
Sophro-Lselio-Cattleya Hon. Barbara Wilson, a
pretty flower of a glowing, rosy-mauve colour,
with orange base to the lip. The varieties of
Odontoglossum ardentissimum, Odontioda Brad-
shawiae, 0. Cassiope, O. Diana, 0. Vuylstekese,
and others gave charming colours. Others noted
were the true Masdevallia Winniana, Angrsecum

citratum, Odontoglossum coronarium miniatum,
Lycaste Skinneri exquisita, Zygopetalum, Per-
renoudii, and some pretty unnamed hybrids.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an excellent
group, in which the- principal plants were a
noble variety of Phala^nopsis casta named super-
bissima (see Awards), a good selection of fine,
scarlet Odontioda.'. a large blue Vanda coerulea,
a new white .Sobralia different in shape to S.
macrautha alba and of thicker substance, im-
ported from Ecuador. Among the showy hybrid
Odontoglossums. 0. Regale (ardentissimum X
Lawrenceanum) was very distinct and showy, its
pale-yellow flowers being heavily blotched with
chocolate-purple, contrasting well with the white
lip bearing .some dark spots around the yellow
crest ; 0 percultum ampliatum, silver-white
blotched over the greater part of its surface with
reddish-violet ; a large and handsome 0. excel-
lens ; and 0. blandum-nobile, a neat flower,
though not large. Others remarked were Brasso-
Ljelia Clio (L. cinnabarina X B. glauca), yellow-
tinged, and veined with rose; Dendrobiinn albo-
sanguineum and other showy Dendrobiums. On-
cidium O'Brienianum, Lielio-Cattleya callisto-
glossa excellens. and other Lselio-Cattleya.s.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
secured a Silver Banksian Medal for an effective
group of g<x>d Cattleya Schriiderje, various Den-
drobiums, including their dwarf, free-flowering
form of D. Jamcsianum, Cymbidium eburnco-
Lcwianum concolor, .some well-flowered Odonto-
glossums. including the pale yellow 0. sceptrum
Masereelianum. and good spotted 0. crispum ; a
very dark Cymbidium Lowgrinum ; Cirrhopeta-
lum Mastersianum. w-ith its pretty, coppery-
orange flowers : Cypripedium Drurii ; Angriccum
Leonis ; Bulbophyllum cupreum ; the pretty, yel-
low La?lio-Cattleya Gold Crest, &c.

-Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge, Haywards Heath,
showed a fine selection of Dendrobiums. includ-
ing xanthocentrum. Sibyl. Luna. Thwaitesine,
Pallas, &c. ; Epidendrum Delphii (O'Brienianum
X Schomburgkii). with heads of well-rounded,
blood-red flowers; the purple Odontoglossum
Groganii ; Cattleya .SchriideriTe alba ; and the
beautiful white-petalled C, Luddenianniana Stan-
leyi ; Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano-Schrciderie, the
elegant Cirrho|)etalum Jtakoyanum, with um-
bels of yellow flowers, speckled with rose ; a
pretty spotted Odontoglossum crispum. &c.

Mr. \. W. Jensen, Lindfield, staged a small
gioiqj of fine varieties of Cattleya Mendelii, Odon-
toglossum crispum. 0. triumphans. &c.

.Mrs. Temi'LE, Leyswood, Groombridge (gr.
Mr. Bristow), sent Lielio-Cattleya Mrs. Temple
(C. Mossia; X L.-C. Hy. Greenwood), a large,
rose-coloured flower.

Mr. GuRNEY Wilson. Haywards Heath,
showed Sophro-Laelio-Cattleya Bletchley flora (L.-
C. Bletchleyensis X S. grandiflora), a fine, rich
scarlet hvbrid.

AW^ARDS.
First-class Certificates.

Zi/cn.s/p Skinneri hellemensis, from Lieut. -Col.
G. L. HoLFORD. CLE.. C.V.O. (gr. Mr. H. G.
Alexander) Probably the finest-coloured Lycaste,
the flowers being large, finely formed, and of a
deep-rose tint, a little white showing at the backs
of the petals. The lip is white, spotted with
purple.

Plialcrnopsiis casta siiperhisslina. from Messrs.
Sander & Sons, St. .Albans, A gi-and variety of
this fine natural hybrid. Foliage resembling P.
Schilleriana. Flowers large, well-rounded, white,
with a delicate pink flush, and some effective
spotting at the base of the lip.

OdontogJossinn ardentissimum *'i^orman Cook-
'on," from Mrs. N. C. Cookson, Oakwood, Wy-
1am (gr. Mr. H. J. Chapman). A grand variety,
and much improved since last shown, when it re-
ceived an Award of Merit. The flowers are as
large as a good 0. crispum. the segments all
equally broad, deep claret-purple, with silver-
white margins and tips. It is difficult to imagine
a more beautiful Odontoglossum in its section.

Awards of Merit.

Odontioda Gondsonite, from H. S Goodson,
Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr. Mr. G. E. Day). The
prettv hybrid illustrated in the Gardeners'
Chronirh. March 27, 1909, p. 195, the suggested
parentage being given as Cochlioda Noezliana X
Odontoglossum ardentissimum, white or sparsely-
spotted variety. Flowers scarlet, with white
markings.

Odontoglossum Ceres Goodson' s variety (Rossii
X Bolfeic), from H. S. Goodson, Esq. Flowers
resembling 0. Rossii, but with broad, white
labellum.

SophrO'Lmlio-Cattleya Hon. Barbara Wilson
(S.-L. heatonensis x O. Fahia). — Flowers bright
rosy-mauve on orange ground colour, the front o£
the lip ruby-red and the base orange.

Botanical Certificates.

Megaclinium triste, from Sir Trevor Law-
rence, Bart. A curious species from tropical
Africa, with dark purplish flowers.

Megaclinium fuscum, from Sir Trevor Law-
rence. Inflorescence with a flattened blade,
dark purple, spotted with white, and bearing a
row of brownish-purple flowers on each side.

Pleurothallis tridentala, from Mr. Gueney
Wilson. A dwarf, tufted plant, with brownish
leaves, and small, greenish flowers.

Fruit and 'Vegetable Committee.

Present: G. Bunvard. Esq. (in the Chair), and
Messrs. C G. A. Nix, F. Perkins, A. Dean, E.
Beckett. H. Parr, W. Fyfe, G. Keif, J. Davis,
P. D. Tuckett, W. Barnes, J. Jaques, P. C M.
Veitch, C Faster, J. Harrison, W. Poupart, and
0. Thomas.

On the proposition of the Chairman, seconded
by Jlr E. Beckett, the Committee passed a vote
of sympathy with the relatives of the lat© Mr.
W. Denning, a former member.

A dish of medium-sized fruits of Apple Court
Pendii-Plat was shown by Mrs. Trotter, Dyr-
ham Park, Barnet, to show its keeping qualities

Mr. W. Crump sent from Madresfield Coint
Gardens, Malvern, good samples of Apples Ed-
ward 'VII. and the American Wagener, both
cooking varieties. The first-named has already
been given an Award of Merit. It was decided
that fruits of Wagener and another Apple from
Rhodesia should be cooked and submitted to the
Committee at the next meeting. A Silver Bank-
sian Medal was awarded to the Rhodesian Ajiplc,
which was shown by F. C Wlenholt, Esq.,
Rhodes Farm, Rhodesia.

Mr. W. Poupart, Twickenham, sent samples
of four varieties of Rhubarb, to show their
general growth in the open ground in relation to
earliness. The three best were Dawe's Cham-
pion, Hawke's Champagne, and the Sutton, there
being very little difference in these three. The
other was Dawe's Challenge, the stem of which
did not exceed 4 inches. It was understood that
the superintendent, Mr. S. T. Wright, would ex-
hibit a collection of Rhubarbs from established
roots growing at Wisley, at the next meeting.

The Earl of Cl.irendon, The Grove, Watford
(gr. Mr. E. Harris), showed a group of a white
Cabbage Lettuce of the Leyden White Dutch type,
grown in a cold frame, the seed having been sown
on January 12 last.

From the Times Experimental Station,
Sutton Green, Surrey. Mr. C Foster showed a
fine sample of blanched Witloof Chicory, which
had been grown in the open field, and blanched
with the natural soil heaped over the crowns.
The growths were about 7 inches in length, very
solidT and white. (Cultural Commendation.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, staged 100
heads of their small, and remarkably-early Cab-
bage Harbinger, which is a selection from the
variety April, but the heads are smaller and some
three weeks earlier. These were shown set up on
end, in two large trays, and were ideal samples
of first early spring Cabbages. To this variety a
Cultural Commendation was awarded. Although
they were grown in an open garden, without
special treatment, it was desired that the variety
be tested at Wisley next winter. Baskets of
April Cabbages were" also staged, but these were
later.

INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAI.
EXHIBITION, 1912.

At a largely-attended meeting in the Lecture
Room of the Royal Horticidtural Society on
Tuesday last, the proposals for an International
Horticultural Exhibition in 1912 took definite
shape. Most of the members of the council of the
R.H. Society were present, and the president. Sir
Trevor Lawrence, occupied the chair. After point-
ing out the great advance that had been made in
horticulture generally, and in this country in par-
ticular, since the last great exhibition in 1866,
and referring to the hospitality which British
horticulturists had received in France, Germany,

238

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 9, 1910:

Italy, Belgium and Holland in recent years at
such exhibitions in those countries, he moved
" that this public meeting is of opinion
that it is desirable to hold an International
Exiiibition in IMay and June, 1912." Sir
Trevor said that the first thing necessary was
the formation of a guarantee fund, and to
this the R.H.S. is prepared to make a liberal
contribution. Judging from the 1866 exhibition,
he did not anticipate the guarantors would be
called upon to contribute. In 1866 there was a
profit of about £3.500. and. comparing the pros-
pects of the 1912 venture with that of 1866, he
thought that it was likely to be even more suc-
cessful. He said it is not intended that the
R.H.S. should take possession of the scheme,
their object was only to properly launch it. They
had compiled a preliminary list for a general
committee, including many liberal patrons of gar-
dening. These ladies and gentlemen would be
invited to act, but the committee would have
power to add to its number.

Sir Albert Rollit. chairman of the National
Chrysanthemum Society, seconded the resolu-
tion, which was carried unanimously. This
speaker said that such an exhibition would re-
sult in materially improving Britain's commer-
cial and trade influence, and it would have the
higher value which the moral effect of the culti-
vation of flowers always has upon the people.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bt., said that Englishmen
loved their garden,?, and from what he knew
of the horticulture of the United Kingdom, such
an exhibition as the Committee had decided to
promote would surpass anything that had ever
been seen. ]\lr. Edward White has agreed to act
as the secretary pro tern. In reply to Mr. Alex-
ander Dean, the President said that, for the pre-
sent, the offices of the R.H.S. would be at the
services of the management committee.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

M-iiRCH 17. — Dr. Harry Drinkwater showed
specimens of drawings in distemper on coloured
paper of wild flowers growing at Wrexham ; his
object was to draw every plant in the local
flora natural size, and he had completed 300,
leaving about 500 still to be drawn.

Dr. Otto St.\pf, F.R.S., Soc.L.S., on behalf
of the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,
exhibited specimens of Eysenhardtia amor-
phoides, H. B, & K., and demonstrated the ex-
quisite fluorescence of the infusion of the wood
of the plant (as described by him in the Kew
Bulletin. 1907, No. 7, pp. 293-305) by the aid
of the electric arc-light of the optical lantern.

The Soy Be.-in.

Mr. J. H. Holland, F.L.S., also on behalf of
the Director of Kew, showed samples of Soy
Bean, Glycine Soja, Sieb. and Zncc. (G- hispida,
Maxim.), with herbarium spccits of the plant
producing this seed.

He stated that the seeds of " Soy," of which
there are many varieties, may be black, brown,
green or greenish-yellow, yellow, or mottled;
sometimes seeds are described as white, but there
appears to be no Soy Bean true white in colour.

The plant is variously known as " Soy,"
" Soja," " Soya," " White Gram," " American
Coffee Berry," and " China Bean."

In China and .Japan, where the plant has been
cultivated for many years — perhaps centuries —
the Ceans are an important food, and they are
also said to be used as a substitute for Coffee.
Bean Cake and the sauce known commercially as
" Soy " is also made from them. It is stated
that in the manufacture of the Soy of Conmierce
in addition to the Beans, the requirements are
simply a large amount of salt and flour, and an
unlimited supply of fresh water. Wenchow is
an important centre of the m mufacture. and here
the Bean used for the purpose is said to be chiefly
the white fonn from Chinkiang.

The cultivation has been extended to India,
Africa, and other warm countries, and in America
the plant has been grown for a number of years
(25 at least) as a forage crop. Like many other
leguminous plants, it has a special value as a
green manure.

The principal use of the Beans in this country
is for the extraction of the oil, of which they
contain about 18 per cent, suitable for soap-
making, and in genera! as a substiLute for cotton-
seed oil. The residue, after the extraction of oil,
is suitable for feeding cattle, and for this purpose

appears likely to become a serious competitor of
Cotton-seed cakes, Sunflower-seed cakes. Lin-
seed cakes, &c. The Beans can be bought in
London at about £5 to £5 per ton ; the oil
realises about £21 to £22 per ton, and the cake
about £6 to £7 per ton.

Beans and Bean-cake exported from China
have gone chiefly to .lapan, and certain parts
of Asia, but recently, beginning about Novem-
ber, 1908, an important trade has been developed
in them, more especially with the Beans, be-
tween Manchuria and Europe, Dairen (Dalny)
being the chief place of export.

The cause of this sudden development may,
perhaps, be attributed to the facts that a great
increase in the cultivation took place in Man-
churia during the Russo-Japanese war, to meet
the demands for food of the Russian Army ; then,
when the troops were withdrawn, the production
being found profitable, anj the home demand
reduced, other markets were sought. The trade
extended to Japan, and afterwards, assisted per-
haps by a period of depression in that country,
it extended to Europe, where the industry has
created interest in many quarters.

The amount of the 1908 crop sent to Europe
through Vladivostok up to July, 1909, was
180,000 tons, the greiiter part destined for the
English market (Bull and Liverpool), and the
remainder going to German (Hamburg) and
Scandinavian ports.

Up to 1907 the export of Soy Beans from
.Manchuria did not exceed 120,000 tons annually.
During 1908 the export rose to 330,000 tons (one-
half shipped from Dairen ; 100,000 tons from
Newchang, an-d 55,000 tons by rail via Suifenho
to Vladivostok), the increase it is said being
due entirely to the demand from Europe, The
total of the 1909 crop exported has been esti-
mated at about 700,000 to 800,000 tons. It is
anticipated that at present prices Europe may
eventually take at least 1,000,000 tons annually.

Mr. Craib. Mr. Bunzo Hayata (from Tokyo),
and Dr. Stapf gave further details, and Mr. Hol-
land replied. He also brought for exhibition a
series of 17 photographs, showing the methods
now used to Ibring Teak (Tectona grandis, Linn,
f.), fro.m the Burma forests to the shipping ports.

The first paper was by Mr. E. P. Stebbing,
F.L.S., " On the Life History of Chermes hima-
layensis on the Spruce (Picea Morinda) and Silvfr
Fir (Abies Webbiana) of the N,W, Himalaya,"
of which the following is an abstract: —

" The life histories of the European species of
Chermes, C. abietis and C. viridis, have been
studied by Blochmann and L. Dreyfus in Ger-
many, Cliolodkovsky in Russia, and more re-
cently by E. R. Burden of Cambridge. It is
now well known that C. viridis has alternating
series of generations upon the Spruce and Larch.
The discovery that a species of Chermes formed
galls on the Spruce in the Him.alaya was first
reported by A. Smythies, of the Indian Foreign
Service, in 1892. These were considered by the
late Mr. Buckton to be Chermes abietis. Invts-
tigations commenced by the author in May,
1901, and carried on intermittently up to July,
1909, have led to the discovery that this Chermes.
although an undescribed species, has a life his
tory somewhat similar to the European speci(s
of the genus, having series of agamic generations
alternating between the Spruce and Silver Fir
(which grow together in mixture in the Western
Himalaya), with a sexual generation occiu'ring
but once a year, in the autumn, on the Spruce."

The paper shows that the Himalayan insect
passes through similar generations to its Euro-
pean congeners to which the names Fundatrices,
Alatse, Colonici^ Sexuparae, and Sexuales have
already been given by European investigators.
The periods at which these generations are to
be found upon the trees in the Himalaya differ
considerably, however, from the European ones,
and are apparently chiefly governed ijy the ap-
pearance of the monsoon early in July in this
region. The life history is apparently so closely
dependent upon the climatic conditions of the
localit,y, that further close investigations are re-
quired to establish definitely the period of ap-
pearance of the sexual generation.

Coming to the question of the damage com-
mitted by the insect in the forest, the paper
points out that this is undoubtedly of a serious
nature. In the case of the Spruce, young trees
are often seen loaded with galls, as "many as 80
per cent, of the branches bearing, at" times,
several cones apiece upon them. Each gall means
the destruction of a bud or future branch.

In the Silver Fir also, the growth of young
trees is seemingly impeded, owing to the method
of feeding of the second generatimi of the Colonici
(the Eiules and Sexupaiie). This results in a
curious twisting and contortion of the upper
portions of the new shoots, the needles on the
upper half twisting round one another tightly,
forming a loose kind of gall-like structure, which
subsequently withers and drops off. As many
as 90 per cent, of the new shoots of young
trees have been observed to be corkscrewed and
killed in this manner.

The President commented on the extreme in-
terest of these observations, and the beauty of
the coloured drawings by Mrs. Stebbing.

NUESERY AND SEED TRADE.

April 1. — The annual general meeting was
held at 32, Gresham Street, London, on this date.
Jlr. H. Simpson, of Messrs. Cooper, Taber & Co.,
Ltd., occupied the chair.

The report and balance-sheet for 1909 were
submitted ; these showed that the membership
had increased and the financial position im-
proved. Debts amounting to over £5.000 had
been collected for members during the year by
the Association, and assistance had been rendered
to them in obtaining status information respect-
ing the solvency of intending custmers who were
seeking credit ; also in tracing debtors.

Mr. N. N. Sherwood was re-elected president
of the Association. The other officers were also
appointed, Mr. H. Simpson and i\Ir. G. H. Barr
being re-elected trustees, and Mr, Henry W. W,
Nutting treasurer, in the place of Mr. W. J.
Nutting, who has served as a member of the com-
mittee for more than 30 years, and as treasurer
for the past 18 years.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS,

Week ending A ml 6th,
No rain / r sixteen davs. — There was one rather warm
day, but with this exception both the days and nights during
the past week remained cold. On the coldest night the
exposed thermometer registered 14** of frost, the coldest
night since February 5, or for eight weeks. During the
last 25 nights there have been only two which have been
above the average in temperature. On the other hand, in
the same period, the days were, as a rule, rather warm.
The ground has now become cold, being 1° colder at 2 feet
deep, and 3" colder at 1 foot deep, than is seasonable. Rain
fell on the last two days, to the total depth of about a
quarter of an inch; but previous to this there was what
meteorologists term an " absolute drousihi," lasting 16
days. There was no measureable percuUition through
either gauge until after this rain, but since then small
quantities of rain-water have come through both of them.
The sun shone on an average for 5| hours a day, or for
IJ hours a day longer than is usual at the beginning of
April. Light airs and calms have alone prevailed during
the week, the direction being principally from some north-
erly point of the compass. The mean aniouEit of moisture
in the air at 3 p.m. fell short of a seasonable quantity for
that hour by three per cent.

March.
Rather warm, very dy)\ and except ioncillv calm and sunny. —
Taking the month as a whole it proved a rather warm
March. The days were nearly all warm and also the first
12 night*;, but after that time there were only two nights on
which the temperature was above the average. It was a
month of fairly equable temperature. On the warmest day
the highest reading in the thermometer screen was only S?'',
and on the coldest night the exposed thermometer registered
only 13* of frost, both of which are unusually moderate
extreme readings for the month. Rain or snow fell on only
10 days and to tlie aggregate depth of but IJ inch, which is
three-quarters of an inch below the March average. This
was the driest March for 10 years. Snow fell on only one
day, when for a short time in the evening the ground was
covered with it. One of the most noteworthy features of
this March was a drought lasting from the 18th to the end of
the month, or for 13 days. The sun shone on an a\-erage
for five hours a day, or for as much as IJ hours a day longer
than is usual in March. This was the calmest March with
one exception during the 24 years over which my observa-
tions at Beikhamstead e\tend, and the mean velocity for
the windiest hour only amounted to 15 miles — direction
W.S.W. The mean amount of moisture iti the air at
3 o'clock in the afternoon fell short of a seasonable quantity
for that hour by four per cent.

Our Underground Water Supply,
With March came to an end the winter half of the present
drainage year. The total rainfall for those six months
exceeded the average quantity by half an inch, which is
equivalent to an excess of 13,350 gallons on each acre in
this district. At the same time last year there was a defi-
ciency of 111,070 gallons per acre. E. M., JJerkhamsted,
April 6, 7910.

TRADE NOTICE.

THE CLYDESDALE ORCHARDS, LTD.
The above-named company has been registered with a
capital of £2,000 in £1 shares. The objects of the company
;ire to acquire the business of fruit growers, niarket gar-
deners and florists carried on by Alex. H. Brown at
Lammas Knowe and Quarry Park, Crossford, Lanarkshire.
Private company.

April 9, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

239

IVTARKETS.

Plants m Pots, fie: Average Wholesale Prices fCon^t^j.

COVENT GARDEN, April 6.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furiushed to us regularly every
Wednesday, by tbe kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, wlio are responsible for the quotations. It
must be remembered iliat these quotaiions do not repre-
sent tbe prices on any particular day, but only the
general averaf,'es for the week preceding; the dale of bur
report. The prices depend upon the quality of the
samples, the way in whicli they are packed, tlie supply
in the market, and the demand, and they may fluctuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several times
in one day. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers. Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

E.d. s.d.
Acacia dealbata

(mimosa), per

doz. bunches... 8 0-10 0
Anemones, p. doz. 1 0- 1 G
Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch 0 6-09

— Fielderi, p. dz. 2 0-80
Bouvardia ... ... 4 0-60

Calla (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
American (var.) 2 0-30
Carola, and other

special varieties 4 0-50

— second size ... 16-20

— smaller, per

doz. bunches 12 0-18 0
Camellias, per doz. 16-20
Caiileyas, per doz.

blooms ... 6 0-90

Dafiodils, best, per

doz. bunches... 16-36

— seconds ... 16-20

— double, per dz.
bunches ... 16-20

Eiicharis giaudi-

tlora, perdoztn

blooms ... 3 0-40

Freesias, p. dz.bch. 10-16
Gardenias, per dz. 16-26
Heather (white),

per bunch ... 10 —
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms 16-20
LiIac(Frnch.),p.bch. 2 0 3 0
Liliuin anratum

per bimcli ... 2 0-30

— longilloruiu ... 2 0-30

— lane i f o I ium
rubruai ... 2 0-26

— Ian ci f o li urn

album 16-20

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

6 0-90
extra quality ... 12 0 15 0

Cut Foliage, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices

Marguerites, p. dz,

bundles white

and yellow
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 3 0-40
Narcissus poelicus
(Pheasaiii'sEye),

per doz. bnchs.
~ Soleil d'Or -.
O d o ii t o glossum

crispuuj, per

dozen blooms 10-20
re!argoniums,sbw.,

per doz. bchs.

— Zonal, double
scailet

Richardia atncana

(Calla), p. doz.
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niplietos

— liriilesMiaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i n A.
Victoria

— Capt. Hayward

— C. Mermet ...'

— Liberty

— Mme.Cliatenay

— Richmond

— The Bride
Spiisea, per doz.

bunches
Slephanotis, 72

-pips"
S ocks, p. dz. bchs.
S vert rea>:, per

dozen bunches... 2 0-40
T il)eroses,p, gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 4-06
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, p. dz. bchs. 1 6- *2 0

— Parma 16-20

2 0-30

10-20
10-16

3 0-50

4 0-60
16-26

10-20

2 0-30

3 0 4 0

10-30
2 0-36

1 6- 2 0

2 0-40
2 0-50
2 0-40
2 0-30

4 0-60

2 0-30

3 0-40

Adiantuai cmiea-
lum, pr,r dozen
bunches

Asparagus pin-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Si>rengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per
dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish)

s.d.

s.d.

6 0-

8 0

12 0-

18 0

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6

3 0

9 0-
I 0-

12 0
a 0

2 0-

3 0

Ferns (French) ...

Galax leaves, per
doz. bunches

Hardy foliage
(vaiions), per
dozen bnnclies

Ivy-leaves, l)ronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz.bimches

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz. bchs.
(English),
sniall-leaved ...

— French
Siuilax, p. dz. trails

s.d. s.d.
0 6-09

3 0-90

2 0-26

1 fr- 2 6
4 0-50

4 0-60
10-16
3 0-40

Plants In Pots, Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Acacia Drummondi,

per dozen ... 24 0-30 0
Ampelopsis Veit-

ciiii.per dozen 6 0-80
Araha Sieboldi, p.

dozen 5 0-80

— larger speci-
mens 9 0-12 0

~ Moseri 6 0-80

— larger plants ... 12 0-18 0
Arancaria excelsa,

per dozen ... 12 0-30 0

— large plants,

each ... .. 3 6-50
Aspidistras, p. dz.,

green 15 0-24 0

— *ariegated ... 30 0-42 0
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per

dozen 9 0-15 0

— Sprengeri .. 9 0-12 0

— tenuissimus 9 0-12 0
Azaleas, per doz. 30 0-42 0
Begonia Gloire

de Lorraine, p.
dozen ... .. 12 0-18 0

'Boronia hetero-

phylla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— megastigma ... 18 0-24 0
Cinerarias, per doz. 5 0-80
Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... 18 0-24 0
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
-Crotons, per dozen 18 0-80 0
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per n s alterni-

folius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Daffodils, per doz. 4 0-60
Dracaenas, per doz. 9 0-24 0 ,

s.d. s-d.
Erica candidissima 18 0-24 0

— gracilis, doz.... 10 0-15 0

— hyemalis ... 9 0-15 0

— melanthera ... 9 0-18 0

— persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

Euonymus.perdz.,

in pots 3 0-80

— from the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in tlnimbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0

— in small and

large f.O's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— in 32"s, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficns elastica, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 6 0-90
Gievilleas, per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths, i>er dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6 0-90
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per

dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
L i 1 i u in I o n g i -

fiorum, per dz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifotiuni, p.

dozen 18 0-30 0

Lily of the Valley,

per do/en ... 18 0-80 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignoneite, p. doz. 6 0-80
Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0-6 0

;.d. s.d.

Spirasa japonica, dz, 9 0-12 U
Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz. ... 6 0-10 0

s.d. s.d.
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs ... 16-20

— pots, special ... 9 0-12 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

j.d.s.d. —

Apples (U.S.), per
barrel ... ... 24

— Albemarle Pip-
pin .. ... 32

— (Canadian), per
barrel :

— Spy 26

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :
Nonpareil ... 16

No. 2 14

... 16
14

Starks ...

— I-jldwin

— Spy 22

— Greening ... 14

— Russett ... 17

— Fallawater ... IS

— Ben Davies ... 16

— (C a 1 i fornian),
per case :

— Newtown Pip-
pin, 4 tiers,
selected .. 11

— 4.^ tiers, do. ... 9

— 4 tiers, seconds 8

— 4J tiers, do. ... 8

— (Oregon), New-
town Pippin,
per case :

— 4 tiers 15

— 4i tiers 13

— 5 tiers ... ... 10

— F"rench Russets 8

— British Colum-
bia

Hananas, bunch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giant „ ...

— Red coloured. ..

— Red Doubles ..

— Jamaica ,, ...

— Loose, per dz.
Cranberries (Ameri

can Cape Codj,

per case
Custard Apples, p.

dozen 6

Dates (Star), cwt. 10
Grape Fruit, case :

— 9fi's

— *-0's

— 64-s

— 54's
Grapes, per lb. :

— Gros Colmar,

— A quality

— B quality

— Gros Colmar
(Belgian)

— (.Mmeria), per
barrel ..
p. 121b. baskets

— (Cape), p. box :

— Raison Blanc,
lOlbs.toiaib:

,d. s.d.
0-27 0
6 —

0 17 0
6-15 6
0-18 0
0-17 0
0 -
0-lH 0
0-20 0
O-20 0
0-17 0

12

12

0

6

_

fi

—

0-10 0

0-18 0

n

_

0-

10 0

n-

in n

n-

11 n

fi-

C. 0

0-

•1 0

0-

6 11

6-

1 0

7 0 —

0-12 0
0 —

14 0-18 0

0-3 6
3- 2 G

0-25 0
0 —

0 —
— 10 lbs. to 24 lbs. 10 6 —

Grapes (Cape), Her-
mitage, 10 lbs.
to 12 lbs.

Lemons, per case :

— {Messina , se-
lected, 300

— selected, large 9

— niedmm, 360... 8

— special cases,
330 8

— boxes, extra
quality, 300 ... 7

l.ycliees, perbox... 1
Miiiigoes(Cape),per

doz. 4

Nuts, Almonds, p.
bag S6

— Brazils, new,
per cwt, ... 45

— Barcelona, per
ban 32

— Cob, per lb. ... 0

— Cocoa nuts. 100 10
~ (Italian), p. hau 11
~ Chestnuts.

Huelva, sack
(^laii^'es—

— Palermo Blood

i80) 6

(100) _. ... 8

— Californian
Navel, box (80)\

— ,, case l%l\i,

— „ „ (1121 /^^

— .. .. (12i;)J

— J al f a s , case
(144) 8

— I^enia, per case
(420)

— Selected

— (420) large ...

— l714) specials..

— 1714) selected

— Valencia, per
c.nse (420)

— Messina Bit-
ters, box (100)

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case ...

— Tangerine; per
box

— Seville Sours,
rer J chest ...

Pears (Avacado),

per doz.
Pears, Beurrfi

Hardy (28, 32)

— B e u r r <; Bosc
(24, 28)

— i.^iistralian), p.
tray

Pineapples, each ...
P 1 u HI s , (Cape),

Kelsey
Strawberries, p. lb.

— seconds

0 —
G —
6 —

0 —
e- 1 9

0-10 0

0-42 0

0-48 0

0-34 0
3 0 3*
0-14 0
0-13 0

7 6

6-7 0
0-9 0

0 —
6-14 6
0 —
6 —
6-18 6

0-20 0

0 —

0-12 0
4- 1 6

6 10 6

6-09

0-16 0

0-12 0

6 -

0 —

0-5 0
6-3 6

6-8 0
0-4 0
a- 2 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s d.s.d. '

.^iticItuliestOlobe),
pel dozer.

— Jerusalem, i
sieve

Asparagus, Paris
Green, bundle

— Sprue

— (Dijon)

— (Spanish)

— [Barcelona) ...
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
per pad

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to
8 lbs.) ...

Beetroot, per bushel
Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (i'-nglish),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwasbed
Cauliflowers, tally

— (French), per
crate (21-80) ...

Celeriac, per doz.
Chicory, per lb. ... 0 2J- 0 3
Cucumbers, per dz. 16-40
Endive, per dozen 2 0-23
Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle ... 10-13

— 12 bundles ... 12 0-15 0
Leeks. 12 bundles 10-16
Lettuce (French),

per dozen

— (Cosl, per doz.
Marrows(Madeira),

per doz.
Mint, doz. bunches
Miisliiooiiis,per lb.

— broilers

2 0-26
0 9-10

4 0-50

0 9-0 10
2 0- 2 G

1 3- 1 fi
10-12

0 9-12
4 0-50

2 6-36
16-20
2 6 —

8 0-10 0

2 9-30

3 6-40
16-19
6 0-80

s.d..
1 0

8 0-3

4 0-4

4 0-
1 6-

10-13
3 6-56

12 0-18 0
3 0-40
10-13
0 8-0 10

Mustard and Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Dutch), p.

bag

— (English), bag..

— pickling, p.bshl. 7 0-8

— Spring, per dz.
bunches ... 3 0-4

— (Valencia), per

case ... ... 9 0 —

— Egyptian, bags 7 0 —
Parsley, J sieve ... 16-3
Parsnips, per bag... 16-2
Peas I French), pad 3 0-5

— (Jersey) per lb. 2 3-2
Potatos (Algerian),

cwt

— (Channel Is-
lands), per lb.

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

Rhubarb (forced),
doz bundles...

— Natural, per
tally

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 8-0
Savoys, per tally... 4 0-7

Seakale

Spinach, * sieve ...

— (Frenchl, crate
Sprouts, ti si(-ve ...

— per bag, 28 lbs.
Sprouting Broccoli,

bag

Slachys tiiberosa,

per lb

Toinalos—

— (TeneriflTe), per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bchs....

— b.ngs

— dirty, per bat.'. -
Turnip Tops, bag
Watercress, p. fiat

s.d

14 0-16 0
0 4-06

10 0-15 0

10- 1 3

6 6-66

10-14
2 6-30
2 0-26
10-13
13-26

13-19

0 4-05

1 0-12 0

2 0-30

9. 0-

2 i;

1 G-

2 0

1 0-

2 (1

4 0-

G G

Rkmarks.— The Cucumber trade is dull, but large con-
si.^inuicnis continue to arrive daily. Good Canary Tomatos
are scarcer, consequently their- prices are a little firmer.
The first arrival of Australian and Tasmanian Apples
are expected to arrive to-day (Wednesday). Good Bananas
are scarce. A consignment of West Indian Claret Bananas
ariived this week, but they did not sell readily. Grapes
and Pears from the Cape are plentiful. Business in
vegetables and fruit is quiet. E. //. Rides, tovent Garden
April 6, WW.

Potatos.

Lincolns—

Up-to-Date ...

Dalnieny Beauty,

Royal Kidney

Maincrop

King Edwards

Blacklands ...

Kents—

Scottish Triumphs 3 6-40

Up-to-Date 3 6-40

per cwt.
s.d. s.d.
3 3-40
3 6-39

2 6-29

3 3-39
3 3-39
2 9-30

per cwt.
Bedfords— s.<i. s.d.

Up-to-Date 3 0-36

Blacklands 2 3-29

Dunbars—

Maincrop 5 3-56

Up-to-Date 4 3-46

Lincolns—

Evergood 2 3-29

Sharpe's Express... 3 0-33

Remarks. — Trade is still rather slow and prices are about
the same as last week. Arrivals have not been quite so
heavy, consequently the stocks in London are becoming
smaller. Edward J . Newborn, Coveni Garden and St, PancraSf

April 6, 19 W.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Flowering plants are developing tlieir blooms rapidly.
Of Roses there are good Ramblers of various sorts, also
varieties of the dwarf Polyantha section. These latter
are termed " dwarf," or " baby " ramblers, notwith-
standing thfy have no inclination to " ramble." Sup-
p.ies of Azaleas still hold out. 1 am surprised that
the coloured varieties are not more appreciated for fur-
nishing cut bloom. I know of some of a deep red
colour, which lasted fresh for a fortnight. One
of the prettiest bouquets I have seen was composed
chiefly of a soft pink semi-double variety of Azalea.
Genistas are at their best, and very plentiful. During
the past few years they have been extensively used for
window boxes. Hydrangeas, which are at present very
good, are also used for the same purpose, but these re-
quire to be hardened before fully exposing them on
window sills. Intermediate Stocks are very fine this
season. Mignonette is also very good. It is remark-
able what an effect a few sunny days has on this plant,
for in dull, foggry weather it cannot be induced to open
its blooms. Marguerites suitable for yvindow boxes are
w.ll flowered. Zonal Pelargoniums are also of good
quality. Daffodils in pots are used for furnishing win-
dow boxes early in the season. Spirseas are good, but
too tender to be exposed early; it is remarkable that,
though the roots are perfectly hardy, a very slight frost
will damage the foliage, and it is the same with the
Dicentra (Dielytra) spectabilis and many other plants
from Japan. I^iricas seen include E. candidissima, E.
Wilmoreana and E. persoiuta alba. Cin^^rarias arc
very good. The variety Matador, which was shown by
Messrs. J. Vcitch & Sons on Tuesday, ought to prove a
useful addition for market purposes, being of good
habit, and the deep red flowers are the brightest-coloured
Cineraria blooms I have ever seen. Cyclamen are fairly
good, but, as I have previously remarked, the best
plants are not seen in the market. Lily of the Valley
varies but little. Messrs. T. Rochford & Sons send in
some very pretty fancy baskets well filled with the best
variety. Trade has been rather better for foliage plants,
but no high prices are made.

Bedding plants are a feature. As soon as there is a
little sunshine the suburban gardener begins to plant
tender subjects, but he often has to re-plant later on.

Cut Flowers.
Prices have been very uncertain, but generally in
favour of buyers. There has been a great glut of
Daffodils, and they are offered in the London streets
at id. per bunch of 12 blooms. Tulips have been mak-
ing rather belter prices. The ordinary early Dutch
Tulips are nearly over. Hyacinths are offered at low
prices. Liliums have been cheaper than is usual at
this season, best blooms of L. longifiorum making not
more than about 2s. 6d. per tunch. Roses are over
plentiful ; fine blooms of Capt. Hayward make only
yhout 2S 6d. per dozen. Richmond keeps up to a
fairly good price, and Madame Abel Chatenay is also
in demand at goci prices. Carnations are plentiful ;
there are few that make more than 2s. 6d. per dozen.
Arum Lilies (Richardias) are over plentiful. Eucharis
are scarce, but in respect to most seasonable subjects
the market is over supplied. Good foliage is not over
abundant. Berberis is the best bronze foliage, but this
will now be starting into new growth, and will not be so
serviceable. The bronze Gala.x which is sent from
America lasts fcr a long time. The new growths of
Asparagus are d<:ve]oping. but I find most growers cut
last season's growths very close. The spring fronds of
Adiantum Ferns are better developed. Smilax is good
at all seasons. At one time we had to depend upon
American growers for our best supplies of Smilax ; now
English growers cultivate it. Some enterprising English
firms may take up the culture of Ruscus ; the native
species R. aculeatus does not grow tall enough, but R.
racemosus from Portugal and France is most useful, as
it lasts well, and is of a bright green colour. Last
season, bunches of six growths were worth is. 6d. per
bunch. This price should be profitable even if the plant
is grown under glass. A. H., Covent Garden, Wednes-
day^ April 6, igio.

ENQUIRY.

Herr Max Leichtliii recommends the use of
" Sohagnum-moss dried and as fine as sawdust "
to form " a i inch layer, in which the rootlets
of the seedling ramify," the consequenc-' being
that '* every seedling is lifted with abundance of
fibre." I should be grateful to know where this
inateri.'il is obtainable. A. C. B., Part House,
Read in y.

240

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

lApeil 9, 1910.

(J^bituarjj.

Thomas Ryan.— The news of the death of Mr.
Thomas Ryan, gardener at Ca^tlewellan, on
March 22, will be learned with deep regret.
For 40 years he lived and laboured at Castle-
wellan, and for more than 30 filled the office
uf head gardener to the late and the present
Earl Annesley. His death, caused by an effu-
sion of blood on the brain, occurred very sud-
denly while supei-intending tree-planting opera-
tions in the Deer Park. Apparently in full vigour,
and with scarce a word of warning to those about
him, he sank to the ground and expired pain-
lessly. Thus in 15 months have passed away
the two men — Hugh 5th Earl Annesley and
Thomas Ryan — who for more than 30 years
worked together at Castlewellan, achieving a
result which probably stands unrivalled in Great
Britain or Ireland to-day. An authoritative
critic once said of the late Earl Annesley that
"he built up on the enchanting slopes of Castle-
wellan what is, perhaps, the noblest monument
to horticulture that any single man of our age
has created," and were he alive to-day he would
be the first to admit his indebtedness to the in-
defatigable industry and good taste of the late
Thomas Ryan, who, more than any other man,
contributed to his unique achievement. Thirty
years ago the gai'den at Castlewellan was com-
paratively unknown ; to-day it may fittingly be
described as a hillside of varied and exceptional
specimens, a gallery of exotics, grouped in pei'-
fect taste and growing luxuriantly. In the hand
ling of seeds, in budding, layering or grafljng the
late iSIr. Ryan had an almost magic touch, and
showed himself in fullest sympathy with such
work. He delighted to master a really " diffi-
cult " plant, and counted no pains too great
to achieve his end. His devotion to his work
was evidenced by the fact that he very rarely
left the precincts of his life's labour, and
" days off " to him meant further days amongst
the plants he loved, studying their habits and
noting their requirements. Such modesty and
unobtrusiveness as be possessed tend to self-
effacement. Still, it may be permitted to one
who watched him closely for 17 years to place
on record his qualities as a man over and above
those as a gardener. No one visiting Castle-
wellan could fail to appreciate the gardener,
and it was only necessary to know the man
himself to admire the refinement and charm of
his personal character. By profession he was a
gardener and by nature a true gentleman. His
per!-onality was in the highest degree atlraf«
live, and won for him an exceptional position
of trust and confidence in the family with whom
he accomplished his lifelong service. H. Armxj-
tage Moore, Eowallane, Co. Down.

William Denning. — It is with deep regret
we record the death of this well-known gardener
and market florist at his Hampton residence on
the evening of Saturday, the 2nd inst, after a
brief but painful iUness. It will be remembered
that Jlr. Denning, who was one of the most ener-
getic members of the Urban District Council of
Hampton, had been speaking at the meeting of
that body on the evening of March 8 last, when
he somewhat suddenly resumed his seat, and a
little later it was noted that he was ill. Jledicai
aid was summoned, and it was found that Mr.
Denning was suffering from a paralytic seizure.
A day or two later he recovered conscious-
ness, but he never regained his power of
speech. Mr. Denning began his gardening career
at Grimston about the year 1850. and later gained
experience at Tortworth Court, PatshuU, Royal
Botanic Gardens. Kew, and other places. He
left Kew in 1856. He was subsequently ap-
pointed head gardener to Lord Bolton, Bolton
Hall, Yorkshire. Later he became head gardener
to the Londesborough family, first at Grinistone
Park, Tadcaster, and later at Kingston Hill,
Surrey, where he laid out an extensive new pro-
duce garden. In the '70's and '80's Mr. Denning
was a well-known exhibitor at the meetings of the
Royal Horticultural Society, his skill as a suc-
cessful fruit and plant cultivator being generally
recognised. About the year 1887. Mr. Denning
settled 'in Hampton. Middlesex, whei-e he en-
gaged in the business of a market florist, grow-
ing a greater variety of crops than is usual with
such men. In all the flower-forcing departments
he displayed sound judgment and skill, whilst

his insistence on attention to the smallest details
{always a characteristic of the best private gar-
deners) was remarkable to the end. As a contri-
butor to the horticultural Press of two or three
decades ago, and as a past member of the Fruit
Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society,
Mr. Denning will still be remembered by his
contemporaries. He took an active interest in
the formation of the Royal Gardeners' Orphan
Fund, while up to the time of his death he was
a. member of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent
Institution. For the period of about 15 years he
was a member of the Urban District Council,
and was elected chairman of that body some
three or so years ago. He was also one of the
governing body of the Grammar School and one
of the managers of the county schools. A
plain-spoken and fearless man, who called a
spade a spade, he pursued that course which he
conceived to be his duty unflinchingly, and pos-

THE LATE WILLIAM DE.NNING.

sibly uncompromisingly. Mr. Denning, who at
tained the age of 73 on April 1, leaves a widow
and family to mourn his loss The interment
took place at Hampton Cemetery at 3.30 p.m.
on Thursday last, amid every manifestation of
respect.

to
rrecjbondcnt-:}

Bulbs from Burmah : B. D. K. The Lily bulbs
from Upper Burmah are probably Lilium sul-
phureum, but it is impossible to be certain
without seeing them. Lilium sulphureum will
thrive successfully in a compost of good turfy
loam and peat in equal parts, with a generous
addition of sand. Yon may either plant them
in good-sized pots or in a well-drained border
in a cold greenhouse in northern districts or
even out-of-doors in the south and south-west
counties. If placed indoors, plenty of head
room must be affoi-ded, for the plants sometimes
grow 8 feet high. If planted in a border, place
the bulbs 4 to 6 inches below the surface of the
ground and encase them in silver sand.

Cedar of Lebanon : B. D. K. With regard to
the timber of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus
libani) grown in Britain, it cannot be said to be
of any commercial value. Timber merchants
rarely give more than firewood prices for it, and
in the end it is often cut up for firewood. The
reason for this is that Cedar wood grown in
Britain is usually of poor quality, and Pine
and Larch are far superior for general work.

We know of timber merchants who have had
logs lying in their yards for years past and are
still unable to find a purchaser. The wood is, ^m
however, sometimes cut up at an estate saw- ^B
mill, and used for estate work. It is usually ^V
put to the rougher kinds of work, but in the
case of an unusually good trunk being found,
it may be cut into panelling. As a furnitul'e
wood it is of no value. Your best plan would
be to obtain an estimate for the wood as it
stands.
Hyacinth Bulbs ; C. T. <t- Co. The bulbs are
perfectly healthy ; their failure to form roots
or flowers is due to one of two reasons: (1) the
past season was very unfavourable for the
maturation of the bulbs ; (2) excess of water in
the soil soon after the bulbs were planted de-
stroyed the roots.

Names of Pl.-ints : F. C, Frome. 1, Codiseum
(Croton) Van Oerstedii ; 2, 0. variegatum ;
3, C. elegantissimum ; 4, C. spirale ; 5,
Acalypha Wilkesiana ; 6, Pilea muscosa. —
//, \V . Dendrobium superbum, often called
D, macrophyllum in gardens. — Audenshaw.
Dendrobium nobile, near to D. nobile
nobilius. — A. H. 1, Bifrenaria Harrisonise ;

2, Brassavola Perrinii, — F. S. S. 1, Sig-
matostalix radicans ; 2, Epidendrum virens ;

3, Sophronitis cemua; 4, lonopsis utricu-
larioides ; 5, Oncidium fiexuosum, — Thompson.
Clitoria heterophylla, — A. H. W. Trachelo-
spermum ja.srainoides syn, Rhjncospermum. —
Foreman. 1, .\diantum hispidulum; 2, As-
plenium flaccidum ; 3, Pteris hastata; 4, P.
arguta ; 5, Adiantum concinnum ; 6, Asplenium'
lucidum, — T. X. Poulton. 1, Helxine Soleir-
olii ; 2, send when in flower ; 3, Juniperus
chinensis; 4, Saxifraga hypnoides, ^

Narcissus Hybrids: J)r. A. B., Italij. The
flowers representing crosses from a form of
Narcissus Tazetta named Koenigin de Nether-
landen. and N. poeticus poetarum, &c,, are in-
teresting. At the same time, a very large num-
ber of hybrids from N. Tazetta ai^ N. poeticus
have been raised in the last 15 years. Many of
these flowers are superior from the florists"
standpoint to those you have sent us, that is,
the flowers are larger, more symmetrical, and
more highly coloured. Regarding the con-
formation of the cup being constant, it may be
said that many such forms are obtained when
hybridisation is attempted on a large scale.

Peach Leaves Perforated : F. T . The trouble
is due to shot-hole fungus — Cercospora circum-
cissa. Spray the trees at intervals with the
ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate, A
correspondent (see Gardeners' Chroniele, Octo-
ber 14, 1905, p, 282) states that he has used
Campbell's sulphur vaporiser for combating
this disease with good effect. Your other ques-
tion next week.

Peach Shoots : Leaf ess. — We gather from your
note that the tree is subjected to " bud drop-
ping," This is more prevalent in some varie-
ties than in others, and is due to a wrong
treatment of the roots during the resting
season. Because the trees require very little
water at that stage some persons make the
mistake of withholding water from the roots
entirely. This is one of the most fertile causes
of the buds dropping. On the other hand, an
excess of moisture may have the same effect.

Peach Fruits w'ith White Spots: Oxton. The
fruits are affected with Peach mildew. Gather
and burn tho.se' that are diseased, and spray the
trees with liver of sulphur, using ^ ounce in two
gallons of water.

Protection of Garden ; if. E. The only prac-
tical way to keep cats out of a garden is to
enclose the garden with wire netting 10 feet
or more high. It should be left loose at the
top, so that it will bend if a cat attempts to
climb it. The Sweet Pea plants just through
the soil may be protected from slugs, &c., by
scattering soot on either side of the rows.

ToLip Bulbs: J. H. E. See reply to C. T. &
Co., respecting Hyacinth bulbs.

Communications Received.— E. E., Bucks— Flora—

E. W.-F, Scrivens-E. L. -H, Juniper— D. MeD,—
W, W,-.J, W, L.-C, H, -T, J. S,— H, S. T,-B. G.—
W, J.-V, N, G. & Co.— Hortus-J. D.— Cliloris— F. T.,
New .S.iuth Wales— A, P,— F. M.— A, D.— A, G, S,—
R. P, B,-E. H, J,-W,— J. 0'B,-A, B,— J. H, G.—

F. W. O.-W. H. W.— T. M.— C, H. P,— C. & S, -C, P.—
S. R.— N. H,-B. M,, Haarlem -J, G. W,, Berlio— Rev.

G. H. E.— W. L.— W. O, W.

Supplement to the "Gardeners' Chronicle,

Dover House.
Mr. J. PiERPONT Morgan's Roehampton Residence.

Photographs by H . N . King.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.G.

April 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

241

THE

^arbcncrs'Cbronicle

No. 1,31G.—SATUBDAY, April 16, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine find hardy plants,

Nursery stock, the im-

a notalile exhibit of...

248

p 0 r t a t i 0 n of, by

Aristolucliia gigas var.

America

248

Sturtevantii

251

Orchid notss and glean-

Bank Holidays and

ings—

flower shows

251

Odontoglossum arden-

Books, notices of —

tissimum " Norman

Botanical Magazine

248

Cookson "

242

Tiie Ideal Garden ...

245

Orchids at Belsize

Buenos Aires E.\hibition

249

Court, Hampstead..

242

Bulb garden, the—

Pffionia Moutan.

250

Oriental and Ameri-

Peach bloom, protect-

can Lilies

242

ing

252

'Cordyline australis,

Societies-

seedlings of

251

Bournemouth Hort. ..

254

■Cnltural memoranda —

Bristol and District

Perennial Asters

241

Gardeners

254

Flora of the Meije ...

252

Debating

256

*' L'ren ch " garden,

German Dahlia

249

notes from a ..

246

Linnean

249

Fruit trees, pruning

Liverpool Hort.

254

newly planted

253

National Auricula and

Gla -iolusprimulinus ...

244

Primula

249

Grain, fine for placing

Royal Horticultural

248

poisoned

249

(Scientific Committee)

253

H<-*xliam Fruit Show

Scottish Horticultural

253

and Congress

249

Spade digging

249

Hyacinth with 250

Trees and shrubs —

flowers

249

Catalpa cordifoHa ...

245

Internationa] Exhibi-

Cotoneaster Simonsii

245

tion, the proposed ...

252

Rhododendrons, prun-

Japanese gardens at the

ing of

245

Japan-British exhi-

Vanda ccerulea

249

bition

243

Violets, the culture of...

251

Java, plant growth in...

246

Wall plants, uncommon

250

Labour exchanges

249

Week's work, the—

Leed<!, floral decora-

Flower garden, the ...

247

tio PS at

250

Fruits under glass ...

246

Melons and cucumbers,

Hardy fruit garden, th(

247

the fertilisation of ...

252

Kitchen garden, the...

247

Mont Cenis, the flora of

241

Orchid houses, the ..

246

Nitro-Bacterine. experi

Plants under glass ...

247

ments with, at Wisley

■.MR

West Indies, note from

251

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Alpines, a notable exhibit of (Supplementary Illus-
tration).

Aristolochia gigas, var. Sturtevantii 251

Conns, young, of Gladiolus primulinus 245

Gladiolus primulinus, hybrid of 244

Japanese garden at the Japan-British Exhibition ... 243

Odontoglossum ardentissimum " Norman Cookson "... 242

Pointe des Ecrins, from the Meije, Dauphine Alps 252

Saxifraga Boydii 249

THE FLORA OF MONT CENIS.

H.WING had the good fortune in 1907 to lie
botanising dm-ing th'i whole season. I
made my way from the Riviera and the
Maritime .\lps over the Col de Tenda to
Turin, and thence took train to the quaint little
city of Susa, which occupies the site of a Roman
station of the time of .\ugustus, and whose
eleventh century cathedral has a curious belfry
in the Romanesque style.

The famous Mont Cenis Pass, one of the great
historical passes across the Alps, may be said to
commence at Susa, and thence, to the Hospice,
is a good and interesting day's walk, full
ot surprises to the botanist, for Susa is only
1,640 feet above the sea, whilst the village of
Mont Cenis, if such it may be called, is at an
elevation of about 6,320 feet, occupying a small
portion of the great plateau in which are situ-
ated the Lac and the Petit Lac du Mt. Cenis.

At the outset, it may be mentioned that the
so-called Mont Cenis Tunnel lies 17 miles to
the west of the pass, and, lying beneath the Col
<ie Frejus (8,294 feet), would more correctly
be named the Tunnel de Frejus. From 1868 to
1871 the pass itself was traversed from St.
Michel de jMaurienne, in Savoy, to Susa by a
remarkable line of railway, known, from the name
of the English inventor, as the Fell Railway.
This railway was abandoned after the great
tunnel was finished, but traces of it are still to
be seen.

Though probably used for centurie.s before, it
was not until the eighth century that we find
records of the passage of the pass by foreigners.
The present carriage road was built in the first
<lecade of the nineteenth century by order of

Napoleon. The name is either derived from the
Cenise stream which flows out of the lake, thence
into the Dora, and finally into the Po, or pos-
sibly from an early record of some pastures on
the great plateau of the pass. The Hospice was
founded in the ninth century, and enlarged by
Napoleon, who cut down all the trees on the
plateau, with the result that to this day the pro-
spect is marred.

Immediately above Susa, in the hot, sandy
soil by the roadside and among the rocks, may
be seen various southern plants which are rarely
found so far from the Mediterranean. The rare
Telephiura Imperati is there, and so are Her-
Tiiaria cinerea and Echinops Ritro. Though
these three plants are so very different, it may
perhaps be more than a coincidence that their
colour is so similar, for do not many plants,
particularly in hot countries, seem to simulate
the ash-grey limestone upon which they grow?
An intensely liii-sute form of Thyme had also
assumed this ashen colour, and was subsequently
determined by Dr. Briquet to be T. Serpyllum
var. vallesiacus Briq.

Mounting higher, a great patch of Cytisus
supinus attracts the eye. It is a veritable lime-
stone plant, and seems even to enjoy the white
dust from the glaring road, .\renaria (.\lsine)
liniflora keeps it company. It is the counterpart
of the granite-loving A. laricifolia, and both
species, characterised by abundant milk-white
blooms, would be found easy growers in sunny
places in English rock-gardens. Several Cam-
panulas and Phyteumas come into view, includ-
ing the suu-loving C. spicata. one of the biggest
and least ornamental of the group. A little
higher, and we are amazed at the appearance
at this low level of several plants of C. barbata.
What possessed it to descend so low is diffi-
cult to imagine. Up above the Hospice it
assumes an enormous size, as also does the rare,
branched variety known as C. b. strictopeduncu-
lata. Some of these plants were 2 feet high.
On arrival at the Fifth Refuge by the road-
side, at an altitude of about 5,500 feet, the
vegetation rapidly becomes truly Alpine, and on
all sides is a great wealth of flowers, including
Dianthus neglectus, Pedicularis cenisia, and P.
verticillata. Edelweiss, Veronica fruticulosa.
Phaca (astragalus) australis, Gentiana tenella, 6
inches high in damp spots on a bank, and Sapon-
aria lutea, one of the great rarities of Mont Cenis.
The first glimpse of this interesting little plant is
disappointing on finding it is a Saponaria, as,
indeed, it must be also to the gardener, for
though so small and rare, its dull colour pre-
vents it from being an attractive plant. It is
abundant in places at Mont Cenis. clothing the
rounded rocks in great masses, and in the neigh-
bouring Savine Valley, just over the French
border, it grows up to 7,500 feet. Several Ferns
adorn the rocks near the Fifth Refuge — ."Vspi-
dium Lonchitis, Cystopteris fragilis and alpina,
Polystichum rigidum and its rare variety
alpinum ; while by the Petit Lac is a quantity
of .\thyrium alpestre.

On reaching the great plateau, Herniaria
alpina replaces the southern species seen above
Susa ; but here it has evidently been brought
down by the glacier stream from the heights
above, where it is more abundant. The variety
and colour of the flowers at Mt. Cenis
resemble those of the Maritime Alps, where
the Mediterranean influence is often pre-
sent. It is impossible in a short article to con-
vey any idea of the floral wealth of the dis-
trict. For interesting and rare plants it is
doubtless one of the best regions in Europe.
No place in Switzerland can compare with
it for numbers of species, and fortunately many
of them are abundant. The flora of the Western
Alps generally is far richer than that of Switzer-
land or the Eastern .\lps ; and perhaps Mont

Cenis, with the Alpine region in Savoy just
north of it, is as well worth a visit by the
bot.ani.st or collector as any other district, not
even excepting the mountains of Dauphine.

-Although in 1907, when making a special
study of the high mountain flora, I found the
greatest number (185) of species and varieties
above 8,000 feet (2,440 m.) on the Col du Gali-
bier, whose carriage road (the second highest
in Europe) leads from the narrow Maurienne
Valley to Lautaret in Dauphine, yet no less
than 180 kinds were found above that height
near the little Lac Clair above Mt. Cenis, and
if some other mountains and cols within walk-
ing distance of the Hospice were to be included,
doubtless Mt. Cenis would come out at the top
in this respect. During the whole season of
1907 it may be mentioned that no fewer than
381 species and varieties of flowering plants and
Ferns were found by me at an altitude of over
8,000 feet during my itinerary in the Western
Alps of France and Italy. A list, with critical
notes, was published in the Bulletin de VArade-
mie Internnlionah de Giariraphie Botatiirjue
(Fev.-Mars, 1908). Thus nearly half the species
and varieties seen above 8.000 feet over a large
.\lpine area stretching intermittently from the
Maritime .\lps to the Central Graians were found
in one very confined tract above the jNIt. Cenis
Hospice.*

The little Lac Clair, round and below which
is such a wonderful hunting ground, is just 9,000
feet above the sea. Half the year it must be a
frozen mass of ice, and for a still longer period
the snow covers the ground many hundreds
of feet lower. And yet a few short weeks after
the melting of the snow, its very bamks and the
rocky ground around are ablaze with the bril-
liant colours of innumerable flowers. The tiny
lake is fed by water from a hanging glacier,
which percolates through a vast extent of scree
and granite dust. Such a moraine is an ideal
place for the plants it harbours. Campanula
cenisia and Viola cenisia try to hide their
slate-blue flowers among the stones, and thrust
their fibrous roots a foot or more into the
rubble. Cerastium latifolium does the same,
and forms tangled masses, and so does the
Alpine grass Trisetum distichophyllum. .\rabis
cjerulea, Sa.xifraga biflora and its white-flowered
variety do not burrow in the sand to such an ex-
tent. Great clumps of S. biflora are a marked
feature of this wilderness, and bear blossoms
which are white, deep pink, or of the usual
purple-madder shade. Thlaspi rotundifolium
rivals some of its neighbours in the length of its
roots, and one plant of this attractive Crucifer
had actually 47 distinct heads of bloom. It was
left to the tender mercies of other travellers, and
only a portion was cut off for preservation in th<',
herbarium.

But we must descend to the plateau and
notice a few of its interesting plants. Unfor-
tunately none of the hotels are good, and the
better rooms at the Hospice, now used as bar-
racks, are often occupied in summer by Italian
officers, for the plateau is surrounded on all
sides by modern fortifications. I spent three
weeks in moderate comfort at the Hotel de la
Poste. whose proprietor, Signor Favre, takes an
intelligent interest in the botany of the district.

Immediately opposite the hotel, and between it
and the lake, is a stretch of rough, brokei;
ground of curious formation, and comprising
much white quartz. This ground is full of pits
of various depths and sizes, reminiscent
of the broken ground near Shipham, on
the Mendip Hills, where calamine has been
quarried. In and about these pits grow such
slants as Sisymbrium tanacetifolium, Alyssum

* Ranunculus alpestris. so common in Switzerland, was
not once seen by me in the Western Alps, where it is very-
rare.

242

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 16, 1910.

xtlpestre and its variety serpyllifolium, Scutel-
laria alpina in various hues, Senecio Doronicum,
etc. ; and scattered over the ground in greater
or less profusion one finds Veronica Allioni, Ery-
simum puniilum, Linum alpinuni. Ononis cenisia,
Oxytrupis fcetida, campestris and Gaudini, As-
perula 'lynanchica var. Jordani, Dianthus neg-
lectus, Oentaurea, uniflora, Betnnica hirsuta,
Allium Schcenoprasum, and hosts of other plants.
Dianthus neglectus varies in size from 6 inches
on the rich meadow land by the lake to little
tufts of flowers with barely any stem at 7,000
and 8,000 feet; but the rich colour and 'mark-
ings of this attractive Pink remain much the
same wherever it grows. Campanula Allioni is
occasional in the district, and it seems to enjoy
the sandy drift brought down by one of the
glacier streams. Near the main road, higher up
the pa.=s, are two great patches of Scutellaria
aloina with white flowers, which is a form of
this variably-coloured Labiate very rarely seen.
Tn the marshes by the lake are many kinds of
Carex, including C. microglocbin. Luzula
pedifi'mis, Alopecurus Gerardi, Polygala alpes-
tris Reichb.. Gentiana bavarica. etc. ; and in the
lake itself Pntamogeton marinus may easily be
obtained at the shallow northern end, where it
flowers freely in August. In or about the Dwarf
Alder woods, on the further side of the lake,
are Aquilegia alpina. Pyrola rotundifolia. the tall
Phyteuma Halleri (Moneses grandiflora), Gen-
tiana punctata. Ranunculus pyrenaeus, R. aconi-
•tifolius, and the rare Cortusa Matthioli, which
seems to like the shade, and on that account
might be more frequently grown in damp, shady
spots in English gardens, for it is beautiful alike
in flower and foliage, and very distinct. H.
Stuart Thompson.

(To be continued.)

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ODONTOGLOSSUM ARDENTISSIMUM
" NOR.MAN COOKSON."
This beautiful Odontoglossum (see fig. 104) is
one of the choicest of its section. Its parents are
0. Pescatorei and 0. crispurn. The flowers are ao
large as those of a good type of 0. crispum, the
segments being al! equally broad. The beautiful,
deep claret-purple of the petals is set off by sil-
very-white margins and tips. The plant received
an Award of Merit from the R.H.S. on January
12, 1909. Since that date the inflorescence had
so much improved that when shown again at the
meeting held on the 5th inst., the Orchid Com-
mittee raised the distinction to a First-class Cer-
tificate. It was shown by Mrs. N. C. Cookson,
Oakwood, Wylam ; we are indebted to the gar-
dener, Mr. H. J, Chapman, for the photograph
from which our figure i.s reproduced.

ORCHIDS AT BELSIZE COURT,
HAMPSTEAD.
The interesting gardens of J. S. Bergheim,
Esq. (gr. Mr. H. A. Page), contain a remarkable
collection of plants, and especially curious and
scientifically interesting species, many of which
have been acquired by their owner during his
travels. The Orchids are grown in com-
pany with ordinary foliage and flowering
stove and greenhouse plants. The collection
of Catasetums, Mormodes, Cycnoches, rare
Bulbophyllums, and Megacliniums are suspended
overhead, furnishing an interesting display of
flowers during the greater part of the year. At
the present time there is a fine show of Den-
drobium Wardianum and other spring-flowering
species. But the chief interest centres in several
large specimens which have been in the gardens
many years and are now finely in flower. One of
these, a large .specimen of the best variety of
•Cymbidium eburneum, has six spikes of' its
large, wax-like, whit« flowers, which last fresh
-for some rtionths. This specimen has always
been kept in a cool house, not heavily charged
-•with moisture. It has grown to a great size, and

retains its foliage in perfect condition ; the leaves
are not spotted, as is often the case with this
plant when kept in too warm a glasshouse. A
specimen of Coelogyne pandurata has a fine spike
of very large, pale emerald-green flowers, with
black markings on the labellum. This is grown
in the shady corner of a warm, moist house
among stove plants, and in this case, as in others,
the presence of the shrubby plants has a beneficial
effect.

Bleti'a Shepherdii, a Jamaican species, and the
finest Bletia, is little known in gardens, although
it was introduced nearly a century ago. Few
would suspect it possessed the beauty as shown
in Mr. Bergheim's specimen, which has seven
flower. spikes, c-ch 2 feet to 3 feet in height and
bearing many bright rose-purple flowers nearly
2 inches across. The plant is kept in a warm,
intermediate house during its season of active
growth and the formation of the flower spikes,
but is rested under rather cooler and drier con-
ditions for a time after the flowers are over.

Odontoglossum Rossii majus thrives well in a
cool house, one plant having seven flower-spikes,
the whole resembling a suspended bouquet.
Maxillaria picta has a profusion of Hawthorn-
scented, cream-coloured flowers: the purjale bars
of colouring are on the backs of the segments and

some Panther Lily, and especially the fine variety
entitled Burbankii, which, when adequately
established in congenial soil, will last for many
years.

Lilium giganteum, the king of Oriental Lilies,
is sometimes grown from seed, which it invari-
ably produces in great abundance ; but the pro-
cess is painfully slow. In my own garden, wher"
Lilium giganteum has sometimes reached a
height of nearly 11 feet, I have invariably grown
it with success from off-sets, of which a fully-
developed bulb frequently produces a consider-
able number. This great Lily, which usually
takes at least four years for its development fro-n
an off-set into a flowering plant, requires a well-
drained, fibrous, fertile soil. It is not, however,
nearly so exacting in its requirements, probably
by reason of its greater strength and vitality, as
many other Eastern Lilies, and seldom fails to
succeed. In South-Western Scotland, in the
garden of Caveus, in Kirkcudbrightshire, it has
attained to the unique elevation, in one memor-
able season, of 14 feet. Lilium m. szovitzianium
is another majestic Lily, its lemon-ccloured
flowers being even more beautiful than these cf
L. giganteum. Sir Herbert Maxwell informs me
that it grows considerably higher in my garden
.'-t Kirkmaiden than it does at Monreith, but f jr

Fig. io.|.. — odontoglossum ardentissimum " norman cookson.'

(Received a First-Cla^s Certificale al (he R.H.S. meeting on April 5.)

not on the face, as is customary in floral decora-
tion. Anguloa Clowesii promises to furnish a
number of its fine yellow flowers ; Vanda teres,
Peristeria elata, some rare Angr^cums, and other
good Orchids are sending up their spikes, and
indicating by their he:-,!thy condition that Orchids
can be grown well in the London district.

THE BULB GARDEN.

ORIENTAL AND AJIERICAN LILIES.
Amongst the Lilies best adapted for successful
garden culture, according to my own experience,
are L. auratum platyphyllum, L. rubro-vittatum,
L. longifloruni, L. candidum, L. elegans, in all its
forms; excelsum, a very beautiful garden hybrid,
also called Isabellinum ; L. chalcedonicum, a bril-
liant member of the IMartagon family ; L. mona-
delphum szovitzianum ; L. Henryi, a native of
Western China ; and the Himalayan L. giganteum.
The Californian Lilies, such as Humboldtii,
superbum, and Wa'shingtonianum, though highly
attractive in form and colour of flower, are not
quite so reliable ; but there is one notable excep-
tion, viz., L. pardalinum, the extremely hand-

what special reason it would be difficult to ex-
plain. Here at lea«t it is very strongly estab-
lished, and is manifestly in perfect harmony
with its environment. Another grand Lily,
which grows with almost equal vigour and is
even more floriferous, is Lilium Henryi, which
has sometimes been described, not very expres-
sively, as a yellow speciosum. Some English
cultivators have found it somewhat difficult to
grow well ; here it has invariably grown
with the greatest vigour and vitality, in ordinary
garden loam, slightly enriched with manure. Of
those of the speciosum or lancifolium types the
most successful in Scotland, so far as my observa-
tion has hitherto extended, are Kraetzeri and
rubrum. Of longiflorum varieties, which have
a tendency to deteriorate through the multi-
plication of minute abortive bulbs, the most reli-
able for garden cultivation is the variety called
giganteum, not assuredly by reason of the dimen-
sions of the plant, but the size of its flowers,
though even that is usually nothing extraordi-
nary. L. longiflorum Wilsonii, while almost
equally hardy, is even more beautiful, but for
the special reasons I have indicated, it is not
enduring. David It. Williamson. Kirkmuinkn
Manse, Wigtownshire.

April 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

243

JAPANESE GARDENING AT SHEPHERD'S
BUSH.

Among the principal attractions at the
Japanese-British Exhibition, which -will be
opened to the public about the middle of June,
are two gardens designed on the Japanese style.
Fig. 105 shows one of the gardens in course of
construction. It is known, somewhat prosaically,
as garden A, and is near the administrative offices
of the exhibition ; the other, garden B, occupies
the site of one of the large Australian buildings
of the last exhibition. The gardens are being
prepared under the direction of Mr. H. Izawa,
a celebrated Japanese landscape artist.

Water plays such an important part in the
two gardens with pools, cascades, cataracts, and
falling streams that both may be said to repre-

They were dressed in the usual Japanese cos-
tume with reed-woven slippers, and, beyond a
small ladder, they dispensed with any aid other
than their extraordinary agility in reaching the
various parts of the building. The buildings
seem very fragile, and the greatest economy
was apparent in the extensive use made of any
rough timber, even that from the packing cases
in which the more important parts had been
brought over being brought into service, pro-
vided it could be covered with a veneer of
Bamboo. This building occupies one of the most
elevated parts of the garden, and is reached
by a broad, hog-backed bridge made of a yel-
low pine. Stepping stones lead cunningly
to devious paths and across narrow streams.
Nearly all the plants have been brought
f;'om Japan, and it will be seen that shrubs

painted on canvas forms ore 'if the limits. No
Japanese garden appears to be complete with-
out the beautiful Wistaria, and in this garden
exceptionally large specimens are grown in per-
golas. To realise their enormous size, one needs
to see the huge cases near by, in which they
were brought here.

The other garden (B) has an area of a.bout two
a<:res, and in this case water again forms the
dominating feature. The central portion has
been made like a miniature mountain, on the
sides and summits of which are buildings of the
picturesque Japanese type. Streams tumble over
cascades and arches, falling into the large lake
at the base. Plenty of stone in rugged shape is
being utilised, and at the time of our visit huge
boulders were being put into position by Japanese
and English workmen. When the whole is com-

iFhotograph by W. J. P'ascv.
Fig. 105.— J.iPANESE GARDEN IN COURSE OF COiNSTRUCTION AT THE JAPAN-BRITISH EXHIBITION, SHEPHERD'S BUSH.

sent water-gardens on an imposing scale. The
scene in fig. 105 shows, in the foreground, one
of the largest pools lined with large boulders
of a red stone obtained from Derbyshire. At
the time of our visit last week the workmen
were busily engaged in making the bank water-
tight by puddling clay between the crevices
of the blocks of stone, and in forming
" pockets " for the reception of the water-side
plants. Other stone of a lighter colour has been
obtained from Jlorecombe, Devonshire, and this
is employed for rock-garden features in the other
parts of the scheme. The building seen in course
of erection on the left-hand side of the picture
represents a typical building in Japan of some
few hundreds yeai's since. Japanese workmen
were engaged in its erection as we saw it, with
their native tools, so different from ours, draw-
ing both the plane and the saw towards them.

are already extensively planted, but the Irises,
PKonies, Lilies and other flowering subjects
are either in temporary nursery beds near
by, in cases stiU unpacked, or in course of
transit to this country. Azaleas. Rhododendrons,
Aucubas, Golden Privet, Birches, Bamboos,
Maples, and numerous Conifers, especially Scia-
dopitys vertioillata, Cupressuses, and a dwarf
Juniper are amongst those most extensively
employed to form, as it were, the frame-
work of the scheme. On tiny islands some
old and gnarled Cupressuses or other Coni-
fers, reputed to be many hundreds of years
eld, form a conspicuous feature. Weeping
trees are employed very largely ; pendulous _
Birches. Beeches, Ashes and similar trees lend
grace and beauty to their environment. To
heighten the effect and to screen an unsightly
fence, a large panorama of J.-ipane.se scenery

plete and the plants in bloom, the gardens will-
be worth travelling far to see.

Another feature of interest to gardeners will
be a model of Battersca Park, which forms part
of the display made by the London County
Council, this body having been allotted a spaco-
of 4,000 square feet. There will be a tiny block
of cottages like those on one of the C^ouncil's
housing estates. Other models will show tene-
ment fittings, a miniature representation of Bruce
HoiL-^e. showing the cubicles, and the inebriates'
infirmary. In contrast with these will be an old
type of common lodging house.

Holborn and Kingsway are also to be aisplayed
in model. The sanitarian will find a very in-
structive representation of the Barking sewage
scheme ; whilst engineers and others interested
in London traffic will be able to see a section,
showing the underground railways.

244

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 16, 1910.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

PERENNIAL ASTERS.

At this time <if year the Perennial Asters or
Michaelmas Daisies require some attention. We'
prow here about 500 plants Immediately the
flowering season is over the plants are cut down,
lifted and stored in trenches. These are made
about 4 feet wide and 10 feet long, throwing the
soil around, as would be done in the case of a
Celery trench. The plants are then taken from
their flowering quarters, placed in the trenches
and well firmed in. In the event of very hard
weather they are protected ; I usually place Pea
sticks over them and then cover them with stable-
yard litter. Care should be taken that the litter
is removed from the plants on all favourable oc-
casions to admit light and air. I find this method
of storing very satisfactory. Immediately
after the plants are safely placed in their winter
quarters the borders receive attention. We trench
them generally about 3 feet deep, believing
that deep and early trenching is essential.
The ground is got into thoroughly good order
before the planting takes place. We usually
allow 3 feet between each plant and 3 feet be-
tween each row.

The following varieties being tall growers, are
very good for the back rows; — Edwin Beckett,
Grandis. Umbellata, Trade.scanti. Robert Parker,
Amethystinus, The Pearl, Mrs. Earle. The four
last-named varieties I cut down in May, owing
to their being of a very tall habit.

For the second row we use Purity, Mrs. Ray-
nor. cordifolius Elegans, Triumph, Photographer,
cordifolius profusus, iMaachii ; and for the third
row Enchantress, Shortii. ericoides. Supei'bus,
Freedom, Decorator, cordifolius major, Hon.
FJdith Gibbs, vimineus perfectus. King Edward
VH., Thora, and Ideal.

In the fourth (or front) row we plant Ospi-ey,
Royalty, Ophir, Sensation, ericoides. Delight,
Esther, Hon. Vicary Gibbs, Golden Spray, sali-
cifolius Treserve and E. C. Buxton.

When planted, they are staked, leaving only
five growths to each plant ; early in August, when
they are fairly well grown, all these growths are
trained out separately. If each growth is staked
out in the early part of the season the border
becomes crowded like a forest. It. Richards,
The Hermitage Gardens, Holmes Chapel.

Fig. io6. — hybrid of gladiolus primulinus.

GLADIOLUS PRIMULINUS.

Though introduced to cultivation some years
ago, this plant (see fig. 105) does not seem to be at
all common; indeed, until this spring one might
have searched in vain for it in the catalogues oi
bulb merchants in this country, and, though it is
to be found in the pages of one of the Continental
lists, it is priced at the extravagant sum of
10 francs, on which basis the corm is well on
the way to being rated at its weight in gold.

The apparent dearth of corms is not easily ex-
plained, because, while most of the Gladioli re-
produce themselves prolifically, none is more pro-
lific than G. primulinus.

A careful record of 18 bulbs received from Mr.
Leichtlin, and planted in the late spring of 1907,
shows that, when lifted in the autumn of the
same year, they had produced 94 offsets, 28 of
which flowered the following year; by Novem-
Der 9. 1909, or two seasons later, the descendants
of the original 18 bulbs numbered no fewer thar
182 of flowering size, to say nothing of 151
smaller offsets, and quantities of seedling corms

The plant ripens seed freely, even in such 8
cheerless summer as that of last year, and the
seed germinates in gentle heat. Offsets frequently
flower the season after they are produced, bear-
ing in turn a quantity of spawn, and, in con-
genial surroundings, the latter attains full size
in three years' time.

An unusual feature is the stolonifcrous charac-
ter of the offsets. In this genus the spawn i»

April 16, 1010]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

245

generally found nestling directly under the base
of the parent corm ; but, with G. primulinus, this
is not so, each offset being produced at the end
of a white, string-like, creeping stem, an inch
or more in length, springing from the base and
sides of the corm (see fig. 107). These stems are
so thickly twisted about the corm that it is a mat-
ter of difficulty to bring out the peculiarity
dearly in a photograph.

Culture seems to present no difficulties ; in
fact, it could not well be more simple A light,
free soil, thoroughly well drained, plenty of sun
and warmth, with ample moisture, seem to make
up the sum of ihe plant's requirements. The
provision of moisture to the roots is of im-
portance, as well it may be, since the plant is
at home round about the Victoria Falls,
where eye-witnesses report it as growing in
perennial mists ; hence, no doubt, the very
pronounced hooded shape of the blooms. It
was noticed that, during last summer,
the number of offsets produced was less than
in the summer before, and this may be put
down to the want of sun and warmth.

As was no doubt to be expected, the
plant had not been in cultivation long
before it occurred to somebody to " im-
prove " it, and now hybrids of G. primu-
linus are offered in various directions,
though the species itself is not. So far,
none of these hybrids compares with the
typical plant, which has a chafm all its
own, thanks, no doubt, to its lovely colour,
and whilst, perhaps it can hardly be said to
be beautiful, it strikes one at once, like
many species of plants, as being essentially
well bred. G.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

CATALPA CORDIFOLIA.

I AM reminded, on reading the notes on
pp. 74, 100, that something like 150 trees
were raised from seeds in the gardens of
the Royal Horticultural Society at Chis-
wick, and distributed amongst the Fellows,
in the spring of 1880 or 1881, so that if
any of the seeds fell into appreciative
hands, they should, by this time, be
making handsome trees. At the time of
which I speak C. speciosa seemed to be
regarded merely as a fine variety of C.
Ijignonioides, though it may be distinguished
by its soft downy, more acuminate and in-
odorous leaves, as well as by its larger
flowers, fruit, and seed. In America it is
more valued as a timber tree than C. big-
nonioides, because of its more upright
growth. The Western Catalpa is still known
in America as C. speciosa, though C. cordi-
folia is the correct name ; its habitats are
Western Kentucky and Tennessee chiefly.
The seeds are flat, oblong, and terminate in
a fringe of fibres at either end. These
fibres are the prolonged and lacerated
testa, ani, by reason of the fact that t

they remain free at the ends, the seeds
of C. cordifolia may be distinguished from
those of C. bignonioides, which, beside being
narrower, have their fringes rolled up into a
pencil or point. The two species may thus be
distinguished at the time of sowing, and dis-
appointment avoided from the outset by those
accjuainted with these differences.

COTONEASTER SIMONSII.
The specimen ot thus Himalayan shrub, men-
tioned by tho Hon. Vicary Gibbs on p. 123. must
indeed be a fine one, and should encourage lovers
of trees and shrubs to plant the species more fre-
quently in positions where the individual char-
acter of the tree will be seen to advantage when
it attains something like its full growth. In
shrubberies planted by way of a screen, the rule,
too often, is to allow all the shrubs to struggle
with one another for light, air, and space, till

they become spoiled and shapeless. I can corro-
borate tho statement about the hardiness of this
Himalayan species, for of the 10 or more species
from the same country, probably none are more
hardy than C. Simonsii and 0. microphylla, which
thrive in the north of Scotland without any pro-
tection whatever. When trained against w-alls,
tho branches reach a height of at least 10 feet or
12 feet, and C. microphylla, being of a semi-
scandent habit, seems to require some support in
order to grow tall. It is sometimes used as an
edging to garden paths, however, where it gets
neither support nor shelter. C. Simonsii, though
not exactly erect, is self-supporting, and on a
private estate in Kincardineshire, where it wa.<
grown as a loose hedge around a nursery belong-

the pruning slowly in August or Septem-
ber : a good practice to follow with many sub-
jects, especially Camellias, the Citrus tribe,
Ficus, many New Holland plants. Daturas, Brug-
mansias, &c. It is of considerable assistance if,
in the spring months following this hand prun-
ing, weak manure water is afforded the plants.
It is well also, when the dormant buds begin to
show by their swelling beneath the bark, to
syringe or otherwise moisten the plants over-
head. In tha case of Rhododendrons growing in
beds and borders out-of-doors, a hard cutting
back presents an opportunity favourable for re-
planting and affording some fresh soil, leaf-
mould, sand, &c., which aged plants are sure to
need. The same kind of renovation is required
by old plants growing in tubs and other
receptacles in the glass house. F. M.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

IG. IC7.- — YOUNG CORMS OF GLADIOLUS PRIMULINI
PRODUCED AS OFFSETS.

ing to the garden, it grew 6 feet high and 4 feet
through, and fruited freely. It was perfectly
evergreen, though the temperature in severa
winters fell to zero or below it. J . F.

THE CUTTING BACK OF
RHODODENDRONS.
It sometimes becomes a question with jsar-
deners and amateurs how to proceed with Rhodo-
dendrons in pots, tubs, and cuf^of-doors beds,
when the branches are grown bare and of
an undesirable height, owing to old age and
crowding together. If not of great age, they
may safely be cut back into three or four-
year-old wood in the early spring months ; but
it is advisable in the case of very old plants in
which the dormant buds force themselves out
from the bark w-ith much difficulty, to perform

The Ideal Garden.*

The 28 chapters which comprise Part I.
of this new volume might be appropriately
described as essays on gardening rather
than a considered and unified whole. They
are very pleasantly written, and though
the higher flights, such as one expects when
E. V. B. takes up her pen, are seldom
reached, still, the writing, on the whole,
is above the eommon-pLace. Fine writ-
ing is becoming more and more impera-
tive to meet the taste of the reading public,
and in this to a greater degree than
in his other books. Mr. Thomas has achieved
.success. Occasionally he is perhaps a
little too exalted for the ordinary reader,
who may be at a loss to construe such
expressions as " paths flooded with drifts
and " the spirit of peace finds rest," but no
doubt these have a meaning to the initiated.
The work is studded with helpful sugges-
tions, and not overloaded with details.
The remarks on garden planning are good ;
that on the ugliness of curves, as we often
see them, being true and well-timed. Then
there is a very long chat about Roses, which
will be read with pleasure and advantage,
but one can hardly accept the large plan of
a Rose garden, which shows how ugly
curved walks can be, as being the design of
the writer. In succession, come such allur-
ing subjects as paved gardens, fragrant
flowers, wall gardening, the Dutch garden,
bedding-out, Rhododendrons, Alpines, and
Lilacs, of which the Persian is a favourite.
A chapter on trees is scarcely so satisfac-
tory. Conifers being belauded, and such
mistakes occurring as showing Prunus
Davidiana to have white flowers, and mak-
ing the Snowball Tree and the Guelder
Rose distinct, while Spiraea aria?folia is
marked 5 feet in height instead of 15. Nor
might one get the Spanish Broom if ordered
•S by the name of Genista hispanica. In the
" Flower Border," the custom of arranging
one kind of plant at intervals is condemned
perhaps on the whole judiciously, but the Kni-
phofia, which is instanced, may be treated
very effectively in that way

There is an informative though not too lengthy
chapter on flower associations, which will be of
much use to those whose knowledge of flowers is
'•'mited, and Mr. Thomas, like other observers,
sees a great future for the Perpetual Carna-
tion in the flower garden. I should be
inclined to prophesy that the present year will
see a great number of gardens each with
one or more beds of these attractive plants. Old
plants make bushes, almost if not quite, 4
feet in height and 2 feet across, and the way to
employ them to the best advantage would seem

" The Idcil Ganlcn. by H. H. Thoma«, Editor of Thi
Gardener^ with 16 colouretf plates and 96 illustrations from
photogiaphs. (Casseil & Co., Ltd.. 1910.) PriceCs.net.

246

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Apeil 16, 1910.

to be to set them widely apart and carpet the
spaces. Mr. Thomas says allow 6 to 9 inches
between the plants, which is obviously far too
little. Mention may be made of chapters on
Dahlias, Clematis, Sw&et Peas, and annuals,
of the short calendar, and the list of hardy peren-
nials. The illustrations are rather unequal, but
the book as a whole is got up in a style that
will commend it to flower-loving amateurs.
B. P. Brolher.Hon .

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

We are marketing the first batch of Cos Let-
tuces grown under the cloches. Whenever pos-
sible, the whole of one bed is cleared on the same
day. The cloches are then transferred to the
second batch of Lettuces planted on the south
side of the bed, but before this is done the plants
are cleansed and afforded a copious watering.
Where 1,500 to 2,000 cloches are employed for
forcing Cos Lettuces, it will be found that the
second batch on the -first bed is practically ready
for forcing as soon as the last bed is cleared of the
first batch.

The Cos Lettuces planted in the open require a
good watering once a week to have them ready
for marketing immediately after those grown on
the hot-beds. When the first batch of Cos Let-
tuces are marketed, Cauliflowers are planted in
their place, but on the outside rows only.

The Carrots in the frames are swelling their
roots ; they must on no account be allowed to
become dry. If they are well advanced and
should the weather be favourable, the frames and
the lights may be removed and used for the
^lelon beds, though it must be remembered that
the season for frosts is not yet over, and frost
would considerably retard their growth.

The Melon plants in the nursery beds receive
water and ventilation whenever necessary, and
every encouragement is afforded them to form
good strong plants by the time they are ready for
planting in their fruiting quarters.

All the cold frames and the lights have been
utilised for the Melon crop. Melons planted in
the first days of April have been stopped for a
second time, at the fifth leaf on each branch, as
the shoots are short-jointed at this time of the
year.

In their eai'ly stages Melons are kept on
the dry side to obtain hard, healthy wood.
When the female flowers are showing, the roots
are well watered, and this will be sufficient mois-
ture till the fruits are set.

Ventilation is given moderately, but on every
possible occasion. When the sun is shining
brightly the Jlelons are inspected once or twice
during the day, and shade afforded them if neces-
sary. Flagging is due to one of two causes, either
lack of ventilation, or unhealthy root-action
caused by an excessively wet soil.

The Passion Lettuces that have been grown
without heat have almost recovered from the
check caused by the removal of the cold frames.
They require abundant waterings.

We are sowing Ridge Cucumbers in the Melon
frames for a batch of p'ant3 to place under the
cloches late in May in the open ground.

The Tomatos are being transplanted, this time
100 plants per light. They arc set as deeply as
possible to develoo roots on the stems. As soon
a.= they are established, ventilation will be given
freely, both day and night.

The Turnips in the frames require frequent
waterings ; the lights are kept open at night.
The frames and lights from this crop will be
a\'ailable for other use early in JIay. P.
jiqtiaf'ias.

PLANT GROWTH IN EAST JAVA.

With reference to the note on Solanuni Wend-
landii in the Peradeniya Gardens, Ceylon (see
p. 11). I may say that this plant grows here like
a weed. A specimen, now 100 metres long, was
planted some six years ago on a trellis ; that trellis
is now covered to a thickness of about 2 feet,
and the plant has long since obtained a hold on
the roofs of two adjacent houses. I had another
specimen in my garden for about a year, but did
away with it, as the enormous groAvth of this
species is almost uncontrollable, and suppresses
all other plants if it is not cut back severely al-
most every week.

Iporaoea tuberosa also grows rampantly. A

specimen has covered several trees, and is of a
greater height even than the Solanura. Unlike
these plants, another gigantic climber, Mucuna
gigantea, flowers as soon as it reaches a length of
about 5 metres. But the fastest-gi'owing species is
Passiflora cserulea, which has reached 25 metres
in four months from the seedling stage. This
Passion flower, however, does not bloom, perhaps
on account of its very luxuriant growth, and as
its subterranean roots are very troublesome, I am
thinking of doing away with it. Passiflora alba
does not grow so fast, but it also seems dis-
inclined to flower. P. edulis is now starting
into growth, and I have hope that this species
will flower. P. quadrangularis seldom blooms,
as the temperature seems to be too low for it.
Schubertia grandiflora flowers profusely ; it has
already reached a length of 12 metres. Beau-
montia grandiflora is also starting into growth.
Another, unknown, gigantic climber, the seeds of
which I obtained from Brazil, has reached
a length of 20 metres. It is covered with brown
hairs, and the seeds are very like those of
Entada scandens, but the whole plant is quite
different. My specimen of Entada scandens is
about 15 inches long, but the plant grows slowly,
and requires the climate of the lowland. The
Aristolochia^s are starting into growth. I will
write about them when the^' are flowering.
Colocasia antiquorum makes a gigantic plant ; a
specimen here is 2.50 metres (about 8 feet) high,
with leaves 2 metres long, and a stem with a
girth of 50 centimetres. Every plant bears six
or seven spathes.

Rose?, of which in a few months I shall have
some 700 varieties, form trees producing many
thousands of flowers. Rosa rubiginosa and R.
rugosa produce very small blooms, but R. canina
flowers profusely ; my other Roses are all varie-
ties of Rosa Thea. A tree of Thuja orientalis
has reached a height of 12 metres in 10 years !
A fine, climbing species of Desmodium, with
strong-scented, but small flowers, grows wild
about here. It is identified as D. strangulatum,
the species figured in Wight's Irones III. on
plate 985. The plant is covered all over with
stiff hairs. I have planted specimens in my
garden, and shall be glad to send seeds to any-
one in exchange for other seeds'. Other species
of Desmodium that are not tropical will not grow
here. N. Bui/siiian, Moiujko iJjadjar, near
Lawanrj, East Java.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

De7id rohi It m.— For weeks past Dendrobium
species and their hybrids have formed a
prominent feature in the Orchid houses. Many
of the earlier-flowering plants are now developing
their new growths, which will produce roots
when they are a few inches high : therefore, as
soon as each new growth begins to swell at its
base, the plants should be supplied with fresh
material, for if del.ived till the roots appear,
many of them would be likely to get injured.
Healthy plants which have sufficient room for
further development need only be re-surfaced
with fresh compost. In the cafe of others, the
plants should be allov.ed to beco:ne quite dry for
a few days prior to repotting, so that the old,
decayed materials may be easily removed. For
such strong-grov. ing plants as D. nobile, D.
Wiganise, D. Ainsworthii. D. Dominianum, D.
Burfordiense, D. ThwaitcijiBe, D. chessingtonense,
D. melanodiscus, D. Juno, D. Boxallii, D. Rolfeae.
D. Sibyl, and D. Apollo grandiflorum. the ordin-
nary flower-pot is suitable; while for the dwarf-
growing varieties and those of pendulous habit,
as D. crassinode, D. primulinuni. D. cucullatum,
D. cretaceum, D. crepidatum, D. Pierardii, D.
Parishii. the different varieties of D. superbum
(macrophyllinn), as D. s. Huttonii. D. s. Dearei,
D. s. Bnrkei, and D. s. ancsmnm. small, shallow
pans which can be suspended close up to the roof
are preferable. When repotting healthy, well-
established plants, do not disturb the rcxjts un-
necessarily, especially those in front of the plant.
Cut away all useless back-bulbs that have
flowered, and remove as much of the soil from
the back part of the plant as is practicable. By
this means the plants can be got into pots much
smaller than otherwise would be possible, which
is a gi'eat consideration where house room is
limited. Plants which are unhcalthv and have

lost their roots should be turned out of their pots,
all dead and decayed parts cut away, and re-
placed in as small pots as possible. For the
potting material use Sphagnum-moss and small
crocks only. The pots should be half filled, at
the least, with clean crocks, secured with a thin
layer of rough Sphagnum-moss. The potting
compost should consist of Osmunda and Polypo-
dium fibres in equal parts, intermixed with plenty
of small, broken crocks to improve the drainage.
Pot each plant with moderate firmness, and place
stakes in position at once, as it is dl.Ticult tO'
do this without injury when the young roots are
pushing through the soil. Place the plants in
the East Indian house, or warm plant stove, keep-
ing them well up toward the light. Dendrobiums
also thrive exceedingly well in warm vineries.
They delight in early morning sunshine, and also
in afternoon sun when it begins to lose its power
for harm : but until the plants begin to form
their new pseudo-bulbs they should be shaded for
several hours during bright days. Until the
young grow ths and roots have made considerable
headway, the plants must be carefully watered,
avoiding any saturation of the soil. Keep the
soil rather on the dry side for several weeks after
repotting. Syringe the under-sides of the leaveS'
very lightly with tepid rainwater several times a
day in warm and bright weather. At Burford wo
propagate each year a few plants of the rarer
varieties, so as to replace plants that become
worn out through over-flowering. This is done by
cutting off some of the old pseudo-bulbs, prefer-
ably those w'hich have failed to bloom, specimens
that have flowered being practically useless. The
bulbs are laid upon some damp Sphagnum-moss
in a hot, moist propagating-frame. Young plants
may also be obtained in the following manner: —
Cut the bulbs into short lengths, taking care to-
have a sound eye or bud to each piece, and
place them firmly into pots filled with Sphagnum-
moss, resting the bud at the top of the severed
piece just upon the, surface of the moss. These
should also be put in the frame. Young growths
wiU soon appear, and when they produce roots
they should be taken out and placed in a small
pot, using chopped Sjihagnum-moss only. Y'^oung
seedling Dendrobiums may be repotted at this
season.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GcniiACRF, G.irdener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moultoil t'addocks, Newiiiarl.et.

Fi// tree/^ in pol-^. — The earliest trees are now
ripening their fruits. Plenty of fre,sh air, but
less moisture will be required in the house; leave
the upper ventilatois open all night to the extent
of an inch whene\'er the weather permits.
Licjuid manure must not be given after this date;
clean water only must be afforded the roots.
Damp the paths and other surfaces inside the
house once or tw-ice each day according to the
weather conditions, but remove the evaporating
pans from the pipes.

Fig trees in lorifers. — Trees which are swelling
their fi-uits may be given liquid manure and soot-
water, with an occasional sprinkling of some
approved fertiliser. Those which are " flower-
ing " may be treated as advised in a previous
Calendar. Syringing should be discontinued
when this stage is reached, but plenty of atmo-
spheric moisture must be provided. Manure
water, sprinkled about the paths. &c., after the
sun has gone down, will be beneficial.

Gathering and packing Strawber7"ies. — The
fruit should, for preference, be picked in the
morning, and if not packed at once, may be laid
in a cool shed. Use shallow boxes or wooden
trays lined with cotton wool to carry the fruits
from the glasshouse to where the packing is
done, laying each berry carefully on its side so
that it does not roll about. Choice dessert Straw-
berries are best packed in single layers, shallow
wooden boxes just deep enough to hold the fruit
and packing material being most suitable. Line
the box with a single layer of cotton wool.
Wrap each fruit in a leaf and pack firmly in
rows, leaving the stalks in convenient positions
for unpacking. Strawberry leaves are often
used for the purpose, but I prefer leaves of the
French Bean which have been picked overnight
so that they are wilted and soft. The main point
in packing the fruit is to have the contents of the
box quite firm, so that it cannot become disturbed
in transit. Having filled the box, place a sheet
of tissue paper over the fruit then another
thickness of cotton wool, and finallv the lid.

AraiL 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

241

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By JuHN Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Koyal Gardens, Wi[idsor.

Vegetable Marrow. — Sow seeds in small pots
so that the young plants will be ready to plant
out aijout the middle ct .May. As soon as the seed-
lings have developed each their first rough leaf
place them in 6-inch pots and grow them on under
glass until the time of planting arrives. Where
large supplies of Marrows are required, the best
plan is to make a plantation in the open garden.
The plants must be covered up at night time until
danger from frost is past. Plant them at a dis-
tance of 5 feet apart, in holes filled with loam
and manure in equal parts. For a successional
batch the seeds may be sown out-of-doors, but it
will be necessary to cover the seedlings with
hand lights until frost is over. When well estab-
lished, frequent supplies of liquid manure should
be afforded the plants.

Freiirli Beuiis. — In gardens where pit-accom-
modation is available there reed be no difiiculty
in having a constant supply of this vegetable.
After this date French lieans may be grown in
cold frames, provided the lights are covered on
frosty nights. \ batch may also be raised in
small pots for planting under the shelter of a
south wall, but they must be protected from frost
and cold winds by Spruce or other evergreen
branches.

Turnips. — Now that there is no danger of the
plants bolting, Turnips may be sown freely. The
Turnip loves moisture, and should be grown
quickly on good, rich soil, which has been dug
and manured some time previously. As the
season advances a slightly shaded position should
be chosen for the crop, and frequent small sow-
ings made in preference to large sowings at one
time. Thinning sliould be done as soon as the
plants are large enough, allowing 9 inches
between them. If tlie Turnip fly proves trouble-
some, frequent dustings uf soot and wood ashes
in the early morning will keep it in check.
Snowball and Red Globe are reliable varieties for
sowing at this season; allow 18 inches between
the rows.

Salitafy. — This vegetable may be sown about
the middle of the present month ; if sown earlier
the plants frequently run to seed. Salsafy is a
deep-rooting plant and requires well-cultivated
land. The seeds should be sown in rows made
18 inches apart, and the young plants thinned to
9 inches apart.

Sriirzonera may also be sown now. Allow a
little more room between the rows than for
Salsafy, but afford similar treatment in other
respects.

Asparagus. — ihe beds should be examined,
and if the soil has been beaten down by recent
rains the surface should be stirred with "the fork
and a liberal dressing of conmion salt applied.
W^e are breaking the surface of the beds here for
the third time this season. Now is the proper
time to sow Asparagus seed ; the seedlings will
be ready for planting two years hence. The
ground for the seed-bed should be light and rich.
The distance between the rows should be 18 inches
and the drills, about 2 inches in depth. When
the young plants appear above the ground the
Dutch hoe should be used frequently to keep
the ground free from weeds.

Letliire. — Plants raised under glass will now be
ready for planting out on a well-prepared border.
If they have been allowed plenty of fresh air the
plants" will not be checked and should be ready
for use in May. After planting, frequent dust-
ings of hot lime in the early morning will free
the ground from slugs, which are troublesome
amongst early Lettuce. Small sowings should be
made" fortnightly from now onward in order to
keep up a continuous supply of heads through
the summer months. Mammoth White Cos and
All the Year Round ai'e suitable sorts for summer
sowing.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghce, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Euphorbia Jarquliiia flora. — Stock plants of
this Euphorbia treated as advised in a previous
Calendar will now be providing an excellent sup-
ply of cuttings. These should be removed with
a portion of the old wood attached, and plunged
immediately into powdered charcoal to prevent
bleeding. Have in readiness a number of small
pots (6C)'s), filled, moderately firmly, with a com-
post of equal parts leaf-mould, coarse silver
sand, and fine peat. Insert four or six cuttings

around the edges of the pots : give sufficient
water to settle the compost, and plunge the re-
ceptacles into a bottom heat of 70" to 80°. Keep
the propagating case closed for a few days, and
frequently remove the moisture from the glass.
Shade the cuttings until roots are formed, after
which admit fresh air with caution, so as to
gradually harden them ; allow them also to
have more sunlight. Euphorbias succeed best
when cultivated very near to the glass. E. jac-
quinijeflora is an erect-habited plant and does not
form many side branches, but a bushy habit may
be induced by pinching the main shoots or tying
them down at their tips. Another excellent plan
is to pot four to six plants together. Small plants
in Sinch or 5-inch pots are very serviceable for
decorative purposes.

Euphorbia ( J'oiitsetlia) pulcherrima.—ihe
main batch should now be raised as soon as
cuttings are obtainable. These may be separated
from the parent plant and treated as advised for
E. jacquiniajflora, with the exception that they
are best rooted singly in thumb pots ; when
several are rooted in the same pot extreme care is
needed in dividing them. The foliage, when in a
young stage, must be protected from excessive
sunshine. Repotting must be regularly attended
to, and watering performed with great care.

Oelosia. — This plant succeeds best in a compost
of good fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and well-
decayed manure. As the seedlings become large
enough to handle, transfer them to thumb pots
and repot them as often as may be necessary.
Celo.sias require ample rooting space until placed
in their flowering pots, and, whilst the roots are
in an active state of growth, they must on no
account be allowed to suffer from dryness. They
enjoy a close, moist atmosphere of 60° to 70°,
but as they reach their flowering stage they
may be allowed cooler conditions and drier sur-
roundings.

1'he stove. — As the season advances the tem-
perature may be raised to 70° or 75° at night-
time, with 5° to 10° advance during the daytime.
An occasional fumigation with a nicotin-e com-
pound, or syringing with an insecticide, imme-
diately insect pests are detected, will save much
labour later in the season.

jected to extra hard forcing. They may be
planted out in four or six weeks' time, when
they have been suliiclently hardened off. Plants
treated in this manner bear excellent crops of
first-class fruits in the following year. The
variety we have used for this pm-pose is Royal
Sovereign.

Grafts. — Examine thosb trees which have been
grafted, and fill up any cracks that may be found
in the clay, by wetting it and working a little
more clay in the cracks with the hand. If damp
moss is tied over the balls of clay and moistened
frequently in dry weather, this will serve to pre-
vent further cracking. If any rnore grafting is
still to be done, it should be carried out at once.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Seakle, Gardener to the Mar.iiiis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Disbudding and thinning. — The .\pricot trees
will be the first to need attention in these matters.
Indeed, in the warmer parts of the country, they
are almost at the stage when they need disbud-
ding. This work should always be done as soon
as the shoots can be detached easily with the
finger and thumb. Commence at the top of the
tree and work towards the base. Po not remove
all the unnecessary shoots at one time, but take
away a few over the whole tree at each of
several operations, which may take place at fre-
quent intervals. Commence by rubbing out the
back and foreright shoots, then those that are
badly placed ; thin out such as are not required
for forming spurs, in order to avoid any over-
crowding of the shoots. If disbudding is done
thoroughly and intelligently, it will obviate the
necessity for a great deal of pruning in the winter
season. Train in any young shoots that form
near the base of the tree, provided there is suffi-
cient space on the wall to acconunodate them
easily. Such young shoots will be useful for re-
placing old, useless Ijranches at a later date. Any
shoots that are not required for laying in, but are
wanted for fresh spurs, should receive their first
stopping when the fourth or fifth leaf is made. In
cases where the fruits are setting freely it will
be necessarv to thin them out when it can be seen
which are "likely to swell best. This thinning
should be done "gradually, and not too severely,
until the stoning period is past.

Peach and Xectarine. — These trees require to
be disbudded more severely than the .\pricot, and
although Peach and Nectarine trees will fruit
upon spurs, this system is not often followed.
The disbudding should be carried out in a way
similar to that recommended for Apricots.

Forced Strawberry plants. — If it is intended
to plant out Strawberries which have been forced
this season, the ground should now be made
ready for the plants. The soil should be manured
well," and trenched several weeks before the plant-
ing is commenced, so that it may have time to
settle down. The plants should be selected from
the last batch or two which have not been sub-

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenhain House, Hertfordshire.

Hollyhock. — This stately, old-fashioned flower
has many admirers, but has fallen out of culti-
vation largely during recent years owing to the
great prevalence of the disease — Puccinia malva-
cearum ; plants deteriorating through remaining
in the same position for a number of years and
thus fall a prey to the rust-disease. To miti-
gate this. Hollyhocks should be grown each year
from seed, by which method excellent results
may be obtained. Seed sown early in the New
Year will soon germinate, and if the seedlings are
grown under glass, then gradually hardened
off and potted as necessary, they will soon be
ready to transfer to the open ground, where they
will flower the same season. To produce strong,
flowering plants, a good root-run, well enriched
with decayed manure, must be prepared for them.
Thev may be planted with good effect at the bacjk
of the herbaceous borders or in open positions in
shrubberies, but ample room must be afforded
them to ensure success. Protect the plants from
attacks of slugs, and stake them as soon as they
require supporting. Encourage the leading
growth at all times and remove off-sets arising
from the base of the plants, to concentrate all
the energy of the plant in the main shoot.
Mulch the" roots in dry weather, and give liquid
manure occasionally, as well as copious supplies
of water.

Gladioli. — The present month is a suitable
time to plant Gladioli. .Select ground that has
been well worked, preferably in the winter,
and fork it over now, first adding a sprinkling of
wood-ashes. Cover the corms to a depth of 4 or
5 inches, label each clump or row, and level the
bed neatly with an iron rake. The plants will be
benefited "by a mulching applied in dry weather,
and nothing is better for the purpose than
manure from a spent Mushroom-bed. Water must
be afforded them in dry weather, and the shoots
tied to neat stakes as" they develop. Gladiolus
brenchleyensis produces bold scarlet flowers and
is a fine subject for massing. G. Childsii and
Lemoine's hybrids are also to be recommended.

Pansies. — Varieties of practically all colours
may be raised from seeds. If seed is sown now
in shallow boxes and germinated in a gentle heat,
the young plants being subsequently transferred
to other boxes and grown under cool conditions,
good plants will soon be obtained for planting
out in the borders. A site that is cool during
the hottest part cf the day suits the Pansy and
Viola best.

Flowering shrubs. — The recent warm sho\yers
have caused the shrubs to burst forth into
growth. Ribes sanguineum and its varieties,
carneum, albidum, and atrosanguineum, make
goodly shaped bushes with a little care and
attention. Another interesting shrub rot unlike
the Ribes in habit is Nuttallia cerasiformis, or
Oso Berry. It is wonderfully free in flowering
and produces its racemes of greenish-white
flowers in great profusion; it also fruits if
plants of both sexes are grown. The Forsythias
are particularly striking in spring-time. F.
suspensa inake"s a good individual specimen
for the shrubberv or a wall, and is also excellent
for massing in large beds. F. viridissima is of
a dwarfer habit than its congener, and the wood
is of a greenish colour. .\ny of , these early-
flowering'shrubs that require pruning should be
dealt with immediately the flowering period i.s
over, so that plenty of young wood may be
formed for next season's display. Spir^a Thun-
bergii will shortlv be wreathed with its small
white flowers, closely followed by S. arguta, a
more desirable garden species, being compact in
habit.

248

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 16, 1910

EDITORIAL NOTICE,

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be writtkn on onk sipe only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the iveek as possible and duly-
signed by the writer. 1/ desired, the signature tifill not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents,— 7"/:e Editors do not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communicatiotts or illustrations, unless by
Special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Local News. — Corragpondents will greatlyoblige by sendingto
the Ed dots early intelligence of local events likely to be of
interest to our readers, or oj any matters which it is desirable
to b) ing under the notice of horticulturists.

^cws\>a\)Qrs. — Correspondents semiing neivspapers should be
caie/ul to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19^

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger on "The Wild Flowers of the
West of Ireland.") Devon Daffodil and Spring Fl.
Sli. at Barnstaple (2 days).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20-

Roy. Hort. Soc. of Ireland Spring Sh. (2 days).
Huntingdonshire Daffodil and Spring FI. Sh. Roy.
Hort. Soc. General Exam. 6 to 9.30 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21—

Ipswich and E. of England Daffodil and Spring Fl,
Sh. Falmouth Spring Fl. Sh. (2 days). Linnean Soc.
meet.
FRIDAY, APRIL 22— Exeter Daffodil Sh,

Average Mean TEMFhKAiuRK for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 48'3°,
Actual Temperatures; —

l^ouDON.— Wedwsdayf April 13 (6 p.m.) : Max. 61";
Min. 51°.
Cariienets' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London — Thursilay^ April J4
(10 A.M.): Bar. 29-3; Temp. 64" i Weal her—
Overcast.
Provinces. — Wednesday, April 73', Max. 54" Cambridge ;
.«^ Min. 31" Yorkshire,

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY-

Perennials, Border Plants, Lilies and Hardy Bulbs, at
12; Roses, at 1,30; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morns.

WED.NESDAY—

Herbaceous Plants, Hardy Border Plants and Bulbs, at
12; Trade Sale of Miscellaneous Plants and Bulbs, at
12.30; Roses, at 1,30; Japanese Lilinnis, at 2; Pahns
and Plants, at 5 ; at Protheroe & Morns' rooms,

FRIDAY —

Freehold Nursery, Enfield Highway, Middlesex, by
order of the Executors of J. H. Thompson, deceased,
at the Mart, London, E.J., by Protlieroe & Morris, at
2; Imported and Established Orchids, at Protheroe &
Morris' rooms.

An emphatic and reasoned pro-
The test is made by our Ameri-

Impoptation (.^j, contemporary Horticulture

again.st tlie passage of the

of Nursery

Stock by

America. Bill, now before the House
Committee on Agriculture at
Washington, to provide for inspection of nur-
sery stock at the ports of entry. This Bill
— known as the Simmons Bill — is designed
to prevent the importation of nursery stock
infested by insect and other plant pests.
Horticulture certainly makes out a good case
for the re<'«nsideration of this measure, which,
it maintains, will mean delay and ruin to
a most perishable class of goods. As an ex-
ample of the enormous amount of inspection
which the adoption of the Bill must
entail, it is mentioned that the arri-
vals of French nursery stock at a single
port — that of New York — amounted during
the last 11 days of January to 1,375 cases,
containing some 17,000,000 seedlings, and of
a value of about £25,000. In passing, it is of
interest to observe that about 26 per cent, of
this value represents import duties. As is
pointed out by our contemporary, the im-
ported cases of seedlings are specially and

tightly packed by machinery. Therefore, ade-
quate inspection without complete unpacking
is an impossibility, and complete unpack-
ing— at the hands of inspectors, who can
scarcely be expected to be as trained or as
solicitous as the exporter — must mean enor-
mous damage. We have, of course, no opinion
to offer on what is it matter for the
Americans to decide ; but we tremble lest such
a mode of dealing with a difficult problem
should find favour at home. Whatever may
be the case in America, it would be deplorable
if any such proposal were adopted in this
country. It is a wise and proper thing to
attempt to keep out diseased plants ; but the
only mode in which this can be done is to
require a clean bill of health with the im-
ported goods. If entrusted to experts of
standing and repute, the metiiod of certifi-
cation should prove adequate. To commit
the work of inspection of plants, with a
view to determining whether they are dis-
eased or not, to any but jjeople trained in a
knowledge of plant pathology is altogether
useless. In the case of such perishable ma-
terial as nursery stock, to attempt serious
examination at the port of entry is impos-
sibl'3. .Such examination as can be attempted
must prove either a nuisance or a farce.

Mr. Chittenden reports in the

Further current number of the ./oil /'iit7?
Experiments , t. tt ■

with of the Soijal Horficultvral

Nitro- Society (Vol. 35, Part III.,

at Wisley. P^g^ ^^^) the results of the
trials with nitro-bacterine,
which were carried out at Wisley during the
summer of 1909.

The plant selected for the inoculation ex-
periments was the French Bean, and the
variety used was Canadian Wonder, tiie seed
of which was presented for the purpose of the
trials by Messrs. .Sutton & Sons, of Reading.

The method of trial was similar to that
adopted in the previous years, except that, in
accordance with Professor Bottomley's recom-
mendations, a dressing of chalk was applied
to the ground. The land was then bastard-
trenched ; but no manure was added. The
nitro-bacterine — that is, the preparation of
the bacterium, Rhozobium leguminosarum,
responsible for nodule formation — was pre-
sented by Professor Bottomley.

The results, as judged by the yield of
marketable produce, indicate that neither
steeping the seed in nitro-bacterine nor water-
ing the soil therewith effects any increase in
tho crop. Indeed, the highest yield was ob-
tained from a plot which waji sown with un-
inoculated seed and watered witli well water.

A comparison of the yields from the inocu-
lated and uninoculated plots gave the follow-
ing average results : —

Plots inoculated once : produce, 787 grams.

Plots inoculated twice: produce, 727 grams.

Plots uninoculated : produce, 782 grams.

Attempts to increase the yield of non-legu-
minous crops by the use of nitro-bacterine
gave similar negative results.

Putting all the experimental evidence to-
gether, we are driven to the conclusion that
the nodule bacterium is so widely distributed
in the soil of this country that inoculation of
sown seed takes place inevitably, and that,
therefore, the artificial inoculation of seed
witJi cultures of the ntxlule orgaiiism is a work
of supererogation.

Our Supplementary Illustration shows
the beautiful exhibit of Alpine and hardy plants
staged by Sir Everard Hambko at the Royal
Horticultural Society's exhibition on March li.
The display was a remarkable one from many
points of view ; it was of a very exteiisive charac-
ter, arranged with consummate skill, composed,
in the main, of rare and choice species, and was
an object-lesson in high culture. Some of the ex-
amples were considered amongst the finest ever
seen, testifying to the skill of Mr. J. Granfield,
the gardener at Hayes Place. One magnificent
pan of Saxifraga Boydii (see fig. 108) received
a Cultural Commendation from the Floral Com-
mittee. The background was composed of Azalea
ama;iia, Rhododendron prsecox, Polygonatum, and
taller-growing bulbous plants, such as Narcissi,
The display was especially rich in Primulas and
Saxifraga.s. There were also many Androsace;i,
Shortia uniflora grandiflora, Ericas in variety,
with Muscarias, Chinodo.xas, Squills, and other
spring bulbous plants. A li.st of the more im-
portant species will be found in the report of the
.show, p. 171.

Royal Horticultural Society.— The next
meeting of the Committees of the Society will
take place on Tuesday, April 19. At 3 p.m.
a lecture on " The Wild Flowers of the West
of Ireland " will be delivered by Mr. R. LLoyn
Pr.\eger, B.E., B.A., M.R.I.a"

"The Botanical Magazine." — The issue
for April contains illustrations and descriptions
of the following plants : —

Typhonodorum Lindleyanum, tab. 8307 —
This is one of the giant Aroids, an old species
described by Sehott in 1857. The plant is a
native of Madagascar, where it grows in water
and marshy places. In Kew Gardens, it finds
genial conditions in one of the exotic plant houses,
planted in a bed of mud in company with tlie
Papyrus. The spathe is yellow on both faces,
and the spadix at the long, upper, sterile portion
is orange-yellow. It is an evergreen species, the
handsome leaves being of sagittate form.

Saxifraga Grisebachii, tab. 8308. — This is
one of the red-flowered Saxifragas described by
Mr. W. Irving in Garch'ners' C/ironicle, Septem-
ber 18, 1909, p. 19.5, where also it is figured.

RHODOnENDHON Harrovianum, tab. 8309. —
One of the many new plants discovered by Wil-
son whilst collecting for Messrs. Jas. Veitch &
Sons in Chiua. The .species was first desciibed
by Mr. W. BoTTiNG Hemsley in these pages (see
Gardeners' Chronicle, January 1, 1910, p. 4),
The flowers are violet-purple, with a few yel-
lowish blotches on the upper lobes.

Dipelta floribunda, tab. 8310. — The Dipel-
tas are flowering shrubs somewhat resembling
the Diervillas. Mr. W. Botting Hemsley re-
viewed the Genus Dipelta in Gardeners'
Chronicle, August 8, 1908, p, 101, when a figure
of Dipelta ventricosa was given. Dipelta flori-
bunda was illustrated in these pages July 6,
1907, fig. 1, from a drawing made by Mr. Her-
mann Spooneb, who also wrote the accosipany-
ing note. The species was introduced from China
by Messrs. .Ias. Veitch & Sons, through their
collector, Mr. E. H. Wilson.

Cornus Nuttallii, tab. 8311. — This is de-
scribed a.s the noblest of the Cornels. It is met
with on the Pacific coa.st of North America over
a fairly wide range. There it forms a moderately
large tree, sometimes 100 feet high. But in this
country it will probably form a useful subject fur
the back of the shrubbery, for a specimen which
fruited in Mr. Ch.ambers's garden at Haslemere
was not more than 15 feet in height. The bracts
are very broad and tinged with yellow, the in-
volucre is, at times, 6 inches across. It has lor.g
been known to science, the first botanist to dis-
cover the tree being Mr. David Douglas in 1826.

April 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

249

LiNNEAN Society. — The next meeting will
be held on Thursday, April 21, when the follow-
ing papers will be read : — Jliss M. G. Sykes,
" The Seedling and Adult Anatomj' of Wel-
witschia mirabilis ;" Prof. P. Stein, " An-
thomyidie, auf den Seychellen gesammelt ;" Dr.
Malcolm Buhr, F.L.S., "The Dermaptera of
the Seychelles;" Dr. J. J. Tesch, "The Ptero-
poda and Heteropoda collected bj' the Percy
Sladen Trust E-xpedition in the Indian Ocean;"
Dr. G. Enderlein, " Die Pilzmiicken Fauna der
Seychellen."

National Auricula and Primula Society

(^Midland Section). — The 11th annual exhibi-
tion will be held in the Botanical Gardens, Edg-
baston, Birmingham, on Wedneeday and Thurs-
day, ]\'Iay 4, 5. The Society's Silver Medal and
the " Brookes " Silver Medal are offered to local
growers, the former to the exhibitor gaining the
hiiihest number of points for Show varieties in
certain classes, and the latter to the exhibitor
gaining the greatest number of points in the
Alpine and seedling classes. Silver and Bronze
Medals are also offered by the Birmingham
Botanical and Horticultural Society. The secre-
tary is Mr. Tom J. Stevens, 77, Jakeman Road,
Cannon Hill, Birmingham.

Buenos Aires Exhibition. — The Board of
Agriculture and Fi.sherics, acting in conjunction
with the Board of Trade and a committee of
leading agriculturists, are sending to the Inter-
national Exhibition which opens at Buenos Aires
in ,Tune next, an exhibit consisting of photo-
graphs, charts and diagrams illustrating the
work of the agricultural colleges, illustrations
and descriptions of the various breeds of British
live stock, and specimens of the various cereals
and other farm seeds produced in this country.
The Board have appointed Senor Don Miguel
DE Hoz to be an Honorary Commissioner to re-
present the Board at the exhibition.

Hexham Fruit Show and Congress.-

We have already given some particulars of this
special exhibition, which is confined to growers
in the counties of Northumberland. Durham.
Cumberland and Westmorland. The schedule,
now before us, consists of 48 classes, and is
divided into six sections : — (.\) Nurserymen ; fB)
Market Growers; (C) Open Classes; (D) Bottled
Fruits; (E) County Council E.xhibits ; (F) Open
to all except nurserymen and market gardeners.
The deputation from the Royal Horticultural
Society will be empowered to give medals and
other awards, which will serve a-s the prizes
in the nurserymen's classes. Provision will be
made for competitors at a distance to have
their fruits staged for them, provided that a
week's notice be given. The show will open on
October 20, and remain open for three days. On
each day papers will be read, the subjects in-
cluding " Fruit Storage and the Bottling of
Fruit," " The Best Hardy Fruits for the North
of England, the best varieties of the same, and
the best Stocks," " Enemies to Fruit Culture,"
" Fruit Pests and their Treatment," " Orchard
Heating," " Intensive Culture and Bees as a
Factor in Fruit Culture," " Co-operation in the
Marketing of Produce," and " Fruit Bottling."
On Friday, October 21, a demonstration of spray-
ing fruit trees and the use of smudge fires will be
given. The Scottish Horticultural Association
is sending two representatives as judges. Mr.
James Whytock and Mr. W. H. Massee. The
general secretary is Rev. J. Bernard Hall,
Dalstnn, Cumberland.

Floriferous Hyacinth. — Messrs. Carter
Page & Co., London Wall, have brought to our
notice a plant of Hyacinth " Moreno," bearing
12 spikes with more than 250 flowers.

Vanda ccerulea. — Lieut Colonel Rippon
-gives, in the Jilarch number of the R.H.S.
Journal of the present year, a brief account of
the situations occupied in the South Shan States
by Vanda coerulea. At Kalan it occurs on trees
from 10 to 40 feet from the ground. The roots,
which grow close to the bark of the tree, appear
to prefer the shade, but the flower-spike
pushes out to the light between the foliage of
the host-plant. Lieut. -Colonel Rippon suggests
tliat various fleshy-rooted Orchids suffer in this
country from their roots being confined and
(generally) kept wet. At Kalan, Vanda ccerulea
grows to perfection when tied to the trunk of a
tree or to a tliick branch (dead or alive).

The German Dahlia Society proposes to
hold an exhibition of Dahlias at Liegnitz from
August 14 to September 11 of this year. In the
programme of the exhibition, which has just
reached us, it is pointed out, that this is the
first exhibition of Dahlias which has been held in
Eastern Germany. The society is also conduct-
ing trials in addition to those carried out in

was 32.000, and the number filled 20,000. It is
too early yet to form an opinion as to the value
of the Labour Exchanges, but if the above figures
indicate that employment was found for 20,000
men who, without the exchanges, would have
been unemployed, they point to success of the
attempt to find work for men who want work.
The problem which will remain is to make those
work who do not want to work.

Spade Work.— Under the title of " A Sug-
gestion for Local Show Committees," a letter
appears in the Journal of the R.H.S. for March,
1910, from the pen of Mr. Thomas Canning, of
Liscard, Cheshire, suggesting that digging com-
petitions by teams of 11 a side might prove an
attraction in local shows, and would undoubtedly
help to demonstrate the importance of the spade
in horticulture. In a vigorous passage, Mr.
Canning declares :— " Old as I am (and^ I shall
soon reach my 80th year). I would make bold to
enter one of these competitions myself, and would
undertake at least (if I could not win a prize) to
dig over my portion of 110 square yards with a

Fig. io8. — saxifraga x boydii as shown by sir everard hambko.

(See also Supplementary Illustration.)

the gardens at Frankfurt-a-M. Plants or roots
for the exhibition may be sent to Mr. S. Lang-
ner. Liegnitz, Germany. A Rose show will also
be held in the same town from .lune 25 to
July 10. and also at the time of the Dahlia
exhibition.

Labour Exchanges. -The information pub-
lished by the President of the Board of Trade
on the results of the first six weeks' working of
the Labour Exchanges affords considerable in-
formation and food for thought. During this
period, 100 exchanges were at work (20 of this
number for only part of the time). The total
registrations were 270.000, of which number less
than half (104.000) are on the " live " register —
that is, consist of the names of those who register
once a week. Thus, apparently, 100.000 regis-
tered once and then gave it up. How far this
is due to discouragement at failure to find em-
ployment, and how far to laziness on the part of
labour-shirkers, it is. of course, impossible to say.
The number of situations offered by employers

10-inch spade in one hour." Co'.ild such compe-
titions be organised, Mr. Canning is convinced
— and no one will gainsay him — that not oidy
the land dug, but also the health of the com-
petitors, would be ameliorated.

Poisoned Grain.— A farmer was summoned

recently for placing poisoned grain, calcu-
lated to destroy life, on ground at Ongar, and
a chemist who dressed the grain with a prepara-
tion of strychnine W'as summoned likewise for
aiding and abetting. The defendant was seen, it
appears, to place grain on his land, and, subse-
quently, partridges and rooks were found dead
on the ground. Analysis proved that both grain
and birds contained strychnine. The defendant
urged that he had to do something to keep the
birds from his crops, and that he was unable to
get boys for the purpose of scaring them. The
chemist stated that he understood that the
grain was for use in the garden, to keep off
sparrows. The defendants were fined 20s. and
costs.

250

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[AvRiL 16, 1910.

Floral Decorations at Leeds. — In con-
nection with the municipal annual ball, the
Leeds Town Hall was arranged with flowers and
plants by Mr. A. J. Allsop, the city parks
superintendent. The scheme took the form of
a replica of Towcrhurst, the residence of the
Lord Mayor, Penkose-Gbeen, Esq. The house
was reproduced amid flowering rambler Roses
and greenery. The terrace wall, with vases
of Pelargoniums on white pedestals and trellis-
work, interwoven with rambling Roses, produced
a charming effect. The main corridors leading
to the Victoria Hall were a continuous bower
of Roses, trained naturally and with admirable
taste over rustic arches. The yellow blooms of
Laburnums in mounds at intervals formed a pretty
contrast with a background of white and pink
Roses. The whole area of the spacious hall was
skilfully converted into a charming garden with
a wealth of spring and summer flowers.

CoDLiN Moth. — In an article published in
Le Pomoloi/ie Fraiiraise for 1909, E. Durand
recommends the use of bands of thick muslin for
combatting this pest. Fixed about the trees in
June, the bands serve to trap the caterpillars
about to change into chrysalides. Arsenical
spraying proved very successful : of the Apples
on the sprayed trees, only 4 per cent, were worm-
eaten, against 32 per cent, on the unsprayed
trees.

Publications Received. — Transac-
tions of the Scottish Horticultural Association.

(Kdiuburgli : Printed for the Association by
M'Farlane & Erskine.) Price to non-members.
Is. — TVie Journal of the British Gardeners'
Association, April, 1910. — The Unhealed
Greenhouse, by E. J. Castle. One and All
Garden Books. (London : Agricultural and
Horticultural Association, 92, Long Acre, W.C.)
—The Social Calendar for 1910, by Mrs.
Hugh Adams and Editli A, Browne. (London :
Adam and Cliarles Black ) Price '2s. Gd. net.

UNCOMMON WALL PLANTS.

There are many species and varieties of trees
and shrubs suitable for planting against walls in
the open, which are rarely found in gardens.
The list given below provides greater variety
than is usually found, and, although all the
plants enumerated may not succeed in certain
localities, a trial will prove that most of them
will grow and flower well. It does not matter
greatly what aspect is afforded them, but, for
preference, a wall facing south or west should be
chosen.

Even w^ith plants remarkable for the richness
of their autumn tints, it is surprising how beau-
tiful the foliage will appear in autumn even in
specimens growing on a north or west wall. For
example, the leaves of Ampelopsis Veitchii and
Rhus Toxicodendron have as much brilliancy
when growing in a north or westerly site as in a
southern one.

Deciduous Species.

The deciduous kinds may be considered first.
Of these, Actinidia callosa is a rapidly-gi-owing
subject, with heart-shaped leaves, which change
to a deep golden hue in the autumn. Akebia
quinata is much more suitable for planting out-
of-doors than is generally believed. An eastern
aspect suits it capitally. A wall plant of this
species, with properly-matured branches and
spurs — these latter formed by repeated pinching
of the current season's shoots to a single bud
at their base — will furnish a mass of purple-
ooloured, fragrant blossoms. Too often this
climber is a tangled mass of shoots, from which
a few flowers only are produced, owing to
crowding preventing the proper maturation of the
growths. Polygonum baldschuanicum is gener-
ally treated as a pillar plant, but no plant is
better srited for quickly covering ari unsightly

wall or fence, especially if the aspect be a
southern one. Solanum jasminoides will succeed
admirably against a south wall in the southern
counties, growing vigorously and flowering abur.-
dantly well into the autumn. Bignonia radicans
and B. grandiflora rubra are two noble flowering
plants that grow vigorously and blossom abun-
dantly on high, south walls. Rhus Toxicodendron,
commonly known as the Poison Oak, is worthy
of a place in our list, on account of its beautiful
leaves, which assume a bright crimson hue in the
autumn. Celastrus scandens, with its round
leaves and yellow flowers, the latter produced in
June, is also an attractive subject. jMenisper-
mum canadense grows lapidly, and produces its
green and yellow blossoms freely. Hydrangea
quercifolia, with its Oak-like leaves, and dull,
white flowers, is also deserving of mention.
Where rapid growth and bold foliage are desired,
Aristolochia Sipho should be included. Spira?a
discolor (syn. arifefolia) will be considered by
some an unsuitable plant to place against a
wall, but its white plume-like blossoms are par-
ticularly effective in such situations, its green
foliage throwing the blooms into greater relief.
A judicious thinning of the branches — simply re-
moving the weaker ones — will suffice to keep the
plant in order for many years. Pomegranates
against a south wall grow rapidly, and, when
laden with the brilliant scarlet blossoms in Sep-
tember, make a bright display. Cydonias are
not nearly so commonly employed as wall
climbers as their merits warrant. They grow-
freely and flower especially early when planted
against a wall. C. japonica atro-coccinea and
C. j. Gaujardii are desirable varieties. Forsythia
suspensa is a suitable plant for a wall, although
many will prefer it as a bush in the shrubbery
or on the lawn. Cotoneaster Simonsii is es-
pecially attractive at this season, by reason of
its brilliantly-coloured berries. That the plant
is deciduous may be a defect, but when the
shoots are allowed to grow rather thickly, the
mass of berries which it produces compensates
somewhat for this fault.

Evergreen Species.

Rosemary is a good plant for covering walls
10 feet high. An abundance of blossoms, too,
is obtained from vigorous specimens grow'ing
against a south wall. Euonymus japonicus varie-
gatus is usually classed as a subject for a dwarf
wall, but there is no difficulty in producing
plants 15 feet high. When thickly clothed with
its golden leafage, and especially on a southern
exposure, this Euonymus is distinctly attractive.
E. j. radicans will grow as high as 20 feet, and
with its silvery foliage is a very pleasing wall
plant. Not many plants will grow under
a verandah, but this Euonymus is suitable
for such a position. Ilex Integra (syn.
Symplocos japonica) is much like the common
evergreen Oak in its dark green leaves.
It grows freely, and will quickly cover a bare
wall. Buddleia variabilis Veitchii is not often
employed as a wall plant, but it is admirably
adapted for that purpose or for covering a trellis
or screen. Cistus ladaniferus (Gum cistus) is
one of the most freely flowering subjects when
grown as a bush at the foot of a south wall.
The branches must not be pruned too freely.
Cotoneaster microphylla is not only suitable for
covering a low wall or fence, but is equally
valuable for planting against a wall 15 feet
high. The plant is a 'beautiful object when
clothed during the autumn and winter with its
bright red berries and dark green leaves.
Griselinia littoralis, with its Privet-like leaves,
grows densely, yet quickly, in a northern aspect.
As few other plants do well in such situations,
it is all the more valuable. Lardizabala
biternata grows rapidly and is well suited for
covering high walls or trellises. Olearia macro-
donta is generally seen as a bush in the shrub-
bery, but it is quite suitable for a wall plant.
Its Holly-like leaves and white blossoms are both
pleasing. Photinia serrulata has i\Iagriolia-like

leaves. Its branches quickly cover a large sur-
face. In the spring the new shoots are tinted
with red, thus giving the plant a very attractive
appearance. Fabiana imbricata, in many cases,
succeeds better against a south wall than it does
in the open. The pure white. Heath-like blos-
soms are displayed more profusely in specimens
on walls. Colletia cruciata is a much better
plant for covering a low wall than many persons
imagine. Carpenteria californica is one of the
most showy subjects for a south wall ; its pure
white, highly- fragrant blossoms are produced in
clusters. Those who wish for a rapid-growing
climber with silvery leaves would do well to
plant Elaeagnus umbellata (syn. japonica) alba
marginata. Pittosporum Mayi also grows
quickly, the growth reaching a height of 10 feet.
As a bush-like climber it has a pleasing effect,
with its dark stems and pale green leaves. E.
Mohjneux.

P/EONIA MOUTAN.

Why does this imperial shrub still linger under
a cloud? It is invincibly hardy, and even easier
to grow than most hardy shrubs. Yet it is
.usually spoken of with suspicion, and attempted
with fear and trembling. Of course, to me
" Pseonia Moutan " means the Japanese varie-
ties, and the Japanese varieties only. The Euro-
pean sorts exist simply to point the sad compari-
son between Oriental exquisiteness and Euro-
pean barbarism. In my long border of Jloutans
I have two good European sorts ; poor things,
of obese dowdiness when the others are a
blaze of loose-petalled glory ! Only Gladiolus in
the garden, I think, has such a range of pure
and delicate colours as these Japanese iNIoutans,
ranging as they do from the most intense hlnod-
crimson and sunlit scarlet through every shade
of salmon, rose, and cherry, to the most filmy,
pearly pallors, which ultimately pass into stain-
less white. The flowers are of gigantic sixe, too,
loose and wild of outline, the perfection of
nobility and splendour. To set them off, these
Japanese Moutans have developed a wonderful
foliage all to themselves. It is ample, spread-
ing and audacious; its colours designed to suit
the flowers. Thus a bloom of vindictive scarlet
will have leaves of a dark, metallic bronze, while
a rose-pink neighbour will show foliage of a
sharp apple-green.

With regard to the culture of these Moutans,
it must be owned that, being sent out on stocks
of Mout,an-type, they are at first liable to
send up reversionary suckers which ultimately
strangle the graft. But this is only at first ;
watch them for two seasons after planting, and
remove any suckers you may see. After that
you will have no further trouble ; as the plant
gets established it develops sufficient strength in
its own personality, so to speak, to resist all
the base promptings of its lower Moutan nature,
and it is the rarest thing to find any attempt
at reversion from the third year onwards, from
which point, of course, each season gives you an
increasing reward in a lavish glory that is reaiiy
beyond expre.ssion. With respect to po.sition I
must confess that I think far too much unneces-
sary fuss is made. So long as Jloutan has rich
soil, and is not overshadowed, I do not think
there is any further consideration. At least,
here, in an odious, blustering climate, damp and
dark and chilly, Moutan has succeeded gor-
geously wherever I have put it. The European
forms, perhaps, may shoot prematurely, and sub-
sequently suffer from early frosts if planted in
the sun. All I can say is that my Japanese
Moutans have no such fad ; whether in sun or
shade they bear the trials of winter and the
temptations of spring without wincing; either
they remain dormant until it is safe to emerge,
or else, if they do shoot, their tender growths
seem immune to frost. During a period when
there were 29^^ of frost, I have watched many
of my Moutans with young growths 4 inches long
or so (while their next-door neighbours probably

April 16, 1910,]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

251

were in a condition of brown and decent dor-
mancy), but not one of these precocities suf-
fered. Finally, beyond attention to suckers in
their first two years, and perhaps an annual
mulch, these Japanese Montana, established in
good soil, ask nothing more than to be left alone
for ever, while they grow steadily on into miracles
of generous magnificence, Reginald Farrar.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

THE WEST INDIES.

CyNOMETR.i TRiNiTENSis. — Where tropical
shade trees are required, this species can be
recommended for pastures, lawns, public squares
and similar places. It is a dense-foliaged tree,
and, as such, is enabled to cut off entirely the
hot sun's rays and thus afford a perfect shade.
It may be seen flowering during September and
October in the Government House Grounds at
Trinidad, The small blossoms are white through-
out, except for the pale-green ovary and the yel-
low anthers. The flowers are bunched together in
the axils of the leaves, and, when seen upon the
tree, look like white streamers. The leaves, which
a:e divided down to the short petiole into two
halves, have their upper surfaces of a dark, shiny
green. The fruits are globular and one-seeded.
The trunk is short, permitting the extremities of
the boughs to hang close to the ground. These,
for convenience sake, are, at Government House,
kept trimmed clear of headway. Quite small
pU.nts flower. The tree is recorded as a native of
this island.

Wai.lichia DisTicH.i,— This Palm is at the
Experiment Station, St, Clair, both flower-
ing and fruiting. The trunk is clothed with
the remnants of the old leaf stalks, moss and
Fern growths. There are nine lehves present,
four on either side, and an upright, small, central
one. In addition to the new bi.nch of flowers,
there are luinging three old bare inflorescences,
one of which retains a few seed-remnants. The
inflorescence is pendant, and consists of a great
number of flower-bearing stems, the whole forming
itself into a kind of cone-shaped mass of blossoms,
which are darkly coloured. The leaflets are
spotted with yellow', the tips looking more or
less as though they had been scorched. Having
regard to the jagged trunk, shabby leaves, and
sombre-coloured inflorescence, this particular
specimen cannot be regarded as ornamental. Yet,
apparently, there is nothing wrong with the con--
ditions, added to which it is sheltered from high
winds and blazing sunshine. The height of the
P:lm is 20 feet, IF. E. Broadway, Tobago,

ARISTOLOCHIA GIGAS VAR. STURTEVANTII.

This remarkable tropical plant (see fig, 109) is
known by the natives of Ceylon as the Giant
Fly-catching plant. The perianth of the flower
consists of a large pouch, with a huge, saucer-like
expansion which ends in a long, pendant tail
about 2 to 2-2 feet in length. Flies are attracted,
especially in the morning, in great numbers to the
flower, owing to its offensive carrion-like odour.
They enter by the neck of the pouch, which, being
lined with ha'rs pointing inwards, effectively pre-
vents their escape. The flower begins to collapse
at du.sk, and a day later the flies, which appear
none the worse for their short captivity, are
released. The flower meantime provides nectar
for its visitors, which in turn effect its pollina-
tion. So strong is the odour emitted by this ex-
traordinary flower that even dogs are sometimes
deceived and attracted by the smell. The roots
of different species of Aristolochia are esteemed
in most tropical countries as a cure for snake
bites. The natives of Central America are so
convinced of the power of this root, not only for
curing, but also for preventing snake bites and
for stupefying and killing them, that they always
carry a piece of it with them when travelling
in the bush. Our illustration shows a plant
climbing over a wire archway in Ceylon. M.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opiriions expressed by correspondents.)

Bank Holidays and Flower Shows.—

Those employes of the numerous nurserymen and
florists who exhibit regularly at the fortnightly
exhibitions held in the Royal Horticultural Hall,
Westminster, doubtless congratulated themselves
on their good fortune in having no show to follow
Easter Monday, They will find, however, that
there are shows on the days immediately follow-
ing the Whitsun and August Bank Holidays,
The first-named day precedes by a week only the
great exhibition in the Temple Gardens, and will,
for that reason, probably not be a large one.
The show on August 2 might have been avoided

high, I do not know if it is usual for this tree
to bear fertile seed in the British Isles, D.
McDonald, Glcnveagh C'antle Gardens,
Churchill, Co. Donegal.

Violet Culture.— In the issue for March 26,
p. 194, is a cultural memorandum on growing
Violets in frames. The method advocated is, in
my opinion, wrong in several important points.
There is a great difference between growing
double and growing single varieties. I find
the best mode of cultivating the double
kinds is to plant them on well-manured land,
one foot apart both ways and exposed to
full sunshine. If shaded they make soft foliage
and are almost certain to succumb to the Violet
disease, and also to throw less flowers. The
most important point in the summer-time is to

{Photograph by H, F. MiicnuUan,

Fig. log, — aristolochia gigas variety sturtevantii in a ceylon garden.

had two exhibitions only been arranged for
August instead of three, especially as the
Holland Park Show in July has two days allotted
to it, and there are also the Sweet Pea and
Carnation Societies' shows, which, added with
the one ordinary meeting, make six days in July
on which Fellows can use their tickets. A.

CORDYLINE australis SEEDING. — During
the summer and autumn of 1909 three plants of
Cordyline australis growing in these gardens
flowered and developed seeds. Some of the seed
was sown in pots under glass in November, but
showed no signs of germinating till the end cf
January, After that date the seedlings appeared,
and the young plants are now about 2 inches

sprinkle them with clear water every evening
when there has been no rain during the day.
Runners should be removed, but there is nothing
gained by removing the early flower-buds, in fact
the blooms are often very useful during Septem-
ber, I find it is not a good plan to keep the
plants close to the glass after planting in the
frames, Jly practice is to use frames 18 inches
deep at the back and 12 inches in front, putting
a layer of about 6 inches of soil in the frame.
The plants at the back being on the same level
as those in front, sufficient air space is allowed
to keep the leaves from damping ; they may also
be watered more quickly and easily by this system
of planting. Single roots should be planted 15
inches apart, in beds the same size as the frames.

252

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

LArRiL 16, 1910.

which should be placed over them in the second
week of October, as Violets are seldom satisfac-
tory if lifted. These are the most important
points with respect to which the writer of the
note referred to is in error. T. Mathtws, Lady-
grove Nurseries, Ahinijdvn.

Flora of the Meije. — The note on Prof.
Farmer's lecture at Wimbledon (.«ee p. 234) on
Alpine plants, states that some of the finest
specimens were gathered at the very summit of
La Meije, " some 15,000 feet above sea-level."
This should read 13.000 feet ; the actual height
of the highest or western point, for there are
three summits, is 13,081 feet, or 3.937 metres.
The photograph, from which the illustration is
reproduced (see tig 110), was taken from the top
of the mountain where Dr. Farmer found various
fine plants. Every one of those flowers had some
such panorama for a setting, and they would look
down upon every ridge and peak in the picture
except the cubninating mass of distant snow in
the centre, which is 380 feet higher, and called
the Pointe des Ecrins. Tt is the highest of the
Dauphine Alps, but considerably less difficult to
ascend than the Jleije, which is a very stiff climb.
The photograph also shows an important feature
of the Dauphine mountains, viz., the remarkable
way in which they are cut up into steep ridges
and divided by dk.ep valleys, into which descend

of the Royal Horticultural Society in promoting
the organisation of a large committee as the con-
trolling body of the proposed international horti-
cultural exhibition in 1912, naturally leads up to
the question important to all the Society's
Fellows as to what part they are to play in the
matter. The Council has, through its President,
intimated the intention of giving a liberal
contribution to the guarantee fund, which
is, of course, very proper. But will that con-
tribution be made subject to any condition as to
the position of the Fellows in relation to the show
wjien it is open? For several years the Royal
Horticultural Society has organised two important
exhibitions in London, those of the Temple and
Holland Park. To these shows, which are great
society functions as well as extraordinary
displays of horticultural productions, all Fellows
have had free access on all the days these exhibi-
tions were open. This great privilege is doubt-
less one of the primary causes of the very large
fellow-ship of the Society. It seems certain,
however, that if this international exhibition is
held in 1912, and probably about the middle
of .Jmie, the ordinary May and July exhibi-
tions of the Society cannot take place, for
the excellent reason that those growers who
exhibit must and would devote all their ener-
gies to the production of special effects for the
international. Even the usual meetincs at

Fig. 110.-

-pointe des ecrins, from the meije j height, 13,000 feet,
(dauphine alps.)

literally " hanging glaciers." This peculiarity
can be seen verv easily bv walking to the top of
the Col du Gaiibier (8,720 feet), over which a
carriage road, the second highest in Europe,
passes from St. Michel de Maurienne, on the
railway between Chambery and Mt. Cenis, to
Lautaret and Briamjon. The Col du Gaiibier, and
the whole district, is extremely rich in plants ;
and in one day in August, 1907, I gathered no
fewer than 185 species and varieties above 8,000
feet on that pass alone. Those who are inte'vsted
in the flora of the very highest peaks in the Alps,
such as the Matterhorm, Monte Rosa, &c., should
consult the pamphlets of Prof. Lino Vaccari, and
particularly his Flora Cacnminate ddla valle
d'Aosta (Firenze, 1901) and La Vcgetazione ddla
Ortvola, 3,969 metres (Torino, 1906) : no one has
paid more attention to the high flora of the Alps
than Vaccari. In the former work are several
interesting tables, showing that, whereas about
200 species are found above 3.000 metres, only
live reach 4,200 metres, or above the highest sum-
mit of the Meiie. These five, found on the .Mat-
terhorn. include Ranunculus glacialis, Saxifraga
planifolia, S. biflora, and Androsace glacialis.
H. S. Thompson.

The Proposed International Exhibition.

—The prominent part taken by the Council

Vincent Square would suffer to some extent
for a time. In such case, what would be
the nature of the exhibition compensation offered
to Fellows in place of their usual exhibitions? I
have no knowledge as to how Members of the
R.H.S. were dealt with in 1866, but the case
now is so very different, arising from the immense
number of Fellows ancl the great exhibition ad-
vantages they have so long enjoyed. Therefore,
will the Council, apart from any contribution,
however liberal, to the guarantee fund, offer the
exhibition committee, when duly formed, a big
sum to enable their Fellows' tickets to be avail-
able for the international exliil>ition. as they now
are for the Temple and Holland Park shows?
Or will they, for a lesser sum, contract to grant
each Fellow one ticket of admission only, to be
given up on entrance, or will they ask for a privi-
lege for Fellows to obtain tickets of admission at
half-price? These are problems for the Council
to solve. The exhibition is to be of two weeks'
duration ; that suffices to show that no other exhi-
bition can be held just then. A Fellow.

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucum-
bers.—I was much interested in the remarks
on this subject in the " Answers to Correspon-
dents " column, p. 208. It is, as you say, an
almost invariable custom with gardeners iri this

country to artificially fertilise Melons ; but in
France, where, it will probably be agreed, the
finest Melons in the world are produced, the
custom IS entirely unknown. I know a gardener
in the North of England who last year had 200
Melons, which sold for a good price in one of the
large markets, and not one of which was arti-
ficially fertilised. The gardener referred to, who
tias had many years' successful experience and
possesses a very considerable knowledge of
botany, maintains, contrary tc the general belief,
that Cucumbers, equally with Jlelons, need fer-
tilisation before ihe fruit can develop, i.e., that
all Cucumbers require to be fertilised. If he is
wrong, it would be useful to have some explana-
tion as to why growth of the fruit takes place
without fertilisation in Cucumbers and not in
Melons. I think it would be very valuable to
have some further expression of opinion on the
points raised. A^. H.

On Retarding the Blooming of Fruit
Trees. In his remarks on p. -203, concerning
my previous note on this interesting subject,
Mr. H. W. Ward seems to have overlooked the
fact that Mr. Saul, as quoted by me, was refer-
ring to the period Ji-om the " end of February,
when the trees are pruned and nailed," until the
blossoms are open. I cannot date the commence-
ment of the practice of unfastening the shoots of
Peach and suchlike trees so as to retard their
blossoming. I knew of it over 25 years ago, and
it was no new thing then, and it seems to me
that we may reasonably infer that, if not during
his time already a general practice, it is more
than likely that so observant a man as
Mr. Saul cannot have failed to have realised •
its advantages. In passing. I may remark that
Mr. Ward's advocacy of allowing the young
shoots to hang free from the waifs may be im-
proved upon by loosely bunching the shoots,
and tying them to stakes driven in the ground
as far away from the walls as may be prac-
ticable, and so removing them further from the
area of heat radiation. As I tried to show, Mr.
Saul's suggestion was to shade the trees and
walls during the time which must elapse between
the fastening of the shoots to the walls and the
opening of their blossoms. This period, of
course, occurs at a time when the sun is daily
gaining in power. As to the comparative cold-
ness of the winters of Persia and Florida, or the
Cape, this seems to me to be immaterial, but
it appears to be fairly certain that where the
Peach thrives best out of doors, the winters are
more constant than in this country. Peaeh-
grower (p. 221) asks if it is necessary to protect
Peach trees growing against walls out of doors
against frost whilst in bloom. Although he ad-
mits that no convincing answer can be given, he
evidently inclines to the opinion that it is not.
At all events, the practice of ijrotecting Peach
trees whilst in liloom must be advisable, or so
many of us would not, year after year, indulge
in work which entails additional labour and ex-
pense. Personally, I would never jirotect Peach
trees against frost alone, for I am sure the
damage done to the blooms on unprotected trees
is oaused by cold, pieW-ing winds. Unfortu-
nately, instances such as those cited by Peach-
grower have no real value ; so much depends on
aspect, exposure, and soil. Even the amount of
the rainfall, which varies surprisingly within a
small area, has an important bearing on the sub-
ject. A gardener cannot afford to run the
slightest risk of failure, so it behoves him to use
all the means at his disposal to command success.
It must not be overlooked that protected fruit
trees, which are more or less screened from wind
and insects, require their blossoms to be more
diligently hand-fertilised than do those on trees
which are unprotected. ,-1. C. Bartlelt, Pen-
carrow Gardens, Cornwall.

Protecting Peach Bloom. — Peach Groiccr
makes (p. 221) some interesting remarks on pro-
tecting Peach bloom. He says: " At a garden
over which I had charge for a good many .years
we had a long outside wall devoted to the growth
of Peaches and Nectarines, and a large proportion
of these walls were effectively protected by glass
copings and roller blinds in the best and most
orthodox fashion." Adding: " In the same gar-
den, a little distance away, was another wall,
devoted to the same purpose, which for many
years received no protection, although it was
I'ather more exposed to the inclemency of the
weather than were the protected wo^ls." Yet

April 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

253

Peach Grower states the crops the trees bore on
this wall were as good as were the crops on the
protected trees, and failure was quite as " infre-
quent." Your correspondent then adds " This
is an important point, and well worth clearing up
if possible," as, he proceeds, " the covering-up
business entails the loss of much valuable time,
and is adopted at considerable cost." This being
the opinion of I'fcich (grower, I wonder why,
with his several years' experience of the non-
protected trees yielding annually as satisfactory
crops as the protected trees did, he continued to
waste " valuable time " in the covering-up of his
trees at night whilst in bloom? My experience
with re.-ipect to the protection and non-protection
i>f I'each and Nectarine trees at night while in
flower is decidedly opposed to that expressed by^
Peach Grower. For several years I had charge of
a garden in which there were about 1,700 yards of
brick walls from 9 to 12 feet high, devoted to
the growth of choice fruit trees, including about
250 yards lun furnished from base to summit
with Peach and Nectarine trees, which were
all protected with canvas while in flower in the
manner recommended in the Gardeners' Chronicle
for February 26 last. The result was every
year during the 25 years that I had charge of
them the trees bore heavy crops of fruit, the
fruit having set so thickly as to necessitate
severe thinning annually. There were two or
three isolated Peach trees growing on Plum walls
which received no protection while in flower.
Most years these trees bore light crops of fruit,
and some years they bore very few fruits indeed,
but these were, as might be expected, extra large
in size. I have known cases in which carelessly
applied protection did more harm than good by
being fixed in fuch a manner that the wind
caused the canvas to flap against the lower parts
of the trees, thereby knocking oft not only fruit-
buds, but also wood-buds. H. W. Ward.

The advice given by Mr. H. W. Ward

on the simple method of protecting the blooms oi
Peach and Nectarine trees is sound and practical.
Personal observation soon decides the best and
safest method to adopt in dealing with the various
branches of gardening if the desired object is to
be obtained, especially in low-lying gardens
resting upon clay. For instance, on the morning
of the 3rd inst. we registered 13° of frost. I
was glad to know our Peach trees were well
protected with a double screen of fish netting,
and an extra covering had been added owing
to the cold nights. Even with that protection,
on examining the trees after the sun had been
shining on them all day, I found that many of
the flowers on the lower branches were damaged.
All unprotected Plum blossom on south and west
walls was ruined. I have seen stone fruits when
of the size of Peas blackened as the result of ex-
posure. In my case the protection of the trees
was warranted by the result. //. .Juniper, Dyr-
ham Pari; Garden.':, Jlnrnel.

Pruning Newly-planted Fruit Trees. —

In a reply given to a correspondent at p. 208 on
the above subject, you state very briefly, but
clearly, the reasons given for dift"erent treatment
by diverse schools of growers. In the recent
issue of the Royal Horticultural Society's
Journal, Jlr. J. Landsell, of Worcester, deals
with the subject in an admirable paper, yet
sumehow seems to leave the matter open. He
says, that in trees lifted for replanting, when
the roots are pruned, not more than one-third
are left. Surely that is an incorrect statement.
In pruning roots, some portion of the original
thong-like or larger roots may be cut off, but
who would cut away fibrous roots from such
trees? But when a writer sets out to discuss
the wisdom or otherwise of pruning newly-
planted trees, with the hypothesis that roots
are so severely cut away at the first, it is
easy to understand the difficulty he finds in
coming to an exact conclusion as to whether
the result of pruning is good or not. The
object of such pruning is first, to cause
growths to be produced at the base rather than
ends of the shoots, and, second, to reduce
the number of leaf-buds on the trees, thus com-
pelling those left to break sti'ongly, and to cause
the roots to create good, active growth on
their part also. Where newly-jiianted trees are
left un]>runed, the stocks of stored sap in the
stems have to nourish so many leaf-buds
that growth is weak and root action is corre-
snondingly sluggish. One wonders that there
is no experimental fruit garden, under impartial

and unbiassed control, where simple experi-
ments in relation to pruning early after
planting could be conducted in such a way as
to leave no further doubt on the subject.
Not only should trees of a similar kind or
variety be planted both in autumn and in springy
but pruning and non-pruning should be equally
tested in both cases. Nurserymen who are
forced to transplant many fruit trees in spring
should be able to give .some authoritative in-
formation on this subject. These, I take it for
granted, whether transplanted yearly or every
two or more years in their nursery quarters, have
to be pruned fairly hard to keep the tree heads
close at home. ilr. Landsell attaches consider-
able importance to the number of leaves a newly-
planted tree may produce in the following year,
but whilst much may depend upon the leaf area
on a pruned or an unpruned tree, very much
more must depend on the activity of the roots.
AVhereas the leaves are visible the roots are not,
but it is of the first importance in all newly-
planted trees that they should get well Mtablished
in the first season. What would be the effect on
Raspberries, Currants, Gooseberries or Roses,
for instance, were there no pruning exer-
cised on them the year after planting ! One may
say the same of vines and many other plants.
My belief is that the great weight of experience
and of practice is in favour of pruning. That
operation need not be done directly after plant-
ing. It is better to let the soil get somewhat
solidified first, but all the same it should not
be left until the sap has become active. March
is, as a rule, quite late enough for such pruning,
but in the case of established trees the needful
pruning must be done earlier. .4. D.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee,

.\i>Kii, 5. — Prr-^rnt : Mr. V.. A. Bowles. M.A.,
I'.E.S., F,L.S. (in the Chair), Professor G. S.
Boulger, F.L.S., Dr. A. B. Rendle. M.A.. F.R.S.,
Messrs. J. Eraser, F.L.S., J. W. Odell, L.
Crawshav, W. Arkwright, D.L.. J. T. Bennett-
Poe, M.A.. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., A. Worsley,
A. Rolfe, A.L.S., and F. J. Chittenden (hon.
sec).

.Uona'ciou.^ Willow. — ilr. J. Fr.^ser reported
as follows on the specimen of Salix cinerea, bear-
ing both male and female catkins, shown at the
la,st meeting. In the female catkins the normal
two stamens of the flowers were represented by
two imperfect ovaries, the pedicels of which were
7 nnn. to 8 mm. long, and corresponded with the
two filaments, and the ovaries 3.5 mm. long, and
corresponded with the anthers. The pistil was
open on one side, so as to expose the two ovules,
and was separable into two carpels, with a short
style and undivided stigma to each. The ovule,
without the funiculus, appeared perfect, except
that the parachute was absent. Each of the two
carpels had a short placenta near the base, each
bearing one ovule, the placenta and ovule being
marginal and exposed. Below the middle of the
ovary were the two contiguous cells of the anther,
about the normal length, but without pollen. In
the abnormal male catkins the filaments were
hairy at the base only, and were normal ; the an-
ther's cells sometimes three instead of four; the
connective dilated between the cells and elongated
above the anther, often separated into two and
terminating in a stigma each, partly papillose,
and capable of retaining pollen. The pollen
grains were often smaller than those of nor-
mal flowers, and in very small quantity. Mr.
Cb.iwsh.^y exhibited drawings illustrating the
aberrations, and pointed out that the branches
usually bore flowers of one kind only ; but in one
case lie found the flowers in some catkins on a
branch differed from those in others.

Monaciovs Pojnihi.'! (remula. — Mr. J. Fraser
showed catkins of Populus tremula containing
both pistils and stamens, these being the la,st
formed by the ti-ee.

Many-fowred Tuli !-■•.— 'Rev. J. J.\C0E
showed, on behalf of M. Bony, of Clermont-
Ferrand, some pots of Tnlip M. S. Mottet. bear-
ing several flowers from a bulb and branching in-
florescences. This character had been found to
breed true in the seedlings, and the Committee
recommended that a Certificate of Appreciation
should be awarded to M. Bony in recognition of

his work in proving this transmission (see fig. in
Gardeners' Chronicle, May 15, 1909, p. 317, fig.

Caliicoma serratifolia. — Sir Daniel Morris,
K.C.V.O., sent a dried specimen of this hand-
some tree, which he had seen growing in the
Azores. It has serrate leaves, about 3 inches
long, woolly below, and almost globular heads of
flowers. A member of the family Saxifragacese,
it is particularly remarkable in growing
50 feet to 60 feet tall. It is a native of
Australia, where the early settlers called it
" Black Wattle," a name usually associated with
Acacia decurrens — quite a different thing ; and
another native name is " Native Beech." Its
wood is said to have a reddish tint.

Chinese plants. — Mr. G. Paul sent plants of
Ilex Pernyi in flower (the flowers of this beau-
tiful Chinese species prove to be hermaphrodite),
Osmanthus Delavayi, with flowers about four
times the size of those of 0. ilicifolius, and re-
minding one of an Escallonia, and Carrierea caly-
cina, figured in Rev. Hort., 1896, p. 498.

Opuntia in Quecn.iland. — Professor Henslow
sent the following communication which he had
received from Surgeon-General Geo. Henderson,
M.D., F.L.S., formerly Director of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Calcutta: — " In a communica-
tion to the Royal Horticultural Society's Journal
for March, 1910, at p. 350, I see you notice the
Prickly Pear in Queensland. In the Punjab,
India, before annexation, about 1849, this plant
was a pest, and covered many miles of country.
Ringret Singh is said to have had out some of his
regiments to cut it down ; but that did no good,
unless it were burned, for every bit of it rooted
and produced more plants : but about 1845 the
wild cochineal insect was introduced (by mis-
take, it is supposed, for the cultivated or domes-
ticated one), and, as if by magic, it spread all
over the province and destroyed the Prickly Pear,
which has never given any trouble since. I can
find few references to this matter in any books,
but I find one letter from Sir Donald McLeod,
then Mr. McLeod, Commissioner of Lucknow, at
p. 265 of Select Papers of Agri-Horticultural
Society of Punjab, 1858. The letter is dated De-
cember, 1852. and merely mentions the fact that
' an extraordinary influx of this insect (cochineal)
almost exterminated the plant.' I lately wrote
to Sir William MacGregor, Governor of Queens-
land, and told him about this. The cochineal
could be easily introduced, for I took two pieces
of Prickly Pear covered with the insect from
Teneriffe to New Zealand in 1883, simply stuck
on to two nails in my cabin wall, and delivered
them to Dr. Hector when I arrived. I find, in the
book referred to. a few casual references to the
disappearance of the plant from the Punjab, but
nothing very definite. I know for certain that
the plant had never given any trouble up to
1889, for I lived much in the Punjab,"

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

April 5. — The monthly meeting of this asso-
ciation was held at 5, St. Andrew Square, Edin-
burgh, on this date. Mr. Whytock presided, the
company numbering 100. A paper was read by
Mr. James Grieve, Redbraes, Edinburgh, on
"The Rise and Progress of Gardening from the
Earliest Period to the Present Time." Tracing
the origin of the art of gardening from biblical
times, Mr. Grieve noted the various developments
through which it passed as it spread from east to
west. Horticulture, he said, reached its high
state of perfection under the Romans ; after this
it fell into decay, and, but for the monks, whose
sacred calling protected them from violence, and
whose secluded lives enabled them to devote time
to horticultural pursuits, would have been almost
forgotten. The progress of gardening in the
countries of the west was then touched upon, and
Mr. Grieve concluded an interesting paper with
an account of its development in our own country.

The following exhibits were displayed : — Nine
varieties of Cineraria, including " Feltham
Beautv." and 50 varieties of Apple fruits, from
Mr. Whytock, Dalkeith ; a number of varieties
of Polvanthus and Viola from :N[essrs. Dobhif. i;
Co., Rothesav ; species and varieties of Alpine
and other Primulas, from Mr. W. Robertson,
Pilrig House. Edinburgh ; Cineraria hybrida
grandiflora " Matador," from Mr. A. McAnoie,
Inveresk Gate, Musselburgh ; Cyprinedium
Schniderie, C. Lawrenceanum with twin flowers,
and Odontoglossum Pescatorei, from Messrs.

254

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 16, 1910.

James Grieve & Sons, Edinburgh ; a vase of
Japanese Chrysanthemums, from Mr. Jas.
Hamilton, Eskhill, Musselburgh ; flowers of
Richardia EUiotiana, of a very deep yellow
colour, from Mr. Thos. Fortune, Edinburgh ;
Arissema ringens, from Mr. A. Johnstone, Hay
Lodge, Edinburgh ; and forced Rhubarb, from
the Edinburgh Distress Committee's farm at
Murieston, per Mr. Cairns.

Four new members were admitted.

The paper for the meeting on May 3 will be on
" The Sense Organs of Plants," by Dr. W. G.
Smith, Edinburgh and Ea^t of Scotland College
of Agriculture.

BOURNEMOUTH HORTICULTURAL.

SPRING EXHIBITION.

April 5, 6. — The third annual spring flower-
show of this society was opened by the Mayoress
(Mrs. Walker Bridge), on this date, and con-
tinued the following day.

Taken as a whole, the exhibits were very good,
and, both in quantity and quality, an improve-
ment on previous years, the Narcissi being par-
ticularly fine. Two very pleasing miniature
rock-gardens arranged by Mr. Maurice Pritch-
ARD, of Christchurch (Gold Medal), and Messrs.
Heath & Son, of Cheltenham (Silver Medal).
In the rockery from Christchurch, we noticed
an extremely fine mass of the pure white
Primula nivalis, and a remarkably good example
of what is apparently a largo white variety of P.
viscosa. There were other Alpine Primulas, such
as P. cashmiriana Riverslea ,ind P. Sieboldii, but
the most beautiful was the English Primrose
Evelyn Arkwright, that originated in Derbyshire.
Its immense corollas on downy stems are
very handsome. Viola gracilis was observed,
also Saxifraga Bathonlensis, Adonis vernalis
(very large), and Anemone nemorosa purpurea.

Messrs. Heath & Son's rockery was rather
larger. Here again Primulas constituted a feature,
particularly the yellow Auricula " Dusty Miller."
Messrs. Heath also showed the new Saxifraga
Bathonlensis, with its blood-red petals, and S.
nivalis from Scotland, with unusually developed
heads of blossom, but this species is more rare
than attractive. The yellow Arabis utriculatum
and the mauve Crucifer, Parrya Menziesii,
looked very healthy ; while the new Corydalis
spiocarpa has very large flowers, and those of
C. Wilsonii are also noticeable. There were two
unnamed varieties of Fritillaria latifolia, col-
lected by Mr. H. J. Elwes (No. 8 and No. 12),
and a good clump of F. ruthenica. Miss Howes,
of Burton Hardy Plant Nurseries, was awarded
a Silver Medal for an exhibit of rock-garden
plants.

A collection of Orchids shown by Messrs. J.
Cypher & Sons, of Cheltenham, received a Gold
Medal, and Orchids from the Arcadia collec-
tion, exhibited by the Chairman of the Commit-
tee, G. H. Rolls, Esq. (gr. Mr. W. Jones), were
interesting. An exhibit of Orchids shown by Mr.
T. \V. Palmer was awarded the 1st prize in the
competitive classes.

The extensive array of Cinerarias and Palms
staged by Messrs. Sutton & Sons received a
Gold Medal, as did the floral designs of Mr.
RoBT. Chamberlain, of Bournemouth, the vice-
chairman of the committee ; floral devices shown
by Messrs. Thurston & Pritchard's gained a
Silver Medal. Mr. G. Purseglove was awarded
a Gold jNledal for a collection of miscellaneous
plants. In the competitive classes, the best
group of miscellaneous plants was staged by
Messrs. G. Watts & Sons, of Bournemouth,
Mr. G. T. Fenwick (gr. Mr. H. Stark), and Mr.
T. K. INGR.4M, of Parkstone, respectively.

Among the exhibits of Narcissi, Messrs. Robt.
Sydenham, Ltd.. were awarded a Silver Medal
for their various plants grown in moss fibre. The
display comprised 22 kinds of Daffodils, includ-
ing fine examples of Horace, Home Spun, Blood
Orange, C. J. Backhouse, Lord Roberts, King's
Norton, and Lucifer. Sir Randolf Baker, Bart,
(gr. Mr. A. E. U.'iher), was the most successful
amateur exhibitor iu the various classes for Nar-
cissi, winning four 1st prizes. Among his best
blooms were Glory of Leiden, C. J. Backhouse,
Queen of Spain, Kathleen Spurrel, Victoria, Mme.
de Graaff. and Lulworth. Other successful ex-
hibitors of Daffodils were G. G. Russell, Esq.
(gr. Mr. H. Heath), Mrs. Ormond (gr. Mr. C.
Pearce), Mr. Northvvay, and Messrs. G. Watts
& Son.

LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL.

(SPRING SHOW.)

April 6, 7. — The spring show was held this
year in the Corn Exchange, a spacious building
and much lighter than the more elaborate St.
George's Hall, where these shows have been held
previously.

The exhibition was equal to the best of those
that have preceded it. Amongst the special fea-
tures may be mentioned the groups of Orchids
and the displays of forced hardy plants.

In the class for six pots of hardy herbaceous
plants, W. J. LocKETT, Esq. (gr." Mr. E. R.
Finch), staged some good specimens. Hyacinths
were best shown by A. E.arle, Esq. (gr. Mr. T.
Hitthman), Mrs. W. P. Sinclair (gr. Mr. J. V.
Thompson), and Miss Robinson (gr. Mr. J.
Nisbett). Mrs. Sinclair showed the finest
Tulips of both double and single-flowered varie-
ties. For 12 vases of Narcissi, the 1st prize was
awarded to Drs. Tisball and Ingall (gr. Mr.
6. Osborne). The finest stove plant in bloom
was adjudged to be a specimen of Anthurium
Andraeanum exhibited by W. J. Lockett, Esq.,
and the best greenhouse plant in bloom was
Imantophyllum Princeps, shown by F. S. TiMMis,
Esq. (gr. Mr. B. Cromwell). Amongst the Or-
chid exhibits, C. W. Carver, Esq. (gr. Mr. W.
Gignett), staged two excellent specimens of Deii-
drobium Ainsworthii and D. nobile ; whilst in
the class for two cool Orchids, T. Hignett. Esq.,
was placed 1st. W. Todd, Esq. (gr. Jlr. Geo.
Eaton), won in the class for one Orchid plant,
with a magnificent plant of Cymbidium Lowi-
anum, having 15 well-developed spikes. The 1st
prize for three hardy forced plants was won by A.
E,\rle, Esq., with well-flowered Rambler Roses.
In the Fern class, three exotic species — Davallia
fijiensis. D. Mooreana, and Dicksonia antflrctica
— were best shown by Mr. G. Eaton. The finest
Azaleas were staged by Mr. Timmis, who won
in the class for three specimens and also in that
for a single plant. This gentleman also showed
the finest hardv Rhododendron, having a beauti-
ful specimen of Pink Pearl. The best greenhouse
Rhododendron was shewn by J\Ir. Lockett, and
this gentleman had also some well-grown plants
in the class for six forced hardy plants, being
placed 1st. For three, two, and one Palm, re-
spectively, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Osborne, and Mr.
F. Atkin won the 1st prizes.

Non-competitive Exhibits. — A Gold Medal
was awarded to Messrs. Mansell & Hatcher for
an imposing group of Orchids. Medals were also
awarded to Messrs. Young, West Derby (Carna-
tions) ; Lissadel Bulb Farm (Narcissus) ; Messrs.
R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool (Hippeastrums,
Amaryllis) ; Mr. W. Rowlands, Childwall
(Roses) ; Messrs. B.\rr & Sons, London (Daffo-
dils) ; Messrs. Hogg & Robertson, Ireland (bul-
bous flowers) ; and Messrs. Cartwright & Good-
win, Kidderminster (Daffodils). Other exhibitors
were Messrs. Bees, Ltd., Mr. S. Mortimer, Mr.
H. MiDDLEHURST, Me.ssrs. Woodward & Co.,
Messrs. T. Davies & Co., Liverpool Orchid Co.,
and Messrs. Bakep.s, Ltd.

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

April 7. — The foitnii;Iitly moeting was lickl
on the above date. Mr. E. T. Parker presided.
The subject for the evening was " Border Carna-
tions," a paper on these plants being read by Mr.
C. Wall, Bath. The paper contained practical
hints abf ut layering, planting out in beds, dis-
budding, shading, and preparing the blooms for
flower shows.

SCHEDULE RECEIVED.

Weybrldge and District Horticultural Society's

twelfth annual summer exhibition to be held at Oakficld,
WeybridKe, on Wednesday, July 13; and autumn show to
be held in the Holstein Hall, VVeybridge, on Wednesday,
November 2, Secretary, Mr. T. Caryer, Springfield Villas,
Weybridtje.

The Richmond Royal Horse Show to he held on Friday
and Saturday, June IT, IS, 1910, at Richmond, Surrey.
Secretary, Mr. C. Capel Smith, 1, The Little Green, Rich-
mond, Surrey.

Bath Floral Fete.— The floral fete, Rose, Begonia and
Strawberry show and general summer exhibition wi'l be
held at Bath on Wednesday ai.d Thursday, July 6, 7, 1910.
Secretary, Mr. B. R. F. Pearson, 17, Argyle Street, Bath.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Boston, Mass.,
U.S.A.— An exhibition of Orchids and other plants will be
held at the Horticultural Hall, Boston, on May 26, 27, 28, 29
and 30, 1910. Secretary, Mr. William P, Rich, Massa-
chusetts Horticultural Society, 300, Massachusetts Avenue,
Boston,

IVIARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN, April 13.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furnistied to us regularly ever>
Wednesday, by the kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the qnctations. It
must be remembered ihai these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only the
general averages for the week preceditig 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. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

8 0-10 0
10-16

0 6-09
2 0-30
4 0-60

2 0-30

4 0-
1 6-

E.d. s.d
Acacia dealbata

(mimosa), per

doz. bunches...
Anemones, p. doz.
Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch

— Fielderi, p. dz.

Bouvardia

Caila (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best
An:erican (var.)
Carola, and other
special varieties

— second size .-

— smaller, per
doz. bunches 12 0-18 0

Camellias, per doz. 16-20
Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Daflodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eiicharis grandi-

flora, perdozen

blooms
Freesias, p. dz. bch.
Gardenias, per dz.
Heather (white),

per bunch
Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches ..
Lapageriaalba, per

dozen blooms
Lilac(Frnch.),p.bch. 2 0
LiliiiMi auratum

per bunch

— longilloruni ...

— lane i f 0 Hum
rubrum

— Ian ci f 0 li uni
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality

Cut Foliage, &c. : Average Wholesale Prices.

6 0-90

16-36
16-20

16-20

3 0-40

10-16
16-26

10 —

9 0-12 0

Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches
Narcissus poeticus
(Pheasant'sEye),

per doz. bnchs.

— Soleil d'Or ...
Od on to g I OS sum

crispum, per

dozen blooms

Pelargoniums, shw.,

per doz. bchs.

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Richardia atncana
(Calla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i n A.
Victoria

s.d.s.d.

4 0-60

10-20
10-16

4 0-60

16-26

10-20
2 0- 3 0
2 0 3 0

10-30

Capt. Hayvvard 2 6-36
" ■ ■ -'20

1

1 6-

2 0-
2 0-
2 0-

.=) 0
4 0
3 0

4 0-

1 6-

2 0-
2 0-

2 0-26
16-20

6 0-90
12 0 15 0

— C. iMermet

— Liberty

— Mme.Chateuay

— Kicliuiond

— The Bride
Spiiaea, per doz.

bunches
Stephanotis, 72

■•pips" ...

Stocks, per doz,

bunches
Sweet Peas, per
dozen bunches...
Tuberoses, p. gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 4 0 6
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per
doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0

Violets, per doz.

bunches ... 16-20

— Parma 16-26

6 0
2 0-30
8 0-40
2 0-40

s.d. s.d,

Adiantum ctinea-

tuin, per dozen

bunches
Asparagus plu-

niosus, long

trails, per doz. 12 0-18 0

— medium, doz,
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberls, perdozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per uuzen

bunches (ling-

lislO

6 0-80

12 0-18 0
0 9-16

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0- 3 (

Ferns (French) ...

Galax leaves, per
doz. bunches

Hardy foliage
(various), per
dozen bmiches

Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz.btmclies

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz. bchs.
(English),
small-leaved ...

— Fieiich
--iiiil,i\. p. (iz. Irails

s.d. s.d.
0 6-09

16-20

3 0-90
2 0-26

0 9-16

16-26
4 0-50

4 0-60
10-16
3 0-40

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

s.d. s.d.
Acacia Drunimondi,

per dozen ... 24 0-30 0
Auipelopsis Veit-

chii.pei dozen 6 0-80
Aralia Siebulvli, p

dozen ,

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger plants ..
Arancaria excelsa,

rer dozen
a r ge plants,

each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
gitJf^"

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— tenuis simus
Azaleas, per doz. 30 0-42 0
Begonia Gloire

de Lorraine, p.

dozen ... ... 12 0-18 0

Bo ronia hetero-

phylla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— megastigma .., 18 0-24 0
Cinerarias, per doz. 5 0-80
Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... 18 0-24 0
Cocos WeddelU-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
Crotons, per dozen 18 0-30 0
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per u s alterni-

folius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— lasus, per doz. 4 0-50

5 0-80

9 0-12 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

Jo 0-24 0

30 0-43 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

s.d, s d.
Dafifodils, per doz. 4 0-60
Dracaenas, per doz. 9 0-24 0
Erica candidissima 18 0-24 0

— gracilis, doz.... 10 0-15 0

— hvenialis ... 9 0-15 0

— nielanihera ... 9 0-18 0

— lersoluta alba 24 C-30 0

— --niall plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

Euunymus.perdz.,

iu pots. . ..30-80

— fioni the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per IOC 8 0-12 0

— in small and

large GO'S ... 12 0-20 0

— in ^8's, per dz. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— m 32's, per dz. IC 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 6 0-80
Gievilleas, per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6 0-90
Isolepis, perdozen 4 0-60
K'entia Belmore-

ana, iter dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fo?ierinna, per

dozMi IH 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

perdozen ... 15 0-21 0
L i 1 i u m 1 o n g i -

florum, perdz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifolium, p.

dozen 18 0-30 0

Liiy of the Valley,

per dozen ... 18 0-30 0

■April 16, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

255

Plantain Pots, Sc: Average Wholesale Prices ^CciMj,

Vegetables: Average Wholesale Prices (continued).

s.d. s.d.
Marguerites, wliite,

per dozen ... 6 0-90
Mignoneite, p. doz. 6 0-80
Selagiiiella, p. doz. 4 0- li 0
Spirasa japonica, dz. 8 0-10 U

Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz. ...

Tulips ill boxes of
24 bulbs
— pots, special ...

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples (U.S.), per

barrel

24 0-27 0

— Albemarle Pip-

pin

32 6 —

— (Canadian), per

barrel :

— Spy

26 6 —

— (NovaScotian),

per barrel :

— Nonpareil

16 0 17 0

— Baldwin

14 0-17 0

— Ben Davies ...

18 U —

— (Californian),

per case :

— Newtown Pip-

pin, 4 tiers.

selected

11 6 -

— 44 tiers, do. ...

9 6 —

— 4 tiers, seconds

8 3-

— 4i tiers, do. ...

80 —

— (Oregon), New-

town Pippm,

per case :

— 4 tiers

1.5 0 —

— 4itiers

13 6 —

— 5 tiers ...

10 6 —

— I-reiich Russet

8 0-10 0

— liiiiish Culum-

bia

12 018 0

— (Austral ian)

per case :

— Cleopatra, se-

lected laige ...

13 0-14 0

— Do., medium..

11 0-12 0

— Jonathan

11 0-14 0

— Monro's Fa-

vourite

11 0-14 0

— (Tasm a n ian),

per case :

— Riliston

11 0 12 0

— New York ...

12 0 13 0

— Alfiiston,cook-

iiig

9 Q-10 0

— Mobb'sCodlmg 8 0-96

— Alexander

9 0-

Bananas, bnitcli :

— Doubles

12 0 —

— No. 1 „ ...

8 0-10 0

— Extra ,, ...

9 0-11 0

— Giant „ ...

11 0-14 0

— Red coloured...

4 6-60

— Red Doubles...

8 0-90

— Jamaica ,, ...

6 0 —

— Loose, pKi dz.

P *^- 1 0

Cranberries (.'Xineri

can Cape Cod),

per case

7 0 —

Custard Apples, p.

dozen

6 0-12 0

Dates (Star), cwt.

10 0 —

Grape Fruit, case:

— 9fi's

— l-O's

— 64's ■

14 0-18 0

— 54's

Grapes, per lb. :

— Gros Culniar,

— A quality

2 0-30

— B quality

13-26

— (.\lnieria), per

barrel

20 0-25 0

p. 121b. baskets

3 0 —

Grapes (Cape), per
box :

— Raison Blanc,
lOlbs. tol2lbs.

— 10 lbs. to 24 lbs.

— He r m i t a g e,
10 lbs. to 12 lbs.

Lemons, per case :

— (Messina , se-
lected, 300 ...

— selected, large

— medium, 360 ...

— special cases,
330

— boxes, extra
quality, 300 ...

Lycheeb, per box...
Mangoes(Cape),per

doz.

Nuts, Almonds, p.
bag

— Brazils, new,
per cwt,

— Barcelona, per
ba;i

— Cob, per lb. ...

— Cocoa nuts. 100

— (Italian), p. bag

— Chestnuts,
Huelva, sack

Oranges—

— Palermo Blood

(80)

(100) „

— Californian
Navel, box (HO)

— „ case (96)

— M ,. (112)

— .. .. (126)

— j af f a s , case
(144)

— Deiiia, per case
(420)

— Selected

— (420) large ...

— (714) specials..

— (714) selected

— Valencia, per
case (420)

— Messina Bit-
ters, box (200)

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case
^ — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case

— Tangerine, per
box

— Seville Sours,
per 4 chest ...

Pears (Avacado),

per doz.
Pears, Beurrc

Hardy (28, 32)

— B e u r r 6 Base
(24, 23)

Pineapples, each ...
Plums, (Cape),

Kelsey
Strawberries, p. lb.

— seconds

s.d. s.d.
6 0-10 0

16-20
9 0-12 0

s.d. s.d.

4 0-50

8 0 —

10 6 —
9 6-

7 6 —

8 6 —

5 9 —
1 (i- 1 9

4 0-10 0

36 0-42 0

50 0 —

32 0-34 0
0 3 0 3>^

10 0-14 0

11 0-13 0

7 0-

6 6-76
6 6-76

9 0-10 0

12 6 —

13 fi-14 6
20 0-25 0

14 6 —
16 6-18 6

11 0 20 0

10 0 —

10 0-12 0
14-10

9 6 10 G

0 6-09

15 0-16 0

6 0-12 0

6 0-66

6 0- 6 (1
2 6-40

10 0-12 0
4 0-50
10-20

10-11

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(Globe),
per dozen

— Jerusalem, i
sieve

Asparagus, Paris
Green, bundle

— Sprue

— (Dijon)

• — Lauris

— (Spanish)

— (Barcelona) -..

— Giant

Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
per pad

— (Madeira), per
basket [G to
8 lbs.)

Beet root, per bushel
Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— ptr bag

— unwashed
Caulirtowers, tally

— (French), per
crate (24-30) ...

Celeriac, per doz.
Chicory, per lb. ...
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30*s .

— 3U's '
Endive, per dozen
Greens, Spring,

bag

s.d. s.d.

0 9-10

4 6 —
0 9-0 10
2 10 3 0
4 0-60
2 3-26
10-12
10 6-25 0

0 9-12
3 0-46

2 6-36
16-20

3 0-40

8 0-10 0

2 9-30

3 6-40
16-19
6 0-80

4 0-50
2 6-30

0 2*- 0 3

6 6-80
6 6-76
2 0-23

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles ...
I.teks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (French),

(Cos), per doz.
Mint, doz. bunches
Mushrooms, per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pnu.
Onions (English),
bag

— pickling, p. bslil.

— Spring, per dz.
bundles

— (Valencia), per
case

— Egyptian, bags
Parsley, ^ sieve ...
Peas (French), pad

— (Jersey) per lb.
Potatos (.\lgerian),

cwt

— (Channel Is-
lands), per lb.

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

Rhubarb (forced),
doz bundles...

— Natural, per
tally

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen
Savoys, per tally...

Seakale

Spinach, * sieve ...

— (French), crate

s.d.. s.d

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

4 0-50

3 0-40
10-16

0 10 1 0

1 0 —

4 0-46

7 0-80

2 6 —

8 6 —
7 0 —
16-20
6 0-80
2 3-2 9

14 0-16 0

0 4-06

12 0-14 0

10- 1 3

5 6-66

0 8-09
4 6-60
10-14
2 0-26
2 0 2-6

s.d. s.d,
Sprouting Broccoli

bag

Stacliys tuberosa,

per lb 0 4-05

Toniatos —
— (1"eueriffe), per

bundle ... 12 0 14 0

Turnips, 12 bun-
ches

— bags

— dirty, per bag-
Turnip Tops, bag
Watercress, per

flat

s.d. s.d.

2 0- S 0
2 6-30
2 0 —
2 0-26

4 0-66

RiiM.ARKS.— Cape Pears are dearer. Forced Strawberries
are a moderate supply but sufficient to meet the demand.
Canary Tomatos of sound quality are scarce and are making
high prices. Good Canary Bananas are scarcer. The
English Grape trade is quiet, but the demand for Cape
Grapes appears to be good. Cucumbers are plentiful, but
maintain fair prices. Asparagus generally is dearer ; some
very fine giant Asparagus from Paris is finding a good
maiket. 1 r.ide generally is very quiet, both in the vege-
table and fruit markets. E. li, A'u(e5, Covenl Gatdcn^
Apnl 13, 1910.

Potatos.

per cwt.
s.d. s.d.
3 0-36

5 3-56
4 3-46

2 3-29

3 0-33

per cwt.

Lincolna—

s.d.

s.d.

Up-toDate

3 3-

4 0

Dalnieiiy Beauty...

3 6-

3 9

Koyal Kidney

■2 li-

a 9

Maincrop

3 0-

3 9

King Edwards

3 3-

3 9

Blacklaiids

2 H-

3 0

Kents-

bcottish Triumphs

3 6-

4 U

Up-to-Uate

3 6-

4 U

Bedfords—

I'p-io-Date ...
Blacklands ..
Dunbars-

Maincrop

Lp-to-Date

Llncolns-
Evergood ...
Sharpe's Express..

Remakks. — Trade still remains steady and prices are very
little different. Best tubers of Up-to-Date variety have an
increased demand, but the trade for Maincrop is not good,
Edward J . Neivborn, Covcni Garden and St. i'ancras, April IS.
VJW.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

During the past week there has been a little revival in
trade. French flowers have not been so abundant, and
this has been an advantage to English growers, who
have been able to clear their stocks, although not at
increased prices. Daffodils have advanc>:d slightly in
prices, but very few have sold for more than 3s. per
dozen bunches. Many of the choicer sorts are sold to
the florists without coming in the market.

The bright weather is causing Roses and Carnations
to develop rapidly. Tulips continue to be abundant:
w£ now see some of the best Darwin varieties, and
there are alsD some fine double Dutch kinds. Hyacinths
are good, but ihey make very low prices. Lily of the
Valley does not vary in value, but blooms of Lilium
longiflorum and Cailas (Richardias) are cheaper.
Gardenias are more plentiful. Camellias do n.jt sell
very readily. 1 have recently purchased Camellias
from a local grower, who cuts them with a good length
of stem, in which condition they are more appreciated
than those without leaves. I kept on'j bloom of Cani-llia,
with the foliage, for nearly a fortnight. Cutting back
the flowering shoots is an advantage to the plants, for
they make better growth and flower equally as well, the
next season.

Pot Plants.

Pelargoniums of various sorts may be had in well-
flowered plants; spring Heaths are also good. Although
late in the year, the Indian Azabas are still good.
Genistas are at their best condition of flowering, and
very plentiful. Marguerites are good. Intermediate,
or East Lothian Stocks are remarkably fine this season.
Cinerarias of the dwarf, bushy type, with large heads of
bloom, are very showy subjects. Hydrangeas arc now
good, and especially the variety Thos. Hogg, but
plants of H. hortcnsia are not well colouri:d. No:-
withstanding this, they have been making good prices.
Summer bedding plants are a great feature, and
may be bought cheaper row than later in the season.
The Pansy trade is very brisk ; some very fine varie-
ties of this plant are seen. Violas are also good
from several growers. Large quantities of hardy her-
baceous plants are seen, also seedlings of various
annuals and biennials. A. H., Covenl Garden ,
Wednesday, April 13, i()io.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending April 9, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather varied a good deal ; in most parts of Britain
the sky was generally cloudy, and some days were more or
less rainy, but in Ireland, although rain was as frequent, the
sky was less cloudy. Thunder and lightning occurred at
Dublin and Cahir on Sunday, at Hereford, Tunbridge Wells,
and on the coast of Sussex on Wednesday, and thunder was
heard at Douglas on Wednesday and Friday. Aurora was
seen at Wick on Sunday night.

The temperature was below the average, the deficit ranging
upwards to about 3" in the Midland Counties, England S.E.,
S.W., and the English Channel. The highest of the maxima
were mostly on the 8th or 9th, and ranged from 61* in Scot-
land E. and Ireland S. and 58*^ in Scotland N. to 53*^ in
England N.E. The lowest of the minima were recorded on
the 3rd at most stations in England, but towards the end of
the period in several parts of Ireland and Scotland. The
readings ranged from 21° in England E. (at Cambridge), 22*
in England S.E. (at Suarraton), and 23* in the Midland
Counties and England S.W. (at Cirencester and Llangam-
march Webs) to 29" in Scotland W. and England N.W., and
to 32'' in the English Channel. The lowest readings on the
grass were 10* at Cambridge, 14'^ at Llangammarch Wells,
I6* at Hereford and Greenwich, and 18" at Birniingham,
Tunbridge Wells, and Wisley.

The vxcan temperctture of the sea.— As a whole the tem-
perature differed little from that of the corresponding week

of last year, but at Cleggan and Seafield it was about 2^°
lower. The means for the week ranged from 49* at New-
quay, and 47i" at Plymouth and Seatield to 44*^ at Lerwick,
43'' at the Shipwash Light Vessel, and to 41" at Bumojouth.

The rain/all exceeded the normal over the eastern half of
England, but was less elsewhere, the deficit being large in
Ireland and the north and west of Scotland. As mucli as
12 Hich was recorded at Bath on Wednesday, and IT inch
at Westbourne (Emsworth).

The bright sunshine was above the average in Ireland, the
English Channel and Scotland N., below it in all other parts
of the Kmgdoiu. The percentage of the possible duration
ranged from 50 in the English Channel and 49 in Ireland N.
to 23 ill England N.W., 18 in England N.E. and to 14 in the
Midland Counties.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending April 13th.
A change to warmer weather. — During the early part of the
week the temperature continued low both during the day
time and at night, but since then warmer weather has set in.
On the two warmest days the tempeiature in the ther-
mometer screen rose to 58*. which is about 4** warmer than
is seasonable, and on the warmest night the exposed ther-
mometer did not fall lower tlian 47'". The ground tempe-
ratures have risen, and are now at about an average
temperature both at 1 and 2 feet deep. Rain fell on three
days, to the total depth of less than a quarter of an
inch. These rains were not suihcient to eflect the soil
gauges, through which ihere has been no measure-
able peicolation during the week. The sun shone on
an average for three and a quarter hours a day, which is
one and a half hours a day short of the average for this
period in April. Light airs have alone prevailed. Previous
to the 10th the direction was mostly some point between
north and east, but since then these light airs have all come
from some southerly quarter. The mean amount of moisture
in the air at 3 o'clock in the afternoon exceeded a season-
able quantity for that hour by two per cent. E,M., Berk'
hamstcd, April 13, lyJU.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

[Cortesp^nJents are requested to write the mantes of persoas
aad places as lesibly as possible. A<> chaige is
made Jar these announceniettts, but 1/ a small coutrtbution
is sent, to be placed in our collei.ting Ho.\ for (lie Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, it will be fhnnk/ully >£ceived, and an
acknotvledgment viade in these columns,]

Mr. E. F. Hart, previously Gardener to H. P. Blrrell,
Esq.^ The Bcookland^, Alton, as Gardener to H.
Trimmer, Esq., Hockley House, Twyfoid, Hants.

Mr. .\rthi,'R Houghton, for G years Gardener to R. H.
Savor V, Esq., Sandgates, Chertsey, and previously
Foreman at Buckhurst Park, Ascot, as Gardener to the
Right Htsii. the Dowager Countess of Hakrobv, High
.\shurst, near Dorking.

Mr. jostPH B. Ross, for Gk years Gardener at Stanhill
Court, Charl'.vood, Horley, Surrey, as Gardener to
GfcoitGE D. Faber, Esq., M.P., Rush Court, Walling-
ford, Berks. (Thanks for 2s. sent for R.G.O.F. Bos.—
Eds.)

Mr. F. W, ExLER, for nearly 4 years Gardener to SirRuFus
D. Isaacs, Fcxhill, Reading, as Gardener to C. H.
Palmer, Esq., at Borzedown House, Whitchurch, Oxon.

Mr. A. H. RiDOUT, Gardener to A. A. Beress, Esq., Castle-
mead, Windsor, as Gardener to Olivia, Countess
Caiuns, Paultons, Romsey.

Mr. W. E. Wright, for the past 2i years Gardener to
Captain Walters, of Caer Lan, near Monmouth, as
Gardener to Mrs. A. Bosanquet, Cleddon Hall, Trellick,
near Monmouth.

Mr. W. H. Jones, for 3 years in the service of Col.
J. S. Ruston, Esq., Monks Manor, Lincoln, as Gar-
dener to J. T. Hereford, Esq., Sutton Court, Here-
ford.

Mr. A. Strickland, as Gardener to the Right Hon. Lord
Gkantlev, Oakley Hall, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
(Thanks for contribution to R.G.O.F. Box.— Eds.)

Mr. W. Apted, for the past 8^ years with Mrs. Whallev,
late of Pentreffynnon Hall, Holywell, K. Wales, and
now of Hellens, Much Marcle, Herefordshire, as Gar-
dener to A. H. Tatk, Esq., Burton Tower, Gresford,
Denbighshire, (Thanks for 2s. 6d. sent for R.G.O.F.
Box. — Eds.)

Mr. F. Lansberrv, for the past 5 years Fruit Foreman at
Knowsley Gardens, Prescot, Lancashire, as Gardener
to Sir Edward Hulse, Bart., Breamore House, Breamore,
near Salisbury.

Mr. F. J. Clark, for nearly 12 years Gardener to Mark
Firth, Esq., Wistow Hall, Leicester, as Gardener
to A. F. Basset, Esq., Tehidy Park, Camborne,
Cornwall.

Mr. Wm. B. Clark, for the past 2 years Foreman at
Coltness Gardens, Wishaw, and previously for 2 years
at Terregles Gardens, Dumfries, as Gardener to Mrs.
J. W. Crombie, Balgownie Lodge. Aberdeen.

Mr. James A. Thompson, Gardener to Barrow Cadburv,
Esq., J. P., Southfield, Wheeley's Road, Edgbaston.
Birmingham, as Gardener to the same gentleman at
his country residence, Cropwood, Blackwell, near
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

Mr. E. Johnson, as Gardener to A. Hepburn, Esq., Stan-
hill Court, Charlwood, Surrey,

Mr. H. Howes, for the last 3 years Foreman at Barton
Hall Gardens, Bury St. Edmunds, as Gardener to W.
CuNLiFFE, Esq , Headley Court, Epsom.

Mr. H. Garnett, for many years at Mount Harry Gardens,
and tor the past 2 years at Withdene Lodge, as Gar-
dener to H. Young, Esq., Withdene Grange, Briuhtou.
(Thanks for your donation of 2s. for the R.G.O.F. Box.

—Eds.)

256

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 16, 1910.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

READING GARDENERS*.— There was a large atten-
dance of the menibers at the fortnightly meeting held in the
Abbey Hall, Reading, on Monday, March 21, under the
presidency of Mr. Alderman Parhtt, J. P. As at the previous
meeting, the hall. was rendered attractive by floral exhibits.
Cinerarias were staged by Mr. R. Doe, The Garden?,
Holme Park, and a group of Cineraria steliata was dis-
played by Mr. F. Townsend, The Gardens, Hillside. Mr.
W. Barnes, The Gardens, Bearwood, exhibited early Cab-
bages grown in the open from seed sown in July. Mr. H.
Goodger, gardener to Mrs. Collins, Stoneham House,
Calcot, was awarded the Association's certificate for an
exhibit of Violets. The lecturer for the evening was Mr. T.
Judd (chairman of th? committee), his subject being
"Plants for Spring Bedding." Briefly touching on Bulbs
at the commencement of his remarks. Mr. Judd explained
how, by the exercise of a little thought and the judicious
sowing of suitable seeds, it was a simple matter to make
the garden beautiful in early spring. Subjects specially
adapted for an early display of bloom include Alyssum,Arabis,
Aiibrieiia, Daisy, Erysimum, Limnanthes, Myosotis, Pansy,
Nemophila, Polyanthus, Primrose, Silene, Stock, Viola and
Wallflower, while Canterbury Bells and Sweetwilliam?
may be used to extend the flowering period. Mr. Judd
gave full information with regard to the preparation of the
seed beds, time of sowing and the general treatment of
these plants.

A meeting was held in the Abbey Hall on Monday.

April 4. Mr, T. Judd presided. The subject for the even-
ing was " Rhododendrons," introduced by Mr. A. F. Bailey,
The Gardens, Leopold House, Reading. Mr. Bailey dealt
with these beautiful flowering shrubs in their various stages,
from seedlings to fully-matured plants, giving much instruct
five information on the treatment of both hardy and tender
varieties, also on planting for effect, colour combinations,
massing, &c. His ]iractical demonstrations on the
grafting and layering of Rhododendrons were closely
followed by the audience. At the next meeting to be held
on April 18, Mr. T. J. Powell, of Park Place Gardens, will
give a demonstration on " The Arrangement of Cut Flowers
in Vases, &c." On this occasion ladies will be admitted,
and members are invited to bring bunches of flowers which
will be afterwards sent to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

REDHILL AND REIGATE GARDENERS*.— The

usual fortnightly meeting of this association was held in the
Penrhyn Hall on Tuesday, March 29. Mr. Bound presided.
Mr. T. Tunbridge a representative of the Reading Gar-
deners' Association, gave a lecture on " Annuals." Mr.
Tunbridge first dealt with varieties that were especially use-
ful for supplying cut flowers, and then considered those most
suitable for the border. The last week in March or the first
in April is soon enough for the sowing of the seed. A H'^t
of the best annuals includes Lavatera, Zinnia, Clarkia, Gail-
lardia, Centaurea, Salpiglossis, Scabious, Godetia, Ipomoea,
Helichrysuin, Schizanthus, Nigella, Agrostis nebulosa,
Eschscholtzia, Viscaria, Lychnis, Mesembryanthemum,
Sweet Peas, Stocks, Asters, Lobelia, Phlox and Coreopsis,

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.-The

annual official visit of the Bristol Amateurs' Society took
place on March 24. The meeting was held in St. John's
Pari^ Rooms. Col. Carey Batten presided over a largely-
attended meeting. Mr. White gave a paper entitled "An
Amateur's Orchid Notes." Mr. White spoke of the good
feeling which existed between the two societies, and hoped
it would continue. He said there was no decorative flower-
ing plant to be compared to the Orchid, especially when
considering the lasting qualities of the flowers. Cattleyas,
Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Dendrobiums and Coelogynes
were recommended for a beginner's collection, Cypripediums
being much the best for town gardens.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.-
The usual fortnightly meeting was held in the Workman's
Hall on Tuesday, March 29, Mr. H. Tann presiding. Mr.
G. Johnson, of Brabceuf Manor, Guildford, read a paper on
" Insect Pests," dealing principally with Onion Fly, Wire
Worm, Carrot Fly, Celery Fly, and Black Currant Mite.
Mr. Johnson related his experiences with these destructive
insects, and gave preventive methods.

ELSTREE AND BOREHAM WOOD HORTI-
CULTURAL.—At the meeting held on Tuesday, the 5th
inst., Mr. E. Beckett, V.NLH., of Aldenham House Gardens,
gave a paper, illustrated with lantern slides, on "Choice
Flowering and other Shrubs." Such cultural points as the
preparation of the ground, planting and pruning, were ably
dealt with. He also gave a selection of desirable kinds,
worthy of wider recognition, in preference to many of less
merit so frequently employed.

WARGRAVE GARDENERS'.-At the meeting held
on April 6, a paper on " Winter-flowering Carnations " was
given by Mr. A. Brotherston, foreman at Shiplake Court
Gardens. The lecturer dealt with the cultivation of the
Carnation and the fungoid and insect pests of this plant,
and the best methods of combating them. A list of the
most popular varieties was also given.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Man SELL & Hatcher, Ltd., Rawdon, Leeds— Liliums
and Orchids, with coloured pi ites of Lilium nepalensc
and L, sulphureum.

Clibrans, Altrincham and Manchester— Indoor Plants, in-
cluding new hybrid Begonias.

James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Kings Road, Chelsea— Dahlias,
Cannas, and other bedding plants.

Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield— Carnations.

J. A. Cooper, Lissadell, Sligo, Ireland -Alpine and Hardy
Herbaceous Plants, Shrubs.

Thynne & Withers, Granville Nurseries, Willsbridge,
near Bristol — Perpetual-flowering Carnations.

Lacy, Hulbert & Co., Ltd , Victoria Street, Westminster,
London — Rotary Pumps.

Charlesworth & Co., Haywards Heath, Susses— Orchids.

BouLTON & Paul, Ltd., Norwich — Separate Lists of
Garden Furniture, Fencing, Park Seats, Country House
Requisites, Seats of Old English Design, Trellis,
Arches, Pergolas, &c., '* Banbury " Turf Cutter,
and Multi-dibbers for Seed Sowing.

James Stredwick & Son, Silverhill Park, St. Leonards-on-
Sea — Dahlias.

TRADE NOTICES.

R. COBLEY & CO., LTD,

The above-named company has been registered with a
capital of i£l5,000in £,1 shares. The objects are to acquire
the business of Richard Cobley, nurseryman, Cheshunt,
Herts. The company is a private concern with registered
office at 27, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.

THE LOCKSHEATH NURSERIES, LTD.

Th'is company has been registered with a capital of
^8,000 in ^l shares (10 deferred). The objects are to come
to an agreement with G. H. Atkinson and Mrs. K. Atkinson
for the acquisition of the business carried on by G. H.
Atkinson in Hampshire and London. Private company.
Registered office, 23, Cranbourn Street, Westminster.

^^ to

Azalea Leaves Diseased: ir. It., OanUrhunj.
The galls are caused by a fungus, a species of
Exobasidium. Remove and burn the leaves in
the early stages of the attack.

Beetles in Plant House : H. B. W. They are
the common house beetle. Some arsenical
poison, such as Chase's Beetle Paste, will kill
them. See note on Cockroaches in Gardeners'
Chronicle, January 15, p. 43.

Books: W. W. Amongst the recent writers of
our weekly Calendars who have published books
are ]\Ir. E. Beckett, Elstree Gardens (Vegetables
for Home and Exhibition) ; Mr. W. H. Whit«,
Burford Gardens, Dorking (The Book of
(Jrcliids) ; and Mr. Alex. Kiik. Alloa Gardens,
Prestonkirk (The Book of the Vine).

Cabbages with Swollen Roots: E. W. The
trouble is caused by clubbing, known also as
Finger and Toe disease, and in some parts as
Anbury. It is caused by a micro-organism,
Plasmodiophora brassicse, which gains access to
the plant in its seedling stage. Do not grow
Brassicas on the same land for a year or two,
and dress the soil freely with lime.

Colour Scheme for Flower-beds : Mignonette.
A brilliant and varied colour scheme is difficult
to arrange in patches, unless white kinds are
used freely. Patches of tuberous-rooted Be-
gonias in half-a-dozen shades of colour — crini
son, red, white, yellow, pink, and salmon — with
a groundwork of variegated Mesembryanthe-
mum or dwarf white Alyssum would be effec-
tive for the inner circle. The outer circle
may be planted with the small-flowered, double,
red Begonia Count Zeppelin or La Fayette,
with a groundwork of dwarf white Alyssum and
a few dot plants of Fuchsia macrostemma
variegata. A sche'ne in which red predomi-
nates is generally more effective. For this you
could use the red-flowered Pelargonium I'aul
Cranipel, iixstead of the Begonias. But for
planting in patches the best effect would pro-
bably be produced v ith Violas. Of these, you
can obtain a dozen or more distinct shades of
blue, yellow, and white. Patches of Pelar-
goniums would also answer the purjjose if you
used white freely.

Daffodil with Twin Flowers. It is not un-
common for two flowers to develop on one
spike. We often receive examples during the
season. The variety is probably Orphee.

Destruction of Mealy Bug on Peaches: E. T.
One of the best insecticides for this purpose
is soft soap and petroleum. To three gallons
of warm, soft water add a wineglassful of
petroleum and a piece of soap the size of a
hen's egg. Place the materials in a bucket
(not a painted can), add about half a gallon of
boiling water, and churn vigorously with a
syringe until the soap is dissolved. Add the
rest <Jf the water (2^ gallons), and apply to the
tree in the afternoon about 4 p.m. Consider-
able force should be used when syringing, so
that the trees may be thoroughly wetted and the
liquid forced into all crevices. Whilst the
operator is syringing another person should
manipulate the leaves to expose the bug. To
prevent the oil floating on the top of the solu-
tion, alternate syringefulls should be returned
to the bucket. As the young foliage of the
Peach is very tender, it is advisable to give a
thorough syringing with clear lukewarm water
about 1 a.m. the following ni'^rning. If, after

this treatment, any stragglers are left, they
should be destroyed with methylated spirits,
using a pointed stick and touching each insect
with a single drop of spirit, taking care not to
wet the leaves or fruits in the process. The
date of ripening will depend, in a great
measure, upon the variety, and this you did not
state.

Emigration: Cambs. We cannov advise you on
this matter. You will find particulars
on the subject in the issue for February 19,
p. 122. — liortMS. We are sorry we cannot
assist you. Write to the Agent-General for
Tasmania, London.

French Gardening : B. K . The Cabbage Let-
tuces might reasonably have been expected to
be ready for consumption before the Cos
Lettuces. We cannot tell you why they were
not. but suspect it is due to the extra warmth
in the manure bed under the frame. Y'ou have
not stated which varieties these were, but it
is, of course, a fact that some are earlier than
others.

Judging Vegetables : A'. 7?. You cannot do
better than follow the list of " Rules for Judg-
ing," published by the Royal Horticultural
Society. It will be sent post free on receipt of
a postal order for Is. 5d.. addressed to the
Secretary, Royal Horticultural Society, Vin-
cent Square, Westminster, S.W.

Names of Fruits. — //. E. M. Apple Dumelow's
Seedling.

Names of Plants : //. G. S. Narcissus nanus.
— IF. E. Erica arborea ; PhiUyrea media. —
A. C. W. Az.ara microphylla. — J. H. Nar-
cissi : 1, Fortuosus ; 2, Duchess of Brabant : 3,
Stella Superba. — (). R. L. Narcissus Seagull. —
ir. 0 W. 1, Primula denticulata cashmeriana ;
2, P. denticulata : 3. Helxine Suleirolii.— II'. B.

1, Two shrubs tied together, Ligustrum lucidum
var. and Osmanthus fragrans; 2, Coryd.ilis
bulbosa; 3. Iris tnberosa. — E. J. S. There are
many seedling forms of H. orientalis and H.
colchicus in cultivation similar to the one you
send. — A. B. ('. 1, Cypripedinm purpuratum ;

2, C. argus X venustum ; 3, C. barbatum ni-
grum; 4, Cattleya Schroderse. — 7?. T. 1, On-
cidiinn excavatum ; 2, Odontoglossum lamosissi-
mum ; 3, Masdevallia Simula ; 4, Pleurothallis
macroblepharis ; 5, Physosiphou Loddigesii ; 6,
Gongora quinquenervis. — Siiljscriber. Cypri-
pedium barbatum. — J . E. T . Akebia quinata.
— A. C. H. A'anda tricolor.

Netting Raspberries : W. L. Your plan of
using fish-netting, placed on a wooden frame, is
perhaps preferable to a permanent structure of
iron and wire netting. But we know of several
cases where such wire cages are used with ap-
parently no ill effects to either bushes or fruit.

Peach Leaves: A. P. and Anxious, Somerset.
The foliage exhibits " silver leaf " disease. It
is attributed to the attack of a fungus — a
species of Stereum — which occurs in the root
and base of the stem. The only measure you
can adopt is to burn the worst of the leaves,
and to afford the plant the best cultural treat-
ment, so that it would be likely to grow out of
the disease.

Scum on Ponds : E. L. Spray the water with
the Bordeaux mixture at half-strength, and
repeat the operation at intervals. If the opera-
tion is carried out with care the gold fish will
not suffer any injury.

Vines and Nectarines : L. B. H. The vines
have received some check, but only those on
the spot can say what has caused it. The
Nectarine leaves are affected with silver leaf
disease. See reply to A. P.

White-sprouting Broccoli: J. Creasey. Your
Broccoli is the true white-sprouting Broccoli
of commerce, which has long been recognised
as a very valuable winter vegetable. The
judges were quite wrong in disqualifying it.
It needed very little examination on their
part as well as knowledge to enable them to
see that the variety was not of the ordinary
solid, white-headed' Broccoli. No doubt the
heads or sprouts would have shown their much-
divided and distinct form a week later.

Communications Received.— H. G.— A. A. P.-G. A.

— W. B.— C. W — " Insect"—" Anxious Inquirer "—A. F.
—"Fig Leaves "—O C— J. M., Claydon— W. H. S.—
C. D.-S. A.-W. K.-J. G. -" Cambs."-A. E. G.—
H A. C, Whipton-P. M.— W. P. W.-T. S.-P. T. R.—
G P._B. S. B. - G. H.— W. B — E. M.— J. S. S.— R. H. P.

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April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

•Ibl

THE

(OarLicncrs'dfbroniclc

VSo. 1,S1^-—SATURDAY, April 83, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Anemone sulphurea ..

266

Plant-breeding methods

Biriiiiiigliam, flower

applied to trees

257

bhows at

261

Plant notes—

Books, notices of -

Crinum Powellii

26-2

The Mountain Flora

Lilium sulphureum -.

262

of Santo Domingo

2r.4

Rhododendron indi-

C inker, " New York "...

•258

cnm Hexe

26-2

Curdyline austral is

Rosary, the—

seeding.

260

Confusion in names. .

259

*' Demonstration egg

Roses in Australia

265

train "

265

School gardening

■266

Fruit trees, pruning,

Seed import-i of Canada

265

after planting. .

2G6

Silene Sehafta

265

Gladiolus primulinus ...

266

Societies-

Ha Istorm Insurance

Cornwall Daffodil and

Corporation

270

Spring Flower

270

Law notes-

Dutch Bulb Growers..

271

Alleged corrupt prac-

Royal Caledonian Hort

270

tices

267

Royal Horticultural ..

267

Lunaria biennis var.

Spice and perfume-

corcyrensis

265

producing plants

265

Lunt, Mr. Thomas

265

Sugar-Beel in England,

Muloiis and Cucumbers,

the culture of

265

the fertilisation of ...

266

Swine fever enquiry

Nnnt Cenis, the flora of

25U

committee

265

Nursery notes -

Wallflower, the old

Stredwick, James, &

Knglish double

266

Sons

260

Walmsgate Hall, Louth

261

Veitch, James, & Sons,

Waveren, Mr. T. van ...

264

Ltd

259

Week's work, the —

Obituary-
Boyle, A

Hartley, A. D.

Flower garden, the ...

2n3

272

Fruits under glass ...

263

272

Hardy fruit garden, the
Kitchen garden, the...

263
262

Saunders, G. S.

272

Orchid houses, the ..

263

Shedden, John

27:i

Plants under glass ...

262

ILLUSTRATIONS.

£65

Lunt, Mr. Thomas, Senr

Si hteiopsis malorum t" New York Canker") on Pear

branch 258

AVahiisgate, Louth (and Supplementary lUustratioD) 260, 261
Waveren, Mr. Theodore van 264

PLANT-BREEDING METHODS
APPLIED TO TREES.*

THERE are two speciesf of Elms in the
British Isles — Ulmus moutana, With.,
often found in woods throughout Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland ; and Ulmus
glabra. Miller, rarely if ever found in woods,
and limited as a common tree to hedgerows
and parks in the east of England, although it
is somewhat prevalent in Cornwall and the
south of Ireland. I regard the latter species
as the Elm which flourished in prehistoric
times in the forests of the alluvial lands with
better soil which are now employed for agri-
cultural purposes. In France,} Germany,
Belgium, and Denmark this tree is also
rare in woods, becoming a component of
the forests further south, as in the alluvial
lands of the Danube. The Elm of the
Mediterranean region is a distinct race, nuiih
more pubescent than true U. glabra.

* AbstracI of a paper by Dr. A. Henry, read before the
Linnean Society. April 7, 1910.

t The correct nomenclature of the Elms is still uncertain ;
and the names used here are well-known ones, not neces-
sarily those which I shall ultimately adopt.

I I am not concerned in this paper with the third European
species, (7. paiunculata, Foug., which belongs to another
section, and is ahnost indistinguishable from U. amt-ncana,
L., of North America.

The main differences between the two
species of Elms may be tabulated as follows : —

U. MONTANA.

Branchlets stout, pubescent, remaining
.■^mooth in the second year.

Leaves large, thick in texture, very pubes-
cent, especially on the upper surface, with
short stalks.

Seed in the centre of the samara.

The tree rarely suckers.

U. GLABRA.

Branchlets slender, neariy glabrous, becom-
ing striated in the second year.

Leaves small, very thin in texture, glabrous
on the upper surface, with long stalks.

Seed near the upper edge of the samara.

The tree suckers freely.

Both these species are wide-branching trees,
and are known by the same name — Wych Elm
— in the east of England. •

In addition to these two species, there are
many so-called varieties of Elms, .';ome of
which are considered to be varieties of U.
glabra, others being supposed to be distinct
species.

The most remarkable of these is the
" English Elm," the U. campestris of English
botanists and foresters. It is confined to
hedgerows in the south of England, Las a dis-
tinct habit, possesses a reddish wood unknown
in other Elms, and rarely produces fertile
seed§. It has pubescent branclilets and
leaves, the latter being different in shape from
those of U. glabra, but with long stalks. This
tree is unknown on the Continent. In
branchlets and leaves it strongly resembles the
southern Elm, that on which the vine is
trained in northern Italy. On this account it
is supposed to have been introduced at an
early period into Britain either by the Romans
or by the monks, when they were importing
the vine into this country. I am at present
investigating its possible relation to the
southern or Italian Elm ; hut am inclined,
nevertheless, to the opinion that it is, like the
other varieties of Elm in England, one of the
descendants of the first cross between the two
species, or it may be due to a second hybridi-
sation of some of these descendants with U.
montana.

The Huntingdon Elm (Ulmus vegeta) is
commonly looked upon as a hybrid, and I con-
sider it to be the first cross between U. glabra
and U. montana; this may be proved by
experiments that we are making at the
present time. The branchlets are stouter
than in U. glabra, and often do not be-
come striated. The leaves resemble those of
U. glabra in the absence of pubescence on the
upper surface and in their long stalks, but are
as thick as those of U. moutana. The samarse
are intermediate. This tree suckers freely,
produces an abundance of fertile seed, and has
a peculiar habit, the branches being very
ascending. It is, like most first crosses, extra-
ordinarily vigorous, growing faster than any
other Elm. This is well seen in the Victoria
Park, Bath, ^here nearly 40 kinds of Elms
were planted about the year 1820. The Hunt-
ingdon Elm there is twice as large as any of
the other kinds. Loudon states, as an illus-
tration of its e\traordinar_y vigour, that a
specimen planted only 10 yeare previously

§ It produces samaras as freely as the other Elms ; but the
seed is nearly always imperfect. It is invariably reproduced
in the hedgerows by sucl^ers.

in the Cliiswick Garden had attained 35
feet in height. The Huntingdon Elm ori-
ginated as a seedling in a nursery at
Huntingdon about 1740-1756. I may here
draw attention to the fact that the Hunting-
don Elm, like most first crosses in trees, leans
much more to one of the parents than to the
other. Most of the characters of U. glabra
are dominant. The comparatively large size
of the leaf is due to vigour merely.

A great many other kinds of Elms are
known, not only in cultivation, but arising
spontaneously in hedgerows; it would be easy
around Cambridge to find in the hedge-
rows five or six distinct varieties. Most of
these Elms have distinct habits and vary ex-
tremely in foliage. I may here point out,
however, that the occurrence of trees with
corky branchlets appears to be a sporadic
phenonienonll in each variety, and may be
looked upon as a peculiarit}' of an individual
tree, not a characteristic of a variety. U.
glabra, when quite pure, is frequently charac-
terised by branchlets with excessive, corky
wings ; and at Kew, where there are three
young trees of the English Elm, all suckers
from an older tree, one of these is extremely
suberose. Any characterisation of a variety
of Elm by suberose branchlets alone is certain
to be erroneous.

I need not now give the distinguishing
characters of the many varieties of Elms, but
will pass on to the experimental sowings
which I made in June, 1909. In the spring of
1909 every kind of Elm produced fruit in ex-
ceptional abundance ; due to the good weather
prevalent in the autumn of 1908, and to the
fact that in the months of March, April, and
May, 1909, the amount of sunshine recorded
in the south of England was- greater than had
ever before been recorded by the meteorolo-
gists. I sowed** 90 different lots of seed.

The first fact established is, that there are
only two kinds of Elms which give, when sown,
uniform seedlings. These are the two pure
species, U. montana and U. glabra. A box
of U. montana saedlings are all uniform in size
and other characters. The same applies to a
box of U. glabra seedlings. Every other kind
of Elm when sown produced mixed seedlings,
of different sizes, different arrangement of
leaves, ttc.

The seedling of U. glabra has a .stiff, un-
branched, erect stem, with all the leaves small
in size and in opposite pairs.

The seedling of It. montana has an un-
branched stem drooping to one side, with large
leaves, only the first two pairs of which are
ojjposite, all the other leaves above being
alternate. For the sake of convenience, I
shall speak of the seedlings of this kind as
" alternate-leaved '' seedlingsft-

The seedlings then of the two species are
very easy to discriminate in the first year ; and
this fact has much facilitated our counts of
the various lots of seedling? and the deduc-
tions that follow from these counts.

II This is the c^se with Liquidavtbar styraci/iua. Raised
from the same seed, some trees have very corky twigs;
others are perfectly smooth.

■• Eltn seed should be sown as soon as ripe in June ; and
the best seedlings are obtained by sowing in open beds in
good garden soil. Most of my plants were raised in boxes,
and w ere too crowded, and had not depth enough of soil to
develop well.

ft When injured by frost, &c., Elm seedlings occasio.:-»lly
branch in the first year; and in such cases, in U. glabru^
alternate leaves are always produced on the branches. This
is in anticipation of the characters of the second year, when
the leaves become alternate and remain so ever afterwards.
Such branched seedlings were few in number, and in no
case were included in our counts of the various lots of
seedlings.

258

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 23, 1910.

Several sowings were made of the seed of
the Huntingdon Elm. The seed was taken
from one of the trees in Brooklands Avenue,
Cambridge. This road is planted on both .sides
with a large number of Huntingdon Elms, all
of the same age, and quite unmixed with
other Elms. There is no possibility here of
contamination with the pollen of other kinds.
All the flowers then are " selfed." The
Huntingdon Elm was the source both of the
pollen and of the ovules. JJ

The best crop of Huntingdon Elm seedlings
was raised in garden soil by Mr. W. 0. Back-
house,§§ one of my students. These seedlings, 971
in all, were counted as re<jards one character,
and showed : —

732 seedlings with opposite leaves.

239 ,, ,, alternate „

971
The Mendelian ratio 3 : 1 is here closely fol-
lowed, as the theoretical numbers are 732 : 244.

A further examination of these seedlings
showed that tliere were four kinds plainly visible
in the bed, namely : —

Small, opposite leaved 9 (.')

Large, ,, ,, 3 (?)

Small, alternate leaved 3 (?)

Large, „ „ 1 (?)

I have added here the theoretic?! ratio 9 :3 :3 :1,
but of this wo are not certain, as it was impos-
sible to count the seedlings, as regards two
characters, without injuring them, and we wanted
to preserve the whole crop. Mr. Backhouse con-
sidered that the 9 ;3 ;3 :1 ratio probably existed
in this lot of 971 seedings.

(Tn he coiil'uiucd.)

pressed areas being developed, about which local
swellings of the limbs occur, and in these affected
areas the wood at the centre may be exposed, or
extensive wounds may result. The disease is
more common upon the larger limbs of older
trees, but trunks and twigs are not exempt, and

OCCURRENCE OF "NEW YORK CANKER "
IN ENGLAND.

In 1899, Professor W. Paddock, of the New
York Agricultural Experimental Station, estab-
lished the fa<;t that the fungus Sphaeropsis
malorum, long known in the United States as the
cause of the " Black Rot " of the fruit of the
Apple, Pear, and Quince, is capable of attacking
also the trunk and branches of the same fruit
trees. In the latter places the injury produced
is of the nature of a " canker." To this special
form of " canker," which was studied first on
the Apple, Professor Paddock gave the name of
the " New York Apple Canker." Inoculations of
boughs with pure cultures of the Sphsefopsis ob-
tained from Apples showing the " Black Rot "
resulted in the production of the characteristic
" canker." Later, it was found that Pears and
Quinces also could be thus attacked. The fol-
lowing account of the disease, as itjoccurs in
North America, is taken from that excellent
handbook, reviewed recently in these columns,
Funyous Diseases of Plants, by Professor
B. M. Duggar. " This canker has been
found to occur in many of the north-
eastern and northern-central States, as well
as in Canada, and it is not improbable that
it is, more or less, distributed through the coun-
try In the mildest form the canker is

believed to cause merely a greater roughening of
the bark, an injury which may occur as a single
spot, or which may extend along the limb for a
distance of several feet. In the most serious
cases, it first destroys the bark, well-marked, de-

iJ Knuth, Flower Pollination (Eng. trans.) iii. 373 (1909)
bays: *' The flowers in Llmus are anemophilous and proto-
gynous. The stigmas are mature when the flower opens
and project beyond the anthers, which are still immature
with short filaments. The latter elongate later on, so that
the stigmas are hidden among the stamens; the anthers
then dehisce ; and the stigmas, which are still receptive, may
be fertilized by automatic self-pollination, if they have not
been already dusted with foreign pollen. The flowers are
in crowded clusters and do not mature simultaneously." It
is, I think, probable that in most cases each Elm flower is
fertilized by pollen from another flower of the same tree.

§S I may here express my indebtedness to Mr. Backhouse
for help and suggestions, in connexion with the experiments
on the Elms, and the explanation thereof.

^ARJMHR^K '

Fig. III.— SPH.SROPSIS malorum, " new vork

CANKER " DISEASE.

A. — Pear branch attacked by the disease, x = fruit
conceptacles (pycnidia) of Sph^ropsis malorum.

B.— Portion of A enlarged, x = pycnidia.

C. — Section through a pycnidium, a, tissue of pear
branch; b, wall of pycnidium; c, spores. Below, a single
spore borne on a short stalk (conidiophore).

young trees may suffer. When complete girdling
results, the limb is killed ; yet serious conse-
quences may gradually develop without girdling.
. . Infection is probably most frequent in
the spring. It is believed, upon good evidence,
that the worst wounds occur only when the
fimgus gains entrance to the edge of the wood
through wounds. Trees which sun-scald badly
on the parts exposed to the direct rays of the
south-west sun are, as a rule, subsequently in-
fested with this canker Occasionally a

Sphseropsis has been found upon the leaves of
the Apple and Pear, and this form appears to be
similar to the canker fungus. It is thought that
general neglect, crowding, lack of pruning, &c.,
encourage the canker, although it may appear in
vigorous orchards. There would appear to be ab-
solutely no doubt that the rot of Apples, Pears,
and Quinces is due to the one fungus. Transfers
of this organism are readily made. Paddock
made many pure cultures as well as many trans-
fers of the canker strains to fruits and vice versa,
also to a variety of other hosts."

In the Journal of the South-Eastern Agricul-
tural College (Wye), vol. xvii., p. 316 (1908), I
recorded and figured the occurrence of a " leaf
spot " disease of Apple foliage, caused by a
species of Sphaeropsis, and wrote as follows : —
" Whether or not the Sphseropsis here described
is the S. malorum which causes a special 'canker'
of Apple trees in the States, it is worthy of notice
as being a fungus which is able, in this country,
in certain seasons, to cause a definite injury, in
the form of ' leaf spots,' to certain varieties of
Apples." Recently, Mr. W. B. Burgess, B.Sc,
a horticultural student at Wye College, has
brought me a disease, which appeared to him to
be an unusual form of " canker," on branches of
a Pear tree growing in a garden in Surrey. The
general appearance of the disease is shown in
fig. 111a. Microscopical examination revealed
the presence of the vSphferopsis. The fruit-con-
ceptacles or pycnidia of the fungus are at first
erumpent, and can be seen very clearly under a
pocket magnifying glass, when they present an
appearance like that shown in fig. Ills.
Each pycnidium is a minute, black, more or
less globular body, containing many hundreds
of oblong, dark, olive-brown spores, which
measure 25 to 30 u. by 10 to 15 u. The spores are
borne, inside the pycnidium, on short stalk-like-
conidiophoree, which are often to be found at-
tached to the ripe or nearly-ripe spore (see fig.
111c.

With regard to the general external charac-
teristics of this disease on the Pear, the affected
branches are noticeable through the roughness,
and cracking of the bark over a more or less con-
siderable area ; the bark ultimately shows a ten-
dency to fall off in small pieces (see fig. 111a).
Here and there on the affected boughs one finds
the appearance of an incipient "canker." The in-
jury produced has, at first sight, some resem-
blance to that caused by the " scab " fungus
(Venturia pirina) on two- or three-year-old wood
of .some varieties of Pears. l<"rom this disease it
can be distinguished by the marked cracking of
the bark, and the formation of incipient
" cankers." and by the absence of the " pock "-
like markings so characteristic of Pear " scab."
From true " canker " (Nectria ditissima), which
is not uncommon on certain varieties of Pears, the
present disease can be distinguished by the ab-
sence of any deep-seated " canker," and by the
fact that the injury produced extends con-
tinuously over the affected boughs, and is not
localised.

Remedies. — Professor B. JI. Duggar writes as
follows: — "Preventive measures have not been
carefully worked out. Advantage may be de-
rived from treating the limbs and trunk tho-
roughly with any ' cleaning-up ' washes, or with
Bordeaux Mixture. Pruning and scraping may
also be required, and, along with this, the whole-
sale destruction of affected limbs or fruit,"

The object of this note is to draw the attention
of gardeners and fruit-growers to the fact that

April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

259

there is more than one kind of " canker " on our
fruit trees. Besides the Spha>ropsis canker de-
scribed above, there are one or two similar
diseases in the United States which cause injury
to the wood of fruit trees : these latter may very
possibly occur also in this country. I shall be
pleased to examine any specimens of branches of
Apple or Pear, the bark of which shows a rough-
ened or " canker "-like appearance. E. S.
Salmon, F.L.S., S'outh-Easlern Agricultural
College, Wye, Kent.

THE ROSARY.

phine Malton and Madame de Sertot, each time
from well-known raisers, who should have been
more careful.

A Rose has appeared recently under the name
of Lily Ito, but it turns out to be Felicite Per-
petue, an old favourite since 1828. My stock of
this new Rose came direct from the raiser, and
is in every particular identical with the older
variety. These are some of the most conspicuous
examples of synonymy, though they do not ex-
haust the list. Such duplication under vary-
ing names is bad enough, but what is per-
haps worse is that some totally distinct Roses
carry the same names ; in some few instances
three different Roses have the same appellation.
-4. Piper.

CONFUSION IN NAMES.

When one considers the numerous duplication
•of names for fruits and vegetables, it is scarcely
surprising that many Roses are confused in a
similar manner. One point worth remembering
in connection with synonyms of Roses is, that,
where they are applied, the varieties are gener-
ally of extra good quality. There would appear
to be some temptations to share in the honour of
sending out a sterling Rose, but this can surely
be no justification for the very flagrant cases
which it is my purpose to note in this article.
Such a case as that which arose when the
white sport from Souvenir d'un Ami came
out cannot well be avoided, seeing that the
sport occurred in two places, and probably simul-
taneously. That Souvenir de S. A. Prince and
The Queen are synonymous few will dispute, and
there is good reason to believe both were sent
cut in good faith and without the respective
raisers knowing anything of the other variety.
When Mrs. Harkness was staged for the Gold
Medal at Chester, I had already seen Paul's
Early Blush, and Mr. Gater agreed with me they
were alike, and we knew they had both sported
from Heinrich Schultheis.

But such a Rose as Charles Lefebvre should
have been well known to Brassac and
Jamain, who, 14 and 17 years later respec-
tively, put it into commerce, in each case under
the name of a member of their own family. To
say the least, this shows inexcusable lack of care.
Maurice Bernardin was introduced under that
name by Granger in 1861. Surprising as it may
seem, he sent it out again four years later, this
time calling it Exposition de Brie. One would
expect the original introducer to have known
■what he had already distributed. The same
variety reappears — once more after a lapse of
four years — as Ferdinand de Lesseps, and this
time from such a well-known raiser as E. Ver-
dier. Then, six years later, Cranston sent it out
as Sir Garnet Wolseley. Now, it would not be
easy to select four more competent Rose
growers at these dates, and it was to be expected
that they would have been acquainted with Mau-
rice Bernardin. As a matter of fact, this variety
had been largely grown 14 years before it re-
ceived itfi last synonym ; while 17 years elapsed
between the appearance of Charles Lefebvre and
its last duplicate.

As if to confirm the impression that it is only
good varieties which receive this embarrassing
rechristening, I will give two more examples.
Alfred Colomb was distributed by Lacharme in
1865, as Wilhelm Koelle, by E. Verdier 10 years
later, as Marshall P. ^Yilde^ by Ellwanger and
Barry, and as Benoit Comte by Schwartz, both
in 1884. Prince Cammille de Rohan came from
E. Verdier in 1861, from Damaizin in 1874 under
the name of La Rosiere, and later (1897) as
Jubilee from Henderson. One can scarcely credit
such overlooking of sterling varieties already in
commerce. One more instance occurs to me. In
1848 Guillot pere sent out Madame Bravy, in 1862
it appeared again under the name of allja rosea,
.and later on, at considerable intervals, as Jose-

THE FLORA OF MONT CENIS.

(Concluded J'rojn page '^P^i.)
In a shallow ravine extending from the main
road, almost at the back of the Hotel de la
Poste, are a number of unusual plants, includ-
ing the handsome Aronicum scorpioides and
A. Clusii, as well as Arnica montana. Anemone
baldensis, which is frequent, though always
rather scattered at Mt. Cenis, and Silene acaulis
var. elongata D.C. = S. elongata Bellardi (1788),
which has stems 2 inches long, rather larger
flowers, and an altogether looser habit than the
type. Here also grow Pedicularis tuberosa. in-
carnata and verticillata, Arenaria biflora,
Scabiosa lucida. Linum alpinum, Astragalus Ono-
brychis, Paradisia Lilia«trum, and several in-
teresting Galiums, including a new red-flowered
variety of G. asperum, to which Dr. John Bri-
quet has given the name of the finder. He pub-
lished a description of Galium Thompsonii Briq.
in the AnnuaivR du Jardln el du Conservatoire
Bolanique de Geneve (1907-1908), p. 192. Not
realising it was a new plant, I took only one
specimen of this small Galium, the gre.Ver part
of which is now in Herb. Brit. Mus., and a
smaller bit in the Conservatoire Botaniquc at
Geneva.

Near the Petit Lac I found by accident the
rare Cardamine Plumieri, which, as Prof. Mat-
tirolo remarks, Boissier and Reuter rediscovered
in the district, though it had not been found by
others since the time of AUioni in the eighteenth
century.

Twice I had the pleasure of the company of
three Turin botani.sts, whose acquaintance I had
made in their own city just before. To meet
Italians of culture and education is always a
pleasure, and particularly so when they are en-
countered on the botanical field, or when, as so
often happens, they help to make things go
smoothly and well if the climber is delayed by
bad weather in some Alpine hut. These botanists
from Turin knew the district well, and showed
me a sjwt where the dingy Swertia perennis
grew, but later I found an acre of it on a damp
slope in descending to Lanslebourg.

Lanslebourg is a big village at the foot of the
pass on the French side, at about 4,600 feet.
The Hotel Valloire is fairly comfortable. I re-
mained there a week, and made it the centre
for some delightful excursions. It is within an
easy drive of Modane. at the mouth of the great
tunnel, and lies almost under the shadow of the
mighty Dent Parrachee.

But before leaving Mt. Cenis I came in for
the end of the 1907 summer meeting of the
Academie de Geographic Botanique. whose secre-
tary courteously invited me to join the party.
They were particularly struck with the great
number of rare species of Carex I had found
in the district. Mons. Petitmengin, whose
untimely death in 1908, at the age of 27, was
not noticed in any English journal, was one of
the leading spirits of the party, and was
largely responsible for the itinerary and subse-
quent report. Marcel Petitmengin, who had a
great faculty for making friend.ships, is best
known for his determination of some new
Chinese and other Primulas, which had been

sent to the .Jardin des Plantes at Paris, to Kew,
Florence, Berlin, &c.

Space does not allow me to mention any of
the plants on the Col du Petit Mt. Cenis, nor
in the romantic Val Savine, which leads to the
Col de Clapier, nor on the steep arete of Mont
Lamet. It is doubtful if Alpines could grow in
greater splendour than in some of these places.
In one spot, which shall be nameless, the flat
rocks close to a broad mountain path for 50
yards or more are blue with the azure blos-
soms of Eritrichium iianum ; a little lower, the
tiny pink or white flowers of Androsace glacialis
everywhere attract the eye ; a scramble up some
of the higher rocks, and the climber is confronted
with the great yellow corollas of Geum reptans,
whose very audacity in such a place would take
the breath away had he not been accustomed to
see this handsome flower among the rocks at 10,
11, and even 12 thousand feet above the sea. Nor
are the everyday Alpines absent from Mt. Cenis —
Gentians and Campanulas, Phyteumas and
Violas, Orchids, Lilies and Alliums are in the
greatest profusion, and vie with one another
in beauty.

About Lanslebourg, of course, the vegetation
is less Alpine in character, and the steep Pine
woods above the village yield many a fre*h plant.
On descending the well-engineered road to-
wards Modane the flora rapidly becomes of a
more southern type. Orobanches abound, and
Carline Thistles of various kinds, Linosyris shows
its golden heads, and soon the air is perfumed
with the scent of Lavender, while a little further
down is a wayside manufactory of Laven-
der water, whose patron has bestrewn the high
road for 100 yards with the fragrant spikes, just
in the manner in which tan or straw is sometimes
strewn about an English street to dea.den the
sound of passing vehicles.

In conclusion, I may refer to the most recent
important botanical work on the district of Mt.
Cenis by Prof. Oreste Mattirolo, the genial pro-
fessor of botany at Turin. In April, 1907, lie
published La Flora Segusina dopo yll sludii
di G. F. Be. In addition to a catalogue of all
the flowering plants and Ferns found since Re's
Flora fiegusiensis (1805), a revised and trans-
lated edition of which was published by Caso in
1881, Dr. Mattirolo gives a biographical sketch
of the work done in the district by botanists
from the earliest times, arranged accordingly to
their nationality. The only two English
botanists whose work is recorded are G. Edward
Smith, who bought the Linnean Herbarium, and
John Ball, the famous Alpinist and botanist,
who died in 1889.

On the authority of this work of Prof. Mattirolo
no fewer than 2,203 species and 279 varieties of
Phanerogams and Ferns had been recorded from
the Mt. Cenis district before April, 1907, whereas
according to Sig. Fiori, the whole Italian flora
in 1907 comprised 4,137 species and 3,158 varie-
ties and sub-species. These figures may be com-
pared with the 4,354 species enumerated by Coste
(1906) in his Flore de la France (including Cor-
sica), and with the 2,534 species in Schinz and
Keller's Florj, der Schweiz (revised French
edition, 1909).

Thus it will be seen that more than one half
of the total number of Italian species have been
found at Mont Cenis and the Valley of Susa.
H. Stuart Thompson.

NURSERY NOTES.

HIPPEASTRUMS AT CHELSEA.
These bulbs are now at their best, and the
gorgeous display of magnificent flowers at Messrs.
J. Veitch & Sons' Chelsea nursery will continue
for a fortnight, or longer time, according to the
weather. Crimson is the predominant colour ;
and there are some grand feathered varieties
having white on crimson grounds of various
tones. The trumpet-shape blooms, with more or

260

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Apeil 23, 1910.

Ices reflexing points to the segments, are most
in demand.

The varieties named below were among the
finer observed on the 13th inst., viz., Orbona,
a bold crimson; Leonato, one of the best,
a true circular bloom of great substance ; Mer-

the firm, Mr. James Stredwick, was induced to
take up the culture of the Dahlia about 20 years
ago when he obtained the 2nd prize at a small
local flower show. As his success in exhibiting
grew, he turned his attention to the raising of
new varieties. His first good thing was a dark

Fig. H2. — WALMiC-iTE HALL, LOUTH, AS SEEN FROM THE SOUTH-WEST.

cade, a rich, glowing crimson, having a white
feather in the middle of each segment ; Gallita,
a flower of a deep crimson tint, and orange-
scarlet towards the tips of the segments, the
blooms are above the usual size; Siren, a bloom
of a bright scarlet colour, with a pleasing white
border and pretty mai-kings ; Linda, cerise, an
unusual colour, moderate as to size of flower ;
Florentine, of cherry-red tone, with markings in
white in the form of feathering ; Chromes, a big
flower of the finest shape, in colour crimson, and
the points of the segments markedly reflexed ;
Herniia, a flower of middle size, royal purple in
colour, toning down to a lighter tint ; Hygene, a
white flower having edges of scarlet on the seg-
ments ; Favo, of crimson shade, having tesselate
markmg ; Orosa is a purplish-crimson variety cf
medium size. Many young bulbs had flower-
buds about to expand, giving promise of some
fine additions. F. M.

A DAHLIA NURSERY.
The visitor to Hastings will remember the
delightful environs of the town, nowadays
so acce.£sible by means of the ekctric tram
service. The London road, on the way to Ore,
passes through the lovely Silverhill Park, and
here, screened on all sides by tall tre<>e, is
situated the nursery of Messrs. James Stredwick
& Sons, Dahlia specialists. The grounds are not
very large, not extending much beyond two acres,
but when it is remembered what the nuixsery has
turned out in the way of sterling novelties, it
will be conceded that the size gives no indication
of the importance of the position occupied by
this nursery. The natural beauties of the spot
tempt the lover of fine scenery to prolong his
visit; for what is prettier than woodland
scenery with hill and dale, and charming
water torrent, dropping some 60 feet below, as
does the old Roar stream ! The grounds contain
the necessary propagating houses, and one very
large glass structure for the growing of Chrysan-
themums ; beyond these almost every foot of the
land is spade dug. The soil is heavy, rather too
shallow to permit of trenching ; but what there is
consists of a splendid loam, and, with plenty of
horse manure incorporated with it, the Dahlias
obtain all they need. The senior member of

maroon flower named after his son Harry, the
other member of the firm. This was quickly fol-
lowed by such well-known kinds as Magnificent,
Night, Eclipse, and .Mayor Tuppenny. Others of
the older sorts raised at Silverhill are Uncle Tom
and Maurice Welsh, and although these have
been superseded in recent years, they enjoyed
great popularity when they were new. Later in-
troductions of Messrs. Stredwick, to mention
only the best, are : J. B. Riding, W. F. Balding,
Thos. Parkin, Sirius, Ella Draemar, Fairy, Mrs.
Macmillan, and, recently, Harold Pcerman, C. E.
Wilkins, Ivernia, H. H. Thomas, Red Admiral,
Indomitable, and lolanthe.

The Cactus Dahlia is a splendid subject as an

exh'.bition fli^wer, but when it is grown in the
garden it causes some disappointment. With
nj^iiv of the best show kinds, the flowers hide
themselves so in the leafage that their effective-
ne.is IS lost. The demand now is for varieties of
stronger constitution, and with long flower stalks,
so that the blooms may be seen. It is in this
direction that .Messrs Stredwick & Son are work-
wig. Their seedlings each year number manj'
thousands, and we saw this year's complement,
just after the seedlings had been pricked off for
the first time The seedlings will be planted out
later, and will provide perhaps 20 or so that may
be considered worthy of perpetuating. Next year
they will show more cf their true worth, and
then it will be decided which are to be
placed in commerce. Each year Messrs Stred-
wick shew, and win prizes with, something
fie.-h, as our reports of the National Dahlia
Society's exhibition testify yearly. Of the
many trophies or medals which this house has
won in competition, none is prized more highly
than the gold medal secured last year at Seattle,
U.S.A., when their varieties beat all others in the
trials undertaken by the Alaska Yukon Ex-
Kibition. A difference was seen in the varieties
as the roots were laid out in the propa-
gating houses : some were extremely coarse,
others had comparatively thin stems and small
loots. Generally the stiff, erect-stemmed varie-
ties, such as are desired, have very coarse roots
and stem. In some, such as in Invernia, the side
shoots are few, hut many need a vigoi-ous thin- ■
ning of the laterals. The Dahlia needs much
moisture, as well as food, during the summer,
and therefore an adecpiate water-supply is essen-
tial. This is provided by the Roar, which has
carved out its bed many feet down, the bank.-?
being delightfully planted with shade and water-
loving subjects. A small engine pumps the water
to the highest level of the nursery, and pipes con-
vey it to every part. Messrs. Stredwick send
plants all over the globe, and especially to Aus-
tralia and America. They are packed as dry roots.
in the autumn from plants grown in small pots.
The firm has of late years entered the Chrysan-
themum field, and has I'aised one or two
good varieties, including Mary Farnsworth,
figured in Gardenrrs' Chronicle., November 20,
19C9. p. 347, on the occasion of its receiving the
Award of Merit of the Royal Horticultural
Society. If as much success is attained with these
plants as with Dahlias, our gardens, as well as
the Chrysanthemum "hows, will be enriched

Fig. 113. — FORMAL GARDEN AT VVALMSGATE HALL.

Apeh, 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

261

WALMS6ATE HALL, LOUTH.

.{See fiys. 112 to 115, also Supplementary Illustration.)

On the eastern coast of Lincolnshire midway
between the market towns of Alford on the
south, and Louth on the north, and distant some
12 miles from the seaside town of Mablethorpe,
is situated the estate of Walmsgate, the property
and residence of T. Dallas Yorke, Esq. The
undulating chilk hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds
fonn the characteristic feature of the landscape.
Over the greater part of the chalk formation the
soil is very thin, but in the lower levels it is
often of considerable depth, artd of more thin
average quality.

The estate of Walmsgate, extending to some
1,000 acres, is intersected by the great road
from London to the north : the gardens, some
7 acres in extent, occupy the side of a slope to
the west of the roadway. Shelter is provided on
the north and east sides by woods of Beech and
Larch. The characteristic feature of the gardens
is compactness, for, though they are small and
exhaustively planted, no overcrowding occurs.
The general plan consists, for the most part, of
shrubberies, laid out on natural lines. These fol-
low the boundary, the greatest length extending
from east to west. On the western extremity,
the shrubberies give place to a bowling alley,
flanked on either side by a single line of formal
clipped Hollies ; toward the north stretch single
lines of Bamboos, intersected by a pergola
planted with hardy ornamental vines.

Near the centre of the estate are the bog gar-
den (see fig. 114) and the herbaceous ground.
Rouj^h steps lead from the former to a stretch
of lawn immediately beneath a fine, old speci-
men of Sedrus Libani, one of a group of four.
At this spot the formally -laid-out portions of the
gardens open to the view, together with the
main entrance to the residence. Immediately
on entering the garden from the Hall is seen
the view shown in the Supplementary Illustra-
tion. In the distance are the bog and
hei'baceous ground, the latter being separated
from the kitchen garden by a Yew hedge, 10 feet
h'^h. In the foreground, in a recess, formed by

four trees of Thuya orientalis, is a plaster re-
plica of an old seat in the grounds of the Vati-
can. Upon the pilasters of the wall are pots,
wnich, in summer-time, are filled with Zonal

hardy subjects, chiefly bulbous. Crinum Powellii
and its forms succeed on either side of the arch-
way. The formal garden opens directly from
this wall, as is shown in fig. 113. The design is

:^ft^f^^-

""^^^

^^-—^-

EardchroTL.

Fig. 115. — w,m,msg.4Te: the rock-garden in spring-time.

Pelargoniums. The wall and pillars are con-
structed with the object of accommodating rock-
plants. The various plants employed include
Androsace, Antirrhinum, Campanula, Hyperi-
cum. Onosma. Oinintia, and Silene. The border
under the wall is devoted to hardv and half-

FlG. 114. — VIEW OF THE BOG-G.\RDEN AT WALMSGATE MALI-, LOUIH.

laid down in pavement. This garden forms a shel-
tered spot in springtime, and is gay with flowers
at all seasons. Three small pools, with intersect-
ing spaces as panel beds, occupy the central vista,
and, groujied on either side, are two series each
of five beds ; the centre beds are rai.sed by brick-
work in a manner that unites them in one. The
comer beds are of oblong shape, and set at right-
angles, being united in the form of the letter
" L." The scheme of summer bedding embraces
standard and pyramid flowering plants of such
kinds as Heliotrope, Fuchsia, Plumbago, Swain-
sonia, and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums. Of carpet
plants. Verbena, Iresine, Leucophyton, Mesem-
bryanthemum, fibrous-rooted Begonia, Ageratum,
and others are utilised, though the subjects em-
ployed vary from year to year.

Enclosed by Y'ew hedges is the portion allotted
to dwarf Roses, but the natural soil is not favour-
able to their growth, and Hybrid Teas alone yield
iicme measure of success. Climbing Roses are
liberally represented, and are grown over stumps,
pergolas, and arches. Fig. 112 shows what was
formerly the bedding-out garden. The beds are
now filled with special soil and planted with
Heaths and Liliums. Of the latter, L. Hansonii,
L. Henryi, L. monadelphum, and L. testaceum
are most successful ; whilst, in ordinary soil, the
forms of L. elegans and L. umbellatum give
equally good results.

The formal tank, occupying the centre of the
garden, is surmounted by an old marble well-
head, having on the front panel a lion rampant
upon a raised shield, and said to be a piece of
old Florentine work.

To the south, is a series of water ponds, which
link the rock garden (fig. 115), and, by skilful
planting, are made to transition into the eastern
shrubberies

Hardy plants dominate every other interest at
Walmsgate. The glass department is limited, and
devoted mainly to the raising and growing of
hardy and half-hardy subjects, either for perma-
nent planting or the embellishment of, the
gardens in summer. The ground originally
allotted to vegetables and hardy fruit; has been

262

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 23, 1910.

encroached upon to enlarge the flower garden, so
that, for some years past, other ground for the
raising of fruits and vegetables has been found
outside the garden proper.

Mrs. Dallas Yorke takes an especially keen in-
terest in the gardens, and her love of the place
is shared by her daughter, the Duchess of Port-
land. The gardener is Mr. Thomas Smith, who
is not only a first-rate craftsman, but a fre-
quent writer in the gardening Press.

PLANT NOTES.

RHODODENDRON (AZALEA) INDICUM
HEXE.

This pretty little Rhododrendron or Azalea,
as it is generally termed in gardens, furnishes
a good illustration of the fact that a plant may
be distributed and fairly well known for years
before its merits are generally recognised.
It is now exceedingly popular as a market
plant ; but unlike most of the Indian
Azaleas, which are grown as little bushy speci-
mens on stems about 6 inches high, and in pots
5 inches to 6 inches in diameter, the variety Hexe
is grown chiefly as tiny bushes in very small
pots. When laden with its bright, ruby-red blos-
soms, it meets with a ready sale, and is exceed-
ingly useful for indoor decoration. The small
size of the pot in which this variety is grown
readily admits of the plants being stood in the
small jardinieres of porcelain or metal which are
now so popular. Some of the greenhouse Heaths
have of late years been extensively grown in the
same way.

For this particular variety we are indebted to
the late Mr. Otto Forster, of Lehenhof, Germany,
who raised it as long ago as 1878. In those days
the little, Japanese, hardy Rhododendron or
Azalea was looked upon as a distinct species un-
der the name of Azalea amoene, but it is now
considered to be a variety of Rhododendron
indicum. The variety Hexe was obtained by fer-
tilising a flower of Due Adolf von Nassau, a
popular variety in the 'seventies, with the pollen
of a good type of amo?na ; that is to say, one in
which the hose-in-hose character was very pro-
nounced. Naturally, it was a great favourite
with Mr. Otto Forster, but, as above stated,
many years elapsed before it attained its present
popularity.

The first to raise seedlings between the small-
flowered forms of Rhododendron indicum and the
ordinary varieties with large blossoms was the
late Mr. Carmichael, when at Sandringham, in
the 'sixties. These varieties, which were, I be-
lieve, distributed by Mr. B. S. Williams, of
Holloway, aroused a deal of interest, and for a
time were very popular, but they have now al-
most, if not quite, dropped out of cultivation.
Some of these smaller-flowered forms are, how-
ever, obtainable, and make a suitable com-
panion to the variety Hexe. Chief among them
are Caldwellii, calyciflora, obtusa, and obtusa
alba.

LIUUM SULPHUREUM.

Large numbers of this striking Lily are now
being imported, and, in the days before the re-
tarding of Lily bulbs became general, the species
would have been exceedingly valuable, owing to
its late-flowering qualities. Its proper season of
bloom is usually considered to be summer and
late autumn, and I have had good flowers at
Christmas. However, it is now possible, by the
retarding process, to have Lilium longiflorum and
L. speciosum in bloom at the festive season, and
a species that flowers naturally then does not
gain special attention.

For many years L. neilgherrens© was looked
upon us supplying the last L ly flowers for the
season, and in the period between 1880
and 1890 considerable importations reached this
country. These imported bulbs met with a ready
sale, for they could, as a rule, be depended upon
to flower well the first season, but not after-

wards ; in fact, L. neilgherrense never proved
amenable to cultivation. It appears now to have
become very scarce in its native habitat, as bulbs
are seldom imported.

L. sulphureum (see Gardeners' Chronicle, Sep-
tember 15, 1905, fig. 77), however, may frequently
be seen in a thriving condition. As might be
expected from a native of Burmah, it is too ten-
der for outdoor cultivation in most parts of the
country, for even if the bulbs stand the winter,
the flowers are developed so late that they do not
expand properly. It is, therefore, as a green-
house Lily that this species must be recom-
mended, as it responds readily to a little arti-
ficial heat during the flowering period.

Though apparently the bulbs are collected and
not cultivated specimens, they are firm and
compact, and they travel well. The large bul-
bils so freely produced in the axils of the leaves
have, no doubt, a good deal to do with the regu-
lar supply of bulbs. IF.

CRINUM POWELLII.

It is surprising that this beautiful bulbous
plant is not planted much more freely, as its
good qualities merit a more general appreciation.

The large, rose-pink flowers are produced in
umbels on stout stems 4 feet high ; I have
counted as many as 16 flowers and buds on one
stem. The flowering generally commences about
the third week in July, and continues from six
weeks to two months. The noble, arching leaves
are 4 feet to 5 feet long, being attractive for
several weeks before the plant is in flower.
The species should be afforded a south or south-
west aspect, exposed to full sunshine, and, if it
is planted at the foot of a wall, so much the bet-
ter. I have known plants to withstand 26° of
frost with only a few boughs lightly placed over
them for protection.

The bulbs should be planted in a good, rich
soil, which should be well-drained and not less
than 2 feet in depth. The base of each bulb
should be placed 1 foot deep and quite 2j feet
apart. A single bulb will, in a few years, form
quite a group of bulbs. One of the chief points
to observe in the culture of this plant is to allow
it to remain undisturbed for many years, when it
will not fail to produce an abundance of flowers.

Where the natural soil is of a cold, retentive
nature, or the situation is in low-lying districts,
it is advisable to plant on a mound, also to place
a layer, about 9 inches or 1 foot in thickness, of
clinkers or broken bricks at the bottom of the
hole, to ensure good drainage. During the winter
a layer of about 3 inches of coal ashes or leaf-soil
should be placed over the bulbs, and during very
severe weather bracken Fern or similar light ma-
terial should be placed round the necks of the
plants, and over this a few boughs of evergreens
to keep the wind from scattering the Fern and to
give the group a tidy appearance. Although this
Crinum succeeds best if it is given plenty of
moisture at the roots when in active growth, I
have known it to pass through a long period of
drought with very little attention, and not show
the slightest sign of injury. A. G. SJtadbolt,
Blackmoor Gardens, Liss, Hanlx.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Hickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Arrangement of jAants.— In the springtime
a thorough cleansing of the pots, stages, and
glass, together with a rearrangement of the
plants in the houses is appreciated. Place any
unsightly specimens that may be required for
propagating purposes where they are least in
evidenee. Every effoit should be made to afford
the plants as much light as possible, without
exposing them to excessive sunshine.

Isolepis gracilix.—-Th\e is a useful ornamental
plant for the greenhouse or conservatory, and
it makes a very pretty effect when employed
as an edging to the plant .stages. When subjected
to warm treatment at this .season the plant in-
creases in growth very rapidly Propagation may
now be effected by division of the old plants.

Use a light, turfy compost mixed with leaf-mould
and sand. Pot firmly, and afford ample material
for drainage. Isolepis gracilis is most serviceable
for decorative purposes when grown in 3 or 4-
inch pots.

Gloxinias. — The progress of the seedlings ir.ust
be followed by careful observation. As the days
become brighter, afford increased supplies of
moisture. Discontinue the spraying of plants
overhead as soon as the flower-buds begin
to develop. The plants intended for successional
batches will need repotting. The Gloxinia
should never be cramped at the roots, as it grows
rapidly, but is seldom able to recover from the
eft'ects caused by being too long in small pots.

Musa C'acendishii. — This stately, .ornamental
foliage plant can only be cultivated properly
where ample room is available in glassh'-oses. Its
propagation is /eadily effected by suckers. Detach
them, if possible, with a few roots adhering,
and place them singly in small pots, which may
be plunged in a brisk bottom heat in a propagat-
ing case. The plants are gross feeders, and suc-
ceed best in a rich, fibrous loam, with a little
limipy peat added. When in active growth they
require frequent applications of weak, farmyard,
liquid manure. When cultivated expressly for
decorative purposes, they are most convenient in
large pots or tubs. Sponge the foliage occasion-
ally to prevent insect pests.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Wmdsor.

Seed sowing. — Sow Broccoli seeds for the main
crop, but defer the latest sowing until about
the first week in May. The sowing of the
latest varieties must depend, to some ex-
tent, on the time the ground intended for
the crop will be available. They may follow
early Strawberries, and, beyond clearing the
ground of these, may be planted without any
deep stirring of the soil. The seeds should be
sown on rather poor ground, so that the seed-
lings may be grown as sturdy and as short-jointed
as possible. Sow thinly in drills drawn at least
1 foot apart. The same remarks apply to Savoys
and all Winter Greens, which should be sown
about the end of April. Dwarf Curled Savoy and
Dickson's Late Spring are amongst the best
varieties for furnishing a winter supply. Bore-
cole Dwarf Curled is also a good hardy winter
vegetable. If the young seedlings are attacked
by fly, they may be freely dusted with soot and
lime in the early morning while the dew is on
them.

Onions. — Those sown early in the year and
duly hardened off will now be ready for plant-
ing on ground specially prepared for them in
early winter. The only preparation necessary
now will be to fork the surface of the bed. and,
when sufficiently dry, to crumble the soil by
treading. The young plants may be carefully
planted in drills drawn 18 inches apart, pressing
carefully around the roots to keep the plants in
posilion. Should the weather prove dry, water
each plant singly, and run the Dutch hoe betweeni
the rows to prevent evaporation of moisture.

Celerij. — Plants intended for the main crop
should now be ready for pricking off on a south,
border, where they can be protected by spare
lights. The ground should receive a good dress-
ing of well-decayed manure placed about 3 inches
under the surface. A space of 8 inches should
be allowed between the plants, so that, when
planting time arrives, they may be lifted with a
good ball of soil attached and placed in the
trenches, without much disturbance to the roots.
Celery is a moisture-loving plant, and should be
freely syringed twice daily, in dry weather.

Brussels Sprouts. — A batch of seedlings for ani
early crop may be pricked off in an open border,
allowing 6 inches between the plants. These, if.
properly hardened off before planting out, will
require no protection beyond shelter from
rough winds. Occasional waterings in dry
weather will be necessary to keep the plants
from becoming stunted. A small sowing may be
made in the open border to provide plants for the
latest supply, from which Sprouts may be had
after the main crop is over. Sutton's Dwarf
Gem is a suitable variety for this purpose.

Chervil and Lettuce .^timaW sowings of Cher-
vil and Lettuce should be made frequently. If
slugs are troublesome, the ground should be
freely dusted with hot lime early in the morning
before the slugs have returned to their haunts.

April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

263

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACBE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cass&l»
G.C.B., Moulton haddocks, Newmarket.

Grape thinning. — The bunches on the perma-
nent vines intended to furnish ripe Grapes in
June and July will now require thinning. It is
a common practice to thin the bunches in a
very early stage, but, as stated in a previous
calendar, I do not advise the thinning until the
berries are set. The number of bunches to be
left on a rod must be determined by the variety
and the vigour of the plant ; but in no case is it
advisable to leave more than one bunch to each
lateral. Thiiniing of the berries may be com-
menced as soon as their shape can fairly be dis-
tinguished. The shoulders of the bunch should
be trimmed fir.-it, then the lower part or point,
afterwards working upwards. The outline of
the bunch should be considered during the pro-
cess of thinning. Use a small, pointed stick to
steady the bunch. Neither the hand nor any
other parts of the body should come in contact
with the berries, as this would cause them to be
rubbed and disfigured. A very small mark made
on the berry at this stage will increase in size
as growth advances, and be very conspicuous
when the fruit is matured. It is advisable to
leave the outside berry on each foot-stalk, cut-
ting out those nearest the centre. This gives the
bunch a larger area and each berry more space
to develop, but different varieties require dif-
ferent treatment. In the case of loose-stemmed
and round-berried varieties, I'emove the centre
one only, and leave the two outside ; but with
large, long-berried varieties, such as Madresfield
Court, the centre berry should be left. In the
shoulders, the berries at the top ."should be left
rather closer than elsewhere. Some large-
bunched varieties, such as Trebbiano and Bar-
barossa. do better if the shoulders are tied up
from the main bunch ; but this is not advisable
in other cases, as the berries never settle in
position afterwards, and the top of the bunch
has therefore a loose and untidy appearance.

Successional Fig trees. — These will require
attention in the matters of watering, tying,
pinching, and otherwise regulating the growths.
More fresh air will be necessary as the sun gains
power, but the lower ventilators of the house
should not be opened for the present.

Bipe Figs. — These require great care in pack-
ing if the skin is to be preserved intact. They
should be treated in a similar manner to that
advised for Strawberries, with the exception that
each fruit, after being wrapped in a leaf, should
be encased in cotton wool. Soft fruits are often
injured by employing too much packing material.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence, '
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Repotting Catthyas and Liclia.<!. — Some of
these plants have recently passed out of blcKmi,
and they will soon produce young roots from the
recently-formed pseudo-bulbs. Others are com-
mencing to grow, and they should at once be
attended to in the matter of repotting. Among
the species which need immediate attention in
this respect are Cattleya labiata, C. Gaskelliana,
C. Shilleriana, C. Percivalliana, C. Harrisoni-
ana, C. Trianise, C. intermedia, C. ma.xima, and
C. amethystoglossa, also such hybrids as C.
exoniensis, C. Fabia, C. Lord Rothschild, C. Iris,
C. Venus, C. F. W. Wigan, C. Claudian, C. ata-
lanta, C. Maronii, C. Clarkiae, Lselio-Cattleya ele-
gans, L.-C. JNIyra, L.-C. Dominiana, L.-C. Feronia,
L.-C. Clive, L.-C. Cornelia, L.-C. epicasta, L.-C.
Nysa, L.-C. pallas, Lselia Mrs. M. Gratri.x,
Brasso-Cattleya Rolfese, and Sophro-Cat.-
Laelia Marathon. Seedlings now starting to
grow will also need attention. In repotting
strong, healthy specimens, it is advisable to rt-
move them from the pots with as little disturb-
ance of the roots as possible : in cases where roots
are abundant, it is a good plan to break the old
pot and to place the roots intact into new pots.
Beginners should guard against over-potting.
Unhealthy specimens, and any w-hich have
but few roots, should be turned out of
the pots and clean.sed. Remove the dead
and useless pseudo-bulbs and repot the plants
into receptacles as small as will contain them
conveniently. Choice varieties which have de-
teriorated should be carefully divided, and the

pieces potted up singly. In this case, employ
small jjots furnished with copper wires, so that
they may be suspended near to the roof glass.
After a year or two they will have recovered
their health, and may then be repotted in the
ordiriary manner and placed again on the stage.
It is not necessary to retain many back
pseudo-bulbs ; about three bulbs to each leading
growth being sufficient. The severed portions of
rare species or hybrids which the grower desires
to increase, should be carefully labelled, and
packed closely and firmly together in a shallow
pan or ordinary seed box filled with Sphagnum-
moss or old, rough, potting material. Place
them on a corner of the stage, keep them lightly
sprayed until they break into growth, when they
may be repotted.

rotting materials. — When repotting Cattleyas
and allied Orchids, the pots should be two-
thirds filled with clean crocks : on these place a
thin layer of Sphagnum-moss to support the com-
post, which should consist of Osmunda and Poly-
podium fibres in equal parts. These materials
should be chopped roughly and be well mixed to-
gether, adding sufficient small crocks to allow
water to pass away readily. Pot each plant
firmly and keep the rhizome on a level with the
rim of the pot. In the case of specimens with
long pseudo-bulbs, tie a few of the growths to
neat stakes, that the plants may be held firmly in
their places. After repotting, stand them in a
shady part of the Cattleya or intermediate house ;
if exposed to strong stmshine. some of the older
leaves may turn yellow and fall off. For a few-
weeks after potting keep the compost well on the
dry side, as excess of water at this period is Kkely
to cause the old r&ots to decay. A good plan is
to water the compost around the edge of the pot
w-ith a watering-can having a small spout, and
keep the surroundings fairly moist by syringing
between the pots several times each day. Fresh
roots will soon begin to push out, and quickly
attach themselves to the sides of the pot, when
the amount of water at the roots may be gradu-
ally increased, affording it at intervals instead of
keeping the compost constantly saturated.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon, Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenbam House, Hertfordshire.

Violets. — A supply of these flowers during the
winter Months is required in almost every garden.
To obtain the best result*, only the choicest
varieties should be cultivated, and those which
are known to force well. This term, when
applied to Violets, is not infrequently mis-
understood, for, to produce the best results, the
plants must never be coddled, but receive an
abundance of light and fresh air whenever pos-
sible. The preparation of the plants for flower-
ing next winter must now be commenced. The
best situation for them is one shaded by a north
wall. The ground should have been previously
well dug and manured with a liberal dressing of
well-decayed farmyard dung. Jlake the soil
firm, and secure a fine tilth by means of an iron
rake. The single knids being stronger growers
than the double varieties, will require to be
planted 1 foot apart. Divide the old plants,
select the stronger and best crowns, and plant
them in lines, using a trowel for the purpose.
Very little attention will be required afterwards
excepting to stir the soil occasionally with the
dutcn hoe and afford copious supplies of water
during hot, dry weather. Damping the foliage
by means of a syringe or a rose can in the early
morning or evening will be beneficial, whilst
dustings of soot and artificial manure will pro-
mote growth. Of single varieties. La France
and Princess of Wales are most extensively
grown : the flowers of both varieties possess great
length and strength of stalk, and are profusely
produced. Of the doubles, Marie Louise is per-
haps the most popular ; Lady Hume Campbell
and Neapolitan are also to be recommended.
Comto de Brazza is the best double white variety.

Sea.fonable wori. — The hardening of plants pre-
paratory to transferring them to the open ground
must now be arranged in a systematic manner.
Standard plants of Fuchsias and Pelargonium
may be removed to a temporary shelter in the
open ground, where a light protection can be
afforded at night-time. The best plan is to

plunge the pots to the rims in ashes, as at this
season the soil in them soon becomes dry, and
it will prevent them being blown over by the
wind. Standard plants of "Lantana, Swainsonia,
and Heliotrope should be moved to cooler quar-
ters : many of the smaller bedding plants may
be removed out-of-doors, where protection can be
given them if necessary. Others of a less hardy
nature that have been struck in heat should be-
removed to the cold frames. Large specimens of
Agave, Bay, and other subjects employed on
terraces and along walks during the summer
should be removed to a sheltered place for a
few weeks to become thoroughly hardened.
Afford Pentstemons, summer-flowering Chrysan-
themums, Dahlias, &c., an abundance of
fresh air, removing the lights entirely whenever
possible. Ventilate the frames at night-time-
when the weather is mild. The same remaiks
apply to hardy annuals which have been pricked
off. Stir the surface of the soil occasionally to
promote a free growth. The present is a suitable
time for transplanting such subjects as the
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia argentea), Miscanthus,.
and other plants of a like nature. If the stcck
requires to be increased, these can be divided at-
this season. Afford them a place sheltered from
winds. Gunnera. Rheum, Bamboos, and other-
plants that succeed best w-hen associated with
water, may also be lifted, divided, and trans-
planted. Provide a barrow-load or two of
specially-mixed soil for their planting. The prun-
ing of tender shrubs should now be completed,
and all grass edgings be neatly trimmed with ihe-
edging iron. Roll newly-gravelled walks when-
ever the ground is moist, and endeavour to get
them hard as soon as possible. Cuttings of many
of the more robust-growing rock plants will'
strike readily after the flowering period is over..

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

The watering of wall tree,'!. — It seems early
in the season to mention the watering of treas
out-of-doors, but in gardens where the walls are
provided with permanent copings, it will be
necessary to examine the borders now, especially
where the soil is light or resting on gravel.
Where this is the case, it may be necessary to-
give the borders a good soaking of water, which,
at this time of the year, is best applied before
noon to en,able the surface to become as dry as
possible before night-time, in case frost occurs.
Special attention in regard to watering must be
given to all newly-planted trees. Keep a sharpi
look-out for insect pests as soon as the fruits
are set and the leaves commence to unfold, as
this is the period when the leaf-eating maggot
appears on the Apricot and Plum trees. The
pest feeds on the young leaves, causing them to
roll up, the maggots being inside ; these should
be crushed between the finger and thumb.

Sweet Chirries. — The trees are very subject
to the attacks of the black aphis from the present
time until the shoots have fully developed. If
the pest is allowed to make much headway, the
points of the new growths will be crippled, and
irreparable damage will result. Look over
the trees every few days, and wherever any
fly is seen dust a little tobacco powder on the
parts affected. This is quite harmless to the
tree, and is best applied through a rubber dis-
tributor. Later, when the weather becomes
warmer, the trees may be syringed frequently
with Quassia extract, or some other safe insecti-
cide.

Peach trees. — Where green fly is noticed on
the young shoots, measures must be at once
adopted to check the pest from spreading. The
treatment advised for black fly on Cherry trees
should be followed.

Hoeing. — Hoeing is most essential at this sea-
son of the year, whenever the weather is favour-
able. Although <veeds are not much in evidence-
at present, the seeds will be germinating fast,
and the frequent u.se of the hoe will have the
effect of destroying the seedlings. Also, the oc-
casional stirring of the surface soil w-ill promote
aeration, and likewise assist in retaining the
moisture in the ground during periods of drought.
The Dutch hoe is by far the best tool to use, as
the operator does not need to trample the ground
after it has been hoed.

264

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

LAprii. 23, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.

Communications should be writtkn on one side only of
THK 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.— T/ie Editors do not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, utdess by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Illustrations.- Tlie Editors will be gladto receive andlo select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, 0/
gardens, or 0/ remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

■Local News.— Ciiiifs/'oiiiicii/s will greatly oblige by sendingtc
the Editors early intelligence 0/ local events likely to be oj
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

•fiewspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
careful to mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, AFRIL 25— Surveyors' Inst. meet.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Exam, of School Teachers.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28-

Midiand Da£fodil Soc. Exb, at Birmingham Bot. Gardens
(2 days).

■SATURDAY, APRIL 30-

Bi ussels' International Hort. Exh. and Congress (4 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 48'7''.
Actual Temperatures: —

l^onDoa.— W ednciday , April 20 (6 P.M.) : Max. 61°;
Min. 50".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street,
Covent Garden, London —Thursday, April 21
(10 A.M.): Bar. 302; Temp. 61°; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces.— Wednesday, April 20; Max. 59" Cambridge ;
Min. 45^^ Scotland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

■WEDNESDAY—

Perennials and Hardy Bulbs and Plants, at 12 ; Trado
Sale of Miscellaneous Bulbs at 12.30 ; Japanese Liliuiu^
and Seeds at 2; Palms, Plants, Bays, &c., at 3 ; at 67 &
68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY—

Burmese Dendrobes, Established Orchids, &c., at 67 &
68, Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12,45.

_. Hispnniola, Santo Domingo, or

Mountain Hayii, as it has been desig-
Flora of nated by geographers of dif-
Santo ferent periods, although the

Domingo.* ij^j.ge,st island in the West
Indies, except Cuba, is probably the least
known of the larger islands. Therefore a
;few words of explanation may not be con-
sidered out of place. The names Hispaiiiola
and Hayti have been applied to the whole is-
land, which was settled by Bartolomeo Colum-
bus, in 1496, and, hence, is the oldest Euro-
pean settlement in America. Subsequently
it was divided between the French and
Sjianiards. The western and smaller part was
•occupied by the French until about a century
ago, and was known as Hayti : the eastern or
Spanish part as Santo Domingo. Now they
■constitute the Huytian and Dominican
Ooloured Republics. The whole island is
about 30,000 square miles in area, and the
mountains rise to a height of nearly
10,000 feet, being the loftiest in the West
Indies. Hayti constitutes about a third of
the island, and during the French occupation,
and subsequently, has been thoroughly
botanised. The well-known botanists, Plumier,

Jacquin, Swartz, Tussac, Poiteau, and
Jacquemont, were among the earlier ex-
plorers. On the contrary, very little was
known of the flora of Santo Domingo, and
nothing of it above 5,600 feet, until, in 1887,
Baron Eggers ascended the Pico del Valle, a
height of about 8,760 feet. The novelties of
his collections have been published by Dr.
Urban and other botanists from time to time,
but no general sketch of the vegetation has
hitherto appeared. Making uce of Baron
Eggers's report (Petermann's Geotjfapliische
Mitthdlungen, 1888, vol. xxsiv., pp. 35-41,
nebst Krate), Dr. Urban has now compiled
a connected account of the results of his
journey. On the ascent, Pinus occidentalis, a
five-needled Pine, peculiar to the island, was
first encountered in the low altitude of ab:mt
650 feet. Higher up it forms vast forests,
extending to the highest peaks, through an
altitudinal range of 8,350 feet. A Walnut
(.Juglans jamaicensis) was collected in the
intermediate forest. This species has also
been found in Porto Rico, but it has not
been rediscovered in Jamaica, which leads one

* Z-ur Hochgebirgsflora von Santo Domingo, Symbolse
Antillanae seu Fundamenta Florae Indiae Occid'entalis,
vol. vi., fasc. 2, pp. 280-292.

MR. THEDDOliE VAN WAVEKEN, CHAIRMAN OF

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE HAARLEM

INTERNATIONAL SHOWS.

to suspect the correctness of the habitat
originally given. The elegant Fuchsia tri-
phylla'l", on which the genus was founded,
originally discovered by Plumier in Hayti, was
met with at a comparatively low altitude, and
a new species, F. Pringslieimii, Urban, was
added to the genus. These are the only mem-
bers of the genus known to inhabit the West
Indian Islands.

Proceeding to Dr. Urban's analysis of the
composition of the vegetation, from 2,000
metres (about 6,650 feet) upwards, we find
that the element constituted by species of
genera of almost world-wide extension is very
considerable, embracing the genera Aster,
Ranunculus, Gnaphalium, Lycopodiura, I^o-
belia, Agrostis, Trisetum, Carex, Hieracium,
Asplenium, Scrophularia, Alehemilla, Vale-
riana, Erigeron, and Euphorbia. The new
species number only twenty, but when we
consider that the while collection was the
result of a few hours' herborisation during

t See Gardeners' Chronicle, 1882, vol. xviii., p. 263.

only two days' travelling, we can realise that
much more remains to be done than was
actually accomplished.

Dr. Urban, who, as most botanists are
aware, has spent a life-time in the investiga-
tion of the flora of the West Indies, states
that the mountain flora of Santo Domingo
differs essentially from that of the other
islands — Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, &c. It
consists, for the greater part, of speci&s,
the half of which are known Continental
species, restricted in the West Indies to the
heights of Santo Domingo, and the other half,
new species; whereas, in the other islands,
the plants of the highest peaks belong largely
to species occurring also at lower levels. The
new species belong to the genera Peperomia,
Pilea, Lorauthus, Miconia, Fuchsia, Gaul-
theria, Lyonia, Cestrum, Scrophularia, Chap-
talia, Dryopteris, Danthonia, Psepalanthus,
Aichemilla, Euphorbia, Sphacele, Valeriana,
Erigeron, and Gnaphalium. Explaining the
affinities of the upland flora of Sant<i Do-
mingo, Dr. Urban finds them specially Andine,
a conclusion wo can hardly accept from the
scanty material to hand.

Surveyors' Institution. — The next ordinary
generiil meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall
of the Institution on Monday, April 25, when
papers will be read by Mr. K. F. Grantham
(Associate) and Mr. W. Menzies (Fellow) on
" Road Making and Dust Prevention." The
chair will be taken at 8 o'clock.

Flower Shows at Birmingham. — En

courat^cd by the great success of the Orchid and
Ro.se shows held at the Botanical Gardens. Edg-
ba.ston, last year, the committee of the Birming-
liam Botanical and Horticultural Society has
decided to hold two .shows during the present
year upon the following date.s : — June 8, Orchids
and early -summer flowers ; and July 20, Roses
and midsummer flowers. Honorary exhibits are
nivited. .Schedules may be obtained from the
lion, secretaries, Messrs. Humphreys and
Whitelock.

Mr. Theodore van Waveren. — In success-
ful undertakings there is, more often than
not, some silent, little-known worker to whose
energy and efforts the result is due. The great
Jubilee Show which is now taking place
at Haarlem is a case in point. All visitors
ai'e unanimous in pronouncing it a great
success, but few, probably, know ho\v much
its organisation has depended on Mr.
Waveren. It was a wise choice two years
ago, when active preparations began, to appoint
Mr. Theodore van Waveren to the impor-
tant post of chairman of the executive committee.
The son of Mr. G. H. van Waveren, one of the
grand old bulb-growers of the Netherlands, who,
despite his nearly 80 years, is still a visitor to
Vincent Square in the spring, Mr. Theodore van
Waveren is the managing director of a very
large business, that of Messrs. van Waveren &
Sons, with which was incorporated, in 1909,
that of J. H. Kersten & Co. Electra, City of
Haarlem, Mountain of Snow, and King of tha
Reds (Hyacinths). Van Waveren's Giant and
Thalma (Narcissi), and the grand new orange
coloured early Tulip General de Wet are names
that will always be associated with either van
Waveren or Kersten. Mr. Theodore van
Waveren first joined the firm about 30 years
ago, and since then the volume of business has
steadily increased. The thanks of the British
jurymen are due to Mr. Waveren for his kind-
ness and attention.

Apeil 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

265

Swine Fever. — The President of the Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries has appointed a De-
partmental Committee to enquire into the cause
of the continued prevalence of swine fever in
Great Britain, and to report whether it is prac-
ticable to adopt any further measures with a view
to secure its speedy extirpation.

SiLENE ScHAFTA. — A note by Herr R.
Fischer in Die Gartenwelt (xiv. 13, March 26,
1910) refers in terms of praise to the Caucasian
species of Silene, S. Schafta. Inconspicuous in its
vegetative stage, it presents an attractive appear-
ance when flowering. Numerous, much-branched,
pendent inflorescences, bearing flowers, each on a
short stalk, form a beautiful carpet of blossom.
The colour of the flowers is bright-red, fading
to a violet tone : the period of flowering is from
August to September. S. Schafta requires a
sunny position and a light soil. It may be re-
produced by division, but is best raised from
seed.

LUNARIA BIENNIS VAR. CORCYRENSIS. - The

blue flowered variety of Lunaria biennis occurs
in the Island of Corfu, and nowhere else. Ac-
cording to Herr C. Sprenger, who contributes a
note on the plant to Die Gartenwelt (.viv. 13,
March 26, 1910), it differs completely from L.
biennis, and should be regarded as a trije species.
In Corfu, the plant adorns the hedges, and even
invades the road-side. It either climbs or grows
prostrate on tlie ground, but at the time of flower-
ing, from March to May, it lifts itself up,
climbing over the hedgerows in order to expose
its large, blue, cruciferous flowers to the light.
Herr C. Sprenger finds L. biennis corcyrensis
an admirable plant, growing well in company
with L. biennis, biennis alba, lediviva, and pur-
purea under the shade of Palms. In Corfu, seed
eown in July and planted out in October blossom
in the follownig April.

Roses in Australia. — Mr. Andrew KingsmUl
has sent us the following extract from a letter,
describing a garden near Melbourne. It goes
to show that Roses are cultivated with effect
and with gratifying results in that district. Our
own growers will notice that the Rosa gigantea
flowers freely, so that in some respects, at any
rate, the Australian Rose-grower has experiences
denied to ourselves. The note is as follows : —
" Sinica Anemone is good here in the autumn
and winter, but Brunonis is over too quickly.
I like Moschata alba very much. Gigantea
flowers freely nowadays, and I have raised some
seedlings crossed with good Teas, so hope to get
something good. A little Rose I like is Mor-
genot, a single after the style of Carmine Pillar,
but a good shape, and most free in flowering, as
one crop is only over, for another to come on.
It lasts well in water, and is very bright in
the garden. General McVrthur, Richmond, and
Khea Reid are our best reds. Hector McKenzie
promises very well; it is very sweet."

Spice and Perfume-producing Plants.—

The enormous demands made by the civilised
world for luxuries is illustrated strikingly in an
article by Mr. J. A. Ai.ex.^nder, on " Spice,
Condiment, and Perfume-producing Plants,"
which is published in Vol. 35, Part III., of the
Journal of the R.H.S. For the purpose of ob-
taining these substances, the modern world lays
under contribution upwards of 80 different species
of plants, and the value of the imports, to this
country alone, of spices and condiments is up-
wards of half-a-million pounds sterling per an-
num. The article is well and profusely illus-
trated, and gives, under the headings of the
several spices, an account of the plant from
which each is derived, its distribution, and the
part of the plant from which the spice or condi-
ment is obtained.

Canadian Seed ImpoPiS. — Some idea of the
amazing development of Canada may be gained
from the statistics of values of seed imports for
the past year. The total value of imported seeds
of all kinds was upwards of two million dollars.
Of this sum, 1,900,000 dollars went to the United
States, 73,000 to Great Britain, 36,000 to France,
and 23,000 to Germany. The American Florist
(April 2, 1910), which quotes the above figures,
draws attention to the huge volume of the trade
in seeds carried on between Canada and the
United States.

Mr. Thomas Lunt. — Mr. Thomas Lunt,
Sen., who has recently retired from the position
of head gardener to Sir M. Shaw-Stewart, at
Ardgowan House, Renfrewshire, has served in
that capacity for the past 57 years. Mr. Lunt is
an Englishman, and 60 years ago was employed
for a period of seven years in the gardens at
Eaton Hall, Chester, under the late Mr. Collin-
SON. At the expiration of that time, when Lady
OcTAViE, sister of the late Duke of Westmin-
ster, left Eaton, upon marrying into the
Stewart family, Mr. Lont, who was then fore-

MR THOMAS LUNT, SENR., WHO HAS RECENTLY
RETIRED FROM ARDGOWAN.

man at Eaton, went with her to be gardener at
Ardgowan. Visitors to the West of Scotland
will scarcely need to be told that Ardgowan
has always been amongst the best-maintained
gardens in that district ; they are not specially
remarkable for particular plants, but they fur-
nish a first-class representation of present-day
gardening. Mr. Lunt and his liberal patron
were always on ihe lookout for new plants suit-
able for the Scottish climate. By the kindness of
Sir M. Shaw-Stew.ajrt, Mr. Lunt will continue
to reside in the garden house at Ardgowan, and
it is to be hoped that he will spend there many
years of well-earned rest. Mr. T. Lunt, Keir
Gardens, Dunblane, is a son of the veteran gar-
dener at Ardgowan.

The " Demonstration Egg Train." — On

April 15, the first " demonstration egg
train" to be run in this country left Pad-
dington for S. Wales. The adoption of the well-
known, excellent American method for the dis-
semination of knowledge on agricultural matters
is due to the joint action of the National Poultry
Organisation Society, the Agricultural Organisa-

tion Society and the Great Western Railway.
The train will stop at all the important stations
in S. Wales, lectures will be given by travelling
experts, and those interested in the industry will
have opportunities of seeing demonstrations on
the best methods of packing and marketing eggs
and poultry. It was but a week or two ago
that we drew the attention of our readers to
the inauguration, in the Western States of
America, of an agricultural and horticultural de-
monstration train, and expressed the hope that
this peripatetic method of instruction might be
adopted in this country. Now that this aspira-
tion is realised with respect to an allied indus-
try, we are encouraged to believe that the time
is not distant when it will be realised also for the
larger agricultural and horticultural industries.
OfLe great advantage of this system of instruc-
tion is that the very best information is rendered
available to people living in isolated districts.
Second-rate and secondhand instruction is worse
than useless, and brings the attempt to dissemi-
nate scientific knowledge and, incidentally,
scientific knowledge itself, into disrepute. But
if men who really know the intricate business of
agriculture and horticulture could be induced to
go on tours of inspection and instruction, an in-
calculable benefit to agriculture and horticulture
would accrue.

Sugar-Beet in England. — In a letter to
the Times en April 4, Sir Walter Gilbey dis-
cusses somewhat pessimistically the possibilities
of the Sugar-beet as a crop for farmers in this
country. He points to the earlier unsuccessful
efforts which were made in Suffolk and in Essex,
and is inclined to think that seasonal conditions —
particularly the lack of sufficient sunshine — are
against the successful cultivation of the Sugar-
beet here. As we have pointed out on more than
one occasion, it is time that discussion should give
place to, or, at least, be supplemented by,
organised experiment. Since the old experiments,
the yield of sugar obtainable from the plant has
been increased considerably. The Sugar-beet in-
dustry flourishes over larger tracts of Europe,
and the system of cultivation has been reduced
to a fine art. Could not our agricultural colleges
institute a combined and prolonged experiment
in order to settle this question once for all ? For
an agricultural problem, this question of the
commercial cultivation of the Sugar-beet is ex-
tremely simple. The methods have been devised
and practised for years on the Continent ; the de-
termination of the amount of sugar yielded by
roots is ascertainable readily and accurately by
the polari-scope from examples taken straight from
the field. The average yield per acre may be found
by e.xtensis'e experimental cultivation, and thus
the possibility or impossibility of this crop find-
ing a place on our farms may be determined once
for all. We confess that, for our part, we are
tired of the interminable discussions about a
matter which experiment can alone decide. If
this were an unsolved problem in America, a
dozen or fifty agricultural experiment stations
would have taken it up, and within five years the
farmers would have known whether to go in for
Beet or to leave it alone. But, as Rtport 90 of
the U.S.A. Department of Agriculture indicates,
the problem ha.-; been solved in that country, and
the extended cultivation of the Sugar-beet in
America is advocated officially.

Mr. James Lawson.— After a peiiod of nine
years as head gardener at the Horticultural Col-
lege, Swanley, Mr. Lawson is taking up a fresh
appointment under Dr. Lilias H.-imilton, at the
Studley College, Warwickshire. During his
stay at Swanley, l\Ir. Lawson has made great
improvements in the gardens and grounds, and
his practical knowledge has been of much value
to the students. Jlr. Lawson has served on the
executive of the British Gardeners' Association,
and is a well-known visitor at the R.H.S. shows.

266

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 23, 1910.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Pruning Fruit Trees after Planting.—

On p. 253, A. D., in commenting upon my paper
on the above subject, published in the Journal
of the Royal Hoi'ticultural Society, especially re-
feired to" the following sentence: '"I think it
might be taken as the rule that, when a tree is
dug up and the roots pruned ready for planting,
not more than one-third of the original roots
remain, and that the balance between the roots
and the top had been disturbed to that extent."
If .-1. D. has misunderstood my meaning, I fear
there are others who may have done so. I in-
tended the sentence to mean that the rule was
for two-thirds of the roots to be either cut or
broken off in digging up a tree and in the
necessary cutting away of injured roots ;
which, of course, means the feeding or fibrous
roots of the tree. I can assure A. D. that I am
convinced the practice I recommend is the right
one for trees planted after November, and will,
in time, become universal. F. Lansdell, The
JIaveii, WooUiojJe Road, Worcester.

Old English Double Wallflowers. — I

gather from the description of the double Wall-
flower sent you by Mr. A. Hope (sec p. 234) that
it is dwarf, and has small, double flowers of a pale
yellow hue. That fits the description of the variety
which came into commerce many years ago
under, I think, the designation of Harper Crewe's
variety. But, pretty as it was, or is, it fell short
of that very fine form we used to see in the tall,
double yellow, red, and black Wallflowers, which
■were fairly plentiful in gardens 40 years ago.
Possibly they still exist somewhere, especially
the yellow and red — a dark red, yet not to be
confounded with the true old black, which was
alway.s the more rare. If any readers have
plants of these grand old " Walls,"' would they
send cuttings to the Royal Horticultural Gardens,
Wisley? I am sure they would be gladly re-
ceived there, and cared for. It would be a good
thing could we establish a sort of resuiTCCtion
garden, where such old plants that are threatened
with extinction could be still cultivated. A. D.

Anemone sulphurea. — Mr. Jenkins' note
(see p. 195) on " Root-systems of imported and
home-raised seedlings " is both interesting and
useful, while the photograph cf imported and
home-raised roots of Anemone sulphurea is very
characteristic. It is indeed surprising that " a
bed of A. sulphurea in full flower is almost un-
known in gardens," and yet few plants are
more beautiful. As Messrs. Cutbush & Sons have
shown what can be done from home-raised seed-
lings, I would suggest that the latter be not only
tried in flower-beds, but also on turf in parks,
and especially on rough pasture, where a group of
the plants would look remarkably well. Any
well-drained slope, preferably faeing N.W. or
S.E., should be suitable, but the species does not
like much lime, for .4. sulphurea is the variety of
A. alpina, which naturally prefers granitic soil
to limestone. The seed is unfortunately difficult
to germinate, but it is collected with the
greatest ease, though care must be taken to get
it when just ripe and yet before it has blown off.
In a couple of hours' absence from a Swiss hotel
at the end of August I collected enough seed of
this plant to distribute among a dozen friends
and public gardens at home, while the balance,
when sold to the trade, brought in enough to
cover three days' hotel expenses. It is always
easier to criticise than to say something con-
structive or original, hut I cannot altogether
agree with Mr. Jenkins when he says that plants
'■ occupying rocks (or very stony ground) in
their native habitats " are particularly difficult
to establish from collected specimens. Surely
many Saxifragas. Primulas, and Sempervivumi,,
just to mention three genera often found on
rocks, are more easily established than many
species that grow in deep loam or ordinary
compost. Is not Anemone sulphurea itself a case
m point? Many actual rock-plants so frequently
form a sort of adhesive cushion of humus which
can easily be peeled oft, and so the whole root
comes with it. I have usually found in the Alps
that it is far more difficult to get up roots of a
plant, like Oentiana cruciata. growing in very
stonv ground, than the great majority of those
growing on the rock itself. Gentiana asclepiadea

sometimes has tap-roots 4 feet long, and it is
practically impossible to remove any but very
young plants. But seed can be obtamed easily.
I well remember being in the Pyrenees with a
frie-nd who had engaged a man to help him
collect, and at being horrified to find that this
man had ruthlessly torn up an armful of the
handsome Adonis pyrenaica, which had to be
thrown away merely because he had not taken
the same care that we ourselves had talien in
coaxing the plants out of the crevices. H.
Stuart Thompson.

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucum-
bers.— N. H. remarks, at p. 252, that " in
France, where, it will probably be agreed, the
finest Jlelons in the world are produced, the cus-
tom of fertilising the blossoms is entirely un-
known," adding, " I know a gardener in the
North of England who, last year, had 200 Melons,
which sold for a good price in one of the large
markets, and not one of which was artificially
fertilised." I may add that, in order to secure
a regular and even set of Melons at the same time
in any one house, more especially in houses in
which ripe Melons are expected to be ready from
the end of April to the end of December, it is
absolutely necessary to artificially pollinate the
flowers when the necessary number to form a crop
are open at the same time on a plant. I do not
think British gardeners will agree with A^. H. in
saying that the " finest Melons in the world are
produced in France." No doubt pollination of
the Alelon in France is effected, as stated in the
Gardeners' Chronicle for March 26, p. 208, by
the agency of insects or the wind. In this case,
the crop of fruit on the individual plants would
consist of fruit of different sizes, and are borne on
plants growing, perhaps, out-of-doors in the
.sunny south. It is wrong to suppose that Cucum-
ber flowers need fertilising before the fruit can
develop, the contrary being the case. The female
flowers are only fertilised with the pollen from
the male flower when " seeding " fruits are de-
sired, but not otherwise. As club-end fruit are
generally included at a loss with the " crooks "
in marketing the fruit, loss is experienced where
bees are kept near where Cucumbers are grown
entirely for market, because many club-end fruits
develop in consequence of the bees finding their
way into the houses on sunny days when the
ventilators are open. II'.

CORDYLINE australis Seedinc. — Mr.

McDonald thinks it is not usual for this plant
to bear fertile seeds in the British Isles. In the
year 1905 Cordyline australis flowered in several
gardens in Wigtownshire, and in one instance
bore fertile seeds. This was at Balgreggan House
Gardens, and in the autumn of that year I ob-
tained from the gardener, Mr. Jowett, a large
qtiantity of seeds, which I sowed the following
spring. Almost every seed must have germi-
nated, as there were some hundreds of seedlings.
However, I only retained about 50 plants, and
these were used in the flower beds. F. Street,
Verdlei/ Place Gardens, Sussex.

We have a plant of CJordylino austra-
lis bearing seed. The plant developed a flower-
spike in the early spring of 1909. It is grow-
ing in a tub, and is used for outdoor bedding
in the summer time, being wintered in a cool
greenhouse. The flowers have developed seeds,
which are still hanging on the plant, and are
quite ripe. Two other flower-spikes appeared
on the plant this spring, one of which I cut a
few days ago and used for house decorating. It
is lasting well in water, and certainly looks
very pretty in company with a few spikes of
Olivias. During the time I was employed in the
gardens at Nas^li Court, Faversham. Cordylines
used to flower there, planted out in the Fernery.
Wilnwl H. Yates, Rolherfield Park Gardens,
Alton, Hants.

Gladiolus Primulinus. -The writer of the
note (see p. 244) in last week's issue must, I
think, be favoured with a warmer climate than
we enjoy in this part. Here, on the borders cf
Kent and Sussex, I find it necessary to start the
bulbs under glass in February to obtain flowers
in August. AVhen planted in the ordinary man-
ner in the open, with the general collection cf
Ciladioli about the first week in April, G. primu-
linus does not flower till quite the end of Sep-
tember, or even till the middle of October, and
when taking up the corms the offsets are not fully

developed. I think some disappointment may be
occasioned if this requirement of more warmth
than the average climate of England affords is
not taken into account. Otherwise G. primu-
linus is quite easily grown, and would no doubt
increase fast in the open ground in Ireland or
the south-west of England, for the offsets, being
larger than those of the ordinary Gladiolus hy-
brids, most of them reach flowering size the fol-
lowing year. But unless it becomes more accli-
mati.sed — to the extent, at least, of the Ganda-
vensis varieties — the species itself will not be
likely to be much grown, except in those warmer
parts of the country. Though the plant also
seeds very freely, as the writer of the note states,
in my experience more heat is required both for
the germination and growth of the seedlings
than for most Gladioli, or even for its hybrids
with them. The pure-bred seedlings as yet do not
show any appreciably greater hardiness than the
original "plants. The writer's description of the
species as " well-bred " is a happy one. It is an
undoubted acquisition, because of its colour and
size, for crossing with the exi.stiug varieties.
Though as yet its hybrids are not of any distinc-
tive excellence, this' is very often, if not gener-
ally, the case with progeny from a new species
and the older races. After three or four more
generations of intercrossing I think it may be
confidently expected to show its true value. A.
J. Bliss, Tunbridge Wells.

ELEMtNTARY SCHOOL GARDENING. — The

most popular lessons in our elementary schools
are those relating to Nature study and gar-
dening. Just as on the seashore the merest
infant takes delight in digging and delving in
the sand, so, given a piece of ground and a few
tools, the child takes naturally to gardening. The
curiosity which a child displays, though it may
only amuse the ordinary adult, indicates to the
teacher an earnestness" in the acquirement of
knowledge which is of the greatest importance.
Hence we see now so commonly in class-rooms
attempts to satisfy this by lessons on Nature
study. Thus myriads of children to-day are in-
structed in simple things relating to vegetable
life, of which their parents and seniors know
little or nothing Small wonder that with the in-
troduction into the elementary school curriculum
of gardening, the work of both instruction and
learning should have been taken up with enthu-
siasm. Teachers who wearied of the monotony
of the class-room have gladly seized upon the
opportunity. In preparing lessons in gardening
for their lads, the teachers have themselves ac-
quired some horticultural insight of a practical
nature. 'The boys — for, so far, the girls
have had little share in this elevating outdoor
pursuit — have eagerly seized the opportunity to
cultivate their garden plots. That natural or innate
love for gardening already referred to breaks
out with fervour the moment school-gardening
plots are available. Iinds very soon, under their
weekly instruction, get to realise that to obtain
the greatest amount of vegetable produce from
the ground it must be deeply worked, so that
the crops have aniplj root-run and find there
plentiful means of subsistence. They find, too,
the importance of feeding soil with plant foods
in the form of manure, and of retaining in it
ample moisture to supply the growing crops.
They learn the importance of the proper aera-
tion of the soil. They also learn the properties
of seeds, their modes of germination and the
conditions under which they start into growth.
Such knowledge may appear trifling to
the adult gardener, yet it opens up to the
juvenile a new phase of work and of life. But
the practical critic asks, and rightly, In what
direction is all this knowledge to find its
application? That question raises before us
one of the gravest problems connected with
school work. All over the kingdom educational
authorities have established school gardens, and
literally thousands of boys are being taught
to garden, to use tools, to become practical
soil workers, yet probably not one in authority
has ever asked what is to be the outcome of it
all. Will these authorities ever realise what they
have done, and the grave responsibility resting
on them, because of the stimulus to 'and work-
ing and land hunger, given in our schools? Are
they prepared to make further provision for allot-
ments and small holdings, and thus make use of
that early training for promoting the prosperity
of the nation, the benefit of the worker, and Uio
production of good, wholesome food. A. D.

April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

267

LAW NOTES.

ALLEGED CORRUPT PRACTICES.

The case under the Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1906, brought against a member of the firm
of Messrs. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate and Barnet,
along with one of the travellers of the firm, was
commenced at JIarylebono Police Court on Feb-
ruary 23 (see Gardeners' Chronicle, pp. 138, 176,
223), but was remitted to the Assize Courts. The
trial took place before IVIr. Justice Grantham,
at the Manchester Assizes, on Saturday, the 15th,
and resulted in a verdict of " not guilt}'."

Herbert James Cutbush, in charge of the
Highgate branch of Messrs. Cutbush's businees,
and Richard Holden, a traveller, who has been
in the service of the firm for 11 years, were the
defendants. The charge was in two counts. The
first was that of corruptly making a present of
whiskey to Charles Kidd, gardener on the estate
of Capt. E. N. Starkie, Huntroyde, Padiham,
Lancashire, with a view to Mr. Kidd favouring
Messrs. Cutbush in the giving out of orders at
his disposal. Under the second count of the
charge, the defendants were alleged to have given
the present to induce Mr. Kidd to vouch for the
delivery of a package of 300 Tulips, which, the
prosecution alleged, were not, in fact, delivered.
The second charge was the much more serious of
the two. Both Sir. Justice Grantham and coun-
sel on either side pointed out to the jury that it
was practically a charge of obtaining money by
false pretences, the allegation being that the
present of whiskey was covered up by a docu-
ment which purported to be an invoice for Tulips
delivered, to the amount of £1 10s., this amount
being paid by Capt. Starkie's agent to Messrs.
Cutbush, while all the latter did — as the prosecu-
tion charged — a« a contra was to send Jlr. Kidd,
the gardener, a case of whiskey costing 18s., and
which was presented corruptly, without the
knowledge of the employer.

The latter and more serious charge completely
broke down on the evidence.

Mr. Langdon, K.C., for the prosecution, which
was undertaken by the Secret Commissions and
Bribery Prevention League, undertook to prove
that an order sent to the Highgate branch of
the firm in December, 1908. by the defendant
Holden, to send " one case of Cutbush's insecti-
cide " to Mr. Kidd, at Huntroyde, was really a
request to the firm to send a case of whiskey to
Mr. Kidd as a corrupt present. iMr. Langdon de-
pended mainly for proof of his case on a witness,
Morgan, who was a clerk in the service of Messrs.
Cutbush, in December. 1908, and was dismissed
in February, 1909. The actual order sent by
Mr. Holden to the firm — it had been wrongfully
taken away by Morgan, on his own admission —
was produced, and Morgan swore that it was well
known in the firm's office that " Cutbush's in-
secticide " meant whiskey. Testimony was also
called from the estate — that of Mr. Howsin, as-
sistant agent — to show that an invoice for 300
Tulips, dated December 21, 1908. was sent in by
Messrs. Cutbush and duly paid. Mr. Howsin
said the Tulips were never delivered by rail, and
no case of nisecticide was sent to the estate by
the firm. Neither, so far as he knew, were the
300 Tulips mentioned in this invoice ever planted
or grown on the estate. Evidence was given for
the prosecution of the despatch of a case of whis-
key by an Edinburgh firm to Mr. Kidd at the in-
stance of Messrs. Cutbush, and of its delivei^y to
Mr. Kidd from Padiham station. The station
clerk's evidence was that the whiskey was en-
tered as despatched from Edinburgh on December
22. It was delivered to a carter from Huntroyde
estate on December 25.

Against this evidence on the more serious
charge the defence, for which Mr. McCall, K.C.,
and other counsel appeared, produced an order
from Mr. Kidd, received by Messrs. Cutbush on
December 22, 1908, by which he countermanded
the order given verbally to Mr. Holden while he
was at Huntroyde on December 15 or 17. In this
written order he asked that, instead of a case of
insecticide, Jlessrs. Cutbush should send on 300
Tulips of which he was specially in need. The
genuineness of this substituted order was ad-
mitted by Morgan, the principal witness for the
prosecution, and the defendant Cutbu.sh stated in
evidence that, owing to a delay in the forwarding
of the original order for insecticide by the tra-
veller Holden, he did not receive it at Highgate
until the evening of December 21. On the fol-
lowing morning he had the substituted order for

Tulips from Mr. Kidd himself, and he (Mr. Cut-
bush), of course, only had the order for Tulips
executed.

The gardener, Mr. Kidd, in his evidence, stated
that he discovered that he was in need of Tulips
after Mr. Holden's call, and, accordingly, posted
the substituted order for these to be sent instead
of insecticide. The defence showed, by the evi-
dence of employees of the firm, that, instead of
the Tulips being forwarded by rail, as they
usually were, they were taken north by Mr.
Holden, as he was going to Lancashire for his
Christmas holiday. 'They were delivered person-
ally by him on December 28. A flat denial was
given by Mr. Cutbush and his employees to the
statement that " Cutbush's insecticide " meant
whiskey. What it did mean, when asked for by
customers, was a case of mixed insecticide, of
which they had several varieties in stock.

On this evidence, which Mr. Justice Grantham
described as quite outclassing that of the prosecu-
tion, the more serious count of the indictment was
dropped, his Lordship stating, in his summing-up,
that he had been startled to find that such a
charge as that implied by the allegations about
the insecticide order could even be suggested
against a firm with the high reputation of Messrs.
Cutbush.

On the charge of sending whiskey as a corrupt
gift to the gardener, Mr. Kidd, the judge took a
different view.

The defendant, Mr. Cutbush, in his evidence,
stated that it had be«n his practice for 25 years to
send out presents of whiskey mainly to gardeners.
The despatch of a case of whiskey to Mr. Kidd in
December, 1908, was frankly admitted, and Mr.
Cutbush also admitted that, in at'cordance with
his usual custom, he instructed the whiskey mer-
chants to use " plain labels and plain boxes "
with the whiskey, so that neither the place it was
sent from nor the nature of the contents of the
box should be apparent on the outside. This had
always been his custom, and his explanation of it
was that it was undesirable that the other people
on the estate should know that Mr. Kidd was re-
ceiving whiskey. He admitted that the orders
his firm received from Huntroyde had con-
.>^iderably increased since Jlr. Kidd entered Capt.
Starkie's service in 1901, and he stated also that
Mr. Kidd was temporarily employed by Me.Msr8.
Cutbush before he went as head gardener to
Huntroyde. Jlr. Cutbush also stated that, on
the passing of the Act of 1906, he had enquired
in various quarters whether these gifts of whis-
key would still be legal, and he was satisfied by
hi.% enquiries that he might continue them. He
declared that it was only in 1908 that he included
Mr. Kidd m the list of gardeners to whom he
sent whiskey presents.

His Lordship held that, on his OAvn evidence,
Mr. Cutbush had brought himself within the Act.
In his charge to the jury on this point he said :
" Mr. Cutbush stated that he has been giving
these presents for 25 years, and that he has taken
advice upon them since the 1905 Act was passed.
The effect of the Act on Christmas presents has
been much discussed. A Christmas present may
be given corruptly and bring the giver within the
Act. The very fact that the defence endeavoured
to show that Mr. Kidd never received a present
of whiskey before 1908 seems to me the strongest
proof that this present was given corruptly. For
1908 was the year when the firm had orders from
Kidd such as they had never had before. It is
evidently the best customers who get these pre-
sents, and Kidd this year, for the first time,
came among the favoured customers. If this is
not corruption, it is uncommonly like it. It is
giving presents to people who give big orders —
the very thing that the Act was passed to obvi-
ate. This is Mr. Cutbush's own evidence. He
said it was his established practice. In my judg-
ment, it ought to be stopped. I don't think it
ought to be done. Mr. Cutbush said the presents
were only given to old friends ; but, if that were
60, why did not Kidd get them 10 years ago, par-
ticularly as he had been in the service of Messrs.
Cutbush before he went to Capt. Starkie's? Why
didn't he get them when the orders were small
from Huntroyde? W'hen the orders increased he
got the whiskey, and was put upon the list of
those who got it. To my mind, this is as near
coiTuption as it can possibly be, and I do not see
myself how the jury can say it is not. It is so
difficult to stop things of this kind. You never
know where it is to end when it once creeps in.
I do not say that a Christmas present may not be
given quite legitimately. The Act, however, wa«

meant to stop tradespeople giving presents to the
servants of people who are their customers. In
consideration of orders given, and on Mr. Cut-
bush's evidence, I am bound to say that, to me,
he has brought himself within the Act. Of
course, he may have acted perfectly honestly.
He may have been told that he coulddo it. But
if his object was to obtain the favour of a person
who was giving him orders, and might give him
orders in the future, it is different."

His lordship said there was no evidence against
the defendant Holden.

After a very short absence — less than five
minutes — the jury returned a verdict of not guilty
on both counts in the case of both defendants.

SOCISTIJCS.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

April 19. — The usual fortnightly meeting was
held in the Society's Hall, Westminster, on
Tuesday last. The "meeting was again an im-
portant one, the building being filled with ex-
hibits, even in the annexes. Orchids, as usual,
were numerous, and many novelties were shown,
no fewer than seven Awards of Merit being
conferred by the Orchid Committee.

The exhibits presented before the Floral
Committee were of more than usual importance.
Two Gold iNIedals were awarded, one for a mag-
nificent group of Hippeastrums shown by Lieut.-
Col. HoLFORD, the ether for an imposing exhibit
of Auriculas staged by Mr. James Douglas. In
addition to these there were bright displays of
Carnations. Roses, Cinerarias, Caladiums, forced
shrubs and hardy plants. This Committee
granted six Awards of Merit, three to Hippea-
strums, two to Auriculas, and one to a Primula.

The N-1RCISSUS Committee had the largest
meeting of the season, and conferred a consider-
able number of medals, also one Award of Merit.

The exhibits before the Fruit and Vegetable
Committee were not numerous : an Award of
Jlerit was given to a variety of Apple.

At the 3 o'clock meeting in the lecture room,
Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger gave an address on " The
Wild Flowers of the West of Ireland."

Floral Committee.

Present: Henry B. May, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. C. T. Druery. Jiio. Green, T. W.
Turner, G. Reuthe, Jas. Walker, W. Cranfield,
W. J. Bean, Geo. Gordon, J. F. McLeod, Alex.
Kingsmill. J. Douglas, W. Howe, Jno. Jennings,
Chas. Blick, J. W. Barr, Chas. Dixon, E. T.
Ccok, H. J. Jones, Herbert J. Cutbush, Chas.

E. Shea, J. T. Benuett-Poe, W. P. Thomson, N.

F. Barnes, R. C. Notcutt, Jas. Hudson, W. G.
Baker, E. A. Bowles, and E. H. Jenkins.

The chief feature of the show was a group of
Hippeastrums (Amarvllis) exhibited bv Lt.-Col.
Holford, CLE.. C.V.O., Westonbirt (gr. Mr.
A. Chapman). The plants numbered 140, and they
had 1,000 blooms, several specimens having two
strong inflorescences. There were plenty with
four fine flowers, and so good was the general
culture of the plants, the grower was awarded a
Cultural Commendation. The more remarkable
kinds were : Avoca, white ; Amazon, scarlet and
white; Ruskin. crimson; Avalanche, white;
Merander. reddish rose ; Elsie, white ; Harvest
Moon, white, with faint tint; The Czar, crimson;
and Prosperine, a very big whitish variety
striped with red. (Gold Medal.)

Mrs. BiscHOFFSHEiM, Staumore, showed a
large group of standard plants of Pelargonium
Clorinda. The plants showed excellent cultiva-
tion and a prodigious quantity of flowers and
flower-buds. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert. Southgate. Middle-
sex, made a rich display with forced shrubs of
Azaleas, including the varieties Brilliant, Con-
sul and Ceresole. The Lilacs included the varie-
ties Souvenir de Spath and Marie Legraye. (Sil-
ver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond Nurseries,
Surrey, had a somewhat similar exhibit to the
last-named, including numerous plants of Azalea
mollis, of which he made good use in the group.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

]\r«5srs. .Sutton k Sons. Reading, filled a largo
table with Cinerarias of the Cactua-flowered

268

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Apeil 23, 1910.

type. These have dwarf, spreading inflores-
cences, witli the florets rolled back like the star
Primula. The plants were well grown and
they exhibited a great variety of colours. In the
centre of the group were some with broad florets
of shades of rose and red. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Edmonton, staged a miscellaneous group of
flowering plants and Ferns. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, showed
Carnations of fine quality. The firm also dis-
played a group of hardy plants set off by a row
of flowering shrubs with a wealth of blossoms.
Notable subjects in this group were Gentiana
acaulis, Ranunculus aniplexicaulis, Stylophorum
diphyllum. Primula rosea. Chrysogonum virgini-
cum, Ourisia coccinea, and of flowering shrubs
Pyrus Scheideckei, Tricuspidaria dependens.
Rhododendron Smithii aurea, and Slagnolia
atropurpurea. ^Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, showed numerous greenhouse
flowering plants in batches. One of the best
novelties was a pure-white form of Primula ob-
conica labelled grandiflora alba ; the plants were
very floriferous. A specimen of Aristolochia
gigas var. Sturtevantii (see fig. 109 in last week's
issue) was .shown in flower. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed a magnificent collection of Car-
nations in all the notable kinds ; also batches of
Acacias, Azalea elegantissima odorata. Maples,
with coloured foliage, and Roses, amongst which
the beautiful Lyon Rose was conspicuous. Some
of the dwarf Polyantha varieties were new, the
one labelled Orleans Rose being of promise.
Amongst the Ramblers none was finer than Lady
Gay, with its large, hanging trusses of flowers.
(Silver Flora iSIedal.)

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
showed Caladiums in variety. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. H. J. Jones, Ltd., Hither Green,
Lewisham, displnyed trusses of Zonal Pelar-
goniums in about 36 varieties. They made an
attractive exhibit. The best in their respective
colours were A. Lovett (scarlet), Mrs. W. Pascoe
(cerise), J. Andrews (salmon), Ethel Parsons
(pink), Claremont (white), R. C. Pulling (cherry
red), and Mrs. Toogood (lilac pink).

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed bright bunches of Zonal Pelargoniums in
about 35 varieties.

Messrs. Gilbert & Son, Dyke, Bourne, Lin-
colnshire, showed varieties of Anemone.

Roses.

Messrs. Geo. Mount & Sons, The Nurseries,
Canterbury, showed a charming group of Roses.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

iMessrs. W. Paul & Son, Walthara Cross,
Hertfordshire, exhibited, as a corner group, a
display of pot Roses. Tall Ramblers included
those of " blue " shades, such as Veilchenblau
and Bordeaux. Tausendschon was very fine : the
flowers of this kind are extra large for a Rambler.
Of the Hybrid Tea varieties. Albatross, Margaret,
Isabelle, Althea and Cynthia are new.

Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Braiswick Rose
Garden, Colchester, exhibited a group of Roses.
The back was composed of Ramblers, of which
Ida Klemm and Trier were the most attractive.
In the front were boxes, one being filled with the
blush-tinted variety named Queen of Spain.
Lady Roberts is a Rose of charming form, the
petals rolling back and displaying a deep cop-
pery centre. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. B. Cant & Sons, The Old Rose Gar-
dens, Colchester, made an interesting exhibit with
Roses as cut blooms. Very showy was the semi-
double Rose du Barri, a Hybrid Tea variety,
good for bedding, of the shade of pink known
under that name. A number of show boxes were
filled with well-developed blooms. Lady Reay,
H.T., is a pretty flower in the bud stage, biit
the petals are not numerous enough for it to be
classed as a good variety. The colour is a
tender blush. (Silver Flora .Medal.)

Mr. Geo. Prince, Longworth. staged some
■well-grown Roses, for which a Silver "Banksian
Jledal was awarded.

Mr. R. F. Felton, Florist, Hanover Square.
London, had some magnificent Gerber.as arranged
about a big bank of Lyon Rose. Both the Roses
and the Gerberas were of remarkable quality
and they excited much admiration. (Silver Flora
Medial.) ^

Mr. H. Burnett, Forest Road, Guernsey,
again made a fine exhibit with Carnations, the
blooms being large, richly coloured and de-
veloped on long stalks. Prominence was given to
the variety Marmion, a perpetual-flowering
variety with growth similar to Souvenir de la
Malmaison. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Winter-flowering Carnations in popular varie-
ties came from Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley, Hamp-
ton. The display was a good one. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Haudy Plants.

Mr. James Douglas, Great Bookham, Surrey,
showed a superb collection of Auriculas, with a
back row of finely-flowered Polyanthuses.
There were 300 plants of Auriculas of show and
Alpine varieties, every plant a specimen and
magnificently bloomed. A selection of the best
includes Alpinn: Blue Bell, Mrs. Markham,
Teviot Dale, Firefly, Ziska, Dean Hole, Dazzle,
Admiration ; (irey edge : JNIrs. Henwood, Abbe
Liszt, Shirley Hibberd ; self : Victor, Warley ;
white: George Rudd. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Storrie & Storrie, Glencarse, Perth-
shire, made a fine display with Polyanthuses, in-
cluding border varieties, which in some instances
have peculiar tints. The so-called Giant Polyan-
thus in yellow, white, laced, crimson, hose-in-
hose, sweet-scented, yellow-flowered border,
and several others, created great interest. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Mr. T. Kitley, Oldfield Nursery, Bath,
showed a pan-full of Saxifraga Bathoniensis var.
decipiens grandiflora, the flowers of a carmine
tint, and surmounting stalks 5 inches high, a
good Alpine plant for the garden.

Mr. Reuthe, Keston. Kent, showed a miscel-
laneous lot of hardy plants, Alpine plants and
Himalayan Rliododendrons as trusses of flowers.
The exhibit included many novelties or rarities in
Primulas, Anemoifes, Aubrietias. &c.

Mr. A. R. Upton, Guildford Hardy Plant
Nursery, exhibited many hardy plants, such as
Ericas, Tulipas in variety. Iris pumila, and
Megasia afghanica.

From Messrs. Baker, Nurserymen, Wolver-
hampton, there came 28 varieties of Pansies in
distinct colours — a new Aubrietia, J. S. Baker,
of a rich blue-purple tint, and in size above the
normal ; Primula cashmeriana, Incarvillea gran-
diflora, Viola pedata and other fpecies.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Edinburgh and Rothe-
say, had a capital display Oi Pansies, of sizes we
are not accustomed to observe " down south."
Their Polyanthus varieties w-ere also notable, the
colours being clear and distinct.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, exhibited
a rockery, on which suitable plants found a
place. We remarked the pretty Aubrietia Dr.
Mules, Anemone apennina alba. Primula rosea
grandiflora. Anemone pulsatiUa Halleri, Hous-
tonia coerulea, Androsace Chumbyi, and many
other choice species of Alpines. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Robert Sydenham, Ltd., Tenby
Street, Birmingham, showed numerous plants,
many of bulbous species, grown in vases contain-
ing fibre. The plants were flowering finely, and
appeared in perfect health. Another pretty
feature were the numerous vases of Anemones.

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, made
a rock-garden exhibit planted with, amongst
other things, Viola gracilis. Cytisus prsecox, a re-
markably fine batch of Primula viscosa Mrs. .T.
H. Wilson (the feature of the exhibit), the
double-flowered Caltha palustris, Aubrietia Per-
kinsii with large blooms, Arnebia echioides,
Tulipa Fosteriana, T. Clusiana, and T. pulchella.
(Silver Banksian Medal. )

Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Son, Woking Nur-
sery, Surrey, staged Alpine plants with vases of
flowering shrubs at the back. The new dwarf
Irises, raised from I. primula and I. germanica,
were pretty ; two of the best varieties were
Cyanea (violet-blue) and Florida (yellow).
Morisia hypogoea is a dwarf-growing, yellow-
flowered Crucifer. not at all easy to cultivate.
Trilliums in variety. Antirrhinum asarina, Adian-
tum pedatum (the hardy Maidenhair Fern),
Phlox Laphami, and Androsace coronopifolia
were also noticed in the group.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden, Lon-
don, staged several boxes of Alpines in con-
junction with their display of Narcissi and
Tulips. Anchusa myosotiflora was shown finely,
and there were also several hybrid Gerberas.

Other exhibitors of hardy plants were Mr.

Clarence Elliott, Six Mills Nur.sery, Steven-
age, who had some fine plants of Morisia hypo-
goea ; the Misses Hopkins, Mere Gardens, Shep-
perton, whose Primroses were a feature, and
Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover. Several
varieties of Pyrethrum were prominent in Messrs.
Clark's group, notably, the fine double-white La
Belle Blonde and John Malcolm (pink) ; Viola
Bridal Morn attracted attention, the colour is
lavender ; there were also Polyanthuses, the
double-flowered Caltha, and varieties of Nar
cissi.

W. A. Watts, Esq., Bronwylfa, St. Asaph,
Wales, exhibited a number of unnamed Polyan-
thus and Primrose seedlings. The blue-flowered
varieties of the latter were pleasing.

Mrs. Lloyd Edw.4jids, Bryn Oerog, near Llan-
gollen, showed hybrids of Saxifraga and Aubrie-
tia. Aubrietia Lloyd Edwards and Saxifraga
rosea superba were the two best of these novel-
ties.

A selection of Camellias from the open and a
number of Narcissi of well-known varieties were
di-splayed by Lady Tress Barry, St. Leonard's
Hill, Windsor (gr. Mr. Robert Brown). (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Carter Page & Co., London Wall,
again showed bunches of Violas and Pansies,
together with a few annuals, Nemophila insignia
being shown as a basket subject. Dimorphotheca
aurantica was very pretty, also Linaria maroc-
cana.

Botanical Certificate.

rrimiila ilaxiinoivirzli. — This new Chinese
species, which was figured in Garrleners^'
Chronicle, April 2, p. 221, was exhibited before
the Floral Committee, and this body granted a
similar Award to that made by the Scientific
Committee on March 22.

Awards of Merit.

Auricula " Ro.rhur(/h." — This is a very fine
Alpine Auricula, purple, with yellow centre.

Avricula Victor. — A self-coloured Show
variety, purple, with white centre.

Anricula Warley. — This Show Auricula ex-
hibits a new shade of colour, which may be
described as pale mauve or grey-pink, with
white paste and yellow centre. Each bloom is
I inch acro.=s. Shown by Mr. J. Douglas.

IJippeastrvm Calypso. — This is an extra large
flowei, of good form and thick substance. It is
white, with bright, rose-coloured nerves.

Hippeaslriim Cardinal Wolsey. — The shade
of purplish or violet-red in this variety is un-
common. In the centre there are a few white
markings, and the size and form of the flower
are excellent.

HippcaHrum Gereant. — This is a self-coloured
flower, of brilliant rosy-scarlet, a choice variety,
of large size and good form. These Hippeastrums
were shown by Lieut. -Col. Holford.

Primida viscosa, — An Award of Merit was re
commended for a very good garden Primula
labelled P. ciliata. It was apparently a variety oi
P. viscosa. The habit of the plant is after that
of P. auricula, but larger in gro\fi,h than P.
viscosa. The flowers are also larger, and they
are produced in great abundance. In colour they
are rich purple, with yellow centre. Shown by
W. Cranfield, Esq., Enfield.

Narcissus Committee.

Present: H. B. May, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. J. T. Bennett-Poe H. A. Denison, W.
W. Fowler, A. M. Wilson, G. Reuthe, J. W.
Leak, F. H. Chapman, C. Bourne, Chas. T.
Digby, J. D. W. Williams, Charles Dawson, E.
M.'^Crossfield, H. Backhouse, W. Poupart, W. F.
i\I. Copeland, J. D. Pearson, A. R. Goodwin, J.
Jacob, W. T. Ware, and Chas. H. Curtis.

No fewer than 10 collections were staged, three
of these coming from Ireland. In each case the
flowers were of high merit and admirably dis
played.

■f he collection shown by Miss F. W. Currey
Lismore, Ireland, was noteworthy. It embracsd
an exquisitely-formed flower of the Engleheartif
section in Duke of Leinster. Others of note were
Great Warley, the very beautiful Lady of the
Snows (an elegant and trim-looking White Ajax),
Warrior, and Rosetta, a semi-double Leedsii
variety, interesting for this reason, and, so far as
we remember, it is the first occasion on which a

April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

2t,9

double-flowered form of the Leedsii set has been
presented in such good condition. (Silver-gilt
Flora Medal.)

Mr. F. LiLLEY. Guernsey, had a rather large
assortment of well-known commercial kinds of
Narcissi, and not a few of the choicer sorts, in a
well-arranged group.

Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin, Kidder-
minster, showed a particularly good collection.
Amongst the finer flowers we selected for notice
Much the Miller, a new bicolor of e.xceptional
merit; King Cup, a very handsome incompara-
bilis ; Finespun, a rich yellow, and so named,
we imagine, by reason of its refined beauty ; Jlrs.
William Miles, a very handsome incomparabilis
sort, whose big, orange, frilled crown excited ad-
miration ; Goldseeker, Admiral Makaroff, King
Alfred, and Cornellier, all superbly-coloured
varieties of the yellow Ajax section ; with Evan-
geline, Amazon, and White Claude of the Leedsii
type. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Mr. Herbert Chapman, Rye, Sussex, who is
paying considerable attention to the raising of
new varieties, had many excellent novelties as
yet unnamed. Of the name sorts. Lustre is
a beautiful triandrus hybrid of singular
beauty and refinement; Harold Finn, a lovely-
Poet's Daffodil. Other sorts included King Al-
fred, very fine ; Scarlet Eye ; Little Tich, a small
yet shapely and round-petalled variety of the
Burbidgei set; Mistral, another triandrus hybrid ;
together with such fine Poeticus varieties as
Horace and Ibis. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Rev. W. W. Fowler, Reading, had a small
collection, in which Lady .Marg:(ret Boscawen,
Albatross, Apricot, Glory of Leiden, Jlrs. Walter
T. Ware, Catherine Spurrell, and Gloria Mundi
were seen to advantage. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Jlr. Alex. M. Wilson, Shovell, Bridgwater,
Somerset, again had a remarkable display, of
which the following were a few of the leading
varieties : — Buttercup, of richest yellow colour ;
Croesus, incomparabilis, with primrose perianth
and widely-expanded orange crown ; Hypatia, a
beautiful Rngleheartii sort; Moscar, of the
Leedsii type, with exceptionally broad, substan-
tial petals; Miss Swanwick, a white Ajax flower
of the largest size, showing a pale green base;
Bonfire, a glorified Blood Orange ; Magie (Engle-
heartii), the widely-extending eye or crown of
rich gold has a well defined orange-scarlet rim,
which renders it as remarkable as it is distinct ;
and Lavender (Leedsii), having pure white peri-
anth and delicately-tinted crown, lightly mar-
gined with pink. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Rev. G. P. Haydon, Canterbury, whose
exhibit of flowers secured the " Barr Silver
Cup," had many beautiful and handsome
varieties, the flowers being in the best possible
condition. Some of the varieties were raised by
Mr. Haydon, as, for example. Pearl of Kent, a
lovely, drooping Ajax, of the white-flowered sec-
tion. White Queen, Deal, C. W. Nunn (drooping
bicolor Ajax), Broad Oak (rich yellow Ajax),
Cranbourne (golden-yelfow self). Minister (with
sulphury-primrose trumpet and white perianth),
Perker (an exquisitely-beautiful white Ajax
variety), China Ware (of the same set. a most
chaste variety), and Dropmore (a somewhat ap-
propriate name for one of the most distinctly
drooping White Ajax varieties).

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, had an
extensive assortment, in which Harmony, King's
Norton, Spinnacker, Brilliancy (a fine incom-
parabilis), and White Queen were noticed. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Hogg & Rohertson, Dublin, also
staged an admirable group, for which a Silver
Banksian Medal was awarded.

A .Silver Flora iledal was awarded to Mr. J.
Cooper, Lissadell, Sligo, for a representative
collection of the best commercial varieties.

The collection of seedling novelties from the
Rev. G. H. Englehe.vrt. Dinton, Salisbury, was,
without doubt, the most unique lot in the show.
They were unnamed, so that we cannot particu-
larise. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. B.iRR & Sons, Covent Garden, showed
seedlings and named varieties. The finer were
Furnace, Seraphim (a handsome new bicolor).
Sirdar, Lord Kitchener, Peter Barr, Blazing Star,
Loveliness (an exquisitely-beautiful white Ajax),
Eileen iMitchel, Fireflame, Firebrand, the very
beautiful Poeticus Lycidas, Mrs. G. H. Barr, and
Queen of the North. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Award of JIerit.
Narc\.<su!< Poeticus Mathew Arnold. — The
finest Poeticus variety we have yet seen, and,
from the exhibition standpoint, a great advance
upon existing varieties. The flower is perfectly
circular, of moderate size, the segments of the
perianth overlaying each other in the most sym-
metrical manner. The eye or crown is one of
brilliant and intense colouring. From iMessrs.
Cartwright & Goodwin, Kidderminster.

Orchid Committee.

Pretsent : J. Gurney Fowler. Esq. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch, de B. Crawshay, W. Boxall, R.
G. Thwaites, Stuart Low, F. Sander, A. A.
McBean, W. P. Bound, J. Charlesworth, J.
Cypher, H. G. Alexander, W. H. Hatcher, W. H.
White, H. A. Tracey, H. Ballantine, Gurney
Wilson, J. Wilson Potter, W. Bolton, H. Little,
W. Cobb, F. J. Hanbury, A. Dye, and H.
Graire, of Amiens.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, were awarded the Silver-gilt Flora Medal
for an excellent and well-arranged group of finely-
grown Oichids, chiefly of the popular showy kinds,
but with some rare species, the best of which was
Cirrhopetalum picturatum Cliftonii, a remarkably
strong grower, with three stout spikes, sur-
mounted by large umbels of greenish and purple
flowers, far superior to the type. The back of
the group was of Dendrobiunis and Oncidium
Marshallianum, the white D. Jamesianum and
yellow-tinted D. cariniferum being exceptionally
good. The exhibit al.so included Odontiodas,
Epidendrum Endresio-Wallisii, E. variegatum,
a plant of the singular Dendrobium rnacro-
phyllunu a dark form of Cymbidium Low-
grinum, good Odontoglossums, including 0.
Humeanum, 0. Rolfeie, and other hybrids, a
well-flowered Masdevallia Pourbaixii, fine Cat-
tleya Schroderse, and C. Mendelii, and an in-
teresting novelty, C. Stuartii (.Mendelii alba X
Mossiae Reineckiana), with a pure white flower,
marked with carmine-rose on the lip as in some
forms of C. Mossise Reineckiana.

Lieut.-Col. G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O.,
Wcstonbirt (gr. .\lr. H. G. Alexander), showed
Cymbidium Lowianum Pitt's variety in fine form,
with a spike of 13 very large flowers, the colour-
ing on the broad labellum being of an intense,
deep, bronzy-claret hue.

J. Gcrney Fowleb, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed two plants
of his handsome Bra-sso-Lielio-Cattleya Fowleri,
with finely-formed flowers of a peculiar shade of
coppery -salmon colour on bright yellow ground,
the disc of the lip being orange. A very attrac-
tive flower. Also his new Odontoglossum Arnoldi-
anum. (See Awards.)

De B. Cra'.vshay. Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks
(gr. Mr. Stables), showed a most interesting selec-
tion of hybrid Odontoglossums. all except the ele-
gant and rare 0. Wendlandianum Crawshay-
anum, raised at Rosefield, the prettiest, 0. regale
rosefieldiense, securing an Award of Merit. The
others noted wen; 0. Amneris (cristatellum x
Crawshayanum) ; the large and showy 0. Craw-
shayauum (Hallii X Harryanum) ; 0. nitens
(Hunnewellianum X ardentissimum), a neat,
darkly-blotched flower; and 0. Aida (Coradinei
X Harryanum).

E. Rogerson, West Didsbury, Manchester (gr.
Mr. Price), sent Odontoglossum eximium Roger-
sonii (crispum x ardentissimum), like a good
blotched 0. crisp\mi.

Walter Cobb, Esq., Normanhurst, Rusper
(gr. Mr. C. J. Salter), showed the handsome
Odontoglossum Lawrenceanum Cobb's variety
(see Awards) ; Odontioda Charlesworthii superba,
with uniformly brilliant-scarlet flowers; Cypri-
pedium Vipanii ; and cut spikes of many good
Odontoglossums and Odontiodas.

Mons. Henri Graire, St. Fuscien, Amiens,
sent Odontoglossum Rossians (Rossii X Adrianse)
and its variety rubens, and 0. crispum St.
Fuscien, for both of which see Awards. Also
Odontioda Euterpe (C. Noezliana X 0. Uro-Skin-
neri), with smallish, deep-red flowers, originally
raised by jVIessrs. Charlesworth, and Odontoglos-
sum Thompsonianum St. Fuscien, with blackish-
chocolate flowers, having a very slight lilac mar-
gin.

Messrs. Ch-^eles worth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an

effective group, in which were many showy hy-
brids and some specially interesting species, in-
cluding the fine, pure white Trichopilia Back-
houseana; War.scevviczella discolor and W. mar-
ginata; Ccelogyne chloroptera; Dendrobium
Bronckhartii ; some fine Cattleya Mendelii, in-
cluding a pretty pearly-white new form, in the
way of Quorn House variety. Among the hybrid
Odontoglossums were some finely-coloured 6. ar-
dentissimum, and the pure white 0. ardentissi-
mum xanthotes, togetier with some unnamed
seedlings. Others noted were Lselio-Cattleya
Dominiana magnifica, very dark in colour, several
yellow L.-C. Doris, and good Phaius Norman.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were-
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an effective
group, at the end of which was a well-flowered
specimen of the wax-like, white Chysis brac-
tescens, and beside it a selection of blotched and
hybrid Odontoglossums, including dark-coloured
O. Vuylstekeae, 0. Fascinator, 0. Rolfeie, varie-
ties of 0. eximium, the pretty little 0. crocidi-
pterum. Bletia catenulata, Saccolabium ampulla-
ceinn. Cattleya Lawrenceana, some fine C.
Schroderie, Brasso-La?lia Mrs. il. Gratrix, and
several Brasso-Cattleyas and Lselio-Cattleyas,
three good blotched Odontoglossum crispum, and
the new white Sobralia Cliftoniae. (See Awards.)

H. S. GoODSON, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr.
iMr. G. E. Day), sent Odontoglossum eximium
Clarkoonii, a very large and richly -blotched
flower; 0. eximium Lord Carnarvon, a lighter
form, with a fine branched spike of 22 flowers;
and 0. crispum Newtonii, a good, large flower,
with cinnamon-brown blotches.

Messrs. J. and A. A. MoBean, Cooksbridge,
staged a group of good Odontoglossums, includ-
ing a home-raised seedling 0. Wilckeanum ; a
fine O. crispum with effective reddish spotting ;
some good 0. Pescatorei, 0. Rolfese and other
Odontoglossums ; Cattleya Schroder* Prince of
Orange, with large lilac-tinted flowers with deep
orange throat to the lip ; and the very handsome
Miltonia Phalsenopsis McBean's variety. (See
Awards.)

Mons. Mertens, Ghent, showed a selection of
hybrid Odontoglossums, Miltonia Bleuana, &c.

Mr. E. V. Low, Orchid Nursery, Vale Bridge,.
Haywards Heath, sent Cattleya Triania; Empress.
of Lidia, a distinct white flower with a freckling
of purple on the lip, which has a yellow disc ;
also another fine C. .Schroderae of a peach blos-
som tint.

Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, Tunbridge
Wells, staged an effective group in which
the varieties of Cymbidium Woodhamsianum
were well displayed. Also Masdevallia Chester-
tonii, a grand specimen of Odontoglossum
naevium, Lycaste Skinneri, L. gigantea, Bulbo-
phyllum appendiculatum and the handsome
Cypripedium Helen IL var. Armstrongise, with
large cream- while flowers prettily marked with
light purple.

H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford Hill (gr.
Mr. Thurgood), sent Cypripedium The King
(bellatulum X selligerum majus). a large cream-
white flower spotted with purple and having
feathered purple lines on the dorsal sepal.

A. Harrison, Esq., Lyndhurst, Watford, sent
Cattleya Schroder*, Dendrobium nobile and two
hybrid Odontoglossums.

AWARDS.

Aw.iRDs OF Merit.

Odontoglossum regale, rost field iense (Law-
renceanum X ardentissimum), from de B.
Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks (gr. Mr.
Stables). A pretty and graceful hybrid, with
the neat habit of 0. ardentissimum, but with
a yellowish ground colour heavily blotched with
dark red, the whole flower having a transparent
appearance when placed in a good light. The
plant was finely grown and had a spike of many
flowei's.

Sobralia Cliftoniae, from Messrs. Sander &
Sons, St. Albans. A desirable plant of com-
paratively dwarf habit, and very floriferous. fcr
the flowers succeed each other for a lung
time. It was imported fiom Ecuador, and
differs from S. macrantha alba in having a dif-
ferently-shaped lip and a thicker substance to the
whole flower, which is white with a slight purple
tinge in the tube of the lip.

Odontoglnxsum Arnoldianum (parentage un-
known), ' from J. Gurney Fowler, Esq.,,

270

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 23, l9iO.

Glebelaiidis, South Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis).
A singular and handsome hybrid, with uniformly
broad sepals and petals of a deep claret tint,
with a few white markings ; the peculiar broad
shield-shaped lip being white with purple
markings.

Odontoglasautn Lawrenceanum Cohb's variety
(triumphant X liolfea). from Walter Coub,
Esq. (gr. Mr. C. J. Salter). The best form of
this hybrid which has yet appeared, all the seg-
ments being equally broad and the colour fine.
Ground colour yellow, heavily blotched with
chocolate-purple ; lip white, with yellow crest
and purple markings at the base.

Miltonia Phalaiiopsis McBean's variety, from
Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge. A
variation in which the deep rose colouring on the
lip, which occupies the greater part of its sur-
face, is displayed in an entire mask, as in il.
vexillaria Memoria G. D. Owen. The sepals and
petals are white witli a basal rose line and some
rose spots on the petals.

OdontoglosKum Bossiance ruhens (Bo-ssii X
Adrianm), from Mons. Henri Graire, St.
Fuscien, Amiens. A pretty hybrid with six-
flowers on the spike, equal in size to those of
0. Adrianse. Sepals and petals lilac with white
base, the sepals evenly spotted with dark purple
and the petals having some dark spots on the
inner halves ; lip rose with yellow crest.

Odontorj/nssiun crispum i9l Fiisclen. from
Mons. Henri Graire. — A very beautiful form,
nearest to 0. crispum Cooksonite. Flowers white,
beautifully blotched with purple.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: G. Bunyai'd, Esq., V.iM.H. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. A. H. Pearson, J. C'heal,
W. Bates, G. Woodward, A. Dean, E. Beckett,
J. Willard, W. J. Jeffries, A. R. Allan, H.
Markham, H. Parr, J. Vert, G. Hobday, W. H.
Divers, H. Hooper, J. .laques, G. Wythes,
C. Foster, 0. Thomas, S. Davis, J. Harrison,
and G. Reynolds.

Samples of Dawes's Challenge and Red Em-
peror Rhubarbs, the latter variety much re-
semblini; Um old early Linnieus, were shown from
Wisley Gardens. Dawes's Challenge had much
the better colour, but were 12 inches long. Red
Emperor was not so well coloured ; the stalks
were 18 inches long.

Mr. T. E. Dawes, King's Lynn, also staged
roots of Dawes's Challenge Rhubarb, with stalks
2 feet in length.

Mrs. BiscHOFFSHEiM, Stanmore, showed four
dishes of frame-grown I'otatos May Queen and
Sharpe's Victor, set up amidst Parsley in pots
and several good samples of Early Paris Cabbage
Lettuce. (Cultural Commendation.)

Sir Mark Collett, Hemsing, Sevenoaks (gr.
Mr. NichoUs), set up a collection of 24 dishes of
Apples and three of Pears. The best Apples
were Lane's Prince Albert, Kambling's Seed-
ling, Bismarck, Lord Derby, Annie Elisabeth,
and Newton Wonder ; the remaining fruits were
rather small, and much shrivelled, having evi-
dently been stored too dry.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, had a
very interesting collection of vegetables, the
centre comprising no fewer than 18 varieties of
Radishes, including Purple Long, French Break-
fast, Scarlet Olive, and some that were yellow-
tinted. There were numerous Cabbage Lettuces,
the best being Golden Queen, Passion, Blonde,
Tom Thumb, Reine de May, and All the Year
Round. Very fine were the leaves of Veitch's
summer Soinach. There were also capital speci-
mens of Wythes'a Early Gem French Beans, good
Sensation Cucumbers, White d' Auger's Broc-
coli, long white forcing Turnips, small Paris
Market Carrots, and numerous examples of Early
Incomparable, Early Parisian, and Early Duke
of York Cabbages. (Silver Knightian Medal.)

Award of Merit.

Apple Wagener. — The fruits are of medium
size, roundish, and the tree a very heavy cropper.
The fruits were exhibited at the previous meet-
ing as a late cooking variety. It was agreed Mr.
S T. Wright should te.st them, and his re-
port was highly favourable. Shown by Mr. W.
Crump, Madresfield Court Gardens.

NURSERYMEN, MARKET-GARDENERS'

& GENERAL HAILSTORM INSURANCE

CORPORATION, LTD.

April 8. — The 15th annual general meeting of
this company was held at 41 and 42, King Street,
Covent Garden, on this date. The accounts
showed an increase in the year both as regards
premium income and interest. The past year
has been peculiarly free from hailstorms, but
two further claims have been settled since the
accounts were closed. During the 15 years the
premium income has increased from £681 Is. 9d.
to £2,476 13s. lOd., which shows that the com-
pany is meeting a distinct need and becoming
better known. A dividend of 7j per cent, and
bonus of 2^ per cent., making £1,000 in all, was
declared, and £1,500 added to the reserve fund,
making the reserve £16,500. The invested funds
at the end of the year amounted to £26,887 6s.
7d. The company is building up the reserve fund
against heavy claims which might come in at any
time. The area of glass now insured amounts to
more than 37,700,000 square feet.

UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT
AND PROVIDENT,

April 11. — The monthly meeting was held at
the Royal Horticultural Hall on this date. Mr.
Charles" H. Curtis presided. The minutes of the
last meeting were read and confirmed ; the num-
ber of new members elected during the last three
months was 32 ; two members were transferred
from the lower to the higher scale ; a cheque for
£13 3s. 5d. was drawn for a lapsed member ; the
usual quarterly payments were made to members
over 70. The amount of sick pay for the past
month has amounted to £35 9s.

CORNWALL DAFFODIL AND SPRING

FLOWER.

April 12. — The 14th annual show of this
society was held in the Market Hall, Truro, on
this date. Under the management of the
Hon. John Boscawen, who has been hon. secre-
tary since the inception of the society 15 years
ago, the arrangements were well carried out. In
the afternoon the attendance was very large.
The entries exceeded in number those of pre-
vious years, and the exhibition was un-
doubtedly the best ever held by the society.
The Daffodils were exceptionally good, some
choice seedlings being exhibited. The premier
class was for a collection of 30 varieties of
Daffodils in commerce or not in commerce. The
1st prize in this class was awarded to Mr. J. C.
Williams, who had a wonderful stand of seed-
lings raised by himself. Unfortunately, they
were not named but only numbered, which some-
what detracted from the interest of the group.
Among them was a large, golden trumpet
Daffodil, greater in size than King Alfred ;
another with a large, white, drooping trumpet ;
also a very large example of the Medio-coronati
type, with a pale yellow perianth and orange
cup, and five superb Parvi-coronati blooms with
brilliant, spreading, orange-scarlet cups. Three
of these. No. 244, No. 288 and No. IIF, were
given Awards of Merit. The 2nd prize .stand
of Mr. P. D. Williams was but little inferior to
the premier one, and contained many excellent
flowers, one golden-trumpet Daffodil named Sun-
flower being exceptionally beautiful. In the
classes for .single blooms in which the price of the
bulb was limited to 10s,. the 1st prize for Magni-
coronati was won by the variety King Alfred,
the 2nd prize being awarded for a bloom of Mine,
de Graaff. In Medio-coronati blooms an exception-
ally choice example of White Lady won the 1st
prize ; 2nd, Ariadne ; 3rd, Lucifer. In the Parvi-
coronati section flowers of Beacon won the 1st,
Wheatear the 2nd, and Bullfinch the 3rd prizes.
The 1st prize for Poeticus varieties was won by
Horace, 2nd prize by Cassandra and 3rd prize
by Poet Laureate. In the classes where the
price of the bulbs was not limited, the 1st prize
for Magni-coronati was awarded for the variety
Lord Roberts. 2nd prize for Diogenes and 3rd
prize for Lord Roberts. In the Medio-coronati
class Homespun received the 1st prize. Pil-
grim being pla^-ed 2nd. The best Parvi-coronati
was Lavender, a pretty, small, white flower,
having a flat white cup edged with faint orange ;

2nd, Horace; 3rd, Incognita. For the finest
bloom of an English-raised Magni-coronati
variety Mr. Crossfield won the 1st prize with
a superb white trumpet variety named Gyrfal-
con. This flower was undoubtedly the finest in
the show ; the 2nd prize was won by white
trumpet Al. The finest bloom of an Eng-
lish-raised Medio-coronati Narcissus was a
pure white, unnamed variety ; 2nd, a bright
yellow, also unnamed, seedling. An un-
named variety, with cream-white perianth and
flat yellow cup edged with broad orange-scarlet
border, shown under No. 143, won the 1st prize
in the class for an English-raised Parvi-coronati
variety. In the class for a group of Daffodil
seedlings which have not been in commerce four
years, the 1st prize was won by Mr. Crossfield
with a fine stand containing Bedouine sulphur-
white perianth, deep yellow cup, edged with
bright orange ; Gay Bird, pale primrose, yellow
flattened cup, edged with orange ; Spot Red,
pale sulphur with brilliant orange-scarlet flat
cup ; Vasco, white trumpet ; No. 139, white,
with golden flattened cup, margined with a
wide border of orange-scarlet ; and No. 134. a
Poeticus, with yellow, crimson-margined eye.
Flowering shrubs have always been one of the
most noteworthy features of the Truro show, for
Cornwall is unrivalled in the rare and tender
plants that can be grown in the open without
protection. This year the competition was very
keen, and there was not much to choose between
the four prize-winners. The 1st prize was
awarded to Mr. T. B. Bolitho, in whose splen-
did stand were Sutherlandia frutescens. Magno-
lia Soulangeana, Cerasus Watereri, Grevillea,
Thelemanniana, Polygala oppositifolia, Jasmi-
num primulinum, Embothrium coccineum, Baros-
nia vetulina, Piuuus pendula, Lopesia miniata,
Enkianthus japonicus. Camellia reticulata, An-
dromeda formosa, Pernettya ciliaris, Clianthus
puniceus. Viburnum Carlesii, Acacia Riceana,
Cydonia Simonii, Skimmia Fortunei and Boronia
heterophylla. In the other stands excellent speci-
mens of Lapageria rosea. Clematis indivisa
lobata, Calceolaria violacea, Boronia megastigma,
Staphylea colchica, Aca<)ia diffusa, A. obliqua,
A. leprosa, and A. uliciua were shown. In the
class for six flowering shrubs, which was well
filled, Mr. P. D. Williams won the 1st prize
with Viburnum Carlesii, Erica australis, Cydonia
Knap Hill, Cytisus proliferus, Exochorda grandi-
flora, a:nd Cytisus raceiiio>.sus.

Exhibits of hardy spring flowers were very
good, and the entries numerous. Mr. P.
D. Williams obtained the ist prize with Mus-
cari Heavenly Blue, Caltha platypetala. Primula
denticulata, Ourisia macrophylla, Tulipa odorata
major, T. prsestans. Iris bucharica. the pink form
of Anemone blanda, Muscari azureum amphibolis,
Viola Papilio, Primula rosea, and Anemone Pul-
satilla. In the class for six varieties of spring
flowers. Rev. A. T. Boscawen was placed 1st
with splendid flowers of Iris tingitana, Tulipa
Clusiana. T. saxatilis, Fritillaria verticillata,
Erythronium revolutum Pink Beauty, and Mus-
cari conicum. An interesting novelty was intro-
duced in the shape of a collection of hardy
flowers in a rockery, Mrs. PowYS Rogers being
awarded the 1st prize with a beautifully-arranged
rock-garden containing Gentiana acaulis, Viola
alba. Anemone ranunculoides. Primula rosea, P.
cashmeriana, P. Sieboldii, hosp-in-hose and blue
Primrose, Sanguiiiaria canadensis, Viola gracilis,
Phlox amoena, Corydalis cheilanthifolia, Dentaria
enneaphylla, Ornithogalum nutans, and Aubrietia
Dr. Mules.

Rhododendrons were very fine. The 1st prize
in the premier class was awarded to Mr. D. H.
SHIL.SON ; whilst the 1st prize for the finest truss
of Rhododendron bloom was won by Mr. T. B.
Bolitho with a magnificent specimen of R.
grande or argenfceum.

Nursery exhibits included collections from the
Devon Rosery, Torquay ; Messrs. Barr &
Sons, King Street, Covent Garden ; Mr. G.
Reuthe, Keston : Messrs. R. Veitch & Son,
Exeter ; Me.ssrs. Heath & Son, Cheltenhaic ; and
Messrs. George Buny.ard & Co., Ltd., Maid-
stone.

EOYAL CALEDONIAN HORTI-
CULTURAL.

April 13, 14. — The spring show of this society
was held in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh,
on these dates. Unfortunately, the first day was
very wet, and the attendance was small, but

April 23, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

271

the second day was fine. There was a dearth of
local trade exhibits, three only of the Edinburgh
firms being represented, but other firms were
present in numbers, and this, with an increase of
80 entries in the competitive classes, helped mat-
ters, so that the exhibition was about normal in
size and importance. The quality of the ex-
hibits, competitive and non-competitive, was
very good. Amongst the honorary exhibits was
a choice collection of Odontoglossums from Mr.
R. Brooman White's collection at Arddarroch ;
the judges awarded this a Gold Medal.

In the class for groups of miscellaneous
plants, arranged on the floor, in a space 15 feet
by 10 feet, the first prize was won by Sir
Robert Usher, of Norton, Ratho (gr. Mr. G.
McKinna), and the 2nd to Mrs. Hutchison, of
Carlowrie, Kirkliston (gr. Mr. .T. Thom). The
best group of Orchids, arranged in a space 8 feet
by 5 feet, was shown by Chas. Dickson, Ksq.,
A'iewbank, Lasswade (gr. Mr. D. Mackay), the
2nd prize being won by Mr. Jas. Watt, Kirse-
well, Carnwath. In the other plant classes the
principal prize takers were Messrs. G. McKinna,
A. McMillan (Douglas Castle). J, Thom, A.
Knight (Brayton), A. Br\uon (Innerleithen),
W. G. PiRiE (Dalhousie Castle), D. Kidd (Car-
berry Tower), J. Pearson (Beechwood), W. T.
Galloway (Drylaw House), W. M. Bruce (Roek-
ville), and P. R. Hills (Kinloch Castle, Rhum).

In the classes for cut flowers, among which
the Roses were very good, the chief honours fell
to Messrs. W. G. Pirie, J. Parlane (Row), J.
G1B.S0N (Welbeck), J. Pearson, A. Knight,
P. R. Hills, W. Galloway (Gpsford), A.
Brydon and D. Kidd. In the classes for
bouquets and floral designs and the decorated
table, Mr. A. Knight won most of the principal
prizes.

Strawberries were the only fruits shown, and
for a dish of these Mr. W. "Galloway won the
1st prize easily, Mr. G. McKinlay; Wrest Park,
Bedfordshire, being placed 2nd. Mr. W. Pou-
PART, Twickenham, excelled in the class for
bottled fruits (six bottles) ; 2nd, Mr. W. Gallo-
way. There was a good display of vegetables,
and the leading prizes were won by the Duke of
Portland, Welbeck Abbey (gr. Mr. J. Gibson),
and Mr. G. McKinlay.

Eight plans were submitted by under-gardeners
in the competition for laying out 16 acres of
ground, with dwelling-house, as a pleasure ground
and vegetable garden, and Mr. J. W. Forsyth,
Rossdhu, Luss, was placed 1st; Mr. A. Dickson,
Alloa Park, Alloa, 2nd ; and Mr. J. Smith,
Mealegate, Cumberland, 3rd.

Non-competitive Exhibits.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, London, showed a col-
lection of Narcissi (Silver-gilt Medal) ; Messrs.
Hogg & Robertson, Dublin, displayed a choice
group of Narcissi (Gold Medal); Mr. J. A.
Cooper, Lissadell, also exhibited a collection of
Narcis.si (Silver-gilt Medal) ; and Messrs. Tillie,
Whyte & Co., Edinburgh, were awarded a Bronze
Medal for Narcissi and other spring flowers ;
Messrs. Young & Co., Cheltenham, showed Car-
nations (Silver Medal) ; Mr. H. N. Ellison, West
Bromwich, made an exhibit of Ferns (Silver
Medal); R. Brooman White, Esq., Arddarroch,
showed Odontoglossums and other Orchids (Gold
Medal) ; Messrs. A. J. Keeling & Sons, Brad-
ford, also staged Orchids (Bronze Medal) ; as did
Mr. D. McLeod, Chorlton-cum-Hardy ; Messrs.
Bakers, Codsall, had a group of Alpine plants
(Bronze Medal) ; Primulas were shown by Dr.
McWatt, Duns (Bronze Medal) ; and Mr. W.
Rcbertson, Pilrig House, Edinburgh ; T. Roche,
Gowran, Kilkenny, staged St. Brigid Anemones
(Silver Medal) ; Messrs. John Forbes, Ltd.,
Hawick, had forced Delphiniums, &c. (Silver
Medal); Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, showed
Pansies, Violas, &c. (Bronze Medal) ; Mr. John
Phillips, Edinburgh, staged a group of foliage
and other plants (Bronze Medal) ; jlr. D. W.
Thomson, Edinburgh, exhibited a group of Ram-
bler Roses (Bronze Medal). A Cultural Certi-
ficate was awarded to Mr. A. McMillan, Douglas
Castle Gardens, for a magnificent plant of On-
cidium sphacelatum.

Award of Merit.

An Award of Merit was given to a new, pale
pink Carnation, a cross between " Lady Carlisle"
and " Mikado," exhibited by Mr. C. Strut,
Floors Castle Gardens, Kelso. . .

DUTCH BULB GEOWERS"

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT
HAARLEM.

(Second Show.)

April 15-24. — The second temporary exhibi-
tion of the Haarlem Jubilee Show was opened
without formal ceremony on this date. The day
was fine and warm, and there was a large num-
ber of visitors, especially in the afternoon, when
the Queen Mother honoured the Society with a
long visit.

The skill and foresight of the landscape archi-
tects and designers, Messrs. L. A. Springer, and
Mr. H. J. Goemans were now very apparent,
for there was a brilliant display of colour in the
open, both in the large parterre and in the
grounds under the trees. Here was a fine dis-
play of Hyacinths, Narcissi and the earlier
varieties of Tulips.

The international jury were welcomed by Mr.
E. H. Krelage early on the morning of the 14th
in a quadruple speech of Dutch, English, Ger-
man and French, and after the different sections
had been formed they at once proceeded to
make their awards.

The English members were Miss Willmott,
Messrs. N. F. Barnes. P. Rudolf Barr, G. H.
Cuthbert, A. Dawkins. Hugh Dicki-on, .T. F.
McLeod, N. Sherwood, H. Smith and R. Syden-
ham, whilst the deput.ation of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, Messrs. Harry J. Veitch, E.
A. Bowles and Alfred H. Pearson, acted and
made awards independently.

The entertainments provided for the jury and
invited guests included a luncheon at the Show-
Restaurant on the Thursday and a reception by
the Burgomaster and a theatrical entertainment
in the e\'ening, followed on the Friday by a
grand banquet at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Funckler,
and on the Saturday by a motor drive through
a great part of the bulb district.

The following are the awards of the R.H.S.
deputation : —

Gold Medal to Mr. C. G. van Tuberobn,
Jun., for an extensive and highly-meritorious
collection of new and rare plants.

SUrer-gill Flora Medals to Messrs. C. B.
VAN Nes & Co. for an exhibit of Rhododen-
drons ; and to Mr. J. Hardijeee (Boskoop) for
a display of Coniferae, &c.

Silver-gilt Banksian Medal to Messrs. Kers-
BERGEN Brothers (Boskoop) for 25 seedling
Azaleas.

Silver Flora Medals to the Firma Wezelen-
burg for a large group of forced plants ; to the
LissE Association of Dutch Bulb Growers
for beds of Hyacinths in the parterre ; and to
Jlr. D. Baardse Dzn for Hydrangeas and Be-
gonias.

Silver Baiilsian Medals to Messrs. M. van
Waveren & Sons for outside groups and Lilies ;
to Messrs. de Graaff Brothers for NarcLssi ;
to the Heemstede Association of Dutch Bulb
Growers for an arrangement of Hyacinths (out-
side) ; and to the National Horticultural
Winter School (Boskoop) for a collection of
Japanese Maples.

Bronze Banksian Medal to Mr. N. Dames
^Lisse) for beds of Hyacinths.

Mr. C. G. van Tubergen well deserved his
high award. Practically the whole of the firm's
exhibit was arranged in the centre of the inner
hall. Its general plan was a grass lawn with
beds cut in it and filled with different plants.
In two of the corner beds were Tulips, the one
with Darwin varieties, and with Tulips Fosteri-
ana, prsestan-s, Eichleri and Greigi aurea in the
other. Another corner contained a choice selection
of Orchids, such as 0. undulatifolia, Cypripedium
pubescens, C. acaule, C. calceolus, and Ophrys
lutea. In the fourth bed there was a selection
of Lilium elegans ; Prince of Orange, marmora-
tum aureum and van Houttei were three distinct
kinds. In the beds in the centre, among other
things, there were Pseony Wittmanniana, a beau-
tiful white flower with a big bunch of stamens in
the centre ; Habranthus pratensis, Zephyranthes
oarinata. a fine white form of Scilla italica, Cory-
dalis Wilsonii, Tulipa Batalini, Anemone ranun-
culoides var. " pallida," Iris Bueharica — a fine
specimen of "Juno " Iris, Anemone Allenii and
various Lachenalias. In another part there were
three new Freesias, viz., Blue Jacket, purple
Charmante, old rose and terra cotta bronzy-red,
Tropaeolum azureura var. violaceum.

]\Iessrs. C. B. VAN Nes & Son had a splendid
group of Rhododendrons on the right of the en-
trance into the large hall. It was almost en-
tirely composed of Pink Pearl, White Pearl and
the new wavy-edged Princess .Juliana. Kentia
Palms and Cordyline australis formed the back-
ground. The whole was very tastefully ar-
ranged. They had a second group in the inner
hall, largely made up of Rhododendron fastuo-
sum fl. pi., with various varieties on either side.

The Coniferie and other evergreens of Mr. J.
Hardijzer, of Boskoop, were good examples of
their respective kinds, and, as each one was
clearly labelled they formed a most instructive
exhibit. They were planted in groups in dif-
ferent parts of the grounds.

The 25 seedling Azaleas of Messrs. Kersber-
gbn Brothers occupied two large beds in the
big hall. They were very well flowered, and
ranged in colour from the palest primrose to the
deepest orange-red. A. Ru.<=sell Wallace, deep
yellow with orange-red tips to petals ; multatuli
large, fiery salmon; Liberti, rose, with orange
flush ; Karl Marx, clear yellow ; and Galilei, rosy
orange, must be especially noted.

Firma Wezelenburg had two fine collections
of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Prunus triloba, Cera-
sus Pseudo-cerasus, Lilacs, and similar plants,
one on either side of the exit of the inner hall.
The brighter colours were grouped next the
door, and they gradually passed through har-
monious tones of rose and yellow to Lilacs and
Guelder Roses on the left-hand side and to
Prunus triloba. Lilacs and Cerasus Pseudo-cera-
sus .James H. Veitch and Wistaria on the right
hand. Azalea pontica coccinea specio.sa stood
out prominently. The flowers are a deep-toned
orange. ■

The LisSE Association have taken a leading
part under the chairmanship of Mr. A. Gulde-
mond, in supplying bulbs — Crocus, Hyacinths and
Tulips — for the embellishment uf the large par-
terre. This was now filled with the following
kinds of Hyacinths: Mme. van der Hoop, Yellow
Hammer, Roi des Beiges, Gertrude and Queen
of the Blues. They were all " miniature " size,
and have been planted as an object lisson to >how
the decorative value of these small bulbs.

As examples of extraordinary cultivation the
5inch pots of Begonia Gloire do Lorraine in the
cut-flower hall would be difficult to surpass. Each
plant was a mass of pink bloom ; there was
hardly a green leaf to be seen. These were
shown by D. Baardse Dzn, who also supplied
hanging baskets filled with white and pink varie-
ties of the same Begonia in the large halls. There
is a very interesting thing about these plants :
they come from Aalsmeer, where the ground is so
soft that it is impossible to have boilers and hot-
water pipes, and where all glass structures have ,
to be heated with small portable stoves. The
same firm also displayed some fine plants of
Hydrangea.

Messrs. van Waveren & Sons had groups
both inside and out. Tho.se under cover were
comprised of Funkias, Lily of the Valleys, Dicen-
tra spectabilis, and Cannas, while those in the
open included a large collection of bulbous and
a few hardy herbaceous plants.

Messrs. de Graaf Brothers had some grand
new Narcissi, including Golden Jubilee, an
almost ideal, giant yellow-self incomparabilis ;
Princess Juliana, a refined, deep-yellow bloom
of perfect form belonging to the magni-coronata
section ; Reullura, a charming, dainty-looking,
pale-trumpet variety, which opens almost white ;
Red Beacon, a bright-red eye with a pure white
perianth, interesting as being the variety the
Queen Mother admired as she passed the stand ;
Vulcana. a red and yellow double flower, pro-
bably the most striking of all the Copeland
doubles ; Uncle Robert, the giant white magni,
a little top-heavy perhaps, but still remarkably
fine : and Czarina, one of»^13le very ^est^of the
giant Leedsii.

The Heemstede Association of Bulb
Growers had a large exhibit in the park, con-
sisting of Hyacinths in beds. Each bed was
composed of a variety of one colour in different
shades. Thus the blue bed had Johan, Lady
Derby, Enchantress, Perle Brilliant, Schotel,
Competitor and Princess Wilhelmina. The pink
one had gigantea. Ornament Rose, Rose a Mer-
veiUe. Mme. Neilson and Gertrude ; and the
purple, Laura, Charles Dickens (violet) and Sir
W. Mansfield. The mingling of the shades wa«
a fine object-lesson for visitors.

-272

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 23, 1910.

The National Horiicultural Winter
School, of Boskoop, had well-grown Japanese
Mgple-s, amongst which were palmatum ornn-
tu;]] with bi-own. Fern-like foliage and palmatum
ruhelluni with green, finely-cut leaves. They
also had an interesting exhibit of sweet-scented
Azalea occidentalis hybrids ranging in colour
from white to pale pink.

In the display of J\Ir. N. Dames, of Lifso, the
most interesting was the bed of the new deep-
rose Hyacinth Le Victoire, edged with a new,
early, white kind named Arentine H. Arendsen.
Tiie trusses were showing colour on the 23rd of
March, and were now at their best.

Other Exhibits. — An interesting feature of
the exhibits in the park was the opportunity they
afforded of comparing different varieties of either
Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffodils (Narcissi). No
fewer than 15 of the 39 districts into which the
society is divided sent combined exhibits, as
well as private firms,, such as Messrs. M. van
Waveren & Son, J. J. Grullemans & Sons,
Warnaar & Co., of Sa.ssenheim, Ant. Roozen
& Son, and West End Nurseries. Lisse. Men-
tion must also be made of the Hippea-strums
(Amaryllis) shown by M. Gebrs. van Velsen ;
Azalea indica displayed by A. van Detl ;
the group of Rhododendrons staged by
Messrs. Koster & Son, Boskoop ; Azalea mollis
]\Irs. L. J. Endtz from Messrs. Endtz van Nes
& Co. ; Polyantha Rose Boskoop Baby shown by
Messrs. Kersbergen Bros. ; the fine cut Lilacs
■of Messrs. D. & J. Keesfen ; Hydrangeas staged
by Mr. D. Baardse Dzn ; Hippeastrums
'(Amaryllis) shown by Mr. A. W. Ingenhoes
"VAN ScHAiK ; and the Narcissi of Messrs. S. A.
■VAN KoNiJNENBURG & Co. Attention, too, must
be called to the grand specimen half-ball and
obelisk-shaped standard Laurels in tubs and to
the very numerous cut Box trees. The topiary
art is intimately connected with Holland, and it
was appropriate to find many good examples scat-
tered about the grounds. An interesting con-
tribution was the " Chantecler " farmyard en-
closed in a semi-circle of Irish Yews.

©bitiiarp.

George Sharp Saunders. — We regret to
liave to record the death of Mr. George Sharp
Saunders, F.L.S., F.E.S., who passed away on
the 10th inst. at his residence, Littlethoi-pe,
Burgh Heath, Sun'ey, after an illness of some
months. Mr. Saunders was a son of the late Mr.
W. Wilson Saunders. F.R.S.. the author of liffn-
■guim Botanicum, treasurer of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society from 1855 to 1862, and secretary
from 1862 to 1866. The son was soon initiated
in horticulture, but his bent lay more towards
the study of insects than of other liv-
ing things, though he took a keep interest
in many branches of natural science. He became
■well known as an expert in economic entomology,
and his opinion was on this subject widely sought
and greatly valued, by none more than by the
Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society, whose meetings he regularly attended for
many years. His knowledge of entomology was
always at the disposal of enquirers, and his ready
courtesy and clear expositions of life histories and
so on made his communications of real value.
He was the author of several clearly-written
articles (not all of them signed) on insect pests
in the horticultural Press. He was a skilled
draughtsman, and made a considerable number of
coloured drawings of teratolocical subjects of
great interest and value to the botanist. When,
in 1906, the Rev. W. Wilks was obliged, through
pressure of work, to give up the editorship of the
R.H.S. Jovrnal. Mr. Saunders was appointed to
succeed him, and he edited the Journal until
1908, when ill-health obliged him to resign. He
vas elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in
1899 and served upim the Council from 1902 to
1905, and he was also a Fellow of the Entomo-
logical Society. The funeral took place at
Wandsworth, where deceased had lived for many
years.

Abraham Dean Hartley. — We learn
from Horliriihvrp of the recent death of Abra-
ham Dean Hartley, landscape gardener, of
Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Hartley emigrated to
America from England in 1867.

Arthur Boyle. — We regret to record the
death, on March 24, of Mr. Arthur Boyle, at
Santa Fe, N.M. The Florists' Exrhamje, in' the
course of an obituary notice (April 2, 1910), gives
the following particulars of Mr. Boyle's career.
Born in Newcastle in 1840, he went abroad at an
early age, and, after spending some time in the
service of the Rajah of Sarawak, Borneo (Rajah
Brookes), Mr. Boyle settled in Santa Fe, where
he carried on the business of florist.

John Hay.— The funeral took place at Nellfield
Cemetery, Aberdeen, on Saturday, 16th inst., of
Mr. John Hay, retired gardener. Mr. Hay, who
had reached the ripe age of 75 years, was a
native of Culsalmond, Aberdeenshire, and served
his apprenticeship at Newton, Insch, the coun-
try seat of Mr. A. M. Gordon, Convener of
the County of Aberdeen. After service in the
capacity of gardener at several county houses,
and particularly at Corse, Lumphanan, Aber-
deenshire, where he also undertook the duties
of forester, iSIr. Hay was appointed head gar-
dener to the la.te Lord Provost Nicol. Aberdeen.
Subsequently, he served for some time as gar-
dener at Ashley House, Aberdeen, and, on leav-
ing this situation, took up the duties of cus-
todian and superintendent of the City Church-
yard at Aberdeen, in the most densely-populated
part of that city. Mr. Hay retired from active
work five years ago.

John Shedden. — The death of Mr. John
Shedden is recorded in the Florists' Exchavge
(April 2. 1910). The deceased was born in Scot-
land 53 years ago, but had lived in Pawtucket,
R.I., U.S.A., for 23 years. Mr. Shedden leaves
a widow, but no children.

Aphis on Vines : G. H. Try the effect of
syringing with clear water. If some nicotine
compound is employed, such as you suggest,
extreme caution will be necessary to avoid an
overdose. The Box hedges should be clipped
in May.

Cultivation of Gerbera Jamesonii : B. L. do
G. M. This plant requires to be wintered in a
cool greenhouse or cold frame. A few degrees
of frost will not harm them while they are dor-
mant, provided the soil is not wet at the time.
Indeed, they may be grown entirely in the
open in warm, dry situations, but, generally,
the winter rains prove injurious. Seeds may
be sown in pots at any time. If sown in hoaf.
early in the year, some of the plants will flower
in August or September. A suitable mixture
for potting consists of about equal parts of
good turfy loam, peat and leaf-mould, with a
fair sprinkling of sharp silversand. When the
plants are large enough to flower and the pots
well filled with roots, they will be benefited by
doses of weak liquid manure, given two or
three times each week. If planted out in a
frame in a similar compost to that advised
for potting, they will furnish flowers for cut-
ting. The blooms remain fresh for a long time
in water. Gerberas may be planted on rockeries
or sunny borders during May, and if they are
planted in clumps of five or six they are very
effective. They may also be use! for this pur-
pose, plunged in their pots. OH plants should
have a^ little of the soil shaken from the roots
early in the spring and afterwards be re-
potted. If kept under close conditions for a
week or so and syringed occasionally, they
will soon commence to make new growth.
Such plants make the best specimens for plant-
ing out-of-doors.

Fig Leaves Diseased: T. C. and Fig Leaves.
The blotches are caused by a fungus, Cerco-
spora BoUeana. _ The disease can be kept in
check by sponging the leaves with a solution
of soft soap.

Insects on Vines: Insert. The beetle, Elater
sputator, is known as Skip Jack or Click-Beetle.
The wireworm is the grub of this insect. The
pest has probably been introduced with the
old turf used in making the border. Trap
them with pieces of vegetable, such as Carrot
or Potato.

Jamaican Plants: W. A. B. As you intend to
visit Jamaica, your best plan would be to visit
the Botanic Garden at Castleton. No doubt
the officials will furnish you with all the infor-
mation you require. They will also explain
the best methods of packing plants and cut-
tings for transmission to this country.

Lawn Infested with Lichen : C. W . You
should use some nitrogenous manure, which
would cause the grass to grow so luxuriantly as
to crowd out the lichens. Neither kainit nor
the bonemeal which you have used would have
this effect, though, under normal conditions,
these manures would assi-st the turf. The
lichen is an indication of a poor and wet soil.

Names of Fruits : H. H. Apple Royal Shep-
herd.— E. W.Braine. The variety is probably
Northern Spy.

Names of Plants : C. D 1. Podocarpus chilina;
2, Pernettya nnicronata ; 3, Thuya dolabrata ;

4, Cupressus pisifera plumosa ; 5, C. p. pen-
dula ; 6, Azara microphylla. — H . G. Sterculia
diversifolia. — G. A. \, Thuya dolabrata; 2,
Odontospermum niaritimum ; 3, Mesembryan-
themum spectabile ; 4, Eupatorium ripari'um ;

5, E. trapezoideum ; 6, Alyssum maritimum. —
T . T . 1, Cochlioda sanguinea ; 2, Odontoglos-
sum crocidipterum ; 3, Oncidium barbatum ;
4, Pleurothallis tridentata ; 5, Stelis Rod-
riguezii. — H. W. Oncidium lamelligerum. —
B. H. E. Corydalis bulbosa.— 7'. H. Cypri-
pedium conspicuum (HaiTisianum X villosum).
— i?. F. H. Ccelogyne corymbosa.— G. H. H. W .
Calceolaria pinnata. — C. W. B. Tussilago
Petasites ; 2, Kerria japonica flore pleno; 3,
Lunaria biennis ; 4, Lamium maculatum.

NECTAaiNEs Splitting : L. It. B. The trouble
is caused through too much moisture at the
roots.

Palm Leaf : H. C. The damage is not due to
disease, but to error in affording water. Too
much or too little moisture at the roots has
caused the injury. Palms which have been
used for the decoration of dwelling-rooms fre-
quently show such disfiguration, the trouble
being also influenced by the dry atmosphere.

Pelargoniums Diseased : T . H. The blacken-
ing is a bacterial disease which manifests itself
when plants containing the germs receive a
check during growth, aided by Uie presence
of too much water in the soil. There is no
cure. Tainted stock should n.ot be used for
propagation.

Rose Disease : Ebor. The blotches are caused
by Botryospha?ria dothidea. Diseased shoots
cannot be cured, but should be cut out and
burned.

Seeds for Examin.\tion : Correspondent. The
seeds are not those of Papaver somniferum ;
they belong, apparently, to some member of
the Leguminosffi.

Strawberry Leaves with Spots : W. T. The
spots are caused by Sphierella fragariae. Spray
with Bordeaux mixture at half strength. In
the autumn cover the fading leaves with a
sprinkling of straw or dry litter and set fire
to it. By this means all the infected leaves
will be destroyed.

T0M.A.T0 Leaf for Examination : //. ,S'. The
specimen was withered and insufficient for de-
termining what had caused the trouble. Send
other specimens more carefully packed ; in the
meantime spray the plants with the Bofdeaux
mixture.

Under Gardener : B. H. B. Unless you have
experience of garden work, you could only
start as a garden labourer.

Vine Leaves: If. L., A. A. P. and W. T>.
No disease is present, and the trouble must be
attributed to some wrong cultural treatment,
which only those on the spot can determine. —
O. C. The vine is attacked by a fungus
called Hormodendron hordei. Spray the vines
at intervals with liver of sulphur, in the pro-
portion of 1 oz. to three gallons of water.

Vine Weevil: H. A. C. As the larvie feed on
the roots of the vine in spring, they can be
destroyed now by dressing the soil with either
of the substances you mention.

Comtnunications Received.— L. G., Brussels— Lady
G. D.— W. W.— D. W.— L C C, S.— James G, Cheshire
— D, C, Co. Kerry _B. G — Mrs. P. H. S. -W. B. H.—
W. F.— Japonica— H. B — C. S. P.— Minstead-.^. Dean
—A. J. E.— H. a. T.— W. P W.— J. L. B.-A. B. R.-
W. P.-J. D.— P. M.— W. J. R,— A. MoK.

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April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

273

THE

6arbcncrs'Cbioniclc

No. 1,'US.— SATURDAY, April 30, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden —

Neckham. Richard, the

S p r i n g - n o w e r i n g

garden of

•273

Phloxes

274

Obituary -

Anemone sulphuvca ...

2 3

Plowright, Cliarles

Auricula *' Warley " ...

274

Bagge

286

Belvoir Castle gardens

282

Schroder, Baron

280

Books, notices of —

Orchids at the Dell, Eg-

Fruit Tr e Pruning ...

275

ham, some notable ...

281

How to Use Nitrate of

Peach blossom, protect-

Soda

282

ing

■284

Kearton's Nature Pic-

Plant-breeding methods

tures

282

applied to trees

•276

The Culture of Vege-

Primula, " General

tables and Flowers

27.';

Stuart"

281

Publications received

283

Seed packets, trans-

Brussels International

parent

283

Congress of Horticul-

Societies-

ture

282

Devon and Exeter

Cabbages, a trial of ...

281

Hort

28G

Cider from disinfected

Devon Daffodil and

Apples

282

Spring Flower

•285

Cordyline aastralis seed-

Glamorgan Daffodil

ing

283

and Spring Flower

2! 5

Cultural memoranda-

Horticultural Club ...

285

Thinning Peaches

275

Kent, Surrey and

Cyanide, fumigating

Sussex Daffodil ...

285

with

283

Linnean

•280

"French" garden, a

National Chrysan-

model

282

themum

281

Frost, the effects of, in

Royal Horticultural

■2Sl

South Scotland

283

(Scientific Committee)

21! 5

Fruit troe«, pruning

Royal Horticultural

newly-planted

284

of Ireland

286

Gardener's golden wed-

Royal Meteorological

285

ding

283

Trial of Carnations

281

Gardening books, a new

University College,

new series of

282

Reading, and America

•2£3

Haarlem Jubilee Flower

Wart disease of Potato

Show

281

in America

283

Houtte, Louis van, cen-

Week's work, the —

tenary celebrations ...

282

Apiary, the

270

Insecticide, a simply

Flower garden, the ...

•279

prepared

2S2

Fruits under glass ...

•278

Insects and colours of

Hardy fruit garden, the 279

flowers

281

Kitchen garden, the...

2,8

Melons and Cucumbers,

Orchid houses, the ..

279

fertilisation of

294

Plants under gla;s ...

278

Narcissi "Tamerlane"

Woodgate, Mr. Geo.,

»nd"Tita"

ILLl

276

isrr

retirement of

NATIONS.

281

Auricula " Warley "

274

Houtte, Louis van, portrait o

282

Narcissus " Tamerlane

'

276

Narcissus *' Tita "

277

Portrait of tlie late Baron S

chroder (Supplementary

Illustration)

THE GARDEN OF RICHARD
NECKHAM.

RICHARD NECKHAM wa.s born in 1157,
on the same day a.s Pifliard I., wliom
his mother nursed. He died in 1217.
Neckham was a prolific writer, but only two
of his works have been printed, viz., Vc
Naturis Scrum and De Laudibus Biritue
Sapientuc, both of which were published in
18G3. The first contains several chapters on
p'ants, on grafting, and one chapter devoted
to a descriptive list of garden plants. The
second is a poem divided into ten " distinc-
tions," one of which relates solely to herbs,
and another, to cereals and trees. It is not
improbable that Neckham, who was a priest,
may have been indebted to others for some of
his material, but, whether or no, his contribu-
tions to the literature of horticulture must
ever remain unique, on account of their
priority and also because they throw a lumi-
nous, if a narrow, beam on tho general dark-
ness that enshrouds the gardening-practice of
the period. From the way he moralized on
every subject, he may be considered a mediie-
val Ralph Austen, but Neckham exhibits less
of this peculiarity in his discussions on plants.
than in any other part of his volumes. He
was very fond of '' showing of!'," and, to some
extent, he was betrayed into an exhibition of
his knowleilge of the botany of his day in the
chapter on Gardens. But, taking his writ-

ings on the subject as a whole, with all their
faults, we have every reason to reverence his
memory for the details he has left to pos-
terit)'.

The early botanist had to contend with
great difficulties. Some plants had many
names, some names stood for manj- plants ; of
the Marigold, Neckham remarks that it had a
choice of many designations. It was called
Intiba, Cichorea, Dionysia, Sponsa Solis,
Solsequium, and Heliotropium. Our author
notes of Apples that they smell sweeter than
Pears, though the latter are the more de-
sirable, and also that, whereas Pears sink in
water, Apples float. Pears, he considered,
should always be eaten with nine, and after
dinner, when Quinces also should be eaten.
All soft fruits, including Cherries, Mulberries,
Grapes, and al.so Apples should be consumed
whilst a person is hungry, or t>efore partaking
of food. These curious distinctions, it may
be added, are greatly amplified in the Book of
Nurture.

In sauntering round the garden with
Neckham, entertaine<l by his chat on plants
and other matters not quite to the pur-
pose of our stroll, we cannot fail to remark
how flowers, vegetables, and fruits grow to-
gether almost promiscuously. We have occa-
sionally a little difficulty in determining the
particular vegetable or flower to which he
refers, and his translators accordingly have
sometimes failed, as perhap.s all will fail who
attempt it, to find modern equivalents to fit
his names. He does not, like some subse-
quent authorities, apologise for this and that
plant that it has no use beyond its beauty,
though we gather that utility is, to him,
al.so the main reason for cultivating plants.
" Here," he remarks, " the garden should be
beautified with Roses and Lilies, with the
Marigold and Violets," with Wallflowers
" and Mandragoris," a plural word wliiih
would include Henbane. " There you slioidd
have your Parslej-, Gostmary, Fennel,
Southernwood, Coriander, Sage, Savory,
Hyssoj], garden Mint, Rue, Dittany, .Small-
age, Pellitory, Lettuce, garden Cress,
and Pionia, and whole beds should be planted
with Onions, Leeks, Garlic, Pumpkins, and
Shallots, and this would be a nice place to
gro« the bulging Cucumber, the white Poppy,
Narcissus, and Acanthus. Nor would you
ever want herbs for your pottage if the
garden were abundantly stored with Betes,
Mercury, Orach, and Sorrel, and also Mal-
lows. Then Ariise, Mu.stard, ' White Pe]jpL'r,'*
and Wormwood afford much profit to the gar-
dener. And a really fine garden will supply
you with fruit — Medlars, Quinces, ^^'arden
and St. Rule Pears, Peaches, Pomegranates,
Citrons, Oranges, Almonds, Dates — here our
eyebrows go up — and Figs. But there is no
use mentioning such things as Ginger, Cloves,
Cinnamon, Liquorice, Zedoary, Myrrh," and
many other foreign gums and spices which he
details. '" However, if you will take my ad-
vice, a spot will be found for Saffron and
Woad. Moreover, who is insensible of the
virtues of Thyme and Pennyroyal ! Every
body knows that Borage and Purslane are in-
dispensable in one's dietary, and that Asara-
bacca, which is calle<l V'ulgago, is .splendid for
stomach complaints. And Rocket, too, and
Or'.hises, which are exciting herbs, are coun-
teracted by the coolness of Chicory." After

* Probably Animi majus or Carura carui.

a brief lapse, to explain why special animals
were sacrificed to certain deities, he continues
his discourse on plants, and relates how
'■ there are those wdio interest themselves in
the work of distinguishing between Solse-
quium and our Marygold, which is called
Calendula, as well as between Artemisia
(Mugwort) and our Feverfew, which is called
Febrifugium. It is agreed also that wliile
one herb is Jovis barba another is Barba
Jovis." So very particular were these
Monkish botanists! Then he recites a short
verse, which seems to have been taught in
all Uie schools : — " The garden Iris bears a
purple flower, Iris florentina a white ; the wild
Iris a yellow one, but the Gladwyn none."
And just before showing us out .it the garden
gate, he does not fail to remind us that
" Horehound, Dog's Tongue, Macedonian
Parsley, Dragons, Sowthistle, Angelica, Cori-
ander, Patience, Galingale, and Madder are
herbs of note," and pleasantly refers us to
Macer and Dioscorides for further informa-
tion.

It will be noticed that the garden which was
familiar to Neckham, besides furnishing the
few vegetables which were cooked for the
table and a nice selection of fruit, provided
also salads, a great quantity of herbs to distil,
a selection for medicinal purposes, and a few
for dyeing the cloth that was spun, and per-
haps woven, in the household.

In the second volume, a much larger num-
ber of plants is named, and, .as in the first,
references to flowers, &c., occur in those por-
tions devoted to other subjects. In the
cliapter devoted solely to herbs, besides the
names, their virtues and evil effects are de-
tailed. It is, indeed a kind of herbal, and
it is not a little remarkaljle that the curative
properties which were attributed to some of
the plants in the twelfth century are identical
with those ascribed to them at the present
day. The juice of Onions, for instance, ap-
plied to the ear, was a specific for earache ;
Borage, when rubbed in, was a specific against
wasp stings, spider bites, and gout.

The Rose and Lily receive special attention.
Of the former he tells us that " it is pleas-
antly clothed in ruddy purple, delightfully
splendid, the glory of the garden. It is a
flower appropriate to young women, and
pleasant to youth, and affords a charming
token of the bashful maiden." The Lily is
described as white, Sweet Violets ferrugineus,
Roses red, Hyacinths jiurple, and Narcissus
shining with splendour. In the succeeding
chapter, a fair number of trees are named and
their qualities noted. The way to use Pears
is again described, and Marmalade — " condita
citonia melle " is mentioned. The part in the
" Garden " in which reference to certain
deities is made, recurs here, under the Myrtle.
The concluding stanza informs the reader of
his anxiety to know why no flower is green.
There were flowers gleaming with snowy
whiteness, others purple, some yellow or
adorned with blue, even Ebony was covered
with blackness. The reason for this he ex-
plains more to his own satisfaction than to
that of his reader. All the same, we feel
sorry to part with him. We sympathise with
his lack of knowledge in some things, and his
credulity in others, but, above all, are grate-
ful to him for introducing us to the early
English garden and its flourishing occupants.
li. P. Brofherston.

274

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 30, 1910.

AURICULA "WARLEY."

The show Auriculas which come under the
designation of selfs, have hitherto produced but
few colours. The oldest self colour, if we except
the original yellow, is the dark colour which
florists term " black." In John Rea's Flora,
published in 1676, he alludes to one named " the
Black Imperial." It was " of so dark a purple
colour that, without much error, it may be called
black, with fair, snow-white eyes. This was
raised in Oxford." Black Emperor was a similar
type of flower, also with fair, white eyes.

The colours at the present time amongst the
self Auriculas, in general cultivation, are the
dark, almost black flowers with white centre,
violet or bluish- violet, and red or crimson. I have
tried for many years to obtain some new colours,
but it has been a long and tedious way to travel.
Nevertheless, distinct breaks have been obtained,
which are sufficient to show that there is a fair
and pleasant field for the florist to work in who
cares to spend hie time in improving the form
■ and colour of his Auriculas. Warley belongs to
the self Auricula of the show type. It has the
gold tube, round white centre, and the margin, of
a lavender colour. We have also seedlings which
exhibit rich yellow colours, some apricot, others
scarlet, rose and bronze, all of them of the type
of the show Auriculas in the self class. There is
room for improvement amongst them, but this
is the more reason why amateurs should take up
this work and try to get not only new colours,
but to work them up to the standard of excel-
lence of the old colours which have existed in
the show Auricula for 300 years. There are now
hundreds of amateurs raising Auriculas fx-om
seed, but most of them look for the self colours
already in existence, or the varieties with green,
grey, and white margins. The amateur may
still search for these, and do his best to improve
them ; at the same time, he should keep a good
look-out for any flowers which are beautiful in
themselves and present unusual shades. The
variety Warley and many other new colours have
been obtained in this way, and there must be no
standing still ; a new type or a new break is
merely a starting-point whence greater progress
may be made and more beautiful varieties
obtained. The man who loves flowers is never
satisfied ; he sees the means by which more and
more beautiful flowers may be obtained for his
garden, and he cannot rest, because the quest is
endless. J. Douglas.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

THE SPRING-FLOWERING PHLOXES.

The various species and varieties of Phlox are
almost indispensable in gardens where flowers are
required from early spring until late autumn.
The spring-flowering Phloxes are of difTerent
habits and possess different qualities from such
as P. suffruticosa and P. decussata, but they are
very beautiful when in flower. Their cultiva-
tion presents few difficulties. The majority of
the low, trailing species and varieties prefer a
dry soil and a sunny position, but those of a more
erect growth thrive better in the flower-border
than on the rockery, provided that the soil is not
too dry. The taller varieties may be propagated
by division, and those of the subulata and stel-
laria class by means of cuttings inserted in
lummer, after the plants have done blooming.
The shoots may be taken off either with or with-
out a heel of the old wood. In the latter case
they should be made about 2 inches long and be
inserted about two-thirds of their depth in sandy
«oil, surfaced with sand. After planting, they
•hould be v/ell watered, and covered with glass
•BntU rooted.

Phlox subulat.^. — This species is known in
«ome parts as the Moss Pink ; it is one of the
most valuable of the section, and in the rock-

garden there are few subjects which surpass it
when in blccm. The plant is of trailing habit,
and has spiny foliage. From April to June the
whole plant is covered with a profusion of beau-
tiful little flowers. It has given rise to many
varieties, practically all of which are hardy,
but one of the most beautiful, named Vivid, is
more tender than the rest, and is sometimes
destroyed during a severe winter. This Phlox
prefers ground that is rather dry in winter : if
the soil is not very porous, it is advisable to lay
a sheet of glass, raised about 6 inches from the
ground, over the plant, to throw off the rains.
In the south of England this protection is not
necessary.

P. s. atropurpurea is one of the oldest and
best of the varieties. It has fine, reddish-purple
flowers, with a darker zone, and is remarkably
easy to cultivate, but it should be placed where
it enjoys the full sunshine.

Phlox stellaria. — This species is much laxer
and freer in growth than P. subulata, and even
more useful for hanging over large stones,
although it docs not cover itself so densely with
flowers. The typical plant has pale lilac or
white, starry flowers ; the variety Bridesmaid has
white flowers, tinted with lilac. Some class
lilacina with Phlox stellaria, and there is a
variety, G. F. Wilson, of somewhat the same
shade, but P. stellaria does not suffer so much
from cold in winter as P. subulata.

Phlox reptans. — This is another early-flower-
ing Phlox, though of quite distinct character
from the foregoing. It is a low-growing plant,
with rather round leaves and small, rose-coloured
flowers with a darker centre. It sends out little
runners, after the habit of the Strawberry, and
these root readily when pegged down.

Phlox amcena. — The habit of this species is
similar to that of P. reptans, but it does not

\_From a photosiuph by /. GrCf^oty,

Fig. ii8. — show auricula "warley": colour, greyish-pink with white parte.

P. s. lilacina is not quite so dense in its
growth as Newry Seedling, but it has f.owers of
much the same colour — a soft lilac blue. But
Newry Seedling is the finer of the two in regard
to both habit and flowering. P. s. Model has
beautifully-formed flowers of a deep rose colour.
P. s. Nelsonii, possibly a hybrid, raised by the
late Rev. J. G. Nelson, of Aldborough, is one of
the most beautiful of all, with its masses of
snowy-white flowers and its closely -tufted, spiny
foliage.

The blooms of P. s Sprite are bright rose, with
an attractive, deep carmine centre. P. s. The
Bride is a good white variety ; P. s. Vivid, the
tender variety already referred to, has bright
rose-pink flowers, which are small compared with
those of some of the others. This variety is one
of the best for gardens. Fairy w another pretty
varietv.

increase so rapidly. The season of blooming is
from May to .June. The flowers are rose-
coloured, and larger than any described above.
This species, scarcer in gardens than P. reptans,
is a most desirable plant. There is a little-
known, variegated variety.

Phlox canadensis. — The exhibition of the very
beautiful variety of this Phlox, named Laphamii,
has properly drawn attention to the different
forms of this species, which is of erect habit, and
flowers from April to July. It is about a foot
high, and has pale-blue flowers. Lajihamii, or
Lapham's variety, as it is sometimes called, is
more vigorous in its growth than the type, and
produces large trusses of well-shaped, bluish-
violet flowers. Perry's variety is another good
form of similar habit, bearing flowers of the
charming colour of Plumbago capensis. Violet
Queen is another fprm, the blooms of this being

April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

275

of a deep violet, shading into a kind of crimson
purple towards the centre of each bloom.

Phlox pilosa. — This is referred to in the Kew
Handlist as P. amcena, but the two plants are
recognised by Britt-on and Brown as distinct
species, and for garden purposes this distinction
is desirable. It is more downy, and the leaves are
more pointed, than those of P. amoena. The
flowers are purple, pink, or white, a pale purple
or bluish one being generally supplied as the type.
A white variety is offered by nurserymen under
the name of pilcsa alba ; and Brilliant, another
variety, has bright crimson blooms. We have
every prospect of obtaining a charming set of
garden plants from the last two species, and at
the last Temple Show Mr. Amos Perry exhibited
some beautiful varieties of these Phlo.xes. P.
pilosa generally grows from 9 inches to 15 inches
high.

Phlox ovata. — This is another, very beautiful
Phlox, with red flowers and ovate leaves, flower-
ing from May onwards. In its native habitat
it grows in woods, and is thus a useful plant for
.shaded positions, although it does well also in
•sunny places.

Phlox maculata. — Although not very com-
monly grown in gardens, P. maculata is worthy
of a place, because of its greater stature and its
season of flowering being from May to August.
It grows from 18 inches to 24 inches high, and
has usually pink or purple blooms ;' there is. how-
ever, a white variety. The stems are spotted
with red, hence the name maculata.

Phlox Douglasii. — Though in cultivation at
Kew, this species is not usually met with in nur-
series. It is, however, a pretty plant, of the
same habit as P. subulata, producing purple or
white blooms on creeping, or trailing, shoots,
provided with narrow leaves. S. Arnott.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Fruit Tree Pruning.*

As the reader is informed at the commence-
ment, this book is intended by the author to
serve as a practical handbook for fruit growers,
working under the climatic and economic con-
ditions prevailing in temperate Australia. It is
divided, as regard its contents, into three parts,
the first of which deals with basic principles,
such as the objects of pruning, observed facts on
which the theory of pruning is based, seasons for
pruning, pruning tools and how to use them, the
parts of the tree, the designing of the tree, de-
velopment of fruit-bearing wood, classification of
the shoots of deciduous fruit trees, and pruning
to avoid decay. The second part is concerned
with tree-pruning of deciduous fruit trees, the
.Apricot, Plum, Cherry, Almond, Peach, Necta-
rines, Apple, Pear, Quince, and Fig. Part III.
treats of the Orange, Lemon, other Citrus trees,
and the Loquat.

The two previous editions of this booklet
(issued in 1900 and 1901 respectively) met, the
author states, with a sympathetic reception from
(he horticultural and general Press of Australia.
From the great demand for copies which came
from fruit growers, both commercial and ama-
teur, the author considers that this success was
due in great part to the merit of the work.

In the present edition fresh matter and some
rearrangement of the text, as well as new plates,
have been freely introduced. The author has a
strong belief in the value of pictorial aids to in-
struction ; and there are not many pages without
one or several illustrations. The principal new
feature is the attempt made to define and classify
each type of annual growth found upon the de-
ciduous fruit trees dealt with in the text.

* By G. Quinn, Horticultural lustructor, Department of
Atjriculture. South Australia. Adelaide: By Authority,
R. E. E. Rogers, Acting Government Printer, 1910 ; price
Is. 3d.

The ultimate objects sought in pruning are to
cause the tree to produce more regular crops,
to improve the quality of the fruit, and, whilst
doing this, to maintain its vitality over a con-
siderable period. These various objects are
plainly stated, the way to secure them indicated,
and many kinds of tools used in pruning are
shown as wood cuts or photographs. The seca-
teur seems to bo the favourite pruning instrument
in Australian orchards.

The chief object in fruit growing is fruit, and
the reader is efficiently instructed by word and
figures how he must prune to obtain it in
abundance.

The examples of good and bad pruning are
very enlightening, as are those on the formation
of a " head."

It is obvious that the cultivator at the Anti-
podes has nothing material to learn from Euro-
peans ; indeed, it is quite the other way, judging
from the importations of Australian Apples and
Pears, and the fruit grower in the " home land "
would do well to read this excellent book.

The Culture of Vegetables and
Flowers.J

The repeated editions of this excellent work,
issued by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, are a certain
indication of its popularity. The information is
trustworthy, as might bo expected from a firm
of world-wide repute, and reference to the various
s^ubjects is rendered easy by the aiTangement
of them in alphabetical order. . The more im-
portant chapters are those d.?voted to the culture
of vegetables, a year's work in the kitchen gar-
den, rotation of crops, the chemistry of garden
crops, the culture of flowers from seed, the cul-
ture of flowering bulb.;, flowers all the year round,
the treatniLUt of lawns and tennis grounds, and
garden pests of many kinds.

Asparagus is dealt with in a long chapter, in
which are described the various modes of forcing
this favourite vegetable, illustrated by a diagram.
Early sowing and planting of Kales is recom-
mended, so as to ensure a long season of growth.
For Brccoli, if this crop should follow Cab-
bage, Turnip, or Cauliflower, the authors advise
heavily-manured land, and slaked lime dusted
into the holes. If the land is in good heart,
it is prudent to be sparing with manure, as
high manuring tends to indace succulent growth
late in the season, which is inimical to the
chances of the plants surviving a hard winter.
.Many gardeners would prefer to plant on hard
ground previously manured.

Carrots are, as is well known, rather fastidious
as regards soil, and long-rooted varieties cannot
be sown on shallow soils, the best varieties for
these, we are told, being Champion Horn,
Sutton's Gem, and Intermediate.

The chapter on Cauliflowers contains numerous
useful hints for the cultivator. We learn that
in Cornwall the autumn sowings are made in
October, and north of the Trent in the first week
in August. Those who sow the variety. First
Crop, in warmth in January secure small heads
in May, and succeeding sowings may consist of
Sutton's Magnum Bonum, Purity, and White
Queen, sown in January and onwards. In this
manner the various vegetables come under notice,
nothing being omitted. Those useful adjuncts to
good cookery, Herbs, are dealt with in six pages
of descriptive text, and the remarks on Peas,
Potatos, and Tomatos also occupy adequate space,
and afford abundance of useful information.

The directions for the sowing, treatment, and
culture of flowers of hardy biennials and peren-
nials are succinctly but clearly given. The
notices of varieties might have been extended
with advantage. The chapters on Narcissi,
Lilies, Hyacinths, and Tulips are satisfactory,
but they also might, with advantage, be more
detailed. The book contains a full calendar of
garden operations for the year.

I Sutton & Sons,- Reading ; price 5s. ne*

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

THINNING PEACHES.

This is work that requires to be done with a
bold hand, guided by experience as to the size
to which certain varieties of the Peach and
Nectarine attain under skilful and generous
treatment ; it must not be done indiscriminately.
The vigour and size of each tree must be con-
sidered in determining the number of fruits which
it shall carry as a crop without impairment of
its permanent welfare. The thinning-out of the
fruit is usually done at the same time as the last
stage of disbudding, and, as in that operation, it
is advisable to extend the process of thinning the
crop over a week. In the final thinning the
fruits should be left from 9 to 12 inches apart
every way on the trellis or wall, retaining, as ,t
matter of course, the most even-sized and best-
placed fruits on the side facing the glass. Most
growers defer the final thinning until the fruits
have completed the process of stoning, fear-
ing to do so before, in cas.' some of the fruits
drop in stoning. As a matter of fact, this cautious
method of procedure is illogical and well calcu-
lated to bring about the very thing it is intended
to prevent. For the energies of the trees are
needlessly and severely taxed in the stoning of a
crop of fruit, the greater proportion of which the
cultivator intends to destroy later. There is no
fear of strong, free-growing, healthy Peach or
Nectarine trees dropping their fruits in the pro-
cess of stoning, when cropped as recommended
above, provided that the cultural requirements
are properly attended to, and, especially, if the
soil about the roots is kept uniformly moist and
the foliage clean. In the case of trees which
have suffered from neglect in these respects, there
is the more reason for reducing the number of
fruits to 15 inches from fruit to fruit every way
before the stoning stage is reached. Avoid over-
cropping of the trees as the greatest evil in fruit
culture, and always bear in mind that a dozen
well-grown Peaches or Nectarines are preferable
to three times that number of smaller fruits.
Weakly-growing trees should be cropped very
lightly indeed, so as to enable them to make and
mature stronger wood for yielding fruit th^ fol-
lowing year.

In thinning the Nectarine crops, it must be
borne in mind that the individual fruits of Nec-
tarines do not attain to such large dimensions
as Peaches. The fruits should therefore be left
closer together on the trees, say, from 6 to 9
inches, according to the size which the varieties
cultivated are known to reach under ordinary
and special cultur.il treatment. As already
stated, the general condition of the individual
trees must be considered in determining the
number of fruits to be left for a crop.

I have frequently shown prize-winning fruit*
at the leading shows picked from trees upon
which the fruits, when ripe, weie little more than
6 inches apart. The trees, it is true, were in the
best possible condition, the result of generous
treatment. The borders, too, 'were mulched to
the thickness of 2 or 3 inches with horse-drop-
pings or well-decayed stable manure, renewed
once or twice during the time the fruit was
swelling, the food from the manure being washed
down to the roots by watering the borders once
a week, or less frequently in dull weather. After
the substance of the mulch had been well washed,
out, applications of diluted liquid manure were
given. Large-growing varieties of the Peach as
Barrington, Princess of Wales, Lady Palmerston,
Sea Eagle, and Walburton Admiral should have
the fruits thinned to 15 inches apart every way
on strong-growing, healthy trees. Nectarines
Lord Napier, Dryden, Stauwick Elriige, New-
ton, Milton. Pineapple, Humboldt and Spenser
should be afforded a space of from 9 to 12 inches
from fruit to fruit if large specimens are desired.
The foregoing remarks apply equally to frees
growing against walls out-of-doors and thoSe
trained to trellises in t,lasshouses. H. W.
]Yard.

276

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 30. 1910.

TWO GOOD NARCISSI.

Narcissus Tamerlane, whose beauty of form
is so admirably portrayed in the uppermost
flower {fig. 119),- belongs to the Incompara-
bilis group, and is a large and particularly
handsome vai-iety. The perianth-segments are
of a uniform yellow colour, the cup assuming
a distinct tone of orange. The variety will ap-
peal to the exhibitor by reason of its shapeliness,
and the breadth of its well-imbricated segments,
characteristics which the picture shows well.
Tamerlane, which is said to possess a splendid
constitution, was raised by Mr. J. C. Williams.

The variety Tita, shown in fig. 120, is best
described as a much-glorified N. Barrii con-
spicuus, the colouring of the cup being of a more
intense hue, and of a more extensive character
than in the older variety. N. TiU was raised by
Mr. P. D. Williams, by" whom it is regarded a& a
variety of much excellence.

These novelties have been exhibited by Mr.
Alex. M. Wilson, Shovell, Bridgwater, Somer-
set. J.

hurst, Isle of Wight, which looked better
than any I saw elsewhere, produced one
seedling. A tree at Baytordbury produced
two seedlings, which, however, I look upon as
doubtful, as they may have come m from seed
from an adjoining box. A tree at Cambridge,
which is absolutely like the English Elm in all
respects, except that it is rather wide-spreading
in habit, gave a single seedling like the Parkhurst
seedling.

An examination this year shows that the

All the different seedlings reared, about 5,300
in number, each lot of which has a well-known
tree for its parent, have been planted out this
year in the experimental forestry plot on the
University Farm at Cambridge, and if they grow,
I have no doubt that we shall see all the pos-
sible existing varieties of Elms amongst them.

These experiments seem to show that what are
called varieties are often simply Mendelian com-
binations of the characters of two existing
species. I may here point out, that where

PLANT-BREEDING METHODS APPLIED
TO TREES.*

(Concluded from page 258.)
Further examination of the seedlings of the
Huntingdon Elm shows that some have leaves
with short petioles, whilst others have leaves
with long petioles. This makes eight dif-
ferent kinds of seedlings. Taking into ac-
count the other points of difference on the
two species, there are possibly 64 different kmds
amongst the seedlings of the Huntingdon Elm.
Some of the characters will interact with each
other ; and as a result, there is the possibility of
nearly all the known varieties of Elms appearing
in the Fj generation, i.e., amongst the Hunting-
don Elm seedlings. At this moment, at Cam-
bridge, there are numerous seedlings of this Elm
in the fields and hedgerows, some of which will
survive, and constitute, when they grow up,
peculiar Elms for botanists to quarrel about, and
from which nurserymen could make selections.

Sowings of a considerable number of peculiar
Elms, e.g., of a remarkable Elm at Cambridge
which has small leaves and minute fruit, of the
Jersey Elm, of the trees called Cornish Elm at
Kew, &c., &c., all show mixed seedlings, of which
I may quote a few examples.

A tree at Colesbourne, supposed to be U.
glabra, but which differs from the pure species in
having larger leaves, differently shaped, and much
thicker in texture, when sown, gave 245 opposite-
leaved seedlings, and 95 alternate-leaved seed-
lings. This is quite near the 3 :1 ratio, and
there is no doubt that this tree is one of the
descendants of U. glabra X U. montana; but
as this type of tree is common, we can imagine
it to be a descendant from a very early cross,
made perhaps hundreds of years ago.

The Jersey Elm — seed, sown from a tree in the
Southampton Cemetery, gave only a small num-
ber of seedlings, 17 with opposite leaves and 19
with alternate leaves. With small numbers the
latio 3:1 is not observed.

A tree in Huntingdonshire, considered by Rev.
Aug. Ley, to be a species indisenous to that
county, gave 310 opposite-leaved and 84 alternate-
leaved seedlings. In crowded boxes, the ratio
is 3 :1 not accurately observed.

As regards the fertility of the seed, the two
pure species and the Huntingdon Elm are ex-
cessively fertile. The other varieties, which I
consider to be descendants, are very variable in
fertility, as witnessed by the appearance of the
boxes, some crowded with seedlings, others with
only one seedling or with none. Of the " English
Elm," 19 different boxes, of seed gathered at
Cambridge, at Kew, in the Isle of Wight, in
Gloucestershire, near Exeter, &c., showed not a
single seedling. A few seed gathered at Park-

* Abstract of a paper by Dr. A. Henry, read before the
Lioneaa Society, London, April 7, 1910.

Fig. iig. — narcissus "tamerlane'

[ihctograph by W.J. Vascy.
PrRI.\NTH YELI OW ; CUP ORANGE-COLOURED.

flowers of some of the " varieties " tend to be
malformed ; and I have no doubt that in the act
of combination of the various characters that
make up certain of the Fj generation, the repro-
ductive organs are badly formed. This is possibly
what has occurred in the " English Elm," which
no doubt would have soon disappeared, if it had
not been a free suckerer, and had not also been
selected to a considerable extent by human
agency, since, owing to its good form and its
excellent timber, it is superior to either U. glabra
or U. montana, as a hedge-tree.

there is only one species of tree existing
in a country or territory, such varieties
are unknown. For example, the Beech, a
single species, throughout Europe, has no varie-
ties of the kind so common in Elms. All the
varieties of Beech are of another kind, what I
may call " sports," where we may suppose the
variation to be due to some malformation or mis-
direction of growth in the individual plant.
These are as follows : — Variations in colour, as
the purple, copper, golden, and variously varie-
gated Beeches; variations in form of the leaf, all

April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

277

more or less bizarre, as var. heterophylla (the
Fern-leaved Beech), in which the leaves become
mere shreds ; var. quercoides, with deeply pin-
nate leaves ; var. cristata, leaves small and
crowded in tufts ; pendulous, fastigiate, and
twisted-stem Beeches, in which there is mal-
formation in the habit of the tree. The Beech
shows in no way the kind of variation that has
arisen in Elms, as it has not had another species
with which to make combinations.

In the common Ash (only one species occurring
in northern and central Europe) the varieties
known are all mere sports, similar to those men-
tioned for the Beech.

In the case of the Oak, Birch, Lime, in which

the American species, P. deltoideat. There are
also the Poplars put on the market by French
nurserymen, as P. Eugenei, P. regenerata, &c.

The American Black Poplar (P. deltoidea) was
introduced into France about 1700, and arrived
in England some years later.

The differences between the two true species
are as follows : —

P. nigra (Europe) : — Leaf : non-ciliate in mar-
gin ; without glands at the base ; cuneate at the
base ; long-acuminate at the apex.

P. deltoidea (N. America). — Leaf : densely cili-
ate in margin ; with two glands at the base on
the upper surface ; truncate at the base ; cuspi-
date at the ape.x.

Fig. 120. — NARCISSUS "tita," an improved " barrii cosspicuus.'

there are two species existing in the same region,
the variations are like those in the Elm. In
southern Europe, whex'e the number of species
of Oak increases, the number of varieties increases
likewise, to an alarming extent, as no less than
35 varieties are described of Q. Ilex, which is so
often associated with Q. Suber.

These investigations have also served to guide
me to a correct appreciation of the Poplars, which
have been so long a puzzle to systematists. I
may here advert to the Black Poplars. We have
in cultivation in this country Populus nigra, the
European y. Black Poplar ; Populus serotina,
Hartig, the Black Italian Poplar, always a male
tree ; and a number of female trees, which, like
the last, are generally supposed to be forms of

Soon after the American species was introduced
in the 18th century into France, a first cross acci-
dentally arose, which became known in France as
P. nigra helvetica or " Peuplier Suisse," and
when imported into England was called the Black
Italian Poplar. Arising as a single tree (which
has been always reproduced by cuttings) it hap-
pened to be a male. Selected at once, on account
of its astounding yigour, characteristic of first
crosses in trees, it is amply distinct from either
of the parents, not only by its rapid growth, but
by its habit — slender ascending branches and
straight cylindrical stem. Scarcely any other

t I exclude from consideration here P. an^tUata, another
American species, occasionally met with in England, very
distinct and easily recognizable.

tree produces such a volume of timber per year ;
and its economic importance in France and Bel-
gium, and even in England, is extreme.
It is characterised as follows : —
P. nigra X deltoidea (P. serotina), First cross.
Leaf with a few cilia irregularly disposed on
the margin ; glands at the base variable, 0, 1, or
2 on each leaf ; in shape like P. deltoidea, but
appreciably different.

Some time after the first cross was obtained,
further crossing occurred from time to time, and
we now have at least two forms of a female tree,
which differs not only from P. serotina, but also
from P. deltoidea ; and these are comparatively
valueless, as they grow slowly, and differ in habit
from the Black Italian Poplar. I need not pursue
the history of these Poplars further ; but P.
Eugenei, P. regenerata, &c., are all later pro-
ducts.

So far as I can judge, but my investigations
are not yet finished, the Cricket-L,at Willow,
known only as a female tree, originated in Nor-
folk about 1700 as a first cross between Salix
alba and S. fragilis — but, like most first crosses,
it resembles one parent much more strongly than
the other. It is, in fact, so close to S. alba in its
botanical characters that it is universally con-
sidered to be a variety of that, viz., S. alba
co-rulea. If it were a variety simply, e.g., a
geographical race, how is its occurrence in one
sex only to be explained? The economic im-
portance of this tree, which grows twice as fast
as S. alba, is very considerable.

The history of the Lucombe Oak is very en-
lightening, as Loudon obtained a^ urate particu-
lars of it, and we are in no doubt as to the facts.
The Lucombe Oak was raised at Exeter in 1763
from an acorn of a Turkey Oak (Q. Cerris) which
had been pollinated by a Cork Oak (Q. Suber).
growing near it. This seedling turned out to be-
subevergreen, and made astonishingly rapid.
growth ; and on this account Lucombe propa-
gated a large number of trees by grafts from it.
In its characters, this first cross resembles Q.
Cerris in the form of the leaves and in the per-
sistent stipules round the buds, but has the-
mucronate points to the serrations, which are
characteristic of Q. Suber. One of its parents is
deciduous, the other is evergreen, it is subever-
grten, the leaves falling in January and February.
In 1792 the acorns of the Lucombe Oak were
sown, and a crowd of forms appeared in the seed-
lings, some of which were preserved, but none
equalled in vigour the parent tree. Some of the
seedlings aro very close to Q. Suber in bark and
are nearly evergreen, keeping the leaves on till
May.

Here, again, we notice the extreme vigour of
the first cross, and the disintegration, so to
speak, of the first cross into numerous forms, so
soon as its seed is sown. The facts about the
Lucombe Oak are strictly parallel to what is
going on in the Elms.

The practical corollary to all these observations
seems to me evident. We have instances in the
Black Italian Poplar, in the Huntingdon Elm, ia
the Lucombe Oak, probably in the Cricket-bat
Willow, of vigorous first crosses that were pro-
duced accidentally, and which are timber trees of
considerable value. Why not then proceed to.
make artificially first crosses in other trees, with
still more valuable timber? In the Ash and
Walnuti the quality of the wood, owing to its
structure, will be improved the faster the tree
grows ; and both these trees produce already ex-
tremely valuable timber. First crosses, of course,
can only be reproduced by cuttings or by graft-
ing, and considerable difficulty may be anticipated
in adapting on a large scale these modes of
reproduction to forest trees. But our resources
are not exhausted, as there is no telling but that
amongst the crowd of different combinations that
appear in the F2 generation, there may exist one

; De Vries, in Plant-Breeding, 174, fig. 37 (19071 de-
scribes a remarkable first-cross Walnut which he saw in,
California. The particulars, which he gives about its fast-
ne=s of growth, are so astounding as to seem incredible. I
have no doubt, however, of the correctness of his obser-
vation.

•278

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[April 30, 1910.

which will display great vigour and yet breed
true. This is the next step to explore.

In countries like our own, the only hope of
salvation for forestry is in growing timber
rapidly, and we have been helped in that by the
introduction of fast-growing trees like the Larch,
the Corsican Pine, and the Douglas Fir. But it
is essential to grow the more valuable classes of
non-coniterous timber ; and I see no reason why
the attempt should not now be made to essay
experiments on the lines laid down in this paper.
Some experiments are being made in cross-fer-
tilisation this year ; but more workers are re-
quired in this field. Hitherto nothing whatever
has been done to improve the breed of forest
trees ; and foresters have never even thought
of the possibilities in this direction, though
gardeners and farmers have shown the way for
centuries.

The Week's Work.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Leeks. — The earliest Leeks should now be ready
for planting in trenches. It is easy enough to
grow them to a very large size, if there is plenty
of rotted farmyard manure available for use.
The trenches should be at least 2 feet apart and
18 inches deep, and into these trenches a liberal
quantity of rotted manure should be dug. In
transplanting the young plants, take care to
retain as many of the roots unbroken as possible.
As growth advances, draw the soil well round
the stem of the plants in order to exclude light.
Some growers use paper collars for the purpose,
and this method is doubtless the best for secur-
ing Leeks that are extra well-blanched. As the
season advances the plants should be given a
liberal supply of weak liquid manure as often as
the state of the soil permits.

Cderij. — Prepare trenches for the earliest
Celery, selecting ground whioii has been occupied
recently with green crops. If only a small quan-
tity of Celery is cultivated, the plants may be
put in single trenches, but, if large quantities are
necessary, the trenches may be made sufficiently
wide to "accommodate each two or three rows of
plants. For ordinary purposes really good Celery
may be grown by this latter method, provided
that plenty of good manure is availablf. The
trenches should be at least 15 inches deep, and, in
the process of forking the manure into the bottom
of the trench, the soil should be thoroughly
broken up with the fork, so that when the plants
are ready to be put out, the beds are in a fit
condition for them. Get ready as many trenches
as possible at the present time in order that
advantage may be taken of dull, moist days for
planting out the crop. At Windsor, we grow
some 50,000 Celery plants each year, and most
of them are cultivated in trenches containing
three rows each.

Beetroot. — ilake the earliest sowing of Beet-
root in the first week of May. It is a mistake to
sow this crop earlier, as the roots grow to such
a large size that they are scarcely fit for use.
Select rich soil in order that the growth of the
roots may be quick and unchecked. Sow the
seeds in drills 18 inches apart and 2 inches deep.
The young plants may be thinned to 9 inches
apart, keeping the crop free from weeds until the
month of October, when the roots will be fit for
lifting and storing.

Carrots and Parsnips. — As soon as the young
plants are well above the ground, the Dutch hoe
should be freely used between the rows to keep
the land free from weeds. Early Horn Carrots
need not be thinned too severely, as they are in-
tended to be used when small ; a distance of
3 inches between the plants will be sufficient.
But for the main crop of Carrots, at least 6 inches
should be allowed between them, and if extra
fine roots are desired, they may be allowed 10
inches. As soon as the thinning is finished, the
bed may receive frequent dustings of .soot on
dull days. This will increase the vigour of the
plants and keep the Carrot fly in check.
Parsnips may be thinned to 10 inches apart when
thfe young plants are large enough to handle.
Where sown in patches, the plants may be
thinned to one at each bunch. If, through any
failure, the crop is thin, it is better to make
another sowing in the blank spaces than to at-
tempt to fill them by transjjlanting.

CIi icory. — Chicory may be sown at the same
time as Beet, in drills 15 inches apart and 1 inch
deep. Thin the young plants to distances of
8 inches apart.

Potatos. — Complete the planting of late
Potatos. The earliest plantations out-of-doors
will require attention in case of frost occurring.
A quantity of covering material should be kept
in readiness, and the soil should be drawn up to
the stems of the plants. No overhead covering
must be allowed during the day, even though its
removal involves a little extra labour.

Salads. — Make fortnightly sowings of Radishes
in rich soil, and apply liberal supplies of water
to the crops. If these are sown outside, the beds
may be covered with straw until the plants are
well above the ground, but the best results, at
any rate for the present, can only be obtained
under glass. Mustard and Cress may be sown
beiiind a north wall, and covered with mats until
growth commences. Watercress may be grown
in ordinary garden soil in a shady situation where
liberal supplies of water can be given. Seeds
may be sown at the present time, and the seed-
lings thinned to 4 inches apart, or cuttings may
be inserted 6 inches apart.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Lapageria. — A suitable border for Lapagerias
is one consisting of good fibrous loam, charcoal
broken into lumps of medium size, peat and sil-
ver sand. In the case of established plants which
have partially exhausted the soil of its plant
food, it is desirable to apply an occasional top-
dressing of dry, cow manure which has been
passed through a fine-meshed sieve. Applications
of some approved chemical fertiliser are also bene-
ficial. At this season, Lapagerias are making
very quick growth, and it is necessary that the
shoots should be trained into position before they
become entangled one with another. The plants
seldom succeed unless the border or pot is freely
drained and frequent supplies of w-ater are
afforded the roots.

Cineraria. — The stellata type of Cinerarias is
most useful for decorative purposes. Seeds may
now be sown to raise the earliest plants. Select
clean pans and provide these with good drainage,
then fill them with a compost of leafmould, sand
and fine loam. Make the soil moderately firm
and the surface smooth and apply a thorough
watering before sowing the seed. Scatter the
seeds thinly over the surface, distributing them
as evenly as possible, and covering them very
shallowly. Pieces of glass should be placed over
the pans and also sheets of paper or clamp moiss.
As soon as germination has taken place, the seed-
lings will need to be gradually accustomed to the
light, but they must be shaded from the sun-
shine at all times. The best place for the plants
during summer is a cool frame or pit with a
north aspect. Prepare a base of ashes for the
pots to stand upon. As the seedlings become
large enough they should be potted off singly,
and not allowed to become root-bound or to
suffer from drought.

Ouvirandra fene.^tralis. — The Lace-leaf or Lat-
tice-leaf plant IS mainly cultivated for the inter-
esting appearance uf its leaves. It may be raised
either from seed or division of the roots, and the
plants succeed best when they are totally im-
mersed in a tank of water so that the leaves float
near the surface. The roots should be placed in
teakwood baskets containing a compost of peat
and fibrous loam, from which the fine particles
are removed. The water needs to be kept at a
uniform temperature of 80". Some fresh water
should be placed into the water tank or tubs each
day, but it should be warmed first to the tem-
perature of that already in the tanks.

A'icotlana- Sandern. — Sow seeds of this plant
now for raising a batch to flower in the conserva-
tory during the autumn. The seedlings should
be treated as recommended for Cineraria.

Pcrpetual-fowering Carnations. — Old stock
plants which have been flowering throughout the
winter and spring may now be removed from the
flowering houses, where the space will be re-
quired for the Souvenir de la Malmaison varie-
ties. The plants may be placed in a cool frame
or any available shelter, and gradually hardened
until they are ready for planting in the open.
The shoots may be made secure by looping them
to a strong stake, or, if planted in rows across

the kitchen garden, wire in a manner like that
adopted for Chrysanthemums. Tree Carnations
will produce an abundance of blooms during the
latter part of the summer.

Chrysanlhemiuii. — The plants must be re-
potted as required. During favourable weather
the frames should be opened to afford an abun-
dance of ventilation. Some of the plants are
ready for placing in 6-inch pots. The compost
should consist of the best loam, which need not
be broken up too finely, adding a quantity of
broken lumps of charcoal, lime rubble, and coarse
silver-sand. Leaf-mould may be dispensed with,
and the plants potted more firmly than pre-
viously. Keep a sharp look-out for aphis, which,
is generally very troublesome at this stage.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Monlton Paddocks, Newmarket,

Vines in pot,'. — Pot vines, now ripening their
fruits, will require more ventilation. Maintain a
.circulation of warm, rather dry air, and leave the
top ventilator open a little during the night. If
the atmosphere is allowed to become too dry it
will be sure to result in an attack of red spider,
in which case the leaves must be sponged with
tepid water in which a little soft soap has been
dissolved. Apply water carefully to the roots
and discontinue the use of manures.

The earlie.^t permanent vines. — These vines,
which have had the beiTies thinned, will need
occasional applications of liquid manure from
the farmyard, and preferably from the cow byres,
such liquid being better than artificial manures.
Dilute the liquid manure with warm water until
it is of the required strength, and let it be
brought to the temperature of the house before it
is applied to the roots. Soot is also an excellent
stimulant for vines. The plants are now making
rapid growth, and the borders, therefore, should
be examined each week, applying water or liquid
manure as may be necessary. Pinch all sub-
laterals to one leaf, and do not neglect doing this
at the proper time and before the shoots acquire
much length.

Successiona! vines. — Close the house early in
the afternoon in order to make use of the sun-
shine. Mildew is frequently very troublesome at
this season of the year. The most effectual remedy
is the use of a sulphur vaporiser. It should be
employed as soon as the mildew is detected, as
the disease is apt to spread over the whole house
in a very short time. It should be remembered,
however, that the vaporiser may not be employed
for vines whilst they are in flower. Any plants
which have been previously attacked by mildew
may be vaporised slightly twice or three times
during the season, as a preventive.

Tomatos. — Let any plants which are carrying
heavy crops be given an occasional top-dressing,
with some good fertiliser, applying a little fresh
compost at the same time. I?emove all the lateral
growths as they appear. The atmospheric tem-
perature may range from 55° to 50° at night,
and 65° to 68^ by day. Let the atmosphere be
kept dry and buoyant. Any odd corners or
vacant space on the trellises of Peach houses may-
be utilised for Tomato plants, which may be
expected to produce good crops, provided they
are exposed to sufficient light and air. The main
batch of spring sown plants are now in their
fruiting pots, where thej' should be kept rather
dry at the root until they have become well
established.

Melons. — When the fruit has attained to a fair
size, some support will be necessary. The nets
which are to be purchased for the purpose are ex-
cellent. Stop all laterals at one leaf. Maintain
a temperature of 70° to 75° at night-time, with a
rise of 10° by day, and a further rise of 10° or
15° by sun-heat. Afford ventilation whenever the
weather is favourable, but always do so in the
early part of the day, closing the house, with
plenty of moistvire in the atmosphere, about
2 p.m. Syringing may now be discontinued, but
provide plenty of atmospheric moisture by damp-
ing the paths, etc., several times daily. The
plants will require liberal supplies of moisture
at the root, and will benefit by frequent applica-
tions of manure water. Give light top-dressings
of loam and manure whenever the roots appear
on the surface. When the fruits show signs of
ripening, gradually reduce the supply of water
both at the ro-ot and in the atmosphere, giving
more fresh air as the fruit changes colour.

April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

279

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. K. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Norlhauiptoiishire.

Strawberry beds. — In some districts the plants
will soon commence to develop their flower
trusses, therefore it is quite time to get the beds
ready for the annual mulch of straw or stable
litter, which is used to prevent the fruits from
being splashed with mud during heavy rains.
Employ the dutch hoe frequently during favour-
able weather in order to destroy weeds. When
the beds have been thoroughly cleansed, apply a
dusting of soot or fresh quicklime as a preventive
of slugs. Following this, the mulch may be
loosely placed around the plants and over the
beds. Clean litter from the stable is as good
material as any, and since it is not so stiff as
straw, it is more easdy arranged around each
plant. Should the litter be stained, the rains
will cleanse it before the Strawberry fruits com-
mence to ripen. If the mulch is a'ppUed early,
it will not only serve to prevent excessive evapo-
ration from the soil, but it will also afford the
flowers some protection from frosts. As soon as
the mulch is completed the necessary supports
for the nets should be fixed in position. In these
gardens we use stout wooden piles driven in by
a beetle or crowbar at the required distances
apart; these piles are left about 4 feet in height,
and long, slanting batons 2^ inches wide by
1 inch thick are nailed on to them. By these
means the nets are kept a convenient distance
from the plants, and the fruits may be gathered
with ease without removing the nets. , The nets
are placed over the plants directly the first
flowers open, as they offer some protection
against frost. If extra large fruits are required
for exhibition or other purposes, the flower
trusses should be thinned by removing the
weakest ; afterwards, when the fruits are set,
these, too, should be thinned out, and the plants
assisted with frequent waterings with diluted
manure from the farmyard.

Peach blister. — This fungus disease (Exoascus
deformans) generally att.-icks the leaves, and
often the points of young shoots of Peach and
Nectarine in the spring of the year. It is most
prevalent when cold, east winds are followed by
warm days, and preventive measures should in-
clude some means of protecting the trees from
such cold winds. Any infested shoots shoidd be
removed, and burned without delay ; if this is
done perseveringly, the trees may be expected
to make healthy growth when the weather has
become consistently warmer.

in the growths. Anguloas root freely in a well-
drained mixture of fibrous loam, Osmunda fibre,
and Sphagnum-moss in equal parts, the Osmunda
and moss should be cut up moderately fine and
mixed thoroughly with the loam. Sponge the
large leaves occasionally to keep them free from
scale and red spider.

Ccelogyne cristata and others. — If plants of
C. cristata and the variety of lemoniana and the
pure-white variety alba (hololeuca) have grown
too large they may be safely divided and re-
potted, using for the purpose the same mixture
as advised for the Anguloas. If plants of
moderate size are to be grown into large speci-
mens, they also may be repotted, but their
roots should not be disturbed unnecessarily.
After potting the divided plants, the pseudo-
bulbs will probably shrivel a little, but the
plants should not be saturated with water
to preserve their plumpness, it being better
practice to lightly spray them overhead occa-
sionally, and to "shade them from sunshine.
Plants which do not need repotting will require
a gradual increase of water at the root. Some of
the principal species of Coelogyne include C.
flaccida, C. conferta, C. elata, C. speciosa, C.
Lawrenceana, C. Micholitzii, C. Sandera>, C.
Swaniana, C. corrugata, C. corymbosa and C.
graminifolia, which require an intermediate tem-
perature, and may now be repotted. Such plants
as C. Dayana, C. flaccida, G. Massangeana and
C. tomentosa, which produce pendulous racemes,
are best potted in baskets or shallow pans and
suspended to the roof ; C. Dayana, C. ochracea,
C. asperata Lowii and others which are showing
for flower will require more water at the root.
C. Massangeana, C. tomentosa, and C. pandurata
require warmer treatment, and should be
placed in a shadv position m the East Indian
house. The rare'C. Sanderiana should be kept
well on the dry side till the growths are several
inches in length, when, if no flower-spikes ap-
pear, the plant should be afforded mure liberal
treatment.

Oatlleija Lawrenceana. — This species is no\y in
flower, and should be kept in a dry position.
When the blooms have faded, reduce the amount
of water at the roots, affording; sufficient only to
prevent excessive shrivelling of the pseudo-bulbs.
This Cattleya, whilst at rest, prefers a warm,
light position ; if placed where the atmosphere is
verv damp, the leaves and bulbs quickly decay.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Odontoglossum. — There are plants of Odonto-
glossum, especially 0. crispum and its hybrids,
which, being weak or extra free in flowering,
were relieved of their spikes early in the year.
These plants are starting into growth, and any
repotting they may require should be carried out
at once. Healthy" plants which were last potted
in good Osmunda and Polypodium fibres, will
need but little disturbance as far as their roots
are concerned, merely turning them out of their
pots, cutting away any leafless and worn-out
pseudo-bulbs and pulling off as much of the soil
at the back of the plant as is practicable in order
that as many of the plants as possible may be
put into pots of the size they formerly occu-
pied. Odontoglossum seedlings may also be
potted on as they require it. All repotted plants
should be placed together in a house and be
afforded extra shade. The back pseudo-bulbs
of rare varieties may be fixed firmly in well-
drained pans of moss, and suspended near to the
roof. Such dwarf-growing plants as Odontoglos-
sum Rossii, 0. Cervantesii, 0. Oerstedii, and
the pretty Oncidium olivaceum, as they go out
of flower, should be kept only moderately moist
at the root, and be allowed to rest as long as
possible.

Anguloa. — In the cool intermediate house the
Anguloas are now producing their flower-spikes
and young growths. Place them well in the
shade and afford water in sufficient quantities to
keep the compost moist. A. Clowesii, A.
eburnea, A. uniflora, and A. Ruckeri are very
handsome Orchids, and the flowers of the golden-
yellow A. Clowesii are fragrant. Do not repot
these plants until the flowers have faded. In
watering or spraying, do not allow water to lodge

and S. marginatum. Pot the plants into 5-inch
or 6-inch pots and place them in a heated pit or
house, keeping them near to the glass. Cannabis
gigantea, or the Giant Hemp, frequently attains
a height of 15 feet in one season. Seed should
not be sown before the last week in April, or
even the first week in May, and the plants should
never be allowed to suffer from impoverishment
of the roots. There are many other subjects of a
less tender nature which lend themselves for this
form of gardening, and in a mixed border or bed
it is desirable to include as much variety as
possible.

Annuals. — The seeds of the more tender an-
nuals may now be sown in the open ground, and
a second batch of many of those which were
sown at an earlier date should be made in various
parts of the garden so that the period of flowering
may be prolonged. It is always necessary to
remind the cultivator that not only should seeds
of annuals be sown thinly, but that seedlings
must be afterwards thinned suflSciently to aUow
each plant to develop perfectly. More failures
are due to overcrowding than to any other
cause.

Mignonette. — It is desirable to produce flowers
of this sweetly-scented plant for as long a period
each year as possible, and care should be taken
to cultivate the plants to their very best con-
dition. Three points therefore should be ob-
served : cultivate only the very best varieties, let
the ground be dug deeply and enriched with good
manure, adding a plentiful supply of finely-
broken mortar-rubble, and thin out the plants
until they are 4 to 6 inches apart. Two of the
best varieties, when they are true, are the
Matchet and Miles Spiral. At least three
sowings ought to be made from this date onwards,
on a south or south-west border.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicarv Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

Sub-tropical plants. — The best position for a
sub-tropical garden is one facing south or south-
west, where there is shelter from the pre-
vailing winds. The ground should be trenched,
or dug deeply some time before planting h.as to be
done, atid a good dressing of half-decayed farm-
yard manure mixed with the soil during the till-
ing operations. In cases where the sod is of a
retentive nature, much benefit may be obtained
by applying a surface dressing of finely-sifted old
mortar "rubble. Sub-tropical plants should not
be placed in the open until the first week of
June, except in the most favoured localities.
From the present time until June every means
should be taken to induce the plants to make
free growth, in order that they may attain to
sufficient size to produce a good effect directly
they are planted in the beds. Amongst the most
effective species are the many beautiful varieties
of Ricinus ; the seedling plants should be potted
into 6-inch or 7-inch pots and cultivated in a
moderate heat until the middle of May, when
they should be removed to cooler quarters. Meli-
anthus major is useful for a mixed border or for
massing in beds. This species may either be
treated as an annual, or kept from year to year,
in the same way as Dahlias. Seedlings produce
the finest foliage, but older plants usually flower
and seed more freely. In either case the plants
should be potted on and grown in gentle heat.
No one can afford to do without the beautiful
Cannas, which may now be obtained in such
attractive varieties." Old stools, which were saved
last autumn, may be divided and potted up. If
they are cultivated in a warm house or frame
they will make excellent plants before they are
required for putting out. Some of the Solanums
are desirable plants for sub-tropical gardening,
such, for instance, as S. pyracantha, S. robustura

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.

Purchasing bees. — This is a good time to pur-
chase bees in skeps, with a view to transferring
them to bar frame hives, because there is very
little honey in the combs, and, consequently,
there is less liability of them breaking when
being carried. Unless the vendor is known to
the purchaser, it will be decidedly advantageous
to have the colony examined by a beekeeper who
can detect disease and also assess its value. It
is very unwise for a novice to purchase bees
without advice, and especially should the be-
ginner be careful when a great bargain of bees,
hives and smoker are offered at a ridiculously
low figure, unless a written guarantee is given
showing that the bees are free from disease. (

How to move bees. — It is not wise to purchase
bees nearer the buyer's home than two miles.
If bees are moved a less distance, there is always
a danger of them returning to the old locality.
The bees to be moved should be smoked after
their day's work is completed, and, about two
minutes after smoking them, overturn the skep,
giving another puff as soon as the hive is upside-
down, to drive down the bees. This last puff is
of great importance, and is sometimes omitted
by the beginner. Over the mouth of the skep tie
securely a piece of cheese-cloth, and carry it
home with the bottom of the skep uppermost, to
prevent the bees being smothered. On arriving
home, give the bees a puff of smoke, and place
the skep containing bees and comb in a bucket
on a box or table. Fix an empty skep over this
to receive the bees as they run up the side. The
full hive is rapped on each side with the palms
of the hands. All the bees will have deserted
the lower skep in about half an hour, sometimes
in 10 minutes. Gently cut out the combs, plac-
ing them on a layer of soft cloth or several thick-
nesses of calico, so that the brood may not be
injured in the cells. Cut the combs so that they
will just fit the frames, and fix them by tying to
the top bar with two strips of tape. Care must
be taken to make the top of the comb touch the
under-side of the top bar, for if a large space
is left, the bees will not seal the comb in the
frame. When all the good combs have been
fixed in the manner indicated, the bees can be
thrown down in front of the entrance, and they
will readily take possession. This operation
should be performed when the weather is warm,
or the brood will be chilled, and perish. In any
case, there should be no time wasted in the per-
formance of the work.

280

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 30, 1910.

APPOINTMENTS FOR MAY.

MONDAY, MAY 2— Royal Academy opens.

TUESDAY, MAY 3- , ,

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet, and Nat. Auricula and
Primula Soc.'s combined Sli. at R.H.S. Hall. (Lec-
ture at 3 p.m. by Dr. A. Henry on " Future Forest
Trees.") Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet. Brit. Gard.
Assoc. Ex. Council meet.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4—

Nat. Auricula Soc. (Midland Sh.), in Birmingham Bol.

Gdns. (2 days). Haarlem International Exhibition

(9 days).
THURSDAY, MAY 5-Linnean Soc. meet.

SATURDAY, MAY 7-

Soc. Frani;. d'Hort. de Londres meet.

"MONDAY, MAY 9-

Surveyors' Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben. & Ptov. Soc.
Com. meet.
FRIDAY, MAY 13-Devon County Sh. at Exmouth (3 days).
MONDAY, MAY 16— Whit Monday. Bank Holiday.

TUESDAY, MAY 17—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. Tulip Show. (Lecture
at 3 p.m. by Rev. J. Jacob on " The Tulip— Problems
and History.")

THURSDAY, MAY 19-

Perpetual-flowering Carnation Soc. Sh. at R.H.S. Hall,
Westminster.

TUESDAY, MAY 24-

Roy. Hort. Soc. Sh, in Temple Gardens, Thames Em-
bankment (3 days). Bath and West and Southern
Counties Sh. at Rochester and Chatham (5 days).
Anniversary meet, of Linnean Soc.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25—

Ann. Meet. British Gard. Assoc, at Essex Hall, Strand,
at 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 26-

Haarlem International Exhibition (4 days).

AvtRAGE Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 50°.
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— ll'eidifsrfoj', April 27 (6 p.m.) : Max. 56°;
Min. 35°.
Gatdenets' Chronicle OBice, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —T/mrsrfnj', April 2S
(10 A.M.): Bar. 29-9; Temp. 59°; Weather-
Sunshine.
Provinces. — Weiluesitciy, April 27; Max. 62° Cornwall ;
Min. 49" Scotland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

"WEDNESDAY-

Perennials, Liliums, and Hardy Bulbs, at 12; Palms.
Plants, Ferns, at 8 ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C., by
Protheroe & Morris.

FRIDAY-

Choice Orchids from the " Rosslyn " Collection; Iiii
ported and Established Orchids in variety; at67&6t>.
Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12-45.

In the death of Baron Schiotler,

Baron on tlie 24th inst., at the ad-

Eohfoder. yanced age of 86 yeafs, practical

gardening Icses a mo.st liberal
patron, whose personal interest, particu-
larly in Orchid culture, has shown itself in
a variety of ways, and over a great number of
years. His gardens at the Dell have long
heen famous for their collection of Orchid,?,
for Baron Schroder was a keen collector and
a most enthusiastic cultivator. In the earlier
days of Orchid importation, he was one of the
few whose liberal encouragement helped
greatlj- to popu!ari.se these plant-s in thi.s
countrj', and later, when cultivators at home
commenced to cross the species and raise hv-
brids from them. Baron Schroder purchased
one novelty after another to add to his collec-
tion. His exhibits at the Temple Shows in
the 'nineties are still remembered for their
great interest and beauty, and, at that time,
there were very iew amateurs who could fur-
nish such displays.

It is not, however, solely as a collector that
Baron Schroder's memory will be cherished
but rather as a public-spirited friend and
generous supporter of all horticultural in-
terests. His bu.siness-lilce mind was quick to
recognise that, in the Royal Horticultural
'Society, there was an institution that might
•be made a potent agency for forwarding horti-

cultural interests in this country. From the
very first he assisted the Society by counsel,
by contributing to its shows, and by muni-
ficent donations to attain to a position of
strength, influence and repute.

Baron Schroder first joined the Council in
1886. The Society had recently experienced
trying and humiliating circumstances, and its
prestige and strength were at the lowest.
The memory of South Kensington was fresh
in the minds of Fellows and the public, and
the only favourable omen was the fact that
those responsible for the d-estinies of the
Society, including the present President, Sir
Trevor Lawrence, were able to realise that
a change of policy was essential, and had the
determination to carry out their views.

Offices were accjuired in Victoria Street,
Westminster, in 1888, and the Drill Hall of
the London Scottish Volunteers was rented
for holding the fortnightly shows. So things
went on for a period of years, during wdiich
time everything possible was done to pro-
mote economy and restore the Society to
a position of independence. Two other names
may be mentioned in connection with those
difficult times, namely. Sir Daniel Morris and
the Rev. W. Wilks, the present Secretary,
for both these gentlemen worked hard and
accomplished excellent results. Baron Schrii-
der remained a member of the Council for
seven years, and retired in 1893.

Towards the close of the century the Sociely
again found itself in favourable circumstances,
and efforts were made to devise some appro-
priate means of celebrating in 1904 the cen-
tenary of its establishment. Readers will
remember that at first there was a lack of
unanimity with respect to the best means
of doing this. Some favoured a scheme
for purchasing a new garden in place of
Chisuick, which had become unsuitable for
the purposes of the Society, and others held
the opinion that the more pressing need
was that of an Exhibition Hall and Offices,
which would provide the Society with a home
of its own. At first it appeared that the
garden scheme would be adopted, and several
sites were inspected and schemes .submitted
to the Fellows. But there was strong opposi-
tion to all these propositions, and, during
1900 and 1901, when several sites for a garden
were under consideration, Baron Schroder
remained one of the most consistent advocates
of the opposite policy. Happily, the gift of
the Wisley gardens by the late Sir Thomas
Hanbury provided the Society with a garden,
and enabled it to satisfy both requirements
almost simultaneously.

It was after the rejection of the Rahbil.s;
Farm site at South Darenth, at a meeting on
April 23, 1901, that serious efforts were made
to press forward the scheme for the provision
of a Hall. At that meeting various sums
were promised if the Hall scheme were
adopted, and eventually a committee was
appointed to obtain a site. It was in that
year that Baron Schroder was elected a Vice-
President of the Society, and in the following
year, 1902, he became again a member of
the Council, wdiich po.sition he resigned in
1905.

On March 21, 1902, a general meeting of
Fellows was called to consider a report from
the Sites Committee in favour of the site in
Vincent Square, now occupied by the Hall.
This site had been found by Baron Schroder,

and his opinion of its worth was shown by
his promise of £5,000, provided the Society
adopted the scheme. Subsequently, wdien the
scheme was in operation, Baron Schroder
became chairman of the Appeal Committee.
It is perfectly true, therefore, as Mr. Wilks
states in a letter, which we print in another
column, that Baron Schroder was the
" Father of the Hall," and indeed, at one
time, it seem.ed probable that it would be
known by his name. Many of our readers
will remember that, on the completion of the
Hall, the late Dr. Masters, as Chairman of the
Iiindley Library Trustees, made frequent
appeals for funds to permit of the arrange-
ment of the books in the rooms which the
Society had set apart for their accommodation.
Eventually the room was provided with all
the necessary fittings, at a cost of nearly
£1,000, the whole of which amount was paid
by Baron Schroder.

The Gardening Charities received his sym-
pathetic att-ention and, in 1893, he occupied
the position of Cliairman at the Festival
Dinner of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent
Institution.

Baron John Henry William Schio.ler was
(reated a baronet in 1883, but he always
preferred to be known as " Baron Schroder."
The Baroness predeceased him in 1900, and
there is no issue. The interment took place
at the cemetery, Englefield Green, on Tiies-
day last, and the ceremony was attended hy
the President of the Royal Horticultural
Society and other representatives of horticul-
ture.

Of the tributes to the late Baron wdiich
have reached us we print the following appre-
ciations from Sir Trevor Lawrence and the
Uev. W. Wilks.

" In addition to Baron Schroder's love of
gardens and gardening, his appreciation of the
beautiful developed itself in many directions.
His fine collection of Tudor plate, of
the best modern pictures, both of the Con-
tinental and of the Briti.sh schools, of
jewelled and enamelled snuff-boxes, of Sevres
porcelain and of Chinese enamels were
well known. Many 'ears ago he gave
financial help to th; late Mr. W. Boore, of
the Strand, the well-known dealer, to enable
him to buy the Esterhazy jewels for other
purpo.ses, Mr. Boore being a man of fine
taste and ample knowledge, and one whom
Baron Schriider knew he could tru.st implicitly
both for honest dealing and unimpeachable
taste. No doubt he was in many cases guided
by Mr. Boore's advice. Again, the Baron was
tlioroughly English in his love of sport. For
many years he was well known as a rider to
hounds, as a four-in-hand whip, and as a liue
shot, both in the great forest he rented in
Scotland and in the more ordinary grouse,
partridge, and pheasant shootings.

" The Dell was an ideal house to visit,
the lovely garden, the beautiful contents of
the house, and, most of all, the charming
hospitality of the Baron and .Baroness, were
a combination sure to leave a lasting impres-
sion on every guest. It may not be generally
known that her late Majesty Queen Victoria
had a warm regard for Baron Schroder, her
near neighbour ; and no wonder, for the Baron
was a delightful friend in every way, with a
delicate appreciation of what would be ac-
ceptable, a pleasant bumoiir, and an unfailing

April 30 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

281

tact and courtesy, with, perhaps, a faint old-
world flavour. Moreover, ho was generous to
a fault. When asked to help the rehuilding
of St. Bartholomew's Hospital he responded
at once with a cheque for £1,000, and he was
a most liberal supporter of all German and
many British charities. In Baron Schroder
there was a combination of qualities rarely
to be met with. His friends will have but
one feeling — that their loss is irremediable."
Trevor Lawrance- ^^

" I first had the privilege of making
the Baron's acquaintance about the middle
of the year 1887, when the R.H.S. was
in the utmost throes of its difficulties, and
from that day to this I can testify that he
has been an unfailing friend and helper
to the Society, not only in financial mat-
ters but in affording advice and counsel
in all emergencies ; unsparing, too, in the
devotion of his time and energy to the wel-
fare of the Society. Through all the years
of patient building up of the Society after
1887, Baron Schroder was constant in atten-
dance at the meetings of the Council, which,
in those days were neither few nor far be-
tween. He was always urging advance — im-
provements— and at times could only, with
difficulty, bring himself to consent to the
nece-ssary slowness of development, although
he admitted the wisdom of it.

" He was very eager for the Society to have
a home of its own, and just before the great
Baling crisis in the city in 1890, he was
within an ace of signing an agreement with
the Corporation of London for a 99 years
lease of a plot of ground to build the Society
a Hall on the Embankment, between the
Temple and Blackfriai-s. Fortunately, as it
has turned out, the financial crisis put a
stop to this proposal, but the Baron \\a&
worked very hard at it, and overcame every
obstacle until this unforeseen one came along.
Xo sooner, however, had the chief strain of
the crisis passed away than the Baron was
eager as a horse champing at its bit to be on
the warpath again. That the Society must
have a home of its own was ever his constant
theme, and at last, when the celebration of
the Centenary of the Society drew near, he
was more than ever determined to carry his
ideas into completion. But still there were
difficulties, not only within the Council but
without. There were strenuous advocates of a
' Garden ' as a Centenary celebration in.stead
of a hall. But the Baron never despaired, and
finally solved the difficulty, which was chieHy
financial, by himself putting down £.5,000
towards the Hall, and also discovering the
present site. For 20 years lie had espoused
the cause of ' a home of our own,' and at
last saw the magnificent completion of what
he had so long and patiently fought for, but
fought for always with the most admirable
courtesy towards his opponents and apprecia-
tion of their position. Though a host of
other friends assisted, still Baron Schroder
was in a most true -sense ' The father of
the Hall.' " IT. Wilhs.

Memorial to Baron Schroder. — In.stead of
sending to Baron Schriidei's funeral a wreath
of flowers, which would fade in a day. the
secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society will
advise the Council to establi-^^h a pensioner-^hip
of £20 a year for five years under the regulations
of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution,
" In Memory of Baron Schroder."

Baron Schroder as an Orchid Grower. —
It may be said that Odontoglossums were always
his first favourites ; he had a splendid collection
of blotched forms of 0. crispum. The apprecia-
tion tor these spotted forms was materially
assisted by the Baron's purchase of 0. crispum
apiatum at a record price. It secured a first-
class certificate in 1886, an honour which had
before fallen to the varieties Ballantinei, del-
lense, and Veitchiana. Following from the Dell
collection in succession were other first-class
varieties of 0. crispum, namely, Sanderianum
and Schriiderianum (1885), and later Wolslen-
hohnioe, Truffautianum, Rex, graude maculatum.
Princess Christian. Princess of Wales, and many
others. The two finest blotched forms of 0.
Pescatorei, namely, Schroderianiim and Veitchii,
are now in the Dell collection, Veitchii having
been there since 1882.

Among hybrid Odontoglossums at the Dell are
many fine forms of 0. Wilckeanum ; the original
secured a first-class certificate in 1885, and the
latest, 0. W. Schroderianum, in 1908. The hand-
some O. John Clarke and other hybrids first ap-
peared in the late Baron's garden.

He was a keen judge of a good plant, and never
submitted one to the Orchard Committee for an
award unless he judged it to be worthy of that
distinction. The results proved the correctness
of his opinion, for nearly all his awards con-
sisted of first-class certificates. The enumeration
of a few will serve to show the wide range repre-
sented in the collection, some of the oldest being
now as rare as when first shown ; — Aerides
Fieldingi album (1880) ; Cattleya Lawrence-
ana (1886), the finest white Cattleya Mossiie
Wageneri superba (1388), Vanda iusignis
Schnideriaua (1883), iMiltuuia Schriideriana
(1887), L»Iia anceps Schnideriana (1890), and L.
Perrinii alba. A striking exami)le is Cattleya
Lamberhurst hybrid (citrina X intermedia)
(F. C. C, 1888). The death of this plant after
its first flowering was predicted on account of its
dissimilar parentage, but Mr. Ballantine. wdio
has been gardener to the Baron for so many
years, showed it again quite recently. Some
of the best forms of Jliltonia vexillaria
are credited to the Dell collection, and in
La;lio-Cattleyas most of the earlier forms were
Hist shown by Baron Schr.jder— L.-C. trioph-
thalma (1884). L.-C. Sedenii and L.-C. bella, fol-
lowed by L.-C. Amesiana, L.-C. Victoria, L.-C.
Bletchleyensis Ruby King, L.-C. callistoglossa
(1884). and many others. A few good hybrids
emanated from the Dell, the most satisfactory
being the fine Calanthe Baron Schroder, and the
hybrid from this and Phaius Wallichii. named
Phaio I'alanthe Schriideriana, which secured a
first-class certificate early this year. Janice
O'tSricii.

Royal Horticultural Society. -The n'l^t
meeting of the Committees will take place on
Tuesday, 3rd prox.. in the Society's Hall, Vin-
cent Square, Westminster. In the afternoon a
lecture, entitled '■ Futiue Forest Trees," will be
delivered by Dr. A. Henry, M.A., V.M.H.

National Chrysanthemum Society.— The

Society ha.- decided to hold two exhibitions dur-
ing 1910. They will be held at the Cry.'ital
Palace on October 5 and 6 and November 2, 3
and 4 respectively. A conference will be held
at Essex Hall on Monday, December 5. The
annual outing will take place on Monday, July
25, when a visit will be paid to Tring Park.

Primula "General Stuart.'— We are in-
formed by Mr. W. B. Cranfield that the variety
of Primula viscosa for which he obtained an
Award of Merit at the last meeting of the R.H.S.
(see p. 268) is named General St nan not Stewart,
as was printed on the card.

Trial of Carnations. — The Perpetual
Flowering Carnation Society has decided to con-
tinue the trials of Carnations, instituted last
year, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's
Park, N.W. The trial is for the special purpose
of determining those of the perpetual-flowering
type most suitable for cult'vation in the open
garden. Plants for trial should be well estab-
lished in 60 pots, and have good, strong growths.
They should be addressed to Mr. E. F. Hawes,
Royal Botanic. Gardens, Regent's Park, and
reach him, if possible, during the first week in
May.

Mr. George Woodgate. — We regret to hear
that Mr. George Woodqate, gardener to Sir
Oswald Mosley, Bart., at Rolleston Hall,
Burton-on-Trent, is retiring owing to indifferent
health.

Haarlem Jubilee Flower Show.— Wc are
informed that the show was visited from
March 23 to April 17 by 82,418 visitors. The
financial results are so good that not only are
the costs of the show already nearly paid, but a
surplus may be expected. This result is satisfac-
tory, as the show has practically no subsidy from
the State or any public corporation, but only a
guarantee fund. The Queen Mother of the
Netherlands paid a visit on April 15,
the first day of the second temporary show.
Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry of the
Netherlands have announced their intention to
make an official visit on May 25, and, conse-
quently, the fourth temporary show will be held
from May 26 to 29, instead of May 20 to 22,
as previously announced. The third tempoiary
show (May 4 to 12) will have the character of a
special Orchid show, and will be held under
the auspices of the Netherlands Club uf Orchid
Amateurs.

Trial OF Cabbages. -The trials of Calibages
undertaken by tlie National Vegetable Society
at " The Times " Experimental Station, Sutton
Green, and Jlr. Poupart's farm, Twickenham,
have been inspected by a deputation of the Com-
mittee, and a report will be issued in due course.
Mr. Chas. Foster, superintendent of " The
Times " Experimental Station, states that those
interested can inspect the trial and the duplicate
plantings at Sutton Green during the next few
days.

Insects and Colours of Flowers. — It is

held generally that the brilliant colours of many
flowers serve to attract insects, and thus to
secure, incidentally, the benefits of cross-pollina-
tion. In support of this view it has been pointed
out that plants which are known to attract
insects, and to be cross-pollinated, possess, as a
rule, brightly-coloured flowers, whereas plants
which are wind-pollinated are generally charac-
terised by the possession of inconspicuous blos-
soms. Professor Plateau, who has devoted him-
self for many years to the study of this question,
has come to the conclusion that the current view
is unfounded. He maintains that the insects are
attracted, not by the colours, but by the odours
which are emitted by the flowers, and that the
odours are sufficient in the complete absence of
bright colours to secure the visits of the pollinat-
ing insects. Professor Plateau supports his
contention by varied and numerous experiments;
for example, he shows that in the cases of
brightly-coloured flowers which, owing to the
absence of perfumes, are not visited habitually by
insects, it suffices to secure such visits merely to
introduce into the flower a drop of honey-water.
As to the further supplementary view that insects
possess an aesthetic sense which enables them to
prefer one colour to another, and to take a certain
pleasure in colours, the Professor scouts the sug-
gestion. He denies altogether this colour-choice,
and thus, if his view is established, the popular
books on floral biology will need a revision, which
will rob them of one of their main assets.

282

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

,'AiiiiiL 50, 1910.

Belvoir Castle Gardens. — Mr. W. H.
Divers informs us that tender shrubs and plants
have survived the past winter remarkably well
at Belvoir, and the earliest kinds are now full of
flowers. The spring bedding will be at its best
during the first two weeks of May. The Duchess
garden is open to the public every day except
Sundays, and all the woodland walks and wild
gardens are open daily.

International Congress of Horticul-
ture AT Brussels.— The programme of sub-
jects to be discussed at the congress (April 30
to May 3), contains a large number of matters
of interest and importance. The questions to
be submitted to the congress are classified into
seven sections. The first section, floriculture, deals
with the commercial forcing of flower-bearing
plants in different countries, and with the ger-
mination of Orchids ; the second section. Fruit-
tree Culture, deals with the question of establish-
ing a stud-book, the preservation of fruit by cold
storage and other methods, the modes of preven-
tion of disease, &c. ; in the ihird section, market
gardening questions relating to transport and
modes of distribution and to the development of
new markets will be considered ; section four,
the Science and Popularisation of Horticulture,
will consider reform in programmes of horticul-
tural exhibitions, the formation of an e.xperiment
station, the teaching of horticulture and horticul-
tural nomenclature ; in the fifth section, ecoaomic
problems will be discussed ; in the sixth, matters
pertaining to landscape gardening will be con-
sidered ; and in the seventh, sundry recent horti-
cultural practices examined, viz., the influence
of electric light on plants, etherisation and hot-
water treatment in the forcing of plants. The
programme, as will be seen from the above sum-
mary, is extensive, and the discussions should
prove of real value.

A New Series of Books on Gardening.

— Under the general title of " Present-Day Gar-
dening." Messrs. Jack are about to issue a num-
ber of works by well-known authors on garden
subjects. The series is edited by Mr. R. Hooper
Pearson, and the first two volumes are to be by
Mr. William Cuthbertson (Pansies, Violas,
and Violets) and Mr. Hor.\ce J. Wright (Sweet
Peas). These volumes will be followed imme-
diately by DaffoiliU, by the Rev. J. Jacob, and
Orchids, by Mr. James O'Brien. Among the
works of the series to be published subsequently
is Phododendrons and Azaleas, by Mr. William
Watson, Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew. In all, eight volumes will be issued during
the present year. The illustrations, some of which
we have had an opportunity of inspecting, are re-
markable both for their artistic merit and fidelity
to nature. They consist of reproductions in
colour of photographs taken by Mr. T. Ernest
Waltham, from actual specimens. Each volume
will contain eight coloured plates, and will be
issued at the price of Is. 6d.

•"How to use Nitrate of Soda." —The
sixth edition of this useful pamphlet, with a pre-
face by Dr. Bernard Dyer, will prove service-
able to those who require instruction in the uses
and modes of application of this nitrogenous fer-
tiliser. As our readers are aware, nitrate of soda
and sulphate of ammonia are, with respect to
their effects on soils, complementary to one
another. Hence neither should be used for a long
period of years to the exclusion of the other ; but,
in all intensive cultivation, the employment of one
or the other is, of course, essential for the produc-
tion of the maximum yield.

• HcK- to use Nitrate o] Soda. (Published by G. Street &
Co., Ltd., 30, Cornhill, London.)

The Centenary of the Birth of L. van

Houtte.— The name of Louis van Hoctte will
for ever find a place in the roll of honour of dis-
tinguished horticulturists. Born at Ypres in
1810, van Houtte devoted his life to horticul-
ture, introduced large numbers of new plants,
and built up a great nursery business at Gend-
brugge, which he conducted with extraordinary
success on lines which combined in the happiest
and most fruitful manner scientific with commer-
cial methods. With reason, the Belgian horticul-
turists honour his name and regard him as the
father of Belgian horticulture. It is, therefore,
fitting that the centenary of his birth should be
chosen as the occasion for commemorating the
name of v.4N Houtte. In this commemoration
the commune of Gendbrugge-les-Gand, in which
his great business was carried on, and of which he
served as Burgomaster for upwards of 20 years,
takes the initiative. Recognising that the name
and fame of van Houtte have long since passed
the Belgian frontier and have extended through-
out the horticultural world, the communal authori-
ti-'s have invited prominent horticulturists fr.;m all
parts to take an ac/ve part in the van Houtte
celebrations. Mr. M. Verdonck, the orehidist,
is chairman of the committee, and the Gover-

THE late LOUIS VAN HOUTTE.

nor of la Flandre Orientale, le Baron DE
Kerchove d'Exaerde, has accepted the presi-
dency. It is hoped that the King of the
Belgians and the Minister of Agriculture
will also honour the fetes with their patronage.
Details of the arrangements in connection with
the celebrations, which will take place on June
26, will be announced in due course. The secre-
taries of the committee are Messrs. L. de Loof
and H. d'Haese. We venture to express the
hope that the committee may be able to arrange
for the publication of a volume dealing with the
life and work of this remarkable man, so that,
when those whose honour it is to take part in this
commemoration have passed away, a permanent
memorial and record of the achievements of
Louis van Houtte may remain for the edifica-
tion of future generations of horticulturists.

Cider from Disinfected Apples. — The

interesting experiments made by Messrs. H.
Alliox and G. Gimel {Comples Send., 1909. 149,
532), and abstracted in the P/iarmacevtical
Journal (February 26, 1910), are well worth the
attention of all those interested in the manu-
facture of cider. The results of the experiments
in question show that by washing the cider

Apples before crushing with a weak solution of
chlorinated lime (I5-2 oz., avoirdupois, to 22
gallons of water), the quality of the cider is
greatly improved. The disinfectant destroys
most of the micro-organisms on the surface of
the fruit, but does not injure the yeast (Sac-
charomyces mali), to the fermentive action of
which the production of cider is due. Another
and no less important result of this preliminary
disinfection is that much less sugar is destroyed
during the process of fermentation ; thus the
amount of sugar in the cider produced from
" washed " Apples was found to be 21.1 per
cent., as compared with 2.1 per cent, in the
" unwashed " Apples, and this notwithstanding
the fact that the alcohol is very little more
(4.8 per cent.) from the " unwashed " than from
the " washed " Apples (4 per cent.). As our
contemporary points out, cider manufacturers in
this country might well adopt this simple method
for improving the quality and value of a drink
which has of recent years regained considerable
popularity.

A Model '' French • Garden. — Messrs. Sut-
ton & Sons, Reading, will exhibit a model
" French " garden in Warley Park, Birmingham,
ill Whitsuntide week, by permission of the Lord
Mayor and Parks Committee. The garden will
cover some 1.000 square feet of ground, and will
show the preparation of hot-beds, the uses of the
cloches for raising seeds, and for cultivating seed-
lings. The following crops will be exhibited in
frames or under cloches ; — Cabbages, Carrots,
Caulifl jwers. Endives, Cabbage Lettuces, Cos Let-
tuce, Marrows. Melons, Peas. Radishes, Spinach,
Strawberries, Tomatos. Turnips. It is expected
that the Lord Mayor of Birmingham will visit
the show on Whit-Monday, and afterwards the
exhibition will remain open to the public free of
charge until Friday, May 20.

A Simply Prepakzd Insecticide. — A gar-
dener recently brought to our notice an extremely
simple method of getting rid of aphis on pot
plants. He placed the affected plants in a box,
threw in a few Laurel leaves, first crushing them
somewhat, closed the box, and in 10 minutes or so
the aphides appeared to be all dead. The ex-
planation of the insecticidal action of the crushed
Laurel leaves is, of course, as simple as ths
remedy. Laurel, like many other plants, contains
a complex substance (a glucoside) which, when
the leaf is injured, is acted on by a ferment (also
contained in the leaf), and, decomposing, gives
rise, amongst other things, to the excessively poi-
sonous gas — hydrocyanic acid. The gardener who
devised this remedy was, therefore, unconsciously
fumigating with hydrocyanic acid gas. If the
Laurel leaves are placed in a basin and a drop or
two of chloroform added, the gas is liberated
more quickly, and hence the insects succumb to
it sooner. We do not suggest that the method is
capable of wide or general use ; but a fumigating
box and a few Laurel leaves might come in
handy where an occasional pot plant requires in-
secticidal treatment.

• Kearton s Nature Pictures.— Messrs. R.

& C. Kearton's wonderful patience and skill in
lihotogi'aphing birds and other wild animals are
universally known and appreciated ; but, even so,
the illustrations in Part I. of Kearton's Nature
Pictures take the reader — and even the reviewer
— by surprise. Certainly nothing more beautiful
has been done in the w-ay of truthful portraiture
than the plates of the Guillemot and of the young
Song Thrushes, which are included in this instal-
ment of the Work They are a credit not only
to Messrs Kearton, but to the publishers,
Cassell & Co., by whom the work — to be com-
pleted in 24 parts — is issued.

* Keayton's Nature Pictures, 24 parts at Is. eacti. London ,
Cassell & Co., Ltd. 1910

April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

283

Transparent Seed Packets. — The post
office of the U.S.A. has issued recently an order
to the effect that seed packets transmitted by
post must, if they are to secure third-class in-
stead of second-class rates, be put up in packets
of sufficient transparency to show the contents
clearly without opening. The American Fhiii-f,
which gives publicity to the regulation (vol. 34,
No. 1,137, March 19, 1910), adds that a deputa-
tion of leading seedsmen " will wait upon the
postm;ister, in order to express its views on the
subject."

The Warty Disease (Black Scab) in

America.— This fungous disease, with which
Potato-growers in various parts of our country
are only too familiar, has made its appearance in
N. America. According to Dr. Gtissow, Botanist
to the Dominion of Canada, Chrysophlyctis cn-
dobiotica — the agent of wart-disease — is rampant
in parts of Newfoundland. As a consequence of
Dr. GtTSSOw's report, the U.S. Bureau of Plant
Industry has just issued a circular — No. 52 —
in which is given a brief account of the symp-
toms of the disease. The probability of wart-
disease establishing itself in America is consider-
able, for, in spite of the tariff of 25 cents per
bushel, Potatos are imported into the States to
the extent (in 1908) of upwards of 400,000 bushels,
and the imports are derived not , only from
Canada (177.000 bushels), but also from various
European countries, e.g., Germany (62.000).
Netherlands (38,000), Spain (11,000), and the
United Kingdom (2,000), the figures being those
for the year 1908.

A Voyage of Discovery. — The Council of
University College, Reading, has appointed dele-
gates to proceed on its behalf to Canada and the
United States in order to inquire into and report
upon the methods adopted by the leading agricul-
tural and horticultural institutions of America,
particularly with respect to teaching and re-
search. Our readers will be interested to learn
that this expedition, which starts on May 5.
owes its initiation to Jlr. Leonard Sutton (of
Messrs Sutton & Sons, Reading), and that this
gentleman, and Mr. Alfred Palmer have put
at the disposal of the Council a sum of money to
meet the expenses of the journey.

The delegates, who proceed to Canada by the
Canadian Pacific boat the " Empress of Ireland,"
are Mr. Leonard Sutton, Mr. Mansfield, Mr.
W. M. Childs (Principal of University College,
Reading), Dr. Keeele (Dean of the Faculty of
Science), and Mr. R. Hart-Stnnot (Director of
the Departments of Agriculture and Horticul-
ture). The delegation will be absent from
England for about six weeks, and on its return
will present a report to the Council of University
College. It is to be hoped that as the outcome
of this visit an institution similar in scope to the
Agricultural and Horticultural State Colleges of
Canada and the United States may arise in our
own country. The importance of the part played
by these institutions in the development of agri-
culture and horticulture in America cannot be
overstated.

Gardeners Golden Wedding. — Mr.

Richard Carter, who held the position of gar-
dener for 50 years at Bathealton Court, Somerset,
celebrates his golden wedding on Sunday. Slay 1.
Mr. Carter retired from his duties at Batheal-
ton Court in February. 1908. It is interesting
to note that Mr. Carter's father, Mr. Isaac
Carter, was gardener for an equally long period
at Hatch Park, Somerset. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Carter enjoy good health, and Mr. C.irter
can still practise gardening at his home at " Rose
Cottage," Butleigh, Somerset.

Publications Received. — Alphabet
of Gardening, by T. W. Sanders. Fourth Edi-
tion. (London ; W. H. & L. Collingridge, Alders-

gate Street, E.C ) Price Is. 6d. — Roses and Rose

Culture, by William Paul. Eleventh Edition
revised. (London: Sinipkin, Marshall, Hamilton,
Kent & Co) Price Is.— ^etu York Agricultural
Experiment Station, Bulletins : Tlio Bacterial
Soft Kots of certain Vegetables. Part I. The
Mutual Relationships of the Causal Organisms,
by H. A. Harding and W. J. Morse. Part 11.
Pectinase, the Cytolytic enzym produced by
Bacillus carotovorus and certain other Soft-rot
Organisms, by L. R. Jones ; Crown-rot Arsenical
Poisoning and Winter-injury, by J. Ci. Grossen-
bacher ; Concentrated Lime-sulphur Mixtures,
by P. H. Farrott; Report of Analyses of Samples
of Fertilizers Collected by the Commiss oner of
Agriculture durjng 1909 ; A Chemical Study of
the Lime-Sulphur Wash, by L. L. Van Slyke,
C. C. Hedges and A. W. Bosworth. (Published
by the Station.) — United States Department of
Agriculture (Bureau of Plant Industry). Bulle-
tins : Wart Disease of the Potato, by W. A. Orton
and Ethel C. Field ; The Control of the Peach
Brown-Rot and Scab, by W. M, Scott and T. Wil-
lard Ayres ; Three Much-misrepresented Sorghums,
by Carleton R. Ball ; Improvement of Pastures
in Eastern New York and the New England
States, by J. S. Cotton. Circulars: Fruit Growing
for Home Use in the Central and Southern Great
Plains, by H. P. Gould ; Mutative Reversions in
Cotton, by O. P. Cook; The Substitution of Lime-
Sulphur Preparations for Bordeaux l\!ixture in
the Treatment of Apple Diseases, by W. U. Scott.
(Bureau of Entomology.) Some Insects injurious
to Truck Crops. (Washington : Government
Printing Office.) — The Western New York Hor-
ticultural Society. Proceedings of the Fifty-
fifth Annual Meeting held at Kochester, N.Y.,
January 26, 27, 1910. (Rochester, N.Y. : Demo-
crat and Chronicle Press.) — The Estate Maga-
zine, edited by Wm. Broomhall. (London :
Spottiswoode & Co., New Street Square.) Price
6d. — Ontario Department of Agriculture. Bul-
letin : Swamp or JIuck Soils, hy \V. P. Gamble
and A. E. Slater. (Toronto, Ont. : L. K.
Cameron.) — Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Leaflet, No, 2:30 ; Cucumber and Tomato Canker.
— The Journal of the Board of Agriculture for
April. (London : Printed for His Majesty's
Stationery Office by R. Clay & Sons ) Price 4d.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

[Tfie Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

The Lasting Quality of the Lyon Rose.

— The remarkable substance possessed by this
Rose was demonstrated last week, when flowers
exhibited in the warm atmosphere of the R.H.S.
Hall were despatched to Falmouth, and they
looked quite fresh at the exhibition there on the
Thursday and Friday. This lasting quality is an
additional merit for the Lyon Rose. Stuarl Low
X- Co.

Effects of Last Winters Frost in the
South of Scotland.— While cutting out some
plants of white Broom recently, which were killed
by severe frost last winter when there were 41°
of frost, or 9° below zero, I was astonished to
find the seed in the pods of the killed plants
quite fresh and plump. Out of curiosity I sowed
some in a pot, where they germinated quickly
and freely, which would seem to show that the
more dormant a state plant life is in, during
severe weather, the greater are the chances of
survival, as in this case the seed was able to
survive a temperature that killed the plants.
Roses have been nearly all killed to within
6 inches of the ground. All the shoots on climb-
ing Roses, both on iron arches and wooden posts,
are dead, with the exception of Gloire de Dijon,
which is just alive. Brassicas, which were above
the snow at the time, were all killed outright.
The Loganberry was also killed, whilst Rasp-
berries, growing alongside, show no signs of
having suffered. Shrubs have been killed
outright, including Eerberis Darwinii, Laures-
tinus. and Forsythia, whilst even the Box edging
is badly burned in places. Alec McKivnon,
Clifton Park Garden.^, Keho.

CoRDYLlNE australis. — Seeing that at least
one species of Palm, Irachycarpus excelsus — more
generally known as Chamaerops Fortunei — often
ripens its seeds in the warmer parts of Cornwall,

where natural seedlings not infrequently spring
up around the parent plants, it is not surprising
that there are various instances of Cordyline aus-
tralis ripening its seeds in the open air. Even
here, at Pencarrow, in the coldest part ci Corn-
wall, good seeds are occasionally produced, and I
have a batch of seedlings raised from our own
seed. At Prideaux Place, close to Padstow — a
warmer locality than this — the seeding of this
" Club Palm " has ceased to occasion remark.
Some few years ago Mr. Brown showed me quite
an interesting amount of variation in the foliage
of some home-raised seedlings, which he was then
placing in permanent positions. Since then I
have observed an equal amount of variation in
Cordylines raised at Pencarrow. Whilst young,
the leaves vary from long, thin, strap-like
appendages to stout, sword-shaped leaves nearly
approaching those of the true Cordyline indivisa,
but, of course, without the beautiful colour of
the midrib. As the plants increase in size
their leaves seem to lose the extremes of their
breadth, but a considerable difference still re-
mains. As Mr. Y'ates remarks, the flower-spikes
last well in a cut state ; they ai-e very fragrant,
and when growing attract myriads of flies. I
am inclined to the opinion that at maturity, when
the plant has developed the club-shaped append-
age at the base of its stem, from which it derives
the common name "Club Palm," the feeding
roots are annual, or at any rate short-lived, for
on removing several 25 feet high examples which
had been killed by more than usually severe
frosts, I was surprised to notice how few and thin
were their roots. On the contrary, as is generally
known, younger and vigorous-growing plants pro-
duce a mass of roots. A. C. Bartlett.

Fumigating with Cyanide. — There are a
few things that I have found through experience
with this gas, formed by the inter-action of
cyanide of sodium and sulphuric acid, that may
be of some value to those that are likely to give
it a trial. It is absolutely necessary to get the
temperature below 50°, or it will aft'ect the young
points of anything that may be in the house that
is being fumigated, although the more hardened
foliage will not be injured. I will now endeavour
to explain how we first proved the marked in-
fluence v\hich temperature has on the effects of
hydrocyanic acid gas. The first house that we
decided to operate on was an intermediate house
adjoining the stoves. We got the machines ready
with the required amount uf sulphuric acid and
water in the basins, and the cyanide of sodium in
the receptacle at the top of the machine where the
string is attached, which, when pulled, allows
the cyanide of soda to drop into the sulphuric
acid and water. There were many plants in this
house affected with bug : 1 will mention a few
of these : Poinsettias, CaUas, Lasiandras, Sola-
nums. Liliums, Schizanthuses, Grevilleas, Prim-
ula kewensis, and P. sinensis. These things were
affected but very little, the damage, if any, being
confined to the points. The young foliage
shows no ill-effects until the sun shines next
day, therefore drop the blinds and keep them
down until the effects of the gas have had time
to pass. In reference to the stoves adjoining, the
gas naturally got through or under the doors and
affected the stove plants pretty badly ; this
proved to me the necessity of having the tem-
perature below 50° at least. A vinery contain-
ing vines in a dormant stale may be fumigated
with every confidence of success and safety, but
I would not advocate it in the growing season,
as I have no experience. The plants might pos-
sibly suffer no harm if the weather on the fol-
lowing day were didl, or means were taken to
shade the" vines. A vinery joining the early
vinery here was fumigated when the latter was
well "advanced, and the fumes niu.st have pene-
trated but did not do any harm. Charles Her-
richje. The Gardens, Dunham Massey Hall,
Altrincham.

Anemone sulphurea (see p. 266). — The
passage which Mr. H. Stuart Thompson criti-
cises in my note, which appeared at p. 195,
should have read thus: " plants occupying rocky
crevices or very strong ground in their native
habitats " ; the plants which occupy the cre-
vices as opposed to rocky ledges where debris
and humus abound. It is such plants as the
Adonises, Anemone vernalis, A. alpina. A. sul-
phurea. A. Pulsatilla, among many others, that
come to hand, with the merest stumps of roots

28i

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 30, 1910.

attached that I had in mind. These are so ruth-
lessly torn from their positions, that they are
pre-doomed to failure. Judging by the plenitude
of such e.xamples, as compared with those that
come from rock ledges and the like, the
ordinary collector of Alpine plants has neither
the tim'e nor the inclination to peel away rocks
to obtain fibrous roots to the plants. It is the
lack of root-fibre that is responsible for many of
the failures of collected Alpines, and, in par-
ticular, of those plants which incline to produce
tap-roots. Naturally, in their rooting, many
Alpine plants are largely influenced by cn-cum-
stances and environment, and seeds of one species
may find a resting place on a bed of debris and
humus in a fissure of rock, or on the nearly
vertical face of the rock itself, the resultnig
plants affording widely diverse opportunities to
the collector. Referring to the ease with which
certain groups of plants found on rocks — Saxi-
fragas, Primulas and Sempervivums — are
established, Mr. Thompson inquires, " Is not
Anemone sulphurea itself a case in point?" and
the answer is onlv as far as that species — for it
has now for some" years been elevated to specific
rank by botanists— is collected or collectable with
abundance of fibrous roots attached. Imported
roots are usually mere stumps without any fibrous
roots. Where "is there any evidence of the suc-
cessful cultivation of the thousands which have
been imported during the last 25 years? There
is no cultural difficulty, provided the cultivator
has reasonable material, and yet I can look back
upon thousands of plants of Adonis and Helle-
borus niger and not 10 per cent, have lived.
It was my knowledge of these facts, and the
haphazard discovery many years ago that some
of the plants inclined to* produce fibrous roots
if planted in fibre or ashes, while they perished
outright when planted in soil, that caused
me to recommend the first-named treatment
for such things. It was also the obvious
superiority of the home-raised seedling plant to
the collected one that caused me to send the
photographj of the twain to the Editors of the
Gardeners' Chronicle, as it furnished a useful
object lesson. E. II. Jenkins.

Pruning Newly-Planted Fruit Trees.—

The framework or foundation of all trained trees
meant for walls or trellises is laid before they
leave the fruit-tree nurseries, and all the fruit-
grower has to do in the way of cultural treat-
ment is to develop the young trees into estab-
lished specimens covering the allotted space on
walls or trellis in as short a time as possible with
healthy fruit-bearing wood distributed evenly.
Every practical fruit-grower is well aware that
if the young, strong, central shoots of dwarf or
standard-trained fruit trees are left unpruned
and secured in their summer position to the
trellis or wall in that state, young growths
will necessarily push from their ends instead
of from their bases. B\it the said strong central
growths should be treated in the manner re-
commended in the issue ot the Gardeners'
Chronicle for April 9 (p. 234), namely, " When
the sap begins to rise in the young trees the
first year after planting, bend the unpruned
shoots towards the ground and secure them to
the trellis or wall, the bend starting from the
point at which the first of the young growths is
desired. The check thus given to the flow of
sap causes a sufficient number of woodbuds to
push from each shoot to form a good-sized fan-
shaped tree the first year after planting." The
woodbuds will then push regularly into growth
the entire length of each shoot from their bases.
After which, the previous and current years'
growths can be duly arranged to cover the space
prescribed for each tree. Any reader of the
Gardeners' Chronicle residing in the northern
counties, who has young buds of the description
indicated, can, even at this somewhat late date,
prove for himself the efficacy of the extension
system which I recommend to be practised in the
training of wall or trellis fruit trees the first and
second year after plantiujj. The system of train-
ing or treating dwarf-trained trees the first year
after planting is not only natural but also a most
easy and expeditious way of obtaining good-sized
well-furnished fruit trees in as short a time /s
possible. I have practised the method herein
advocated for over 30 years with complete suc-
cess ; hence my advocacy of it. A. P., in con-
cluding his interesting note, inquires. " What
would be the effect on Raspberries, Currants.
Gooseberries or Poses, for instance, were there

no pruning exercised on them the year after
planting? " I may remind your correspondent
that were Raspberry canes cut down to the
ground line the year after planting, say Feb-
ruary or March, his summer-bearing Rasp-
berries would be converted into autumn-bearing
plants. As regards Currants, Gooseberries and
Roses, they must be pruned annually ; the same
may be said regarding the pruning of bush,
pyramid and standard fruit trees, but what
I strongly objected to is the cutting-back in-
discriminately of young trained trees the first
year after p'lanting, thereby wasting a couple
of years' growth. All fruit trees, we are per-
fectly aware, require skilful summer and win-
ter pruning. Some of us fruit-growers are, I
think, afraid to depart from the old and firmly-
established methods, regardless of the fact that
were it not for such occasional departures from
" old-time " practices, there would not be much
progress made in anv professions or walks of
life. H. W. W.

The correspondence on this subject is

interesting. I have read the remarks of A. D.,
and of Mr. F. Lansdell, of Worcester (see p.
266). The latter causes me some surprise
by his statements regarding the extent of
the injury to the roots of transplanted trees,
and to "the effect that newly-planted trees
should not be pruned after November. In
my ignorance, I actually plant fruit trees in
April, and prune in May ! To-day, April 22,
I am transplanting seven or eight Plum trees,
in full flower — because it suits my convenience
to do so. Perhaps they will die ; if they do, they
will be my first failure. If I were to plant Apples
and Pears in February, and prune them during
the first week in May, what would be the result?
Or, again, if I plant 98 Plum trees at the end of
March, and prune them on May 1, what per-
centage of deaths would there be, and what would
be the general amount of growth made by the
survivors? The soil is sandy loam, and many
feet above the water-level of the district. En-
quirer.

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucumbers

(see p. 252). — In the case of the Melon, not a
few gardeners consider hand pollination essential
to the securing of a " good set " of fruits, al-
though without it I have had a far greater num-
ber of fruits set than the plant could mature. In
the case of the Cucumber grown for market the
set fruits are of an inferior stamp and realise
lower prices. This is due n>»inly to the
check following immediately upmi the fertili-
sation of the fruits, and the additional facts that
the fruits incline to swell in a lateral direction
at this time rather than otherwise. On the
other hand the maiden fruits continue to extend
in a longitudinal direction, and such as these
ever of a quicker growth, and maintaining their
uniformity of outline throughout, are of the
highest m"arket value. The fruits of the Cucum-
ber when set quickly demonstrate the fact by
their club-shaped extremities, while the Jlelcii,
because of its characteristic rotundity and be-
cause of its internal capacity to accommodate the
swelling seeds, displays no external evidence of
fertilisation. I sometimes wonder whether the
lack of flavour in some Melons is not due to
fertilisation, as the demand of so great a mass of
seeds upon the resources of the plant must be
considerable. Whether the flesh of those Melons
carrying a full crop of seeds is inferior to those
having few seeds, or even none at all, I am
unable to say, but perhaps some gardener who
has taken the necessary steps to preclude the
pollination of the flowers., will give his
experience. Flavour in the jNIelon is important ;
and if by preventing seed production it can in
any way be improved, the matter should be
worth the attention of the private, if not the
commercial, gardener. In the Cucumber, succu-
lency and crispness take the place of flavour in
the Melon, and these good attributes only attain
t(j their highest excellence when the fruits
develop unchecked from the start. Some years
ago I suffered considerable loss through a neigh-
bour's bees getting into the Cucumber houses
and setting quite half the crops; and successional
batches of fruit were only saved by the early
removal of the male blossoms, persisted in day
after day, a tedious and costly opei'ation, where,
as in my case, hundreds of plants were grown.
E. H. Jenl-ins.

A''. //. says, on p. 252, that in France

the fertilisation of Melons is practically un-

known. That is what I have always understood.
He also says that his friend had 200 Melons
that were not artificially fertilised. I have had
many Melons ripen without being artificially
fertilised by hand, and have been much interested
in the result. When the fruits were cut I made
a point of testing the seeds contained, to find out
whether they were fertile or not. And as yet I
have not seen or heard of a Melon that has
lipened without containing some fertile seeds.
In my own case I attributed the pollination pro-
cess to the medium of black ants, which, during
the growing season, overran the plants, and 1
often found some of these insects visiting both
male and female flowers of the Melons. I should
like to ask if N. H. has ever known a fruit of
■Melon ripen without containing fertile seeds. I
have proved myself that the fruit of Cucumber
will swell without being fertilised by pol-
len grains. This I have proved by removing
the stigmatic surface of the female flowers before
they had expanded, so that pollination was im-
possible. These fruits have been cut and ex-
amined, and I have never found one to contain a
fertile seed. I maintain that the Melon plant
cannot swell its fruit without the female flowers
being fertilised by pollen from the male flowers
of the same or nearly related species ; that the
Cucumber can and does swell its fruit without the
female flowers being fertilised, the fruit contain-
ing no fertile seeds. In examinations I carried
out (on fruit seed so tested) I found that the ex-
tine and intine or integuments of the ovule had
developed into the testa (or seed covering), but
the embryo had in no case commenced to develop,
thus proving, what is well known to botanists,
that it is a physiological impos.sibility for the
vast majority of plants to bear fertile seeds, un-
less the ovules have been first of all fertilised by
the action of the pollen grains. Why this differ-
ence between the two nearly-related species, that
one has acquired the property of sw^elling its
fruit without fertilisation, and the other, as far
as I know, has not as yet acquired this property?
IK. O. C, Babington.

Protecting Peach Blossom.— Mr. Ward's
letter in your issue for April 16, p. 252, does
not help much to solve the question as to whether
as good crops of Peaches can be obtained from
unprotected as from protected trees, provided
both are planted against south walls and receive
the same care and cultural skill in their growth.
The fact that i\lr. Ward has had the charge of
close on a mile of wall trees, upwards of 200 yards
of which walls were furnished from base to
summit with Peach and Nectarine trees, all of
which were protected whilst in bloom, and which
bore heavy crops for 25 years, has nothing to do
with the question at issue. No one wishes, or
can, dispute the fact that grand crops are
annually grown in hundreds of gardens on pro-
tected trees. That gardener who had been pro-
perly trained, and who has had a fair amount of
experience in the work, would not bo worth his
salt if he could not produce good and regular
crops under the same conditions. The question
was raised by me in no carping spirit, but simply
to try and elicit information on the point in the
hopethat, if my proposition and experience in the
matter were supported with auy weight of
evidence, a greater stimulus and encouragement
would be given to the more general growth
of this valuable and delicious fruit amongst ama-
teurs and cottagers possessing available south
walls on their cottages or other buildings. It is
not long since I heard of a cottager in Sussex who
received more for a crop of Sea Eagle Peaches
growing on the south wall of his cottage than
paid his rent for the year. Mr. Ward's remarks
with respect to his unprotected Peach trees on a
Plum wall are more to the point. But here, by
the tact that he does not seem to know whether
there were two or three of those, it may be fair
to assume that they scarcely received the same
good attention culturally as did tlie protected
trees, and possibly, in common with the Plum
trees, they had" a different aspect. Peach
Grower.

TRADE NOTICE.

MR. ERNEST BENARY.

We learn that Ernest Benary, Jnn., 5on of Mr. Frederich

Benarv, and Heinrich Benary, ?on of Mr. John Penary,

have liecome partners in the well-known firm of Ernest

Benary, seedsmen, Erfurt, Germany.

Ai'Bir. 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

SOCIJBTICIS.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee.

April \^.— Present : Mv. E. A. Bowles, M.A.,
F.E.S., F.L.S. (in the Chair). Dr. A. B. Rendle,
F.R.S., Messrs. J. Eraser. J. Douglas, A. Wors-
ley, J. T. Bennett-Poe, W. Hales, W. Fawcett,
E". M. Holmes, R. Hooper Pearson, and F. J.
Chittenden (Hon. Sec.)

The lute Mr. O. S. Saiiiiderf:. — The members
heard with deep regret of the death of Mr. G. S.
Saunders, F.L.S. , who had for many years been
a regular attendant at the meetings of the Com-
mittee and who had acted as entomological
referee. It was resolved that a vote of con-
dolence should be conveyed to Mr. Saunders's
relatives, the resolution being carried by the
members in silence, upstanding in their places.

A foiir-iiirron-^ .Van(.«H,«. — Mr. Chittenden
showed on behalf of .\[r. Murray Thompson a
flower of Narcissus " Sir Watkin." having eight
perianth pieces, eight stamens, and a four-celled
ovary witli four-lobed stigma. The multiplication
of pai'ts in Narcissus flowers is frequent, but this
.specimen showed the multiplication very regu-
larly.

Infertile Cineraria. — Mr. Worsley drew at-
tention to a blue-flowered Cineraria which he
found among others in his garden with the
stamens developed, but contaming no pollen.

Interniillent varieijalion. — Mr. Bowles read a
communication from Canon Ellacombe .concern-
ing variegation in Sedum Telephium. This plant
had produced leaves variegated with pink m
Canon Ellacombe's garden in 1908. and a piece of
the plant was placed in Mr. Bo\vle.s's garden,
where, also, it was variegated. In 1909, how-
ever, in holli gardens the shoots were wholly
green, but this year again, in both gardens, they
were coming variegated. Other examples of in-
termittent variegation were mentioned, most
occurring when the plant in question had been
placed under different conditions from that in
which it generally grew and it was considered that
variegation depended largely upon the environ-
mental conditions acting upon the plant, as well as
on an innate tendency to produce variegated
foliage.

HORTICULTURAL CLUB.

OLD FRENCH FLORAL LITERATURE.

April 19. — At the usual monthly dinner of this
Club, held at the Hotel Windsor, under the chair-
manship of Mr. W. A. Bilney, on the above date,
Mr. C. Harman Payne delivered an address on
" French Floral Literature Prior to 1800." The
lecturer pointed out the fact that writers treated
of such flowers as were in vogue, and these in-
cluded many which are still familiar in gardens —
Carnations. Cyclamen, Anemones, Pteonies,
Rosss, Ranunculuses. Tulips. Hyacinths. Crown
Imperials, Antirrhinums, Balsams, Poppies, Fox-
gloves, Marigolds, Daisies, Lily of the Valley.
Pansies, Wallflowers, Lilacs, Rosemaries, Sun-
flowers, Passion Flowers, Jessamines, Amaranth.
Auriculas Everlasting Peas, Marvel of Peru, Prim
rose, Crocus, Narcissus, Tuberoses. Irises, Lilies.
Orchids. Aquatics. These were treaded on lines
which, in many cases, must have involved great
expense, and yet, as surviving examples prove,
they ran into numerous editions, and held their
own, in some cases, for many decades. These
works appear practically to have formed tho
main foundation of English floricultural litera-
ture at that time', in the form of transla-
tions, and as many of them contained long
lists of the names of the flowers concerned,
they are of interest to such flower-lovers as
are not contented with the mere study or cul-
ture of the plants themselves, but desire to know
their origin and history. It is noteworthy that
much of the data of that time was collected by
ecclesiastics, while it is clear that, at that epoch,
the wealth and stability, real or assumed, of the
French court and aristocracy permitted of the
needful support being given to encourage the
publication of their records on liberal lines. By
comparison, the English floral literature of the
same period was insignificant. Incidentally, the
lecturer lamented that our public libraries — even
that of the British Museum — do not contain col-
lections of old floral literature of this class, though
■11 foreign libraries they are well represented. He

expressed the hope that the Royal Horticultural
Society would do something in this connection
with relation to the Lindley library. In the sub-
sequent discussion, in which ftlessrs. Bilney,
May, Druery, Walker, Sanders, Cook, and
Jeffries took part, Mr. May, adverting to the lec-
turer's allusion to the salutary influence of the
expatriated Huguencts on British floriculture, said
that, as a youth, he recollected seeing Tulips and
other flowers carefully cultivated atSpitalfields,
where these exiles largely settled.

Mr. Druery, while fully appreciating the lec-
ture from the bibliographical point of view, con-
sidered, from his own experience of ancient Fern
literature, that it was of little or no use as a
practical guide to culture nowadays, too often
consisting of myth and fable and a' multitude of
synonyms, the great bulk of which had long since
been discarded. Mr. Sanders and Mr. E. T. Cook
pointed out that books on such flowers as the
Ranunculus, which Mr. Payne regretted no
longer appeared, would not pay nowadays,
a theme which Mr. Bilney summed up by
pointing out that in the old days, such specia'l
treatises as had been described "constituted the
sole resource of would-be cultivators, while, to-
day, people were kept fully informed day by day
by a competent horticultural Pre.ss at next "to no
expense at all. He, however, fully recognised, as
did the rest of the audience, that the historical
side of floriculture was of absorbing interest.

DEVON DAFFODIL AND SPRING
FLO^WER.

April 19. — This society adopted a departure
from its usual custom in holding its show at
Barnstaple instead of at Plymouth. The entries
were as numerous as last year, the classes,
especially those for Daffodils, being well tilled,
and it was gratifying to note that North Devon
exhibitors came forward in large numbers. The
quality of the Daffodils was specially commended
by the judges, and competition was very keen
in many of the classes. Hard-wooded flowering
shrubs were exceptionally good, and the show of
Schizanthus was also very tine. Lady Fortescue
was awarded a Certihcate of Jlerit "for Medinilla
magnifica and for a group of Tritonia Eclair.
The Devon Rosery. Torquay, had an effective
stand, upon which were displayed choice varieties
of Roses. The collection was flanked by choice
examples of flowering shrubs and exotic plants.
Messrs. R. Veitch & Son, E.xeter. staged an in-
teresting selection of flowering shrubs and rock
plants. Messrs. B.\rr & Sons, London, showed
a large and representative collection of Daffodils.

The 1st prize-winners in the Narcissus classes
were : Miss Cl.\rice Vivian, collection of Daffo-
dils and Jlagni-coronati varieties; Mr. J. Pope,
Medio-coronati varieties. Incomparabilis with
white perianths. Incomparabilis with yellow
perianths, and Leedsii varieties; Mr. H. G.
Hawker. Parvi-coronati kinds; Miss Clarice
Vivian. Poet's Daffodils; Rev. T, Buncombe,
single bloom of a Magni-coronati ; Mrs. Soltan-
Symons. single bloom of a Medio-coronati ; Mr.
H. G. Hawker, single bloom of a Parvi-coionati.

There were also Daffodil classes confined to
Devon and to North Devon. Mr. H. W. Geigg
won the 1st prize in the class for 12 varieties of
hardy spring flowers, and for 12 varieties of
hard-wooded flowering shrubs. The best Violets
were shown by Countess Fortescue. Anemones
oy .Mrs. Muir, Anemone fulgens by Miss Davie,
Tulips by Mr. H. W'. Grigg. hardy Primulas by
Mrs. Terry, and cut Carnations by Mrs.
WiGRAM. Lord MoRLEY had the best collection
of Rhododendron blooms. Mrs. Muir excelled
with Cineraria stellata and Lily of the Valley.
Capt. P.^RLBY with Auriculas, and Jlrs. Hibbert
^^ ith Schizanthus.

KENT, SURREY AND SUSSEX

DAFFODIL.

April 20. — The fifth annual exhibition was
held in the Great Hall, Tunbridge Wells, on the
above date, in dull, but fine weather. The ex-
hibition was as successful as any held in previous
years, and the attendance appeared to be larger.
The Rev. G. P. Haydon was amongst the most
successful of the exhibitors. He secured no fewer
than eight 1st prizes in each instance with ex-
hibits of first rate quality. The silver cup offered
for a collection of Daffodils consisting of 13 varie
ties of each of the three groups Trumpet, chalice-

cupped and saucer or flat-crowned, was won by
Mr. J. A. Ni.x, whose collection comprised",
amongst others, fine blooms of Rev. D. R. Wil-
liamson, Duke of Bedford, Xing Alfred, Wear-
dale Perfection, Hamlet, Golden Bell, Lord
Roberts, Mme. de Graaff representing the trum
pets; Lady JIargaret Boscawen, While Lady,
Fair Maiden, Red Chief. Seagull and fessack
the chalice-cupped ; and Ellen Barr, Frailty, In.
cognita, Alniira, those of the saucer or flat-
crowned. Mr. G. C. A. Nix- was placed 2nd, and
Mr. F. Herbert Chapman 3rd. In the class for
12 distinct varieties of Daffodils, representing the
same three groups, the Rev. G. P. Haydon
secured the first honour, showing, amongst others,
Katherine Spurrell, Chaucer, VVhite Queen. Duke
of Bedford and Cleopatra; 2nd, Mr. W. C. Bull;
3rd, Miss A. L. Nix Mr. G. P. Haydon won
the 1st prize in the class for 12 distinct varieties
of True Trumpet Daffodils, among which were
Peter Barr, Pearl of Kent, Lord Roberts, J. B.
M. Camm, and Weardale Peifection, &c. ; 2nd,
Miss A. L. Nix. Ir ihe class for 12 distinct single!
flowered varieties of the chalice-cupped type,
Rev. G. P. Haydon took the chief honour with
Lucifer, Easter, Katherin? Spurrell, White
Queen, Will Scarlet and Princess Mary. This
gentleman who excelled in the class for" six dis-
tinct single varieties of saucer or flat-crowned
Daffodils with Barcarolle, Bullfinch, Sequin,
Gleam, Tomtit and Chaucer.

In the class for the finest single bloom of a
Magni-coronati or Trumpet Daffodil, Rev. G. P.
Haydon was placed 1st with Our M.P. ; 2nd. Jlr.
C. G. A. Nix, with Weardale Perfection. ' The
finest single bloom of a Medio-coronati (chalice-
cupped) Narcissi was Bedouin, shown by Rev.
G. P. Haydon, who also showed the finest single
bloom of a Parvi-coronati (saucer or fiat-
crowned variety) in St. Coeinas.

Trade exhibits included a fine stand of Daffo-
dils shown by Messrs. Barr & Sons, London ;
hardy flowering shrubs and Alpines displayed by-
Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent ; Daftodi"ls anil
other spring flowers were shown by Messrs. G. &
A. Clark, Ltd., Dover; Messrs. G. Bunyard
& Co., Maidstone; and Mr. G Chablton, Tun-
bridge Wells.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

April 20.— The monthly meeting of this
society was held on Wednesday evening of this
date at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Great
(ieorge Street, Westminster, Mr. H. Mellish,
F.R.G.S., president, in the chair.

A paper by Jlr. W. C. Nash was read on the
" Daily Rainfall at the Royal Observatory,
Greenwich, 1841-1903." From the statistics given
in this paper, it was shown that the average
annual rainfall for the 63 years was 24.19 inches,
with 157 rainy days. The day with the m;i.\iinura
number of rainy days to its credit is December 5,
while the days with the least number of rainy
days are April 18, 19, June 27 and September 13.
There were 94 occasions during the whole period
on which the rainfall exceeded 1 inch in the daA .
The greatest fall was 3.67 inches, on July 26,
1867.

GLAMORGAN DAFFODIL AND
SPRING FLOWER.

April 20. — The annual show of the Glamorgan
Daffodil and Spring Flower Society was held in
the Market Hall, Bridgend, on this date. The
show was larger than those of former years and
a success in every respect. There was a large
attendance, which included members of most of
the county families of Glamorgan. The Daffodils
were exceptionally fine. Chief honours in this
section went to Sir John Llewellyn, Bart.,
C. H. Cave, Esq., and Miss J. Pope. Alpine
plants were also shown well.

The Silver Cup offered by Messrs. Barr & Sons
for the best collection of Daffodils in 30 varieties
was won by Mrs. Ridley ; 2nd, Mrs. Moore-
GwYN ; 3rd, T. Mann, Esq. The 1st prize for a
group of .seedling Daffodils not in commerce was
won by .Miss J. Pope. Miss Talbot, Margam
Park, Glamorganshire, offered a Challenge Cup
for 20 varieties of Narcissi, and this was won by
Sir John Llewelyn, Bart. ; 2nd, Mrs. Godfrey
Clark ; 3rd, Earl of Plymouth.

In the class for 12 varieties of Narcissi the 1st
prize was won by the Eari of Plymouth ; 2nd,
Mrs. John Nicholl ; 3rd, Mrs. Moore-Gwyn.

286

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[April 30, 1910.

The 1st prize in a class for 20 varieties was a
Cup presented by R. D. Llewellyn, Esq It was
awarded to Mrs. Godfrey Clark ; 2nd, Earl ot
Plymouth; 3rd, Mrs. John NiOHOLL

A Cup was also offered by Mrs. Mackintosh ot
Mackintosh for 15 varieties. The successful ex-
hibitor was S. T. CoLviLE, Esq. ; 2nd, Mrs. C.
Edmondes; 3rd, S. H. By.is.s, Esq.

The Silver Cup, presented by Mrs. Codlrey
Clark for six varieties of Hyacinths, was awarded
to Mrs. Moore GwYN.

Amongst the spring-flowering plants, Polyan-
thuses were well shown, and Mrs. Moore-Gwyn s
Cup was deservedly won by S. H. Byass, Esq.,
with a very fine display. ^ j i, o-„

The Silver Challenge Cup, presented by bir
John Llewelyn, Bart., for the best collection of
hardy (unforced) spring flowers, was won by Mrs.
MooRE-GwYN ; 2nd, Mrs. Nicholl, senr.

For six species of Primulas Sir J. Llewelyn
was placed 1st, and he also showed the best group
of Rhododendrons from out-of-doors.

The secretary, Miss D. Booker, of bion, and
the committee are to be congratulated on the
result.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL OF
IRELAND.

April 20, 21.— The spring flower show was
held in the Art Industries Hall, Ballsbridge, on
these dates. The building is a large one and well
lighted so that the exhibits showed to advan-
ta'ge. Displays of Narcissi formed the principal
portion of the exhibition ; there were also Carna-
tions, Roses, Gloxinias, Cinerarias, and other
flowering plants. The trade exhibits were re-
markably fine, and contributed largely to the
success of the show.

The following are among the most important
of the competitive classes. For the best exhibit
of nine pot Roses, a Challenge Cup, valued at
£10, was offered as the 1st prize. It was won
by David Drimmie, Esq., Bellevue, Booters-
town (gr. Mr. M'Byrne) ; 2nd, T. A. JIiller,
Esq., Windsor, Monkstown (gr. Mr. Colshan).

An important class was that for a table of
foliage or flowering plants arranged for effect.
The judges considered lightness and elegance of
arrangement and uniformity of colour for har-
monious blending as essential features. The
prizes were presented by Mr. H. P. Goodbody,
and they were awarded as follow : 1st, Jliss
Redmond, Gortmore, Dundrum ; 2nd, Miss
O'Meara, Farranbuley, Clonskea ; 3rd, Mr. T.
F. Crozier, Avonmore, Stillorgan.

Mes.srs. Robert P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool,
offered prizes for six pots of Hippeastrums
(Amaryllis). The 1st prize was awarded to Jlr.
Ernest Bewley ; 2nd, Mr. David Drimmie.

Other exhibitors who won 1st prizes in the
classes for plants were: Mr. F. V. Westby
(Deutzias). Mr. T. F. Crozier (Cinerarias), Mr.
F. A. Miller, Windsor, Monkstown (Cinerarias),
and Mr. Henry Dudgeon (Richardias).

Bulbous Flowers.
The 1st prize for six pots of Tulips, of single-
flowered varieties, in not fewer than three varie-
ties, was awarded to Mr. Ernest Bewley ; 2nd,
Mrs. Goodbody. For six pots of double Tulips
the result was similar, but iMrs, Goodbody beat
Mr, Bewley in the class for 12 single Hyacinths
and also in that for six Hyacinths, Mr. Bewley
was successful in Messrs. Edmondson Brothers'
class tor six pots of Hyacinths, and this exhibitor
also excelled in the class for three pots of
Hyacinths,

Narcissi.

The most important class was for a collection
of cut blooms, 50 varieties (not to include Poly-
anthus Narcissi), comprising the three groups,
Magni-coronati, Medio-coronati, and Parvi-
coronati, arranged in vases. A Challenge Cup,
valued at £10, pi-esented by the President, Lord
Ardilaun, was offered in this class, and money
prizes were presented by Messrs, Hogg & Robert-
son. The Ist prize was won by Mr. C, M,
Doyne; 2nd, Mr. R, T. H.^rris; 3rd, Mr, S, H,
Cochrane,

ilrs, Goodbody won both the 1st prizes in the
class for pot plants for Narcissi,

In the class for twelve distinct varieties of true
Trumpet (Magni-coronati Narcissi), to be shown
in vases, five blooms in each variety, Mrs, Hely
Hutchinson and Captain O'Callaghan were
awarded equal 1st prizes.

For twelve distinct varieties of Medio-coronati

varieties, to be shown in vases, five blooms of
each variety. Captain O'Callaghan won the 1st
prize and Mr, C. M, Doyne the 2nd prize.

In the similar classes the 1st prize-winners
were for Magni-coronati, Mr. David Drimmie;
Parv'i-coronati, Mr. C. M. Doyne; and Mcdio-
coronati, Mr, C, Douglas,

Other prize exhibits of Narcissi were shown
by Mr. W, Ross, Mr, Chas, Parr, Miss M.
Litchfield, and Mr. R. T. Harris.

In the class for 24 bunches of cut flowers,
bloomed in the open air, comprising not fewer
than 12 distinct varieties and not more than
three of one genus, the 1st prize was awarded to
Mr. C, M, Doyne; 2nd, Capt. L, Riall, DL,;
whilst for 12 vases of hardy cut flowers, bloomed
in the open air, the 1st prize was won by iMr.
S, H, Cochrane, and the 2nd prize by Mr, W,

For a collection of vegetables, six distinct kinds
only, to be exhibited in trays nut to exceed 3 feet
by 3' feet, the 1st prize, presented by Messrs, W,
Drummond & Sons, Ltd,, Dublin, was won by
Mr S, H. Cochrane; 2nd, Colonel W, H. Poe,

C.B.

Trade Exhibits.

Sir JossLYN Gore Booth, Lissadell, Sligo,
exhibited a choice collection of Narcissi (Silver
iledal) ; Messrs, Browett & Sons, Kingstown,
Palms Ferns, and flowering plants (Silver
Medal) ; Mr, V. de C, Hughes, Gilltown Nur-
series, KilcuUen, floral designs (Silver Medal);
Messrs. James Carter & Co, staged a collection
of Cinerarias; Messrs, Heath & Son, Royal
Exotic Nursery, Cheltenham, Alpine plants;
TuLLY Nursery, Co, Kildar©, Japanese garden
and Alpine Plants (Gold Medal); Messrs,
Charles Ramsay & Sons, Royal Nurseries,
Ballsbridge, a collection of foliage and flowering
plants (Gold Medal); Messrs, Hogg & Robert-
son, 22, Mary Street, Dublin, Daffodils (Gold
Medal), '

DEVON AND EXETER HORTI-
CULTURAL.

April 22,— The exhibition on this date was,
perhaps, the best spring show held in Exeter, the
exhibi'ts were superior in quality to those at any
show which has preceded it, the entries exceeded
by 50 those of last vear, and the trade exhibits
were exceptionally good. The arrangements were
well carried out by the newly-appointed honorary
secretary, Mr, T, A, Andrews,

Daffodils,

The principal class was for 24 varieties repre-
senting the three groups, three blooms of each
section, double and Polyanthus varieties being ex-
cluded. Through an oversight on the part of the
exhibitor (Mrs. Gage-Hodge), the best exhibit
was disqualified. She included two vases of
Albatross, thus reducing the number of her varie-
ties to 23. The 1st prize was awarded to Mr, W,
Brock, Parkerswell (gr, Mr, Rowland), and the
2nd to Rev, T, Buncombe, Black Torrington (gr,
Mr, Mitchell), Many expert critics considered
Mr. Buncombe entitled to an equal 1st prize. In
Mr, Brock's collection were Weardale Perfec-
tion, Mme, de Graaff, King Alfred, Glory of
Leiden, Gloria Mundi. Firebrand, Ariadne, and
Bridesmaid. Rev. Buncombe staged Weardale
Perfection, Glory of Leiden, J, B, M, Camm,
Mme, de Graaff ,' White Lady, Lulworth, George
Nicholson, Cassandra, Olympia, Lucifer, and
Herrick, Mrs. Gage-Hodge put up King
Alfred, Weardale Perfection, White Lady, Cas-
tille, Lucifer, Orangeman, Gleam, Horace, and
Liddington,

In the next class, for 12 varieties, Mrs.
Bolitho (gr. Mr. W. J, Cobbin) was awarded the
1st prize. Rev, T, Buncombe being placed 2iid,
Mrs, Bolitho staged Golden Ball, Fusilier, Mme,
de Graaff, Homer, Barrii conspicuus, and Glory
of Leiden.

In the class for six varieties of the Magni-
coronati type. Rev. Buncombe was awarded the
1st prize "for Goldfinch, Mrs. Camm, Weardale
Perfection, and Mme, de Graaff ; 2nd Mrs, Gage-
Hodge,

For six of the Medio-coronati type, Mrs. Gage-
Hodge, Huxham Rectory (gr. Mr. A, Buchanan),
was 1st with Seagull, Lulworth, Leonie, Lucifer,
White Lady, and' Gloria Mundi ; 2nd, Rev. Bun-
combe.

In the class for six Parvi-coronati blooms, Mr.
J. Copp was 1st, with Beacon, Blood Orange,
Vivid, and Bullfinch,

General Plants.
A keen competition took place in the classes for
Cineraria stellata, Schizanthus, Cyclamen, Diely-
tra spectabilis, Lilv of the VaUey, and Freesias.
Exhibits of Hyacinths and Tulips were of very
pcor quality, and the decorated tables were of a
low standard. Among the chief prizewinners in
the general plant section were the Mayor of
Exeter (Mr, H, H, Wippell), Mr, Brock, Mr.
C. M. Collingwood, Mr. A, H, T, Shapland,
Mr, A, Lythall, Mrs, Bolitho, and Miss Knap-
man, iNlr, Brock's Dielytras were very fine, as
also were Mr. Collinuwood's Cinerarias, and
Mr. Lythai.l's Schizanthus.

In the class for flowering shrubs, Mr. Lythall
won the 1st prize, and the Mayor of Exeter the
2nd prize.

Trade Collections,

These were excellent. Jlessrs, Robt. Veitch &
Son showed Erica x Veitchii, Magnolia Soulange-
ana nigra. Clematis montana rubens, fine speci-
mens of Daffodils, and a bunch of hybrid Ger-

beras. r, 1

Messrs, Bakr & Sons, King Street, Covent

Garden, showed Daffodils, including Peter Barr,

The Seraphim, Cingalee, Incognito, Firebrand,

and The Cygnet.
The Lissadell Bulb Co., staged a collection ot

Narcissi, the varieties Acme. Dolly, Edeen, Mrs.

Percy Foster, Judge Bird, Muriel, Maggie May,

Rajah, and Waterwitch being shown in fine form.
Mr. Geo. Kerswell made a display of Palms

and conservatory and border plants.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

May 5,— a meeting will be held at 8 p.m, on
this date, when the following papers will be read :
" Eight Months' Entomological Collecting in the
Seychelles Islands," by Jlr, Hugh Scott; "The
Anatomy of Hipula maxima," by Mr, Jas, M.
Brown,

(!5bituavj).

Charles Bagge Plowricht.— We regret to

record the death of this distinguished mycolo-
gist, at North Wooton, Norfolk, For 30 years
past the late Dr, Plowright has contributed to
these pages, principally upon diseases of culti-
vated plants caused by fungi. He was born at
King's Lynn on April 3, 1849, and commenced
the "study of fungi when a boy. He was a
pupil at the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital,
eventually becoming surgeon and consulting sur-
geon of that institution. Whilst engaged as
house surgeon he published his work Sphccnacei
Srifnnnici. In 1872 he contributed before the
Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society a list
of 800 fungi found in Norfolk, Hi.s studies of
fungi brought him in contact with leading my-
cologists both at home and abroad. In conjunc-
tion with his friend, .Mr, W, Philips, of Shrews-
bury, he published, from 1871 to 1874, a series
of papers on new and rare Briti.sh fungi, in which
are described 296 species. The late Dr, Plow-
right was, in his early years, specially interested
in the Pyrenomycetcs, and he published several
papers oil the group. He also collected a large
number of specimens, which, together with the
rest of his herbarium, have been acquired by the
Mason College, Birmingham, In 1891 Dr, Plow-
right drew a.ttention to the use of the Bordeaux
Mixture, which was then being employed in
France as a preventive against vine mildew and
Tomato disease, and which was also finding
favour in France as a remedy for the Potato
disease. Subsequently he worked on the Ure-
dine^e, and especially with the life-history of the
so-called heteroecious species, on which he pub-
lished papers in the Liitnean Jminial. and the
Prorfedinqs of the Royal Soc'ielu. In 1890 his
well-known and exceedingly valuable book, A
Monograph of the Brifixh Ihedineo' jan'l
UstUat/inece was published. He was also in-
terested in archeology, and published in the Nor-
folk and Norwich Naturalists' Society's various
papers, including those on Neolithic man in
West Norfolk, the native dye plants of Great
Britain used by our ancestors, the archseologv of
\Voad, and the process by which its blue colour
was extracted, Dr, Plowright was for 32 years
Medical Officer of Health for Freebridge Lynn
Rural Di.strict Council, He was Hunterian Pro-
fessor of Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
of the Royal College of Surgeons from 1890-1R94.

April 30, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

287

IVIARKETS.

Plants In Pots, Sc: Average Wholesale Prices (ConlJ.).

;.d. s.d.

COVENT GARDEN. April 27.
fWe cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reporis. 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 remembeied 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. — Eds.]

fto.: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Marguerites, p. dz.
bunches white
and yellow ... 3 0-40
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 4 0-60
Narcissus, poeticus
(Pheasant'sEye),
per doz. buchs.

— Soleil d'Or ...
Od on to glossum

crispuin, per

dozen bloums

Pelargoniums, shw.

per doz. bchs.

— 2onaI, double
scarlet

Richardia africana
tCalla), p. doz.

Roses, 12 blooms,
Nijihetos

Gut Flowers,

Anemones, p. doz.

Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch

— Fielderi, per
dozen

Bouvardia

Calla (see Richaidia;

Carnations, p. doz.
blooms, best
American (var.)

Carola, and oili€r
special varieties

— second size ...

— smaller, per
doz. bunches

Camellias, per doz.
Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms
Dafiodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eucharis grandi-

flora, perdozen

blooms
Freesias, p. dz. bch.
Gardenias, per dz.
Gypsophila elegans,

p. dz. bunches
Heather (white),

per bunch
Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches ..
Lilac (French), per

bunch

Lilium anratuni

f)er bunch
ongillorum ...

— lane i f olium
rubruni

— Ian ci f o li uni
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...

Cut Foliage,

Adiantuni cunea-
turn, per dozen
bunches

Asparag us plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, perdozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per
dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish)

Ed.
1 0-

s.d.
1 6

06-

0 9

2 0-30
4 0-6 0

2 0-

30

4 0-
1 6-

5 0
2 0

13 0-
1 6-

18 0
2 0

6 0-

9 0

1 6-
1 0-

3 6
2 0

1 0-

1 6

3 0-40
10-16
16-26

3 0-

4 0

1 0

-

6 0-

90

20

3 0

2 0-

2 0-

3 0
3 0

1 6-

2 0

1 6-

2 0

6 0-

VI 0

9 0
15 0

1 0-
1 0-

2 0
1 6

10-20

4 0-60
4 0-60
1 6- 2 C

Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— K a i se r i n A.
Victoria

10-20
16-26
2 0 3 0

10-30

— Capt. Hayward 10-20

— C.Mermet ... 16-20

— Liberty ... 16-26

— Mme.Chateuay 16-40

— Kichmond ... 2 0-40

— The Bride ... 16-26
Spiraea, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60
Stephanotis, 72

"pips " ... 3 0-40
Stocks, per doz.

bunches ... 3 0-40
Sweet I'eas, per

dozen bunches... 2 0-40

Tuberoses, p. gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 40 6
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, per doz.

bunches ... 16-20

— Parma 16-26

&c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

Ferns (French) ...
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches
Hardy foliage

(various), per

dozen bunclies
Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
per dz. bunches

Vloss, per gross ...
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved— 4 0-60

— French ... 10-16
-)milax. p. dz. trails 4 0 6 0

s.d.

s.J.

6 0-

8 0

2 0-

18 0

2 0-18 0
9 0-12 0

2 6-

3 0

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-

3 0

S.d. s.d.

0 6-09

1 6- i

3 0-90
2 0-26

0 9-16

1 fr- 2 0
4 0-50

Plants in Pots, &c.

AcaciaDrummondi,

per dozen
Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen
Aralia Siebjldi, p.

dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger plants ...
Araucaria excel sa,

per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— ten u issimus
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire

de L orraine,
per dozen
Boron ia hetero-
phylla, per dz.

— megastigma ...
Calceolarias (her-
baceous), p. dz.

Cinerarias, per doz.
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen...
Ctotons, per dozen

s.d. s.d.
24 0-30 0

5 0-80

9 0-12 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

15 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0
M 0-42 0

12 0-18 0

24 0-30 0
18 0-24 0

6 C- 8 0
5 0-80
tt 0- 9 0
18 0-24 0

18 0-30 0
18 0-30 0

Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cy per u s alterni-

folius, dozen ... 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Daffodils, per doz. 4 0-60
Dracaenas, perdoz. 9 0-24 0
Erica candidissima 18 0-24 0

— Cavendishi.per
dozen 24 0-36 0

— persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

Euonymus,perdz.,

in pots 3 0-80

— fiom the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0

— in sujall and
large 60's ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, perdz. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

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

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Genistas, per dz.... 5 0-80
Grevilleas, per dz. 4 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, Sin a pot 6 0-90

Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per
dozen ... ... 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0

Lilium longi-

florum, per dz.
— lancifolium, p.

dozen

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white,

per dozen

s.d. s.d.

24 0-36 0

18 0-30 0

18 0-30 0

60-90

Mignonette, p. doz. 6 0-80
Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0- G 0
Spiraea japonica, dz. 8 0-10 0
Stocks (Intermed-
iate), perdz. ... 6 0-10 0
Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs ... 16-20

— pots, special ... 9 0-12 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.

Apples (U.S.), per

barrel 24 0-27 0

— Albemarle Pip-
pin .. ... 32 6 —

— (Canadian), per
barrel :

— Spy 22 6 —

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel :

— Nonpareil ... 13 0 —

— Baldwin ... 14 0-17 0

— Ben Davies ... 18 0 —

— (Cal i fornian),
per case :

— Newtown Pip-
pin, 4 tiers,
selected .. 10 6 —

— 4i tiers, do. ... 9 6 —

— 4 tiers, seconds 8 0 —

— 4i tiers, do. ... 8 0 —

— (Oregon), New-
town Pippin,
per case :

— 4 tiers 13 0 —

— 4J tiers 11 6 —

— 5 tiers 9 6 —

— French Russet 8 0-10 0

— British Colum-
bia 12 0-18 0

— (Austral ian)
per case :

— Cleopatra, se-
lected large ... 13 0-14 0

— Do., medium .. 11 0-12 0

— Jonathan .. 11 0-14 0

— Monro's Fa-
vourite - 11 0-14 0

— Wellington ... 10 0-14 0

— (Tasm a n ian),
per case :

— Ribston ... 8 6-90

— New York ... 10 0-11 0

— Alfriston,cook-

ing 9 0-10 0

— Mobb's Codling 8 6-96

— Alexander ... 9 0 —

— Scarlet Pear-
main 9 0-10 0

— Cox's Emperor 79 —

— Crews Egg ... 7 9 —
Bananas, bunch:

— Doubles ... 12 0 —

— No. 1 „ ... 8 0-10 0

— Extra „ ... 9 U-11 0

— Giant „ ... 11 0-14 0

— Red coloured... 4 6-60

— Red Doubles... 8 0-90

— Jamaica ,, ... 6 0 —

— Loose, per dz. 0 6-10
Cranberries (Ameri-
can Cape Cod),

per case ... 7 0 —
Custard Apples, p.

dozen 6 0-12 0

Dates (Star), cwt. lU 0 —
Crape Fruit, case :

— 9fi"s \

-eS's!:: ::: i^^^-i^o

— 54's J

Grapes, per lb. :

— (.\lineria), per

barrel 20 0-25 0

p. 121b. baskets 3 0 —

— (Cape), p. box :

— Raison Blanc,

10 lbs. to 12 lbs. 6 0-70

— 10 lbs. to 24 lbs. 12 0-14 0

— He r m i t a g e,

— 10 lbs. to 12 lbs. 6 0 —

Grapes (Cape), per
box :

— Barbarrosa
Black, per case

Lemons, per case :

— (Messina , se-
lected, 300 ...

— selected, large

— medium, 360 ...

— special cases,
330

— boxes, extra
quality, 300 ...

Lychecb, per box...
Mangoes(Cape),per

doz.

Nuts, Almonds, p.

s.d. s.d.

6 —
6 —

5 9 —
16-19

4 0-10 0

50

— Brazils,
per cwt

— Barcelona, bag 32

— Cob, per lb. ... 0

— Cocoa nuts, 100 10

— (Italian), p. bag 11

— Chestnuts,
Huelva, sack 7

Oranges—

— Palermo Blood

(80) 6

(100) 6

— Californian
Navel, box (H0)\

— ,, case [Mii] L,

- M „ (112) r^

— .. M (126)J

— J af f a s , case

(144) 9

Denia, per case

1 0-42 0

0 —

0-34 0
3-0 3A
0-14 U
0-13 0

(420)

— Selected

— (420) large ...

— (714) specials..

— (714) selected

— Valencia, per
case (420)

— Messina Bit-
ters, box (200)

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case

— Tangerine, box

— Seville Sours,
per J chest ...

Pears (Avacado),

per doz.
Pears, Beurr^

Hardy (28, 32)

— Winter Nelis...

— B e u r r d Bosc
(24, 23)

— BeuTiO Clair-
geau

— (Aus tralian),
per tray

— (Ta smanian),
per case :

— Beurre Bosc ...

— Beurr6 Clair-
geau

— Beurri^ Capri
aumont

Pineapples, each... 2
Plums, (Cape),

Kelsey ... 10

Strawberries, p. lb. 4

— seconds ... 1

•y*

6-7 6
6-7 6

0-13 0

0-10 0

6 —

6-14 6
0-25 0
6 —
6-18 6

0 20 0

0 —

0-12 0
4- 1 6

6 10 6
6-0 9

0-16 0
0-12 0

0-6 6
6 —

0-6 6
0 —
0-6 0

6-4 0

0-12 0
0-5 0
0-2 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices

s.d. s.d.

2 0-26
0 &- 1 0

Paris
bundle

Arlichokes(Globe),
pei dozer.

— Jerusalem, i
sieve

Asparagus.
Green,

— Sprue ...

— (Dijon)

— Lauris

— (Spanish)

— (Barcelona) ...

— Giant

— Montauban —

— Toulouse
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb. ...

— Broad(French),
per pad

— (Madeira), per
basket (6 to
8 lbs.)

Beet root, per bushel
Cabbages, p. tally
Cardoons (French),

per dozen
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed

5 0 —
0 10- 1 0

2 3- 2 6 I

3 0-4 0,
13-16
1 0 —

6 0-10 0

4 0 —
3 0-36

0 9-12
3 6-46

2 6-36
10-16

3 0-40

8 0-10 0

2 9-30

3 6-40

16-19

Cauliflowers, tally

— (French), per
crate (24-30) ...

Celeriac, per doz.
Chicory, per lb. ...
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30's

— 36's

Endive, per dozen
Greens. Spring,

bag

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles ...
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (French),

(Cosl, per doz.
Mint, doz. bunches
Miishioonis,per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen piiii.

Onions (English).

pickling, p. bshl.

— Spring, per dz.
bunches

— (Valencia), per
case

~ Egyptian, bags

s.d.
6 0-

s.d
8 0

4 0-50
2 6-30
0 3*- 0 4

7 6-96
7 6-90
2 0-23

10-20

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

4 0-50

3 0-40

10-13

0 10- 1 0

1 0 —

7 0-80

Vegetables: Averag

s.d
Parsley, i sieve ... 1 6
Peas (French), pad 6 0-

— (Jersey) per lb. 0 10-
Potatos (Algerian),

cwt 13 0

— (C hann el Is-
lands), per lb. 0 4-

— (Tenerine), per
cwt. 13 0

Rhubarb (forced),
doz- bundles...

— Natural, per
tally

Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen
Savoys, per tally...

e Wholesale Prices (continued).

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

2 0 Seakale 10 —

bO Spinach, i sieve ... 2 0-26

12 — (Frenchj, ciaie 2 0 2-6

10-16

0 4-05

12 0 17 0

2 0-30

2 6-30

2 0 —

0 9 Turnip 'iops, bag 2 0-26

6 0 Watercress, p. flat 4 0-66

Remarks.— Asparagus is arriving in increased quantities,
and is tinding a good market. Tasmanian Pears are selling
freely : they are not so tine as those from Australia.
Cape Grapes are meeting a fair market, A few English
Peaches have arrived ; they realised as much as 8s. per
dozen. Strawberries are arriving in increased quantities,
but the demand for them is not good, owing to the cold
weather. Cucumbers are a fair trade. Consignments of
both fruits and vegetables are larger. Business generally
in both departments is quiet. E. li. Rides^ Covent Garden,
April 27, 1910.

Potatos.

06

10- 1 3
6 6-66

0 8-
4 6-

Seakale

Spinach, J sieve ...

— (Frenchj, ciaie
Sprouting btoccou,

bag

Stachys tuberosa,

per lb

Tomatos—

— (Teneriffe),per
bundle

Turnips, 13 bun-
ches

— bags

— dirty, per bag...
Turnip lops, bag
Watercress, p. flat

per cwt.
Bedfords— s.d. s.d.

Up-to-Ddte 3 0-36

Blacklands 2 0-29

Dunbars —

Maincrop 5 0-53

Up-to-Date 4 0-46

Lincolns—

Evergood 2 3-29

Sharpe's Express... 2 3-26

Lincolns—

Up-to-Date ...
Dalmeny Beauty
Royal Kidney

Maincrop

King Edwards
Kents—

Scottish Triumphs
Up-to-Date

per cwt,
s.d. s.d,
... 3 0-39
.. 3 6-39
... 2 3-26
... 2 9-36
...3 3 3 9

3 6-39
3 6-39

Remarks.— The conditions of trade and prices remain the
same as last week. Edward J. Newborn, Coveni Ga}den and
St. Pancras, April 27. 19W.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

The cold weather has checked the trade in bedding plants.
One grower informed me he has already sold large quanti-
ties of Dahlias and other tender plants, including Fuchsias,
Heliotropes, Coleus, and Tropasolums, for bedding. For-
merly no one thought of purchasing such plants until
after the middle of May, but during recent years many
growers commence selling them early in April, and by the
middle of May they have disposed of their best stocks.
Of Zonal Pelargoniums, Paul Crampel is the most attractive
of the scarlet kinds. Mrs. Brown-Potter is a fine pink
variety, and there are several other good pink sorts. Of
whites, Snowdrift is one of the best. Albion is another
favourite market sort ; and Mrs. R. Cannell is in demand
as a salmon variety. Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums in 60'sare
well flowered; many florists use these small plants for
window-boxes in preference to larger ones. Intermediate
Stocks, Mignonette, Marguerites, Fuchsias, and Verbena
Miss H. Willmott may be had, but Lobelia is not quite
ready. Rhodanthe is expected in the market next week.
In greenhouse flowering plants, Azaleas bold out well, and
are of the best quality. Zonal Pelargoniums are well
flowered, F. V. Raspail being the most prominent. Rambler
Roses are a feature ; they are trained in various fashions,
some of them over archways. I noticed some very
fine plants of Deutzia gracilis, which is an old favourite of
mine. Herbaceous Calceolarias are also very good.
Fuchsias, and Heliotropes of the dark variety, are well
flowered. Spiraeas are remarkably good. Begonia Gloire
de Lorraine is not quite finished, but is getting scarce.

Cut Flowers.
Although we have had cold nights, with little sun in the
daytime, the supplies of cut bloom have not been smaller,
in fact, the market is crowded with most things.
Carnations have been selling rather better lately, but
they are over plentiful. Richardias (Callas) and Liliums
are over plentiful. The growers endeavour to have these
flowers ready for Easter, but many were a week or two
late, and supplies are now excessive. A. H,, Covent
Garden^ April 27, 1910.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

[Correspondents arerequested to write the name» of perMons
and places bm texibiy as possible. No charge is
made for these announcements, but if a small contribution
is sent, to be placed in our collecting Box for the Gardenen'
Otphan Fund, %t wUi be thankfully received^ and an
acknowledgment made in these columns.'\

Mr. John Jeffrey, formerly at Drumlanrig Castle, Thorn-
hill, and Eaton Hall, Chester, as Gardener to Su:
Robert Jardine, Bart., Castlemilk, Dumfriesshire.

Mr. W. PouLTON, as Gardener to Major Madden, Hilton
Park, Clones, Co. Monaghan.

Mr. Donald Whitelaw% for the past 4 years Foreman in
the gardens of the Duke of Montrose, at Buchanan
Castle, Drymen, as Gardener to Beresford Melville,
Esq., at Clare House, near Maidstone, Kent,

Mr. H. G. HuLSE, for 5 years principal Foreman in the
gardens of the Marquis of Londonderry, K.G., Wyn-
yard Park, as Gardener to Col. G. N. Starkie, Hunt-
royd Park, Padiham, Burnley, Lancashire. (Thanks for
donation of 2s. 6d. to R.G.O. Fund,— Eds.)

Mr. W. Adams, for the past 9 years Gardener to W. J.
Stuart, Esq , Dorincourt, Warlingham, Surrey, as
Gardener to W. Yates, Esq., Weir Cottage, Shepperton-
on-Thames.

Mr. C. F. Coates, for the past 3 years Foreman at Hatley
Park, Sandy, Beds., as Gardener to F. Gouldthobpe-
Smith, Esq., Manor Park, Potton. (Thanks for 2s.
received for R.G.O. Fund.— Eds.)

288

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Ai'RiL 50, 1910.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

STIRLING AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL.

—The montlilv meeting was held on April 12, Mr. Geo.
Pelrie presiding. One member was elected and three
nominations made for membership. Mr. Chapman, Tor-
brex Nursery, presented his prize, offered for the best essay
on the season's excursions, to Mr. J. Dick, Garlur Gardens,
The essay, together with a paper on vegetables by Mr. Jas.
Boyd Touch, were read at the meeting.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -

Mr. H. Tann presided at the meeting of the .ibove association,
held at the Workman's Hall, on April 12. Mr. C. Mooie, of
Frensham Place, Farnham, gave a lecture on " Forced
Vegetables and Salads."

WARGRAVE AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.-

At the last meeting of the association Mr. J. T.
Blencowe, Wilmipster Park Gardens, Henley-on-Thames,
lectured on "Garden Gossip"; Mr. W. Marshall, photo-
grapher, of Henley, illustrated the lecture with pictures,
shown by the aid of the oxy-hydrogen lime-light. Most of
the pictures were taken by the new process of colour
photography. Mr. Marshall showed, by means of diagrams,
also in colour, how the photographs were taken.

READING AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'. -The
last meeting of the spring session was held in the Abbey
Hall, on April IS. The president, Mr. Alderman Parfitt,
j.P., occupied the chair. There was a very large company
present, including a number of lady visitors. Mr. T. J.
Powell of The Gardens, Park Place, Henley-on-Thames,
gave a practical demonstration in the art of arranging cut
flowers. He arranged a bowl with Magnolia, Pyrus
(C'donia) japonica. Spiraea. Narcissi, and Roses; also vases
of Schizanthus, shrubby Spiraea, and Forsythia suspensa ; but
his best effort was an overmantel, arranged with Narcissi,
and again with Roses. The evening was set apart as
" Hospital Night." More than one hundred bunches of cut
flowers were contributed by the members. A collection was
taken on behalf of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and the
sum of £3 85. 6d. was realised.

BRISTOL AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

The annual meeting was held on April 21 at St. John's
Parish Rooms. Mr. S. Shaddick presided over a large
attendance. Mr. J. Scott read the annual report and the
financial statement, both of which were considered satis-
factory by the members. Col. Carey Batten was re elected
president. Mr. Hayball was chosen as chairman and Mr.
.Albert Perry vice-chairman. Messrs. J. Scott and H.
Woodward were re-elected hon. secretary and treasurer and
assistant secretary respectively. Four new members were
enrolled. Sev2ral of the young members have made a full
attendance for the session. Mr. Shelton won the silver
medal offered for the highest number of points gained at
the meetings,

CROYDON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAI

.At the meeting held on Tuesday, Mr. Jos. Watson, B.Sc,
Redhill, gave a lecture on " Leaves," and appropriate to his
subject he quoted the words of Ruskin, who said " Leaves
take all shapes as if asking to examine them." The
society's electric lantern portrayed some slides the lec-
turer brought with him, including several on the structure
of the leaf.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Uxbridge and District Horticultural Society's Sliow

\o be held on Wedne=;Hay, July 13. In the open classes sub-
stantial prizes are offered for 24 cut blooms of Rose«, and
for 12 bnnches of Sweet Peas. Secretary, Mr. Frank
Grainge, The Cottage, Uxbridge.

Finchley Horticultural Society.— The 51st exhibition of
Flowers, Fruit, Vegetables and Kggs will be held on Thurs-
day, July 14. in the grounds of A. W. Ganiage, Esq., The
Manor House, Church End, Finchley. Secretary, Mr. W.
Speller, 4, Phoenix Cottages, Dollis Road, Church End,
Finchley.

Sutton Rose Society.— The 29th annual exhibition will be
held in the grounds of Manor Park House, Carshalton Road,
Sutton, on Saturday, July 2. Hon. Sec, Mr. C. W.
Edwards, Brentwood, Ringstead Road, Sutton.

Carlisle Horticultural Association's third annual flower
show to be held in the Covered Markets, Fisher Street,
Wednesday and Thursday, August 31 and September 1.
Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. Matthews, 218, Warwick Road,
Carlisle.

York Gala. — The preliminary procramme announces that
the exhibition will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, June 15, IfJ and 17. The prize money offered
amounts to ;£800, and in addition gold and silver medals
wilt be awarded to honorary exhibits. Further particulars
can be obtained from the Secretary, Mr. Fred. Arey, Davy-
hall Chambers, York.

National Chrysanthemum Society's early autumn ex-
hibition to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, October
5 and 6, and the great autumn show to he held on Wednes-
day, Thursday and Friday, October 2. 3 and 4. Both shows
will be held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham. Secietary,
Mr. R. A. Witty, 72, Savernake Road, Gospel Oak, London,
N.W.

Richmond (Surrey) Royal Horse Show to be held in
the Old Deer Park, Richmond, on June 17, 18. Secretary
and Manager, Mr. C. Capel Smith, 1, The Little Green,
Richmond, Surrey.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending April 23, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weaihey was again very cloudy and unsettled over the
Kmgdom generally. Passing showers of rain were very
common, and some northern districts experienced a little
snow. Early in the week the rain was heavy at some places
in the north of Scotland. Thunderstorms occurred at some
Scottish stations and at Oxford on Monday, and in some
localities in the south-east of England on Friday, Aurora
was observed at Gordon Castle on Thursday.

The mean tempcinlure was above the average in England and
Ireland as well as in Scotland W., but below it in the north
and east of Scotland, the deficit amounting to rather more
than 3° in Scotland N. The highest of the maxima were
registered on rather irregular dates, but either on the 18th
or 21st over a large portion of the Kingdom. The values
range from 64'^ in England E. and S.E. and also in Ireland
S. and 63'^ or 62° in many other districts to 54^^ in Scotland
N. The lowest of the minima occurred on the 17th in
Ireland and at many places in western parts of Britain,
but much later in the week in the east and south-east. In
Scotland N. and E. the thermometer fell respectively to
23" and 24° and in nearly all other districts to 32° or below
it. In the English Channel, however, the lowest value was
41° and in England S.W. 35°. The lowest grass minima
were 18'^ at Cambridge, 22° at Balmoral, Rauceby, Sheffield
and Greenwich, and 24" at Wesl Linton, Newton Rigg,
Armagh and Tunbridge Wells.

The tcmpeiature of the sea.— At almost all stations the
water was colder than during the corresponding week of
last year, and at Kirkwall it was nearly 5° colder. The
means for the week ranged from 49° at Newquay, Plymouth,
Seafield and Margate to 41" at Burnmouth, and to 40J° at
Kirkwall.

The rain/all was less than the normal in all the eastern
and central districts of England and also in the English
Channel, out more elsewhere, the excess being large in
Scotland N. and Ireland S.

The bright sunshine was considerably below the average
in all districts excepting Scotland K. The percentage of
the possible duration ranged from 34 in Scotland E., 29 in
Scotland W., and 26 in Scotland N., Ireland N. and the
English Channel, to 20 or less in most parts of England, and
to 17 in England S.E. At Greenwich only 9 per cent, of the
possible amount was recorded.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending April 27.

A cold week. — The first two days of the week were warm,
and one of them the warmest of the year as yet, but since
then the day temperatures have been low for the time of
year. On the other hand, there were only two cold nights,
and on the coldest of these the exposed thermometer diii
not register more than 8° of frost. The ground is now 1°
colder at 2 feet deep, and 2° colder at 1 fool deep, than is
seasonable. Some rain or hail fell on four days to the
total depth of less than a quarter of an inch. On the 26th
there occurred early in the afternoon a sharp shower of soft
hail, which, for a short time, nearly covered the ground.
There has been no measureable percolation through either
of the soil gauges for three weeks. The sun shone on an
average for four hours a day, which is about Ik hours a day
short of the average duration at this period in April. The
wind was as a rule rather high, but in no hour did the mean
velocity exceed 18 miles— direction W.S.W. For nearly
three weeks there has been only one day when the direction
of the wind has been any point between north and east.
The mean amount of moisture in the air at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by
five per cent. E. M., Berkhamsted, April 27, 1910.

CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Bees, Ltd., Mill Street, Liverpool — Carnations, Chrysan-
themums, Clematis, Dahlias and Bedding Plants.

DoBBiE & Co., Rothesay, Edinburgh, and Mark's Tey,
Essex— General Catalogue.

Chinn Sc Hannaford, 52, Hatton Garden, London—
*' Klipall" Plant Support,

^Qm\fc/U

to

Covrcdbondcnt

*,* T/it Editors will be glad lo receive, for
consideralion, large photographs of horticnUural
subjects, suitable for reproduition as Supple-
mentary Illustrations in this Journal.

Alleged Breach of Contract : J. F. If it is
the case that your foreman has a written aj^ree-
ment respecting the situation he was engaged
to fill, it should be possible for him to obtain ;i
month's notice or a month's salary in lieu of
notice. Consult a local solicitor or write lo
the secretary of the Brili.=h Gardeners' Asso-
ciation, Talbot Villa, Talbot Road, Isleworth.

Bees in Grass: C. S. P. Try the effect of
" Vaporite " or one of the other proprietary
articles for destroying insects in the soil.
Spray the grass with an arsenical substance,
such as Paris Green.

Breach of Contract : Jas. Q. As you did not
visit the place before you took the situa-
tion, you must have received letters from your
employer which would show whether or not
there was a binding contract to supply the
extra help referred to, and without seeing
these letters it is impossible for us to express
an opinion. Even if you could prove there

was a definite contract, yoa would not be likely
to recover more than your expense of moving
to and from your pi-esent situation. You had
better not take legal proceedings without first
laying the correspondence before a local solici-
tor. If you decide to remain in the situation,
we do not consider you would have any
claim whatever, as apparently there is nothing
to prevent you giving notice without delay.

Carnations: H. T. T>., Pnlegate. The flowers
were a little faded on receipt, but they were
very attractive, although we could scarcely say
they are distinct from varieties already in com-
merce. Ifyou consider the seedling to have
extra merits, it will be well to cultivate a
stock until you are in a position to exhibit three
plants in flower at a meeting of the Floral Com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Society. A
great many varieties have come recently before
this committee, and the opinion of this latter
lx)dy as to the value of your seedling will be
useful.

Club Root: A. J. E. This term is usually em-
ployed in the case of swollen roots attacked by
a fungus — Plasmodiophora brassica. Send
samples of the roots containing the grubs, for
examination.

Correction. — Owing to a printer's error,
Cedrus, on p. 261, was spelled Sedrus.

Cucumber Plant : J. H. A. There is no disease
present : the trouble is due to some check. An
overdose of manure, inattention in watering,
cold draughts, or any cultural error would be
sufficient to cause the damage.

Cyclamen Blooms: Japonica. The flowers of
the plant mentioned are now past, but the,
blooiiiis you send appear to be similar.

Hollies : Carnarvon. Hollies may be cut back
now, provided you syringe the plants over-
head each day and apply a good top-dressing
of manure or old turf.

Measuring the Height of Trees : Ignotus. The
similarity of the curves obtained is due to the
fact that, in both cases, movement — growth
movement and projectile movement — are at
first great and increasing, and then fall off, in
the case of the projectile because the velocity ia
spent and gravity is free to manifest its action ;
in the case of the plant, because its vital
energy, not being infinite, is used up gradually
in doing the work of developing the plant.

Names of Plants: Lady Grant Duff. Erica.
carnea. — John.'stone. 1, Send when in flower;
2,Spirfea sp. (send when in flower); 3, Spiraea
confusa ; 4, For.sythia .suspensa; 5, Olea
fragrans. — A. )!'. Forsythia suspensa. —
7?. /S'. P. H. 1, Jlelia Azedarach (common
Bead Tree) ; 2, Senecio macroglossus, so far
as can be determined without flowers, — J . S.
Cypripedium vill.-exul. (villosum X exul.). —
E. N. Odontoglossum triumphans. — A. If.
1, Oncidium sphacelatum ; 2, Cochlioda vul-
canica ; 3, Sophronitis cernua ; 4, Masdevallia
triaristella. — C. N., liath. 1, Acalypha his-
pida ; 2, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum ; 3, Codiseum
(Croton) variegatum, — B. T. H. Coelogyne
ocellata. — .-1. B. H. Schomburgkia undulata.
— F. F. 1, Adiantum hispidulum ; 2, Pteris
longifolia ; 3, Asplenium lucidum ; 4, Blech-
num occidentale ; 5, Ccelogyne flaccida, — Ti p-
perary. 1, Arum Dracunculus; 2, Asperula
odorafca (Woodruff.)

Peach Leaves with Holes : J. L. The trouble
is due to the " Shot-hole " fungus (Cercospora
circumcissa.) This fungus attacks several kinds
of stone fruits. Spray the trees with the
ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate at
intervals. This fungicide is prepared as fol-
lows : — Take of copper carbonate 1 ounce, car-
bonate of ammonia 5 ounces, and water 16
gallons. Mix the carbonate of coi)per and the
carbonate of ammonia, and dissolve it in about
a quart of hot water. When thoroughly dis-
solved, add 16 gallons of cold water.

Communications Received.— N. C. M. (thanks for
cor.tribution to Royal Gardeners" Orphan Fundi —Dobl)ie
& Co —A. I. K., Bi-econshire-T. R.— A. A, T — O. B.,
Sweden— H. S.— K. & Son. You should address your
letter to the R.H.S. Council, the matter complained of
being quite outside our responsibility.— W. G. 8. — W. J
— T. R. -W. D.— J. P.-D. R. W.-E. H. J. -W. S B.-
F, M.-F. T.— H. U.-H. S. T.-W. E.-B. G.-C. F. K
—A. W.-S. A.— H. &. G„ Ltd.-O. W.— A. H— W. B, H,
— Sons— F. H,— A. H, 8., Derby— A C. H.

I

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle. '

I

The late Bakon Schroder, C.V.O., V.M.H.

From the painting by Mr Herman Herkon:er.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., Londni, E C.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

289

THE

Sarbcners'Cbronlclc

No. 1,919.SATUBDAY, May 7, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden-

Obituary-

Primula anisiaca

294

Bide, Richard

306

Sasifraga Faldonside

294

Chalwin, H. J.

306

Saxifragas, two good..

291

Enthoven, Major ...

3f6

Amateur gardener, de-

Ker, R. Wilson

306

flnition of

308

Orchid notes and glean-

Bjornson and spade

ings—

d gging

299

Sophro-Ltelio-Cattleya

Books, notices of—

X Thalia

294

Bees for Profit and

Poppy, Shirley, in South

Pleasure

292

Africa

298

Botanical Magazine...

299

Pruning, the physiology

Gardening for the

of

299

Million

292

Rosary, the—

Publications received

299

Cultural hints for May

292

Brussels International

Schroder, the late Baron

298

Exhibition

300

Seeds, germinating, in-

Colonial r.ote—

fluence of light on ...

299

Meal.7 bug on vines .-

293

Societies—

Cordyline australis seed-

Falmotith Spring

ing

295

Flower Show

306

Development Bill, the...

298

Midland Daffodil ...

305

Fernery, ihe —

National Auriculaand

Lastrea montana ...

293

Primula

304

" French " garden, notes

Royal Horticultural...

302

from a

290

Surveyors' Institution

298

Fruit trees, pruning

Spinach, the Carter ...

296

newly-planted

295

Temperature of the

Gardening, outdoor ...

295

stove house ...

295

Greenhouses, experi-

Timber, breeding for ...

298

mental, in America ...

299

Trees and shrubs—

Hippeastrum Calypso...

290

Pterocarya

291

Horticultural Congress

Tulipa, variations in the

at Brussels

289

flowers of

291

Houtte, Louis van, cele-

Vanda suavis pallida

brations

299

Cliftonii

298

Hydrocyanic gas, effect

VRgetables, exhibition

296

of, on plants ...

295

Weather in South Devon

Insecticide, a simply-

the

295

prepared

295

Week's work, the^

Japan - British Exhi-

Flower garden, the ...

296

bition

298

Fruits under glass ...

297

Landscape gardening

Hardy fruit garden, the

297

competition

293

Kitchen garden, the ..

297

Law note—

Orchid houses, the ...

297

Nurseryman's failure

303

Plants under glass ...

296

Melons and Cucumbers,

Worms in a Cornish

fertilisation of

ILLL

295
ISTI

garden

NATIONS.

294

Garden design, prize pla

n of a

292

HippeasJtrura Calypso ..

290

Ker, R. Wilson, portrait of th

elate

906

Sketch plan of a garden

desig

n competition

293

Vanda suavis pallida Cliftor

ii (Supplementary Illus-

tration)

THE INTERNATIONAL CON-
GRESS OF HORTICULTURE.

THE preliminary report of the Brussels
International Congress of Horticulture,
held in connection with the Horticul-
tural Exhibition — a report of which is given
on p. 300 — contains a large amount of valuable
and varied information, and provides con-
clusive evidence of the value of occasional
international congresses.

As ne announced last week, the work of the
congress was divided among seven sections, so
that not much that is of importance and in-
terest in modern horticulture escaped con-
sideration. The preliminary report, which is
to be supplemented later, is written in French,
and constitutes a volume of considerable size.

Though we can refer here to only a few of
xhe many contributions to the discussions of
the congress, we may mention those of Dr.
Eitzema Bos (Director de I'lnstitut Phyto-
pathologique), Profe,ssor Wagner, M. Maurice
L. de Vilmorin, and Mr. Stuart Low.

Dr. J. Ritzema Bos gives an account of the
admirable work of the Department of Plant
Pathology in Holland. He recalls the fact that
the institution of this department was the
direct outcome of the devastation caused by
the San Jose scale-insect among the fruit trees
in the United Stat-es of America. As a conse-
quence of the damage done by this pest, it was
decided by the Legislatures of several of th©
States of the American Commonwealth to dis-
allow the importation of all nursery stock not
accompanied by a certificate declaring the ma-
terial free from all disease. This was in 1899,
and Holland, recognising the importance of re-
taining the States as a market for her horti-
cultural produce, at once organised a patho-
logical department to deal with matters ap-
pertaining to plant-disease.

The foundation of the department was pro-
ductive immediately of good results, and this
in more ways than one. For the tours of
inspection brought the experts in plant-
pathology in direct and frequent contact with
the cultivators, and enabled the former both
to widen their knowledge and to be of
service to the cultivators in recommending
suitable preventive measures. That is to
say, Holland has enjoyed privileges for 20
years which growers in this country have not
yet acquired — or, at all events, have acquired
but incompletely.

After some years, it was found advisable
to divide the work of the department into
two branches, one devoted to general and the
other to special enquiries into the origin and
prevention of disease in plants.

The excellent practice was adopted in the
same year of giving certificates free of cost
and of granting certificates of immunity of
inspected plants only under somewhat rigid
conditions. Thus the excellent result was
achieved that the certificates granted by the
Department came to be regarded as real
guarantees of cleanness of the inspected
nursery and other stock. Every year the
cultivator who wishes to avail himself of this
sysitem of State inspection is required to
make application before a certain date. By
this means it is possible to carry out the
inspection, without whi<'h, of course, the
certificate is net gi-anted, during tke summer
months (April to October).

In certain cases, where inspection reveals
the existence of serious diseases, the authori-
ties have the right to destroy the affected
plants, and the loss sufi^ered by the owner
may be made good by a subvention from the
State, made on the recommendation of the
head of the Institute for Plant-Pathology.
Such, in brief outline, is the gist of Professor
Ritzema Bos's communication, which should
be read in its entirety by all interested in kin-
dred problems in this covintry.

Among the several valuable contributions
by Professor .1. M. Wagner, we may direct
attention particularly to that on a convenient
and economical method of manuring fruit-
trees. Dr. Wagner points out that the
failures of artificial manures, when used on
fruit-trees, are due in large measure to the
fact that they are not applied in such a way
that the feeding roots can take advantage of
them. He also insists that fruit-trees which
make considerable demands on the food-ma-
terials of the soil, require complete maniu'es,

that is. those containing nitrogen, phosphoric
acid, potash and lime. If these conditions are
observed, the results of the use of artificials,
particularly in the cases of young trees, are
all that can be desired.

Nevertheless, such artificials have, as Dr.
Wagner recognises, the drawback that they
do not tend immediately to the enriching
of the soil with bacteria, many of which play
an important, though as yet obscure, part in
evoking soil-fertility. He therefore recom-
mends the use of " purin " or manure drain-
age water, which is too often allowed to soak
away from the manure heap. AVhere th>
material is available. Dr. Wagner recommends
that it should be u.sed, during autumn and
winter, in such a way that it can reach the
roots. For this purpose, numerous holes
are made over an area of the soil somewhat
larger than that occupied by the spread of
the branches of the trees. Into these holes,
about 18 inches or 2 feet deep, the waste
liquid from the manure heap is poured, and
the holes are then covered over with soil. Since
the manure water, though fairly rich in nitro-
gen (2 per cent.) and potash (4.6 per cent.), is
poor in both phosphoric acid and lime, it
should be supplemented by an artificial
manure such as basic slag, w hich contains both
these substances. This material is spread or
dug in during the autumn and, as is well
known, produces its eff'ects for several years.

In dealing with the reforms which he
would recommend in the organisation of horti-
cultural exhibitions, M. Maurice L. de Vil-
morin advises the more frequent arrangement
of conferences and lectures. He points out
that on the occasion of such shows, horticul-
turists assemble in considerable numbers, and
suggests that advantage might be taken of
this fact to put before them recent advances
in knowle<lge, and also, where necessary, to
provide them « ith information with respe<:'t to
the life-processes of plants, the resources of
local and other markets, matters of transports,
the advisability of co-operation in the marke1>-
ing of produce, and so forth. He is also
strongly in favour of introducing classes in the
prize list for produce put up in attractive,
marketable form. Our space, however, will
not allow us to deal further with the large
amount of material with which the report
provides us. We have said enough to demon-
strate the variety of the subjects which it com-
prises, though we hope that opportunity may
arise for us to deal with certain of the many
other matters dealt with in the report.

In conclu.sion, our thanks are due to the
authorities of the Brussels Exhibition for pro-
viding us with such an excellent resume of
the papers contributed to the Conference.

One thing is clear from the perusal of this
report, and that is that we in this country
must lose no time in organising in an effi-
cient manner the conferences and discussions
to be held in connection with the forthcoming
British International Exhibition, Such con-
ferences, if they are to be of value, can neither
be improvised nor arranged at short notice. It
is much to be desired that the committee re-
sponsible for the arrangements in connection
with what must be our greatest horticultural
exhibition should appoint without delay a
special and powerful sub-committee to take
over this work. We shall not fail to im-
press our visitors with the excellence of our

290

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May t, igia

cultivation ; but we should aim also at learning
from them — and we have not a little to learu
on many matters— including especially the
application of science to horticulture.

Further, and this is all-important, it is not
only necessary to make early arrangements for
the contribution of papers by experts in the
■ several departments of horticulture. Stiil
more is it necessary to secure for the subjects
presented by the experts an adequate and
serious discussion. Witliout such discussions,
congresses are apt to degenerate into picnics ;
pleasant enough, it may be, for the partici-

HIPPEASTRUM CALYPSO.

Fob upwaxds of 50 years the Westonbirt strain
of Hippeastrum has taken the foremost place.
In the time of the late Robert Stayner Holford
all the known species were grown at Wes-
tonbirt, and great improvements made by
hybridisation. Lieut. -Col. G. L. Holford, C.I.E.,
C.V.O. (gr. Mr. Chapman), took up energetically
the work which his father had so well commenced
and raised some marvellously beautiful novel-
ties, each section being worked to the highest
state of perfection. The self colours, and especi-
ally the brilliant scarlet and crimson shades.

\PIiatogyaph by John Gregory.
Fig. 122. — HIPPEASTRUM CALYPSO: ROSE-VEINING ON A WHITE GROUND.
(Received an Award of Merit at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on April 19.

pators, but of little value for those outside the
inner circles of horticulture. There are many
subjects on which science and practice are
undecided. Let several, hut not too many, of
the most pressing of these subjects be chosen
for discussion and let the advocates of rival
theories be invited — at not undue length — to
present and maintain their several views.
Then the meetings of the Congress will be-
come, not barren, but fertile in results.

took the lead for some years, but lately those
of pure vphite, or with white grounds tinged and
veined, such as the variety Calypso illustrated
in fig. 122, have been developed. The fine group
shown at the Royal Horticultural Society, April
19, which secured a Gold medal and Cultural
Commendation, was the finest yet staged, especi-
ally with respect to light and new colours.
Calypso has delicate rose markings on a white
ground, and, with two others, received an Award
of Merit on the occasion referred to.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

The frames and lights have been removed from
the Carrots and Cauliflowers to the new Melon
beds. Because of the cold, unsettled weather
we have had to provide temporary shelter by
means of mats to the Carrots and Cauliflowers.
The cold weather is also responsible fur the un-
satisfactory growth of the Melons planted early
in April, as no ventilation could be given, and
the watering had to be practically suspended.
This first batch is, however, showing fruits, and
a few days of favourable weather will greatly
improve the appearance of the plants. The
grower must not be too hasty in the selection
of the first fruits. The best are those growing
on the second side shoots from the laterals, which
only appear when the first shoots have been
stopped at the second leaf. Artificial pollination
of the flowers is not practised.

The Carrots require ample waterings. The
first batch is now ready for pulling. This crop
is the mainstay of the hot-beds, and is very
remunerative when successful. An average crop
is 90 bimches each of 45 to 48 Carrots for a row
of 15 lights.

The success of this crop largely depends on the
condition of the soil when making the hot-bed;-,
the clearance of the Lettuces at the proper time,
and the ventilation and watering processes, botii
before and after the removal of the glass.

Carrots sown among the cloches do not pro-
vide such a plentiful crop, owing to the re-
arrangement of the cloches being necessary at
different periods of their growth.

The Turnips, sown in tlie middle of March,
will be ready for pulling within 10 or 12 days.
The lights have been removed during the day-
time, whenever the weather has permitted : these
will be used in a few days for the last batch of
Melons.

The soil has been kept damp to obtain a
quic'fe growth. Old practitioners do not appre-
ciate this crop, which furnish as good profits as
the Carrots, but the grower loses his crop of
Cauliflowers which is planted among the Carrots
in the middle of March.

The second batch of Cos Lettuce is now ready
for marketing, and will be cleared in the shortest
possible time, so that the cloches may be placed
on the third batch. These Cos Lettuces are
generally ready for market in 10 or 12 days after
they have been covered with the gla.«s. The
cloches may now be white-washed on the soutJi
side and the mats used for the Melon beds.

Cos Lettuce.";, grown outside, require ample
waterings, to be ready immediately after those
grown on the hot-beds. Five rows of Cauli-
flowers are now planted amongst them in each
bed, 11 feet wide.

The last of the Little Black Got Lettuces grown
in the cold frames have been marketed. This
crop is always profitable, the cost of production
being comparatively small and the returns gen-
erally good, owing to a deartli of Lettuces late
in April.

The Passion Lettuces grown under the cold
system are now mature. They thrive well \m
the heavy clay of this district, and form huge
heads. Those grown in the open wiH be ready
within a fortnight.

Tomato plants are showing their first trusses-
of blooms in the nursery beds. If shelter can be
provided during frost, the frames and lights em-
ployed for the TomatO'S may be utilised for the
Ridge Cucumbers in 50 pots : these will be
planted outside late in May, when cloches will
be available for their protection.

The final sowing of Cauliflowers has been made
this week. The seedlings will be planted in the
open in the Melon beds in July. This crop ha&
not been remunerative during the last three?
years, owing to large consignments being re-
ceived in the market from the ordinary field-
grown crops. P. Aquatias.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

291

TREES AND SHRUBS.

PTEROCARYA.

PTER0CA3YA is a Small genus of Asiatic trees,
all the species of which are of decorative value
by reason of their long, pinnate leaves. Nine
species are enumerated in the Index Kewensis,
but few of thera are in general cultivation,
whilst no single species can be said to be com-
mon. Unfortunately, some, being tender, are
only suitable for cultivation in the warmer parts
of the country, for, like the Walnuts, they
commence to grow early, and are sometimes in-
jured by late frosts.

One species only was described by Loudon,
whilst, until quite recently, three or four species
alone were knosvn. During the last 15 or 20
years, however, several Chinese species have
been introduced.

The genus is closely allied to Carya and Jug-
lans, the points of resemblance being apparent
in the stalked buds and pinnate leaves. The
'fruit.^, however, are quite different, as they are
f,mall, borne in long, pendulous catkins, and each
is provided with a pair of wings, except in one
species, where a single wing is continuous round
the seed. They are also much smaller than those
of the other genera, and are of no economic
value.

Under cultivation, little opportunity ha.s oc-
curred of obtaining information as to the dimen-
sions they will attain, for of one species only
liave trees been planted long enough to grow to
maturity. In their native habitats they are
stated to grow to a height of from 30 to 60 feet,
hut, under favourable conditions, two or three
species have been recorded 100 feet high, with
trunks several feet in diameter. In China, some
of the species are planted in towns for the sake
of their ornamental foliage. Their decorative
qualities, however, appear to be their only asset,
for, though the timber of one or two species is
utilised, it is only of value for rough work.

All thrive in loamy soil, and they prefer a
moist situation, such as the bank of a lake or
stream, where they can stand clear of the water,
whilst their roots obtain a constant supply of
moisture.

The species given in the hnlcr Kewnisis are
as follow : — P. caucasica, P. hupehensis, P.
Paliurus, P. Delavayi, P. japonica, P. rhoifolia,
P. macroptera, P. sorbifolia, and P. stenoptera.

P. C.A.UCASICA (C. A. lleyer) forms under culti-
vation a round-headed tree, often 35 to 50 feet
high, but. under favourable conditions, attains
much larger dimensions. The piiniate leaves
differ greatly in size according to the age or
vigour of the tree. They are sometimes about
9 inches long, composed of seven to nine more
or less oval leaflets, but more frequently they
are considerably larger, and sometimes exceed
2 feet in length," with from 17 to 23 leaflets. The
male flowers are borne in rather short spikes, but
the female blossoms are in long, pendulous
catkins, sometimes Ig feet in length. The fruits
are borne close together and consist of small
nuts with two more or less oval wings. Good-
sized examples exist in some parts of the country.
The largest 'ine, noted by " Elwes and Henry
ia Trees of Great Britain and Irelniid,
v.)l. ii., p. 441, is in the Earl of Ilchester's
garden at JFclburv, Borset.shire. This is 90 feet
hig!), with a girth of 11 feet. A fine example
e.vists at Clai-emont Park, Esher, and another
one at Sion House. I.slevvorth. The largest at
Kew is in the vicinity of (he main entrance.
Stveral names have been applied to it, such as
duincsa, fraxinifolia, pterocarpa, Spachiana, and
.luglans fraxinifolia of Poiret. It is a native of
the Caucasus and Orient, and was introduced
about a century ago.

P. Delavayi. — Little is known of this Chinese
species, which was described by Franchet and
Tiameti in honour of Father Drlavay, who dis-
covered it in Yunnan. It is described in the
■Journal dc Bofciniqiie for 1898, p. 317 and is

apparently very closely allied to a new species
of recent introduction, P. hupehensis, the chief
point of difference, according to Mr. Skan, who
described the latter species, being that P.
Delavayi has hairy fruits whilst the other has
not. Mr. Wilson informs me that it is not
likely to prove hardy in England.

P. HUPEHENSIS. — A description of this species
by Mr. Skan may be found in the Journal of
the Linnean Sociefi/, vol. xxvi., p. 493. It is
found in Hupeh. where it forms a tree. I am
informed, from 30 to 70 feet in height, with a
spreading, bushy head. Herbarium specimens
show leaves with seven to nine leaflets which ap-
pear to be more hairy than many of the species
along the veins, and in the vein axils. The fruits
are glabrous, in long spikes up to 2 feet in length,
and the wings are large and rounded. It was
introduced to England in 1903 by Mr. E. H.
Wilson when collecting for Messrs. Veitch, and
plants may be seen in the Coombe Wood Nursery
of that firm.

P. .JAPONICA. — This species does not appear to
be in cultivation. It was described by Dr.
Dippel and a portion of a leaf is figured in
Ilanduhuch der Lauhholzkunde, pp. 329-330, fig.
151. From the leaf it appears to bear a resem-
blance to P. stenoptera, the rachis in both in-
stances being winged.

P. MACROPTERA (Bataliu). — This is a Chinese
species, with large leaves, composed of 11 or
more leaflets, the largest being about 5 inches
in length and 2 inches in width, oval in shape
and finely and regularly serrated. The leaf-
stalks and |)rinci|)al veins are covered with a
brownish pubescence which forms tufts in the
vein axils. The wings of the fruit are large,
being half an inch to an inch wide and almost as
long. It is said to grow from 20 to 35 feet
high.

P. Paliurus (Batalin). — This species is one of
the most interesting when in fruit, for the fruits
ar3 very similar in shape to those of the
" Christ's Thorn " (Paliurus australis), the seed
being surrounded by a broad wing. The whole
fruit often measures 1^ to 2^ inches across. The
leaflets are frequently nine in number, but this
varies. They are about 4 inches long and Ij to
2 inches wide, oval in shape with serrate mar-
gins. The female inflorescences are about a foot
in length. It is said to grow from 30 to 70 feet
in height, and .seems to have been first noted by
Dr. E. Faber i:i 1893 in the Ning-po Mountains
and subsequently by Dr. A. Henry and Mr. E.
H. Wilson, the latter of whom sent seed to
Messrs. Veitch in 1903, from which plants were
rai.sed. A figure of a fruiting specimen may be
seen in the Journal of the Royal Horlieultural
Society, vol. x.wiii., p. 65, fig. 26.

P. RHOIFOLIA. — This species was originally de-
scribed by Siebold and Zuccarini, the description
and an accompanying figure appearing in their
Flora Japonica, i. 160. Although it has been
in cultivation for about 20 years it is doubtful
whether it is to be found in more than two or
three collections. Young trees about 15 feet
high are to be found at Kew. Professor Sargent
found it growing on Stount Hakkodo at an eleva-
tion of 2,500 to 4,000 feet, whilst Maries appears
to ]i:;ve sent .seeds to England. It is said to
grov. from ^0 to 80 feet ir, height. The leaves are
composed of 15 or more oblong, acuminate leaf-
lets, the terminal one in each case being consider-
ably larger than the others. The undersides of
the leaves are pubescent, especially in the
axils of the veins. The wings of the fruit are
broad, about half an inch across, and the catkins
are upwards of 15 inches long.

P. SORBIFOLI.4. is described in Siebold and
Zuccarini's Flora Japonica, but never appears
to have been introduced into English gardens.

P. STENOPTERA. — This was named by. C. de
Candolle. and it seems to have been first collected
about 1868. Most Chinese collectors since that
time have found it, whilst W'ilson appears to
have discovered a much hardier form than the

one originally introduced. It is a very variable
species, growing in different places from 20 to
100 feet in height, whilst the leaves differ
considerably, some having but seven or nine
leaflets whilst others have as many as 25. The
leaflets in some instances are very small, whilst
in others they are 5 inches long. It can, how-
ever, be distinguished by means of the winged
rachis. The fruits are in catkins a foot or so
long, and the bracts are lanceolate, and some-
what like those of P. caucasica in shape. It is
planted as an ornamental tree about Chinese
towns and thriven most luxuriantly in the
vicinity of water. If. Dallimorc.

VARIATIONS IN THE FLOWERS OF TULIPA.

Departures from the normal structure in the
flowers of cultivated plants are of frequent occur-
rence. Most gardeners have observed diver-
gences from the normal in some flower or other,
but, unfortunately, many which would have
proved of interest to botanists and horticul-
turists have not been put on record.

It was by a close study of these " sudden varia-
tions " or " sports " and their comparison with
other forms which first led to the belief in the
origin of species by mutations. It also led Mas-
ters. Celakovski, Peyritsch and others to the
foliar theory of stamens and carpels, and fur-
nished Darwin with material for investigation.

Comparatively little is known of the real causes
of these deviations from the normal structure. In
those cases which have been carefully investi-
gated, they have been shown to be due to pecu-
liar nutrition, insect or fungus attacks or, in
some cases, mechanical injury.

The following variations were noticed in a
batch of about 100 Tulips growing in the Chelsea
Physic Garden. The plants were reared in a
cold frame and brought into a warm house dur-
ing the -flowering period.

The terminal flower of the Tulip consists nor-
mally of six perianth leaves, six stamens and three
carpels. Out of 80 plant.s examined. 58 had per-
fectly normal flowers, their floral formula being
represented by P. 6, A. 6, G. 3 ; the remaining 22
plants had flowers which were abnormal in one or
more respects. Of these 22, two were pentamer-
ous with re.^pect to perianth and stamens, but
with trimerous carpels. Others were classified
as follow : —

P. 5. A. 8. G. 3

P. 6, A. 5. G 3

P. 6, A. 8, G. 3

P. 7. A. 6, G. 3

P. 7, A. 7. G. 3

P. 8, A. 4. G. 3

P. 8, A. 6. G. 3

P. 8, A. 8, G. 3

1 flower.

2 ,.
1 ,.

3 .,
7 ..
1 .,
1 ,,
1 ..

These variations do not call for any special
comment, but it will be noticed that an increa.se
in the number of the perianth leaves does not
necessarily mean a corresponding reduction in
the number of stamens, a correlation which is
commonly seen in other plants. It will be fur-
ther noticed that the number of carpels remains
constant throughout the w-hole series. This is in
agreement with previous observations, which
show that phyllody of carpels is a much rarer
phenomenon than phyllody of stamens.

What appears to be quite an interesting point
is the appearance of a bract in a large num-
ber of the flowers. Of the 22 abnormal flowers,
12 showed the bract at various phases of its de-
velopment. In some cases, one of the perianth
leaves appeared to be inserted on the peduncle
some little distance below the level of the re-
maining perianth leaves. This perianth leaf was
in no way different from the others in colour,
texture or appearance, but had apparently been
" shifted " a little way down the peduncle. In
other cases, the bract was a considerable distance
below the insertion of the other perianth leaves,
whilst it was also less petaloid and more bracteate
in appearance. In extreme cases the bract was

292

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 7, 1910.

6 or 7 centimetres down the peduncle, had en-
tirely lost its petaloid appearance, and had be-
come yellow and membraneous.

What is this bract? Is it a perianth leaf which
has been left behind in the development of the
flower, or is it a foliage leaf functioning as a
bract? I believe it to be a perianth segment,
because full-grown plants of the Tulip were
never found to have more than three ordinary
foliage leaves or less than three in the ca.se of
plants with the " bract." Further, when a flower
had more than six perianth leaves, one of that
number showed a distinct tendency to become
shifted down the peduncle, and in no case, where
a plant had only six perianth leaves, was there
any tendency for one of them to be shifted down
the peduncle. If the bract had been a trans-
formed foliage leaf, I should have expected to
find sjme departure from the normal number of
three leaves, which condition was never seen in
any of the plants examined.

There is no clue as to the factors which brought
about these variations, but it might be mentioned
that in a few cases it was noticed that the anthers
of some of the flowers were infested with the
myc.'lium of a fungus. T. Reed, Chelsea.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Gardening for the Million.*

As the author, presumably an amateur, states
in the preface, "it is with the object of stimu-
lating the cultivation of gardens still more beau-
tiful than those generally to be met with that the
present volume has been wi-itten. That the work
may prove useful to those at least who supervise
their own gardens is the sincere wish of the
author."

Doubtless it will do that and more, if it en-
gender a love of plants and of work among them.
The book is written with knowledge conveyed in
the fewest words, yet clearly, and treats of
plants as diverse as " the Hyssop " on the wall
and " the Oak on the mountains." The matter
is remarkably free from technical terms, the type
is well spaced out and clear. While it is called
a book for the million, it is an all-embracing mil-
lion, the well-to-do as well as the cot-
tager, for in it we come across sundry remarks
on species of exotic Orchids. The book is not
concerned with flowering plants only, but useful
remarks are inserted with respect to the better
class of vegetables, ornamental trees and .shrubs.
The compost heap comes in for a useful note
on p. 58.

Bees for Profit and Pleasure. f

This book has evidently been written by one
who has a thoroughly practical knowledge of the
subject. The introductory chapters deal, among
other things, with the profits that may be ex-
pected from successful beekeeping ; but we think
that the estimate of 20s. per colony is rather more
than is likely to be generally realised.

The natural history of the bee is dealt with,
and although the information is condensed, it is
very clear and concise for a subject of such in-
finite complexity and interest. Useful hints are
given on such subjects as choice of locality,
manipulation of bees, and the general manage-
ment of the apiary.

The chapter devoted to the " Wintering of
Bees " is of great value, as this is a detail
which is apt to be overlooked by many bee-
■keepers, and is a fruitful cause of disappoint-
ment. Valuable information is given on the
feeding of bees at different seasons, the reasons
■for the differences being clearly explained. There
is a useful calendar and several good recipes for
the uses of honey as food.

» By Alfred Pink, author of Recipes fnr the Million. Popu-
lar Ediiion, pp. 266. crown 8vo. Published by T. Fisher
Unwin, 1, Adelphi Terrace, London.

■t Bees for Profit and Pleasure, by H. Geary. Edited I)y
T. W. San - -, F.L.S. (London: W. H. & L. Coiling-
cid^e. Is. net.)

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL HINTS FOR MAY.
Any shoots that have been injured by cold
winds or frost should be cut back to sound wood :
the Tea-scented. Noisette, and China Roses have
been affected chiefly. If this has not already
been done, budded shoots on the standard and
dwarf Briars may now be shortened to one eye
above the bud. The buds are beginning to
push into growth and will require constant atten-

Jlay is the most critical month for Rose cuttings,
and some attempt shoidd be made to shade them
from the strong midday sun, as their roots are
not numerous enough to support the top growths.
These that have been planted at the back of a
north hedge will not need this protection. The
Rose maggot will soon be active among the
shoots; the pest should be picked off and
destroyed ; afterwards cleanse the plants well
with warm, soapy water. The brown weevil also
infests the standard Briars about this time, eat-
ing off the young shoots at night-time.

FIRST mn

't

/

Fig. 123. — GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR UNDER GARDENERS.

(The First Prize Design.)

(See p. 2)3.)

tion in tieing and staking as growth proceeds, to
secure them from injury by the wind. The sticks
should be of sufficient length to allow for exten-
sion of growth.

Buds on the Manetti, see<lling Briar, and de la
Grifferae stocks will also require attention ; the
head of the stock should be cut back when the
bud has started, and removed altogether when it
has developed from six to 10 leaves.

Rose and Briar cuttings planted during the
autumn and winter should be given water when-
ever the weather is dry, and be heavily mulched.

The seedling Briars are appearing through the
ground. The soil, if at all dry, must be well
watered, and light hoeings made between the
rows.

There have been the usual losses this winter
amongst tender varieties, and they should now
be made good, employing pot plants for prefer-
ence. See that the roots are moist when they are
turned out of the pots, and, in planting, employ
some fresh, turfy loam mixed with bone-meal, to
give the plant a good start. Liquid manure and
soot-water may be given to actively-growing

Mat 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

293 0

plants on two or more occasions weekly. The
stimulant sliould be well diluted when used tor
pot plants, and even those planted out must not
have it at too great a strength. The soot should
be placed in a bag, which should be dropped in
the tub with the manure water.

As the new growths appear on the established
plants, thin out those that are weakest and likely
to cause crowding, as it is important that sun-
light and air reach the centre of the head.

The last batch of pot Roses placed under glass
are growing freely, but the east winds have
brought in their train a host of insect pests, and
measures must be taken at once to destroy them.
Fire-heat will not be necessary, but the house
should be closed early in the afternoon, to main-
tain the requisite temperature. Pay careful
attention to feeding and watering the plants, and
also to the ventilation of the house. As the
flowers expand, keep the atmosphere drier.
Showery weather will afford a good opportunity
for inserting buds on the most forward of the
transplanted seedling Briars ; also on any stocks
where the buds failed last year. The forced pot
plants, that have been placed outside, will fur-
nish an abinidance of shoots with suitable buds.

The potting of plants grafted during the cur-
rent season should now be completed ; they are
growing freely, and will do hes.i in a light, cool,
well-ventilated house. Towards the end of this
month or early in June they may be hardened off,
and. later, plunged outside in beds at 1 foot apart.
Spring-rooted cuttings should be afforded larger
pots as may be required, placing them in a warm
frame until they are i-e-established, with a little
shading during bright sunshine. Fresh air should
be afforded gradually, until, as the growth and
season advance, they may have an abundance.
Rcses planted out under glass may have the shoots
cut back to one-third of their length. Keep the
atmosphere of the house humid bj' syringing, but
do not afford root waterings until the bushes
show signs of breaking afresh, which will prob-
ably occur in two months from now. When
active growth begins, they will require a good
soaking of water and plenty of liquid manure.
The variety Belle Lyonnaise, of the Gloire de
Dijon type, makes an excellent climber for the
roof. The flowers are of a rich primrose colour.
I have a three-quarter span-rcrof, cold house,
facing south, planted with this variety. The
growths have covered the roof both on the north
and south sides. Several hundreds of fine buds
have been cut from the south side, and the great
quantity of buds developing on the north side
will carry the crop to Whitsuntide and later.
J. D. Godwin.

THE FERNERY.

LANDSCAPE GARDENING COMPETITION.

The schedule of the Royal Caledonian Horti-
cultural Society's recent spring show included a
competition, open to under gardeners, for laying
out as a pleasure ground and kitchen garden a
piece of ground of about 15 acres in extent. A
sketch plan of the site w-as furnished in the sche-
dule, as shown in tig. 124, and the competitors
were required to fill in the necessary details. The
elevation of the ground was indicated by dotted
contour lines, and the surroundings, as shown in
the sketch, were required to be duly considered in
any scheme submitted. In fig. 123 is reproduced
the 1st prize plan, by Mr. J. W. Forsyth,
Rossdhu, Luss, Loch Lomond.

Mr. Forsyth has made provision for glass-
houses, fruit range, bothy, potting sheds, gar-
deners' cottage, stable and laundry. The plea-
sure grounds include a bog and water-garden,
rosary, rock-garden, and Lily-pond, the details of
all of which show that the designer possesses a
good knowledge of their several requirements.
Such competitions provide a pleasing change
from the ordinary classes in a flower show sche-
dule, and have great educative value, in affording
a real test for skill in landscape gardening and
drauchtsmanship. In a similar competition last
year Mr. Forsyth gained the 2nd prize.

LASTREA MONTANA.

(The Lemon-scented Buckler Feen.)
Few Ferns have a pleasant fragrance, and
some, such as the exotic Adiantum Sancta
Catherinae, which has such a strong feline
smell as to be unbearable in a room, are de-
cidedly objectionable. Two of our English
species, however, are exceptions, Lastrea semula,
the Hay-scented Fern, whijh possesses a scent
more like that of the Tonquin Bean than of Hay,
the odour being given out by the dead fronds for
a very long time; and L. montana, the lemon-like
perfume of the fronds of which is due to an essen-
tial oil contained in innumerable surface-glands.
The latter Fern, despite its perfectly hardy nature
and robust growth, is very rarely seen in cultiva-
tion, though it lends itself readily to pot culture
and does well in an open, loamy, lime-free
soil in not too dry positions. In form it
resembles Lastrea Filix-mas, the common Male
Fern, but its fronds are of a lighter yellowish-
green and are provided with side divisions from
the base, where they appear as rounded lobes
for some inches up, and then lengthen to
form, with a tapering tip, a graceful, lance-
shaped outline. In the Male Fern the stalk is
bare for some inches ud, where the side divisions.

j/ '" ~Tloo — //'»»

C , "M » 0 lOa 20O V30 .400 WO tiDO TOO 80O SOO lOQO

ocaic ' ■ • ' ■ ' 1 I , i/**r

Fig. 124. — GARDEN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR

UNDER GARDENERS.

(Sketch plan as furnished to the competitors.)

an inch or two long, begin abruptly. The spore
heaps, too, are much smaller and dot-like than
the comparatively conspicuous ones of L. Filix-
mas. When the fronds rise in the spring a
further specific difference is noticeable, since the
tips of the fronds of the Male Fern, when uncoil-
ing, droop forwards so as to resemble a crozier,
while these of the Lemon-scented Fern maintain
a ball-like shape, the tips of the subdivisions
protruding all around in a spiky fashion, remind-
ing one of Magog's spiked ball. A fourth
differentiating character is the odour. L. mon-
tana, as its name implies, is found more plenti-
fully on hillsides up to a considerable elevation,
colonies of it lining the rocky banks of mountain
streams or occupying rocky, broken areas in the
open or on similar ground in the shelter of wood.
It is, however, by no means confined to hilly
districts, as I have found plants in Epping
Forest, in several parts of the W^eald of
Kent, and in Tilgate Forest, in Surrey, in which
latter place it was growing in profusion under
the shelter of bold-growing I3racken ; quite
an exception to the usual rule of Bracken mono-
polising the soil. In the early days of Fern
hunting, L. montana for a long time had the
reputation of being peculiarly constant and non-
liable to sporting, but eventually one or two good
forms being discovered, some of the hunters, and
particularly Mr. .1. M. Barnes, of Milnthorpe, in

the English Lake country, and others, devoted
particular attention to this species, which is very
abundant there, with the result that a large
number of distinct and striking varieties were
obtained. Mr. Barnes succeeded in raising some
improved forms from his wild finds, bearing
heavy tassels at the tips and even branch-
ing fronds. Several years ago I found a
good plumose or extra feathery form in Kendale,
and, curiously enough, in the following year a
thoroughbred " grandiceps," or heavy bunch-
crested variety, was found on the same hillside
within a hundred yards of the site of the plumose
discovery. A curious, truncate variety appears to
be discoverable in most localities w-here the
common form prevails. This has the ends of the
fronds and their side divisions abruptly squared,
the shortened midrib projecting as a slender
thorn, the outline appearing as if the frond had
been trimmed off with scissors so as to form a
parallelogram. Sometimes such fronds occur
singly on an otherwise normal plant, but plants
so characterised throughout are by no means rare.
The Fern is quite deciduous, the fronds dying
down in the autumn and appearing about the end
of April. It does well in a cold conservatory,
potted in good yellow loam with a dash of leaf-
mould. Propagation by spores is not easy, and
few succeed, since in the young stage the pro-
thallia seem to require fresh moisture, and plenty
of it, a condition not easily secured under arti-
ficial conditions. In well-established plants, with
a good root-stock or caudex, a piece of this
severed from the base, or oldest portion, and kept
close under a glass jar, or tumbler, on wet sand,
will produce young plants freely from induced
bulbils or rather short stolons. The plant must
not be allowed to suffer from drought, and in the
winter, when the fronds are dead, the best plan is
to plunge the pots into damp cocoanut fibre and
put them out of sight until the spring, seeing, of
course, that the fibre does not dry out entirely.
Restored to their places in April, they will soon
start into growth and resume in a week or two
their full beauty. L. m, cristata, ramo-cristata,
grandiceps, cristata-gracile, Barnesii, ramo-coro-
nans, plumosa Airey, plumosa Whitwell, and con-
gesta are all charming plants, f'/irt.-t, T . JJrucry,
v.. MM.

COLONIAL NOTE.

MEALY BUG ON VINES.
I HAVE from time to time read notes in the
Garrleiirr.? Chronicle about means that are taken
in the Old Country to clear vines of mealy bug.
The general practice amongst gardeners here for
clearing bug on such pot plants as will stand the
treatment is to apply, at a good pressure, a
stream of clean water. The plant is placed on
its side in the vicinity of a drain, and as the hose-
ing proceeds, the bug is carried away floating on
the water. The operator must gauge the pret-sure
so that the foliage is not damaged. The following
plan was adopted in our vineries : — After prun-
ing the vines, the bark was taken off, and any
holes that might harbour eggs or bug on the
canes sealed up. The vines were then suspended
from the roof of the structure with a single
string tied about the centre of each cane. The
old top-dressing of the borders was scraped off
and cleared out, and then the hose was applied
at the highest pressure, starting at the top of
each cane and working down each side. AH
wood, glass, and brick work were thoroughly
treated in this manner, and, to finish up, the
border was drenched with water, so that any
bugs that might have been missed in the soil
floated out and were carried away by a drain.
It is now three years since I first tried this treat-
ment, and since then I have not seen a single
mealy bug in any of our vineries. John 11".
Ulackhuni, Leura Garden.i, Tooral-, Melbourne,
Avstralia.

294

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 7, 1910.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

PRIMULA ANISIACA.
Probably few people are ever likely to know
this Primula, which ia one of that ridiculous
series intervening between P. veris and P. vul-
garis— all the members of which have long,
glorious and unknown name? that lure one into
buying their bearers as exciting novelties. How-
ever, P. anisiaca seems to have its value. I had
seed of it some years ago from St. Petersburg, I
think, and the three resulting plants were put out
in disgust, when I realised what they were, to
take their chances on the rockwork. All three
formed strong clumps, and all three behave dif-
ferently. The best form is conspicuous by burst-
ing into a perfect mound of blossom by mid-
li'ebruary, at a tmie when decent P. vulgaris is
still sound asleep ; otherwise, at this stage, and
except for the enormous floriferousness of P. ani-
siaca, the plant has little to distinguish it from
P. vulgaris, unless it be that the flowers are
rather paler, thinner, starrier and more exquisite ;
besides, as I say, being produced in such abund-
ance as to make the whole plant one apparently
leafless hill of blossom. Nor does this lavishness
fade with time ; at this moment, April 24 (in a
blinding snowstorm, by the way), P. anisiaca is
still in flower as reckless as ever. Only, by now
the scapes have lengthened and grown apparent :
so that the plant at'present is closer to P. elatior.
The other clump of P. anisiaca was much later in
blooming, and. from its first bud, has been much
nearer to P. elatior all through. The third clump
has not yet condescended to flower. Another
species of the same race, it would seem, is P.
pannonica ; but one hardly has heart to do justice
to such seedlings when one realises that, instead
of some new rival to P. Berninie or P. Cottia. one
has merely acquired a few more versions of the
common Oxlip.

SAXIFRAGA FALDONSIDE.

Sir Everard Hambro's magnificent clump of
S. Boydii prompts me to a note of inquiry as to
BoydiVs twin, Faldonside. What is the precise
parentage of this? Both are children of burse-
riana and the early-flowering yellows. Both, ap-
parently, have the same repulsive weaknesses of
constitution. At least, just at flowering time,
the plants have a tendency here to grow lanky
and dishevelled in habit, brown and livid in
leafage. After which they sink into the tomb,
from which no treatment I have yet devised
seems able to save them. I imagine that Boydii
gets this tendency from S. aretiocides, but in
justice to aretiocides, I must confess that, though
undoubtedly tricky, it is not so inevitably capri-
cious as Boydii. Has anyone arrived at a final
solution of 'this plant's riddle? As to Faldon-
side. I myself consider this more beautiful than
Boydii, as the tenderness of its pale lemon blooms
appeals to me strongly. But I get no prolonged
happiness out of its clumps, not even by pulling
them to pieces when they go wrong. On the
other hand, S. Cherrytrees continues, in all
circumstances, to grow cheerfully and robustly
into wide masses. But S. Cherrytrees ha£ never
yet shown signs of a flower.

TWO GOOD NEW SAXIFRAGAS.

Saxifraga opposiTiFOLiA LATTNA is, I believe,
a form collected from the mountains of Southern
or Central Italy. It has no startling diver-
gence from oppositifolia typ';, but is very solid
and steady, being, both in growth and flower, a
robust and healthy form. The flowers are very
large, well-produced, round in outline, and
of a gctod vivid tone in what, after all, is a
rather unfortunate range of colours, for S. oppo-
sitifolia is certainly mai'red in almost all its forms
by the inevitable magenta taint ; and we are still
eagerly longing for a good, round-flowered white
variety — the present albino being a worthless
thing, to my thinking, so thin and starry as to be
more like a poor Arenaria verna than any other
proper and well-liking oppositifolia Saxifraga.
On the other hand. S. oppositifolia speciosa is a
very distinct novelty indeed. Its growth and
foliage are far bolder and stouter than any others
of its race, and the flowers, besides being of
enormous size, are of a tender pale rose, in which
the magenta is refined away to a minimum. Fur-
ther, they have six, seven or even eight petals,
instead of the usual five; and this multiplicity of
division makes the great blossoms, as they lie on

the grey moraine, look like wide blooms of Ranun-
culus Kerneri — for both these Saxifragas are
highly reconimendable for the moraine; so far
their only fault with me has been a certain shy-
ness in flowering, but this I attribute solely to
the fact that their present situation is rather
dank and shady. Other plants, on a new
and sunny piece of moraine, will give me, I hope,
a more brilliant mass of bloom, lierjhiald Farrer.

WORMS IN A CORNISH GARDEN.

In spite of the fact that 30 years have gone by
since Darwin wrote his remarkable volume on
Vegetable Mould and Earthworms, it still re-
mains a fact that no systematic effort has yet
been put forth in this country to ascertain what
spe«ies of worms produce " vegetable mould,"
to master their geographical distribution, the
nature of the soils on which they operate, and
the many other problems which the subject in-
volves. If anyone were asked. How many dif-
ferent species of worms are there in England?
Which of these live in gardens? What is the ser-
vice they render? Are they beneficial or in-
jurious? who could give us the answer? Does
any zoologist, biologist, professor, gardener, far-
mer, or any other authority know what worms
prefer loam, clay, manure, leaf-mould, chalk,
lime, or any other kind of soil or situation? Can
anyone tell us whether we introduce useful or
dangerous worms when we bring mould from the
roadside, the moor, or the woodland? When
stable manure is taken hot into the garden, is
any species of warm introduced which differs
from that or those which occur in very old heaps?
How far is the growth of vegetables, flowers,
fruit trees, or shrubs affected by the annelid
fauna? These are a few of the subjects which
have not been generally or systematically studied
in England, and I have therefore given my leisure
for some years to their consideration. In this
article I propose to open up the matter for the
guidance of gardeners and others, to whom it is a
subject of considerable importance.

Some years ago an article of mine led certain
readers of this journal to make observations on
garden annelids, and my recent studies in .Veto
Garden Wot ms published in these columns have
revived their interest. As a result, I have been
favoured with collections of garden worms from
various parts of the country, and am giving in
the present paper the returns for a particular
locality in Cornwall. I choose this county chiefly
on the ground that, so far as I am aware, no
attempt has ever yet been made to tabulate the
Cornish earthworms, and. until I began the
study, not a single authentic record had been put
before the public generally. I do not know that
any local natural lilstory or other society has ever
attempted to compile a list.

On February 11 of the present year, Mr. A.
G. Bartlett, of Pencarrow Gardens, sent me a con-
signment of worms from the heaviest land in the
kitchen garden. He took the precaution to collect
all the individuals he came across, " feeling," as
he acutely remarked, " that their relative prepon-
derance would be of interest." And so it proved.
The so-called earthworms were conspicuous by
their absence, while a species which has only
within the past few years been recognised as
British was the predominating form. This sug-
gests two inquiries at the outset. First, aie
certain species of worms more or less limited to
certain soils? And, secondly, does the presence
of one strong type mean the expulsion of an-
other? These are new and all-important pro-
blems, and upon the answer vital issues depend
for the horticulturi.st. Here is the tabular re-
turn : —

Fifty garden worms from heavy soil, Pencar-
row, Washaway, February 11, 1910 : —
Lumbricus terrestris, L., or true earth-
worm ... ... ... ... ... 1

Allolobophora longa, Ude., long worm ... 3
Allolobophora caliginosa, Savigny ... 4

Aporrectodea chlorotica, Sav., green
worm ... ... ... ... ... 6

Eisenia rosea, Sav., mucous worm ... 6

Octolasion studiosum, Rosa ... ... 30

The last species is a strong worm, of a steel-
blne colour, with bright yellow tail and orange
yellow girdle. From the tail and the glands in
front of the girdle a yellow liquid is exuded. The
girdle extends over six segments, as in the true
earthworm, and there is a peculiar band on four

segments, known as the tubercula pubertatis. It
may be well to give the numbers of the segments
for the three larger species, because they are con-
tinually being mistaken the one for the other.
The upper row of figures shows the position of
the girdle, while the lower represents the tubcr-

32 — 37
L.

cula :
Lumbricus terrestris,

33
28

-36
-35

32
29

— 34
-34

Allolobophora longa, Ude

Octolasion studiosum, Rosa

I 30 — 33
When the colour and shape of the head and
tail are compared with the girdle and tubercula,
it is impossible to confuse one with tlie other.

On February 18, Mr. Bartlett sent me two fur-
ther consignments, :iiid the results were equally
remarkable. A bo.x filled with specimens taken
from dung in the bottom of a Celery trench con
tained 140 specimens. These were of three kinds,
and the numbers were as follow : —
Octolasion studiosum, Rosa ... ... 10

Eisenia rosea, Savigny ... ... ... 30

Eisenia foetida, Sav. (Brandling) ... 100

Tlius we find the latter to be the predominant
species in manure.

Tlie other box contained about 80 specimens,
and was filled with species taken from a leaf hc:ip
which had been decomposing for a year or so.
Here, again, I found much to ponder over. In
many parts of the country such a heap would
yield the gilt-tail (Dendroba>na subrubicunda) in
large numbers. Here that species hardly existed,
but its place was taken by an ally, which has
only recently been recognised as British. I refer
to Eisenia veneta, Rosa, about which I wrote ni
this jouina! last year ((.lardencra' Chronule,
October 9, 1909). I am not sure whether it may
not have to be entered as a new variety ; but of
this it is not necessary now to write. The box
contained odd specimens of some of the foregoing,
together with the following additional species: —
Dendrobfena subrubicunda. Eiseii. ... 3

Lumbricus castaneus, Savigny ... ... 3

Lumbricus rubellus, Hcff.neister ... ... 4

Eisenia veneta, Rosa (? var. nov.) ... 60
Thus, out of some 270 specimens, no fewer than
240 belonged to four species, the remaining iO
being distributed among seven or eight other
species. They stand thus, and the list may be
taken as a basis for further Cornish records : —

1. Lumbricus terrestris ... ... ... 1

2. Lumbricus castaneus ... ... ... 3

3. Lumbricus rubellus ... ... ... 4

4. Allolobophora longa ... ... ... 4

5. Allolobophora caliginosa ... ... 4

6. DendrobaMia subrubicunda ... ... 4

7. Aporrectodea chlorotica ... ... 5

8. Octolasion studiosum ... ... ... 40

9. Eisenia rosea ... ... ... ... 40

10. Eisenia veneta ... ... ... ... 60

11. Eisenia fn-'tida 100

I am content for the present to give this brief
statement of facts. If gardeners in outof-the-way
parts of the country and Empire, where the soil
and conditions differ, will make it possible for us
to extend these analyses, we may anticipate some
important results.

Worms should be placed in tin boxes, with a
light padding of mass, all injured specimens being
excluded. If the lids fit easily, it is better not
to puncture them for ventilation, as the worms
creep out and perish in the wrappings. Details
relating to soil and situation are desirable.
Hilderic Friend, St. Aicipli, Malvern.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

SOPHRO-L/ELIO-CATTLEYA x THALIA.
An inflorescence of a bright and interesting
hybrid, having Sophronitis grandiflora ae the
seed-parent and Lielio-Cattleya Cappei as the
pollen plant, is sent by Francis Wellcsley, Esq.,
Westfield. Woking (gr. Mr. Hopkins), who.
states that it was taken from a very small plant.
The inflorescence is two-flowered, the nearly-
equal, lanceolate sepals and petals being more
than 3 inches across. The ground .jcolour is
Indian yellow, surfaced with scarlet. The lip,
which is the smallest segment, is crimped at the-
margin, yellow veined, and tinged with dark red.

May 1, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

295

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{Tht Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)
Pruning Newly-planted Fruit Trees.—
I am not in favour of pruning young, newl}'-
plantetl Peach trees. There are always portions
of immature wood at the ends of the shoots, and
instead of cutting off the unripened parts, I pre-
fer to disbud the branches down to the ripened
part, leaving the disbudded poHion to tie the
leader to, cutting it away after the leaves have
fallen. I have seen shoots of young Peach trees
badly affected with gumming as the result of
severe pruning. There is no necessity for bend-
ing the shoots of young Peach trees to induce
them to break, as advised by //. 11'. II'. (see p.
284). I always find they break satisfactorily
withcnit doing' this. By stopping the very luxu-
riant growths the proper balance of the tree can
be maintained. W. P. If-

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucumbers.

— Interesting contributions have been made to
this subject by your correspondents on p. 284.
ir. C. O. asks whether I have ever known of a
Melon which has ripened without containing fer-
tile seeds? I have referred the question to the
gardener-botanist mentioned in my former letter,
as he has had much greater experience in the sub-
ject than myself, and his answer is an emphatic
" No." W. C. C. asks why there is this dif-
ference between such nearly-related plants as the
Melon and the Cucumber that the former develops
its fruit without fertilisation, while the latter
does not. My friend asserts that there is no
such difference, that the fruit of the Cucumber,
equally with that of the Melon, cannot grow un-
less fertilised, and that all Cucumbers would be
found to contain fertile seeds if left on the plant
long enough to mature, instead of being cut, as
they usually are, for eating purposes, in an unripe
condition, i.e., unripe from the point of view of
the fruit. May I ask 11'. C. C, at what stage
of their growth those Cucumbers were cut and
examined for seed which developed after removal
of the stigma? I am at present engaged in con-
ducting some experiments on this subject, seek-
ing the fullest information obtainable from
various authorities. The results of my investiga-
tions I will give in a later issue. .V. H. [It may
safely be predicted that the results of his experi-
ments will convince our correspondent that
Cucumbers are capable of producing large fruits
without ixjllination of the flowers. This curious
habit of flowers yielding fruits without pollina-
tion occurs, for example, in the Banana, and,
according to the researches of Dr. Richard
Ewart, in certain varieties of Apple and Pear.
.'Vu account of Dr. Ewart's experiments on the
latter fruits was published in these pages some
years ago (p. 316, May 18, 1907).— Eds.]

The Weather in South Devon. — The past
winter has been a miUl one, the greatest cold
registered being 5°, while in a garden just over
the salt water the thermometer never showed
more than 3° of frost. In most localities the
greatest cold is experienced in the low ground,
but here this is reversed, the coldest spot being
at the top of the hill, while the nearer the salt
water is approached the warmer it becomes. This
winter we have suffered far more severely from
winds than from frosts. The steep hills imme-
diately behind us afford an absolute protection
on the north and east, but the spot is open to
the south and west. One night a severe .south-
westerly gale arose, and the next day all the
foliage was brown. The crimson and white
Clianthuses had not a single green leaf left, all the
foliage of Bowkeria Gerardiana was browned, and
there was not a sign of green on Jasminum primu-
linum, which was in full leaf. I have a good
shrub of Edwardsia (Sophora) microphylla. about
5 feet in height. It was showing over 100 bud-
clusters, and the leaves were healthy and green.
After the gale every leaf was brown as if seared
with fire, and, when rubbed in the hand, went
into brown powder. I was much afraid that the
plant would be killed, but the buds continued to
open, and now fresh leaves are showing all along
♦he shoots, and the plant is in full flower. Coni-
fers are entirely brow^i on the windward side, and
will take some time to recover. I lost some plants
from what I conclude to have been a lightning
flash. Two fine specimens of the scarlet and
white varieties of Pent*temon campanulatus had
one half entirely killed, though the other half

was uninjured. On the other side of them
Boronia megastigma and Correa cardinalis were
killed outright, and a fine plant of Convolvulus
inauritanicus, which made an exquisite picture
falling over a ledge about 3 feet high, situated
on the other side of a path in the same line, was
also destroyed. All these plants were in a direct
line, and I can only attribute their sudden
destruction to lightning. Wyndhavi Filzhe/berl,
Kini/xwear, S. Devon.

Hydrocyanic Gas.— The damage which Mr.
Herridgo states on page 283 was caused to the
plants in the stove (when "yaniding) must have
been due to a moisture-laden atmosphere, which
prevented the gas from rising, thereby allowing it
to condense on the plants. On April 27 I cyanided
a Muscat vinery, the fruit in which had just
finished stoning. T used cyanide at the rate of
lA ounces to each 1,000 cubic feet of space, with
the proper proportions of sulphuric acid and
water. The temperature of the vinery wa.'! 68°
at the time, but the conditions were perfectly
dry. All the mealy bug in the house were killed,
but I can find no ill-effects to the vines, neither
has it injured a number of French Beans in the
same house. I liave cyanided Fig and Peach
trees at all stages of gro.vth, even when bearing
a crop of ripe fruit, without causing any harm.
Charh.i Garrall, Granyr (Jar<I(ih>, AJresford.

CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS SEEDING (see p. 251).

— Several plants of this Cordyline flowered and
matured seed in these gardens last summer.
Some of the seeds were sown and are now ger-
minating. It is, I believe, considered by some
to be detrimental to the health of the plant to
allow it to flower, but our plants flower every
year and I have not noticed any ill-effect ; but I
have never taken the trouble to look for seed be-
fore. A. ./. Kli/ar. KiU'irnetj Ho)i.<e Garihns, Co.
Kerry. [Mr. D. Calthorpe, Ballyheigue Gardens,
Co. Kerry, writes to the same effect.^Eos.]

A Simply-prepared Insecticide (see p. 282).
— In 1866. whilst engaged as foreman under the
late Mr. Wm. Hill, of Kcele Hall Gardens, I used
Laurel leaves for destroying insects as described
on page 282. They were first tried on a batch
of Cinerarias and Calceolarias attacked by green-
fly, with success. Later we used them for de-
stroying thrips on Azaleas. An armful of Laurel
cuttings laid on the brick floor was well
pounded with a heavy hammer, the bruising being
done quickly, so that the operator got away as
soon as possible from the fumes. The old
wood was very pungent when the bark was well
bruised. Plants to be fumigated were placed in
position on a temporary stage before the pound-
ing took place. Azaleas and other hard-wooded
plants were given the strongest doses. Some old
plants of Acacia armata affected with scale in-
sects lost their leaves after repeated doses with-
out destroying the scale. They were placed in
a shed, which was kept locked at night, the key-
hole and all popsible cracks wherebv the fumes
could escape being blocked up. Since then I
have bruised a few shoots under a movable
hand-glass for killing green-fly on single plants,
with good effect. At the date I mention the
many insecticides now used so freely were un-
known. Tobacco paper being the chief furnigant.
Laurel leaves may still be used on a small scale,
but the operator should use gloves, and keep his
face away from the fumes as much as possible.
Stephen, Castle, Walpole Mar.^h, Wlsbec/i.

Temperature of the Stove. — I am sur-
prised at Mr. Donoghue (see p. 247) advocating
a night temperature so high as 75° in the stove
at this time of the year. This is too high
for a general collection of stove plants at
any tinie of the year, except when it can
be maintained with very little use of fire-
heat. The season for frosts is not yet over, and
to maintain a night temperature of 75° in the
stove would necessitate much artificial heat, more
detrimental to the well-being of the plants than
a considerably lower temperature. Under such
condition, and provided that the house be
syringed and closed sufficiently early for the
foliage to become comparatively dry by nightfall,
I would prefer to keep tlie stove at 65° rather
than 75". Many of the plants cultivated in the
stove are subject to wide fluctuations of tempera-
ture in their native habitats, a difference of from
20° to 30° being common. Plants will easily
withstand the same fluctuations under artificial

conditions, provided the atmospheric condition of
the house oe regulated accordingly. H'. Anton,
Brougham Gardens, Penrith.

Mr. Auton does not give the facts I

stated. The temperatures I advised are 70° or
75°, and this advice is based upon long
experience and practical observation. Notwith-
standing that many stove plants are, in their
natural habitats subjected to low and fluctuating
temperatures, I do not agree that such treatment
would be proper under artificial conditions. Mr.
Anton's temperature of 65° I understand to be
the maximum he would advise. At this season
of the year, when the growth is of a delicate and
tender nature, fluctuations of 20° to 30° would not
be conducive to the production of first-class ex-
amples of stove plants. Experience has long since
taught me that, in the growing of plants, fluctua-
tions of temperature at any season are one of the
evils to be avoided. In the cultivation of stove
plants I advocate a short season of rest during
the shortest days of the year, the temperatures at
this stage ranging from 60° to 65°. The warmth
should be increased gradually until the maximum
of 70° to 75° is reached during April, at which
time most stove piants are growing freely and re-
quir3 a considerable amount of heat and moisture.
John Donofjhue, JIardon Hill Gardens, Leeds.

Outdoor Gardening. — I have been much
interested on several occasions by the glowing
accounts given of the prospects of gardeners in
the United States, and have wished that every-
thing w'as as perfect in this country. Things,
how'ever, might lie much improved here if young
gardeners would attend more to the outside part
of their profession instead of being so wrapped up
in the blue apron and Orchid-house side. There
are always hundreds of applicants for indoor
journeymen or foremen's places, but compara-
tively few for flower garden or pleasure ground
work. Tlie latter, in many places, seems to be
considered the class of work for which a some-
what intelligent labourer is more fitted than the
young gardener, which is a mistake. A know-
ledge of trees and shrubs, herbaceous and Alpine
plants, and the routine of the kitchen garden
seem to many young gardeners to be things they
need not trouble about. They think that when
they get to be head gardeners they will always
have someone to look after that part of
the work. This way of looking at things
is wrong, as a young gardener's training
cannot be considered finished if he has
little or no knowledge of outdoor work.
The latter can only be learnt by practice ; book
knowledge and theory being of little value in the
kitchen garden or the pleasure grounds. To be
able to analyse and describe the composition of
soils, and to say what kinds are most suitable for
certain crops is a very useful accomplishment,
but this should follow a knowledge of the use of
the spade and the other common, but useful, tools
that are employed in outdoor work. There is a
tendency nowadays to attach too much importance
to the passing of examinations in horticulture and
botany, which has the effect of causing young
gardeners to think too much of the theoretical,
and not enough of the practical, side of their
profession. " An ounce of practice is worth a
ton of theory " is an old saying that has a cer-
tain amount of truth in it, as it is much easier
to do a thing on paper than to carry it out
in practice and many gardeners have far more
theoretical than practical knowledge of outdoor
work. The herbaceous borders, the terraces, and
the pleasure grounds are essential parts of every
estate, and their upkeep and improvement call
for more thought and attention than may appear
at first sight. That gardeners generally are
weak in outside work we have discovered during
the last few years, as each season we require the
services of trained men for planting and the lay-
ing out of grounds in different parts of the
country, and it has been very difficult to find
men for the work. The work certainly is only
temporary, and involves a certain amount of
travelling about, but the pay is good, and, for a
gardener who is out of a situation, is a very good
stop gan while waiting for an opening. The difli-
culty. however, is to cet the men with the re-
quisite knowledge. We can get plenty of men
to take charge of a range of glass for a time, but
to lay out lawns and pleasure grounds, make
walks and terraces, and do a certain amount of
planting is apparently a task beyond the powers
of most of the gardeners that apply to us.
J. 0. B.

296

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 7, 1910.

VEGETABLES.

EXHIBITION VEGETABLES.

How easy it is for the ordinary visitor to a
horticultural show to admire the splendid speci-
mens of vegetables there displayed, and to come
away disappointed with the results obtained in
his own garden. Ejihibilion vegetables are all too
often the means oS creating an unpleasantness be-
tween employer and the gardener who does not
" grow to show." In vegetable culture for exhibi-
tion, there is and must be more artificial treat-
ment than in any other process of horticulture. In
the production of Grapes. Peaches, Melons, and
many other subjects, a much less artificial system
of culture is practised, the whole of the crop de-
pending upon ordinary routine management, and
nut such an outlay in time, energy and extra
material as is an absolute necessity in producing
vegetables for exhibition. The same treatment
is accorded to a Peach tree from which the show
fruits are gathered as to the tree that produces
the ordinary crop for the table.

In the same orthodox manner are Grapes
grown, but perhaps in this latter crop there may
be a more rigid reduction in the number of
bunches to give greater size, and to cause the
berries to swell mere. In the case of vegetable
culture for exhibition, special materials are
needed, including a different compost for each
vegetable, and farmyard manure in excess of
ordinary crop requirements. In addition, there
are the various artificial manures and liquid
stimulants applied during growth to obtain ex-
cess in size of Onions, Celery, and Leeks for
example. Then take into account the time ex-
pended in syringing the crops several times daily,
the mass of appliances required, such as glass
tubes, miniature boxes, for the production of
lengthy Leeks, and the paraphernalia necessary
to protect the few Peas each row produces from
tomtits, jays, and other birds.

If a strict account of the expense of all addi-
tional aid could be tabulated, surprise would be
expressed at the cost of producing these few speci-
mens, as compared with the ordinary method
of culture practised for kitchen-garden crops
generally. Those who understand all the details
of exhibiting know quite well how unreal is ali
this labour and expense as compared with tht
ordinary methods pursued to obtain simple,
wholesome vegetables for consumption.

A casual or even a regular visitor to a show
does not understand the requirements necessary
to produce the examples of any kind of vegetable
fine enough to satisfy the expert judge and, in
ignorance, casts the blame for his mediocre dis-
play upon his gardener, the seedsman, the soil,
the locality, or perhaps on the weather, forget-
ting that the production of show vegetables is
in itself an art. Those who advocate the grow-
ing of vegetables less remarkable for size, but
possessed of the best qualities from an economic
and a gastronomic point, are right. Take a few
examples as presented by the two sets of cul-
tivators. Who does not prefer the small, hard,
green, button-like Brussels Sprouts produced
from an imported strain, to the huge. Cab-
bage-like knobs so broadly displayed by many
exhibitors? Carrots and Parsnips cannot be
grown for e.xhibition in some soil.^ without much
labour. Much time is required in boring holes
a yard or so deep and filling them with a sandy
compost to enable the exhibitor to secure a few
extra long, straight roots. When any such crop
is grown in land naturally unsuited to it, though
the soil be trenched deeply and a fine tilth ob-
tained at sowing time, the crop as a whole will
bo quite different from root."; of exhibition quality.
The plants will not jiossess cue straight tap root,
but the produce will suffice for ordinary table
IJurposes, and the weight of crop be satisfactory.
Take exhibition Peas as another example of
wasted time. Much space is needed for each
plant to produce even a limited number of pods

of huge size, and too often these are not filled,
and hence are, from an economic point, a waste
of labour. By the ordinary method the seed is
sown 3 inches apart, the plants are allowed to
grow uninterruptedly, and the whole of the haulm
to develop fully, whereas in the exhibition row a
severe limitation is put upon the growth of the
plants. What are the results of the two methods?
In the one case, we have a limited number of
extra large pods, and in the other, a good crop of
well-filled pods of medium size. Much more
might be said to illustrate how unreal is the cul-
ture of vegetables for exhibition as compared
with the methods for ordinary crops. No one
will deny that these high-class examples are
illustrations of what high culture can do, and
how assiduous exhibitors can be in the achieve-
ment of an object.

If these exhibitors were to cultivate the whole
of their crops in the same manner, and there is
no reason why they should not do so -f this
system is so superior in production, then would
the gardener who does not exhibit have less
cause for complaint. But as it is, the exhibition
samples create an erroneous impression. I'rac-
tical.

SPINACH: THE CARTER.

Some years ago, when this variety was first
introduced, I formed a very favourable opinion
of it, both for cultivating under glass in cold
frames and for summer sowing generally. I
have since grown it largely ; but it is now as a
variety for autumn sowing for winter use that I
have a word to say in its favour. When looking
over the gardens of Mrs. ISIcIntosh, at Havering
Park, recently, I was much impressed with two
beds of Spinach, which were the best I have seen
this year. Mr. Cox, the gardener, informed me
that in both cases it was The Carter. Grow-
ing beside was a much inferior bed, which
proved to be the old variety recommended for
autumn sowing, and generally known as ' the
Winter or Prickly-seeded Spinach. Mr. Cox
assured me that he had been able to pick from
The Carter practically every day throughout the
past winter, and as Havering Park is situated in
a part of Essex that is not very favourable for
vegetable culture, I felt that it was quite worth
recording, il. Beckett.

The Week's Work.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donouhll, Gardiner to Joseph TicKiiusGiLL, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weelwood, Yorkshire.

Ananas mtiva rariegaia. — The variegated
Pineapple forms a fine ornamental stove plant.
If the suckers are detached from the parent plants
and inserted in small pots they will take root.
LTse plenty of sand in the rooting medium and
plunge the pots in bottom heat. Established
plants do best when kept moderately dry at the
roots, but the syringe should be employed on all
favourable occasions. The plants develop their
richest colouring when the roots are restricted
in small pots, and plenty of sunshine is also
essential in this lespect.

AUamanda. — The plants are growing freely
and will need thinning and training. If repot-
ting is necessary this should be done without
delay. The plant is a gross feeder, and enjoys
plenty of moisture at the roots. An occasional
dressing of some fertiliser will prove beneficial.

Genista. — After the flowering is over, the
plants should be pruned and then transferred to
a cool house. If repotting is necessary, allow
the plants to start into growth before doing this
work. Genistas should be placed out-of-doors
during the summer, and it will be necessary to
gradually harden them off, to accustom them to
outdoor treatment.

Soft-wooded plants. — Fuchsias, tuhercus-rooted
Begonias, and other fast-growing plants should
not be cramped at their roots. For the final pot-
ting employ the soil in a rather rough or loamy
rendition, and let it be of a rich natiure. When
the pots are well filled with roots, afford clear

soot-water and diluted liquid manure alternately.
Do not allow insect pest to obtain a footing, and
when any are detected, fumigate the housi im-
mediately, or syringe the plants with a solution
of nicotine.

Strepteirarpus. — Seedlings .should be pricked
out into small pots or pans filled with a mixture
of loam, peat, leaf-mould and sand. Stand thtm
close to the glass in the intermediate house or
warm fernery, and shade them from bright sun-
shine. The older plants will be showing their
flower-buds, and at this stage they will be bene-
fited by some stimulant, such as liquid m.anurc.
During the flowering stage keep the atmcsphere
drier, and afford the plants a rather cooler treat-
ment.

Firus radicals rariegota. — Cuttings inserted
at this date will root freely. Small plants are
very useful for draping the fronts of phnit stages
or for covering walls in tho plant houses.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon, Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

Pentstetnon. — Plants that were rooted from
cuttings last autumn and wintered in cold frames
may now be transferred to their permanent quar-
ters. They should be planted at a distance of
18 inches apart in rows, allowing the same dis-
tance between the individual plants. Guard
against slugs, which are very destructive to
Pentstemons. During dry weather the plants
will be benefited by occasional dampings given
early in the afternoon by means of a can with a
fine rose ; this moisture will be especially valu-
able when dry winds prevail. Seedling Pent-
stemons are growing freely. They should be
thoroughly hardened off preparatory to planting
them in the open, and .should be planted out at
a slightly less distance apart than those raised
from cuttings. Do not discard the weaker-
growing ones, as these often produce flowers of
the choicer colours. Place a layer of finely-
sifted, sharp, cinder ashes around each plant as a
protection against slugs.

Tree Peeonies. — Thesa plants are growing freely
and developing their flower-buds. The Moutan
Pa?ony exhibits a wonderful variety of colouring,
and the flowers often measure a foot in diameter.
Although the plant is perfectly hardy, late frosts
often have an injurious effect upon the flower-
buds, especially those that are reached by the
sun's rays early in the day. The plant is a gross
feeder, and requires a well-prepared soil contain-
ing a liberal amount of well-decayed manure. A
good mulching should be applied after the flower-
ing is over, as much to keep the roots moist as to
provide iiouriihment. Pa?ony Moutan is often
planted in isolated beds oil lawns, but it ap-
pears at its best associated with other shrubs,
when the flowers show to the best advantage.
Remove any suckers arising from the stocks, and
do not disturb the roots ; the less frequently they
are transplanted the better.

Japanese Maples. — These shrubs, like the
Paeonies, are perfectly hardy, but the tender
growths are sometimes injured by frost. They
are unrivalled amongst shrubs grown for form
and colour of foliage. The Japanese Maples are
of moderately slow growth, but large specimens
are frequent throughout the country. They
also resent disLurbance at the roots, and do
best in a warm, open position in a well-drained,
but not too heavy soil. A collection of these
Maples massed in a bed forms a beautiful feature
in any garden. There are numerous sorts, but
they all belong to A. palmatum and its varieties,
septemlobum and dissectum.

General work. — The present is a suitable time
for applying weed killers to the paths and car-
riage roads. Weed killer is best applied in
showery weather; the work needs to be carried
out in the most expeditious manner, and with
every possible care. The utensils employed
should be set apart entirely for the purpose. Use
great caution when applying the fluid near to-
grass verges or border plants, such as Box.
Make a frequent use of the Dutch hoe on the
borders, and employ the rake to make the beds
and borders tidy. Plants in pots quickly become
dry at this season, and will therefore need con-
stant attention in watering. Frosts may appear
unexpectedly, so that it will be wise to have
material ready for protecting any plants need-
ing it

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

297

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Seakle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Asliby, Northaiiiploiiblut'e.

The. Gooneherry. — The Gooseberry saw-fly
usii.illy makes its appearance just as the buds
are unfolding, depositing its eggs upon the under
sides of the leaves. The eggs hatch quickly, and
tile caterpilhirs commence to feed at once, soon
defoliating the buslies, unless measures are taken
to check them. Whenever the pest is detected,
the bushes should be dusted with dry soot in the
early morning whilst the leaves are damp, or
they may be sprayed with a solution of Calvert's
carbolic soft soap, using 2 ounces of the soap in
each gallon of rain-water. It is best to first dis-
solve the soap in a little boiling water. The
caterpillar of the Magpie moth is another pest
of the Gooseberry. It makes its appearance a
little later than the saw-fly, but the same treat-
ment will prove effectual- Where the caterpillars
are very numtrous, hand picking must be resorted
to. The cuckoo feeds on these caterpillars, and
should be encouraged. Both Red and White
Currants are liable to the same pest, and the same
treatments as are recontmended for the Goose-
berry should be adopted.

American (Joosehnrri/ mildew. — The cultivator
must be on the w-atch for this disease, which is
spreading rapidly in gardens. According to
those who have intimate knowledge of the
disease, it may be first detected in the form of
white powdery patches on both the foliage and
fruit ; immediately such spots are seen measures
must be taken to combat the disease. The
bushes should be sprayed with liver of sulphur
2 ounces, anl carbolic soft soap 4 ounces, well
mi.xed together in three gallons of rain-water.
Where the disease appears in isolated cases cut
out the affected shoots and burn them, but in any
case apply the specific recommended. Very
badly affected bu.shes should be destroyed. In
the autumn the fallen leaves should be raked up
and burned, and a liberal dressing of freshly
slaked lime and soot applied to the ground,
lightly forking it in.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Zi/ijopetaium. — The genus Zygopetalum now
includes Bollea, Pescatorea, VVarscewiczella,
Huntleya, Batemannia, Kerfersteinia, and Pro-
menoea. As regards their habit of growth, these
are quite distinct from the true Zygopetalum, of
which Z. Mackaii may be regarded as a typical
example. The ZygopLtalum proper possissts
pseudo-bulbs, whereas with the e.xccption of I'ro-
menuea, the others enumerated are without them,
possessing rhizomes only. The plants grow
naturally in shady woods, in districts where rain
falls nearly every day in the year, and where the
average temperature is about 60°. At the pre-
sent time, plants of these species are growing
fast, and the foliage should be sprayed overhead
with tepid rain-water three or four times a day,
and root waterings should be given often enough
to keep the compost moist. Stand the plants in
the intermediate house in a position where they
will be protected from even weak sunshine. A
good plan is to elevate them well up underneath
the foliage of such plants as the strong-growing
Cymbidiums, especially where the Cymbidiums
are arranged together in a group by themselves.
It is advisable to keep the surroundings of Zygo-
petalum and its congeners moist at all times, and
every precaution should be taken to protect the
plants from dry currents of air, or nisect pests
will attack them. If any of the plants enume-
rated require repotting, it may be done at once ;
they succeed well in pots or shallow pans filled
with Osmunda fibre and Sphagnum-moss ; use
rather more moss than fibre, add plenty of small
crocks, and some coarse silver sand. The pots
should be about three p.%i-ts filled with material
for drainage, and, wh«n repotting, keep the base
of each plant well above the rim of the pot. Do
not lu'ess the compost too firmly about the roots.
Fill the receptacles nearly to the rim with the soil,
and cover the s'liface with a layer of living Sphag-
num-moss, heaping it in the form of a cone about
the base of the stems. Healthy, established
plants that do not need repotting may be re-
surfaced with living Sphagntmi-moss. Stenia
fimbriata and Chondorrhynca Chesterton re-
quire the same treatment. The dwarf-grow-
ing Promenreas thrive best in small, Well-
arained shallow pans, which may be suspended

iji a cool, shady part of the Odontoglossum
or jMasdevallia house. They do not require
nearly so much water at the root as the others
mentioned, nor do they appreciate overhead
watering.

Li/caste. — Plants in cool housjs will be pass-
ing out of flower. When growth recommences,
let such plants as require repotting be attended
to at once. Lycastes root freely in the same kind
of compost as recommended for Cattleyas and
Lslias. After repotting, be careful not to over-
water the plants, as the young growths are liable
to rot if too much moisture be given before the
plants are well rooted. Lycaste gigantea, L. ful-
vescens, L. lanipes, L. Dyeriana, L. macrobulbon,
L. Candida, L. Harrisuniie, L. tetragona, and L.
plana (inacrophylla) do best in a house having an
intermediate temperature. All Lycastes, when
well rooted, delight in copious waterings. The
foliage should be carefully watched for red
spider, and. whether these insects be present or
not, it is advisable to sponge the leaves periodi-
cally, as a preventive.

Demhohiums. — Plants of the raceme-flowering
Dendrjbiums, including D. thrysiflorum, D.
densiflorum, D. Schnideri, D. Griffithianum, D.
Farmeri, D. chrysotoxum, D. suavissimum, D.
fimbriatum, D. f. oculatuni, D. calceolus. D. cla-
vatiini, and D. moschatiini, that are now showing
their flower-buds, should be afforded a little more
water at the root than hitherto, and a slightly
warmer temperature. Light sprayings overhead
on warm, bright days will also assist the e.xpan-
sion of the flowers.

Warrea tricolor. — This pretty Colombian ter-
restrial Orchid is now in full growth, and should
be afforded a shady position in the cool inter-
mediate house. If grown in too warm a house,
thrips are sure to attack it, and, should they get
low down in the growths, it is almost impossible
to eradicate them. Trying to clear them out by
brush or sponge is practically useless. Even
when grown in this comparatively cool tempera-
ture, it is advisable to temporarily remove the
plant to any house that is being fumigated or
vaporised. Liberal supplies of water should be
given till growth is completed.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Itunner Beans. — The ground for this crop
should be prepared in the same manner as for
Peas. Sow the seed in double rows made
9 inches apart, allowing a distance of 8 feet be-
fore sowing the next pair of rows. When the
plants have grown a few inches above the
ground draw the soil around them and place
strong, tall stakes along the rows, making them
very firm to withstand the -wind. A little pro-
tection may be afforded the seedlings by placing
branches of Spruce or other evergreens along the
rows. Slugs must be guarded against, the best
deterrent being a dusting of hot lime applied
ill the early morning. To produce a very early
crop of Runner Beans it is be.«t to sow the
seeds in 4-inch pots and to keep the plants in
cold frames until danger from frost is pa.st. The
climbing Butt^'r Bean and Veitch's climbing
Kidney Bean may also be sown now, allowing a
space of 6 feet between the rows. Jlake fre-
quent sowings of dwarf French Beans in rows at
2 to 3 feet apart, according to the variety, allow-
ing the greater distance in the case of a strong-
growing kind such as Prodigy.

Tomato. — Plants intended for planting out-of-
doors are now ready for shifting into 6-iiich pots,
where they may remain until planted out. For
potting employ turfy loam and leaf-moula, and
make the soil moderately firm. Place them in a
cold frame, and keep the lights closed for a few
days : afterwards they must be gradually
hardened oft, so as to be ready for planting out
early in June.

Enrlire. — Make a small sowing of curled En-
dive in rows di'awn 15 inches apart and 1 inch
deep. As soon as the plants are large enough
they should be transplanted, selecting rich
ground, which shv.iuld be frequently stirred with
the Dutch hoe to assist the plants to grow
quickly.

Onions. — Spring-sown Onions should have the
soil about them stirred with the hoe as soon as
they show plainly in the rows. Dust the bed
with siiot and lime in equal proportions, in order
to ward off the Onion maggot. Do not thin the

plants tco far apart unless large bulbs are de-
sired, in which case a distance of 9 inches will
not be too much. In order to obtain large
Onions, a mulching of farmyard manure should
be applied in dry weather, and afterwards a good
soaking of water. Autumn-sown Onions will
novy be growing freely, and may be given a
sprinkling of guano or some other fertiliser. Hoe
the ground after the manure is applied, in order
to keep down weeds.

Cucumbers. — Where these are grown in flat
pits, the growth should be kept well thinned,
and the leading shoots pegged to the Foil in order
that they may produce roots. Remove any old
leaves that can be spared, and pinch the shoots
at the second joint beyond the fruit, and take
all other means to avoid overcrowding of the
branches or foliage. Admit fresh air very spar-
ingly, and be cautious in the use of the syringe,
or mildew will make its appearance. Fresh beds
for planting may be made of leaves and stable
manure ; young plants put out now will give
better results than those that were planted six
weeks ago. Cucumber plants that are growing
freely in houses may be given frequent doses of
liquid manure. Top-dress the rotjts with turfy
loam and farmyard manure, remembering that it
is better to afford fresh rooting material in small
quantities and often than a lot at one time. Keep
the foliage well thinned, and endeavour to jiro-
mote a clean, healthy growth. The temperature
at night should be 75°, and it may reach 85° to
90° in the daytime, when the sun is shining.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACLcK, Gardener to Sir I-^rnest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Perpftual-fruitinr/ Slrawberriet<. — Plants
which were potted up as runners last October
will now be ready for placing in 5-iiich pots, in
which they will fruit. Use good fibrous loam,
with a little well-decayed manure and mortar
rubble, and pot tirmly. The best position for
them during the summer months is where it is
.shaded during the hottest part of the day. As
the fiuit is most valued when the outdoor Straw-
berries are finished, the flowers should be picked
off until the middle or end of Augu.st. Attend
carefully to watering, and when the pots are full
of roots afford regular supplies of food, either
as liquid manure or top-dressings of some far-
tiliser. Syringing may be practised in the even-
ings of hot days, to prevent attacks of red spider.
When the fruit is set. support the trusses with
forked twigs and move the plants to a shelf in a
cool house, wherj the berries will ripen. By
growing successional batches of plants, the fruit-
ing season may be prolonged until well into
November.

Plum trees in pot.<. — The fruits on the earliest
trees have now " stoned," and are swelling.
Some of the trees may be placed in a high tem-
perature, say 70'^ at night time, and given liberal
treatment until the fruit begins to ripen, with a
view to early production of fruit. The house*
in which the main batch of trees is accommodated
may be kept at a temperature of 60° to 65^ at
night, w ith a proportionate increase by day.
Feed the roots with manure and soot water.
Syringe the foliage in the afternoon whenever the
weather is favourable and vaporise with a nico-
tine preparation on the first sign of aphis. The
young growth should be pinched back to two or
three leaves. Where the weight of the f.-uit
causes the branches to droop, it will be necessary
to tie them to a stake placed near the centre of
the pot, exposing the fruit to sun and air.

Apple and Pear trees in pots. — These should
not be subjected to such a high temperature as
that advised for Plums. Fire-heat should be
used sparingly, and advantage should be taken
of sun-heat by closing the house early enough to
raise the temperature a few degrees, syringing
the trees vigorously at the same time.

Cucu)nt/ers. — The plants, when in full bearing,
will require fi'equent attention in pinching and
regulating the gi'owths. Keep the shoots rather
thinly disposed over the trellis, removing any
worn-out or useless growths, to make room for
young shoots. Do not over-crop, but remove
some of the young fruits where they have set
thickly ; also cut out any which are crooked or
deformed. Keep the plants in good health by
affording liberal supplies of water and food, and
endeavour to keep the foliage in a clean, healthy
condition by syringing with tepid water. Sow
seeds at intervals for successional crops.

298

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE,

[May 7, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to the PUB-
LI5MtK, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden,

vv.c.

'Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
tor uainini;, sJwuld be addressed to the EUIIORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Oarden. London.

Covxmumcatiuns should be writti-.n on oni: side only of
THE PAPEH, sent as early i/i the laeek as possible and duly
signed bv the writer. Ij desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee 0/ good faith.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ff Editors do not
undettake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents,

'Illustrations.- T^f Editors ivill be glad to receive and to select
photogtaphs or drtwings, suitable for teproductton, of
^aidens. or of remarkable plants, Jloivers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Local News.—Cor>espondents ivill greatlyoblige bysendingto
the Editots early intelligence of local events likely to be of
intetest to our readers, or of any matterswhichit is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

fiewspapers.— Correspondents setuiing newspapers should be
care/ulto mark the paragraphs they ivish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, MAY 9-

Surveyors' Inst. meet. United Hort. Ben. & Prov. Soc.
Coin. meet.
FRIDAY, MAY 13— Devon County Sli. at Exmouth (3 days).

Average Mean TEMrERATuriK for the ensning week,
deduced from observations during the last Filty Years
at Greenwich— £32".
Actual Temperatures: —

London.— [I'crfmsi^rtj)', May 4 (6 p.m.) : Max. 52";
Min. 42".
Cai-temis' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, l,oadoa.— Thursday, May 5
(10 A.M.): Bar. 29-6; Temp. 61"; Wiather—
Raining.
Provinces. — Wednesday, May 4; Max. 48" Cornwall;
Min. 40° Scotland S.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY -

The " Exhims " Collection of Orchids, by order of the
Exors. of the late J. Forster Alcock, Esq. ; at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris, at 1.

"WEDNESDAY—

Herbaceous and Border Plants, Hardy Bulbs, &c., at 12 ;
Palm=, Bays, Greenhouse Plants, Designs in Larch, &c.,
at 3 ; at 67 & 68 Cheapside, E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY-

Greenhouse, Bedding, Climbing and Hardy Plants; at
St. John's Nurseries, Worcester, re R. Smith & Co.,
Ltd. ; in Voluntary Liquidation, by Protheroe & Morris,
at 11.30.

FRIDAY—

imported Cattleya Mendelii and Dendrobium Bronclt.
hardlii, also imported Brazilian and other Orchids,
Established Orchids, &c. ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.C.,
by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The contribution from Dr.
Breeding Henry, Reader in Fore.stry in

_. . the University of Cambridge,

Timber. •' , • i

which we prmted recently, is de-
serving of the close attention of all interested
in the development of forestry in this country.

Dr. Henry's experiments in breeding timber
trees, though as yet in an initial .stage,
have thrown light already on many problems
which have vexed the minds of botanists for
generations.

As he points out, certain trees, for example,
Elms and Poplars, are characterised by the
possession of numerous varieties, each variety
differing from the specific forms, not in one
character only, but in an assemblage of cha-
racters. For example, the Huntingdon Elm
(Ulmus vegeta), though it has many of the
characters of Ulmus glabra, has also some
•of those of U. montana. It also possesses to
a remarkable degree the power of rapid
growth. Other trees, for example the Beech,
do not give ri.se to varieties of a kind similar
to those exhibited by the Elm. Thus the
Beech, though it has produced numerous
sports, e.g., purple and copper Beech, the
fern-leaved Beech and so on, has, in this
•country, no varieties which are distinguished

from the .specific form by what we have called
already an assemblage of characters.

Dr. Henry points out in this connection that
the trees of the former kind. Elm, Poplar,
&c., occur here as more than one species,
whereas the trees of the latter kind occur as
only one species.

He iherefore suggests that the many varie-
ties of Elm and Poplar which occur in various
parts of the country are descendants of
species-crosses.

The truth of this suggestion he has con-
firme<l by breeding experiments, the details of
which are given on p. 257. With the important
and interesting Mendelian results which such
experiments have yielded we are not now con-
cerned. What is of the greatest importance
from the practical point of view is Dr. Henry's
conclusion that the extraordinary vigour and
superior rate of growth of many varieties of
Elm, Willow, and other trees are but mani-
festations of the phenomenon, thoroughly well
known to horticulturists, of the increased
vitality exhibited by first crosses.

As Dr. Henry points out, if forestry is to be
engaged in successfully on a large scale in
this country, it is essential that quick-grow-
ing trees, tlie timber of which is of consider-
able commercial value, should be planted.

The result of his investigations leads him to
the fertile suggestion that such quick-growing
trees may be obtained by doing artificially and
scientifically for plants like the Ash what
nature has been doing obscurely and casually,
namely, making first crosses. By crossing
Ulmus glabra and U. montana, nature has
produced quick-growing varieties like the
Huntingdon Elm. Why should not man do
the like for such trees as the Ash, wiiich occur
naturally in this country as a single species ?

We hope tliat Dr. Henry's invitation to
those interested in forestry to co-operate with
him in breeding experiments along the lines
which he has indicated will , meet with a
general and effective response.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — Mr

Talbot Clifton's collection of Orchids at
Lytham Hall includes many rare and beautiful
species, one of the fine.st in bloom at the present
time being the beautiful Vanda suavis pallida
Clittonii, shown in the Supplementary Illustra-
tion. It is in one of the houses as a
centre piece to a group of other notable plants,
including choice forms of Vanda tricolor, specie.s
of Aerides. Saccolabium, and Angraecum. Vanda
suavis pallida Cliftonii is by far the best of the
extremely rare albino varieties of Vanda tricolor
suavis. The flowers are pure white, with mark-
ings of soft greenish-yellow. Phalfenopsis also
thrive admirably at Lytham under the care of
Mr. Float, the gardener. The house in which
these plants are grown is a low, lean-to structure
well sheltered by trees, and in all respects well
adapted to their needs. The Phaltenopsis are
handsome on account of their elegant foliage.
A good example of the growth which these
plants make in these gardens is seen in specimens
of P. violacea collected wild by Mr. Talbot
Clifton. The foliage of the collected plants is
now three times as large as that of the wild
plants. The house in which the Phalaenopsis
are staged also contains a fine collection of
Bulbophyllums and Cirrhopetalums, whilst in
other houses are displays of Cattleyas, Laelio-
Cattleyas, Angrfecums, Lycastes, and Odonto-
glossums. Most of the Orchid houses contain
some charming little species not common in gar-
dens. Mr. Talbot Clifton has a large number

of paintings, forming quite a gallery, of his best
plants, skilfully executed by Miss M. Walters
Anson, who has reproduced the flowers in
colours in the most artistic and faithful manner.

Surveyors' Institution. — The next ordinaiy
general meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall
of the Institution on Monday, M»y 9, when the
adjourned discussion on Jlr. R, F. Grantham's
and Mr. W. Menzies' papers on " Road Making
and Dust Prevention " will be continued. Mr.
Howard Martin (past president) will re-open the
discussion.

The late Baron Schroder. — The follow-
ing note has been entered in the minute
book of the Council of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society, May 3, 1910.—" The Council
of the R.H.S. desire to be entered on the minutes
of their proceedings their deep sense of the great
loss sustained by the horticulturists of this king-
dom by the death of Baron Schroder, a loss
falling with additional severity on the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society, of which the Baron had for
more than five-and-twenty years past been a most
generous supporter and a constant friend and
councillor. The Council also wish to put on
record their opinion that, without the Baron's
insistive energy, the Society might even yet have
been without its present excellent hall and offices,
which it owes in no small degree to his initiative
and liberality. It is further resolved that the
Council, acting on behalf of the Society, estab-
lishes in memory of the Baron a perpetual life
pensionership, under the rules and regulations of
the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution, such
pensioner to be called ' the Baron Schroder pen-
sioner.' "

Japan - British Exhibition. — A congress
relating to women's work m agriculture will be
held at the Shepherd's Bush Exhibition on July
5 and 6. The details are being arranged by the
Hon. Frances Wolseley, Principal of the
Glynde School for Lady Gardeners in Sussex, and
the Viscountess Falmouth will act as president.
The following subjects are down for discussion :
lady gardeners, lady gardeners for the Colonies,
landscape gardening and expert advice, jobbing
gardening, American landscape gardening,
French gardening, market gardening, co-opera-
tion amongst ladies in gardening. Nature study,
lady farmers, bee-keeping, poultry-keeping,
dairying, pony breeding, fruit farming, and fruit
preserving. It is hoped that Mr. H. Inicjo
Trigos will speak on " The Importance of De-
sign in the Garden."

The Shirley Poppy in South Africa. —

When the Rev. W. Wilks fir.st obtained, by
selection, this beautiful form of the wild Poppy,
he probably never imagined the fame to which it
would attain, for Shirley Poppies are favourites
in many parts of the world. Mr. James Hall,
the veteran florist of Johannesburg, frequently
sends flowers of Shirley Poppies in his letters to
his friends in England. According to this gen-
tleman, the plants seed freely in his garden,
and the flowers of those self-sown are frequently
finer than those sown under cultivation. They
are in great demand in the colony as cut flowers,
esiJecially for table decorations, as much as 20s.
being often paid at a single purchase of these
blooms.

The Development Bill.— The names of the
members of the Commission to which the carrying
out of the purposes of the Development Bill is
entrusted were announced in Parliament last
week, It is a matter for satisfaction that Mr.
A. D. Hall, the Director of Rothamsted, is
one of the members of the Commission, for nil
who know his admirable work at that station
will feel confident that the claims of agricultural
and horticultural research will be urged with
authority and success by Mr. Hall on the other
members of the Commission.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

299

"The Botanical IVIagazine." — The issue
for May contains illustrations and descriptions of
the following plants : —

Cymbidium tnsigne, tab. 8312. — The species
was first described in the Gardener/ Chronicle,
June 18. 1904^ p. 387, by Mr. R. A. Rolfe, from
dried specimens and a coloured drawing sent to
Kew by Mr. G. Schneider, who received them
from Mr. G. Bronck.\rt, the discovei-er of the
plant in Annam. At the meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society on February 14, 1905,
Messrs. S.iNDER & Sons exhibited a flowering
plant before the Orchid Committee under the
name of Cymbidium Sanderi, the plant receiving
a First-class Certificate. Messrs. Sander's speci-
men was sketched by Mr. Worthington Smith,
and figured in the Gardeners' Chronide,
February 29, 1905, under the specific name of
Sanderi.

Primula Forrestii, tab. 8313. — This hand-
some, yellow-flowered Primula is named in com-
pliment to Mr. Geo. Forrest, who discovered it
whilst plant collecting for Messrs. Bees, Ltd., in
Yunnan, China. The plant is figured in Gar-
deners' Ohronirle, May 1, 1907, p. 274, fig. 117,
the accompanying text being furnished by Prof.
Balfour.

nothofagus antarctica, var. uliginosa, tab.
8314. — This is a tree widely distributed in tem-
perate South America ; it is a near relative of the
Beeches. Sir Joseph Hooker introduced plants
to this country 70 years ago, but the tree is so
rare in this country that only one well-known
specimen exists ; this grows at Hafndunos, Den-
bighshire. In 1902 seeds were brought from Chili
by Mr. H. J. Elvves, and the young trees raised
from these are growing with remarkable vigour,
so that it appears likely to become permanently
established in this country. The material from
which the figure in the Bolaniral Magazine was
drawn was obtained from a tree growing near
the pagoda in Kew Gardens. Mr. Elwes states
that in the plant's natural habitat the leaves turn
a brilliant red in the month of February. Speci-
mens have been found to succeed best at Kew,
planted in a sandy loam mixed with a little peat.

CoRNUS FLORIDA, VAR. RUBRA, tab. 8315. — This
rose-ccloured variety is sometimes met with in a
wild state in the middle and southern United
States of America. The plant will only succeed
in few situations in these islands, and at Kew
Gardens it always requires protection. But it
flourishes in the garden of Mr. B. E. C. Cham-
bers. Grayswood Hill, Haslemere, who supplied
the material for the figure. Its nearest congeners
are C. Nuttallii and C. Kousa. In a wild state
Cornus florida forms a tree sometimes 40 feet
high, but in cultivation it rarely attains to more
than 15 feet in height. The bark yields the bitter
principle known as Cornine, a drug sometimes
used in medicine.

Ac.inthopanax Henryi, tab. 8315. — The
species was first discovered by Pr. Henry in
Central China, and was introduced to cultivation
by Messrs. Veitch & Sons through their collector
Wilson. Plants growing in the Coombe Wood
Nursery of this firm are 5 feet high and as much
through. The branches are thorny and the leaves
compound, like an Aralia. The inflorescence
greatly resembles that of the Ivy, the flowers
bting succeeded by globose heads of black fruits.
A drug is obtained from the roots. The plant
grows well in ordinary soil and is hardy.

The Physiology of Pruning. — In a brief
but excellent article in the Journal of the Royal
Horticultural Society (Vol. 35. Part III., March,
1910), Mr. E. A. Bunyard discusses the physi-
ology of pruning. After a short account of the
mode of nutrition of the plant by means of its
roots and leaves, the writer considers the origin

of the differences between fruit-buds and wood-
buds, and the manner in which pruning may
modify their development. To young gardeners
in particular we recommend Mr. Bunyard's
thoughtful and lucid exposition of the funda-
mental principles which underlie the practice of
pruning.

The Poet Bjornson and Spade-Work. —

The Norwegian poet .and patriot, Bjornstjerne
Bjornson, whose death occurred last week, was
remarkable no less for his physical than mental
energy. In illustration of his love of physical
exercise, Mr. Edmund Gosse, writing in the
Westminster Gazette, on April 27, relates the
following characteristic remarks of the poet : —
" JIusic is my amusement, and digging is my
recreation. You smile when I say digging is my
recreation ; but it is so. Your Gladstone felled
Oaks, I dig with a spade, and I am more pleased
at having my name on a spade than on a book."

The "Lours van Houtte" Centenary

Fetes. — We understand that the arrangements
in connection with the celebration of the hun-
dredth anniversary of the birth of Louis van
Houtte, to which we referred last week, are now
approaching completion. Those taking part in
the commemoration will assemble round the
statue of VAN Houtte, at Gendbi-ugge, and will
witness a floral fete of decorated cars and groups
representing epi.sodes in the life of this distin-
guished man. The firm of van Houtte has or-
ganised, as a tribute to his memory, an exhibi-
tion which will include a display of all the plants
introduced into cultivation by the founder of the
firm. Finally, it is intended to publish as a sou-
venir of the occasion a brochure, giving a bio-
graphy of the subject of these celebrations.

Experimental Greenhouses in America.

— The determination to develop American hurti-
culture on scientific lines has led florists in
several States to erect ranges of greenhouses to be
used exclusively for the purposes of research.
Thus, according to the Florists' Exchange.
the State Florists' As.sociation of Illinois — the
pioneers in this enterprise — has been instru-
)nental in securing the erection of what may
not inappropriately be called research conserva-
tories. Buffalo has made a start in a similar
direction, and now New York florists are engaged
in urging the support of a bill recently intro-
duced to build and equip a range of glasshouses
and service building for teaching floriculture at
Cornell University.

The Influence of Light on the Germi-
nation OF Seeds. — Tliough, tor the most part
feeds germinate as readily in darkness as in
light, there are numerous exceptions to this rule.
Thus, according to E. Heinricher (Wiesner
Festschr. Wien.. 1908), light exerts a markedly
accelerating influence on the germination of the
" pitcher plants " Saracenia flava and Darling-
tonia californica. Again, the seeds of the
Javanese epiphyte. Rhododendron javanicum, are
incapable of germinating in the dark, but since
this is true also of other non-epiphytic species,
for example. Rhododendron hirsutum and R.
ferrugineum, the peculiarity is not to be regarded
a^ an adaptation to an epiphytic mode of life.
Veronicas, e.g., V. perigrina, are also other
plants whose seeds germinate more rapidly in
light than in darkness. In the case of minut«
spores, e.g., of the Ferns, the reason for their
failure to germinate in darkness is not far to
seek. Unless they are exposed to light they
cannot manufacture the food materials neces-
sary for growth, and for such spores to begin
to germinate before light fulls upon them would
be fatal. But in the case of the seeds of

the above-mentioned plants there are suffi-
cient stores of reserve materials laid up in the
cotyledons or endosperm, and, therefore, the ex-
planation of their curious behaviour must be
sought in some other — at present unknown —
direction. It might naturally be supposed that
the accelerating influence of light on germination
is primarily a temperature effect — that the light
exercises its influence by raising the temperature
of the seed bed. This, however, appears not to
be the case. That the subject is one of some
importance in practice — for example, to seeds-
men— is evident from the experiments of Laschke
(Landw. Versuchstation Ixv., p. 295, 1907), who
finds that among Grasses, Poa pratensis is very
sensitive to lisiht. Whereas only 4 to 6 per cent,
of its seeds germinate in the dark and 67 to 70
per cent, in weak daylight, 85 to 88 per cent,
germinato in direct sunlight. Similar results
were obtained with Anthoxantura and Cynosurus
cristatus. Those whose business it is to make
germination tests of many kinds of seeds should
bear these facts in mind, and also remember
that what is the best germination method for one
kind of seed is not suitable for others.

Garden Planning. -Mr. T. Fisheb Unwin
will shortly publish Mr. W. S, Rogers's book
Garden Planning. A feature of the work will
be a series of plans drawn to scale for various
sites and aspects. In all, there will be 150 prac-
tical drawings.

Publications Received. — Supple-
ment to the Journal of the Board of Agri-
culture. Reports on the Work of the Inter-
national Agricultural Institute, by Count Paina
and M. Louis Dop. (London: R. Clay & Sms.)
Price a.— New Zealand Department of Agri-
culture. Annual Report, 1909. Division of
Biology and Horticulture, by T W. Kirk ; Vete-
rinary Division. Bovine Contagious Mammitis,
by J. A. Gilruth ; Two Diseases affecting Preg-
nant Ewes, by J. A. Gilruth ; Leaflets for Far-
mers, No. 80 : Root-Crops ; Dairy Division. Bul-
letins : New Zealand Dairy-Produce on the
British Market, by D. Cuddle ; Review of the
Work of th3 1907-8 Season, by W. M. Singleton ;
Pasteurisation of Skim-niilk and Whey, by D.
Cuttie ; Review of the Work of the 1908-9 Season,
by D. Guddie, (Wellington : John Jfackav,
Government Printer.)— Prmcipcs Generaux de
la Culture des Plantes en Pots, by M. A. Petit.
(Paris ; 79, Boulevard St, Germain, Librairie
Hachette et Cie.)— Field Experiments in Staf-
fordshire and Shropshire. Joint Report for
Season 1909. (Stafford : J. & C. Mort, Ltd.,
89, Greengate Street.) Price Is.— One & All
Garden Books, edited by Edward Owen Greening.
Cabbages, by H. J. Wright. (London: Agricul-
tural & Horticultural Association, Ltd., 92, Long
Acre, W C.) Price 16.— United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture (Bureau of Entomology
Bulletins.) List of Publications of the Bureau
of Entomology, compiled by Mabel Colcord,
Librarian ; Control of the Brown-Rot and Plum
Curculio on Peaches, by W. M. Scott and A. L.
Quaintance ; The Clover Root-Borer, by P. M.
Webster ; The Larger Com Stalk-Borer, by
George G. Ainslie ; The Western Grass-Stem
Sawfly, by P. M. Webster and George I. Reeves.
Bureau of Plant Industry : -American Export
Corn (Maize) in Europe, by John D. Shanahan
and Clyde E, Leighty and Emil G. Boerner
(Washington: Government Printing OiBce) —
University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment
Station, Urbana. The Live Stock Situation in
Illinois, by Herbert W. Mumford ; Economy of
the Round Dairy Barn, by Wilber J. Eraser;
Growing Tomatos for Early Market, by John W,
Lloyd and I. S. Brooks. (Urbana, Illinois.) —
National Rose Society's Handbook on the
Fungus and Insect Pests of the Rose, entitled
The Enemies of the Rose, by George Massee and
Fred V. Theobold ; edited by the Hon. Secretary,
Mr. Edward Mawley, Rosebank, Berkhamsted,
Herts. National Rose Society'sRase Annual for
1910, edited by the Hon. Secretary. (Croydon :
Jesse W. Ward, Advertiser Office, High Street.) —
The Journal of Botany, British and Foreign,
edited by James Britten. (London : West, New-
man & Co., 5i, Hatton Garden, E.G.) Price Is. 8d.

^00

THE GARD ENER S' CHR 0 NI CL E.

FMay 7. 1910.

BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL SHOW.

THE first of a series of international horticul-
tural shows which will be held in the
grounds of the Brussels Universal Exhibi-
tion was opened to the public on Saturday,
the 50th ult. The grounds utilised for the pur-
poses of the Universal Exhibition are some 200
acres in extent, and are situated at about
4 miles north-west of the centre of the city, be-
yond the well-known Avenue Louise, with its
fine avenues of Chestnut trees. The site is,
therefore, favourably placed in one of the most
charming suburbs ; moreover, it is pleasantly un-
dulating, and capable of being made very pretty.
But, as happens in many similar cases, the Brus-
sels exhibition has been opened to the public
whilst it is still in a stale of unpreparedness,
and, for this reason, visitors to the first horticul-
tural show had no opportunity of seeing the ex-
hibition grounds at their best. The horticul-
tural display would, doubtless, have been
postponed, but for the fact that the flowering-
season for Rhododendron indicum and most of
the New Holland plants was nearing its end, and
these species are indispensable plants at all spring
flower shows in Belgium.

In order to properly appreciate the Belgian e.x-
hibitions, English visitors should remember that
the great lack of hardy flowers, such as are shown
in great numbers at our T(«-.iple shows is mainly
due to the fact that there are very few ama-
teur gardeners in Belgium, and that, there-
fore, the displays at exhibitions are largely con-
tributed by members of the trade. Not only is
this the case, but Belgian nurserymen cultivate
most cf their plants for exportation, compara-
tively few being sold in Belgium itself. The chief
plants exported from the Ghent district are Aza-
leas, Aroids, Palms, and other fine foliage plants
for stove and greenhouse culture, including im-
mense numbers of Araucarias and Aspidistras,
and such out-door plants as Bays, Yuccas, and
Dracaenas. It is these species which form the
main feature at the Belgian exhibitions, and even
the Ghent quinquennials owe much of their effec-
tiveness to the unrivalled groups of specimen
Azaleas and Rhododendrons, whose brilliant
colouring is relieved by magnificent foliage plants.

In any consideration of the Brussels show,
allowance must be made for circumstances quite
beyond the control of the committee of manage-
ment, chief amongst the^^e being the cost of trans-
porting great specimen-plants from the Ghent
district, which is the centre of the horticultural
trade in Belgium. It is easy enough to send
smaller plants, such as are exported, but quite
another matter to deal with the large plants
which are kept year after year exclusively for
show purposes. Then, as at Berlin, there is in
Brussels a lack of the perfect organisation which
exists at Ghent. For the last-named town has
been accumulating experience gradually and labo-
riously from decade to decade. It is scarcely
surprising, therefore, that the Brussels show,
whilst resembling a Ghent quinquennial in its
general character, was, nevertheless, of much
smaller proportions.

The display was arranged in one of the tem-
porary buildings, the area of which »-as 6,000
square metres. It possessed a raised platform at
one end, which was utilised for the Orchids ; but
most of the other exhibits were arranged in
groups on the floor of the hall. The general
effect was marred by the brilliaTitly-coloiu'ed flags
— red, yellow, and black — which were arranged
on every pillar of the building, and detracted
from the colours of the flowers.

The authorities of the Universal Exhibition
are primarily responsible for the temporally
shows, and a certain amount of financial as-
sistance is afforded by the State.

The jury assembled on the morning of Friday,
the 29th ult., and, after the adjudication was
completed, the members were entertained at
luncheon. On the evening of the same day the
jury were invited to be present at a banquet pro-
vided by the Presidents of the Committee of
Organisation, MM. Victor du Pre and Firmin
Lamb •;.•;:. \^

On the following morning, the guests invited
to take part in the horticultural congress assem-
bled in the Congress Hall, when speeches were

APRIL 30— MAY 3.

made by M. le Baron E. de Kerchove d'Exaerde,
Preside'nt of the Committee, and others. After-
wards,- the members were grouped into the
various sections, and the congress was adjourned
until the following Monday. The subjects dis-
cussed during the" subsequent proceedings were
enumerated in last week's issue, and certain of
them are referred to more fully this week on
p. 289.

On Sunday, the guests were invited to Laeken,
for the purpose of visiting the King's private
gardens and the " Colonial garden." The latter
is a State garden, containing a large and interest-
ing collection of economic plants from the Belgian
colonies.

Although the congress and the exhibition were
held cuifcurrentlv. they were quite separate
events, under different auspices and manage-
ment, whilst the guests at one were not
necessarily guests at both. The president of the
Congress Committee was M. le Baron de Ker-
chove d'Exaerde : and the Vice-Presidents, JIM.
Arthur de Smet, President of the Chambre Syn-
dicale des Horticulteurs Beige, and Firmin Lam-
beau, President of the Societe Royal Linneenne
Brussels, The general secretary wa.'^ M. le Court*
Adrien de Rib.nucourt, Secretary of the Federa-
tion des Societes horticoles du I3rabant, and the
assistant secretary M. Edgar Rodigas, who car-
ried out all the arrangrmcnU,

The Presidents of the Exhibition Committee
were MM, V. du Pre, President of the Societe
Royale de Flore, and Fii-min Lambeau ; and the
secretary, M. Louis Gentil, Secretary of the So-
ciete Royale de Flore, Brussels, assisted by M. N,
Seghers, Secretary of the Societe Royal Lin-
neenne, ^ •

The exhibition was visited by the King and
Queen on Monday, May 2, Their Majesties
stayed for rather more, than two hours, and in-
spected the exhibits in detail.

On Wednesday there was a farewell banquet,
after which the "proceedings of the congi-ess and
exhibition terminated.

The Jury.
The jury for the exhibition consisted of 92
members. The President was M, Truffaut, Vice-
President of the S.N, d'llort. de France, and the
Vice-Presidents, Mr. W. Watson (Kew), Arthur
de Smet, President of the Conseil Superieur
d'Horticulture Beige. The English members of the
jury were Mr, W, Watson (president of Section
l),'jlr, Stuart Low, Bush Hill Park, Enfield
(president of Section 5), and Mr. R. Hooper
Pearson (president of Section 4),

Visitors from Engl.^nd.
In addition to the members of the R.H.S. depu-
tation to the congress and the three jurors who
officiated at the exhibition, there were present
about 50 English visitors, including a company of
22 members of the horticultural trade, who
formed a party organised by Mr, J. S, Brunton,

Orchids.

Belgium, France and England were the coun-
tries represented in the Orchid section. The
plants were staged on a raised platform about 300
feet in length, extending along the whole of one
side of the exhibition building. Thanks to suit-
able draping and a favourable light, the plants
were seen to advantage, and, by means of hot-
water pipes, the air on that side of the building
was kept fairly warm. The largest group of
plants were shown by M, Firmin Lambeau, to
whose enthusiasm and disinterested efforts the
success of the exhibition was largely due. His
group was composed of 200 plants, and was
awarded a large Gold Medal, Hybrid Odonto-
glossums of the ardontissimum race were the
principal feature, many of the plants, which were
large and well-grown, being unnamed seedlings.
0, Lambeauianum was represented by several
good examples, A superb variety of 0, crispum,
without anv distinctive name, was an attraction,
owing to the large size and good form of its
flowers, which were white, with a large, dark-
coloured blotch on each of the segments. Several

good varieties of 0, eximium ; a beautiful plant
of 0, ramosissimum, bearing a large, branched
spike of hea'. ily-spotted flowers; a fine variety of
0. Bradshav.ife ; good examples of Miltonia vexil-
laria " G. D, Owen " and M, Bleuana grandi-
flora, Zygopetalum Perrenoudii. Dendrobium
Bronckhartii, Cattleya Schriideia; Queen Alexan-
dra. Brasso-Cattleya Senateur de Bast, mauve-
pink, with a large labellum like Cattleya-labiata,
var, aurea ; two well-flowered plants cf the charm-
ing Cattleya intermedia alba, one carrying 21
flowers; a grand lot of Cattleya Lawrenceana,
and some good varieties of C. iNlendelii.

MM, DucHESN-E ET Lanthoine, Bi'ussels, ob-
tained a Gold Medal for a large group compris-
ing many plants of Cattleya Schroderse, Vanda
cffirulea, Sophronitis grandiflora, Cypripedium
bellatulum, Odontoglossum Fascinator nobilior,
0, Dreadnought, Odontioda Devosiana, deop
maroon; Dendrobium Dearei, D. velutinuin, i\Iil-
tonia St, Andrea, with eight spikes, and Phaius
Norman.

M. Ch, Dietrich, Brussels, was awarded a
Gold Medal for a group which included gccd
examples of Brasso-Cattleya Veitchii, Vanda
Imschootiana, Odontioda Lambeauiana, 0, Brad-
shawiae (a very good variety with bright-
scarlet flowers 2 inches across), Miltonias
Bleuana nobilior, aurea and Jlme, IMoore, Phals-
nopsis Rimestadtiana, and a fine but unnamed
variety of Odontoglossum crispum,

M, Ch, Maron, Brunoy, the only French ex-
hibitor, obtained a Gold Medal for a group which
included some well-grow-n examples of Oncidiunis,
Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, &c., including Lselio-
Cattleya Faust, the flowers a singular mixture of
apricot-yellow and pink, and Epi-La;lia distincta,
Lselio-Cattleya Firminii, and its variety superba,
L.-C, Myra var. Fanny, a large, v/ell-flowered
plant of Renanthera Imschootiana and Cattleya
Mendelii Louise de Muntes.

M, Ch, Vuyi.steke, Loochristi, Ghent, showed
a collection of hybrid Odontoglossums of the type
and quality which created so much excitement at
the last Ghent Quinquennial, The plants showed
that excellence of culture, for which this clever
breeder and grower is famed. The most strikin,g
of the hybrids were Prince Leopold, deep choco-
late, with a narrow, whitish margin ; Due
d'Ursel, Euterpe, with very large flowers, spotted
like a leopard ; and Mandarianum, A remarkably
good variety of 0, crispum was called La Per-
fection, and among other plants was a grand
Odontioda named Sensation, and another called
Diana, obtained by crossing 0, Vuylstekese with
0, crispum, and having flowers 2^ inches across.
The flowers were like those of 0. crispum, white,
with a clear blotch of cinnaliar-red on each seg-
ment, and a conspicuous yellow crest. M. Ch.
Vuylsteke was awarded three Gold Medals.

M. Jules Hye showed a glass case containing
a dozen Odontoglossums of first-rate merit.

MM. Theopore Pauwels et Cie were awarded
two medals for a large group, in which there were
many beautiful Orchids, including Brasso-
Cattieyas, Epidendrum atropurpureum and Laelia
harpophylla, with sepals and petals of golden-
yellow colour and the lip white.

Messrs. Charlesvvorth k Co., Hay wards
Heath, Sussex, maintained the reputation of Eng-
land and their own witli a choice collection of
species and hybrids, for which a Gold Medal was
awarded. Miltonia vexillaria Lauree, with very
dark-coloured flowers, almost purple ; Lajlio-
Cattleya Mercia, sulphur yellow ; Cymbidium
Lowianum concolor, Odontoglossum Ceres, a
hybrid between 0. Rolfea' and 0, Rossii ; several
forms of Odontioda Charlesworthii, one a good
crimson ; Trichopilia Backhousiana, Zygocolax
Charlesworthii, an unnamed specimen of Gon-
gora, with white-lipped flowers, and a pair of eye-
like spots on the labellum; Dendrobium nobilo
virginale, &c,

INIessrs, Low & Co,, Enfield, showed a group
in which were good examples of Cymbidium Hol-
fordianum, Cattleya Mendelii, Dendrobium in-
fundibulum. D, crassinode, D. Wardiamini, Odon-
tioda Goodsonii. Odontoglossum Cervantesii, 0.
Pescatorei, and Cirrhopetalum Collettii.

A few imported Orchids were shown by M.

!\Iay 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

301

p.- M. BuiST, 106, Rue Gallait, Brussels, just
as the plants were received and btfore being
potted. (Silver Medal.)

Azaleas and Rhododendrons.

The exhibits of Azalta indica wore quite up to
expectations so far as cultivation and variety
were concerned. The plants were arranged in
large gioups. One contained some specimens
standing from 3 to 6 feet high, witii heads 4 feet
or more in diameter. They were mostly grown
in wooden tubs, and had a clear stem for about
2 feet above the level of the soil. From this
point the branches were tramed out radially from
the top of the main stem, so that the periphery
formed a circle practically as perfect as if it had
been designed by ,, compass. When in blossom,
there are few plants to equal the Indian Azaleas,
either in the freedom with which the blooms are
produced or the brilliant colour effects they pro-
vide. By years of cultivation and selection,
charming forms have been evolved, and, judging
by the smaller seedling plants exhibited at Brus-
sels, there seems tn be no end to the variations
likely to occur. There are many red, crimson,
magenta, rose-purple, salmon, scarlet, and white
varieties known, but the soft pink shades are not
so common. One variety in particular excited
much admiration. It was named " Lady Roose-
velt," and was shown by M. August Haerens,
nurseryman, Somergcm, Belgium. The indi-
vidual blossoms are 3 to 4 inches across, and
E2nii-double. like many other varieties. But the
colour at once arrested attention, being a beau-
tiful pink shade, resembling that of Nermin
Oleander or the American Carnation called Mrs.
Burnett. Lady Roosevelt may prove a good com-
mercial plant, notwithstanding a lack of sub-
stance in the flowers, as it seems to possess great
-\igour and freedom of flowering. Another
variety, having a resemblance to Lady Roose-
velt, was called Rudolf Seydel, but it is not equal
in merit. The colour is of a deeper fleshy pink,
and some of the petals are splashed or streaked
with crimson. The exhibitor of these plants re-
ceived a large Silver JNIedal.

Other Azaleas worthy of mention included one
known as Eclair, a deep brilliant crimson flower,
as clear in colour as a Liberty Rose, and remark-
able for having two distinct blotches of black
spots on the upper petal. Other brilliant crim-
son-flowered Azaleas were Marc Rooman d'Ert-
buer and Apollo, the latter much brighter and
cleaner in colour, both forms being semi-double.
Flambeaux is a distinct single-flowered form,
with magenta-red blossoms; Ferdinand Kegel-
jan. deep rose, spotted with purple; Marquis of
Lome, bright fiery red; Spit I'ire. a brilliant
crimson-scarlet double ; and Oberst von Kutsin-
sky, a fine double scarlet flower.

One cf the chief features amongst the rich,
crimson-coloured varieties was an exhibit of 12
fine plants from M. Ch. Vuylsteke, Loochristy,
near Ghent. A Gilt Medal was awarded for this
group.

White varieties served well to break up the
more vivid colours, and imongst the finest were
indica alba, pure white ; alba magna, white,
faintly tinged with watery green ; Bernard An-
drea alba, a good semi-double flower ; Magni-
fique, faintly flushed with green at the base ; and
Eros, a fine double bloom. There were several
other varieties, more or less well known. One
cf the best amongst the spotted forms was Ver-
vaeneana, a fine old double variety, having
blush -rose petals fading to white on the mai-
gins. and the upper petal being spotted with
bri'4ht crnnson.

The display of hardy Rhododendrons was not
extensive, and many kinds appeared to have
suffered with frost. The plants were from 3 to
4 feet high, and most of them were in tubs.
These w-ere plunged almost up to the rims in
the yellow, sandj soil, which caused the plants
to be somewhat dwarfed in appearance. M.
Jean Bracke Beysi. of Loochristy, Ghent,
appeared to be the only exhibitor, and w-as
.".warded the 1st prize for a very deserving group.
Chief amongst the varieties shown were Mrs.
Thiselton-Dyer, a rich, rose-purple; Kate
Waterer. deep purple, with the upper pital hav-
ing gi'een blotches on a white ground ; and Viola,
a good W'hite-flowered form, with strong, erect
trusses conspicuous for the dark-coloured
anthers. Pink Pearl was shown, but not nearly
so well as this variety is seen frequently in
London. White Pearl, however, made up fo;'

this, liaving large, almost pure white blossoms
when fully expanded, but in the bud state they
are of a bright, rosy pink, which gradually fades
with age.

HlPPEASTRUMS.

The best group of Hippcastrums was brought
from England by Messrs. Ker & Sons, Aig-
burth Nurseries, Liverpool. This firm showed
about 160 plants in flower, including a large
number of varieties exhibiting brilliant colours,
and others fo lightly coloured that they ap-
proached to white. Though the collection had
suffered somewhat durin;g the transit of the
plants from England, it gained five 1st prizes for
Alessrs. Ker. Some very commendable Hippcas-
trums were also shown by the firm of Louis V.4N

HOUTTE, PiiRE.

Carnations.

The best Carnations were .shown by English
nurserymen. Mr. Enoelmann, Saffron Walden,
furnished a good-sized table with a very large
number of cut flowers, representing perpetual-
flowering and Souvenir de la Malmaison varieties.
Mr. Engelmann experienced considerable diffi-
culty in getting his flowers to the exhibition,
but,' notwithstanding this fact, many of the
blooms looked in excellent condition, especially
the deep maroon-crimson variety Carola. A large
Gold Aledal was awarded for this exhibit.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park
Nursery, Enfield, furnished about two dozen
epergnes with well-developed flowers of the tree
and Souvenir de la Malmaison sections. White
Perfection, belonging to the former section, was
in grand condition. (Gold Jledal.)

The interesting nursery of M. Frantz de L.4ET,
at the little Flemis=h village of Contich, near
Antwerp, wao represented by a small group of
Cactaceous plants, some of them grafted speci-
mens. M. DE L.VET raises very large numbers of
Cactus from seeds every year, whilst his grafted
plants, some of them with two or more kinds
upon the same stock, possess very great interest.
Specimens of much larger size were shown by
M. G. Petrick, Nurseryman, Ghent, in a com
petitive class, and gained the 1st prize offered
for this type of plant.

An exhibit of hybrid Gerberas was made by
Mr. R. Adnet, Cap d'Antibes, the flowers
being placed in a semi-cii'cular space on the
floor of the building. The exhibit fell far
short in attractiveness when compared with the
beautiful group shown by M. Adnet at the
Berlin exhibition last year. At the same time,
some of the shades of red and crimson appeared
to be deeper and richer than those shown pre-
viously, thus indicating still further variation in
these dainty flowers.

A gay display was made by a large semi-circu-
lar group of plants exhibited by M. de Bievre,
head gardener to the King. The background of
the group consisted of very large plants of
Hydrangea hortensis, having deep blue flowers.
In front of these blue Hydrangeas other plants
were arranged in the form of ribbons, including
pink Hydrangeas, Schizanthus Wisetonensis,
Cineraria Boule de Neige, Cineraria Bleu d'Azur,
Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, and Celsia Arcturus.
The varieties of Cineraria have both a dwarf,
compact habit, Boule de Neige being especially
worthy of recommendation for its large, pure-
white 'flow-ers. All the plants forming this group
represented good cultivation, and this was recog-
nised in the award of a Diploma and Large Gold
Medal.

Jlessrs. ViLMORiN. Andrieux et Cie.. Paris,
arranged some floral specialities in the form of a
brilliant parterre. The beds contained Cinera-
rias Boule de Neige (already mentioned as being
in the exhibit from Laeken), also stellate and
cactus-flovered Cinerarias, herbaceous Calceo-
larias. Primula obconica, and a distinctly-
coloured Cineraria known as Matador. All these
plants were excellent specimens, and represented
strains equal to the best. A number of medals
were awarded Jlessrs. Vilmokin, Andrieux et
Cie in various classes.

Some very interesting varieties of Hydr^ingea
hortensis were shown by M. E. Moulliere Ven-
noME. France. The variety JIme. E. Mouilliere
had white flowers 4 inches in diameter, with fim-
briated margins; another, known as Mme. A.
Riverain, was rich pink, but free from fimbria-
tion. and less in size. These Hydrangeas are
worth attention, being remarkable novelties.

Primula obconica was well shown by M.
Gustave Fillee, Avenue Circulaire, Uccle, the

flowers being e.xtremely large and showing the
colour development which has recently taken
place in this species.

It has already been stated that fine foliage
plants constituted a prominent feature of the
Show, being equal to those exhibited last year at
Berlin. The best collection of 25 plants with
striped, marbled, or variegated foliage, was
shown by the Societe Anonyme Horticole,
Ghent, and the best dozen plants came from M.
Alexis Dalliere, Ledeberg, Ghent. The firm,
of Louis van Houtte, Pere, Ghent, showed a
fine collection of Sonerillas and Bertolonias, ttie
brilliantly-coloured being little plants in first-rate
condition.

MM. Penninck et Fils, Rue d'Argile, Gend-
brugge, showed some well-developed Dracienas in
considerable variety, gaining 1st prizes for 25
plants with coloured foliage, 12 new varieties,
and several single specimen plants. M. GuiL-
i.aume Gvselinck, ilelle, was another successful
exhibitor of Dracaenas, gaining a 1st prize for 2b
plants of a variety with red-coloured leaves.

Bromeliads are always shown better and in
larger numbers in Belgium than in England, and
Vriesias were particidarly good at Brussels. The
best group of Bromeliads of 30 specimens was
contributed by the well-known amateur, M.
Firmin de Smet, Chateau de Schonwbroek, Vin-
derhaute, while M. Alexis DALLii:RE, Chaussee
d'3 Bruxelles, Ledeberg, Ghent, won a 1st prize
for 25 plants.

In the section for Aroids, the principal plants
were Anthuriums, and for these M. Arther de
Smet won 1st prizes for 25 specimens in
variety and 20 specimens of A. Scherzeri-
anura and its varieties. Another prize,
offered for 25 specimens, was won by M.
Charles Dietrich, Chateau de Val Duchefse,
Auderghem. There were many other classes for
Anthuriums, ami one for Caladiums; we have
only mentioned the most important. The Cala-
diums were not superior to the usual exhibits of
these plants in England.

Turning to the classes for Palms, it may be
eaid that some of the specimens in this section
were noticeable for their free development and
fresh appearance, but we did not discover any-
thing perfectly new in the way of variety. Some
of the specimens of Pha'uix Roebelinii were very
beautiful, again demonstrating the superlative
decorative qualities of this graceful species. Cocos
Bonnetii was also shown well, and many of the
commoner species. The largest collection of
Palms was shown by the Societe Anonyme,
"Flandria." Bruges.

There were groups of well-grown Ferns of
popular species and varieties, but the specimens
were not of great size. Some of the principal
exhibitors, including M. Pynaeet van Geert,
Ghent : JIM. L. & G. Duriez Freres, Won-
delghcm. Ghent ; M.M. L. Jacoe-JI.vckoy et Cie.,
Liege, and the State School or Horticulture,
Ghent.

The presence of considerable numbers of hard-
wooded greenhouse plants, natives of the Cape
and New Holland, gave a distinct complexion to
the show. These species used to be grown largely
in England, but there are now very few collec-
tions in cultivation, and these few are in nur-
series. Even in Belgium they are far less appre-
ciated than formerly, and it is doubtful if there
is any amateur who exhibits much enthusiasm for
them' beyond JL Firmin de Smet, of Vinder-
haute. This disinterested amateur was respon-
sible for all the best specimens at the exhibition,
and he gained l.st prizes for 25 plants, represent-
ing the largest specimens ; 15 plants, and for
single specimen plants of Coriea, Boronia,
elatior. Acacia longifolia. Clianthus, Cytisus
racemosus, Grevillea, Lithospermum fructicosum,
Polygala. Trachelospermum jasminoides. Erica,
&c. Collections of New Holland plants of a
size »:.itable for commerce were best shown by
JIJ.. Daeninck FRi':RES. Evergem. Ghent.

It is seldom that visitors to a horticultural show,
whether national or international in its character,
have the opportunity of seeing such a fine collec-
tion of Lilacs as was shown at Brussels by M.
Florent Stepman de J1ESSEM.4EKER, Jloleubeek.
The plants were in pots, and they not only repre-
sented an extraordinary number of varieties, both
single and double, but each plant was a well
cultivated specimen, bearing a fine lot of bloom.
We noticed, amongst the best varieties. Lucie
Baltet (pale primrose), Roi Albert (violet-col-
oured, single), Louis Spath (the best of the deep
violet-coloured varieties). Princess Clementine

302

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Mat 7, 1910.

(double white), and Francisque Morel (single, pale
primrose). This exhibitor was awarded 1st prizes
for the most representative collection, and for
collections of 50 varieties, 20 varieties, 12 plants
with stems less than one metre, and 12 plants cul-
tivated in small pots.

Araucarias being one of the staple products of
the Ghent nurseries, it was not surprising that
these plants were well represented. A collection
of large specimens, which exhibited considerable
variety and included A. Cunninghamii and A.
excelsa gracilis, was contributed by il. M. J. P.
Hartmann, Nurseryman, Ghent.

Mme. OsTENRiETH-Mor.s, Antwerp, laid out a
considerable space in the exhibition with what
appeared to be something of a Japanese garden,
approached through a Bamboo gateway covered
with Wistarias in flower. There were Japanese
temples, and water, with a rustic bridge, &c.,
whilst the background of painted scenery also
represented a Japanese temple in the crudest
colouring. Many of the principal plants chosen
to furnish the garden were Australian species,
and Ihe mixture of colour was by no means
pleasing.

Fruits and Vegetables.

The season was not sufficiently far advanced for
a large display of fruit, nevertheless, there were
several collections. The most representative ex-
hibit was made by MM. Cordonnier & FiLS,
Bailleul, France. This firm showed Black Ham-
burgh and Frankenthal Grapes, also Peaches,
Plums, Cherries, and Strawberries, all in ripe
samples. MJI. Cordonnier were awarded a
Gold Medal worth 200 francs. Excellent Straw-
berries were also shown by Neuerlandsche
TuiNEONWRAAD (Federation Horticole des Pays-
Bas), Holland.

A first-class collection of all the vegetables in
season was contributed by MM. Vilmorin-An-
DKiEux ET CiE.. Paris, who, with the Neder-
LANDSCHE TuiNBONWRA.\D, were awarded equal
1st prizes (Gold Medals). In MM. Vilmorin-An-
DRIEUX ET CiE.'s exhibit there were many varie-
ties of Lettuces, Cabbages, Carrots, Onions, Leeks
(excellent), Turnips, Asparagus, Peas, Folates,
Beans, Spinach, Salads, &c.

M. Paras, Chateau Royale, Laeken, con-
tributed a number of frames containing vege-
tables and salads, and representing the system of
forcing vegetables common in the neighbour-
hood of Paris, and known in England as " French
gardening." This kind of intensive cultivation
has been much exhibited of late, but, neverthe-
less, the exhibit from M. Paras was one of the
very best description, being far more representa-
tive of the different kinds, both of vegetables
and salads, than the simil.ir exhibits sometimes
seen in England.

The First Banquet.

On the 29th ult., MM. Victor du Pre and
Firmin Lambeau offered a banquet to the mem-
bers of the jury, the management committee of
the show, and the Councils of the Royale Societe
of Flore and the Royale Societe Linneenne.
There were 98 present. Amongst those present
were MM. V. du Pre and Lambeau, the Due
d'Ursel (General Commissioner of the Govern-
ment), ]\IM. E. Keym (Director-General of the
Executive Committee), Storm (General Secretary
of the Commissary Office), Truffaut (President of
Jury), Arthur de Smet (President of the Superior
Council of Horticulture), Brake (General Secre-
tary of Jury), Count A. de Ribaucourt, F. de
Smet, Jaczwsky, and Y. Kagami (Director of
Horticultural College, Chibaken, Japan).

M. Victor du Pre referred to King Leopold,
who had always helped Belgian horticulture as
far as possible, and who was in the habit of de-
scribing himself as a gardener. M. Victor du Pre
was glad that King Albert, by visiting the in-
ternational show, gave evidence of his desire to
follow in his late uncle's footsteps in respect to
his patronage of horticulture.

M. Lambeau said he was rejoiced at the success
of the show, which was due to the valuable ser-
vices rendered by the General Commissiary, and
al! who were connected in an official capacity
with the arrangements.

M. du Pre, in returning thanks for a toast to
himself and M. Lambeau, projjosed by M. Truf-
faut, said they were all deeply indebted to M.
Louis Gentil, the secretary, who had worked
splendidly, rendering valuable service.

In M. Truffaut's speech the speaker drew
special attention to the desirability of free horti-
cultural trading between all countries.

SOCISXIES.

EOYAL HORTICULTURAL.

May 3. — There was again a bright display at
the meeting held on Tuesday last, and the attend-
ance was very large. The exhibition of the
National Auricula and Primula Society being
held at the same time, caused a greater demand
than ever on the space. A very large number of
novelites was submitt'cd to the Floral Com-
mittee for award, no fewer than 11 Awards
of Merit; being conferred. The principal exhibits
in this section were Roses, Carnations, forced
plants. Ferns, and hardy plants.

The Orchid Committee also made several
awards, including three First-class Certificates,
two Awards of Merit, and one Botanical Certi-
ficate.

The Narcissus Committee made two Awards
of Merit to new varieties.

The most important exhibit in the Fruit and
Vegetable Committee was a display of vege-
tables shown by JMessrs. Sutton & Sons. This
body made no award to a novelty.

At 3 o'clock, in the Lecture-room, Dr. A.
Henry delivered a lecture on " Future Forest
Trees."

Floral Committee.

Present: Henrv B. ilav, Esq. (in the Chair),
with Messrs. John Green, 'f . W. Turner, Chas. T.
Druery. W. J. Bean. G. Reuthe, J. F. McLeod,
C. R. Fielder. W. Bain, Arthur Turner, Chas.
Dixon. H. J. Jones, G. Paul, J. T. Bennctt-Poe,
Chas. E. Pearson, E. H. Jenkins. Wm. J. James,
R. G. Reginald Nevill, F. Page Roberts. R. C.
Notcutt, Jas. Hudson, A, Kingsmill, \V. B. Cran-
field, J. W. Barr, Edward Mawley, E. T. Cook,
James Walker, Geo. Gordon, and W. P.
Thomson.

Messrs. S. Low & Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield,
showed splendid Carnations, including Rival, Red
Enchantress, Mrs. Chas. Knapp, Winsor. White
Enchantress, Royal Purple, and Britannia. This
firm .sent also a new Pink named Gloriosa, and
beautiful decorative Roses. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, exhibited
Philadelphus Mer de Glace, Prunus Pissardii
nigra, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, lUicium religio-
sum, and Vitis Coignetise.

j\Ir. D. H. Page, Tangley Nurseries, Hampton,
staged Carnations of the winter-flowering type
in good form and colour. Fine varieties were
Mrs. T. W. Lawson, Enchantress, and Britannia.
(Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Cuteush & Sons, Highgate,
showed magnificent Carnations, including The
President, Jessica, Mikado, Mrs. Burnett, Bri-
tannia, Winsor, W'hite Perfection, Lady C.
Waring, Rose Dore, Marmion, and Afterglow.
The same firm also displayed flowering shrubs and
rock plants. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd, Chelsea, had a
varied exhibit, each individual in which was of
merit. Carnations Enchantress, Britannia, White
Mrs. T. W. Lawson, Beacon. Winsor. and Mrs.
T. W. Lawson ; Primula obconica grandiflora
alba, Richardia Elliottiana. Saxifraga decipiens
grandiflora, hybrid Gerberas, Meconopsis integri-
folia, Primula Unique, and white and rose forms
of double Daisies, with immense flowers, were all
splendid. Messrs. Veitch also contributed plants
of an exceptionally good strain of Schizauthus
and Hydra.ngea hortensia, H. h. rosea, H. h.
Mariesii, H. h. Ornament, with Lilacs and other
flowering shrubs. (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Brilliance of colour and immense size were
conspicuous in the collection of Zonal Pelar-
goniums sent by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons,
Swanley. Hall Caine, Saturn, Vesta, Neptune,
Barbara Hope, Paris, Duke of Bedford. Ascott,
Uranus, Hibernian, Snowstorm, and Umbiia were
particularly good.

Mr. G. H. Cuthbert, Southgate, had a magni-
ficent group of flowering and foliage trees and
shrubs. The Lilacs, Azaleas, and Laburnums
were superb. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, exhibited very
fine Clematis, including Marcel Moser, i\Iiss Bate-
man, Lord Napier, Fair Ro-samond, Sir Garnet
Wolseley, Nellie Moser, and others.

Mr. H. J. Jones, Ryecroft, Lewisham, ex-
hibited a particularly attractive collection of
Zonal Pelargoniums. a.s well as some splendidly-
grown and flowered Polyanthuses.

Messrs. H. B. M.\Y & Sons, Edmonton, dis-

played a small group of hardy Ferns, in whii.»i
varieties and excellence of culture were con-
spicuous features. The same firm also showed
some beautifully-flowered Verbenas and Pansies
in boxes. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. F. Cant & Co., Braiswick Nursery,
Colchester, arranged a collection of Roses, includ-
ing such decorative varieties as Lady Gay,
Debutante. White Dorothy Perkins. Evangeline,
Stella, and Yellow Banksian in pots, with cut
blooms of Gustav Griinerwald, Duke of Welling-
ton, Hugh Dickson, CJoldfinch, Lady Roberts and
Caroline Testout.

Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross,
showed an attractive group of Roses in pots, the
plants being healthy and splendidly flowered.
Very beautiful varieties were Paradise, Kath-
leen, Elsie, Hiawatha. Fairy, Cynthia. Orlcano,
Excelsa, and Flower of Fairfield. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Roses were grandly shown by ilessrs. George
Mount & Sons, Canterbury. "There were superb
blooms of Frail Karl Druschki. .Joseph Lowe,
Liberty, Mme. Abel Chateuay, Lady Hillingdon,
Richmond, White Killarney and Caroline Test-
out. (Sliver Banksian Jledal.)

Mr. George Prince, Longworth, Berks.,
staged a beautiful group of Roses, including
varieties of the exhibition and decorative sec-
tions.

^Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester, ar-
ranged a splendid group of Roses, in which the
most conspicuous were The Garland, Trier, Tea
Rt.mbler, Alberic Barbier, Austrian Copper,
Harrisonii, and Blush Rambler, with many ex-
hibition varieties. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, made a
most charming display with hardy plants, mostly
suitable for rock-gardens. The arrangement
was very effective, and there were representa-
tives of practically all the kinds that are now
in flower. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, showed
rock and Alpine plants in their customary excel-
lent and artistic manner. Some of the best
plants were Aubrietia Dr. Mules, Androsace
Chumbyi, Saxifraga Clibrauii, S. flore pleno, S.
decipiens grandiflora, Phlox divaricata, and hy-
brid Gerberas.

Anemones were brilliantly staged by Messrs.
Gilbert & Sons, Dyke, Bourne. Lincolnshire,
King of the Scarlets being the best variety.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, contributed
a group of Cinerarias. The plants were of
medium height and remarkably free-flowering ;
the habit was graceful.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, staged a
characteristic group of Violas and Pansies. The
former were remarkable for their size and sub-
stance, as well as for the clear brilliance of the
colours. Of these and the superb Pansies many
varieties were represented. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messre. G. & A. Clark, Dover, had a bright
and varied group of hardy plants, comprising
many suitable for borders as well as rock-gardens.

Messrs.. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden, had a
small but charming group of rock and Alpine
plants.

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, arranged a
collection of Saxifragas in considei-able variety
and of great interest. Some new colours were
observable. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. .J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, staged
rock plants, among which forms of Primula Sie-
boldii and Fritillarias were noticeable.

Messrs. G. Jackman & Son, Woking, sent her-
baceous and rock plants in great variety. There
were Trolliuses. Trilliums, iVIeconopsis, Auriculas,
Primulas, Irises. Phloxes, and othei-s, all in ex-
cellent form. (Bronze Flora JNIcdal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, sent rock and Alpine
plants in variety, with a few Rhododendrons.

Messrs. Gunn & Sons, Olton, showed bright
baskets of Viola cornuta pm'purea and Ranuncu-
lus montana.

Mr. Charles Turner, Slough, showed a
charming collection of Primula Sieboldii in
baskets.

Mrs. Lloyd Edwards, Bryn Oerog, Llan-
gollen., showed baskets of Saxifragas, Aubrictias,
and Auriculas.

The CJuildford Hardy' Plant Nursery,
ilillmead, Guildford, showed a varied group,
comprising many excellently-grown and flowered
rock, Alpine, and border plants.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

303

A profusely-flowered rockery was arranged by
the Misses Hopkins, Mere Gardens, Shepperton,
Middlesex. There were Auriculas, Phloxes,
Primroses, Daisies, Daphnes, and Gentians in
charming form. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, St. Margaret's, Forest Road,
Guernsey, contributed a magnificent collection of
Carnations ; the superb blooms were handsomely
shown. Some good varieties were Winsor, Pink
Delight, Enchantress, Bridesmaid, Fortuna,
White Perfection, Wanoka, Pluto, Mrs. W. B.
Clode, Beacon, Emperor, Jlrs. H. Burnett.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. G. Kersvvill, Bowhill Nurseries, St.
Thomas. Exeter, contributed a small exhibit, but
it was nevertheless most attractive, for it was
wholly comprised of grand flowering plants of
Gentiana acaulis.

Messrs. He.ith & Son, Cheltenham, arranged a
group of rock and Alpine plants, comprising the
leading kinds now in blossom bofli in .': jd out-of-
doors. The plants were small, but ' .<11 grown
and staged.

Mr. C. Elliott. Six Hills Nursery, Stevenage,
contributed a rockery in which Saxifragas,
Iberis, and Morisia hypogaea were conspicuous.

Messrs. J. Che.\l & Sons, Lowfield Nurseries,
Crawley, constructed a rock-garden in the artis-
tic manner for which this firm has become
famous. Flowering plants were effectively
utilised, with Acers and other shrubs whose
value lies in their leafage.

Mr. H. C. PuLHAM, Elsenham, Essex, arranged
a, rockery with such flowering plants as Aubrie-
tias, Iberis, Androsaces, Saxifragas, and Gen-
tians as effective features.

Mr. Amcs Perky, Enfield, Middlesex) included
in his fine group of rock and Alpine plants
Caltha palustris fl. pi., Geum miniatum. Anemone
apennina alba, Ramondia pyrenaica, Saxifraga
Rhei superba, Trillium grandiflorum. Arnebia
echioides. Anemone Robinsoniana, Euphorbia
pilosa major, and Corydalis nobilis. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. B. IjAdham & Sons, Shirley Nurseries.
Southampton, staged fine plants of a bedding
Polyanthus of decided merit, named Ladhams'
Brilliant.

The Burton Hardy Plant Nurseries,
Christchurch, Hants., staged a group of rock
and Alpine plants in pots, including Primulas,
Ramondias, Daphne oneorum, Incarvillea Dela-
vavi. Gentians, and others. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Mr. Jas. Douglas, Edenside, Great Bookhani,
showed handsome pot plants of Myosotidium
nobile, as well as excellent Auriculas.

McGsrs. Garraway & Co., Bristol, staged mag-
nificently-grown plants of Schizanthus in variety.
(Silver Banksian Jledal.)

A group of Schizanthus showing much merit
was exhibited by W. Noakes, Esq., Croydon.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Carter Page & Co., London Wall,
staged a good variety of Violas and a few other
hardy flowers.

A small group of excellent Gloxinias was ar-
ranged by ^iessrs. Peed & Sons, West Norwood :
on each side were grandly-grown and flowered
plants of a conspicuously good strain of Strepto-
carpus. This firm also sent Acers and Clematis
in variety. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. F. H. Chapman, Rye, arranged a small
group of the Herbert Chapman Freesias. These
are healthy, vigorous plants, carrying an abun-
dance of fragrant yellow and orange blossoms.

Awards of Merit.
Anemone nemoro^a AUenii. — A very fine
variety, with large, lavender-mauve blossoms.
Shown by Jlr. Amos Perry.

Aiirinila Canary Bird. — A pure yellow self of
great size. Shown by Mr. Jas. Douglas.

Auricula Mai. —h. crimson self, with a solid
pure white paste. Shown by Mr. Jas. Douglas.

Auricula Dorothy Cutis. — A self variety, the
colour being yellow, with a suspicion of rose ex-
tending from the margins. Shown by i\Ir. Jas.
Douglas.

Carnation. Mrs. C. T. Raphael. — A superb
perpetual blooming variety, with much of the
appearance of a " Malmaison." The colour is
rich rose-pink. Shown by Mr. H. Burnett,
Guernsey.

Hyclranijea Hortensia Madame Emilc itoiiil
lire. — A very large-flowered variety, with slightly

serrated margins. The colour is paper white.
Shown by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd.

Hydrangea Hortensia Ornament. — A charm-
ing blush-coloured variety, with serrated margins.
Shown by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd.

Schizanthus Veitch's Grandiflora hybrids. — A
strain that is of splendid habit and greatly
varied in colour. Shown by Messrs. Jas. Veitch
& Sons, Ltd.

Macleania insignis. — A warm house plant,
which is especially conspicuous for the rich
orange-bronze of the young growths. The flowers
are produced in bunches like an Epacris, their
colour being reddish-scarlet. It belongs to the
Vacciniacea", and is figured in the Bot. Mag.,
tab. 7594. Shown by Messrs. Jas. Veitch &
Sons, Ltd.

Osmunda palustris crispato-conge.ita. — A very
dwarf, hardy, crested variety, with bronze-green
fronds. Shown by Jlessrs. H. B. May & Sons,
Edmonton.

Polyanthus Ladhams' Brilliant. — A vigorous
variety, producing large flowers of crimson
colour. Shown by Messrs. B. Ladhams & Sons,
Shirley, Southampton.

Narcissus Committee.

Present: H. B. May, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. W. Poupart, H. A. Denison, W. Gold-
ring, E. JI. Crosfield, Alex. M. Wilson, R. W.
Wallace, Chas. T. Digby, G. W. Leak, Joseph
Jacob, J. D. Pearson. J. T. Bennett-Poe, R, W.
Sydenham, W. T. Ware, E. Willmott, Christo-
pher Bourne, and J. Walker.

Miss F. M. CuRREY, Lismore, Ireland, showed
a choice exhibit of Daffodils, including Cygnet,
W'ill Scarlett, Lord (a superb Poeticus v"ariety
with a richly-coloured crown), .Maggie May, Bea-
con (with a rich cup). Avalanche (a fine, droop-
ing, white Ajax variety), and Una (a widely-
winged incomparabilis).

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, staged
many choice and rare Daffodils, in addition to
a fine display of Tulips. Amongst the Narcissi,
Unique (with apricot trumpet). Dream (a fine
white Ajax kind). Weardale Perfection, Har-
mony (a pretty, bicolor Ajax variety), Larissa (a
gloriously-coloured Engleheartii), Fusilier (with
orange crown). King Alfred (the king of vellow
Ajax varieties). Will Scarlett, and Marie Hall (a
Johnstonii hybrid) were the best.

Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin, Kiddermin-
ster, had many handsome varieties of Narcissi,
of which Riidyard Kipling (a Poeticus variety).
King .Vlfred. Monarch (a refined, self, yellow
Ajax flower), Graham Hyde (a very hand.some,
yellow, self variety). King's Norton, Red Siin-
.set (a brilliant-eyed Engleheartii). Ariadne, and
many beautiful triandrus hybrids of merit may
be mentioned. (Silver Flora Medal.)

;\Iessrs. Robert Sydenham. Ltd., Birming-
ham, staged a choice assortment of Daffodils.
Cavalier and Seville are both remarkable Engle-
heartii varieties. White Slave, White Lady,
and Evangeline, of the Leedsii set, and W'ave
Crest (a triandrus hybrid with broad segments),
Peveril (a perfectly-formed variety of the dolly-
cap section). Firebrand, and Beacon (also of the
same group with intensely-coloured crowns) were
conspicuous. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. F. LiLLEY, Bulb Grower, Guernsey, had
a showy group of cottage May-flowering and Dar-
win Tulips.

Messrs. R. \V. Wallace & Co.. C^olchester,
had a glorious display of Darwin Tulips, of which
.Mrs. Farncombe Sanders, Antony Rootzen. Isis,
Rev. H. Ewbank. Lilac JNIauve. Pride of Haar-
lem and Clara Butt were the best.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden, exhi-
bited a choice selection of Daffodils. Notable
varieties were Socrates (a very big Poeticus
variety). Glitter (in the way of Barrii con-
spicuus). Masterpiece (Engleheartii, with an in-
tenselv-coloured crown). Charles Surface (an
Engleheartii of exceptional substance, and deep
colouring). Will Scarlett. Occident (red cup), and
Eros (Engleheartii). There were also many tri-
andnis and Johnstonii hvbrids of great beauty
and charm. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Awards of Merit.

Narci.tsus Coohsonirc. — A creamy-white-
flow'ered variety of the Leedsii type, with broad,
overlapping perianth segments and a more than
usuallv prominent, horizontally-disposed crown.
From Mrs. Norman Cookson, W'ylam-on-Tyne.

X. Colleen. — A remarkable novelty, and prob-

ably one of the most distinct of modern breaks in
this flower. It may be described as a flower mid-
way between N. poeticus recurvus and an Engle-
heartii variety, having the recurved if less white
perianth of the former in conjunction with an
Engleheartii crown edged with deep primrose,
shaded yellow, and with a base of deep green.
The variety has the fragrance of N. poeticus.
Shown by Messrs. R, Wallace & Co., Colches-
ter.

OrcMd Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in th9
Chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec),
Harry J. Veitch. Talbot Clifton, H. Little, W.
Boxall, Stuart Low, de B. Crawshay. R. Brooman
White, J. Wilson Potter, W. Bolton. Gurney
Wilson, W. H. White, H. A. Tracy, H. G.
Alexander, Arthur Dye, W. H. Hatcher. W. P.
Bound, W. Cobb, F.' J. Hanbury, F. Menteith
Ogilvie, A. A. McBean, and J. Charlesworth.

Lieut.-Col. G. L. Holkord, CLE., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed Cattleya Mendelii
Westonbirt variety, a superb form, and a grand
example of fine culture, the specimen having six
flower-spikes, bearing altogether 17 large, blush-
tinted flowers, with carmine-crimson labellums ;
the pretty, pale yellow, red-blotched Odontoglos-
sum Asphodel, and two others. (See Awards.)

De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks
(gr. llr. Stables), showed Odontioda X Charles-
worthii var. Theodora (see .\wards), and an in-
teresting set of new hybrid Odontoglossums, in-
cluding 0. Elcktra, 0. Zena (Harryanum X scep-
trum), and 0. Hellas (Hallii X Crawshayanum).

E. Rogerson, Esq., West Didsbury, Manches-
ter (gr. Mr. Price), showed Odontoglossum cris-
pum Oakdene Gem, a very evenly-blotched
variety ; Cypripedium niveum Oakdene variety,
with large and pure-white flowers; C. BerkeleV-
nnum Oakdene variety ; and C. Berkeleyanum
Exhims' variety, the last-named a fine" form
nearest to C. bellatulum.

Jlessrs. Charlesworth k Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora iMedal for an
excellent group of hybrid Odontoglossums. fine
forms of 0. erispum, Odontiodus, Liplio-Cattleyas,
and other Orchids. At the back of the group
were Dendrobium Dalhousianum, Phaiiis Nor-
man, and the variety roseum ; several plants of
the deep.yellow-flowered Lfelio-Cattleya Elinor,
and other showy hybrids. Among the species
were the pretty little Capanemia uliginosa, with
slender sprays of white flowers, several examples
of the pure white Tricophilia Backhouseana,
Octomeria diaphana, the rare Ccelogyne Rossiana
(Rhodeana), with slender sprays of silver-white
flowers, Acineta Humboldtii, Bullx)phyllum
Lobbii, and other interesting species.

Jlessrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Jledal for a good and
varied group, in which were several very dis-
tinct novelties, including Cypripedium C'urtisii
Sander's variety, a large and intensely-dark-
coloured form, the basal halves of the' petals
being of a deep vinous-purple ; and Dendro-
bium Wardianum melanoleucum, a fine white
form. Among the Cattleyas were several re-
markable forms of C. Schroderse, one having a
plum-purple shaded lip, and another a disc
of bronzy-gold. Six plants of a remarkably
dark type of Cattleya Mossiae were shown as
examples of a recent importation. A specimen of
Laelio-Cattleya Choletiana had five fine heads of
bloom ; Cattleya Mirabile (Luddemanniana x
Mendelii), with various other Cattleyas, were in-
cluded in the e.xhibit.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Royal E.xotic
Nursery, Chelsea, showed Brasso-L^lio-Cattleya
Pink Beauty (L.-C. Hippolyta x B.-C. Digbyano-
Mossiae), a neat, pink-tinted bloom ; and, in the
centre of a pan of the Violet-like Pinguicula
grandiflora, a plant of the pretty, dwarf Calypso
borealis.

H. S. GooDSON, Esq., Fairlawn. Putney (gr.
Mr. G. E. Day), staged a group in which the best
plants were Brasso-Lfelio-Cattleya Veitchii, a
finely-formed flower ; Cattleya Mossiae Queen
Isabella, with lavender-tinted blooms ; C. Men-
delii H. A. Tracy, a pretty variety, which re-
ceived an Award of Merit in 1894 ; C. M. Good-
son's varietv, with a finely-coloured lip ; Brasso-
Cattleya Queen Alexandra ; Cattleya Schroderae
alba ; and Odontoglossum Mrs. F. Peeters.

.Air. Gurney Wilson, Haywards Heath.
showed the large and handsomely-blotched Odci>-
toglossum erispum Empress of India, with a
gland spike of finely-developed flowers.

504

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[IMay 7, 1910.

Mr. E. V, Low, Vale Bridge, Haywards
Heath, showed Cattleya JFendelii Lambeauana, a
pretty white flower, with pale lilac front to
the lip : another large and finely-coloured C. Men-
delii ; Coelogyne pandurata ; and a very large and
dark form of Lselio-Cattleya Dorainiana.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge,
showed a selection of their fine forms of Odonto-
glo.ssura crispum, with several hybrid Odonto-
glossums, 0. Pescatorei, and good forms of Mil-
tonia vexillaria. The finest in the group was
Cattleya Mendelii Pearl McBean, which received
an Award.

Monsieur Meetens, Ghent, showed several ex-
cellent hybrid Odontoglossums, Miltonia Bleu-
ana, and M. vexillaria.

Sir Trevor Lawrence. Bart., K.C.V.O., Bur-
ford (gr. Mr. W. H. Whit«), showed Odontoglos-
sum platycheilum splendens ; the flowers are
bright rose-coloured, with rose-purple spotting on
the lip.

R. Beooman White, Esq., Ardarroch, showed
Cypripedium Nonpareil, a hybrid somewhat re-
se"mbling C. Vipanii, the white ground being
heavily marked with dark purple.

Mr. C. F. Waters, Deanland Nurseries, Bal-
combe, staged a small group of well-grown
Cattleya, .Mendelii, Odontoglossum crispum, and
other Orchids.

R. a. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Streatham
(gr. Mr. Black), showed the new Odontoglossum
Thwaitesii (ardentissimum x Harryanum), a very
dark and handsome flower, the sepal and petals
being bronzy-purple, with a few white markings
at the base, and a very thin yellow margin : the
white lip is marked with purple.

AWARDS.
First-class Certificates.

Cattleya Dtis-'ddorfel Undine Westonhirt
rarielij (intermedia alba X Mossia WageneriJ,
from Lieut.-Col. G. L. Holford, C.I.E., C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander). One of
the finest whit© Cattleyas, and larger than the
varieties previously shown. The disc of the lip
is pale yellow, and at the base are a few blackish
dots. The plant bore two spikes, each with four
flowers, one being in the bud stage.

Miltonia Bleuana Hessle variety (vexillaria
Queen Alexandra X Boezlii), from W. P.
BuRKiNSHAW, Esq., West Hill, Hessle, Hull (gr.
Mr. J. Barker). The flowers are large and of
fine form, tinted with pink, and the bases of the
petals with purplish-rose. The attractive feature
of the flower is the bright reddish-purple mask
at the base of the lip.

Odontioda Oharlesworthii var. Theodora (C.
Noezliana X 0. Harri/anum), from de B.
Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks. — This
is the finest Odontioda yet shown, the flowers
being large, of thick .substance, fine shape, and
of a deep blood-red colour. The plant was splen-
didly grown, and bore a spike of many flowers.

Awards of Merit.

Odontoglossum crispum " Magnum Bonum,"
from Lt.-Col. G. L. Holford, CLE., C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. H. G. Alexander). — A model flower, circular
in outline and broad in all its segments ; clear
white, with clusters of red-brown spots on the
sepals and lip.

Cattleya Mendelii Pearl McBean, from
Messi's. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge. — A
very large variety, tiie sepals and petals being
blu.sli white, the broad, wavy-edged petals hav-
ing a soft purple band on the outer half. The
lip is deep mauve-crimson; tube white, disc pale
yellow, margin crimped.

Botanical Certificate.

Disa venusta, from Mrs. Bischoffsheim, The
Warren House, Stanmore (gr. Mr. Taylor). — A
slender species of the grassy -leafed section. The
blue flowers have a reddish veining in the galea.
The lip bears rudimentary papillfe. The plant
was one of several blue Disas in flower at The
Warren House.

Cultural Commendation.

A Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. May (gi'.
tn J. B. Joel, E«q.) for a specimen of Cypripe-
dium Rothschildianum Northaw variety, with
six flower-spikes.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Present: J. Bunyard, Esq. (in the Chair), and
Messrs. J. Cheal, C. G. A. Nix, J. Harrison, 0.
Thomas, P. C. M. Veitch, C. Foster, G. Wythes,
H. Parr, J. Lvne, J. Vert, P. D. Tuckett, H.
Markham, A. R. Allan, G. Hobday, E. Beckett,
A. Dean, F. Perkins, and W. Poupart.

A collection of 30 named varieties of Rhubarb
was exhibited from the Society's Gardens, Wis-
ley. The number could well have been re-
duced to some 10 or 12 varieties, as many were
synonymous. Some of the best were Daw's
Chamiaion (one of the very finest and earliest),
Ellis's .Seedling, Ruby, Crimson Perfection, Vic-
toria, Paragon, Early "Crimson, The Sutton, Alex-
andra, Harrison's Seedling, Bedford Scarlet, and
Dawe's Challenge.

Earl Stanhope, Chevening, Sevenoaks (gr. Mr.
J. C. Sutton), staged half a dozen finely-pre-
served bunches of Lady Downe's Grapes and .some
superb Royal Sovereign Strawberries. (Silver
Knightian Medal.)

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, set up a
superior collection of vegetables in 50 diverse
dishes, the whole being arranged on a long table
with artistic taste. The display comprised a fine
pvramid of Satisfaction Broccoli ; two groups of
richly-coloured Sutton Rhubarb ; Stanstead Park,
Golden Ball, and other excellent Cabbage Let-
tuces ; Cabbages Harbinger, April and Flower of
Spring; Cucumbers Satisfaction, Lord Roberts,
Pride" of the Market, and Rochford's Market;
two mounds of Earlv Giant Peas; dishes of
Winter Beauty, Perfection and Early Market
Tomatos; several dishes of climbing Ten-
der and True and Princess of Wales Beans ;
Potatos Mav Queen and a seedling ; 20th Cen-
tury Mushrooms ; White Milan and Red Milan
Turnips; Carrot Scarlet Gem; good Asparagus;
and Mustard and Cress in boxes. (Silver-gilt
Knightian Medal.)

NATIONAL AURICULA AND
PRIMULA.

May 3. — The 34th annual exhibition of the
Auricula and Primula Society was held under the
auspices of the R.H.S. in the Horticultural Hall,
A'incent Square. Of all the 34 exhibitions, this
was the best of the series, as regards both the
show and Alpine section. The season has not been
altogether favourable, but the exhibitors do their
best to combat the unfavourable seasons. In thi;
show section, which comprises the green, grey,
white and self-edged flowers, the competition for
the principal prizes was very keen.

The 1st prize for 24 plants in not fewer than
12 varieties was awarded to Mr. Jas. Douglas,
Great Bookham. Surrey. The green-edged varie-
ties comprised Mrs. Henwood, Shirley Hibberd.
Abraham Barker, and Prince Charming. In
grey edges, the best were George Lightbody
(Premium Auricula), Olympus, Marmion and
Richard Headley. This last-named variety and
George Lightbody have been in cultivation up-
wards of 60 years. In white edges, the old Smil-
ing Beauty was shown in good form, Heath.n-
Bell, Frank, and Eucharis were also exceedingly
good. In selfs. Harrison Weir, Belladonna
Favourite, and Mrs. Phillips may be mentioned.

Walter N. Shipman, Esq., of Altrincham,
was a good second, with very similar varie-
ties, Olympus, Mrs. Henwood, George Lightbody,
Mikado, and Harrison Weir being some of his
finer examples. 3rd, Mr. Charles Turner, cf
Slough.

In the class for 12 show Auriculas, distinct,
Mr. DouoL.\s was again awarded the 1st prize.
A new variety, with a pure white edge, named
Loveliness, was very promising. Seamew, also a
white edge, was another outstanding variety.
Victor, self, of a rich maroon shade, is also de-
serving of mention. William Smith, Esq., rf
Bishop's Stortford, was awarded the 2nd prize
for a choice lot. which comprised some fine seed-
ling varieties. Pilot, a violet blue self, was note-
worthy, but, like .ill the variety of this type, it
has a pale tube. iVIajestic is a good dark self
varietv. Messrs. Phillips & T.ayloe were
jilaced 3rd.

In the class for six varieties, W. H. Parton,
Esq., of Birmingham, exhibited six very fine ex-
amples, and won the 1st prize. The varieties
were Mrs. Henwood, Favourite, Mikado, George

Lightbody, George Rudd, arid Shirley Hibberd.
2nd, John T. BENNEIT-Poii, Esq., Ashley Place,
S.W., his finest examples being ]\Iikado and Har-
rison Weir. 3rd, jNIr. F. W. Price, of Becken-
ham, Mrs. Henwood, Olympus, and Acme being
his best specimeris.

The last-named exhibitor was placed 1st in the
class Vr four varieties of which Olympus and
Shirley Hibberd were the best.

Messrs. Phillips & Taylor had the best
green-edge Auricula, Jlrs. Henwood, in the class
for single blooms. Mr. Bennett-Poe was placed
2nd, also with Mrs. Henwood.

Mr. .1. Douglas had the best grey-edge in his
plant of George Lightbody, Mr. Shipman being
placed 2nd with the same variety.

For white-edged varieties, Mr. Bennett-Poe
won the 1st prize with Acme ; 2nd, Mr. F. W.
Price, also with Acme.

In the class for selfs, Mr. Douglas was placed
1st with Queen of Spain ; 2nd, Mr. Bennett-Poe,
with jMikado.

The seedling class was not very satisfactory.
Mr. Wm. Smith was awarded the 1st prize in the
green-edged class, with Emerald, and he also
won the 1st prize in the self class, with Viscount,
and 2nd with Countess.

In the class for those who have never won a
prize, J. L. Gibson, Esq., of Leatherhead, won
the 1st prize and the silver medal offered by Mr.
Wm. Smith. Mr. Gibson had good plants of
Marmion, George Lightbodv, Mikado, and Rev.
F. D. Horner. 2nd, H. R. Taylor, Esq., of
Cheam; 3rd, Rudolph Bier, Esq., Bickley ; 4th,
F. H. Harrison, Esq., of Leyton. All staged
good and highly-creditable specimens, con-
sidering they were amateurs exhibiting for the-
first time.

Alpine Auriculas made a brilliant display.
They were exhibited in quantity and of superb
quality throughout. In the class for 24 plants in
12 varieties, Mr. Douglas was 1st. In the gold-
centred class, Olivia, Claud Halero, Ettrick,
Rosythorn, and Mrs. Pinkham were the best. The
choicest of the white or cream-centred varieties
were Argus, Mrs. J. Douglas, Phyllis Douglas,
Admiration, and Janet. Messrs. Phillips &
Taylor were a good 2nd. In gold centres they
had IMajestic, Duke of York, Charmer, Her
Grace ; and, white-centres, Argus, Thetis, and
Teviotdale.

For 12 varieties distinct, l\Ir. Douglas was
again placed 1st, Messrs. Phillips & Taylor
being awarded the 2nd prize, both with similar
varieties as in tlie previous class.

Mr. C. C. Price, of Brentwood, won
the 1st prize in the class for six varieties
with good examples of Duke of York, Uranic,
Rosy Morn, and Blue Bell. 2nd, iNfr. F. W.
Price, Beckenham, Teviotdale, Rosy Morn,
Argus, and Majestic being the choicest speci-
mens. Jlr. Sharnand, of The Gardens, Pan-
shanger, and Mr. W. H. Parton also showed well
in this class.

In the class for four plants, Mr. F. W. Price
was placed 1st, and Mr. Parton 2nd.

Duke of York, from Mr. C. C. Price, was the
best gold-centred Alpine Auricula.

W. B. Cranfield had the best white-centred
Alpine in Thetis.

In the class for amateurs who have not pre-
viously exhibited, Mr. J. L. Gibson obtained the
1st prize with a very fine set of six plants, Argus,
Admiration, and Duke of York being the best.
2nd, Charles G. Butlee, New Cross.

Mr. Douglas exhibited a selection of fancy
Auriculas, and obtained the 1st prize in the class
for these plants. Three of the varieties obtained
.\wards of Merit from the Royal Horticultural
Society ; these were Dorothy Cutts (of a bronzy
tint), Canary Bird (a handsome golden yellow, of
large size), and Mai (a scarlet self, distinct in
colour and of great merit).

A good group of garden Polyanthus, shown by
Mr. S. Mortimee. Rowledge, Farnham. Surrey,
was awarded the 1st prize, Mr. Staw.vrd being
placed 2nd,

H. S. Benfleet, Esq., Shooter's Hill, had the
best single specimen of Polyanthus ; 2nd, Messrs.
Storeie & Storrie, Glencarse, Perthshire.

Jlr. R. Staw\rd was awarded the 1st prize
for 12 specimens of coloured Primroses.

Messrs. Storkie & Storrie put up a fine group
of Polyanthuses, for wliich the 1st prize was
awarded. Mr. Morti.mer and Mr. John Crook
also exhibited in this class.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

305

MIDLAND DAFFODIL.

April 28, 29. — The twelfth auiiiial exhibition
of this society, held at the Botanical Gardens,
Edgbaston, on these dates, was not only one
of the biggest, but also one of the best all-
round exhibitions held under the auspices of
the society. The exhibits were contained in the
large exhibition hall, part of the adjoining Palm
house, and in the entrance corridor. Of exhi-
bits in the competitive classes it is almost im-
possible to speak too highly, especially of the
flowers exhibited by Mr. E. M. Crosfield,
Messrs. Cartwrioht & Goodwin, Mr. P. D.
Williams, Mr. F. H. Chapman, and Mr. N. Y.
Lower. Seedling Daifodils were a feature
of the show. The non-competitive exhi-
bits of Daffodils and miscellaneous flowers
were both numerous and good, no fewer
than 22 medals being awarded to these. iMiss
CuRREY is to be congratulated upon winning her
first Gold Medal for Daffodils at Birmingham.
The schedule comprised upwards of 50 classes,
for which liberal cash prizes, medals and chal-
lenge cups were offered. Although the weather
was very wet and cold on the fir.st day and
showery on the second, the show was visited by
a great many Daffodil lovers, including the Lord
Mayor and Lady Mayorejss of Birmingham. The
opening ceremony was performed by the Lady
Mayoress.

In the evening Mr. Robert Sydenham enter-
tained about 100 of the principal exhibitors,
judges and visitors to dinner at the Grand Hotel,
after which an interesting discussion' on the
show and newest varieties of Daffodils was
opened by the Rev. G. H. Engleheart, and con-
tinued by other well-known experts.

Cut Flowers (Open Classes).
The principal class was for a collection of 50
varieties of Daffodils (bunch-flowered varieties
excluded). Five exhibits were placed before the
judges, who awarded the first prize of five
guineas to Messrs. C.artwright & Goodwin,
Kidderminster, for a collection of beautifully
fresh, well-arranged flowers, in which were several
new varieties. A few varieties of outstanding merit
were Circlet, Coventry Patniore. White Slake,
Oliver Goldsmith, Neptune, Childe Harold, Ham-
let, Salamander, Gold Finch. Homespun, Peter
Barr. Lady M. Boscaw^en, Dorothy Pears^on,
Longfellow, Armorel and Cornelia. 2nd, Mr.
John Pope, King's Norton, whose flowers of
Bernardino, Sulphur Prince, Alanzo. Lucifer,
Albatros, White Lady, Victory, Gloria ilundi,
Mariana, Homer and Scilla were very meri-
torious. 3rd. Mr. F. H. Chapman, Rye, Sussex.
Messrs. Cartwright & CJoodwin won 1st
prizes in each of the following five classes : —
(1) twelve distinct varieties of long-trumpet
Daffodils; (2) six distinct varieties of short-
trumpet Daffodils : (3) twelve di.stinct varieties
of short-cupped Daffodils ; (4) ?ix distinct varie-
ties of fiat-cupped Daffodils ; and (5) six vases of
double Daffodils. The flowers exhibited bv
Messrs. C.artwright & Goodw'in were unusually
good and pleasingly arranged.

The Rev. Joseph Jacob, Whitewell Rectory,
Whitchurch, beat four contestants in a class
provided for 12 distinct varieties of large-cupped
Daffodils. The best varieties were Pilgrim.
Charles, Lucifer, Whitewell, Elegance, Eoster,
Alhatros and Diana. 2nd, Mr. H. D. Phillips,
Olton, with a choice set of flowers, in which
Homespun, Lucifer and Leonie were well shown.
The premier prize in a class for six varieties
of the true Poeticus type was won bv Mr. F. H.
Chapman. Rye, with superb flowers of White
Elephant. Tennyson. Kcstral, Horace, Soneta,
and Kingsley. 2nd, Messra. Cartwright &
Goodwin. i5rd, Mr. Christopher Bourne,
Bletchley.

The best half-dozen varieties of bunch-flowered
varieties of Daffodils came from the Rev. Joseph
Jacob, who showed excellent examples of Klon-
dvke. Ideal. Irene. Elvira. Orient and Jaune A.
Merville. 2nd, Messrs. Cartwright & Good-
win, whose flowers were rather past their best
condition.

In a special class, the object of which was to
bring out the best decorative effect of popular and
moHpratp-ro'iced varieties such -''s "P-^ir^ofor. Em-
press, Golden Spur, Victoria. Sir Watkin. J. B.
M. Camm, Frank Miles. Popticus ornatus. &c.,
there were 11 creditable exhibits : 3^t. Mr. John
Pope, King's Norton; 2nd. Mr. W. Marple,
Penkridge ; 3rd. Messrs. F. Impey & Son, North-
fieU.

Amateur Classes.

The premier class in this section was for 25
distinct varieties of Daffodils (bulbs not to cost
more than 10s. 6d. each). The seven entries
made a fine display, and Mr. E. H. Wood, Lud-
low, who secured "the 1st prize, showed remark-
ably good specimens of Hamlet, Barrii con-
spicuus. Mme. de CJraaff, White Lady, Katherine
Spurrell, Lucifer, Gloria Mundi, Seagull and
Glory of Leideii ; 2nd, Mr. N. Y. Lower, Pres-
teigne, who showed ' Gloria Mundi, Mme. de
Graaff, Horace and White Lady in excellent
condition. The last-named exhibitor was awarded
1st prizes for (1) nine distinct varieties of long-
trumpet Daffodils; (2) three distinct varieties of
fihort-trumpet Daffodils ; (3) nine distinct varie-
ties of lurge-cupped Daffodils; and (4) nine dis-
tinct varieties of small-cupped Daffodils. Mr.
H. R. D.iRLiNGTON, Potter's Bar, was awarded
2nd prizes in the first three classes, and the Rev.
T. Buncombe, Black Torrington, 2nd in the last
class.

Mr. H. R. Darlington beat five contestants in
a class for three Poeticus varieties. He had ex-
quisitely-shaped flowers of Horace, Virgil and
Dante ; 2nd, Mr. N. Y. Lower.

The Rev. G. P. Haydon. Canterbury, had the
best three varieties of fiat-cupped Daffodils in
Sequin, Barn Owd and Thistle ; 2nd, Rev. T.
Buncombe.

From J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Berrow Court.
Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. Cryer). came the be.st
three varieties of double Daffodils, and Mr. H. R.
Darlington showed the best three varieties of
bunch-flowered Polyanthus or Poetaz Daffodils.

M.tiDEN Growers.
The following five classes were reserved for
amateurs who iiad never won more than three 1st
prizes at any of the society's exhibitions. No
bulb to cost more than Is. The most important
class was for 12 distinct varieties of Daffodils, and
the 1st prize was won by ilr. H. H. Jones.
Ludlow, who showed a handsome set of flowers.
The best varieties were Dachess of Westminster,
Mme. Plemp, Glory of Leiden, and Mme. de
Graaff; 2nd, Mr. W. Marple. Penkridge. Mr.
A. Taylor, Acock's Green, exhibited the best
half-dozen varieties of long-trumpet Daffodils.
He had splendid flowers of Mrs. Berkley, Mme.
de Graaff, Cilory of Leiden, Empress, Grandee
and Emperor ; 2nd, Mr. H. H. Jones. In a class
provided for six varieties of large-cnpped Daffo-
dils. Mr. B. Brown. Ludlow, beat seven con-
testants. The Rt. Hon. Lady Lilford, Oundle,
won 1st prizes in classes for (1) six distinct varie-
ties of small-cupped Daffodils, and (2) three dis-
tinct varieties of the Poeticus type.

Single Blooms.

Eight classes, representative of the various
sections of Daffodils, were provided for single
blooms, and 76 entries were made, being an
average of 9.4 per class. The principal prize
wiiniers were Messrs. Cihtwright & CiooDwiN.
A. M. Wilson. J. Mallender, H. D. Phillips
and E. M. Crosfield.

The Bourne Challenge Cup.

This was offered for 12 distinct varieties of
Daffodils raised by the exhibitor. The cup and
Gold Medal that accompained it was again won
by iMr. E. M. Crosfield. Bridgwater, whose
flowers were of good size, perfect form and sub-
stance, being beautifully arranged. The flowers
exhibited were Surface. Red Rover. Climax,
Honeymaid. Challenger. Elf and Anchorite. The
remaining five varieties were unnamed ; 2nd, Mr.
F. H. Chapman ; 3rd. Mr. John Pope.

In a class for six varieties of seedling Daffodils,
raised by the exhibitor, but not yet in com-
merce, there were six exhibits. 1st. Mr. P. D.
Williams. St. Keverne. with superb flowers of
Lysander, Suvia. Yolande. Evander. Norseman
and Byron ; 2nd. Mr. A. M. Wilson, Bridgwater,
with beautifully fresh flowers of Geheimniss, Lap-
wing, Beresker, Dagmar, Jason and Alaric. The
last-named exhibitor was awarded the 1st prize
in a class for three varieties of seedling Daffodils
that are not yet in commerce. He showed ex-
ouisite flowers of Levula, Genevieve and Maud
MuUer.

The Cartwright Ch.allenge Cup.
This handsome cup. together with a piece of
plate, was offered for 12 varieties of Daffodils
V hich have not been in commerce for a longer

period than four years. Mr. E. M. Crosfield
again led, this being the third successive year
he has carried oft' this trophy. He showed ex-
quisite flowers of Jealousv, Iliad, Wraith, Win-
some, Tinsel, Challenge," Tablet, Firetail, An-
chorite, Morena, Honeymaid, and Chintz. 2nd,
Messrs. C-Artw^right & Goodwin, with a verv
handsome collection. The best varieties were
Giraffe, White Star, Hildegarde, and Ailsa. 3rd,
Rev. G. P. H.iYDON.

la the next class, which was for six varieties
of Daffodils that have not been in commerce
more than four years, the Rev. Joseph J.ioob
took the lead with shapely flowers of Leonard,
Dr. Phillips, Whitewell. Mrs. Hu-h Lee. Red-
brook, and Mrs. W. 0. Wolseiey. 2nd, Mr.
John Pope.

The Herbert Chapman Poeticus Trophy.

This was offered for six distinct Poeticus varie-
ties that have not been in commerce more than
four years, and to include at least one variety
not yet in commerce. 1st, Mr. A. M. Wilson,
whose flowers of Eurydice, Chicot, Jack Point,
Druid, Walo, and Sarchedon were very meri-
torious. 2nd, Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin,
whose vase of Oliver Goldsmith was of outstand-
ing merit.

The Walter Ware Challenge Cup was offered
for a group of not fewer than 12 nor more than
24 distinct Triandrus hybrids. There were six
entries in this interesting class. 1st, Mr. E. M.
Crosfield, Bridgw-ater, with dainty flowers beau-
tifully fresh and well-coloured. With one excep-
tion, all the varieties were unnamed. 2nd,
Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin, Kidderminster.

Miscellaneous Cut Flowers.
The best half-dozen vases of Darwin Tulips
came from J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Harborne (gr.
Mr. R. Usher). The blooms were large, shapely,
and borne on long stems. 2nd, J. A. Kenrick,
Esq.. Edgbaston (gr. Mr. A. Cryer). The same
exhibitors secured 1st and 2nd prizes respectively
in a class for six distinct varieties of Spanish
Irises.

Plants Grown in Pots or Vases.

Eight classes were provided for these, and com.
petition was fairlv keen in most of them. For
six pots of Daffodils, Mr. W. H. P.-vrton, Holly-
wood, beat five contest.ants, with some excep-
tionally well-flowered specimens; 2nd, Mr. J. A.
Kenrick (gr. Mr. A. Cryer).

In a class for six pots of Tulips, Mr. J". A.
Kenrick (gr. Mr. R. Usher) easily beat Mr. A.
Cryer. The last-named exhibitor took the lead
in a class for six pots of spring-flowering bulbs
(Daffodils and Tulips excluded).

Mr. A. Cryer was again to the fore in the
classes provided for (1) three va.ses or bowls of
any bunch flowered Poetaz Daffodils grown in
moss-fibre, and (2) three vases of Lily of the
Valley grown in moss-fibre.

The 1st prize for three bowls of Daffodils was
awarded to Mr. W. H. P.vhton for unusually fine
examples.

Mr. S. ^[oRTIMER showed the best three plants
of Polyanthus.

JIedals.

Medals offered by the Birmingham Botanical
and Horticultural Society were awarded as fol-
low : —

Silver Medal : Jfcssrs. Cartwright & Good-
win, Kidderminster; Mr. N. Y. Lower. Pres-
teigne ; J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Edgbaston (gr.
Mr. A. Cryer).

Bronze i\Iedal : The P;,ev. Joseph Jacob, Whit-
church: Mr. H. R. Darlington, Potter's Bar;
J. A. Kenrick, Esq., Harborne (gr. Mr. R.
Usher).

Messrs. Barr & Sons' Daffodil Vase was won
b\' Mr. N. Y. Lower, Presteigne.

The Daffodil Society's Med.als.

Gold Medals : Miss Currey, Lismore Ireland,
for Daffodils ; Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton,
for Alpine plants.

Silver-gilt Medals : Messrs. Barr & Sons, Lon-
don, for Daffodils ; Rev. G. H. Engleheaet,
Andover, for Daffodils ; Mr. A. M. Wilson.
Bridgwater, for Daffodils ; Messrs. Sutton &
Sons, Reading, for Cinerarias ; Messrs. Felton &
Sons, London, for new Gerberas and Roses.

Large Silver Medals : Messi-s. J. R. Pearson
& Sons, Lowdham, for Daffodils ; Robert

306

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 7, 1910.

Sydenham, Ltd., Birmingham, for Daffodils;
Mr. W. A. Watts, St. Asaph, for Daffodils ;
Messrs. Hogg & Robertson, Dublin, for Daffo-
dils ; Mr. W. T. Ware, Bath, for Poets Daffodils ;
Messrs. Wallace & Co., Colchester, for Alpine
plants and Daffodils ; Mr. S. Mortimer, Farn-
ham, for Polyanthus.

Silver Medals : Sir Josslyn Gore-Booth, for
Daffodils ; Mrs. Backhouse, Hereford, for Daffo-
dils; Messrs. W. H. Simpson & Sons, Birming-
ham, for Daffodils; IMessrs. Dicksons, Ltd.,
Chester, for Daffodils ; Messrs. R. H. Bath, Wis-
bech, for Daffodils; Mr. H. Ellison, West
Bromwich, for Ferns ; Mr. Vincent Slade.
Taunton, for Zonal Pelargoniums ; Messrs.
Hewitt & Co., Solihull, for Roses and Gerberas.

Vote of Thanks; Mrs. Lloyd Edwards,
Llangollen, for Mossy Saxifragas.

Awards to Novelties.

Awards of Merit to Narcissus poeticus Kings-
ley, from Mr. F. H. Chapman, Rye ; N. p. Snow
King, from Messrs. Barr & Sons ; N. White
Star, from Messrs. Cartwright & Goodwin ; N.
Challenger, from Mr. E. M. Crosfield ; N. Fire-
tail, from Mr. E. M. Crosfield ; N. Anchorite,
from Mr. E. M. Crosfield ; and to Saxifmga
hybrida pulchella grandifiora, from Mrs. Lloyd
Edwabds.

(!^i)ituairjj.

FALMOUTH SPRING FLOWER SHOW.

April 21, 22. — The first spring flower show at
Falmouth took place on these date*. The exhibi-
tion was opened by Princess Christian, in beauti-
fully fine weather. In some of the classes the
entries were not large, being restricted, in some
cases, to one exhibit. This was on account
of the Daffodil season in the south-west
being almost over. The trade exhibits were
remarkably fine. Messrs. Gill & Son, Fal-
mouth, won the piece of Silver Plate offered for
the best nurserymen's exhibit, with a collection
of Rhododendrons, Carnations, Azaleas, and rare
shrubs. Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Enfield,
showed Orchids and Carnations, which specially
attracted the attention of Princess Christian, and
Messrs. R. Veitoh & Son had also a fine ex-
hibit. The arrangements of the show were ad-
mirable, and under the supervision of Mr. E.
Gill, the hon. secretary.

The Barker Challenge Bowl, offered for the
best exhibit in the show, to be won three times
in succession, the winner on each occasion to
receive a gold medal, was won by Captain
Tremayne. This gentleman also won a Silver
Cup offered for the most meritorious exhibit in
the Rhododendron class. Mr. C. H. Hext re-
ceived a Gold Medal for the best exhibit of hard-
wood flowering shrubs and creepers. A Silver Cup
was awarded to Mr. W. Job for the best exhibit
in the amateur classes. Mr. R. Fox received
a Silver Medal for a group of spring flowers, and
Miss Taylor received an Award of Merit for a
table decoration. Gold Medals were awarded to
the following nurserymen : — Messrs. R. Veitch &
Son, Exeter ; Messrs. Barr & Son, London ;
Messrs. Stuart Low & Co. , Enfield ; Messrs.
Bunyard & Co., Maidstone; and Silver Medals
to The Alpine Nursery Co., St. Germans; and
Messrs. Ruse & Son, Falmouth.

H. J. Chalwin. — We regret to announce the
death of Mr. H. J. Chalwin, which took place at
Langside, Glasgow, on April 27. Since 1881 Rlr.
Chalwin w'as Superintendent of the Botanical
Ciardens, Cape Town, which, in 1891, was handed
over by the Government to the municipal authori-
ties as a public garden. Mr. Chalwin still remain-
ing jn authority. The late superintendent made
many improvements tending to give wider
interest to the gardens, and he formed one of the
best collections of Orchids in South Africa.
Until the la.st few years Mr. Chalwin enjoyed
good health, but latterly he was occasionally in-
disposed, and in the summer of last year he
retired from his duties, being granted a pension.
His retirement was made the occasion by the
municipality of a public presentation, including
an illuminated address. His return was the re-
verse of beneficial, and after a painful illness
death resulted from Bright's disease.

apple nur.sery of Messrs. Henderson, at Maida
Vale, London. He left Maida Vale in 1860 to
assist in the Aigburth business. On the death
of his father, Mr. Ker, in conjunction with his
brother, Mr. W. Ker, took over the management
of the nursery, which had become famous for the
high quality of the plants sent out from it, a re-
putation it still retains. Stove plants, and
e.'ipecially Codiseuras (Crotons), were made c.
speciality, and the Aigburth plants werO
celebrated throughout the country. Of re-
cent years the firm has devoted much attention
to the improving of the Hippeastrum, and dis-
plays of these plants from Liverpool at the
Temple Show, Ghent and other important ex-
hibitions have always gained the highest awards.
The late Mr. Ker enjoyed great popularity, and
no one in the horticultural business was held in
higher esteem, for his personal manner as
his busines.< integrity. Mr. Ker was one of the
first to make an annual visit tci Holland, which
he did for more than 40 years, at the bulb season,
and no one knew more of the rise and progress of

THE LATE R. WILSON KER, V.\r.H.

NATIONAL VEGETABLE.

May 3, — At a meeting of the Committee held on
this date, the reports of the two deputations
appointed to examine the early Spring Cabbage
trials, conducted respectively at Twickenham
and Sutton Green, Surrey, were considered and
agreed to. Each of the 39 stocks as named were
carefully noted, the varieties being ultimately
placed in various grades. The Committee's full
report will be issued shortly.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION,

(LONDON BRANCH.)

The annual meeting will take place at Carr's
Restaurant on Thursday, 12th May, at 8 p.m.
Mr. E. F. Hawes, chairman of the branch,
will preside. After the election of officers for
the year and the transaction of other business, a
disciission on the policy of the B.G.A. will be
opened by INIr. Feltham", of Kew Gardens.

Richard Bide,— We regret to record the death
of Mr. Richard Bide, on Friday, April 29, at the
age of 78. Mr. Bide was manager of the glass
department at Messrs. S. Bide and Sons Nursery,
Farnham, for more than 40 years. He started
his gardening career as a boy at Farnham Castle,
afterwards being engaged as Orchid grower to the
Duke of Wellington, and later he was employed
by General Scott at Thorpe, near Chertsey,

R, Wilson Ker, V.M,H.— One of the fore-
mo.st nurserymen in this country passed away on
the nth, by the death of Mr. R. Wilson Ker,
senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Ker & Sons,
Aigburth Nurseries, Liverpool. It was only as
recently as June of last year that the Royal
Horticultural Society conferred upon him the
highest distinction in horticulture — the Victoria
Medal of Honour. Readers will share our regret
that he has lived such a short time to enjoy
the distinction. He was born in 1839, and
served his apprenticeship under i\Tr. Wm.
Skirving, and later he was employed at the Pine-

the bulb-growing industry in that country. Out-
side his business he was specially interested in
educational work, and he was for many years a
member of the board of the Liverpool Institute,
one of the largest public schools in the city,
where he himself was educated, and subsequently
all of his eight sons. Two of Mr. Ker's sons are
connected with the firm.

Major Enthoven.-Wc regret to announce
the death of Major Enthoven, late Royal En-
gineers, who had held, since February last, the
post of Chief Officer of the London Parks under
the County Council. Major Enthoven died of
pneumonia, on April 30, at the early age of 44.
At the meeting of the London County Council
on Tuesday last (May 3), the chairman, Mr.
Whit,aker Thompson, referred in sympathetic
terms to the death of JIajor Enthoven, and .stated
that all the members of the Council had been mi-
pressed with the zeal which Major Enthoven had
attacked the work, which was, to some extent,
novel to him.

May 7, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

S07

IVE A R K G T S.

COVENT GARDEN, May 4.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. 1 liey 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 reuienibeied that these quotations do not repre-
sent the prices on any particular day, but only ilie
geneial averages for the week preceding the date of our
tepori. The prices depKiid upon the quality of the
samples, tlie way in which they are packed, the sup[)ly
in the marliet, and tlie demand, and iliey uiay fluciuate,
not only from day to day, but occasionally several tunes
in one day. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers, ftc: Average Wholesale Prices.

s d. s.d.

Anemones, p. doz.

10-10

Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch

0 6-09

— Fieldeii, per

dozen

2 0-30

Bouvardia ...

4 0-60

Calla (see Richardia

Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best

American (vat.)

2 0-30

Carola, and other

special varieties

4 0-50

— second size ..

1 6 li U

— smaller, per

doz. bundles

12 0-18 0

Camellias, per doz.

16-20

Catileyas, per duz.

blooms

6 0-90

Daflodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

16-36

— seconds

1 U- 2 0

— double, per dz.

bunches

10-16

Eiichans graiidi-

(lora.perduzen

blooms

3 0-40

Freesias, p. dz. bch.

10-16

Gardenias, per dz.

16-26

Gypsophila elegans

p. dz. bunches

3 0-40

Heather (while).

per bunch

1 0 —

Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches ..

5 0-80

Lilac (French), per

bunch

2 0-30

Litiniii aiiratiim

per bunch
— fontiinorum ...

2 0-30

2 0-30

— lane i f oliuin

riibrii:jT

16-20

— Ian c i f 0 1 i uni

album

16-20

Lily of the Valley,

p. dz. bunches

6 0-90

— extra quality ...

12 0-15 0

s.d.s.d.
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow ... 3 0-40
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 4 0-60
Narcissus poeticus
(Fbeasanl'sEye),

per doz. biiciis. 10-20
Od on t o glossuin

crispinii, per

dozen blooms 10-20
I'elargoniums.shw.,

per doz. bclis. 4 0-60

— Zonal, double

scarlet 4 0-60

Richardia alricana

(Calla), p. doz. 16-26
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos ... 10-20

— Uridesniaid ... 16-26

— C. Testout ... 2 0 3 0

— K a i se r i 11 A.
Victoria ... 10-30

— Capt. Hayward 10-20

— C.Meimet ... 16-20

— Liberty ... 16-26

— Miiie.Chatenay 16-40

— Richmond ... 2 0-40

— The Bride ... 16-26
Spiraea, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60

Stepbanotis, 72

" pips" ... 3 0-40

Stocks, per doz.

bunches ... 3 0-40

Sweet Peas, per

dozen bunches... 3 0-60
Tuberoses, p. gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 4-06
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, per doz.

bunches ... 16-20
~ Parma 16-26

Cut Foliage, •

Adiaiitum cunea-
luin, per dozen
bunches

A spar ag u s plu-

mosus, long

trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.

bunches
~- Spieii{;eii

Berberis, per dozen
bunches

Croton leaves, per
dozen bunches

Cycas leaves, each

Feins, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish)

s.d.

s.d.

6 0-

8 0

12 0-18 0

12 0-18 0
9 0-la 0

2 6-

S 1

9 0-
1 0-

12 1

2 0-

3 I

s.d. s.d.
0 6-09

Ferns (French) ...
Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches
Hardy foliage

(vaiions), per

dozen hunches
Ivy -leaves, bronze

— long trails pet
bundle

— short g reen,
perdz. bunches 10-20

16-20

3 0-90

2 0-26

0 9-16

Moss, per gross

Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved ...

— Fiench

.->iiiilax, p. dz. trails

4 0-50

4 0-60
10-16
4 0 6 0

Plants In Pots, Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d

AcaciaDrumniondi,

per dozen
Ampelopsis Veit-

chii, per dozen
Aralia Siebjldi, p.

dozen ...

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

^- larger plants ...

Araucaria excel sa,
per dozen

— large plants,
each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green ...

— variegated
Asjiarapus plunio-

sns nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— 1 en u issi miis
Azaleas, per doz.
Begonia Gloire

de L orraine,
per dozen
Boronia hetero-
phylla, per dz.

— megastigma ...
Calceolarias (her-
baceous), p. dz.

Cinerarias, per doz.
Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Coc OS Weddelli-

ana, per dozen...
Croions, per dozen

24 0-30 0
6 0-80

5 0-80

9 0-12 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

3 6-50

15 0-24 0
30 0-42 0

9 0-15 0

9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0

30 0-42 0

24 0-30 0
18 0-24 0 .

6 0-80!
5 0-80
8 0-90
18 0-24 0

18 0-30 0
18 0-30 0

Cyclamen, per doz. 8
Cy per u s alterni-
folius, dozen ... 4

— laxus, per doz. 4
Daffodils, per doz. 4
I 'iac;enas,per doz. 9
Erica candidissima 18

— Cavendishi,per
dozen 24

— persoluta alba 24

— small plants
(various) ... 3

Euonymus, perdz.,
in pots... .. 3

— fiom the ground 3
Ferns, in thumbs,

pel 100 8

— in small and
large 60's ... 12

— in 48's, per dz. 4

— choicer sorts... 8

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

dozen 9

— repens, per dz. 6
Genistas, per dz.... 5
Grevilleas, per dz. 4
Hyacinths, \->er dz.

pots, 3 in a pot
Hydrangeas Hor-
tensis, per doz. 9

— Thos. Hogg ... 12
Isolepis, per dozen 4
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18

— Fosteriana, per
dozen 18

,d. s.d.
0 12 0

0-5 0
0- 5 0
0-6 0
0-24 0
0-24 0

0-36 0
0-30 0

0-8 0
0-6 0

0-20 0
0-6 0
0-12 0
0-lH 0

0-12 0
0-8 0
0-8 0
0-6 0

6 0-90

0-18 0
0-24 0
0-6 0

0-24 0

0-30 0

Plants In Pota, Slc.

Lataiiia borbonica,

per dozen
L i 1 1 u m 1 o n g i-

florum, per dz.
— lancifolium, p.

dozen

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white,

per dozen
Mignonette, p. doz.

Average Wholesale Prices (Contd.).

s.d. s.d

Pelargoniums

(show), per doz. 12 0-18 0

Ivy leaved, doz, 6 0-80

zonal 6 0-80

Selaginella, p. doz. 4 0-60

Spiraea japonica, dz. 8 0-10 0

Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz.... 6 0-80

Tulips in boxes of

24 bulbs ... 16-20

— pots, special ... 9 0-12 0

Verbena, per doz. 6 0-10 0

Vegetables: Average Wholesale Prices (continued).

s.d

s.d.

15 0-

21 0

21 0-36 0

18 0

30 0

18 0-

80 0

6 0-90
6 0-80

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples (U.S.), per
barrel 24

— Albemarle Pip-
pin 32

— (Canadian), per
barrel :

— Spy 22

— (Nova Scotian),
per barrel ;

— Nonpareil ... 12

— Baldwin ... 18

— Ben Davies ... 14

— (C a 1 i fornian),
per case :

— Newtown Pip-
pin, 4 tiers,
Selected .. 9

— 4.i tiers, do. ... 8

— 4 tiers, seconds 6

— 4J tiers, do. ... 6

— (Oregon), New-
town Pippin,
per case ;

— 4 tiers 14

~ 4i tiers 10

— British Colum-
bia

— (A u s t r alian)
per case :

— Cleopatra, se-
lected large ...

— Cox's ...

— Jonathan

— Monro's Fa-
vourite

— Wellington ...

— (Tasm a n ian),
per case :

— Ribston ... 8

— New York ... 10

— Alfrision, cook-
ing 8

— Mobb's Codling 7

— Alexander ... 7

— Scarlet I'ear-
niain 9

— Crews Egg ... 7
Bananas, bunch :

— Doubles ... 12

— No. 1 „ ... 8

— Extra „ ... 9

— Giant „ ... 11

— Red coloured... 4

— Red Doubles .. 8

— Loose, per dz. 0
Cranberries (.Ameri-
can Cape Cod),
per case

Custard .\pples, p.

dozen

Dates (Star), cwt.
Grape Fruit, case :

— 96's \

— t-O's I

— 64's f

— 54*s J

Grapes, per lb. :

— (.Mmeria), per
barrel .. ... 20
p. 121b. baskets 3

— (Cape), p. box :

— Raison Blanc,
101bs.tol2lbs. 6

— 101bs.to241bs. 12

d- s.d.
0-27 0

6-16 0
0-22 0
U-17 0

0 —

0 —
0-7 0
0-7 6

0-15 0
0 —

12 0 18 0

0-13 6
0-2U 0
0-14 0

0-14 0
0-14 0

6-9 0
0-11 0

6-9 0

6-8 6
&- 8 6

0-9 6
9 —

0 —
0-10 0

U-11 0
0-14 0
6-6 0
0-9 0
6- 1 0

7 0 —

0-12 0
6 -

14 0-18 0

0-25 0
0 —

0-7 0
0-14 0

8 0

p.

Lemons, per case ;

— (Messina , se-
lected, 300 ...

— selected, large

— medium, 360 ...

— special cases,
330

— boxes, extra
quality, 300 ...

I.ychees, per box...
M;Higoes(Cape),per

doz.

Nuts, Almonds,
bag

— Brazils, new,
per cwt. ... 45

— sorted 50

— Barcelona, bag 32

— Cocoa nuts. 100 10

— (Italian), p. bag 11
Oranges—

— Palermo Blood

(80) 6

(100) 6

— California n
Navel, box (80)\

— „ case (96) \,^ ,

— „ „ (112) P'

— .. ., (126jJ

— J af f a s , case
(U4) 9

— Uenia, per case
(420) 14

— Selected ... 16

— (420) large ... 20

— (714) selected 18

— Valencia, per
case (420)

— Messina Bit-
ters, box (200)

— Mandarine,

Florida, p.
case

— — per box ...

— — Jamaica, p.

case

— Tangerine, box

— Seville Sours,
per \ chest ...

English Peaches

per doz.
Pears (Avacado),

per doz.
Pears, (Cape)

— Winter Nelis

per 21

per 25

— B e u r r 6 Bosc
(24, 28)

— Beur.e Clair-
geau

— (Australian),
per tray

— (Ta smanian),
per case :

— Beurre Bosc ...

— Beurr6 Clair
geau

— Beurr6 Capri
aumont

— Vicar of Wake-
field. Irge. cases 8

Pineapples, each ... 2
Strawberries, p. lb. 2

— seconds ... 1

s.d.s.d.

6 —

6 —
6 —

... 18
10

0 —
6- 1 9

0-10 0

0-42 0

0 —
0 _

0-34 0
0-14 0
0-13 0

0 —
0 —

0-10 0

0 —

6 —
0-25 0
6 —

6 22 6

0 —

0-12 0
4-16

6 10 6
6-0 9

0-16 0

0-18 0

0-12 0

6 —
6 -

0-6 6

0 —

0-6 0

6 0-80

6 —
6-4 0
6-3 0
0-16

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(Globe),
pei dozen

— Jerusalem, J
sieve

Asparagus, Eng-
lish, per bdle,
100 sticks.

— Paris Green,
bundle

— Sprue

— (Dijon)

— Lauris

— (Spanish)

— (Barcelona) ...

— Giant

— Montauban ...

— Toulouse
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— BrGad(French),
per pad

Beetroot, per bushel
Cabbages (spring)

per hamper ...
Carrots {English),

dozen bunches

— per bag

— unwashed

s.d.s.d. 1
2 0- 2 6 I
0 9- 1 0 !

2 6- 3 o'

■ 3 0

0 7

1 2

2 9
- 1 0

0 9

2 6-

0 6

1 0

2 3-
0 10-

0 B
5 0-10 0
2 9-30
2 2-26

3 6-46
10-16

2 9-30

3 6-40
16-19

Carrots (French),
dozen bunches

Cauliflowers, ham-
per (24-30) ...

— (French), per
crate (24-30) ...

Chicory, per lb. ...
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30"s

— 36's

lindive, per dozen
Greens. Spring,

bag

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (French),

per crate (27-30)
Marrows, per doz.
Mint, doz. bunches
Mushrooms, per lb.

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (Valencia),
per case

— Egyptian, bags

s.d.. s.d
4 0-60

3 0-40

4 0-50
0 5 —

5 0-76

6 0-76
16-20

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

10-12
4 6-60
3 0-60
10-13
0 10- 1 0

s.d. s.d
I G- 2 0
6 0-80
0 8-10

Parsley, \ sieve ...
Peas (French), pad

— (Jersey) per lb,
Potatos (Algerian),

cwt 14 0 —

— (Channel Is-
lands), per lb. 0 3i 0 4^

— (Teneriffe), per

cwt. 10 0 —

Rhubarb (forced),

doz. bundles.. 0 10- 1 0

— Natural, per

dozen bundles 2 0-30
Radishes (Guern-
sey), per dozen 0 8-09
Savoys, per tally... 4 6-60

SeaKale 1 U- 1 2

Spinach, J sieve ... 2 0-26

— (French), crate 2 0-26

s.d. s.d
Sprouting Broccoli

bag

Stach) s tuberosa,

per lb 0 4-

Tomatos —

— (tiiglish), per

dozen lbs. ... 11 0-12 0

— (Guernsey), per

dozen lbs. ... 9 0-10 0

— {Tenenfle),per
bundle ... 12 0-17 0

Turnips, 12 bun^
ches

— bags

— dirty, per bag...

— (French), per
dozen bunches 7 0-80

Turnip Tops, bag 2 0- 2 ti
Watercress, p. flat 6 0-66

10-16
- 0 5

2 0-30
2 6-30
2 0 —

Remarks.— There is an increased supply of Asparagus
of all varieties ; giant Asparagus of best quality, however,
maintains good prices, Theie are small consignments of
English .A.sparagus from Worcester, 100 sticks per bundle,
arriving daily. English Tomatos are meeting a small
demand, owing principally to the good quality of foreign-
grown Tomatos. There is a large stock of French-grown
salads of all varieties. Apples generally are cheaper,
owing to larger arrivals. Strawberries are a little firmer
in prices, but 3s. per lb. is their highest market value;
the demand for this fruit has not been good, owing to
the cold weather. Trade generally, both in the fruit and
is fair. E. li. Rides, Covent Garden,

vegetable markets,
May ■/, 1910.

Potatos.

per cwt. per cwt,

s.d. s.d. Lincolns— s.d. s.d.

3 0-36 Up-to*Date 30-39

,20-29 Dalmeny Beauty... 36-39
Royal Kidney ... 2 3-26

.50-53 Maincrop 29-36

.40-46 King Edwards ... 3 0 36

Kents—
.23-26 Scottish Triumphs 36-39
.23-26 Up-to-Date 36-39

Remarks.— Trade is slow, and prices are about the same
as last week. Consignments are quite equal to the demand.
New potatos from Jersey will be more plentiful next week.
Edward J. Newbo7n, Covent Garden atid St. Fancras, Mar 4*
1910.

Bed fords—

Up-io-Date .
Blacklands.
Dunbars—
Maincrop .
Up-to-Dale.
Lincolns—
Evergood .
Sharpe's Express.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Cut Flowers.

Supplies of most seasonable flowers are excessive. Roses
are now of the best quality, but their prices are low. Splen-
did blooms of Mr. J. Laing have been selling at Is. to Is. 3d.
per dozen, and blooms of La France (with the exception
of the very finest flowers) have not been worth more.
Blooms of Capt. Hayward are also ottered cheaply.
Frau Karl Druschki is a little more valuable ; also Madame
Abel Cbatenay. Carnations vary in value, but few sell tor
more than 2s. 6d. per dozen flowers. Most growers cultivate
Britannia as a scarlet variety. Two-year-old plants are the
most satisfactory for blooming. The variety, Mrs. S. Hill,
has improved, but White Perfection is slill the greatest
favourite with most growers. Rose Pink Enchantress is
coming to the front as a market sort, and Windsor is also
worthy the attention of market growers. It is difficult to
say which is the best crimson Carnation ; Carola is the largest
flowered and President is one of the brightest. Liliums have
been making rather better prices, especially at the end of the
week, but with a few warm days they will probably be more
plentiiul again. Richardias (Callas) are abundant and cheap.
Lily of the Valley varies but little ; Daffodils are over abund-
ant. Blooms of Narcissus ornatus were offered this morn-
ing at 2s. 6d, per box of five dozen bunches, but this must
not be regarded as their ordinary value early in the morning.
Sweet Peas are arriving from several growers ; they are
of better quality than those seen earlier in the season.
Tulips continue to be plentiful; some fine Darwin and
Parrot varieties are seen. French flowers have not been
quite so plentiful, but large supplies are arriving from the
Channel Islands.

Pot Plants.

Supplies are more than equal to all demands. Azaleas are
still very good, though some are rather far advanced in
bloom. Ericas are good, and include E. Cavendishii, E.
ventricosa, E. persoluta alba, and E. hybrida. Pelargo-
niums include Show, Ivy-leaved' and Zonal varieties, all of
which are good. Petunias, both single and double varieties,
are well flowered, but they are chiefly in 60 pots. Helio-
tropes in 48 pots are good. Mignonette is remarkably fine,
also Intermediate Stocks. Genistas are well flowered.
Some good pot Liliums are seen. Plants of Verbena Miss
Willmott are also well flowered. Cinerarias are plentiful, and
of very good quality, Bulbs of various sorts continue to be
plentiful. H)drangeas are good, especially the variety
Thos. Hogg. Foliage plants are well supplied, and include
all the usual sorts used for decorations. There are also
shrubs, climbers and other hardy subjects. Pansies,
Primroses, Violas and other hardy plant roots are abundant.
A, H., Covent Garden, May 4, i9IO.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

1 0

12 6 —
60 —

Mr. James Humphrey, for the past 3 years Gardener to Sir

Francis Burdett, Foremark Hall, Burton-on-Trent, as

Gardener to Mrs. Finch, The Gables, Linslade, Leighiou

Buzzard,
Mr. A. A. Lisle, for 2J year?, Gardener to J. W. Sidev, Esq.,

Rotherhurst, Roiherfield, Sussex, as Gardener to W.

Arihlr Rix, Esq., Seafield Park, Fareham, Hants.
Mr. P. Hunt for 4 years Gaidener and Manager at Hatlon

Park, Middlesex, as Gardener to Lady Watson, Earnock

House, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, N.B.
Mr. J. Kemp, for the past 6 years Foreman in the gardens of

the late J. B. Coates, Esq., Fern Hill, Norwich, as

Gardener to H. W. Sanderson, Esq., at the same

address.

308

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Mat 7, 1910.

LAW NOTE.

ABSCONDING DEBTOR.
At the officers of the Official Receiver for the St.
Albans district, Bedford Row, W.C, before Jlr.
Cecil Mercer, Official Receiver, the first meeting
of creditors was held under the failure of Francis
George Young, nurseryman and Orchid grower.
Watson's Walk, St. Albans. After dealing with
the proofs of debt lodged, the Official Receiver
said debtor had not surrendered under the pro-
ceedings, and he had no idea of his whereabouts.
Debtor took over ths business on the death of his
father in 1900, and it was then a good busi-
ness. An interim receiving order was granted
by the Court, because it was a case of urgency,
the debtor having disappeared, and there was
nobody in a position to look after the estate. The
Official Receiver said he had received proofs of
debts amounting to £6,600, but the total claims,
so far as he could see at present, would amount
to £10.000. A resolution was unanimously passed
that Mr. Stephen Pagden Childe, chartered ac-
countant, of 8, Fredericks Place, Old Jewry,
E.C., should be appointed trustee of the_ estate,
to act under the supervision of a committee of
inspection. ^

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending May 4.

The wettest week for over two months,— There were two
moderately warm davs, and two warm nights, but durinR the
rest of the week both the days and nights were below the
average in temperature, and on one night the exposed
thermometer showed 8" degrees of frost. The ground is at
the present time 2'^ colder at 2 feet deep, and S'' degrees
colder at 1 foot deep, than is seasonable. Rain fell on five
days, and to the total depth of nearly an inch. The rather
heavy rain on the 2nd restarted both the soil gauges, through
which there had been no percolation for nearly a month.
The sun shone on an average for 5^ hours a day, which is a
quarter of an hour a day short of the average duration a this
period of the Spring. The wind was at times rather hii^h,
but in the windiest hour the mean velocity only amounted
to 15 miles— direction S.S.W. The mean amount of moisture
in the air at 3 p.m. exceeded a seasonable quantity for that
hour by 7 percent.

April.

Seasonable in temperature, dry, and sunless.— Taken as a
whole this month was of about average temperature. The
fact is, the days were, as a rule, about as cold for the time
of year as the nights were warm. On the warmest day the
temperature in the thermometer screen rose to 64", and on
the coldest night the exposed thermometer registered H" of
frost. Both of these are rather low extreme readings for
April. As in the previous month there occurred at no time
any very marked changes in temperature during the course
of it. Rain or hail fell on 16 days, and to the aggregate
depth of li inch, which is half an inch below the average
for the month. No snow fell during this April. The falls
of rain were more frequent than usual, but at no time un-
usually heavy. The sun ?hone on an average for less than
four hours a day, or for IJ hours a day short of the average
duration, so that this was an exceptionally sunless Apiil.
The wind was, as a rule, of about average strength, and in
the windiest hour the mean velocity amounted to only 13
miles— direction W.S.W. The mean amount of moisture
in the air at three o'clock in the afternoon exceeded a
sea<;onable quantity for that hour by six per cent. E. M.,
Bcrkhanisted, May 4, 1910.

urrredbondenk

Aster Seedlings : B. H. M. The plants are
attacked by the Aster disease. Burn the
affected seedlings and make a fresh sowing,
taking care to use clean paus and new soil. As
a preventive, spray the soil in the seed-pan
lightly with a rofe-red solution of permanganate
of potash.

Carn.ition Souvenir de la Mal.maison : A.
T. K. The plants are not diseased, but have
been afforded too much moisture both at the
roots and in the atmosphere. There is no
" rust " present, agd, only good cultivation is
needed to bring the plants to a proper condi-
dition of health. A frecjuent cause of the
trouble such as yonr plants exhibit, is keeping
them growing too freely in the winter, whereas
they require a condition of rest, and almost
perfect dryness at the roots.

Carnations with Damaged Petals; G. J.
There is no disease present : the damage has
been caused by some external agency, such a,s
excessive fumigation, an overdose of chemical
manure, or burning caused by bright sunshine
■wliiV.t the flowers were damp.

Definition of an Am.4Teur Gardener : W. J .
Our correspondent asks us to give a detailed
definition of an amateur gardener as far as
judges consider amateur gardening. He states
that he exhibited some plants at a local show
and was awarded a silver cup, but that after-
wards, his opponents lodged a protest on the
ground that he was a professional, because he
sells surplus plants occasionally. He is en-
gaged at a local wine and spirit merchant's, in
charge of the bottle-washing department, his
hours being from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no half-
day holiday ; all his gardening is done during
meal hours, before 5 a.m. and after 5 p.m. The
sliow committee were equally divided on the
protest, and they eventually called four pro-
fessional florists, who also were equally
divided, and the decision was given against
him after the secretary's opinion was heard.
The whole question depends upon the extent
to which you engage in the sale of surplus
plants. If larger crops than you require for
your own use are intentionally grown for profit,
your disqualification would be justified, but if
you only dispose of produce of an over-
abundant crop you might be properly con-
sidered an amateur. The best definition of the
term is that draw-n up by the Rev. W. Wilks,
and accepted at the conference of Mutual Im-
provement Societies, held in the R.H.S. Hall
on October 24, 1908. This is as follows:—
" An amateur is a person who grows plants,
fruits or vegetables (enther personally or by
paid labour)" solely for the enjoyment or for
the domestic use of the produce, and not with
the object of pecuniarily benefiting by it.
Neither a nurseryman (nor his assistants), a
gardener who receives wages (or is paid in
kind), or any lady or gentleman who grows
garden or orchard produce for the purpose of
sale is an amateur. This rule does not
necessarily exclude a person who sells surplus
produce arising from an over-abundant crop or
from exuberant natural increase, but who the
officials of the show at which the question
arises are satisfied does not intentionally grow
for sale. Whenever any person is recognised
by the officials of a show as coming under the
definition of ' amateur ' in their particular dis-
trict or under their show rules, the judges must
make their awards without any preference as
to whether such recognition is right. The duty
of deciding who is and who is not an amateur
in any particular district lies with the officials
of the show, and not with the judges."
Double W.\llflower; F. H. The variety of
Wallflower which you say was found growing
on an old wall, is the same as that sent us by
Mr. A. Hopo (see p. 243), under the name of
Old English Double Wallflower.
Manure for Cucumbers and Tomatos : H. U.
Stable manure (including the horse-droppinge)
is the most suitable kind of animal manure tor
the growth of Cucumbers and Tomatos. This
should be thrown together in a heap, and be
turned every day for a week or 10 days, shak-
ing the straw out well in doing so, in order to
allow the gases caused by fermentation to es-
cape, and, at the same time, hasten the process
of decomposition. When well-decayed, the
manure will be fit for mixing vvith an
equal quantity of soil with which to
form the mounds or ridges on which to
plant the Cucumbers at from 2 to 2^ feet
apart. It is preferable to set the individual
plants on mounds consisting of a peck or two of
soil, if the plants are planted out of 3-inch pots,
pressing the soil around the balls in planting,
and afterwards adding some of the compost to
the thickness of about 2 inches as the roots
push through the soil. Continue to make
such additions until the intervening spaces are
filled level with the summit of the mounds,
adding more as the roots push through the
surface. The soil need not be heavily enriched
for Tomatos, but, after the plants have set good
clusters of fruit, a liberal surface-dressing of
manure should be placed between the rows ;
each successive watering W'ill wash the
manurial properties down to the roots.
and thereby add to the weight and quality of
the crop. If artificials are required, use
nitrate of soda and superphosphate, repeating
small doses at intervals rather than affording a
quantity at one time.
AFyatt's Rhubarb: 0, B.. Swedrii. The raiser
of this Rhubarb and of the Parsley which

bears his name was a market-gardener some
50 years ago. We do not know that any mem-
ber of his family now exists. The site of his
nursery has long since been built on.
Nj^mes of Plants: II'. //. B. Scilla italica. —
H. S. 1, E ica arbor, a; 2, E. carn.a.— i*'. J. O.
Cattleya bkinneri alba. The plajit should be
worth several guineas. — A. (.'. H. 1, Cypripe-
dium Jleasuresianuni (villosum X venustum) ;
2, Cypripedium Lawrenceanum ; 3, C. exul. ; 4,
Vanda suavis. — D. M. 1, Stelis Bruchmuelleri ;
2, Pleurothallis velaticaulis : 3, Odontoglossura
Andersonianum ; 4. 0. triumphans ; a poor
variety ; 5, 0. Hallii ; 6, 0. Andcrsoniaiunn
Ruckerianum. — It. 0. 1, Odontoglossum blan-
dum ; 2, 0. Hunnewellianum ; 3, 0. Lindleya-
num ; 4, Oncidium varicosum ; 5, Masdevalliai
polysticta: 5, Oncidium barbatum. — Oxon. Epi-
medium alpinum rubrum. — E. P. Broughton.
Probably Dendrobium Farmeri, so far as can be
determined from the shrivelled flower, and
without a description of the growth.
Narcissi Diseased: T. d- Son. The plants are
affected with " yellow stripe," a bacterial dis-
ease which starts in the bulb. No cure is
known. Treat the ground in which the bulbs
have been planted with superphosphate. Lime
favours the disease.
Peach Leaves Diseased : C. G. The foliage is
badly attacked with " blister." The recent
cold winds have been favourable for the spread
of this disease. Remove the injured leaves as
soon as detected and burn them, and prune the
affected branches to healthy wood. Spray the
plants with a dilute solution of ammoniacal
copper carbonate, and repeat the spraying in
about three weeks' time.
Polyanthus : IF. IF. The plants are not
diseased, but show deterioration such as is
often the case with old plants of this Primula.
There is an inclination to fasciation in the
plants, which also points to the need for fresh
stock.
Richardia (Calla), &o. : T. B. There is no
disease present; the damage has been caused by
an excess of moisture in the atmosphere. Allow
the plants more fresh air aiid do not damp the
houses too frequently. The Humea is affected
with the well-known root disease caused
by Rhizoctonia. Water the plants with
a solution of nitrate of potash, at a strength
of one ounce in one gallon of water. The Pelar-
gonium is affected with a bacterial disease.
Do not employ any of the unhealthy plants for
stock purposes and use great care in affording
water.
School of Gardening : 0. B. Apply to the
secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society,
Vincent Square, Westminster, or the Principal
of University College, Reading. High-class
nurseries, private gardens, or market establish-
ments offer good training grounds in their
respective sections of gardening, but no scien-
tific instruction is provided in them as at
Wisley and Reading.
Seedsman and Florist: A. H., Beex. As you
have no experience in nursery work or horti-
culture generally, your venture in the business
will be attended with a considerable amount of
risk. Your best plan is to insert an advertise-
ment, and either place your money ina concern
already established, acting as a partner, or
secure" the services of some competent man as
manager. With regard to your question of
return you may expect from a capital of £200,
this would be impossible to answer, as every-
thing would depend upon circumstances.
Woodlice: E. p., Brovghtnn. Prepare traps
by hollowing out pieces of Potato, Turnip, &c.,
and place these hollow side downwards,
in the haunts of the pests. Examine the
trails each morning, and destroy those caught.
Steiner's vermin paste is said to be effective.
Wood trellis or other movable woodwork in
the house should be lifted periodically,
and the woodlice found underneath destroyed.
Rubbish of any kind harbours the insects, and
should not be allowed to accumulate in the
houses.

Communications Received.— C. H.-Miss E., Ryde—
\V. B.-Mrs. H.. Sarrev— W. H. B.— W. A. N.— E. P.—
H. a.-W. S. -R. R.— Wessex-B. B. .1— E. P.— E. F.
A. R. D- R. G. H.— F. .7 -W. B H.— H. F.— S. & Sons-
Miss H.-W. D. T. & Sons, Ltd.— E. A D. S.-I. J C.
— H. &G.,Lta.— H. S. T.-T. R— T. W. B.-J. S. & Sons
-W. &N.— R. P. B. -n. G.-W. A. C.-S. A. -A. H.—
H. .J. H. Co.— P. R. ^V.-H. J. C— J. P.-A. P.-J f! —
P. W.C. -A. T.— C.H H.— P. J.— E. H. J.— W. Q. 0.—
R. H. P.

Mat 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

309

THE

6iirbcncis'Cbroniflc

No. 1,220.— SATURDAY, May U. 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine garden, the—

Obituary—

A winter ■ flowering

Burriss, George

321

Viola

314

Peach blossom, protect-

Ourisia Cockayniana

314

ing

3'20

Stylophornm japoni-

Phlox pilosa

318

cum

314

Plant tissues and di-

Bonk, notice of—

sease-producing mi-

Orchid Award Bonk...

317

crobes

316

Botanical garden in East

Postponement of meet-

Java, a

312

ings and shows

316

Brussels International

Primula *' General

Exhibition

316

Stuart"

318

Cala'hea crocata

312

Royal Gardeners' Or-

Caselton, Mr. George ..

316

phan Fund ... ' ...

316

Cultural memoranda —

Season, the

31H

Planting vines

313

Small Holdings, pur-

Daffodil season, the

311

chase of land for

316

Eel-worms, destruction

Societies-

of-

318

Dutch Bulb Growers'

322

Fertili<;ation of Pear and

Linnean

323

Apple blossoms

310

National Auricula and

'* French " gardening,

Primula (Midland

thecommei'cialsideof

3U

section)

3-20

Fruit-tree blossom

309

Royal Horticultural

Gardeners' Company,

(Scientific Committee)

320

the

317

Scottish Hort

B'23

Hamoton Court Gar-

United Hort. Ben. &

dens. si ring flowers at

317

Prov

323

Hydrangea horiensis,

Spade work

318

new varieties of

313

Tropical agriculture

International Exhibi-

and colonial develop-

tion, 1912, the

318

ment

317

Kew Guild meeting

316

Vegetable culture, ex-

King Edward's interest

hibition

319

in hnrticnlture

316

Week's work, the—

Laurel leaves as an in-

Apiary, the

316

secticide

318

Flower garden, the ...

314

Law note

324

Fruits under filass ...

314

Leaves, the autumn

Huvdy fruit garden, the

315

colouring of

318

Kitchen garden, the ..

316

Naturalists' League, the

Orcbid houses, the ...

316

Young

320

Plants under glass ...

314

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Brussels International Exhibition, exhibits at the

310, 311, 313
King Edward VII. at the opening ceremony at K.H.S.

Hall 317

Krelage, Ernest H., portrait of 3:^2

Marlbor-iugh House (Supplementary Illustration.)

Sandringham House, Norfo k 319

York Cottage, Sandringham 321

FRUIT-TREE BLOSSOM.

ONE of the chief advantage.s of a drip-
ping spring, so far as fruit-growers are
concerned, is the considerable degree
of safety it affords against damaging frosts.
There is no complete safety, for many a
time since the middle of April anxiety has
been caused by a shift of wind into tlie
north-western quarter. But here, near the
south coast, the only frost of any ron-secjuence
that has occurred since any fruit tree has been
in blossom was that of the morning of April 23.
On that occasion I registered only 3^,
and this is not enough to do any harm to
fruit-blossom. In the Maidstone district,
however, probably in other parts of Kent,
and certainly in some parts of the Midlands,
there were 6° of frost, and a few reports
mention damage to GoosebeiTies as the re-
sult. At the time of writing we are not by
any means past danger from frost, and .shall
not be so until the end of the current month.
Still, every week of exemption from damage

reduces the risk of it. The last wtt-k in April
and the first fortnight in May cover the most
critical period of the season in relation to
frost in the southern half of England, while a
week's extension must be allowed for districts
further north. Up to the time of writing no
report of serious damage to fruit-blossom has
reached me, though there are some rumours of
injury as the results of frost, cold wind, or
hail.

All kinds of fruit trees have blos.somed fairly
or profu.sely. Gooseberries have .set a fair
crop, but they are not as thick on the
bush&s as they were last year. P"or some
unknown reason birds failed to make tlieir
usual attack on the buds during the winter,
at least in my plantations. They paid
more attention to Red Currants and
Plums, and did much damage to the former,
as well as to choice Plums in my private
orchard, in spite of preventive measures.
Where they left the bushes alone there is a
fair show for Ked Currani;s. Most kinds of
Plums, now nearly out of blossom, have made
a good or fair show. Rivers's Early Prolific,
Black Diamond, Oullins's Golden Gage, and
Reine Claude Violette are exceptions in my
orchards, while the old Greengage had le.ss
than an average display. C/.ar, Victoria,
and Pond's Seedling flowered profusely, and
Gisborne, Monarch, and Coe's Go'den Drop
moderately. All kinds of Pears were plenti-
fully covered with bloom, and never before
has it been noticed to stay so long upon the
trees as it has this season. Cherries also
have been densely covered with flowers. Black
Currants were very late in coming into blos-
som, for the flowei-s were not fully out at the
end of the first week of May, even in this
southern district. There is about an average
show. Strawberries appear to be flowering
well, but they are not by any means early. Of
Raspberries it is too soon to form any opinion.

Apple blossom, which atone time threatened
to be out very early, has been exceedingly
slow in developing, checked as it has been by
cold winds and lack of sunshine by day, and
slight frosts at night. Very few varieties,
even in the extreme south of P^ugland, were
in full bloom at the end of the first week of
the present month. As to the amount of
blossom, it differs greatly according to the
variety, some varieties are making a profuse
display, while others make a very small show,
or practically none at all. In my case, Bis-
marck, Bramley's Seedling, Blenheim Pippin,
and Dumelow's Seedling show very little
bloom, the last being almost entirely barren.
Moreover, among several other varieties there
are many trees almost or entirely blo.ssomless,
while the rest have a full or fair show. There
are some curious features in this disparity,
as, for example, a good set of blossom on the
lower halves of rows of Irish Peach and Mr.
Gladstone, h ith hardly any on the upper
halves. Further, it is noticeable that gcod
di.splays of blossom are common, as a rule,
only on mature trees. In a large plantation
of Apples planted in the autumn or winter
during 190.5 and 1906, the promise of fruit on
most varieties is much smaller than might
have been expected from trees of their sizes.
Cox's Orange Pippin, five years from the
planting, is almost devoid of blossom ; indeed,
entirely so, except on very few trees. The
same variety in an older plantation is bloom-
ing freely. Mature trees of Beauty of Bath,

Worcester Pearmain, Stirling Castle, War-
ner's King, Queen, Domino, Claygate Pear-
main, Allington Pippin, Golden Spire, and
Newton Wonder are among the best varieties
in promise.

My theory of explanation as to the dispari-
ties noticed above, is that the cold and wet
summer of 1909 was against the ripening of
fruit-buds, consequently it is mainly buds
ivhich developed satisfactorily in 1908 that
have come to blossoming perfection this
season.

There is another point as to the fruiting of
Apples which has not received sufiicient
investigation. The tendency of certain
varieties to bear in only alternate seasons,
there seems reason to believe, is more
common tlian is generally recognised.
Golden Spire with me is always an alter-
nate fruiter. In one year the branches are so
thickly covered with fruit that they resemble
ropes of Onions ; in the next they are entirely
fruitless. Nevertheless, the trees do not all
fruit in the same season. Early Julyan is al-
most as decidedly an alternate bearer, and I
think that Bramley's Seedling. Warner's
King, and Lord Grosvenor show a tendency
in the same direction.

At present, the prospect of the Apple crop
is doubtful. Two large growers in different
counties state that they have a very poor show
of Apple blo,ssom on the whole, while a
moderate rather than a great crop seems to bo
promised in two or three extensive fruit dis-
tricts concerning wliich reports have been
published.

Fruit Pests.

It would be very interesting to learn from
readers of this article in different parts of the
country whether they have noticed a re-
markable exemption from attacks of the
aphis such as that in which I am re-
joicing at present. Tliere is a point of
great importance attaching to this question.
Last summer I was much struck with
the freedom from aphis of a certain large fruit
farm, and, on inquiring of the foreman how
he could account for this good fortune in a
season in which the infestation of Apples and
Plums was generally about the worst ever
experienced, I was informed that Le attri-
buted the exemption to the trees having been
sprayed with lime and sulphur just when the
buds were on the point of bursting. He
thought that the wash destroyed the eggs, or
prevented them from hatching, while it
certainly killed any mother-queen aphides
which were reached by the spray. Acting
upon this suggestion, I deferred my usual
winter spraying until the buds were
just beginning to burst on Plums and
Apples, using lime and sulphur, which had
been employed in some previous years in
February. Many Apple trees, when the
spraying was done, were advanced enough to
•show clusters of blossom-buds on the point of
bursting, and not the slightest harm was done
to them. It is a fact that in a large planta-
tion of young Apple trees densely and per-
sistently infested with aphides last season, not
a single specimen was found on an examina-
tion of every variety on May G, Similarly,
in a mature Apple plantation, slightly in-
fested last year, only two or three aphides
have been found ; and in a Plum field, in
H hich the trees were smothered with the pest

310

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Mat 14, 1910.

in 1909, fewer than a dozen have been found dur-
ing several sear(h:p, rnd the :e on only one variety.
A riiuch more empliatio e.xperience in this con-
nect Inn, however, is that of a distinguished ento-
moliif,'ist, who also sprayed his Apples and Plums
with Imie and sulphur just before the buds burst.
In his case some " control " trees were left un-
sprayed, and these are infested with the aphis,
while the sprayed trees are free from the pest.
He says that he is almost certain that the spray
prevents the eggs from hatching.

Obviously the spraying had not any effect upon
the eggs of the Apple sucker, some varieties, on
which eggs were found, having become infested.
But now there is another lesson to be learned.
The infested trees were sprayed with quassia
and soft soap wash, 12 lb. of each ingredient
to 100 gallons of water ; most of the clusters
of blossom-buds were so tightly „ huddled to-
gether that it might have been supposed that the
spray would not penetrate to r.ach the suckers.
The spraying, however, was c ;i.^ profusely, and,
three days after the operati.:n. .lumbers of dead
suckers were found, with h.',.'dly -any' living
ones.

Caterpillars, particularly tljcse of the winter
moth, are very numerous among the clusters of
Apple blossoms and in the foliage of Plums. The
Plums will have been sprayed with arsenate of
lead wash before these remarks are in print,
while each kind of Apple will be similarly
treated as its blossoms fall, or before the blossom
expands in the case of late-blooming varieties.

It is too early to say much on the question of
fungus pests, but there is unfortunately some
evidence to indicate that powdery mildew among
Apples and brown rot in Plums will be prevalent.
A ii'outhern Grower.

FERTILISATION OF PEAR AND APPLE
BLOSSOMS.

The present is an opportune time to make in-
vestigation on this subject. Considerable work
has been done on the pollination of Pears in
America by Mr. M. B. Waite, but very
little has been attempted in this country. In
1902 and 1903 Mr. F. J. Chittenden tested 15
kinds of Pears to -"ee whether they would- set

Fig. 127. — KING Albert's exhib
(See p.

fruit with their own pollen (i.e., were self-fertile),
or whether it was necessary for them to receive
pollen from other varieties (i.e., were self-sterile).
The following were the varieties tested : — Confer-
ence, Durondeau, Bellissime d'Hivcr, Beurre
d'Amanlis, Beurre Superfin, Catillac, Doyenne
du Cornice, Easter Beurre, Emile d"Heyst, Jar-
gonelle, Josephine de Malines, Louise Bonne of
Jer.sey, Pitmaston Duchess, Williams's Bon
Chretien, and Olivier de Serres. In the first year
all proved sclt-sterilc, except Conference and
Durondeau. In the second year none set
fruit with their own pollen save Bellis-
sime d'Hiver, which set one fruit out cf 18, and
Pitmaston Duchess, which set one 'ruit out of

THE BRUSSELS EXHIBITION.
Fig. 126. — SOME of the greenhouse plants e.xhibited by m.

(See p. 316.)

FIRVIIN DE SMET.

IT AT THE BRUSSELS EXHIBITION.
316.)

12. showing merely the pos.sibility of self-fer-
tility cf these two varieties. The conclusion is
that none of these varieties should be planted
in quantity without intermixing them with other
sorts in order to secure pollination. In reference
to this point, I may state that whilst engaged
in farming at Swanley I planted 40 trees of Pit-
maston Duchess Pears at a distance from any
other Pears. For four years, though blossoms
were plentiful, they did not fruit. I replanted
them on another part of the farm amongst other
Pears, and they commenced to fruit satisfactorily.
In 1903 and 1904 Mr. F. J. Chittenden tested
certain varieties of Apples to see whether they
were self-fertile, placing manilla bags over the
flowers. The varieties tested were Beauty of
Kent. Bismarck. Bramley's Seedling, Cellini,
Claygate Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin. Eoklin-
ville Seedling. Gladstone, King of the Pi!)pins,
Lane's Prince Albert, Lord Derby, Lady Sude-
ley, JNIannington's Pearmain, Newton Won-
der, Northern Greening, Peasgood's None-
such, Royal Jubilee, Sandringham, School-
master, Stirling Castle, Sturmer Pippin,
Dumelow's Seedling and Worcester Pearmain.
with the result that the only varieties that set
fruit v.ith their own pollen were Gladstone, Stir-^
ling Castle, and King of the Pippins. In the
case of Lord Derby and Schoolmaster, in the first
year's trial, they did not set fruit ; in the second
year's trial these two varieties did set fruit.
Mr. Niels Esberg, of Esbjerg, Denmark, an ex-
pert in fruit-growing in the employ of the
Danish Department of Agriculture, when visit-
ing England last year, informed me that on the
small holdings in his country there may often be
seen an Apple tree, a Pear tree, or a Cherry tree
in a garden at a distance of, say, 200 yards or
more from other trees. These trees are frequently
without fruit, and, in Mr. Esberg's opinion, the
cause of infertility is that no other fruit-trees are
near. An interesting case is told me by Mr.
Shrivell, of Golden Green, Tonbridge. A large
Bigarreau Cherry tree bore good crops of fruit
whilst a hive of bees was situated near it, but
the bees had foul-brood, and were destroyed,
with the consequence that for three years the
tree bore hardly any Cherries. Since again plac-
ing a fresh hive of bees near the tree the Cherries
have been plentiful. Mr. Shrivell strongly

May 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

311

ceived an Award of Merit from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society, bears the name of the late Mr.
Matthew Arnold, who was a great cultivator
and lover of flowers. He was especially an ad-
mirer of Narcissus Poeticus, which I have heard
him eulogise. David R. William.^on.

THE BRUSSELS

Fig. 128.-

-E.XHIBIT OF AZALEAS BY M.
(See p. 310.)

EXHIBITION.

MAENHOUT VA.N

recommends the keeping of bees near orchards,
and considers the work they do in setting fruit
would be recompense for the trouble, even with-
out considering the honey. More information
on the subject is required. Cecil H. Hooper.

THE DAFFODIL SEASON.

Owing chiefly to the beautiful weather which
prevailed during almost the entire month of
March — a sufficiently rare experience in Scot-
land— the Daffodil season has this year been un-
usually memorable, not perhaps so much for the
numbers as for the wonderful size and splendour
of the flowers. I have never seen Emperor, Em-
press or Sir Watkin, for example, larger or mors
impressive in my garden. New and, for the
most part, highly interesting hybrids are being
constantly produced, but I venture to doubt if
any of the three famous varieties I have men-
tioned will soon be superseded. There are doubt-
less many Daffodil.* which any lover of this ex
quisite flower would be proud to possess ; and
supreme among these is the i'igantic. ivory-white
beauty that bears th? name of the late Peter Earr ;
but it still appears in the catalogues at a pro-
hibitive price, as, for a long period, also did its
lovely predecessor, IMme. de Graaff, the queen
of all the Daffodils ; which, in virtue of its reduc-
tion in price, not to speak of its marvellously
ax:commodating character when naturalised in
grass, is now cultivated extensively. Here, in
harmonious association with the fragrant and
effective Narcis.sus Ornatus, it greatly enhances
the beautiful series of floral pictures obtainable
from my study window. There also are flower-
ing gracefully Narcissus albicans, the Moscha-
tus of Haworth, Triandrus albus and Queen cf
Spain.

One of the most fascinating Daffodils raised at
the Surbiton Nurseries is my namesake, witli
clear, lemon-coloured trumpet and wings of great
substance, which have a most delicate veination
or suggestion of green. It might be characterised
as an improved Emperor, and is admirable
whether grown in the garden, or, as here, when
naturalised in grass beneath over-arching trees.

Con.spicuous among new Daffodils of the

■eatest attractiveness and of quite recent intro-

duction are IJedouin, a grand representative cf
the Incomparabilis section ; Corallina, an emi-
nently graceful flower of the Leedsii type; Fiery
Cross, a most distinctive variety of the section
Engleheartii ; George Philip Haydon, a Daffodil
of rare refinement, with conspicuous yellow
trumpet and rich, primrose-coloured perianth ;
Furnace, cf the Burbidgii type, and Lord Kit-
chener, which, like the great Sir Watkin, " the
King of the Incomparablcs," has flowers of
radiant colour and of noble dimensions.

I have been greatly interested to learn from a
recent iss'ue of the 6-'arf/e/ier.«' Chronicle^ that
perhaps tlie finest variety of Narci.ssus Poeticus
that has hitherto appeared, and which has re-

THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF "FRENCH"
GARDENING.

The cost of laying out a " French " garden
for commercial purposes is much greater than
is common in any other form of gardening.

The size of such a garden in France is two
acres : one quarter is covered with glass, another
quarter is reserved for the transfer of glass for
summer crops, and the remainder is utilised for
work out-of-doors, which is an important item
and a necessary complement to the economical
working of the glass department.

By having a greater proportion of glass than
this the owner not only increases his risks, but
he has to solve the difficulty of placing and
utilising the whole of his glass to the best ad-
vantage.

When skilled labour, both male and female,
is available, the amount of glass must not exceed
1,000 lights and 3.000 to 4.000 cloches, or other
difficulties will have to be faced. These are the
increased labour for watering and ventilation
also the packing of crops, which must always be
dene in a very short time.

The standard number of lights and cloches in
a French garden of this description in the Paris
district is 600 and 3,000 respectively.

The main points to consider in choosing a
suitable site for a " French " garden are: — (1) It
must be where manure can be had with little
expense for carting ; (2) a good supply of water
must be obtainable ; and (3) there must be a
ready market near, either wholesale or retail,
for the sale of the crops.

The quality of the land, provided it be arable,
is of little importance, as the decayed manure
from the old manure beds supplies any defi-
ciency in this respect.

Tho frames must be made to admit as much
light as possible. They should be of a handy
size for manipulating quickly and easily. The
French pattern of frame and light has bee''

THE BRUSSELS EXHIBITION.

FlQ. I2g. — ONE OF THE EXHIBITS OF CHOICE FRUIT.
(See p. 316.)

512

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

copied exactly by an English firm, and may be
had at a reasonable charge. The frames are
made according to the size and shape of the
lights, and clips are fixed on them to keep
the latter in their proper positions. When the
lights are placed on the frames no part pro-
jects, so that a very narrow path between the
frames suffices.

The cloches made in France are the only ones
to be recommended. They are made evenly, and
the silicate used in the glass gives a greenish
tint to the cloche : this tint weakens the strength
of the sun without diminishing the amount of
light.

An adequate supply of manure is the main-
stay of the " French " garden. It should be long,
strawy, horse manure. The Parisian grower
obtains it direct from the stableis, and either pays
so much for each load or contracts to pay a
certain price per horse. The contract is made
for 12 months, and preference is given to stables
where at least five or six horses are kept. To
work a " French " garden at a pi-ofit the manure
must not cost more than 5s. to 5s. 6d. per ton
delivered oi\ the ground.

The supply of water nmst be so distributed as
not only to provide the necessary amount, but
also to facilitate the watering of the whole gar-
den in a comparatively short time.

When the water is obtained from a company
the cost of laying the pipes varies from £50 to
£70. In this case the contract with the com-
pany is made for a certain quantity of water
each year, so as to equalise the enormous
amount used in summer with the lesser quantity
required during the winter.

When means and circumstances allow, it is
best for the grower to have his own water
supply, as he can then arrange his pipes so as to
obtain the pressure he requires, this being an im-
possibility when the water is had from the main.
Though the outlay to obtain a private supply
amounts to from £80 to £120, and this does not
include the cost of digging a pond or a well, as
the case may be, the actual cost of working is
about one-eighth of the charge made by a water
company, and in the course of a few years proves
a profitable investment.

The quality and strain of the seeds are impor-
tant considerations in the intensive culture of
vegetables. The grower requires certain varie-
ties which can be grown concurrently with other
sorts of vegetables, the main requirements of
the whole batch being similar, ftlost French
gardeners grow and interchange seeds ; a few
selected plants supply as many seeds as they
require.

Inter-cropping is the essential principle of the
system, and the key to the success of the enter-
prise, but in this matter most beginners fail.
The principle is to grow different crops having
similar requirements together, each crop requir-
ing the whole space at a different time. The
crops must be so managed as to be ready for
clearing off the ground or be in too early a stage
of growth to require the room when another is
planted.

A good manager of a French garden has
always a programme of work for the cropping
of his ground drawn up at least six months
beforehand. This is based on; — (1) The particu-
lar circumstances in which he is placed ; (2) the
special requirements of the market ; and (3) the
cropping of the whole of his glass over the
longest period.

He never aims at obtaining crops excessively
early, as he has to consider the extra cost of
production and the increased risk and probable
failure of very early crops.

He rejects, as a rule, crops which monopolise
the glass for a long period, and prefers two cr
three crops, which diminish the risk of failure.

The amount of decayed manure at the gar-
dener's disposal is also an item for considera-
tion when drawing up a programme, and scarcity
of it explains why certain crops have not yet
been grown on a large scale in England, although

they will probably be extensively cultivated in
a few years to come.

The economy of labour and mechanical work
effected by growing a limited number of crops,
which give a bigger bulk of produce and diminish
the cost of production must also be considered.
A wholesale trade is preferable to a retail one,
as the latter iiecrssitates extra expenses and
labour, and the residue of the crops has to be
marketed, and generally without much profit.

This system is at present greatly handicapped
in this countrj'. as the summer crops fail to
realise a remunerative return. When the public
is better acquainted with this class of produce
it is hoped that the crops will command a better
price.

The system is of too recent introduction to per-
mit of trustworthy estimates of returns. The
quantity of decayed manure available is still
too small to obtain effective results. Difficul-
ties are still encountered in clearing certain
crops, but the average prices are slightly better
than those that obtain in Paris. P. Aquatics.

A BOTANICAL GARDEN IN EAST JAVA.

My botanical garden is situated in the grounds
of the hotel. At present the number of plants
it contains is about 3,000, and this number is
constantly increasing. The average temperature
in December last was 64", which is about
2" lower than in 1908 ; we had 23 rainy
days, which is a small number for the last
month of the year. The temperature at 8 p.m.,
for every day of the month, was constantly
62°, which gives some idea of the very small
range in the wet season. The range in daily
maxima was from 53° — 70° and dailv minima
from 55°— 65°.

A tree of Herminiera elaphroxylon, from Sene-
gambia, has reached a height of 9 feet in one year
from the seed. The plant has not flowered as yet
with me ; Abutilon striatum, from Brazil, is
7 feet high and permanently one mass of yellow
flowers ; the variety sulphureum has attained a
height of 4 feet only ; Thunbergia fragrans grows
here like a weed, it flowers the whole year round
and produces an abundance of seeds ; CaeSalpinia
Bonducella makes a shrub of 6 feet in one year
from seed ; Tecoma stairs is covered with its
fragrant, yellow flowers and is 6 feet in height,
although only 12 months old. Mimosa Speggaz-
ziiiii, 10 feet high, produces an abundance of
flowers and seeds the whole year round ; Cassia
liEvigata was one sheet of golden flower a few
weeks ago, it is now setting its fruits ; the red
flowers of Tropaeolum pentaphyllum are very
pretty when they are produced in large quan-
tities, as is the case with my specimens, which
seem to fruit freely here. Hunnemannia fumarise-
fulia flowers persistently ; it seems to be a peren-
nial, but this can only be ascertained after many
more months, as all annuals flower here for a very
long time before they die. I obtained seeds of
a species of Mimosa from Brazil and sowed them
about five months ago, with the result that I
have three shrubs, each about 11 feet high, just
flowering. Many plants which I raised from
Brazilian seeds, as, for instance, Clitoria ternata,
Cajanus iudicus and Crotalaria semperflorens are
also indigenous in this country. I should very
much like to try European shrubs and trees. I
imagine the species of Willows will grow here
perfectly, as there is a very large specimen of
Salix alba in the immediate vicinity. This plant
was brought from Europe by an English lady liv-
ing near to the hotel and is now about 12 years
old. It is a gigantic tree with an immense
head. It flowers here in July, whereas in Europe
it does so in April or even March. The tree is
always in full vegetation and never sheds its
leaves. Seeds of the Walnut, Juglans regia, ger-
minated here in a fortnight. All species of Jug-
lans shed their leaves once or twice a year. A

plant of Sutherlandia frutescens is 2 feet high and
is flowering within six months from seed-sowing.
Agave americana grows here like a weed ; one
specimen has leaves 5 feet high. Begonia robusta
is a very large plant with enormous leaves ; it
grows wild here. It could be used for hybridiza-
tion, and I shall be willing to send seeds to Europe
as soon as they are to be had. Carica Papaya
grows with great freedom ; I have many plants
along the roads of the garden, and they produce
ripe fruits. ^Mangifera indica also fruits here,
but the quality is much inferior to the fruits from
the lowlands. Species of Eucalyptus grow amaz-
ingly, but most of them have very thin stems, ex-
ceptions being E. pilularis and E. paniculata. E.
pulverulenta, with its blue-powdered leaves,
make a fine show. All the members of the
Umbelliferse succeed very well, i Orlaya gran-
diflora is one mass of flowers ; Gardenia
florida flowers the whole year round. Tro-
pical Palms grow very slowly, but the Hima-
layan species, on the contrary, develop rapidly.
Dahlias are growing in the garden in many
thousands of specimens, with flowers of all col-
ours. Dahlia coccinea flowers abundantly, but I
have only some 20 specimens. Laurus nobilis
and Olea europa^a grow slowly, but I have some
good specimens of both species. Schinus Molle
does very well here. Schubertia grandiflora. with
its odoriferous, white flowers turning to light
brown when fading, is a large-growing climbing
plant ; Passiflora ca?rulea grows extremely
rapidly, but up to the present it has not flowered ;
Cytisus laburnum grows very fast, and it will
be interesting to see if it flowers here ; other
Cytisus species are growing also vigorously.
Erythroxylon Coca is represented by small
shrubs, but they flower and fruit. Trifolium
repens grows and flowers the whole year round.
Ficus elastica is a lai'ge tree and Hevea brasili-
ensis is a small one, the latter growing slowly.
Ficus nitida grows to enormous specimens, some
50 feet high. Vernonia josanica is 75 feet high.
Sequoia gigantea and Gupressus sempervirens,
with its varieties, do very well. Of Thuya orien-
talis I have some 100 specimens, ranging from
4 to 15 metres in height ; all species of Pelargo-
nium succeed well, notwithstanding the heavy and
frequent rains. Entada scandens grows slowly
and will need many years to become as gigantic
as in Buitenzorg. Musa paradisiaca grows wild
in the primeval forests here. M. Bui/smalt^
Nongko JJjacljar, near Lawang, East Java.

PLANT NOTES.

CALATHEA GROGATA.

The fact that this Calathea was given an
Award of Merit by the Floral Committee of the
Royal Horticultural Society on JIarch 22 is very
interesting in this way. Several instances might
be quoted of plants which, given an award, were
afterwards found to be of such superior merit
that they obtained the higher honour of a First-
class Certificate. In the case of the Calathea,
however, the direct opposite occurs, as it was
given a First-class Certificate on February 8,
1881, when shown by the late Mr. William Bull,
of Chelsea, and now, nearly 30 years afterwards,
an Award of Merit is bestijwed upon it. The
fact that Calatheas are so generally known in
gardens as Marantas, and are referred to under
that head in the Royal Horticultural Society's
official list of plants, flowers and Ferns, which
have been certificated by the Society, is doubt-
less the cause of the previous honour being over-
looked. The case of this Calathea serves to
show that First-class Certificates were once more
easily obtained than they are at the present day.
Calathea crocata is a very pretty flowering plant,
in which respect it stands out from its imme-
diate relatives, but, as far as my experience goes,
it can scarcely be said to be well known in
gardens, W.

May 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

313

NEW VARIETIES OF HYDRANGEA HORTEIiSIS.

Within the last few years several distinct
varieties of Hydrangea hortensis have been in-
troduced to commerce, and on May 3 two of them
were given Awards of Merit by the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. Though exhibited by Messrs.
Jas. Veitch & Sons, both are of Continental
origin, one being raised by M. Lemoine, of
Nancy, and the other by M. E. Moulliere, Ven-
dume, France. The first variety, Ornement, was
distributed by M. Lemoine in the autumn of
1908. It is a very promising variety, the sterile
blossoms, which go to make up a large, bold
truss, being of a very pleasing blush shade, and

Beside these, M. Lemoine has raised about half-
a-dozen other varieties, one of which. Radiant,
though it flowered but weakly with me, promises
to be, as described by the raiser, the deepest-
coloured among the Hydrangeas.

The notice of new varieties is not yet ex-
hausted, as last year Messrs. Stuart Low & Co.
were given an Award of Merit for a white form
of Hydrangea hortensis, and it is but two or three
years since a sterile variety of the North Ameri-
can Hydrangea arborescens, known by the varie-
tal name of grandiflora, was catalogued. Whether
it will ever be grown to the same extent as
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, as was pre-
dicted of it when first sent out, remains to be
seen. W .

the centre of each turf I inserted the best eyes
I could get and covered them with fine soil. As
the roots appeared they were covered with leaf-
soil, this not being so readily disturbed by the
watering pot as the ordinary soil. They were
started in a Cucumber-house in January, and
they formed shoots a yard long by the first
week in May, which is a good time for planting,
as the soil is warm owing to sunshine. \l
good " eyes " have been inserted, rods will be
made the first year nearly equal to those turned
out of pots at the end of their second year, and
even weaker eyes will be equal to those grown
in pots at the end of their first year. In plant-
ing, I moved the ends and sides of the boxes and
slid the turves into tlieir place, watered them

THE BRUSSELS EXHIBITION.

Fig. 130. — .\N EXHIBIT BY MM. VILMORIN, ANDRIEUX ET CIE.
(See p. 316.)

distinctly toothed around the margins. This lat-
ter feature is no doubt caused by the influence
of an old variety — stellata fimbriata. which is one
of the forms used by JI. Lemoine in crossing the
most promising of the garden varieties.

The other variety is named Mme. Emile Mouil-
lere. The flowers of this are almost white, witli
a small pink centre. It has serrated petals, but
to a much less extent than in the variety Orne-
ment, while it loses somewhat in effect owing to
the flowers not being flat.

Two others of M. Lemoine's varieties were also
shown at the same time, but no award was made
them. They are : Dentelle, a pinlc flower w'ith
serrated edges, and La Lorraine, which in colour
resembles the common Hydrangea, but the edges
of the flowers are serrated.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

PLANTING VINES.

In planting vineries it is usual to employ-
vines that have been grown one year in pots,
and the writers who recently engaged in the con-
troversy on pruning vines in these columns seem
to have establi.shed or renewed their vineries by
such plants. Though I have planted many pot
vines after soaking the balls and carefully dis-
entangling the roots, I have had better results
from young vines in the following manner : —
I procured from my grocer some boxes, not less
than 4 inches deep, varying a few inches in
widtli and length from a foot upwards. I cut
turves, 2 inches thick, to fit the boxes, and in

lid covered them with 5

with tepid water,
inches of soil.

In reading the correspondence on the subject
of pruning vines I failed to understand how
any system of pruning vines in the first year
or two of their growth could cause them
to be worthless after the lapse of 30 years
or so.

When at the Shrewsburj' Show two years ago
I was informed that the splendid bunches of
Black Hambro' Grapes exhibited by Mr. Mul-
lins, Eastnor Castle Gardens, had been cut from
vines more than 50 years old. I presume those
vines had been cut down more than once in that
time, and young rods trained to take their place.
All vines can be renovated in that way without
the cultivator suffering a much diminished crop.

ir. p. R.

514

THE GARD ENER S' CHR 0 NICE E.

[M\Y 14, 1910.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

OURISIA COCKAYNIANA.
OuRlsiA is a small genus, the best-known gar-
/den species being the Chilian 0. coccinea, with
beautiful scarlet flowers. Like 0. macrophylla,
which is a recent acquisition that flowered
last year for the first time, 0. Cockay-
niana is a native of New Zealand, being found
on the South Island, growing in boggy ground
at an elevation of between 3,000 and 4.500
feet. In its native habitat it forms large patches
with creeping and rooting stems matted together.
It was introduced into cultivation with many
other New Zealand plants by Capt. Dorrien
Smith, in 1908. The small, ovate leaves are
bright green above and purplish beneath, while
the short, broad petioles have ciliate margins.
The flower-stems are erect, 3 inches to 6 inches
high, with several whorls of three, sessile leaves.
In the upper whorls the flowers are produced on
pedicels Ij inch long. They are pure white, with
a few yellow hairs in the throat, and are nearly
an inch across. Apart from its size, the habit of
the plant is very similar to that of 0. macro-
phylla, while the flowers are cjuite as large. It
is most nearly allied to 0. caespitosa, only differ-
ing from that species in being larger in all its
parts. 0. macrophylla proved hardy at
Kew last winter, having been planted out in a
moist and shady po.<iiion in the rock-garden.
0. Cockayniana was afforded the protection of a
frame during the winter, but is probably quite
as hardy as the other new species. Both grow
well in peaty soil and evidently prefer a moist
and half-shady position. 0. macrophylla pro-
duced plenty of seeds last summer, which ger-
minated freely when sown as soon as they were
ripe. Bv the winter a good batch of plants had
been raised.

STYLOPHORUM JAPONICUM.

Although Stylophorum diphyllum, the Celan-
dine Poppy, is a common plant in gardens, S.
japonicum, the only other species of the genus
in cultivation, is seldom seen, though it was
introduced to this country in the year 1870. and
was figured in the Botanieal Magazine, t. 5830.
The plant is known alsa as Hylomecon japonl-
■ cum ; it is a native of .fapan and North-eastern
Asia, while the other species referred to comes
from North-western America. They are both
found wild, growing in shady woods under simi-
lar conditions to those which our common Celan-
dine, Chelidonium majus, enjoys. S. japonicum
grows from 1 foot to li foot high, but is more
slender in habit than S. diphyllum. The stems
bear in a whorl at the top two or three pinnate
leaves, and from the base of these the flowers are
produced on lon'i nedicels. The radical leaves are
borne en long stalks, and are similar in character
to the stem leaves. While in S. diphyllum the
pinnatisect leaves are downy on the under-side
and irregularly lobed, those of S. japonicum are
quite glabrous, pinnate, and have incised mar-
gins. For general garden purposes, the North
American species is the most robust and effective,
but S. japonicum is a more elegant plant and well
worthy a place in the shady border. A fresh
importation has been recently received from
Japan. II . 7.

A WINTER-FLOWERING VIOLA.
From my window here I enjoy a beautiful sight
.of a slope of my rockery covered with the lilac
and violet flowers of a Viola. The plant, which
I considered to be a hybrid between Aaola cal-
carata and V. cornuta, is one of the best winter-
flow'ering subjects I know. It flowers here, at
Floraire, from .Tannary 1 till December 31 with-
out interruption. It is a dwarf, tufted plant,
with pale green foliage ; the flowers have the
shape of those of V. calcarata, but the colour
is not the same. The two upper petals are of a
deep violet tone, and the centre of the flow-er,
together with the half of the side petals, and a
part of the nnder-petal, is of a light lilac shade.
The plants flower as freely in winter as in warm
weather. We have named it florariensis, because
we believe that it is a natural cross which
has originated here; but I have seen in an
exhibition a plant very similar to mine and which
was paid to come from Germany, called " Pa-
pilio." I should like to know whether the two
plants are identical, becau.«e my Viola florariensis
is one of the best plants for winter-blooming.
H. Correvon, Floraire, near Geneva.

The Week's Work.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GotmAcnK, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, NewinarUet.

I'ineapphs. — The plants are now growing
freely, and the fruits swell more freely in
May than at any other time of the j'ear. The
house may be closed much earlier in the day
without fear of scorching the foliage than would
be possible later in the season. Maintain a moist
atmosphere at all times, and syringe the house
thoroughly when closing the ventilators in the
afternoon, allowing the temperature to reach
100° Fahr. JIaintain a bottom heat of 80° to
85°, with an atmospheric heat of 70° to 75° at
night time. Feed the plants regularly with
weak liquid manure and soot water. Vvhen the
fruit begins to colour, gradually decrease the
supply of moisture at the roots and withhold
stimulants ; also keep the atmosphere drier.
When about half the " pips " are coloured, move
the plant from the Pine stove to a cool, airy
vinery, placing it on an inverted pot. In such
a position there will be a free circulation of air.
and ample shade from the vines, and the fruit,
ripening slowly, will develop the best flavour and
have firm flesh. Immediately after cutting the
fruit give attention to the suckers necessary for
raising succession plants. The offsets will have
suffered somewhat under the cool treatment, and
it is advisable to return the plant to a strons,
moist heat for a short time before detaching the
suckers.

Siirre.^aloiuil Pines. — Close the house about
2 p.m.. well syringing the walls and paths, but
not the plants heavily overhead, as this causos
a soft, spindly growth and makes the surface
soil muddv and sour. During very bright
weather a little shade may be necessary during
the middle of the day. ' A few light Spruce
branches laid on the glass outside answers the
purpose admirably. Any plants which have
filled their pots with roots should be shifted
into larger receptacles, using the compost pre-
viously advised.

Younri rine.'f. — Give every attention to young
vines recently planted. All growths should be
allowed to remain, as the development of foli-
age causes a vigorous root action. A common
mistake is made in rubbing out all the buds on
the lower part of the vine below the trellis. If
these shoots are allowed to remain and pinched
to three or four leaves for the first few years
after planting, the stem will develop more in
accordance with the rest of the vine. When
these lower shoots are destroyed, the bole often
grows less in circumference at that part than
many of the shoots arising from it higher iqi.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckftt, Gardener to the Hon. \'icarv Gebbs,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordsliire.

Biilhx. — Any bulbs that have been forced
should be planted in the pleasure grounds, where
they will produce a good effect in the course of a
few seasons. They should be planted at once,
.so that they may have a long season to retain
their foliage, which should be allowed to die
naturally, and because the positions of those
already established can be ascertained, and
the best sites selected for the new ones.
If it is intended to plant bulbs in the
pleasure ground next autumn, the spots for
planting should now be selected and marked.
Narcissi and other bulbs thrive under the shade
of trees as well as in grass land. Wherever pos-
sible, the foliage should be allowed to remain,
therefore arrangements should be made to avoid
destroying the leaves when mowing the gra."^.'.

Staiing plant.':. — This work will require con-
stant attention and a considerable amount of
foiethought. I'lants in the borders are growing
fast, and many will soon need supports, which
should always be afforded before the plants
need them. Where single sticks are em-
ployed, these should be strong, well-pointed,
neat, and of a proper length. In the case of
strong-growing perennials, several sticks are
preferable to one, as ,a natural effect cannot be
produced when the shoots are secured in bunches.
For the lesser-growing plants, including many
annuals, liushy twigs are suitable ; these will sup-
port the plants without need of tying, and, after
a time, the growths will hide the twiccs com-

pletely. Good strong raffia is the best material
for tying, and the work should be done, if pos-
sible, when the ground is fairly dry, employing
boards to save the borders from being trodden
upon.

The water garden. — Any planting which has
been delayed from any cause must be under-
taken at once. It is not too late to tran.,-
plant Nymphfeas and other subjects. Plants by
the waterside, such as Typha latifolia, T. angus-
tifolia, Phragmitcs communis, and the various
Rushes, may be divided and transplanted. Caltha
palustris, the common King Cup, and its double
form, also C. polypetala, are valuable for early
flowering. The Bog Bean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
is now in flower, the spikes of whitish blooms
being very pretty as seen above the water. Oron-
tium aquaticum. The Golden Club, is another
striking native water plant, adding additional
interest until the Nymphseas commence to flower.
In summer-time no plants are more effective on
the margin of the water than the Japanese Iris —
Iris Ka'mpferi. The varieties embrace a wide
range of colours, and named sorte can be ob-
tained from the nurserymen; but seedlings give
almost as good results. Imported stools should
be planted at once in a rich, well-prepared soil
containing plenty of well-decayed cow manure.
Established plants are breaking into growth, and
the soil about them should be lightly forked,
affording a light top-dressing of well-decayed
manure afterw-ards. Plants of Iris Ka-mpferi
may be divided or replanted at this season. The
surface of the water will need to be cleared of
any scum, and water weeds kept down. We find
a large net, attached to a pole, the best means of
getting rid of scum on ponds.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghce, Gardener to Joseph tit kkksgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Ttirhardia (CaUa). — Pot plants which have
finished flowering should be placed out-of-doors,
reducing the supply of water at the roots gradu-
ally, so as to enable the plants to become tho-
roughly ripened. Where labour is scarce, good
results" may be obtained by planting Richardias
out of their pots during the summer months ;
but it has the disadvantage of retarding the
early development of blooms, owing to the check
the plants receive when repotting them again in
the autumn. After the crowns are thoroughly
ripened, the roots should be kept quite dry until
about the second week in July, when those re-
quiring it should be repotted. At the time of
potting, should an increase of stock be desired,
some of the largest specimens may be divided.
Duiing the time of ripening, place the plants
where they will be fully exposed to the sun's in-
fluence.

(^rniimentnl-ha'-ed Vitix. — Such species as
Vitis Hcnryana, V. Thomsonii. and V. hetero-
phyll,-i variegata make excellent subjects lor pot
culture, being useful for the decoration of the
conservatory as well as for supplying trails for
mingling with cut flowers. The leaves develop
their fiTiest colours when the plants are exposed
to the fullest sunshine. In the case of V. Henry-
ana and V. Thomsonii. which put on their most
brilliant tints in the autumn, a little extra
warmth and full exposure to the light will cause
them to colour liiuch earlici.

Liliuin linrrissii. — Plants which have finished
their flowering, should they be required for
forcing another season, must be allowed to ripen
their bulbs as soon as the weather permits. Place
them in the open, expo.ised to the sunshine,
and graduiilly reduce the supply of water to the
roots until the foliage has decayed, when the pots
may be turned on their sides, and the soil allowed
to become Just dry. If preferred, the bulbs may
be removed from the pots and stored in dry
sand, in a cool and well-ventilated building.
Last season, at about this date. I purchased a
stock of early-ripened Cape bulbs, which were
potted up and placed in cool frames. They were
kept growing in these structures until it wa^
necessary to place them in a little warmth. The
bulbs gave excellent results, producing a supply
of bloom throughout December and January.

Lilinm .'periosum. — There are several types of
this beautiful Lilium, and all are of value for
autumn decoration in the conservatory. Bulbs
that are growing freely should be afforded a
top-dre.ssing, in which the new roots from the
base of the stem may feed, using a loam, peat,

May 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

and leaf-fiuil, in a lumpy condition, mixed with
a I'.ttle manure from a spent Mushroom bed,
and a quantity of coarse sand and charcoal.
1 his top-dressing should be applied at intervals
of % week or two, just covering the surface of
the I'oots on each occasion. The shoots, as they
develop, should be evenly arranged, and tied to
neat, green stakes. An occasional fumigation
with a nicotine compound will keep the shoots
clear of aphides.

THE HAEDY FEUIT GARDEN.

Ey A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Figs on walls. — The trees will soon be growing
freely and will require attention in regulating
and disbudding the shoots. Where the new
growths are weak and numerous, a vigorous thin-
ning must be done, this being a far better prac-
tice than to allow many to grow which would
have to be cut out later. First rub oft any mis-
placed shoots and then select those required for
replacing unfruitful or immature wood, destroy-
ing the others which are useless. Last year was
very unfavouiable to the growth of Figs out-of-
doors, and much of the wood never properly
ripened, so that it may be necessary to train
in a considerable number of young shoots. Do
not stop any of the growths intended for fruiting,
as secondary shoots resulting from such stopping
rarely have time to mature before the winter.
The essential points in the culture of Figs is to
have the shoots thinly disposed to enable them
to mature as perfect!* as possible, and to keep
the roots near to the surface of the soil.

liaspherries. — Stir the soil between the tows
frequently with the Dutch hoe. As the young
canes develop they should be thinned, leaving
only the required number for next year. Rasp-
berries deliglit in a cool, moist rooting medium,
and the plants are gross feeders. When planted
in light and rather porous soils a heavy mulch-
ing of cow manure should be applied a-s soon as
the young caiies are about 1 foot in height. The
same remarks apply to the culture of Logan-
berries and Blackberries.

Blnvh Currant Inishps. — Continue to destroy
all buds affected with the mite, and frequently
syringe the plants with quassia extract, which
will destroy the pests as they travel from the old
to the new buds.

Pear-leaf blister. — This is the work of a small
mite which attacks the young foliage during the
present month, causing blisters to form, and in
these the eggs are deposited. As soon as the
blister becomes visible the trees should be
sprayed with the following mixture : — Dissolve
six ounces of soft -soap in one gallon of water,
and then add three t,iblespoonfuls of petroleuin.
To this add three gallons of rain-water, and
thoroughly mix the whole. Another good
remedy is soluble paraffin, which should be
sprayed on the trees ciircctly the buds commence
to expand.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Peaf. — Seeds should be sown now for the July
and August crops, making another sowing of
main-crop varieties in 10 days' time. Place the
seeds in trenches made 4 inches deep and 6 inches
apart. If the ground is dry at the time of sow-
ing, lightly tread the seeds into the drills before
covering them with the s«il, as this will
hasten their germination by several days : it is
a mistake to .sow Peas too shallow. At the time
of sowing, draw about 2 inches of the soil over
the seeds, and, when the seedlings are a few
inches in height, work the soil carefully amongst
thein until the trench is wholly filled. Peas thus
treated do not suffer from the effects of dry
weather to the same extent as those sown in
shallow drills and covered with the soil in the
for:^ of ridges.

Late Peas. — The greatest enemy of late
culinary Peas is mildew. The best preventive is
deep trenching, manuring, and mulching of the
soil. Heavy, moist land is most suitablefor this
late sowing, which is made here about the middle
of June. It is not desirable to sow late Peas on
land recently occupied by other vegetables, be-
cause the surface soil is then often too dry, and
it never becomes thoroughly moistened " after-
Wards before the crop is harvested. If the soil

about the roots of Peas is dry it endangers the
crop ; therefore, this condition must be guarded
against by mulchings placed as close to the
stems as possible. The varieties Autocrat, Late
Queen, and Distinction may be recommended
for late sowings.

Spinach. — Make frequent sowings of this green
vegetable, choosing, as the season advances, sites,
such as north border, which are not exposed to
excessive sunshine. Make a sowing of New Zea-
land Spinach, if this has not already been done,
without delay. This Spinach, raised in pots
from seeds sown now, and planted out when
danger from frost is over, will provide an excel-
lent substitute in hot, dry weather for summer
S):tinach. Make a sowing also of Spinach Beet,
which will provide a good supply of green leaves
throughout the summer and autumn.

Broad Beans. — Where space is plentiful,
another sowing should be made in a cool part of
the garden. As soon as sufficient pods are
formed, pinch the tops out of the plants in order
to throw all the energy into the seed vessels.
One of the best varieties for this sowing is Im-
proved Green Windsor.

(reneral work. — Take advantage of dry
weather to stir the soil with the hoe between the
rows of young crops. Give frequent doses of
liquid manure to Cauliflowers planted a month
ago, in order to hasten their development, so
that the most forward %vill be ready for cutting
about the middle of June. Spring-sown Cauli-
flowers are now ready for planting in their per-
manent quarters. The variety Magnum Bonum,
if planted out now, will provide nice heads by
the time the earliest crop is finished. This is the
most important batch of Cauliflowers, as the crop
comes in between the autumn-sown plants and
those sown out-of-doors during the spring. If
slugs are troublesome, the bed should be freely
dusted with hot lime early in the morning.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W, H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawkencr,
Bart., Burford, Surrey,

Arlneta. — Such species as A. Barkeri, A.
Humboldtii. A. Hrubyana, A. densa, and A.
chrysantha are uncommon Orchids and not often
seen in flower, nevertheless, they are distinct
and very interesting plants. At the present
time several of these species are producing their
flower-spikes, and care should be taken not to
over-water them, or the flower-buds may drop.
The plants should be suspended in a moist,
shady position in the Cattleya or warm inter-
mediate house, and it is advisable to periodically
sponge the large leaves to prevent insect pests.
These robust-growing plants should, on account
of their pendulous inflorescences, be grown in
baskets. Whenever root disturbance becomes
necessary, it should be done at the commence-
ment of growth. Shallow, teak baskets should
be used, with bars about three-quarters of an
inch in thickness. Baskets with two bars on
tme side and three on the other will afford suf-
ficient depth for the compost. The bottom bars
should be about half an inch apart, but should
not be covered with crocks for drainage, as they
vxould prevent the flower-spikes growing through.
A layer of rough Sphagnum-moss will answer the
purpose. A suitable compost consists of Os-
munda fibre and Sphagnum-moss, both materials
being cut up roughly and well mixed together.
During the earlier stages of growth, the plants
require careful watering, but directly the new
pseudo-bulbs commence to form the supply must
be copious. The plants require a rest after the
growth is completed.

Schlmaiiia Irifida. — S. trifida and S. jasmino-
dora are also uncommon Orchids. The former
produces drooping white flowers of wax-like tex-
tm-e : the other species has sub-erect scapes, and
the flowers are also white. Both plants produce
flowers which are amongst the most deliciously
fragrant of Orchids. They should be treated ex-
actly as advised for the Acinetas.

Erergreen Cnhinlhes. — At this season, C.
veratrifolia, C. Masuca. and G. Dominiana will
commence to open their flowers, and, if kept free
from insect pests, will be beautiful objects for
several weeks. They do best in the Cattleya or
intermediate house, and should be placed low
down on the stage, where they may be kept well
shaded from strong light at all times. The best
time to repot the plants is about a month after

their flowering, but it can be done now. Being
strong, free-rooting subjects, they require rather
large pots, which should be one-third filled with
rnaterial for drainage, covered by a layer of rough
Sphagnum-moss, or a thin turf, with the grassy
side placed downwards. The compost should
consist of fibrous yellow loam and Osmunda fibre
in equal parts. Cut the Osmunda fibre rather
finely, add a little leaf-soil, coarse silver-sand,
and some small, broken crocks. Pot them
firmly, and allow a good space below the rim of
each pot for watering, as these plants require
copious supplies of moisture throughout the
whole year. A top-dressing of the compost
placed on the surface of the plants when they are
showing their tlower-spikes will greatly assist
them. The cooler-growing C. japon'ica, C.
Cecilia, C. citrina, and C. discolor, now in full
growth, will require copious root-waterings when
the potting materials have become dry. Keep
the plants well shaded from sunshine. '

Deciduous Calanthes. — The plants which were
repotted several weeks ago are now rooting
freely from the new growths, and it is necessary
to caution beginners against over-watering the-
plants, especially at this stage, as the growths
easily rot if the soil is made too damp. Our
plants are carefully examined twice each week,
and the most forw-ard of them, if the soil is
found to be dry, are sprinkled with tepid rain-
water from a can with a fine rose. As the plants
become better established, they will be afforded
more water, both at the roo't and in the at-
mosphere. Keep the night temperature as near
to 70° as possible : a low temperature, combined
with a damp atmosphere, will soon cause the
tender foliage to become spotted and unsightly.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.
Intimidants. — Many beekeepers use far too-
much smoke when examining hives, and those
who are well skilled in the art often go to the
other extreme using too little, in consequence
getting many stings which could be easily
avoided.

Supering. — Where the colonies are strong and
the top cells of the brood combs are tipped with
white wax, fresh supers should be supplied. For
some unknown reason, bees have a great objec-
tion to using sections, and will often swarm
rather than utilise them. They are much more
ready to work in shallow frames. Knowing this,
the apiarist will be wise to fit up the frames with
full sheets of wired foundation, drone base, and.
space them with the broad metal ends. Before
placing on the crate, arrange a queen-excluder
zinc in the line, or the queen may go above and
use the super as a brood chamber for the raising
of drones. Make the hive as warm as possible by
placing on quilts, which should fit well into the
corners, and it will be well to place a sheet of
brown paper between the quilts. Some bee-
keepers have no sale for extracted honey, but if
the bees only get into the habit of storing
above the zinc, much valuable time will be saved,
and the shallow frames may, in time, be replaced
by sections. Those who have never tried the shal-
low frames should experiment on two equally
strong colonies by using sections in one and frames
in the other. This will soon prove convincing.
When sections are employed fill them with full
sheets of thin foundation of worker baee, but leave
about half-an-inch space at the bottom to allow
for stretching. Separate each line of sections with
metal dividers and wedge the whole tightly, so-
that no spaces are left, or the bees will fill them
with propolis. This means more -work at a very
busy time, when orders are coming in, and there
is little time to spend in scraping off propolis,
which makes the sections look dirty and un-
sightly. When the crate is in position fill the
space "around it tightly with any available pack-
ing material, and finish the work off as in the
case of frames, remembering that the sections
cannot be made too cosy. I have often been asked
why I recommend foundation with a drone base
forshallow frames, and worker base for sections.
As shallow frames are used for the purpose of
producing extracted honey, it will be clearly
seen, as the cell space is larger, the honey can-
escape much more easily than from smaller cells,
while in the latter instance the sections have a
better finish when the smaller worker cells are-
employed.

316

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Illustrations. - The Editors will be gladto receive andto select
photogtap/is or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or oj remarkable plants, Jlowers, trees, <5-c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Local News. — Correspondents tvill greatly oblige by sendiitgto
the Editots early intelligence of local events likely to be oj
interest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirable
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Perennials, Hardy Bulbs, Lilies, &c., at 12 ; Palms,
Plants, &c., at 3; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by
Protheroe & Morris.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY—

Clearance Sale of 50,000 Established Orchids, at Turn-
ford Hall Nurseries. Broxbourne, Herts., by order of
Messrs. T. Rochford & Sons, Ltd., by Protheroe &
Morris, at 12,

THURSDAY—

1,800 Carnations and Greenhouse Plants, at Mid Kent
Nurseries, West VVickham, by order of Mr. H. H.
Berlandina, by Protheroe & Mortis, at 12.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week,
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 51"8'',
Actual Temperatures: —

Votiaoti.— Wednesday, May 11 (6 P.M.) : Max. 58°;
Min. 40".
Gardeneis' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellitigton Street.
Covent Garden, London — Thursday, May 12
(10 A.M.): Bar. 29-6; Temp. 65°; Weather—
Sunshine.
Provinces.— Wcdiicsrfnv, May 11; Max. 51" Cornwall ;
Min. 47° Scotland E.

Kins 6du)ard \\V

DIED AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, MAY 6, 1910.

" Pcacemal;cr."

It is not our purpose to write a

Keneral tribute to the belDved
Late King. "=

memory or King rbawara Vll.,

whose excellent qualities so greatly endeared
him to his people. But we may briefly ac-
knowledge some of the many instances in
which the lata King gave evidence of his love
for gardening and his personal regard for hor-
ticultural interests. At the time of the
Coronation in 1902, we published a descrip-
tion of the Sandringhani gardens, which were
formed by King Edward whilst still Prince of
Wales. After his accession King Edward
afforded further proof of his love for garden-
ing by thoroughly overhauling the gardens at
Windsor, bringing them to a state worthy of
their historic associations. Since that time
the private gardens at Sandringham and the
state gardens at Windsor have been main-
tained a.s model establishments.

In public lite, the late King showed great
sympathy with horticulture. It was he who
expressed the hope, many years ago, that the
Royal Horticultural Society would some day
possess a home of its own in London, and our
readers will remember that King Edward VII.,
accompanied by Queen Alexandra, publicly
opened the hall in Vincent Square in
1904. On a recent occasion, when it was de-
cided to hold an International horticultural
exhibition in 1912, Sir Trevor Lawrence was
able to announce that the King would be
pleased to extend to the movement his royal
patronage.

In this time of national grief every
sympathy will be felt with Queen Alex-
andra, who has always been especially
popular with gardeners. Her love of flowers

led her to make frequent visits to the Temple
shows, and to the exhibitions of the National
Rose Society.

The illu.strations of Marlborough Hou.se,
York Cottage, and Sandringham, which we
publish in the present issue, have a special in-
terest during this time of national mourning
for the King. Sandringham was the King's
private home, and it will still provide a home
for Queen Alexandra, who has always taken a
personal interest in the gardens. York Cot-
tage and Marlborough House have been the
residences of King George V. during his
father's reign, but Marlborough House, which
is illustrated in our supplement, will now be-
come the London residence of Queen Alex-
andra.

It will be seen from notices printed in an-
other column that several events appointed
to take place during the next few weeks
have either been cancelled or postponed. In-
cluded among these is tlie fortnightly meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society, which
had been arranged for next Tuesday, and the
Festival Dinner of the Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund which was fixed for the 19th
inst. This latter event will now take place
on May 26.

From time to time vegetables
and fruits come under suspicion

Plant
Tissues

Disease- '^^ *'^^ bearers of the germs of
Producing this or that human disease.
icrobesi 'p]jg,.g jg j,j particular a wide-
spread belief that vegetables grown on sewage
farms may serve to disseminate pathogenic
microbes.

Messrs. P. Bemingler and O. Nouri, writ-
ing in L'Union Pharm. (51. 16. 1910) demon-
strate that the suspicion is unfounded, and
that the internal tissues of plants, even in the
cases of plants grown in earth or water inocu-
lated with the cholera vibrio or the t\i)hoid
bacillus remain absolutely uncontaminated
by these disease-producing micro-organisms.
According to a note published in a recent
i.ssiie of the Pharmaceutical Journal Messrs.
Remingler and Nouri found that, not
only were the tissues of the stems and leaves
free from disease-producing germs which they
introduced into the soil, but so also were those
of the root system. Tulips grown in water
contaminated by pathogenic bacteria re-
mained free altogether from them.

As, according to report, the American, in
anticipation of importunate callers, writes
over his desk, " I have troubles of my own,"
so the plant indicates by this freedom from
the ills that flesh is heir to that it has its own
set of diseases.

It is a matter well worth further investiga-
tion : how the plant protects itself fro)n in-
vasion by such bacteria as those which induce
typhoid. The cell-wall of the planl^cell is a
frail barrier; the acid cellnsap is perhaps more
efficacious, but it may scarcely be doubted
that the plant-cell itself produces toxic sub-
stances which are potent enough to destroy
any micro-organisms which, escaping the out-
posts— the cell-wall — obtain access to the liv-
ing substance. If this be .so, then there may
be found more justification for the house-
wife's obsolete remedies of herbs and simples
than the modern pbj-sician is willing to allow.

The fact that the inside of the plant is clean
does not, of course, mean that the outside is
not contaminated, and neither does it permit

of any relaxation of the precautions to be
adopted before salads and uncooked fruit antJ
vegetables from suspected sources are used for
food.

Postponement of Meetings and Shows. —

The Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society
writes us as follows : — Owing to the lamented
death of our late King and Emperor, Edward
VII., of happy memory, the fortnightly meeting
and exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society,
fixed for Jlay 17. will not be held. The meeting of
the National Tulip Society for the same date is
also abandoned, and the Perpetual-flowering Car-
nation Society's show entered for May 19 at the
R.H.S. Hall is postponed until June 9. The
Royal Horticultural Society's great spring .show
in the Inner Temple Gardens, Victoria Embank-
ment, will be field as arranged and advertised.
The show opens at noon on Tuesday, May 24.
A private view for Fellows of the Society only
is given from 7 a.m. to noon on Wednesday,
May 25. Open to the public from 12 to 7 p.m. ;
and on Thursday. May 26, from 9 to 6.

-The meeting of the Linnean Society,

which had been fixed for Wednesday, May 18,
has been postponed to Wednesday, May 25.

The annual dinner in aid of the Royal

Gardeners" Orphan Fund, arranged to take place
on May 19, has been postponed until Thursday,
May 26, the third day of the Temple Show.

King Edward Memorial Number. — We are

asked to aniioinice that next week's Punch, to
be is<sued on the 18th inst., will be a special
King Edward memorial number, and will con-
sist of 40 pp. chiefly of illustrations gathered
from the pages of Punch, from the late King's
birth in 1841 up to the date of his decease.
This issue will be sold at the usual price.

Brussels International Exhibition.— In

this issue we publish illustrations, from photo-
graphs by Mr. V-\sey, of some of the more pro-
minent exhibits at the Brus.sels International
Exhibition, and readers are referred to the report
in our last issue for information upon the sub-
jects now illustrated. Dr. A. B. Rendle, who,
with Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., Chairman of the
R.H.S. Scientific Committee, represented the
Royal Horticultural Society at the Horticultural
Congress in Brussels 10 days ago. is also present
at the Botanical Congress now being held at the
same place.

The Kew Guild. —We are requested to state
that the annual general meeting of the Kew
Guild will be held in the Gymnasium, near Kew
Gardens Station, at 7.30 p.m. on Monday,
May 23. and that a re-union will take place after
the meeting in the large room at the Kew Gar-
dens Hotel. It is hoped that a large number of
old and present Kewites will attend.

Mr. G. Caselton. — Sympathy will be ex-
tended to l\Ir. Caselton. the superintendent of
the Crystal Palace Gardens, in the bereavement
he has sustained in the death of his son Gordon,
from pneumonia, at the age of 21 years.

Purchase of Land for Small Holdings.

— The Cheshire County Council Small Holdings
Committee were the largest purchasers of land,
comprising part of the estate of Sir Delves
Broughton, which was offered for sale on May 2,
at Crewe. The purchase by the committee in-
cluded, according to the Times, Balherton Hall
Farm, 219 acres, for £9.200; Batherton Dairy
Farm. 196 acres, for £10.800; two pasture fields
for £50, and a small holding for £150. We may
conclude that the Council, which has been active
in establishing small holdings, is satisfied that
the movement is susceptible of considerable de-
velopment in the county.

iMay 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

317

The Gardeners' Company. — A memorial
has been presented to the City Corporation by
the Gardeners' Company asking them to recog-
nise the Company's ancient livery with an un-
limited number conferred upon them by the
Constitutions of 1606, or alternatively to grant
them an increase of the livery, with, in either
case, the recognition or grant of a higher pre-
cedence to that at present conceded to the Com-
pany.

Hampton Court Gardens. — Provided the
weather is favourable, visitors to these popular

Pink Murillo, mixed Wallflowers, with Keizer
Kroon Tulips, mi.xed Pansies, dotted with
numerous Cytisus praecox and standards of red
Azalea mollis, carpets of Bridal Wreath Viola,
with Hyacinths and Narcissus Campernellii,
illustrate the wealth of spring flowers available
at this season of the year. The long border which
extends from the high road to the Palace is a
mass of variously-coloured flowers, meriting the
highest admiration. The margin is of double
Arabis, which appears as an edging of snow ;
within this are Tulips innumerable in gi'oups,
as, indeed, is everything, even Japanese JIaples,

Fig. 131. — KING EDWARD VII. AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL HALL, JULY 22, 1904.

gardens on Bank Holiday will be able to enjoy a
grand display of flowers. Never have these
gardens, writes a correspondent, been hiore
gay in spring than they are just now.
The Hyacinths and mid-season Tulips are pass-
ing, but there is a great quantity of late-flower-
ing and Darwin Tulips to succeed them. In the
large beds which border the long promenade
there are masses of ysUow and crimson Poly-
anthuses, dotted with diverse-coloured Tulips,
also Arabis, Pink Myosotis, Pyrus floribunda,
carpets of Daisies and Aubrietia graeca. There are
also masses of double Tulips La Caiideur and

Double Cherries, Azaleas, Pyrus, and other shrubs
are in planted groups, whilst in the foreground
Wallflowers, in several colours, Doronicums, Poly-
anthuses, Auriculas, Narcissi, variously-coloured
Forget-me-nots, Dielytras. Daisies. Violas, Nemo-
philas, Saponarias, Primula Sieboldii, Yellow
Alyssuin, White Iberis. and many other hardy
flowers contribute to the brilliant if varied floral
display. A wide public with many tastes has to
be catered for, and the superintendent, Jlr.
Mablow, may be congratulated on the result
of his efforts to satisfy all visitors to these beau-
tiful and historic gardens.

Orchid Award Book.— We have received
from the Secretary of the Royal Horticultural
Society a copy of the new edition of the List of
Awards (Orchids) given by the Society from
1859 to 1909, inclusive. It is a publication that
may be recommended to everyone interested in
Orchids. The records constitute a brief history
of the progress of Orchid culture in the British
Isles, each succeeding novelty of merit being
enumeratod, together with the Award it received,
the exhibitor's name, and the date on which the
plant was shown. The hybrids of the large
genera are enumerated separately, and the
parentage of each given where it is known. In
the case of both species and hybrids the letter P
is placed against each of the certificated plants,
provided a painting has been retained in the So-
ciety's collection in accordance with the rule that
Awards are given subject to a flower being sup-
plied to the Society's artist for a drawing to be
made. Over 1,600 of these drawings of certifi-
cated plants have now been accumulated, and the
collection is a valuable means of reference. The
book is singularly free from inaccuracies, and
the chairman, the honorary secretary, and sub-
committee of the Orchid Committee, who are
mainly responsible, are entitled to congratula-
tions on the success of their efforts. The book,
which is interleaved, is well printed by Messrs.
Spottiswoode & Co.

Tropical Agriculture and Colonial
Development. — An International Association
of Colonial Agriculture was founded in 1905 at
the close of the first International Congress of
Tropical Agriculture, held in Paris of that year.
This association has arranged to hold a second
International Congress at Brussels on May 20 to
23. A British committee, which includes the
principal agricultural officers in the Colonies, has
been formed to arrange for the contribution of
papers. The president of this committee is Pro-
lessor W. R. DuNSTAN, F.R.S., Director of the
Imperial Institute, and the secretary. Dr. T. A.
Henry, The following papers have been pro-
mised to the British committee : — W. L. Balls
(1) " The Application of ilendel's Law to Cotton
Breeding;" (2) "Some Causes Affecting the
Egyptian Cotton Crop;" G. C. Dudgeon, " The
Cottons in Indigenous Cultivation in British
West Africa;" A. E. Humphries, " Wheat Pro-
duction in Relation to the Requirements of the
United Kingdom;" F. B. Gutheie (1) "Work
Done in New South Wales in Connection with
the Improvement and Testing of Wheats," (2)
" The Work of the late W. J. Fakber on the
Improvement of Wheat in New South Wales;"
I. B. Pole-Evans, " Problems Connected with
Maize-growing in South Africa; " J. B. Cab-
RUTHERS (1) " New ilethods of Tapping Castil-
loa," (2) " Cover Plants as a Substitute for
Weeding in Rubber, Cacao, and other Cultiva-
tions;" G. M. Ojolum, "Tobacco Culture in
South Africa;" Mr. Easterby, " Cultivation and
Varieties of Sugar-cane at the Sugar-cane Experi-
ment Station, Mackay, Queensland ;" Professor
P. Carmody (1) " Preparation of Rubber," (2)
" Preparation of Pajjer from Megass,'''< j3)
"Methods of Manuring, Suitable for Natives;"
Mr. Benson, "Manuring of Tropical Fruits;"
Dr. S. S. Pickles, " The Aromatic Grass Oils;"
R. N. Lyne, " Causes Contributing to the Suc-
cess of the Zanzibar Clove Industry;" W.
Macdonald, " Dry -Farming and Land Settle-
ment in South Africa ;" J. H. Barnes, " The
Alkali Lands of Northern India;" E. M. Jabvis,
"Economic Zoology in African Colonies;" W.
Gill, " The Introduction of Pinus insignis into
South Australia, and its Successful Utilisation ;"
F. W. Warwick, "African Wild Silks;" G. C.
Dudgeon, " Some Important Insect Pests in
British West Africa;" C. C. Gowdey, " Insects

318

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

of Economic Importance in Uganda."' The
International Association of Colonial Agriculture
has also arranged for the collection in tropical
countries of information on a number of subjects
of special interest, and general reports on these
will be presented to the congress, as well as
reports by experts in each country concerned.
All communications regarding the congress should
be sent to the secretary of the British Committee,
Imperial Institute, London, S.W.

Destruction of Eel-worms. — An account
is given in the WerUy Florisln' Bci-'iew of
the experiments carried out by Mr. G. E.
Stone, of the Massachusetts Experiment Station,
in the destruction of eel-worms in soil. Dr.
Stonf, concludes from his experiments that lime,
which is recommended frecjuently for this pur-
pose, is without destructive effect on eel-worms.
He also concludes that the use of formaline for
this purpose is to he deprecated, for, unless used
in quantities sufficient to damage the plants, it
fails to kill the pest, nor does it penetrate the
thick, resistant covering of the eggs. The
i-heapest and best method for destroying eel-
worms in potting soil is that of heat-sterilisation.
In applying this method, the soil should be raised
to a temperature of at least 180° F. by driving
steam through perforated pipes running in the
soil. Freezing the soil results in the extermina-
tion of the eel-worms, and advantage may be
taken of this fact to get rid of the pests from
soil which is required for potting purposes. Soil
exposed to hard weather during the winter may
be expected to be rendered free from eel-worms.
When exposing the soil to frost, it is best to mix
it thoroughlj' with quicklime in order to dry it,
and, of course, to prevent its becoming wetted by
rain. Another method of clearing the soil is to
use it for the cultivation of a catch crop, for ex-
•ample, Mustard or Rape. The eel-worms enter
the roots of the plants, and pass into a resting
(encysted) condition. Then, by pulling up the
plants and burning them, the pest is " weeded
out " of the soil. Mr. Stone finds that, in prac-
tice, two or three catch crops are better than one
for this purpose. Finally, it was found at Massa-
chusetts that, in some cases, Hooding the soil
proved a simple and successful mode of destroy-
ing the eel-worms thei-ein.

Publications Received. — The Estate
Magazine. Bath and West Agricultural Show
issue. (Printed for the proprietors, The Country
Gentlemen's Association, Ltd.) — The Country
Gentlemen's Estate Book, 1910. Edited by
\Vm. Broomhall. (Loudon; The Country Gen-
tlemen's Association. Ltd.)

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Primula " General Stuart." — Many
year.s ago the late Dr. Charles Stuart, of Chirn-
side, Berwickshire, raised a fine variety of
Primula viscosa, which he named The General.
Is this the same as the plant which received an
Award of Merit at the meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society on April 19 under the name
of "General Stuart"? II. Liiid.-^ay, Kaimes
Lodij-. Murrayfidd, MkUothlan.

Phlox pilosa. - Mr. S. Arnott, in his notes on
the spring-flowering Phloxes, p. 275, states, in
the Kew Handlist, " P. pilosa is referred to P.
amoena." He must have overlooked the fact that
the name P. pilosa occurs twice in the Ifandli^t.
P. pilcsa, L. . the true species, is printed in ordin-
ary type, and P. pilosa. Wilt., which is a syno-
nym of P. ama?na, in italics. The two species
are distinct in habit, P. pilosa being erect in
growth, while P. amoena is more or less procum-
bent, ir. Irving, Kew Gardens.

The International Exhibition, 1912.—

We understand that the proposal at present is
to hold this exhibition in the month of May.
In the interests of a great many plants, and
of those who are engaged in their cultiva-
tion, we would like to suggest that the time has
come when a big show should take place in the
month of June. We have had Temple shows in
May for a long time, and Holland House shows
in July, but the Temple show is always two
or three weeks too early for even a minority cf
border plants ; and in July many are over. After
nil, it is the hardy garden that gives so much
pleasure in England, and it should be encour-
aged more, instead of less, than tender exotics.
Consideration is due to those who form the great
majority of English flower lovers, and we hope
tliat our suggestion will receive support. Kehvay
<£■ Son, Lang port, Somerset.

One of the most helpful suggestions I

have seen in connection with the International
Exhibition is that made in your article on " The
International Congress of Horticulture " (see p.
289). namely, that those responsible for the orga-
nisation of the international of 1912 should set
about soon to arrange a series of conferences to
be held at or about the same time as the exhi-
bition. Horticulturists will be attracted to
London from all parts of the world, and in some
respects the work of such conferences could be
made more permanent than the influence of the
exhibition itself. Conferences ranging from the
abstruse subject of Genetics down to the
humble florists' flowers would add interest
and strength to any programme of events which
may be arranged in connection with the inter-
national gathering. IF. Ciit/ibertson, Edinhurg/i.

The Season. —We should do well, when
reading Mr, Fitzhei-bert's very interesting note
(see p, 295) about the mildness of the South
Devonian winter, to remember that he writes
from what I should imagine was one of the very
warmest spots in the whole country. Upon the
hills of Torquay there is a very different tale to
tell. During the three winter months my ther-
mometer (on the gravel path) registered frost on
51 out of the 90 days, the maximum being 13°
on the night of December 19, There were 11°
on the night of January 21, and 10° on those of
January 24 and 25, The frosts continued in the
same proportion — 53° — but with less severity
during the months of March and April, Frost
was registered here upon 21 out of the 61 nights,
the sharpest being 8° upon the nights of March 31
and April 1. Yesterday moriing my lawn was
grey with hail, and last night there were 4° of
frost. It does not seem as if we had quite
finished with wdnter yet. Happily, things have
been kept fairly well back, and the damage done
to gardens has been, as Mr, Fitzherbert remarks,
mainly due to the severe gales, John Kdwards-
Moss, liohy Hall, Torquay, May 9.

Colouring of Ampelopsis Veitchii and
Rhus Toxicodendron, — I have slways been
deeply interested in the phenomenon of the
autumn colouring of leaves, and from observa-
tion have generally concluded that the aspect
materially influenced this, I was somewhat sur-
pri.sed to read Mr. Molyneux's statement on p.
250, that " Ampelopsis Veitchii and Rhus Toxi-
codendron have as much brilliancy -when growing
in a north or westerly site as in a southern one."
The hstuamed subject is one of the most
magnificent of our autumn-colouring shrubs, but
only in exposed positions will the crimson tints
deepen into that lustrous violet which, in con-
junction with bronze and gold developed at the
same time and in the same leaves, renders it so
conspicuous among other shrubs. The season of
1909 was unfavourable for autumn colouring, but
two specimens of this Rhus at Walmsgatc,
plnnted in fully-exposed positions, exhibited a
moderate display. Another group planted in a
north-west aspect developed only a pale yellow in
the ripening leaves, and these results are in
perfect accord with those noted in previous
years. The most liberally-planted area of
Ampelopsis Veitchii known to me is the sea-
port town of Ayr, on the south-west coast
of Scotland. Probably 75 per cent, of the
private houses situated on either side of the
Raceccurse Read — the main rcFidcntinl thorough-
fare— have this subject as a wall covering.

The brightest colours obtain on the south and
south-west aspects, A single plant frequently
covers the front of the house and one of the
gables ; on the latter the leaf colouring never
attains the same degree of brilliancy as is de-
veloped on the more favoured aspect. The
eastern aspect is less favourable ; generally the
bronze-green is never entirely eliminated, while
lemon and orange shades are more in evidence.
Only under exceptional conditions does the leaf
colouring on northern aspects exceed a lively
purple, passing to shades of red, and it is of
common occurrence to find the old Ampelopsis
quinquefolia substituted in this position, be-
cause its autumn tints are more reliable. I
recently noted in a London suburb a plant of
Ampelopsis Veitchii clothing the naked stem of
an aged specimen of Araiicaria imbricata, form-
ing a vertical column, perfect in symmetry and
beauty. Thomas Smith, Walmsgate Gardens,
Louth .

Spade Work. — The note by Mr. Thomas
Canning in the .Journal of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society for March, and referred in the Gar-
deners' Chronicle, April 15, p. 249, calls for
investigation and explanation. To all who are
anxious to see a greater number find employment
on the land, and who are fully aware that spade
or fork culture, together with some method of
intensive cropping, is the need of the present
day, a competition similar to the one suggested
must appeal with considerable force. But the
figures given are su astounding to experienced
persons, that it is difficult to imagine they can
have emanated from any other than a theorist,
unacquainted with the true nature of soils and
the necessary energy required to turn it over to
advantage. If it were possible for one man to
turn over 110 square yards, which is approximate
to 3^- square rods per hour. I venture to think we
should not find allotment and small holders as we
do to-day ploughing in preference to digging,
solely on the ground of cost, yet knowing full
well that the advantage of the latter over the
former would be considerable were it not for the
additional outlay with risky crops. Digging half-
done, or, to use an everyday phrase, spuddled
over, is very little better than shallow ploughing,
so that mere .speed in a competition is not desir-
able, if the object is to convince those anxious to
make the most of small areas, of the additional
benefits to be desired from following this course.
Further, the amount of money it would be pos-
sible for one man to earn at the speed suggested,
proves at a. glance the utter impossibility of ac-
complishing the task. For instance, experience
teaches that, proportionately with the class of
soil to be dealt with, the rate of pay for this
work ranges from 4d. to Is. per rod, and if it
were possible for a man nearing his 80th year to
perform one hour's task at the rate suggested,
I see no reason to doubt the possibility of a
man at middle age continuing it daily eight hours
per day. Hard work, I admit, but excellent pay
if we take the minimum figure, whilst the maxi-
mum should induce numbers to take it up. That
the soil and its environments should be put for-
ward in every legitimate way as a means of reliev-
ing unemployment and congested areas, is ad-
mitteel on every hand, but let us be quite cer-
tain that in our enthusiasm to adjust matters
nothing is said or done which is likely to mislead
the cultivator, (7. Martin, County llortirul-
tural Instructor, Isle of Wiylit.

Laurel Leaves as an Insecticide. — T can

testify as to tlio efficacy of bruised Laurel leaves
as an insecticide ; also regarding its danger if ap-
plied to, for instance. Cinerarias, or if the plants
are subjected too long to the fumes. I have a dis-
tinct recollection of having, some 50 years ago,
fumigated by means of Laurel leaves a cold frame
full of plants infested with green-fly, and the re-
sult was considerable injury to the foliage, I at-
tributed the damage to keeping the frame closed
during the night, and without taking the precau-
tion to remove the few handfuls of Laurel leaves,
I also tried the remedy in a small pit containing
Jlelons infested with red spider. After one or
two hours' application the red spider, to my
surprise, was either paralyzed or dead, hence I
was encouraged to continue the antidote for a
similar period, and, subsequently, found the re-
mainder destroyed. The Laurel leaves were at
once removed, and a little fresh air admitted,
William Gardiner, Harhorne. Birmingham.

May 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

819

'•t^J^.'

^<^>«ww<nni(Tn

Exhibition Vegetable Culture. — I nin

afraid that I'racliail , in his article on p. 296,
shows himst4f to be out of sympathy with his
employer in respect to vegetable culture. It hap-
pens all too often that there is not enough, in-
terest taken in the cultivation of good vegetables
in private gardens, and. in some instances,
it is due to the fact that the head gardener him-
self dot's not give this department sufficient per-
sonal attention. The journeyman in the plant
and fruit houses does not even have the name of
vegetable mentioned to him. How can one ex-
pect such men to make good practical gardeners
when all they know of vegetable and other out-
door crops is obtained by reading good books?
I write from experience, for I was in the same
condition myself at one period. The letter by
Prarl'ii-rd tends to represent that the culture of
vegetables for exhibition entails an enormous
expense. I would like the readers of this journal
to know that this is not the case. Consider the
cottagers' exhibits at many of the leading shows ;
their vegetables are equal to many
staged from private gardens, and I ask
if cottagers, with their weekly wage,
can afford any expensive outlay for the
production of these exhibits? Surely,
if they can obtain such vegetables from
their meagre experience, a practical
gardener should have no diflTiculty in
obtaining equal results. In the culture
of Leeks, the glass tubes and miniature
boxes mentioned by Practical are not
essential ; in fact, I have never heard
of anything of the kind being used for
the production of Leeks. I once heard
that one of our leading vegetable exhi-
bitors , experimented with ordinary
dram pipes tor this particular vege-
table, but without success. If Peas
are sown 3 inches apart, as advocated
by Practical, surely he ought to get
Peas good enough for exhibition. I
doubt if either ilr. Gibson or Jlr.
Beckett allow their Peas any more room
than this. The growing of vegetables
for exhibition is not only educative to
the young gardener, but new ideas can
be gained by experimenting, and these
can be put into practice in the culture
of ordinary crops. At one time, Car-
rots could not be grown in these gar-
dens, they were always destroyed with
wireworms or some other trouble, but,
after applying experience gained in
experimental culture, I am able to grow
this crop satisfactorily, and I gained a
1st prize for Carrots drawn from the
maincrop bed, and for Beetroots,
against 10 exhibitors in each case.
Cauliflowers, Runner and French Beans,
Potatos, Turnips and many other crops
do not necessarily need special treat-
ment ; they can be produced in exhibi-
tion form by good ordinary culture.
A. Gondinr/, Eartham House. Gardens,
Chichester.

; The arguments of Practical

might be used for the abolition of
exhibitions altogether ! If there is
to be no superiority in culture

l-lCi. IJ4. — b.\.NUKlNijHA\l HUUSh, NuKlULk.

or in anything else, as a result of en-
thusiasm, skill and well-directed energy, the
world had better swing back into the common-
place at once. Besides an argument for the
abolition of exhibitions, I see in I'ractical's rea-
soning a defence of the k'.--y go-as-you-please
gardener. The keen exhibitor is always a keen
worker, much of the attention required by
special things being given after hours. I am
quite sure no reasonable employer expects his
gardener to produce as ordinary crops specimen
\egelables such as those shown by Mr. Beckett
and Mr. Gibcon. but every employer has a right
to expect good crops. Special reference is made
by Practical to Onions, Leeks, Celery. Brus-
sels Sprouts, Cari'ots and Parsnips. I maintain
that if the ground is thoroughly jjrepared — not
specially prepared — at the proper time for these
crops, specimens will be obtained not inferior,
but probably better suited for cooking, tlian ex-
hibition produce. Good growers, not exhibition
men, invariably sow Leeks and Onions in heat

and plant them out in April. By this method,
if planted on thoroughly-prepared ground, all the-
specimens should measure from 4 to 5 inches in
diameter, and, as for Leeks, if planted in proper
trenches and earthed-up, they will develop to
6 to 8 inches long and approaching 2 inches in
diamrler. As for Parsnips, if the ground is
tieiicncd 2 feet deep and well pulverised, with
most of the manure kejit at the bottom, the re-
sults w'ill be eminently satisfactory. In re-
gard to Peas, thin sowings will give pods
al.niost up to exhibition standard. Let me say a,
word as to varieties. Crops depend largely on
tlie varieties selected, and still more largely on
the carefulness with which these varieties are
selected by the seedsman. I remember the late
Jlons. Vilmorin asking me at one of the R.H.S.
vegetable shows if I did not prefer, as ho did,
the small, firm Brussels Sprouts to the large
ones like miniature Cabbages. I agreed, but I
said I did not want stalks with Sprouts like
marbles in size and 3 inches apart ! With a

Fig. 133. — THE PANSY GARDEN AT SANDRINGHAM.

320

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

very few exceptions, the best varieties or strains
of vegetables for show work are the best for
general use, and to the selection of exhibi-
tion strains is due much of the improvement
in vegetables during the last half-century. Is
not the work of seedsmen like Sutton, Veitch,
Carter and Dobbie fairly conclusive proof of
this? Exhibitor.

It may be pointed out that when pro-
ducts are grown for exhibition, whether plants,
flowers or fruits, the object should be to de-
velop in them the highest possible quality. Can
a cultivator who has soil which will only produce
imperfect roots, for instance, be blamed if he
adopts measures to so ameliorate the soil as to
enable it to produce perfect roots? It is curious
criticism which censures a grower for endeavour-
ing to surmount the defects of soil or natural
conditions. But if special effort has to be made
to produce a few vegetables of high-class excel-
lence, there are many crops which need no such
special treatment, for instance. Cauliflowers,
Potatos, Beans, Tomatos, Cucumbers, JIarrows,
Turnips and some other popular exhibition pro-
ducts need only ordinary culture. The man who
reduces the bunches of Grapes on his vines, or
the Peaches or Plums, Apples or Pears on his
trees, or even Melons on his plants, in order
that those which are left may develop the more
perfectly, is equally liable to such criticism as
I'ractical metes out to vegetable growers. Ex-
hibitions are intended to create emulation, and
for the display of produce at its very best.
When such objects are considered worthless, ex-
hibitions will be things of the past. A. D.

The Young Naturalists' League. — Will
you allow me to make known the existence of
tliis league through the columns of your paper?
The league was founded 12 months ago, and
on its first birthday celebrated a member-
ship of over 3,000. In view of the interest now
taken in Nature study in our .schools, and the
recognition accorded to it by education authori-
ties, I am desirous of making the aims and ob-
jects of the league more widely known, and its
work more useful and far-reaching. The time
has now arrived for the appointment of branch
honorary secretaries — especially schoolmasters
and mistresses and those having control of boys
and girls, but membership is not restricted to
school children, as we welcome anyone who is
desirous of joining or supporting the society in
any way. I shall be glad to hear from anyone
willing to help me in the promotion of this
league, and I will forward full particulars concern-
ing same on application. IP. Percival Westell,
Chester House, Letchworth, May 'J, 1910.

Protecting Peach Blossom. — Peach
Grower, in reference to this subject, says (p. 284) :
" Mr. Ward's letter does not help much to solve
the question as to whether as good crops of
Peaches can be obtained from unprotected as pro-
tected trees, provided both are planted against
south walls and receive the .-iame care and cul-
tural skill in their growth." I do not know what
stronger evidence Peach Grotoer requires than
that recorded by me in the issue of the Gar-
dener.s' Chronicle for April 16, p. 252, namely.
" That the trees which were protected with can-
vas while in flower in the manner described in
this journal for February 25 last, bore heavy
crops of fruit, the fruit having set so thickly as
to necessitate severe thinniiig annually. While
the two or three isolated Peach trees growing on
Plum walls, which received no protection while
in flower bore light crops of fruits most years,
and some years they bore very few fruits indeed."
Does not Peach Grower consider the results indi-
cated above sufficient to " solve the question as
to whether as good crops of Peaches can be
obtained from unprotected as from protected
trees "? This is conclusive evidence in favour of
protecting Peach and Nectarine trees while in
flower, evidence which Peach growers will en-
dorse regardless of the extent of wall furnished
being 10 yards or 250 yards in length, as length
of wall has nothing whatever to do with the
question. / may remind Peach Grower that the
three isolated Peach trees growing on Plum walls
that received no protection when in flower re-
ceived the same cultural attention as did the pro-
tected trees. Two of the non-protected trees were
growing against a wall having a south-east aspect
and one against a wall facing south-west. Two
tre's of the Violette Hative Peach planted

against a wall having a due east aspect, and
which were duly protected when in flower, bore
good crops of fruit every year ; the fruit ripening
ten days or a fortnight later, according to
weather conditions, than the same varieties did
growing against walls having south or south-west
aspects. In conclusion, I may add that as soon
as the training of the trees was completed early
in February, and the protecting machinery had
been fixed, the surface of the Peach borders was
pricked over with a digging fork to the extent
of about 5 feet every way from the stems of the
individual trees, and a surface-dressing of half-
rotten stable manure was laid on to the thickness
of 4 inches and then well- watered, the applica-
tions of water being repeated several times dur-
ing the season of growth, in addition to the trees
being kept well-syringed overhead early in the
afternoon from the time they came into leaf until
the fruit had been gathered. //. IT. If.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

Scientific Committee.

M.-VT Z.~Presenl: Sir John T. D. Llewelyn,
V.JI.H. (in the Chair) ; Dr. A. Henry, Messrs.
A. Worsley, H. J. Elwes, L. Crawshay, J. T.
Bennett-Poe, G. Gordon, J. Fraser, G. JIassee,
and F. J. Chittenden (hen. sec).

The late Mr. G. S. /launders. — A letter was
read from Miss Saunders thanking the Committee
for the vote of condolence passed by the Com-
mittee at the last meeting.

/SecdliiKjs of Saxifraga lihei. — Mr. J.
Fbaser showed and commented upon a number
of seedling forms of Saxifraga Rhei, raised by
Mr. C. Read, of Ealing. He thought it likely
that Saxifraga Rhei was a form derived fi'om S.
muscoides, and that it was in a state of mutation.
It had given seedlings of a variety of forms
which had received different names, including
S. Guildford Seedling, forms of S. decipiens and
so on. S. Rhei is found in a wild state in
Transylvania, and members of the Committee
considered it possible that the great extent of
variation seen m the seedlings was due to segre-
gation of hybrid characters.

Polyanthus, <t-c. — The Rev. Roland Upcher
showed some varieties of Polyanthus which he
had raised in his garden at Halesworth. They
departed considerably from the florists' type of
Polyanthus both in flower and leaf, but, in the
opinion of most of the Committee, they showed
no evidence of crossing with other species of
Primula, pollen of which had been placed upon
the stigmas of the parents. Mr. Upchee, said
no precautions had been taken to prevent the
admission of foreign pollen. JNIr. Bartleit, of
Shooter's Hill, sent a semi-double flower of a yel-
low Auricula. Jlr. Jacob showed a series of col-
oured Cowslip flowers.

Malformed Orchid. — Mr. Craw.shay showed
an inflorescence of the natural hybrid Odonto-
glossum X Leeanum, every flower malformed,
all the petals, except the lip, being absent.

NATIONAL AURICULA AND
PRIMULA.

(MIDLAND SECTION.)

May 4, 5. — The annual exhibition of this
society, held at the Botanical Gardens, Birming-
ham, on the above dates was a pronounced suc-
cess, there being more exhibitors and entries
than in any year since the establishment of the
society 11 years ago. There was a good attend-
ance of visitors on the first day of the show. Ex-
hibits, not for competition, were received from
Mr. W. A. Watts, St. Asaph (Polyanthuses and
Daffodils) ; Mr. H. N. Ellison, West Bromwich
(Ferns) ; Mr. C. Winn, Selly ttill, Birmingham
(Schizanthuses and Primulas) ; and Mr. A. R.
Brown, King's Norton (pot Roses). A Silver
Medal was awarded to each of the above-named
exhibitors.

Show Auriculas.

In the principal class arranged for eight
varieties, dissimilar, there were five entries — an
increase of three over last year. The 1st prize
was won by Mr. W. H. Parton, Hollywood,
Birmingham (gr. Mr. V\'. Carpenter), with un-

usually well-gniwn plants of Richard Headley,
George Rudd. Jlikado, Jlrs. Henwood, Shirley
Hibberd, Harrison Weir, George Lightbody and
Favourite. 2nd, Mr. C. Winn, Selly Hill, Bir-
mingham (gr Mr. T. Sheppard), whose exhibit
included excellent specimens of Eucharis,
Jlikado, Henry Wilson and Mrs. Henwood ; 3rd,
Jlr. W. N. Shipman, Altrincham.

In a class for six show varieties, dissimiliar,
there were four contestants, and Mr. W. H.
Parton again won the premier jMsition with
superb examples of George Lightbody. Mrs. Potts,
Jlrs. Henwood, Acme, Shirley Hibberd and
;\Iikado; 2nd, Jlr. W. N. Shipman, Altrincham;
3rd, Mr. C. Winn, Birmingham.

In the class for four sliow yarieties, dissimilar,
Mr. F. SiMONiTK, Sheffield, was placed 1st. He
had well-flowered, sturdy examples of George
Lightbody, JloUy Shipman, Shirley Hibberd and
a deep maroon, unnamed seedling ; 2nd, Mr.
Francis Glazebrook, Dudley, whose best varie-
ties were JNIrs. Henwood and Vesta; 3rd, Mr.
RicH.ARD Holding, Bournville.

The best pair of show varieties, dissimilar,
came from %h\ Simonite, Sheflield. He had
splendid flowers of Ruby and Mrs. Henwood ;
2nd, Mr. J. C. Dkyden, Northumberland; 3rd,
Jlr. H. N. Miller, Perry Barr.

Single Specimens.

The best single specimen of a green-edged
variety was Henry Wilson, shown by Mr. F.
Simonite ; the best grey-edged variety, George
Lightbody, shown by Mr. C. Winn ; the best
white-edged variety, Eucharis, shown by Mr.
C. Winn ; and the best Self Auricula, Harrison
Weir shown by iMr. C. Winn.

Alpine Auriculas.

There were seven competitors in the class for
eight Alpine Auriculas, dissimilar. Mr. C. Winn
was awarded the 1st prize ; he had handsome
specimens of Mrs. Danks, Jlajestic, Unexpected,
Thetis, J. F. Kew, Golden Acme, Miss Baker
and Dorothy Westmacott ; 2nd. Mr. W. N. Ship-
man, whose plants of Duke of York, Exquisite,
Thetis, Argus and Mrs. James Douglas were
very fine.

For six Alpine varieties, dissimilar, Jlr.
Richard Holding, Bournville, was placed 1st,
having Unexpected, J. F. Kew, JMarv, Majestic,
Duke of York and Miss Baker; 2nd, Mr. C.
Winn, with well-flowered examples of Richard
Dean, Editli Winn, Miss Baker, Mrs. Danks,
.Majestic and Thetis.

Eight exhibits were made in the class for four
Alpine varieties, dissimilar. Mr. A. Lawton,
Birmingham, won the 1st prize with beautifully
clean specimens of Dean Hole, Argus, J. F. Kew
and Thetis ; 2nd, Mr. E. Danks, Handsworth.

The best pair of Alpine varieties, dissimilar,
came from the last-named exhibitor, who showed
specimens of Mrs. Danks and Modesty in first-
rate condition.

The best single plant possessing a gold centre
came from Mr. R. Holding. He showed a new
variety, with deep crimson flowers named Miss
Violet Vanbrugh. Mrs. James Douglas was ad-
judged the best light-centred variety. Shown
by Mr. C. Winn. There were 33 entiies in
tliis class, and some exceptionally fine flowers
were exhibited. Mr. R. Holding had the most
perfectly-shaded or only slightly-shaded variety
in Unexpected.

Special Medals.

The Silver and Bronze Medals offered by the
Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society
to the exhibitors gaining the greatest number of
points in the open classes were aw-arded as fol-
low : —

Silver Medal to Mr. C. WlNN.

Bronze IMedal to Mr. W. H. P.-vrton.

The Silver Medal offered to the exhibitor gain-
ing the greatest number of points in the local
classes was won bv Jlr. W. H. Parton, and the
Brookes' Silver Medal by Mr. C. Winn.

Premier Blooms.

The premier show Auricula was Henry Wilson
(green-edged), shown by Mr. F. Simonite, Shef-
field ; the premier Alpine, Mrs. Martin .Smith,
shown by Air. W. fl. Parton, and the premier
seedling Alpine, Jliss Violet Vanbrugh, shown
liy Mr. Richard Holding.

May 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

321

o

322

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

DUTCH BULB GROWERS'.

EXHIBITION AT HAARLEM.

May 4, 5. — The third temporary show in con-
nection with the Jubilee exhibition of the General
Dutch Bulb Growers' Association, at Haarlem,
took place on the above dates. The Jurors on
this occasion, who had not previously visited the
exhibition, were much charmed by the beautiful
display of flowering bulbs in the open garden.
The association are most fortunate in having such
an ideal place for holding their show. The Jilaar-
lem woods supplied the most suitable setting
for enhancing the effect of the bulbs, but, hav-
ing said this much, it must be admitted that
those responsible for the arrangements are en-
titled to congi-atulation for having made the
most of the natural advantages the site offered.

Immediately on entering, the visitor is im-
pressed with the essentially Dutch character of
the scene, but the groups of beds, many of them
formal in themselves, are so arranged that the
general effects are at once natural and satisfying.

The second special show, on April 15, was the
largest of the four events arranged to take
place during the holding of the Jubilee exhibi-
tion, and those who attended that show were
privileged to see a splendid display of Hyacinths
which then furnished the beds. At the third
show most of the Hyacinths had passed out of
flower, but in place of these all the mid-season
varieties of Tulips were in full bloom, and some
of the earlier ones lingered in flower with them,
whilst the Darwin and other late-flowering kinds
may be expected to be in bloom when the fourth
show takes place. It is unlikely that those who
saw the Haarlem Tulips at their best will ever
forget the brilliant colour's they afforded.

It is somewhat difficult to convey to the reader
an adequate idea of the extraordinary care and
cultural skill that have been brought to bear
upon the plants. Notwithstanding the great
number of bulbs required to furnish the beds, all
these bulbs were grown in boxes, and the boxes
were plunged just sufficiently deep to hide them
from view. It appeared as if every bulb
selected for a particular bed had been chosen
because its strength was exactly equal to all the
rest. Not one had failed in any way, and in
nearly all instances the flowers were of the same
.size in a bed, and they were produced at
the same height. This goes to show that the
bulbs had been most carefully selected by specia-
lists, but further evidence of the extreme care
which had been taken was found in a very large
bed of Tulips, where all the 2,000 bulbs had
been so placed that the leaves opened in the
same direction ; that is, in expanding, they fol-
lowed the line of the row, and none of the leaves
crossed the space intervening between the rows.

It has been already stated in these columns
that, in order to save the Dutch Bulb Growers'
Association any unnecessary risk, a guarantee
fund was established for the purposes of the exhi-
bition. It is satisfactory to note that the guaran-
tx>rs will not be called upon to make good their
promises. We were informed whilst at Haarlem
that the receipts of the exhibition have already
equalled the expenditure, and that the committee
is now working for a surplus.

The Dutch Bulb Growers' Association is in
similar circumstances to the Royal Horti-
cultural Society before it had its own
hall in Vincent Square. Therefore, its
chief desire at the present time is to
build a hall in Haarlem and to associate the
hall with a memorial to the late J. H. Krelage,
whose efforts for the furtherance of the interests
of the bulb growers will be remembered for many
years to come. The association has a sum of
money already available for such an object as we
have described, and it is hoped that the surplus
from the Jubilee exhibition will be sufficient,
when added to the former sum, to enable a start
to be made in the matter. Several British visitors
to Haarlem during the present season have pro-
mised sub.=criptions in order to help the Dutch
Society to obtain the fulfilment of its desires.
The .".ssistance so willingly given has be«n grate-
fully accepted, and further donations that mav
be sent by bulb lovers on this side of the Chaii-
nel will be equally acceptable.

Wi*h this report we publish the portrait of
Mr. E. H. Krelage, President of the Bulb
Growc'-s' Association, the head of the firm of
Messrs. E. H. Krelage k Son. Mr. Krelage and

Mr. Van Waverin, whose portrait was printed in
these pages three weeks ago, have borne the
chief responsibility and work connected with the
Jubilta exhibition.

At the Third Special Show.

The Jurors assembled on the morning of the
4th inst., and received addrdsses of welcome from
Mr. E. H. Krelage, on behalf of the Association.
After the judging was completed, the Jurors were
entertained at a luncheon, over which Mr.
Krelage presided, and in the evening at a ban-
quet at the Hotel Fiuickler. The English visitors
were Messrs. R. Hoojier Pearson, W. Watson,
and H. G. Cove.

New Tulips.

Awards of Merit were made to the following
varieties of Tulips submitted to the judges for
award : —

Tulips in the Exhiuition Grounds.

The following varieties were noted in ths
general exhibition as being particularly attrac-
tive for bedding purposes : —

Queen of the Whites, an excellent bedding
Tulip, lasting a long time in flower — the only
possible criticism is that the segments are too
much pointed; Jenny, a brilliant carmine rose-
coloured flower with white feather in the centre
of the outer segments ; Calypso, very pale yellow ;
Couleur cardinal, rosy purple with brilliant scar-
let showing between the segments as the flower
opens, one of the finest Tulips in the collection ;
Enchantress ; Mon tresor, rich yellow ; Pink
Beauty, flowers pmk with white margin ; Presi-
dent Lincoln, purplish rose ; Queen of the Vio-
lets ; Cerise Gris-de-lin, purplLsh rose, and pale
buff ; Leopold II., a sliade of Apricot yellow ;
King of Holland, an intense crimson-coloured

MR. E. H. KRELAGE, PRESIDENT OF THE DUTCH BULB GROWERS
ASSOCHTION.

Alice Ifoospvrll. — This variety is a pink-
coloured sport from Queen of the Netherlands.
A small bed was planted with bulbs in the out-
of-door exhibition, and its effect was charming.
It is unlikely, however, that this variety w-ill be
in commerce until several years have elaprcd.

General De )Yel. — This flower is of the same
type as Prince of Austria, the colour being merely
of another shade. An excellent novelty.

Louis Paxleiir. — In this flower we have a
variety resembling Enchantress, which was one
of the most delightful flowers in the exhibition
beds. Louis Pasteur is scarcely so red as En-
chantress, being more carmine.

Princess JuHnna. — This new flower is coloured
rose and palest buff approaching to white. The
rose colour appears as a kind of feather on the
margin of each segment.

fl-wcr with yellow margins, the segments are
scarcely so substantial as is desirable.

Orchids.
Orchids were shown by three exhibitors. The
largest and best group was from the private
collection of G. H. Muller, Aberken, The
Hague. It comprised about a hundred plants,
tastefully arranged and including Odontoglossums,
Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Lycastes, Phalaenopsis
and Jlasdevallias. The Stanley Cup and a Gold
Medal were awarded to this group. The 2nd
prize was won by Van Nederhasselt, Aerden-
hout, with a pretty collection of plants. The third
group was from E. Praet, nurseryman. Mont
St. .\mand. It would lie unfair to make com-
parison between the efforts of Holland in Orchid-
growing and those of England. We jirefer to
state that the few growers in that country may

Ma:j 14, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

be congratulated on the progress made, as re-
vealed by the Orchids at the Haarlem Show.

Miscellaneous.

The Gerberas of M. Adnet were a beautiful
exhibit and worthy of the Gold Medal awarded
tci thorn. The Dutch nurserymen do not appear
to have realised the value of the Barbertuii
Daisy, although, unless we are greatly mistaken,
they would find it as useful and as manageable
as any of the many Cape plants which they grow
so succt'esfully.

Messrs. Van Tubergen showed their hybrid
Hymenocallis, which they call Ismene Sulphur
Queen. It is the result of crossing H. Anuin-
caes and H. calathina, the two best of
the Peruvian Daffodils. We saw also what
appeared to be a hybiid between Phyllocactus
and Epiphyllum, but the plants were only in
bud. Cactus fanciers will be delighted to learn
if these two genera have really bean hybridised.

The new race of bulbous Irises sent out by
Messrs. Van Tueergen and figured recently in
our pages was well shown. It is said to be the
result of crossing I. lusitanica,_ I. filifolia and
I. tingitana, but the flowers are very similar to
the best of the .Spanish Inscs.

Mes5rs. E. H. Kuelage & Sons showed a very
interesting exhibit of seedling varieties cf Daf-
fodils, including many that gave promise of be-
coming valuable sorts.

D. Baardsa, Aalsmeer, a most successful
grower of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, showed
plants which were perfect balls of flower. To
obtain such specimens in May requires more than
ordin;u-y skill. We were informed that, to get
the plants to flower so late, they are cut back
hard ju.st before they come into flower. Roses
are well grown in Holland. On the whole, the
exhibits in the pavilions were not quite up to
international form, nor did they equal these of
the previous show, held a fortnight earlier.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

May 5. — A meeting was held on May 5. when
Mr. E. M. Holmes exhibited specimens of a rare
British lichen, Parmelia rugosa var. concen-
trica, Cromb.. from the chalk hills between East-
bourne and Seaford, which had previously only
been recorded from Melbury Hill, near Shaftes-
bury, in Dorset, where it was noticed in 1856
by Sir W. C. Trevelyan. This lichen grows in a
concentric manner, forming rourded nodules 1 to
2 inches in diameter, and is apparently formed
at first on pebbles, but becoming detached and
blown about by strong winds ultimately forms
more or les.^ spherical growths.

He also exhibited specimens of the preserved
fruits of a large variety of the Jujube, Zizyphus
Jujuba, which is cultivated in China as a des-
sert sweetmeat, and is known by the name of
" Mei-tsao," or honey-date. The fruits are pre-
served by boiling in honey, and are then pres ed
flat and dried, and by mechanical means are
given a striated appearance, having longitudinal
lines from base to apex. The fruit has not as yet
been imported into this country. It w-as re-
ceived from Mr. McDougall, of Swa.tow.

Mr. Holmes also directed attention to a volume
of water-colour and jiencil drawings, from which
the plates ef the very scarce work. Po:^tel and
Ruprecht's lllu-ilral'uinf.^ Alijannit, had evi-
dently been prepared, the majority reprepenting
the plates being rever.sed. but also included some
algie which had not been utilised. The work
consisted of only 200 copies, and the plates had
been destroyed by fire. Very few of these
copies were held by private individuals, and the
work, which was issued in 1840. at the price
of £40. was hardly ever purchasable. The draw-
ings shown were formerly in the possession cf
Mr. E. Meinshausen. of the Imperial Botanical
G-'rden at St. Petersburg, and are now the pro-
perty of the Universitv of Birmingham.

Dr. Otto StRpf, F.R.S.. Sec.L.S.. exhibited
.specimens of tllricularia. rigida. Benj.. from West
Africa, and U. ncotioidcs. St. Hil.. from Brazil,
the only known representatives cf Kamien.'k'":;
section Avesicaria, which is characterised by the
absence rf bl-^ddevs. This ccnditi''in seems to be
correlated with the habitat of the plant.-, that is.
rocks and stones submerged in running water.
The plants are attpchcd to the recks or pebbles
by modified clawlike rhizoids, very like the

" haptera " of Podostemonacese. The fertile
stems are erect, bearing the flowers and fruits
above the water. The assimilation-apparatus is
submerged and consists of much-divided, in their
ultimate divisions, capillary branches, which re-
semble the " leaves " of our native Utricularias.
In U. rigida. they seems always to spring from
the base of. the fertile stems and often attain a
considerable length. Here and there they give
rise to young fertile shoots, which attach them-
selves by throwing out " haptera " from their
bases. In U. neotioides, however, they also
spring from the axils of the lower three to five
.scale-leaves of the flowering stems, and remain
rather short. Nowhere is any trace of bladders
to be found. The flowers are those of typical
Utricularias. The capsules are small and open,
in U. rigida at least, by lateral slits, the valves
remaining united at the top for some time. The
seeds of both species are rather peculiar in the
genus in so far as they exude mucilage when
wetted. The coat cf mucilage thus formed
helps them in becoming fixed in positions suit-
able for the growing plant. U. rigida is known
from the Sierra Ijcone coast to the head-waters
of the Niger ; U. neotioides from the mountains
cf Brazil (Bahia. Goyaz. Mina.es Geraes). Thus
they form another link ccnnccting the floras of
I West Africa and Brazil. In habit these Utricu-
larias re.?embl2 two other aquatic plants of
tropical Africa aire found in running water,
namely, Quartinia, a Lythracea, and Angolsea.
a Podostemonacea, cf which specimens were
shown.

Mr. F. N. Williams brought up for exhibition
fresh specimens of a straw-coloured variety of
Lathrsea Squamaria. Linn., from Harefield. Mid-
dlesex, growing upon Elm-roots; the normal
form grew also with it. but was earlier in its de-
velopment than the variety now shown, and be-
sides had the property of quickly turning black
after b?ing gathered, whilst the new variety re-
tained its hue for more than 24 hours without
much change; it was distinct from the pure
white variety nivea, known en the Continent.
The General Secretary exhibited the Linnean
MS. Spolia bolaniia. dated 1729, to show that
the name Linnaea had been scratched out, and
Rudbcckia substituted, in compliment to Prof.
Oluf Rudbcck the Younger, in whose house he
was then living as tutor. This shows that Lin-
UiEus had early selected the plant which now
bears his name, and he mentions two localities
in Stenbrohult parish where it occurs, and that
the choice of this plant to bear his name was
not made when gathering specimens at Tuggan-
forsen, in Lyksele Lappmark.

After this conclusion had been arrived at, and
the erasure and substituted name shown to
several Fellows on the 10th March. 1910. the
difcovery was made that Dr. E. Ahrling had
recorded the same, which had been overlooked as
being in a note in his Cnrl roii Llnties Thuj-
dnmsxkriflcr, i. pp. 92-93. of which the fol-
lowing is a translation: — " As regards the name
or word Rudbeckia just employed, there is this
peculiarity, that in the original manuscript the
word was evidently written there after erasure,
and of the first writing there remains a perfectly
plain L. such as Linnteus usually wrote, altered
to R. Perhaps this suggestion may be ven-
tured, that Linnsus first wrote Linnaea, when
he meant to keep these records to himself, but
afterwards, when he dedicated them to Prof.
L. Roberg (into whose hands, however, the manu-
script perhaps never came), he considered him-
self bound to protect himself again.^t people's
ridicule."

Mr. H. W'. i\Ionckton and the Rev. T. R. R.
Stebbing raised questions, which were replied to
by the exhibitor.

The fir.'t paper was by Mr. Hugh Scott, en-
titled " Eight Jlonths Entomological Collecting
in the Seychelles," and in the absence of the
author from ill-health, was laid before the meet-
ing by Prof. J. Stanley Gardiner. F.R.S., who
nho illustrated the paper by a series of nearly
40 lantern slides.

The second paper, by Mr. .1. M. Brown, was
on " Some Points in the Anatomy cf the Larva
cf Tipula rr.axima; A Contribution to Our Know-
ledge of the Respiration and Circulation in In-
sects." The author beiup' absent, it was formally
read in title.

The next meeting of the Society will be the
annivcrsarv meeting on Tuesday. Mav 24. 1910,
at 3 p.m., for which special notices will be i.ssued.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

May 3. — The monthly meeting of this associa-
tion was held on this date, when Mr. Whytock,
the president, presided over an audience of 80.
A lecture, illustrated by limelight views, was de-
livered by Dr. \V. G. Smith, of the Edinburgh
and East of Scotland College of Agriculture, on
" Sense Organs in Plants." Dr. Smith gave the
results of the latest investigations on the special
organs by which plants perceive changes in en-
vironment, and so adjust their growth to secure
the maximum benefit from light and other agen-
cies. These sense organs vary much in structure,
and their function is to receive stimuli from ex-
ternal forces and to convey signals ta other parts
of the plant. Dr. Smith put on the screen a num-
ber of photographs and drawings of plants to
show the arrangements by which various kinds of
movements were brought about in response ta
external stimuli signalled by these sense organs.
These included illustrations of such phenomena
as the adjusting of their leaves to intercept the
maximum number of sun-rays, and by means of
superficial cells, which act as lenses, to focus
them on the sensitive protoplasm ; the closing
of their leaves to entrap insects ; the action of
the delicate mechanism in such climbing organs
as tendrils, &c., which enables them to detv,-ct
contact with other bodies.

The exhibits included a fine lot of Violas and
Tansies from iVIessrs. Dobeie & Co., Rothesay;
groups of plants of the new variegated form of
Hedera Helix var. dentata from Messrs. Dicksons
& Co.. Edinburgh; branches of Peach, Nectarine
and Red Currant with fine " sets " of fruit, as
the result of fertilisation of the flowers by bees
from Mr. W. Staward, Belford Hall. Northum-
berland ; Clianthus puniceus from Mr. A. .John-
stone, Hay Lodge, Edinburgh ; and a miscella-
neous collection of spring flowers from Mrs.
Algie, Hollymount, Co. Mayo.

The paper for the meeting on June 7 will be
on "Insects Pests," by Mr.'Geo. E. Greenhow,
of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of
Agriculture.

UNITED HORTICULTURAL BENEFIT

AND PROVIDENT.

The monthly committee meeting was held at
the Roval Horticultural Hall. Vincent Square,
S.W. Mr. Thos. Winter presided. Seven new
members were elected. The death certificates
of three members were produced (one being a
lapsed member), and the following amounts were
granted to their nominees, viz., £72 19s. 7d.,
£44 14s. lid., and 12s. 7d. Two members over
60 years of age were granted their interest under
Rule 18. Two members were granted 30s. each
from the Convalescent Fund, in addition to their
sick pay. The amount of sick pay disbursed
during the past month has amounted to £43 19s.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

GUrLDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.—

Mr. H. Tann presided at the meeting held on Tuesday,
April 26, when a floral competition took place among the
members. The competition was divided into two classes,
cla5s I. being for the two best arranged vases of flowers,
open to single-handed and under gardeners only ; and class
II for the best table decorations on a given space, open to
all The time allowed for arrangement in each class was
SO minutes. Mr. H. Fulford won the Isl prize in both
classes.

BATH GARDENERS'.— Mr. T. Parrolt presided over
a well-aliended meeting, held on April 25, in the Forester's
Hall, Balh. A paper was read by Mr. T. Chalks, cardener
to the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Salisbury, on
" Spring Gardening." The lecturer said that three quarters
of a century ago sprine gardening as now practised was not
known. It was then the custom to plant the flower garden
for summer and autumn decoration only. The beds were
dug and the ground allowed to lie fallow for the winter and
spring season, presenting a bare and cheerless appearance.

WARGRAVE AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.-

The last meeting of the session took place on Wednesday
evening, April 27. and was eiven up to competilions in
vase decoration. Flowers and foliage were provided by the
members and great interest was shown in the proceedings.

SEVENOAKS GARDENERS'. -The fortnightly
meeHygcY. his society was held on May 3. Mr. Dafters
oresided. Mr. E. Yorke exhibited four plants of Schiz-
amhus, not for competition, for which a Isl class certificate
was avvarded. Three new members were elected. Mr.
W J Stables, gardener to de Barri Crawshay. Esq., gave a
lecture on " How and When to Pot an Orchid.

324

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 14, 1910.

LAW NOTE.

DISHONEST DEALING.

At the Bow Street Police Court recently,
William F. Smith, described as a general
dealer, of Blackfriars Road, was charged, before
Mr. Marsham, with obtaining a large quantity
of Primroses by false pretences from Charles
Marsh and John Pope, of Ashford, Kent. The
prisoner advertised in a Kent newspaper his
willingness to pay for wild flowers sent to him in
London, and failed to carry out his promise.
Complaints were received by the police from
people who had been defrauded. The prisoner
was sentenced to two months' hard labour.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the

weather throughout the British Islands, for the

week ending May 7. is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weathey.~T\ie genera! condition was cold and very
changeable. Showers and squalls of rain, hail and sleet
were very common, occurring in some localities every day,
while passing thunderstorms were experienced on several
occasions in various parts of England, and less frequently
in Ireland and Scotland.

The temperature was below the average, as much as 3"3^ in
Scotland W, and between 2"^ and 3*^ in many other districts.
The highest ol" the maxima were recorded at most stations
on the 1st, and ranged from 66* in Scotland E. and England
N.E. to 58° in England E. and to 5T in the English Channel.
The lowest of the minima, which in most places occurred
late in the week, ranged from 28^ in Scotland E., 29^ in
England S.W., and 30*^ in Scotland W. to 34^ in Ireland S.
and to 42*^ in the English Channel. The lowest grass read-
ings recorded were 21^ at Crathes, 22'' at Llangammarch
Wells, 23'' at Cambridge and Hereford, and 24'' at Balmoral
and Birmingham.

The mean icmperature of the sea. — Except at Cromarty,
Aberdeen, and Burnmouth the water was colder than during
the corresponding week of la'^t year, the difference being as
much as 4** at Kirkwall and Cleggan. The means for the
week ranged from 51° at Scilly, 50° at Plymouth and Sea-
field, and about 49° at some other places in the south-west,
and aho at Margate and Eastbourne, to 43" at Burnmouth
and to 42° at Kirkwall.

The rainfall was more than the average in all districts
except Scotland E., the excess being large in many places.
Much of the precipitation consisted of hail or sleet.

The bright sunshine was less than the normal in the English
Channel, and only equal to it in England S.E., but in all
other districts there was a slight excess. The percentage of
the possible duration ranged from 48 in England S.W. and
44 in England E. and the Midland Counties to 37 in Ireland
N. and to 34 in Scotland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending May 11.
The greatest cold in May since 7S92.— Both the days and
nights have been, with one exception, cold for the time of
year. In fact, during the whole of the past three weeks, the
mean temperature of the 24 hours has been below the
average. On the coldest day of the week the temperature
in the thermometer screen did not rise higher than 49°,
which is about 10° colder than is seasonable, and on the
two coldest nights the exposed thermometer registered ll'*
of frost, which is the lowest temperature indicated by that
thermometer in any May since 1892, or for 18 years. These
very low readings occurred during the almost constantly
recurring cold period in May, which extends from the 9th to
the 14th. The ground is now very co'd for the middle of
May, being as much as 5° colder than is seasonable, both at
1 and 2 feet deep. Rain or hail fell on all but one day,
to the total depth of little more than a quarter of an
inch. There have been small quantities of rain- water
through each of the percolation gauges during the week
until this morning, when there was no measurable amount.
The sun shone on an average for 7J hours a day. or for \\
hours a day longer than is usual at this period m May.
The wind was variable both in strength and direction,
being mostly westerly during ihe earlitr part of the week,
and north-easterly and calm during the rest of it. In
the windiest hour the mean velocity amounted to 20 miles-
direction W. The mean amount of moisture in the air at
3 o'clock in the afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity for
that hour by four per cent. E.M., Herkhamsted, May 11,
J910.

(Bhitxiav}}.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Kingston and District Horticultural Society's annual
exhibition of plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, to he held
in the ground of the Kingston Town Cricket Club, Richmond
Road, Kingstnn-on-Thaines, on Wednesday, July 27. Secre-
tary. Mr. \V. H. Farley, 29, Richmond Park I^oad, Ivingston-
on-Thames.

Ealing Horticultural Society.— The forty-sixth annual
summer exhibition will be held on Wednesday, July 6, in the
Walpole Park. Secretary, Mr. Geo. Cannon, Cannon's
Nursery, Mattock Lane.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society.— A horticultural exhi-
bition in connection with the seventy-third atintial meeting
of the society will he held at Roundhay, Leeds, on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday, July 26, 27, '2S, when prizes
amounting to £215 will he offered. Secretary. Mr. John
Maughan, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Blake Street, York.

Mr. George Burri£s. — We regret to record
the death of ilr. George Burriss, for more than
15 years gp,'-dener and bailiff to Frank May,
Esq., Honndswood. Mr. Burriss died on Fri-
day, May 6, after six months ilhiess. He
was one of the old type of gardeners, and was
greatly esteemed by all who knew him. He
leaves a widow and one son.

ENQUIRY.

Poison Suitable for Dbstrotino Mice. —
These destructive creatures are a pest in this
neighbourhood. I have tried several advertised
poisons without success, and should be glad to
laear if anyone knows of a really good remedy.
A. S.

^Y to '^Ifk

OTr(c)foondentci

*,* T/ie Eililors will be qlad to rccfitf. for

consideration, large photographs of horticultural

subjects, suitable for reproduction as Supple-

vientary Illustrations in this Journal.

Azalea Leaves Diseased: H. B. and A. H.
Tho leaves are attacked by the Rhododendron
gall fungus, a species of Exobasidium. If you
cut off the leaves before the fungus has deve-
loped spores, the plants will be less liable to
attack the following year.

Bulbs Failing to Flowee : J. E. H. and Gar-
dener. The bulbs are not diseased, and their
failure to flower is probably due to the unsatis-
factory season experienced last year. /. E. H.
must be careful not to destroy the foliage by
the .scythe or lawn mower, the bulbs being
planted in grass-land.

Cannas Unsatisfactory : J. F. P. The foliage
is exhibiting natural decay. Afford the plants
warm, moist conditions, and they will soon
develop new leaves.

Coni.EUM (Croton) Leaves: ^1. M. S. The in-
jury has been caused by some external agency,
such as cold water dripping from the roof, or
it may be due to a sudden lowering of the tem-
perature of the house.

Corrections : For Saxifraga aretiocides on p. 294
read S. aretioides. — Mr. R. Wilson Ker died on
the 3rd inst., and not on the 11th inst., as
stated in last week's issue.

Cucumber Diseased : C. H. The plants are
affected with Cucumber canker, caused by the
fungus Jlycosphaerella citruUina. In a pam-
phlet on the disease recently issued by the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries it states
that Tomatos are also liable to tlie same com-
plaint. The fungus has proved very destruc-
tive to ftlelons in America, and appears to be
spreading slowly in this country. Spraying
thoroughly with the Bordeau.\ mixture before
the disease appears, and repeating at inter-
vals to keep the plants covered with the solu-
tion, is recommended.

Leaves Eaten: Hampstead. The damage has
been caused by some insect, probably weevils.
Spray the plants with an insecticide, such as
quas.sia extract. If weevils are responsible,
they should be trapped with pieces of Potato,
Turnip, or some other vegetable.

Liliums with Split Stems : E. P. The plants
are attacked by a disease caused by the
fungus Sclerotinia bulborum. The affected
plants should be destroyed by burning, and
the land dressed with gas-lime or quick-
lime. The disease often accumulates in the
decaying vegetable heaps on sites where gar-
den rubbi.sh is allowed to accumuliite.

Names of Plants : Poeburh. Dendrobium Grif-
fithianum. The leaves are usually much
thicker than those of D. densiflorum. — G. 1).,
Surrey. Sprekelia formosissima, often called
Amaryllis fcrmosissima. — F. S. 1, Coronilla
Emerus ; 2. Ribes aureum ; 3. Ilex dipyrena ;
4, Cupressus pisifera var. filifera. — P. G. IP
1, Rubus spectabilis ; 2, Pinus excelsa ; 3. P.

' monticola ; 4, Picea ajanensis ; 5, P. pungens ;
6, P. pungens variety. — Miss Ewbnnk. Iris

Chamaeiris. — //. S. Primula capitata. Rhodo-
dendron arboreum hybrid. — IF. B. 1, Sym-
phytum officinale ; 2, S. bulbosum ; 3, W'ald-
steinia geoides ; 4, Veronica saxatilis. — .-1 Suh-
scriher. 1, Cistus sp. ; send again when in
flower ; 2, Cephalotaxus pedunculata var. fas-
tigiata ; 3, Saxifraga cordifolia ; 4, Veronica
Traversii ; 5, Choisya ternala ; 6, probably Hes-
peris matronalis ; send when in flower. —
II. R. J . 1. Prunus (Cerasus) pseudo-cerasus ;
2, Pyrus (Cydonia) japonica. — ir. H. B. Orni-
thogalum nutans. — .4. H. W. Juniperus
sinensis. — 11'. ,S'. Orobus vernus. — F. D. G.
Ornithogalum nutans. — A. H. F. 1, Begonia
discolor ; 2, Begonia Dregei ; 3, Seedling
Coleus ; 4, Croton variegatum ; 5, Ophiopogon
variegatum ; 6, Pellionia Daveauana ; 7, a
variety of Ixia grandifiora.

" New ^ Improvements of Planting, &c." :
M. W. This book is by no means rare, and it
may be obtained with "all the parts bound in
separate volumes. Parts I. and II. bound to-
gether, also Parts I., II., and III., and com-
plete in four parts. The edition which you
mention as being dedicated to Prince Henry,
was first published in 1717, and passed, as well
as the other parts, through six or seven edi-
tions until 1731, the year previous to the
author's death. In this edition, The Here-
fordshire Orchards is included. The price
varies considerably, but a good copy, with
plates complete, would not be dear at" 15s. It
is one of the best of Richard Bradley's
numerous works, and Part I. is interesting
because it contains the account of Fairchild's
Mule Pink, Mears was the London publisher.
If you care to give us details of the other
volumes, we will gladly give you information
regarding them.

Onions Diseased : G. It. II'. We have examined
the leaves, but cannot detect the cause of the
disease, which is probably present in the
roots. As the same trouble occurred in
Onions last year, the soil is evidently infected,
and you should be careful not to grow a similar
crop on the land for some years.

Pelargonium Leaves Spotted: A. P. D. and
.7. F. I'. The plants are affected with a bac-
terial disease. No cure is known ; out you
should destroy badly-affected plants, and" be
careful to propagate from healthy plants only.
It is adyisable to secure fresh stock entirely".

RiCHARDIA (CaLLA) WITH COLOURED SPATHE :

A. II. We frequently receive Richardias with
the leaf below the spathe coloured, sometimes
entirely. The spathe itself is of the same char-
acter as a bract, so that the abnormality is not
to be greatly wondered at. Your specimen is
an excellent example, apart from the colouring
in the leaf, the yellow in the spathe being ex-
ceptionally rich.

Sweet Pea Foliage Turning White : E. F.
The dii-ease is not understood, although it is
known to be due to .some physiological trouble.
No cure can be suggested. It is not, as you
suggest, " streak " disease.

Tennis Court : B. II. Particulars for laying out
a tennis court, with a diagram showing the
measurements, were given in the issue for
April 2, p. 224.

Tomato: Constant Peader. The variety you
mention is unknown to us. Try Sunrise or
Lister's Prolific.

Tulips Diseased : Mrs. H. See reply to
E. P. on Liliums.

Vines Unsatisfactory: T1^. .4. N. The speci-
mens were packed much better than the earlier
specimens, and they arrived in excellent con-
dition for examination. There is no disease
present ; the trouble is due to some check
caused by an error in culture.

Viola Seedling: A. C. D. The variety is very
pretty and may be worth perpetuating. You
should first ascertain from some nursery firm
which m.akes a speciality of Violas if a similar
kind is already iti commerce.

Communications Received.— N A. D— W. J. B., Han-
tord-C. H.— S. C. J.— R. & Co., Backs-.!. E , Welshpool
—Rev. H. P.-W. A. C— Harry V.- C.G. Van T., Haar-
lom— E. M.— T. H.— Sir D. M.— A. D.— E. C. P.— C. H. C.
— H. J. E.— Somersetshire— R. P. D.— P. A. G — W. A. R.
— E. A. D. W.-W. K.— A. J. E.— J. J.— Charles S. & Co.
—J. Mac C— Socicte Nat. d'Hort. de Prance— R. P.—
W, E. C.-G. W. L.— T. H.-G. F., Y'unnan -W. C—
J. D.-Chavles H.-P. M.-W. Mao M. B., San Pran-
cisco -J. S. & Sons-John D., U. S. A.-C. T. D.— E. H. J.
— W. C. 0. -Reader.

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May 21. 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

325

THE

^arbcncis'Cbroniclc

No. 1,221.— SATVRDAY, May 31, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Alpine plants, importing

339

Orphan Fund, Royal

Ali.»ine garden, the —

Gardeners'

333

Saxifraga Rhei

327

Outdoor gardening

338

American notes—

Paintings by Miss Ella

Chionanthus retusus

32S

Du Cane

334

Apple-tree canker caused

Pest and disease order.

by the " Brown Rot "

new 332

337

fungus

327

Plant - collecting, the

Battersea Park, flowers

perils of...

325

at

333

Potassium silicate as a

"Beagle," relic of the

333

fertiliser

333

Board of Agriculture,

Publications received ...

334

the new order of the

332

Rhododendron Veitchi-

Breeding for timber ...

338

anum ;..

339

Budapest International

Rook, the feeding habits

Exhibition

340

of the

334

Coelogyne Lawrenceana

335

Rose-growers, interna-

Florists' Flowers -

tional congress of ...

334

Garden varieties of

Seeds, free

333

Hippeastrum

326

Societies —

Flowers in season

333

British Gardeners' ...

340

Forestry

335

Dutch Bulb Growers'

340

Gardener'slong service,

Manchester and North

a

333

of England Orchid...

339

Gladiolus, the

332

National Dahlia

333

Gooseberry-mildew, the

Trees, pruning newly

American

333

planted.

33S

Horticulture and the

Vegetables for exhibi-

Development Act ...

336

tion, culture of

339

Kelway, Mr. W., por-

Week's work, the—

trait of, at the Royal

Flower garden '

330

Academy

334

Fruits under glass ...

331

Laurel leaves as an

Hardy fruit garden,

insecticide

339

the

331

Leonardslee gardens ...

333

Kitchen garden, the, .

330

Melons and Cucumbers,

Orchid houses, the ...

331

fertilisation of

338

Plants under glass .--

330

Narcissi, two new

337

Weismannism, ou the

Orchid notes and glean-

waning of

334

ings—

Window-boxes

3b5

Disa polygonoides ...

329

Worms, new garden ...

329

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Apples attacked by the "

Brown Rot" fungus

327

Chionanthus retusus, flowering spray of

329

Chionanthus retusus in

Highland Park, Rochester,

U.S.A

328

Coelogyne Lawrenceana

335

Forrest, portrait oE Mr.

George

826

Heclitia argentea (Supplementary Illustration)

Narcissi Cooksonite and

N. Colleen 336,

337

Worm, a new garden (Eisenia glaudulosa)

330

THE PERILS OF PLANT-
COLLECTING.

FEW realise the great hardships and
dangers which have to be faced in
order to secure new plants for cultiva-
tion in Europe. In the warmer regions there
is danger from miasma, fever, animals and
snakes. Not infrequently too, the collector
has to seek his specimens among savage or
semi-civilised peoples, who, in most instances,
si:r07ij;Ty resent his intrusion into their midst ;
thus seldom a year passes without toll being
exacted in one way or another.

I will describe an incident I experienced
whilst plant-collecting in Western China. In
the N.W. corner of the Chinese province of
Yunnan, where China, India and Tibet meet,
and by the banks of the gi-eat Mekong river,
at an elevation of 5,000 feet, was the
French Catholic , mission station of Tze-
kou. It is a country of might}- rivers;
there, in a single degree of longitude, are
four of the mightiest in the world, the
Yangtze, or River of Golden Sand, the Me-
kong, the Salwin and the Irrawaddy ; and of
vast mountain ranges which tower up between
the parallel rivers to far above the limit
of eternal snow, which, at that latitude,
(28 N.) is about 17,000 feet. The narrow val-
leys, broken by cross ridges and great spurs,
are cut oft from each other by difficult and
dangerous passes, closed for half the year
by snow. The great rivers, which flow
through funnel-like gorges, are quite un-

navigable; the upper Mekong can only be
crossed by bridges consisting of a single rope
composed of split bamboos, across which
passengers are slung, trussed up with leather
thongs like chickens ready for the spit.
Numerous tribes, nearly all of Tibetan origin,
have .settled and built their huts among the
valleys and ridges. The diversity of
cu-stoms, languages and religions in this
little-known corner of the world is truly
remarkable; like the slopes of the Caucasus,
it might be called the country of the hundred
nations. Here and there in the folds of the
mountains the Lamas of the yellow sect have
established huge gombas, or lamaserie-s, and,
by a combination of force and fraud, have
become the real masters df the country ;
they terrorise the poverty-stricken and
superstitious peasantry, and pay little or no
regard to the nominal sovereignty of the
Celestial mandarins.

In the summer of 1895, I found myself
collecting in these mountains, my head-
quarters being with the hospitable and vener-
able chief of the Tzekou mission, Pere
Dubernard. He first settled at Tzekou when
Napoleon III. was at the height of his power,
and he bad never left the country since. The
region was un.settled, the Lama world around
had been disturbed by the British invasion
of Lhassa in 1904, and still more rudely
shocked by the attempt of the Chinese to
establish themselves at Batang, a small town
on the great road from Szechuan to Lhassa.
These circumstances led to a rebellion of the
Batang Lamas, and the murder, with all his
followers, of a high Chinese official at Batang
in March of that year. At the same time,
the French missionaries stationed there, with
all their converts, were killed, and the mis-
sion stations destroyed

The trouble was not long in spreading south
to Atuntze, a small Chinese-Tibetan trading
station, situated on a terrace high above
the left or east bank of the Mekong, and only
two-and-a-half days' journey from Tzekou,
which nestled under the cliffs close to the
right bank of the Mekong, in latitude 28° N.
Chinese officials and troops were sent to
Atuntze in April to restore order, but it is
needless to add they only made confusion
worse confounded, and in a few days they
were completely hemmed in. Rumoure and
counter-rumours poured into the mission at
Tzekou day by day, adding to the difficulty
of our situation, and the terror of the native
Christians. It soon became clear that the
Lamas meant business, and were determined
to pay off old scores of jealousy against the
missionaries, who had endeavoured for so
many years, not without success, to deliver
the people from the moral and material chains
of Lamaism.

Even our friends among the Tibetans fell
away from us or proved false. The mission
house was indefensible, and, if defensible, we
had no one to defend it save two aged French
priests and myself. Therefore, when on the
evening of July 19 the news came that the
town of Atuntze had fallen, that the Chinese
troops had been wiped out almost to a man,
and that the lamaseries were all up and con-
centrating their forces to attack Tzekou,
immediate flight became necessary.

The rising moon that night .saw us making
our way by a narrow and dangerous track
along the right bank of the Mekong, the two

Fathers on their mules, and myself and the
little band of native Cliristians on foot ; on
our lelt roared the Mekong in furious flood,
on our right rose the great Mekong-Salwin
dividing range. We hoped to reach the vil-
lage of Yetche, 30 miles to the south on the
left bank of the river, where there was a
friendly cliief and some Chinese troops; but,
unfortunately, as in the dark we passed the
lamaserie of Patong, owing to a noise made
by some of our party, we were detected, and
a shrill signal whistle was sent across the
river to warn the countryside of our escape.
Early next morning, at the next village,
we were told that the enemy, by exe-
cuting a forced march, had crossed the
river to the south, and had raised the
people there, thus cutting off our retreat.
The local headman, a drunken a-nd treacher-
ous rascal, found many excuses to delay our
flight, and thus we lost more valuable time.
Eventually we got away from him, and pro-
ceeding early in the forenoon we reached a
height to the south of the village. From this
point «e had a clear and extensive view
looking to the north, and saw a great column
of smoke rising in the still morning air over
the site of Tzekou. Then our last hope of
escape left us, and we knew the enemy was
hot on our track. Descending from the
height into the next cross valley, I was for
pushing on as long as we had strength left
to do so, hoping that we might be able to
break through to the south before the enemy
had time to form a complete cordon around
us. However, after the sight of the destruc-
tion of their home, the last vestige of
spirit seemed to leave my two companions ;
they became utterly despondent and began
to make preparations for the worst, insisting
on making a stop by the side of the stream
in the valley for the double purpose of holding
a meeting with our followers, and taking
some food. So dangerous was the situation
that, whilst my companions were engaged
at their devotions, I left them and ascended a
small auxiliary spur to reconnoitre. To the
north I had a clear view of the crest of the
ridge we had descended, and had not long to
wait ere mj' expectations were realised.
Suddenly there appeared a large number of
armed men running at full .speed in Indian
file along the path we had just traversed.
I gave the alarm at once and immediately
all was confusion, our followers scattering
in every direction. Pere Bourdonnec became
completely panic-stricken, made his way
across the stream, by a fallen tree, and,
despite my attempts to stop him, rushed
blindly through the dense forest which clothed
the southern face of the valley. However, es-
cape in that direction I was sure would be im-
possible, as our delay had given the enemy
time to mature their plans and close in on
us ; the Pere had not covered a couple of
hundred jards ere he was riddled «ith
poisoned arrows and fell, the Tibetans im-
mediately rushing up and finishing him off
with their huge double-handed swords. Our
little band, numbering about 80, were picked
off one by one, or captured, only 14 escaping.
Ten women, wives and daughters of some of
our followers, committed suicide by throwing
themselves into the stream, to escape the
slavery, and worse, which they knew awaited
them if captured. Of my own 17 collectors
and servants only one escaped.

32G

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[Mat 21, 1910.

The valley in which we were surrounded was
a rift in the hills some four miles long by one
and a half broad, closed to the east by the
Mekong, and to the west by the dividing range,
while to the north and south were high ridges
occupied by the enemy, and thickly clothed with
Pine and mixed forests. When I saw all was
lost I fled east down a breakneck path, in places
formed along the faces of beetling cliffs by rude
brackets of wood and slippery logs. On I went
down towards the main river, only to find
myself, at one of the sharpest turns, suddenly
confronted by a band of hostile and well-armed
Tibetans, who had been stationed there to block
the passage. They were distant about a hundred
yards, and sighting me at once gave chase. For
a fraction of time I hesitated ; being armed with
a Winchester repeating rifle, 12 shots, a heavy
revolver and two belts of cartridges, I could
easily have made a stand, but I feared being
unable to clear a passage before those whom I
knew to be behind me arrived on the scene.
Therefore I turned back, and after a desperate
run, succeeded in covering my tracks by leaping

where they had been dropped by a fugitive or
by some of the Lamas. During some of these days
I was kept continually on the move, tracked and
liuntcd like a wild beast by the Lamas and their
Tibetan adherents, who thirsted for my blood.
On the second day I was forced to discard my
boots to avoid leaving a distinctive trail, bury-
ing them in the bed of the stream ; another day
I had to wade waist deep for a full mile up
stream to evade a party who were close on my
heels ; once a few of them came on me suddenly
and I was shot at, two of the poisoned arrows
passing through my hat ; another time my hiding
place was discovered by a Tibetan woman, one
of many who had been sent out to track me
down. Once as I lay asleep under a log in the
bed of the stream, exhausted by my night's
fruitless journey up the mountain side, I was
awakened by the sound of voices, and a party of
30 Lamas in full war paint crossed the stream a
few yards above me. Armed as I was I could
have shot down most of them, but, though en-
raged as I was at the time, I held myself in
check, as I knew that to fire but one shot would

gARPCHP.OfiT

Fig. 136. — A PLANT COLLECTOR IN CHINA.
Portrait of Mr. George Forrest taken in Talifu, May, 1905.

off the path whenever I rounded the corner. I
fell into dense jungle, through wiiich I rolled
down a steep slope for a distance of two
hundred feet before stopping, tearing my cloth-
ing to ribbons, and bruising myself most horribly
in the process. I then got behind a convenient
boulder and made every preparation for a stand
sh juld they succeed in discovering my ruse, which
I never doubled but they would. Fortunately,
however, tliey did not find me, and, presum-
ing I had continued my course up the valley,
rushed past my hiding place. There I lay till
night fell, when I attempted to scale south, but,
after toiling up 3,000 feet of rock and through
forest and jungle, I found a cordon of Lamas,
with watch-fires and Tibetan mastiffs, which
precluded all hopes of escape in that direction,
and, as daylight approached, I had to return to
my hiding place by the stream. The following
eight days and nights were hopeless repetitions
of tlie Hrst; the days were spent in hiding in the
most convenient spot I could find at dawn, the
nights in trying to elude the watchfulness of my
enemies and get away soutli. For that time, a
period of nine days, all the food I had consisted
of two dozen cars of Wheat and a handful of
parched Peas, "^^ which I providentially found

be to bring a hornet's nest about me. My only
chance was to keep still. George. Foriesi.
(Tn he continued.)

FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

GARDEN VARIETIES OF HIPPEASTRUM.

HipPEASTEUii EEGIN.1:, a red flower with a
green centre, appears to have been the first
species introduced into this country, having been
sent from South America in 1725. The compara-
tively small-growing Hippeastrum equestre was
introduced about 50 years later, followed in 1788
by H. vittatum and H. reticulatum.

More recent species which have been employed
by the hybridist are H. psittacinum, a scarlet
flower with a crimson veining and deep centre ;
H. aulicum, red in colour but very irregular in
shape ; H. solandriflorum, a greenish-white,
long-tubed flower whicli has undoubtedly played
a considerable part in the production of the light-
coloured varieties; H. . pardinum, a beautiful
flower of a creamy colour freely spotted with
red, and the richly-tinted H. Leopoldii.

In passing from the original species to the

garden forms it may be noted that the first to
raise hybrids was Dean Herbert in the early part
of the last century. After that a few seedlings
were raised from time to time, but the first firm
to take the cross-breeding of Hippeastrums
seriously in hand were Messrs. Jas. Veitch &
Sons. The introduction of the charming and
distinct H. pardinum, about 40 years ago, by
Richard Pearce, of tuberous Begonia fame, no
doubt gave the necessary impetus, though, after
a few years, this species was not much used, H.
Leopoldii then taking its place. Messrs. Veitch
still take great interest in these flowers, and
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son, Liverpool, exhibit
novelties every year.

Of amateurs the name of Lieut. -Col. Holford
at once comes to the mind, and from his cele-
brated collection no fewer than three varieties
were given Awards of Merit at the meeting of
tlie Royal Horticultural Society on April 19 last.

The crossing of Hippeastrums is a very simple
matter, as the anthers can be readily removed
before they shed their pollen in order to prevent
the flower becoming self fertilised. The neces-
sary pollen should be applied to the stigma as
soon as the glutinous substance collects at the
point. When fertilisation is effected the seed
will ripen in about a couple of months, and if
sown at once it will germinate in a very short
time. The young plants should be nicely estab-
lished in small pots before the winter.

Occasionally bulbs may flower in 18 months'
from the sowing of the seed, but at least another
year is needed before the flower shows its true
character, and in the case of some seedlings the
cultivator must vvait a much longer time before
he sees the result of his cross.

Details of Culture.

There is a widespread idea that Hippeastrums
require a large amount of heat, but they
can be grown and flowered in a greenhouse,
provided the minimum winter temperature
is not below 50°. In gardens, however, which
afford every convenience, the better plan is to
place them in a warmer structure after flowering
in order to encourage free growth. In a
greenhouse temperature the month of May
will probably be well advanced before the
flowers arc over, and by the end of the month
they may be placed in an ordinary cold frame.
I prefer tliis to a greenhouse containing a mixed
collection of plants, as the frame can be shut
early in the day to husband the sun-heat.
Under such conditions the plants grow freely,
and when it is necessary to harden them off they
can be given full exposure to sunshine and air.
This hardening oft' is essential, for well-ripened
bulbs will stand a low temperature in winter
better than the unripened ones, and they alone
will yield a good display of flowers.

At one time it was considered necessary to re-
pot Hippeastrums every year, usually in the
months of January or February, but this treat-
ment has undergone modification, and many cul-
tivators do not now repot annually. They pre-
fer when potting to use a good lasting compost,
such as fibrous loam, lightened, according
to its consistency, with leaf-mould or peat and
silver sand. When Hippeastrums are not re-
potted every year a good plan is to examine the
condition of the roots in the month of February,
and all which are in a healthy state can be top-
dressed with some rich compost. Any whose
roots are not satisfactory should be shaken out
of the soil and repotted. When the top-dressing
is finished the bulbs must be watered sparingly
till the young leaves and flower-spikes make their
appearance, when more should be given, and as
the plants develop, providing the drainage is in
a good state, they will need a liberal supply.

When repotting is to be carried out, some suc-
cessful cultivators prefer to do it immediately
after flowering, when tlie roots are very active.

A stimulant in the shape of liquid manure is
helpful during the growing season, when the
energies of the plant are devoted to the building
up of the bulb for another year. W.

May 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

A "CANKER " OF APPLE TREES CAUSED
BY THE "BROWN ROT" FUNGUS.

The fungus Sclerotinia fructigena — m its coni-
dial or Monilia stage — has long beei"* l-nown as
the cause of the " Brown Rot " disease of the
fruit of the Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum and
Peach. It is also well-known that the spawn
(mycelium) of this fungus can invade and kill
the wood of the Cherry, Plum and Peach, and
it is not uncommon to find on these trees (when
" Brown Rot " has been prevalent on their fruit)
a " dying back " of the branches from this
cause. The manner in which the wood of the

Fig. 137. — ,\PPLES AFFLCTED WITH

" BROWN ROT."

Bunch of Apples attacked and in course of destruction by

the "brown rot" fungus (Sclerotinia fructigena). The

Apples are already covered with tufts of the spores

(conidia) of the fungus.

Peach is attacked is described by Prof. B. M.
Duggar as follows: "The twigs are also sus-
ceptible, but it has been quite definitely shown
that infection of the twigs results only when
either flowers or fruit produced on the twigs
have already fallen prey to the disease. In
other words, the fungus mu.st grow directly from
the fruit or blossom into the young twigs, since
it cannot readily penetrate the epidermis of the
latter. Inoculation of the fungus into cuts on
the bark will, however, also result in twig in-
fection." The result of the attack is to kill the
twig as the disease progresses. Prof. E. F.
Smith states that the mycelium of the fungus
grows most readily in the cambium and soft
bast of the affected shoots.

During the past three seasons, I havi, observed
that under certain circumstances the present fun-
gus is able to cause an injury to the wood of
the Apple — a fact which does not seem to
have been recorded. This injury does not,
as a rule, result in the death of the entire shoot,
aa in the case of the Cherry. Plum and Peach,
but is localised and takes the form of a "canker "
This " canker," which is always situated in tfie
neighbourhood of a fruit-spur, may originate in
two ways. Iti the majority of cases the infection
of the branch proceeds in the following manner.
The Apples of the tree in question, w-hile they are
developing, are attacked by the " Brown Rot "
fungus ; the flesh of such Apples becomes com-
pletely permeated by the spawn (mycelium) of
the fungus, while tufts of spores (conidia) are
produced on the outside (see fig. 137). Many
of these diseased and half-rotten Apples fall to
the ground, but it is not uncommon to find some
of them remaining on branches of the tree

through the autumn and winter right on to the
following spring or summer. The Apples which
remain on the tree are in a " mummified " con-
dition, with the flesh dried up and almost en-
tirely consumed ; the spawn of the fungus, how-
ever, remains alive and capable, under suitable
weather conditions in the following year, of
renewed growth and the production of tufts of
spores (conidia) (see fig. 138). Now, in some cases,
these diseased Apples, when rotting under the
attack of the fungus — as shown in fig. 137 — press
against the part of the branch near the spur on
which they are borne, and remain permanently
fixed in this position — the decaying flesh of the
Apple, at first softening and then hardening,
and, as it were, glueing the Apple firmly to the
branch. Under such conditions the spawn
(ii.jrcliunij of die " Brown Rot " fungus grows
from the diseased Apple into the branch, pro-
ducing there a " cnnLrr "-like injury. In the
following spring, or even during the winter, if it
is a mild season, pustules of conidia appear over
the " cankered " area, breaking out through
cracks in the bark from (he underlying mycelium.
Sometimes the branch becomes completely
girdled at the " cankered " spot, when, of course,
the upper part of the branch dies ; this, however,
I have seen occur only in the case of the smaller
twiga and not of main branches.

Anotliur way in which the " Brown Rot "
canker can arise on a branch is by the spawn
(mycelium) cf the fungus directly invading the
wood from a fruit-spur which has become dis-
eased through its flowers or fruit beitig attacked.
The spur is gradually killed while the mycelium
travels from its base into the branch and forms
there a " canker," from which the dead remains
of the spur projects as a "snag" (see fig. 139). In
such cases the remains of the spur are usually
covered over with numerous pustules of the
spores (conidia) of the fungus (see X in fig. 139).

So far as I have seen, this injury to the wood
is liable to occur only on certain varieties of
Apples. I have found this form of " canker "
mcst frequently on Worcester Pearmain ; it oc-
curs also on Ecklinville Seedling and Beauty of
Bath, and I oljerved it lately in Jersey on trees
of Ribston Pippin.

The chief diingcr of the presence of " Brown
Rot " on the wood of the Apple lies not so
much in the possibility of any extensive " dying-
back " of the branches being caused, as in the
cases of other fruit trees (Plum, Cherry, Peach),

Fig. 13S. — OLD APPLES WITH " BROWM ROT "
IN THE CONIDIAL STAGE.

Dried up, '* mninujitied " Apples (of the previous .reason)

producing patches of the spores (conidia) of the " brown

rot" fungus; taken from an Apple t:ee at the time it was

in bloom.

since, so far as I have observed, the actual
damage in this direction is slight. The danger
consists in such " cankered " spots, covered as
they are with tufts of spores (conidia), constitut-
ing a source of infection during the following
spring and summer. The safest remedy, obvi-
ously, is to collect and burn (or bury in quick-
lime) any Apples as soon as they show any signs

of rotting, and not allow them to decay and affix
themselves to the branches. A spraying of the
tree in winter (while growth Is dormant) with a
solution of copper sulphate (1 lb. dissolved in 25
gallons of water), and with Bordeaux mixture
(4 lbs. quicklime, 4 lbs. copper sulphate, 50 gal-
lons water) juH before the flower-buds open, and
again directly the bloom has set, has proved most
efficacious in dealing with " Brown Rot " on

^^^H — X

Fig. 139. — CANKER PRODUCED BY " BROWN

rot" fungus.

A " canker " formed on the branch of an Apple tree by the

" hrow n rot" fungus, the spawn (mycelium) of which has

enteied the branch through the fruit-spur. The fruit-spur

bears tufts of spores (conidia) at X X.

Plums andChernes, and this treatment should be
employed for those varieties of Apple, such as
Ecklinville Seedling, which are susceptible to
this disease. E. S. Salmon, F.L.S., Mycologist
to the South-Eastern Agricultural College, Wye,
Kcr.l.

THE ALPINE^ GARDEN.

SAXIFRAGA RHEI.

This plant has been described as a distinct
species by Schott, but most botanists now
consider it a variety under the name of S.
muscofdes Rhei. In its wild habitats S. mus-
ccides is an extremely variable plant, and many
varieties have been described. It is truly an
.\lpine species, ranging from 3,500 feet to 10,5C0
feet above sea-level on the mountains of Europe,
Asia Minor and Persia, in its various forms ; and
it occurs on granite, gneiss, micaschist, chalk,
dolomite, basalt and other geological formations.
This, to some extent, will account for its variable
character. S. m. Rhei comes from Transsylvania,
and under cultivation has proved variable beyond
all expectations. .Judged by the additional
colours and varieties of different habit to w'hich it
has given rise, it must be regarded as a mutant.

The sudden origin of Guildford Seedling from
S. muscoides Rhei would serve to confirm this
idea. The variety still remains unique in its
dwarf, compact habit, bright crimson-purple
stems and rich, crimson-red fiow'ers. It is the
oldest and most widely-know-n of the forms here
mentioned, though it is seldom seen in large quan-
tities in gardens. The plant is of slow growth
and impatient of disturbance, so that when
broken up into small pieces many of them die
before they get re-established, and this, in a
measure, accounts for its limited distribution in
private gardens. Pot culture in a firm soil suits
it well in my experience. S. m. Rhei Fergusonii
was for some time confused with Guildford Seed-
ling by gardeners, but the variety Fergusonii

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 21, llji.O.

has much paler flowers, and is less desirable.
Similar in habit and size of flower to Guild-
ford Seedling is S. m. Rhei coccinea, but
the colour is paler and brighter. It is,
indeed, a lovely companion to it, and suffi-
ciently distinct to be grown even in a select
collection. The stems are of a pale, brownish-
red. Scarlet Gem has bright-rose flowers,
with a crimson patch on the base of each
petal, and the stems are practically green. 1
group it with Guildford Seedling and coccinea,
on account of its dwarf habit and flowers
of similar size. The autumn rosettes of leaves
are remarkably compact and pretty. Ail three
are well adapted for pot culture on account of
their slow growth and compactly-tufted habit,
but ih«y 3X5 a.lsc suitable for cool, moist spots

flowers of the tall race of garden forms. Like
most of the others above-mentioned, it gives
evidence that the raisers have all been aiming
at crimson and scarlet colours. Mr. R. J. G.
Read, of Cadbyrie House, Ealing, has been rais-
ing seedlings for the last five years, conunenc-
ing with the seed of S. m. Rhei superba, and he
now has a large number of seedlings, showing
crimson, red, rose-pink, cream, white and other
shades of colour. The plants also vary remark-
ably in habit, and the stems range from 3 inches
to 9 inches in height, and are proportionately
floriferous. Many of them have dark zones on
the flowers. No distinctive names have been
given them, though the size of the flowers in
many instances and their colours would warrant
such a procedure. J . F.

placed in the nursery. Two yeais later, when^
arranging the collections of trees and shrubs, I
moved two of them to the positions where they
properly belonged ; but it occurred to me, as this
species was a rare subject and nothing was known
aboui its sensitiveness to root disturbance in
transplanting when it had attained considerable
size, that it might be a wise precaution to leave
one of the three where it stood in the nursery
row. which I did. The two plants which were
moved eventually died, but the one that was left-
undisturbed is now a spreading shrub 11 feet,
high, 15 feet in its greatest spread of branches,
and 13 feet in its narrowest spread. The main
stem is 5 to 6 inches in diameter at the base, andi
it branches 9 inches above the ground into three
stout stems. The branching habit is thin, irregu-

tlG. i^u. — CUlO.NANTHLb KtlCbUS I.N HIGHLAND I'AKK. KOCUEbXEU, U.S.A.

on the rockery, or on a northern aspect, though
otherwise well exposed to light.

S. m. Rhei superba has longer stolons or bar-
ren shoots, and soon becomes plentiful in cool,
moist situations. It is also of taller habit than
either of the foregoing, and the flowers are at least
double the size. The stems are almost as rich
in colour as those of Guildford Seedling. The
flowers may be described as rosy-pink, with a
darker zone and a green eye. Tlie newly-opened
flowers are, of course, darker, but all of them
fade with age. Ditton Crimson is also a large-
flowered variety of a rich crimson-red at its
best, and the stems are dark purple. All these
varieties are before me as I write, and they are
splendid acquisitions to the rock-garden, intro-
ducing, as they do, so many rich shades of colour
amongst the mossy Saxifragas, the bulk of which
have white flowers. It is true we long have
had S. m. alropurpurea in the rock-garden, but
the flowers are small and but little elevated
above the foliage. So far as I have seen it, S.
m. Rhei Clibranii has the richest and brightest

AMERICAN NOTES.

CHIONANTHUS RETUSUS.

It seems remarkable that the Chinese fringe-
tree (Chionanthus retusus), which was introduced
to cultivation from China by Robert Fortune
about 1850, is still a rare plant in European
and American parks and gardens. At that time
Robert Fortune found it growing in a garden at
Foochow, but he never saw it in a wild
state. So far as we are able to ascertain, it
practically disappeared from cultivation. It was
introduced again from China between 20 and
25 years since by Maries, the collector for James
Veitch & Sons, and the plants in cultivation
to-day in Europe and America have been mostly
distributed by this firm. The species has been
found growing by later collectors and botanists
in the neighbourhood of Pekin, and in Central
and Southern China.

In the spring of 1892 we received three plants
from Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, and they were

lar, and dichotomous. The bark is dull chestnut-
brown, and on the older stems towards the base,,
the old bark hangs loosely, somewhat after the
habit of a red Birch.

In the normal or average season in Westerm
New York it is in good bloom about May 30, and
it flowers about a week ahead of Chionanthus
virginica. The 10 to 25-flowered panicles of pure
white blossoms are produced from all the axillary
and terminal buds of the preceding year's wood,
and the petals are from 1 inch to Ij inch long.
The petals are not nearly so long as they are in the
flowers of the American species, but they are
produced in such extraordinary profusion that
the half-unfolded leaves are almost entirely
hidden, as may be observed in the illustration
(see fig. 140), and the shrub is an object of much
Ijeauty when in bloom. It receives no special
protection, but is gi'owing at the foot of a gentle
slope in warm, and naturally weU-u^iined, light
soil, facing the south. _ '

Mr. E. H. Wilson, the distinguished Chinese
explorer and botanist, who spent two days with

May 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

329

me here at the end of last March, just ou the
eve of his departure on his present expedition to
China, was much surprised on seeing this speci-
meii of the Chinese fringe-tree in Highland Park.
]\Ir. Wilson said it was much larger than any he
had seen in a wild state in China, or in cultiva-
tion. It would be interesting if readers of the
Gardenfrs' Chronicle who have this rare and
interesting shrub, would state what size the speci-
mens have attained and how they have succeeded
generally. John, Dunhar, Sorhister, iV.l'.,
U.S.A.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

DISA POLYGONOIDES.

PL.iNTS of this Orchid were exhibited on two
or three occasions at the fortnightly meetings
of the R.H.S., during the latter pait of 1909,
being shown by Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., and
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd. A Botanical
Certificate was awarded the species when shown
on September 28, 1909 by Messrs. Veitch. The
plant is found wild in marshy valleys, and its
habitat extends from Grahamstown eastwards to
Natal, and, judging from the number of tuber.s
sent home, it must be fairly common. The small
flowers vary in colour from yellow to light red,
being set closely upon the stem, with the face of
the bloom turned outwards. The flowering por-
tion of the spike is about 1 foot in length, while
the whole scape measures about 2 feet. The
leaves are from 6 to 10 inches long, and an inch
or so in width : the tubers vary slightly in size ;
as a rule, they are from 5 to 5 inches long. Disa
polygonoides has been found to succeed best
under the same treatment as is afforded P.
grandiflora and D. Luna. The plant should be
given plenty of water during its period of active
gi-owth ; but in its season of rest it needs but
very little. B.

' NEW GARDEN WORMS.

In 1909 the Curator of the Physic Garden,
Chelsea, sent me a consignment of worms, which
contained, in addition to some specimens of En-
terion ictericum (described in the Gardetieri''
Chronicle, October 23, 1909), some examples of
another . species which closely resembles the
mucous worm (Eisenia mucosa). As there were,
however, various important differences between
the two. I determined to wait until further ma-
terial was forthcoming before preparing a detailed
description. In the month of April of this year
Jlr. Hales sent me a good supply of specimens of
the same annelid, and I have come to the con-
clusion that it is not only new to our English
gardens, but represents a subspecies at least
which does not appear to have been described.

1 therefore call it Eisenia glandulosa, a sub-
species of E. mucosa (= rosea). It is very nearly
related to two or three other worms, but does
not agree in all points with any whose descrip-
tion has come under my notice.

Let me first proceed to describe the annelid,
and then point out its relationship to, and differ-
ences from, the allied genera.

Eisenia glandulosa is a somewhat small worm,
ordinarily measuring about 2 inches long aaid of
narrow diameter. It can extend itself nuich
more than many other worms, so that when
stretched it may measure as much as 7 or 8 cm.
{= 3 inches). In alcohol it contracts to Ij or

2 inches. Its diameter is from 1.5 mm. in the
tail to 3 mm. at the girdle, and there are about
140 segments. ^ ^The segments forming the head,
from one to 14, are simple, behind these they aie
usually triannulate, or composed of three rings,
the central one carrying the setae. The colour
when feeding varies, the head being fleshy,
the tail a yellowish-green, the girdle clay-
coloured, and the part between the girdle ard
the male pores (segment 15) somewhat purplish.
When the worm has been kept a time in moss.

however, it becomes much more pink, and closeJy
resembles the mucous worm in colour. It differs
from that species, however, in the matter of the
fluid contents of the coelom ; for while in the
mucous worm a chalky-white deposit is exuded,
that from the new worm is a dirty yellow fluid
like the exudation from the Brandling (E.
foetida). This yellow mucus is seen in the body

ment, the latter being usually very tumid
ventrally. The girdle, which is always one of
the most important characteristics, extends from
the 26th to the 32nd segment} and it is here that
we find the most distinctive features. The seg-
ments are simple like those of the head, and not
triannulate. They are not usually fused even
in the most perfect adult, but may be seen

Fig. 141. — FLOWERING SPRAY OF CHIONANTHUS RETUSUS : FLOWERS WHITE.

as a fjnely-powdered material, but it is not so
strong smelling as in the Brandling.

The dorsal pores are found to begin between
segments four and five, and are seen with ease,
though not quite so conspicuous as in its nearest
ally, the mucous worm. The male pores are not
conspicuous, but a pair of very prominent glands
or papillae is found on segment 12, while similar
glands occur at times on the 10th or 9th seg-

separately both above (dorsally) and beneath
(ventrally). The tubercula pubertatis extend
from the 29th to the middle of the 31st segment,
and form a band on either side which runs on
uninterruptedly, bridging over the divisions
between segments 29-30 and 30-31, as shown in
fig. 142. But the most striking feature of
all is the seven sets of glands on the ventral sur-
face of the girdle, on which account I have

330

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[JIay 21, 1910.

adopted the name glandulosa. This peculiarity
has hitherto been described for only one other
species, and that (E. macedonica) has never yet
been found in England. These glands serve at
once to distinguish it from its related English
form (E. mucosa), and when once that point has
been determined the others can soon be made out.

ThuSj the head does not cut into the peris-
tomium (see Fig. 142). as is the case usually with
this class of worms. The chief characteristics of
the allied mucous worm are the following. The
body is usually of a clear pink, rose, or flesh
colour, the blood vessels well seen, and the girdle
much wider than the other parts of the body.
When placed in alcohol it exudes a thick liquid
which looks like lime-water, and the solid white
matter coats the body. The male pores are on
very prominent papilla;, and there are frequently
to be found certain glandular processes or papillaa
on other segments, but not on the same segments
as in glandulosa, nor of the same shape and dis-
position.

There are two other worms which the Chelsea
species resembles. One has been named mace-
donica, but there are conflicting descriptions,
and it is difficult to be quite certain whether the
different authors have had the same species
always before them or not. The one most strik-
ing feature common to glandalosa and mace-

FlG. 142. — EISENIA GLANDULO.SA FRIEND.

1. Girdle segments, showing glands (gl.) and tubercular

pnbenatis (t.p.) enlarged. 2. Head, showing prostomium

(p.r.) not cutting tlie petistomiura (per).

donica consists in the glands under the girdle.
Ribaucourt says that in macedonica they are
found on segments 26 to 33, whereas in glandu-
losa they extend from 25 to 32. Moreover, Dr.
de Ribaucourfs specimens were 17 cm. in length
in alcohol, or about four times as large as my
glandulosa, while the tail had a tendency to
flatten out and measure 3^ mm., as against 1^- or
2 mm. in mine. There are no glands on the
front segments of macedonica, and the tubercula
pubertalis seem to cover the whole of the three
segments 29-31, while in glandulosa only one-half
of the 31st segment is affected by them.

In some respects the new worm approaches
more nearly to a Continental annelid named by
Dr. de Ribaucourt, AUolobophora Danielli Rosai.
after Dr. Rcsa. formerly of Turin, and author of
a very valuable Memoir on the Lumhricidl.
This species is of a mean length of 50 to 60 mm.,
and is about 2 or 2^ mm. in diameter. It has
about 140 segments, and the colour is fleshy or
rosy in front, while the rest of the body is
greyish. The male pore and papillae resemble
those of glandulosa in being less conspicuous
than in the mucous worm, the first 15 segments
are clearly defined, while those between the male
pores and the girdle are difficult to count, except
by the aid of the sets. The girdle extends
usually from the 26th to the 32nd segment, and
the tubercula cover the three segments 29, 30 and
31. But there are no glands or papillae, and the
author says nothing about the dorsal pores or
the nature of the liquid which the worm exudes.
It would seem, therefore, that the mucous
worm (E. mucosa) is almost as variable as the
Venetian worm (E. veneta), of which I gave an
account in these columns some time ago. Here,

as in the case of A. caliginosaj there is every
degree of similarity and divergence, so that it is
possible to supply connecting links between the
subspecies or species. This makes it very diffi-
cult at times to determine to what species certain
individuals belong, while at the same time it
affords a splendid object-lesson in the formation
of new species. As I have, so far, found this
worm nowhere else in England, it seems likely
that it may be a modification of the typical
mucous worm, or may have been imported from
abroad . in the days when foreign plants were
being received from distant lands. Hilderic
Friend, St. Asaph, Malvern.

vases on terrace walls may be filled with soil
ready for the reception of the plants. Give a
sprinkling of soot or artificial manure to Roses,
and then loosen the ground with the Dutch hoe.
Continue to sow Grass seed where the turf has
become worn, and take means to prevent the
birds getting the seeds.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. ViCARy Gibbs,
Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.

The season. — Since the last Calendar was writ-
ten the w-eather has been very cold. On Tues-
day the 10th inst. 8° of frost were registered
in these gardens, and the young shoots of many
plants, particularly deciduous shrubs, were in-
jured. JIany of the Polyanthuses were com-
pletely spoiled, especially those that were ex-
posed to the sunshine early in the morning, and
those which belong to the darker shades of col-
our. Plants of various kinds which were placed
out-of-doors to harden, received a check, and
it has been necessary on frequent occasions
to cover them with protective material even
during the daytime. The general character
of the weather has delayed the spring bedding,
and for this reason the planting of the beds with
summer bedding will have to be delayed as late
as possible. The best thing to be done is to give
careful attention to watering the summer plants
in order to keep them in a growing condition
until the beds are available.

Seed-sowing. — During the next fortnight seeds
may be sown of various plants which will be re-
quired for spring bedding. Choose a sheltered
border where the soil has been deeply dug, and
let the surface soil be deeply forked over and
raked into a tilth of fine soil, then draw shallow
drills 9 inches apart in which to sow the seeds.
Some of the plants that may now be sown are
Wallflowers, Alyssum, Myosotis, Iberis, Polyan-
thus, and such herbaceous plants as can be
readily raised from seed, including Delphinium,
Francoa, Campanula, Papaver and Anchusa.
Sow the seeds thinly, it being a mistake to allow
these to germinate in a crowded condition. A
border w'hich is not exposed to the hottest rays
of the sun is the best position for planting Wall-
flowers, and the ground between the plants
should be frequently loosened w-ith the Dutch
hoe ; they need thorough soakings of water dur-
ing hot weather.

Dahlia. — Although in favoured localities
Dahlias are already planted out-of-doors, in many
districts more care is necessary. At Aldenham
the tubers are placed in large pots and started in
a cool house, the plants being afterwards
thorouglily hardened before they are placed in
their flowering quarters. Dahlias do best in a
deep-rooting medium and, whether placed at the
back of the herbaceous borders or in clumps by
themselves, the soil should be well enriched with
manure, and plenty of space allowed for top
growth. Dahlias may be planted in the shrub-
bery where space exists, aiid such plants will
furnish a supply of cut blooms besides being
effective in combination with the shrubs. The
plants will need stout stakes for the purpose
of securing the growths, ^vhich otherwise will
soon break off. During hot weather. Dahlias
obtain much benefit from a mulch, which im-
proves the flowering and saves labour in water-
ing. All types of Dahlia are useful for supplying
blooms for cutting, including the newer Pseony-
flowered varieties.

General u'orh. — The ground is very moist, and
directly warmer conditions prevail weeds will
L'row rapidly. These must be destroyed by the
Dutch hoe, and the use of this instrument will
Iccseti the top soil. As soon as Sweet Peas show
signs of flowering, afford them a stimulant in the
form of some artificial manure. Apply it just
before a shower, and then lightly fork or rake it
into the ground. The hardier bedding plants
may be placed where they will flower, and

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Dongghce, Gardener to Josei^h Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Kalancho'e flammea. — This plant requires a
porous soil and full exposure to sunshine in
order that the shoots will mature thoroughly
and flower well. Propagation may be effected
either by seeds sow-n at the present time,
or division of the flower stem. The latter
should be cut into small pieces, each one contain-
ing a healthy bud, and they should be inserted in
shallow pans filled with sandy soil, which can be
plunged in a mild bottom heat. Cuttings taken
from the base of the old plant will also form
roots and provide plants for flowering early next
spring. As soon as the seedlings or rooted cut-
tings are well established they shoidd be trans-
ferred singly to 3-inch pots, filled with a mixture
of fibrous loam, coarse sand and broken charcoal,
or small pieces of crocks, it being essential that
the compost be very porous. Allow the plants to
grow steadily in the intermediate house, near to
the glass, and as the autumn approaches reduce
the temperature and allow plenty of ventilation,
so that the shoots will become well-ripened.
During the winter-time the plants must be kept
somewhat dry at the roots, and fresh air must
be admitted on all favourable occasions.

Schizantlius. — The variety Grahaniii has
flowers with a charming combination of lilac and
orange shades supported on stout stems, enabling
the blooms to be used for cut purposes. Culti-
vators often make the mistake of shading these
plants, whereas they do best when fully exposed
to sunshine. By this I do not mean at such
times as when they have been newly potted, or
when in their seedling stages.

Gloxinia. — Plants which have completed their
flowering will need to be ripened in a warm,
airy position. Reduce the supply of moisture at
the roots gradually until the corms are
thoroughly mature, and the foliage decayed ; they
may then be stored until required next spring.

Euphor-bia J acquiniaflora. — Select for cuttings
shoots which have been well-exposed to the sun,
as these will not be so liable to damp when
placed in small pots.

Ohrysantheniiim. — Some of the earliest plants
will be ready fur transferring into their flowering
pots, which should be thoroughly well cleansed
and suitably drained. The potting compost
should consist of three parts fibrous loam, from
which the finer particles of soil have been shaken,
coarse Bedfordshire sand, broken charcoal,
and lime rubble, adding a 5-inch pot full of
artificial manure to each barrow load of soil ;
it is desirable to have this compost mixed some
weeks before it is required for use. See that the
ball is properly moistened before the plant is re-
potted, and repot firmly.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Seaiale. — Plants which have not been forced
are probably producing flower-spikes, which
should be cut off just above the ground level
with a sharp spade while they are in the early
stages of development. Thin the shoots to two
or three on each plant, which will be sufficient to
form good clumps for forcing next year. The
ground will require to be hoed and kept free from
weeds ; with this exception, the plants will not
require further attention.

Globe Arlirhol-es. — Thin the shoots on the
plants, leaving the stronger ones, as only these
will be likely to develop good heads. Apply
frequent waterings with liquid manure during
the growing season, and a dressing of seaweed or
some other manure containing salt will benefit
them. Although Globe Artichokes love moisture
at the roots during the growing season, they will
not survive the winter in wet land. It is neces-
sary, therefore, to place them in open situations,
and apply water freely during the summ.er
months.

Mat 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

Brussels Sprouts. — Plants for furnishing the
earliest Sprouts should be ready for planting out.
Allow them 3 feet between the rows, and 2^ feet
from plant to i)lant. Make the ground moderately
firm before planting as this causes the plants to
become stocky and form sprouts earlier than
when grown in loose soil. If the weather is dry
at the time of planting, water the young plants
liberally.

S'eed-soiviiiij. — Late sowings of green vegetables
often furnish better plants for withstanding the
winter than those raised earlier. Small sowings
of Savoys and late Broccoli, also Rosette Cole-
wort, for use in November, may now be made.
For the spring supply of hardy green Colewort a
sowing should be made in the middle of June, at
which time Christmas Drumhead Cabbage should
also be .sown. This variety is largely grown for
the London markets, and possesses good, edible
qualities. The spring-sown Cabbage is now ready
for planting out in drills, 18 inches apart, plant-
ing the Cabbages 1 foot apart in the row. Make
another sowing to furnish a supply in August and
September. These frequent small sowings at in-
tervals will provide a supply of tender young
Cabbage through the greater part of the year.
Red Cabbage raised from early-sown batches is
now ready for planting. Place the plants 2 feet
apart each way, and afford a good watering di-
rectly they are planted. The ground for this
crop can hardly be too rich.

Winter Sjnnach and Broccoli. — This crop
should be cleared as soon as the spring-sown
batch is ready for use. The plants should not be
allowed to run to seed. A good crop to follow
the Spinach is Autumn Broccoli. A liberal
dressing of farmyard manure should be applied
before the Broccoli is planted, and efforts should
be made to have the Broccoli ready for cutting
before severe frosts appear. Halloween, Giant
Cauliflower and Autumn Protecting Broccili
planted early in June will furnish fine white
heads throughout November and December.

Turnips. — Tha first sowing of early Milan
Turnips will soon be ready for pulling. The suc-
ccssional sowings should be thinned as soon as
the plants are high enough, and further sowings
made fortnightly to ensure an unbroken supply
through the summer months. Tiiese late sowings
should be made on a north border. Red Globe
and Snowball are good varieties for present
sowing.

Mint and Sage. — It is not too late to make
fresh plantations of Mint in light, rich soil.
Plant the cuttings at 1 foot apart betw-een the
rows, and the same distance from plant to plant.
Select for the purpose young, growing shoots,
about 4 inches long, planting them singly by
means of a dibber. Cuttings of Sage should also
be inserted now, allowing a distance of 18 inches
between the rows. Make the soil firm by means
of the dibber, and shade the cuttings from
strong sunshine. Employ any means to prevent
drvness in the soil.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Peaches and Nectarines. — In the process of
disbudding, one or two well-placed growths should
be preserved at the base of each shoot, according
to the space to be furnished, and it may be
necessary to leave one or two new growths near
the middle of any extra long branches where there
is room for fresh shoots to be trained. The ter-
minal on each branch should be allowed to remain
for the present, as the sap will be directed towards
it; but as soon as the trees are growing freely it
may be pinched back or removed altogether ; do
not destroy it if there is a fruit between it and
the ne.xt shoot from the leader. In disbudding
young trees, great care is needed, as the founda-
tion of a good tree is then formed, the object
being to obtain a proper number of well-placed
shoots at the base of the tree. Branches must
be at least 5 or 5 inches apart : but if the trees
are breaking vigorously, one or two shoots may
be retained between the bottom and leading
branches as near to the former as possible, with-
out causing overcrowding. The leading shoots
should be pinched when they have developed five
or six leaves. Keep a sharp look-out for insect
pests, and apply an insecticide whenever neces-
sary. Syringe the trees with clear water on
favourable occasions, as this will assist to keep
down insects, and generally promote a healthy

growth. See that newly-planted trees and those
growing on light soils do not suffer from
drought.

Protecting materials. — Such things as tiffany
which have been used for protecting blossoms
and wall trees can be dried and stored for another
season. In northern gardens and in cold situa-
tions in other districts it may be still necessary
to retain the protecting material for a further
period, as it is not advisable to expose the trees
suddenly to cold, and they will be all the more
susceptible to injury where they have already
had protection.

Pears. — Severe frosts and hailstorms have de-
stroyed much of the blossom and injured the
young shoots, which is to be regretted, as the
trees looked so promising. The Pear midge (Dip-
losis pyrivora) does great damage to the crops,
attacking the fruits when very young. The af-
fected fruits may be known by little black
swellings and a generally deformed appearance ;
any injured by the maggot should be burned, as
this will destroy the grub in its young stages.
Another method of treatment was given in the
Calendar for February 19.

General work. — Examine the grafts and sec
that they have protection in the shape of small
sticks from rough winds. Be careful when tying
on the stocks that the scion is not moved out of
position. Remove any suckers rising from the
stocks. Hoe the giound frequently to prevent
weeds, and give constant attention to all fruit
trees in the matters of disbudding and training.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By VV. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart,, Burford, Surrey.

Cymbidium. — Such species of Cymbidium as
C. eburneum, C. e. Dayanum, C. Lowianum, C.
L. concolor, "C. Hookerianum grandiflorum, C.
Tracyanum, C. giganteum, C. insigne, C. ery-
throstylum, C. .Sanderi, also the hybrids C.
ebi.ineo-Lowianum, C. Lowio-eburneum, C. Hol-
fordianum, C. I'Ansonii (natural hybrid), C.
Wiganianum, G. Lowio-grandiflorum, C. C'ol-
mana;, C. Lady Colman, and C. Balliaiium, are
all excellent Orchids, which thrive well in a cool
part of the intermediate house if the plants are
shaded from strong sunshine. Any of these
plants which have become pot-bound may be re-
potted soon after they pass out of bloom ; but
unless repotting appears really necessary, the
plants may be left undisturbed for several years,
as they generally produce flower-spikes more
freely when in a pot-bound condition, especially
those of the C. Lowianum section. When re-
potting the plants into larger pots, these re-
ceptacles should be one-third filled with crocks.
For the compost I use one-half good turfy loam,
and Osmunda fibre, leaf-soil, and Sphagnum-
moss in equal parts to form the other half. The
fibre and moss are cut up rather fine to mix well
with the loam, and sufficient small crocks are
added to keep the soil porous. In potting, the
compost should be pressed down among the roots
with moderate firmness, and space should be left
below the rim suflicient to allow of a thorough
watering, as well-established plants, during their
growing season, require copious supplies. C.
Devonianum is distinct in its habit and mode of
flowering, producing pendent flowering racemes
like a Stanhopea, therefore shallow Teak wood
baskets are preferable to pots. For the dwarf-
growing C. tigrinum, shallow pans which may be
su.speiided from the roof are most suitable. When
the plants have been repotted, they should be
given one good watering, but afterwards care
will be needed in this matter for some time.
Other species of Cymbidium which thrive in a
cool, intermediate temperature are C. ensifolium,
C. lancifolium, and C. Wilsonii, Cyperorchis
(Cymbiditmi) affine, C. Jtastersii, and C. elegans.
During the .summer months these Cymbidiums
appreciate a moderately cool, moist atmosphere,
therefore it is necessary to damp well between
the pots several times a day, and when the
weather is warm and bright a light spraying
overhead occasionally during the daytime will
assist to keep them clean and healthy. Heavy
sprayings or syringings of the foliage should be
avoided.

Phaius. — Such species as Phaius Wallichii, P.
Mannii, P. bicolor, P. flavus, P. maculatus, P.
Mishmensis, P. Sanderianus, P. grandifolius, and
P. Blumei, also the hybrids P. Cooksonii, P.
Marthfe, P. Norman, Phaio-Calanthe Colmani:,

I'.-C. Arnoldiae, and Phaio-Cymbidium Chard-
warense should be repotted when growth re-
commences, using the same kind of compost, and
potting them exactly as advised for the Cymbi-
diums. These species and hybrids of Phaius suc-
ceed best in a warm, moist.' shady corner of the
Cattleya house. They require an abundance of
water at the root throughout the growing season.
P. tuberculosis thrives best in a stove-like tem-
perature. All the species of Phaius are liable to
the attacks of small, yellow thrips, therefore the
plants should be frequently vaporised, which is
preferable to the constant use of brush and
sponge. Large, fleshy scales are sometimes
troublesome, but these insects are easily eradi-
cated by sponging.

Neo-Moorea irrorata. — This rare plant is now
starting to grow, and if fresh compost is re-
quired it should be given at once. The species
suffers much check from root disturbance, there-
fore, when repotting becomes necessary, it
should be done with every discretion. The "plant
will succeed in a mixture of Osmunda and Poly-
podium fibres and Sphagnum-moss in equal parts.
I 'lace the plant near the Phaius in the Cattleya
house, and afford plenty of root moisture until
growth is completed. Carefully attend to the
shading of the houses, especially during the pre-
sent season of the year.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. Goodacre, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddoclts, Newmarket.

Early Peach trees. — Pot plants wliich have
ripened their fruits should be hardened gradually
before placing them out-of-doors. Continue to
afford the roots liquid manure in order to keep
the plants in a growing condition, and the
syringe may be used frequently to keep the leaves
free from red spider. Trees in borders whicli
have also ripened their fruits will need every en-
couragement to induce them to mature "their
wood thoroughly. Cut out any useless shoots
which have borne fruit this season, in order to
give the others more room. Ventilate the house
to the fullest extent and pay careful attention
to watering the borders. Well-established trees
and those which have borne heavy crops this
season may be given a mulching of cow-manure.
Syringe the foliage frequently, applying the
water with some pressure to the under sides cf
the leaves.

Later Peach trees. — Trees now ripening their
fruits should be kept moderately cool, and syring-
ing must be discontinued. Still later trees will
need to have their growths regulated and tied.
Fruits approaching the ripeiring stage must be
propped up to the light as much as possible. In
the case of trees growing on the front trellis, this
may be done easily by placing pieces of lath
crosswise under the shoot, but the lath should
always be placed above the fruit, so as not to
interfere with the flow of the sap to the fruit
itself. Trees trained against back walls require
a different method ; it is usual to place at right-
angles to the wall pieces of lath about 3 inches
long, with a notch cut at one end to hold the
shoot. If this is done with care, it will not only
tend to the better development of the fruits, but
the effect of the trees will be enhanced. Such
supports should be uniform in size and length.
Ventilate the house freely during favourable
weather, but in such a manner as will not cause
draughts of cold air. Syringe the trees once or
twice each day, according to the condition of the
weather. If syringing is done in the morning,
this should take place before 8 a.m., in order
that the leaves may become fairly dry before the
sun is sufficiently hot to scorch them.

Watering the borders. — This work demands
considerable time at this season of the year, and
the crops are greatly influenced by the manner
in which such operations are carried out. Bor-
ders wnich are well-drained are generally bene-
fited by application of water every week when tile
trees are making active growth ; but in cases
where the drainage is less perfect or the border is
a new one, if is easy for the cultivator to apply
too much moisture, and thus cause the soil to
become sour. Every gardener must be guided to
a large extent by the particular circumstances
with which he has to deal. Water applied to
borders at this season should be in a luke-warm
condition. Liquid manure or soot water may be
given alternately with clear water in cases where
stimulants are "considered necessary.

332

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE,

[Mat 21, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTIAEMBNTS should be seat to the PUB-
LISMBR, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden.
W.C.

Special Notice to Correspondents. — The Editors do not

undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused covimuuications or illustrations^ unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opiniotxs expressed by their correspon-
dents.
Illustrations.- The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, 6-c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE iNSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, MAY 24—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Sh. in Temple Gardens, Thames Em-
bankment (3 days). Bath and West and Southern
Counties Sh. at Rochester and Chatham {5 days).
Anniversary meet, of Linnean Soc.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25—

Ann. Meet. British Gard. Assoc, at Esses Hall, Strand,
at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 26—

Haarlem International Exhibition (4 days).

Average Mean Temperaturk for the ensuing week
deduced from oh'^ervations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich-53-3">.

Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Tuesday. May 77 {6 p.m.): Mas. 66";
Min. 52".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — Wednesday, Mav 18
(10 a.m.): Bar. 29-8 ; Temp. 64°; Weather—
Sunshine.
9rov\^c-es. — Tuesday, May 17; Max. 63" Bury St.
Edmunds; Min. 49"^ Scotland E,

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY—

Freehold nursery, with possession, at Meopliam, near
Gravesend, at the Mart, E.G., by Protheroe He Morris, at 2.

TUESDAY—

Unreserved sale of 150 Orchids, by order of Messrs.
Sander Sc Sons. Also Odontoglossuins, from the
Arddarroch Collection, at 67 & 63, Cheapside, E.G.,
.by Protheroe He Morris, at 2.

WEDNESDAY—

Duplicate Plants, from the " Oakwood " Collection of
Orchids, by order of the Exors. of N. C. Cookson,
deed. ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, B.C., by Protheroe &
Morris, at 2.

Lilinms, &c., at 1 ; Palms and Plants at 3; at Protheroe
& Morris' rooms.

Clearance Sale of 50.000 Bedding Plants, at 153, Ravens-
croft Road, Beckenhani, by Protheroe & Morris, at 1.

THURSDAY--

Important Sale of Established Orchids; also Import-
ations received direct, at 1, at Protheroe & Morris'
rooms.

The The attention of horticulturi.sts

New Order of is directed to the Destructive
the Board of jnsects' and Fests' Order of

gricu ure. ^g^Q, which has been issued by
the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. The
order, which we print in this issue, applies
to Great Britain, and with its publica-
tion the De.ftrvrtire Insects^ and Pests' Order
of 190S is revoked.

The new order marks a definite step in the
attempt to cope systematically with the
damage done to agriculture and horticulture
by insect and fungal pests. Among the pests
included in the schedule to which the order
applies are 11 insects and five fungi. The
insects thus put in the index are the vine
louse, the San Jose scale, the Mediterranean
fruit-fly, the Colorado beetle, the large Larch
saw-fly, the Potato moth, the gipsy moth, the
brown tail moth, the nun moth, the Cherry
fly and the Narcissus fly. The fungal pests
which come under the ban of the Board are
black knot, "art disease (black scab) of
Potatos, Tomato leaf-spot, Melon or Cucum-
ber canker and American Pear blight.

The order provides that the occupier of
premises on whichever of these diseases de-
clare themselves shall notify the fact, to-
gether with particulars, to the officer ap-

pointed by the local authority, or if no such
oSicer exists in the locality, the Board itself
must be notified.

On the report of the officer, the local
authority is required to inform the Board of
Agriculture, and also to take steps to deter-
mine to what extent the insect — or fungus —
pest exists in the infected area.

The officer has, moreover, the right of entry
to any premises on whicli he has reason to
believe there exists any insect or fungus men-
tioned in the schedule, and lias also the power
to examine any plant, fruit, crop, seeds,
tubers, bulbs, laj-ers or cuttings on such pre-
mises. The powers of the local authority to
deal with the scheduled pests are considerable.
In the first place, it may require, through
its officer, that the occupier of the land sub-
ject to the pest shall adopt such measures for
preventing the sprearl of the insect or pest as
are specified in the notice. In the second
place, where the local authority has consented
to pay compensation, it may order the destruc-
tion of the diseased plants. The owner, how-
ever, has the right of appeal to the Board,
and the Board may cancel the order for de-
struction or modify it, as it may think fit.

Other sections of the order impose penalties
for the sale, or use for planting, of diseased
seeds, tubers, bulbs, layers or cuttings, and
also prohibit the importation or sale of living
specimens of any of the pests mentioned in the
schedule.

Being in full agreement with the principles
of the order, we congratulate the Board on
the courageous course it has adopted. At
the same time, we may point out that
unless the order is applied gradually, sym-
pathetically, and with discrimination, it is
likely to fail of its purpose. That purpose is
the systematic putting down of certain
notorious pests, the existence of which entails
serious loss to the agricultural and horticul-
tural community. To give successful eff^ect to
this purpose, the order must gain not only the
acquiescence of the grower as a law-abiding
citizen, but his enthusiastic support. But such
support can hardly be expected if the order
entails frequent destiniction of crops, hag-
gling over compensation and waste of time in
correspondence.

■UHien it follows that inspection must pre-
cede and not be subsequent to the outbreak.
In other words, if a number of local officers
are to be appointed, it must not be their
function to wait till the crimes of the pe,sts
are notorious before proceeding to the arrest
of the offenders ; but rather to perambulate
the country, to so gain the confidence of the
growers that their visits are welcome and not
regarded as intrusions, and to systematically
advise the growers as to the means to be
adopted to ■prevent the advent of the
scheduled and other pests.

This is what we mean by sympathetic appli-
cation of the order. Our reason for urging
that it be applied gradually is that the in-
spectors will have to learn their busine.ss. For
our part, we doubt whether there are 20 men
in the country who could identifj' unerringly
the 16 pests mentioned in the schedule. We
cannot achieve knowledge by an order of the
Board, and here, as so often is the case, we
must educate our masters — in other words, we
must train our inspectors. The simplest way
in which this can be done is by giving them
a definite status in local institutions with

agricultural and horticultural departments
where they may bring their material for ex-
amination, and where they may carry out in-
vestigations in respect to the pests with which
the locality is infested, with the object of
arriving at the best means of prevention and
extermination. Certain authorities liave
begun work on these lines, and among them
the Berkshire County Council, in connection
with the Agricultural and Horticultural De-
partment of University College, Reading, and
though it is too early yet to review the results,
we may look forward with confidence to suc-
cess attending the scheme. Subject, there-
fore, to its intelligent application, the order
is to be welcomed as a step toward the sj-stem-
atic control of plant-disease.

Our Supplementary Illustration. — How

fully entitled to notice is the specimen of
Heclitia argentea represented in the Supplemen-
tary Illustration is shpwn in the following letter
from our valued correspondent W. W . : — " There
is no accounting for Fashion. She has, for ex-
ample, implanted in the heart of the public an
indifference to, if not a downright dislike for,
Bromeliads. People like the Pineapple, but
only because it is good to eat, and its
variegated form receives attention now and
then. But who among Britishers knows any-
thing about Billbergia, Tillandsia, Vriesia,
-Echmea, Pitcairnia, or the many other genera
of the order? There is a large collection of them
at Kew, but they might just as well be in Hono-
lulu 60 far as British horticulturists are con-
cerned. Yet many of them have handsome foli-
age and beautiful flowers, highly-coloured in
.lome cases almost to the point of gaudiness.
Tlieir time may perhaps come when Orchids go
out of fashion, that is, if indoor gardening is not
to be neglected entirely, as some people declare
it will be. The specimen of Hechtia ar-
gentea now figured has exceptional claims
to notice. It is the only example known
in the world, and it has lived for at least 40
years in the Cactus house at Kew. It is sup-
posed to be a native of Mexico, but no collector
has ever seen it there, nor do we know how it
got to Kew. Mr. Baker says the first notice
he could find of the plant was that Mr. Beau-
CARNE showed it at the International Horticul-
tural Exhibition at Brussels in 1854. No doubt
this is that same plant, still flourishing at Kew
46 years after it appeared at Brussels. It has
flowered a few times, but the flowers, being sub-
unisexual, they have never produced seeds, and
as the plant docs not develop off-sets, it cannot
be propagated. The leaves are about 2 feet long,
stiff almost as steel, silvery on both surfaces, the
margins clothed with stout, hooked, yellow
prickles. The flower-spike is about 3 feet long,
and the small, white flowers are in globose chis-
ters, set about an inch apart on the upper por-
tion. All the seven species of Hechtia are Mexi-
can, and Mr. Baker says they require cool
treatment in cultivation, like Dyckia and
Rhodostachy.s. Has anyone ever tried a Hechtia
under other conditions than those of a tropical
house? "

The Gladiolus. — a determined effort s being
made to boom this flower in America. It
is termed the Twentieth Century flower, and
there is no doubt it is attracting much attention.
A convention of Gladiolus lovers has been sum-
moned for May 27 at the Horticultural Hall,
Btiston, U.S.A., to establish a Gladiolus Society
for America. Will the Gladiolus ever enjoy such
widespread culture as the Sweet Pea is now
given? It is certainly a flower with great possi-
bilities.

MAT 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

333

Flowers in Season. — Messrs. Dobeie & Co.,
Edinburgh, have sent us a selection of varieties
of Violas and Pansies. The selection includes all
the leading kinds of fancy Pansies, and bedding
and exhibition Violas. The size and substance
of petal is remarkable, even for Pansies grown
in Scotland.

Some choice blooms of Meconopsis in-

tegri folia, with bunches of Auriculas and fruiting
sprays of Cotoneaster Simonsii, forwarded to us
by Sir. John Edwakds, from the gardens of
NoiiL Turner, Esq., Sylfarn Hall, AVelshpool,
are very beautiful.

National Dahlia Society. — This Society
has arranged two exhibition-s for 1910. The first
will be held at the Crystal Palace on September 8
and 9, and the second at the Royal Botanic Gar-
dens, Regent's Park, on September 20 and 21
In addition to these exhibitions, meetings
will be held at the Royal Horticultural Society's
Hall, Vincent Square, on September 13 and
27, for the purpose of awarding certificates
to seedling Dahlias. Entries will be received by
the honorary secretary, at the Horticultural Hall,
before 10.45 a.m. on the morning of the show. A
trial of single Dahlias will be undertaken in con-
junction with Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Low-
field Nurseries, Crawley, Sussex. Members desir-
ing to send varieties should notify their intention
to Mr. E. F. Hawes, Royal Botanic Gardens,
Regent's Park. Two plants of each variety
should be forwarded during the last week in
May. Only recent novelties are required to be
sent, as Messrs. Cheal & Sons will plant a
collection of the leading varieties for com-
parison. The proceedings of the Society dur-
ing 1910, with the papers read at the con-
ference, and a list of Dahlias, with selections for
special purposes, is publi.shed in the Annual
Supplement and Conference, lieport, 1910,
edited by Mr. E. F. Hawes.

Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund. — The
annual festival dinner, origirially fixed for
Jlay 19, will, as announced in our last issue, take
pliiae on Thursday, the 26th iiist. Although the
change of date may cause some inconvenience, it
is to be hoped that the cause of charity will not
suffer. Rather in these times of National mourn-
ing should he look for greater sympathy on behalf
of those who need help. Sir Jeremiah Colman,
Bart., will preside at the festival, and the follow-
ing gentlemen, having consented to act as
stewards, will be glad to receive subscriptions for
the Chairman's list : — \V. R. Ai.derson, Hersham
Road, Walton-on-Thames ; A. R. Allan, Hil-
lingdon Court Gardens, Uxbridge ; William Y.
Baker, Thames Bank Ii'on Co., Upper Ground
Street, London, S.E. ; George H. B.a.rr, 11,
12, 13, King Street, Covent Garden ; W.
Bates, Cross Deep, Twickenham ; G. L.
Castleton, Garden Superintendent, Crystal
Palace, S.E. ; George H. Cuthbert, The Nur-
series, Southgate, N. ; William H. Cutbush.
The Nurseries, Barnet, Herts ; C. Dixon, Hol-
land House Gardens, Kensington, W. ; W.
Howe, Park Hill Gardens, Streatham Common,
S.W. ; D. Ingamells, 27, Catherine Street,
Covent Garden, AV.C. ; R. B. Leech, The Cot-
tage, Wood Hall, Dulwich, S.E. ; John Lyne,
Fcxbury Gardens, Chislehurst, Kent ; H. B.
May, Dyson's Lane Nursery, Upper Edmonton ;
J. F. McLeod, Dover House Gardens, Roe-
hampton, S.W. ; J. W. Moorman, Superinten-
dent, Victoria Park. E. ; Harold G. Morris,
67, 68, Cheapside, E.C. ; Whitp.une Nutting,
106, Southwark Street, S.E. ; R. Hooper
Pearson, " Brsewyn," Earlsfield Road, Wands-
worth Common ; William Poup.^rt, Marsh
Farm, Twickenham ; G. Reynolds, Gun-
nersbury Park Gardens, Acton, W. ; E.
Rochford, MiU Lane Nurseries, Cheshunt ;

T. W. Sanders, 124, Embleton Road, Lewis-
ham ; Edward Sherwood, 152, Houndsditch,
E., Treasurer; David W. Thomson, 113, George
Street, Edinburgh; W. P. Thomson, 25, Bollo
Lane, Chiswick, W. ; Harry J. Veitch, V.M.H.,
Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, S.W. ; and
H. L. Wright, Fruit Market, Covent Garden,
W.C. Last year was the 21st anniversary of the
inauguration of the Charity, and owing to special
efforts, a greater amount was raised than in
any previous year. This should stimulate to
even greater success in the future, and it is
hoped that contributions during 1910 will con-
stitute another record. The Secretary is Mr.
Brian Wynne, Milton House, Surrey Street,
Strand, and he will be glad if those who ac-
cepted invitations for the 19th inst. will kindly
inform him if they can be present on the 26th
inst.

Leonardslee Gardens The gardens of

Sir Edmund Loder. Bart., at Leonardslee,
Sussex, are now a delightful sight, the Rhodo-
dendrons, Magnolias, and other spring-flowering
trees and shrubs being at their best. The gar-
dens will be open for public inspection on
Thursday, May 26, at a charge of Is., and the pro-
ceeds will be given to the Wisborough Green
branch of the West Sussex Benefit Nursing
Association. Conveyances will meet the London
and local trains for the convenience of those
visiting Leonardslee, and tea will be obtainable
in the gardens.

A Relic of the "Beagle." — Amongst other
interesting relics displayed by the Japan
Society at the Japan-British Exhibition is
a piece of H.M.S. " Beagle," in which Charles
Darwin made his celebrated voyage, and which
was afterwards purchased by the Japanese Navy
and renamed the " Kenko Kwan." It was on
this ship that many of Japan's most distinguished
«aval officers received their early training. The
painting on this relic is a copy of a picture of
the " Beagle," and the signatures are those of
Baron Admiral Saito, the Japanese Naval Minis-
ter, and Admiral Togo.

Flowers at Battersea Park. -The flower
beds in the sub-tropical garden, the panel parterre
and other parts in this popular park, are still gay
with spring bulbs. In the sub-tropical garden
some beds of Azalea mollis will be opening their
flower-buds in a few days, and in one of them Iris
germanica has been planted in the proportion of
two plants of Iris to one Azalea ; so that the
experiment should prove a success in colour
blending. Dwarf shrubs of Rhododendrons of
the hybridum section are well-furnished with
flower-buds, and the trusses are about to expand.
Lilacs promise to give an abundance of bloom, but
there are few of the newer varieties, and, as a
consequence, the Lilac season is very short. A
fine bed of Wallflowers, of a dark variety, in
combination with a good scarlet Tulip, is very
effective. These plants are as yet scarcely at
their best. Funkia ovata variegata forms a
capital edging to a group of Rhododendrons, and
when the latter are in flower the effect should
be good. Anemone hortensis in variety blends
well with a red-flowered Tulip — apparently T.
Gesneriana. Some beds of Cineraria stellata,
mixed with ordinary greenhouse varieties, are
making a good display, and they do not
seem to have suffered from the unseasonable
weather. Plants of Cineraria stellata, in some
instances, are 5 feet in height, and strongly
branched. Narcissus Barrii conspicuus, planted
in a large bed, is showing thousands of its
flowers. Tulip Couleur Cardinal, mixed with
a light yellow Wallflower, is a telling com-
bination, as are Tulip Van der Neer, and

a yellow and orange-coloured Polyanthus.
Tulip Duchesse de Parma, a deep orange-
flamed flower suffused with scarlet, makes an
extra fine effect. A bed of Azalea mollis, mixed
with Cineraria stellata, is also very showy ; an-
other of Tulip Proserpine, edged with white-
fiowered Arabis, and the central area planted
with orange-coloured Tulips and dark-blue
Hyacinths, arrests attention. Another pretty
combination is La Belle Alliance Tulip, among
thickly-planted yellow Wallflowers, and equally
good is a group of Narcissus Grand Monarch,
mixed with Polyanthuses in a variety of colours.

A Gardeners Long Service.— Mr. Edward
Butler has recently completed 50 years' service
in the gardens at the Surrenden Estate, Pluckley.
Mr. Butler, who occupies the position of head
gardener, entered the gardens as a lad in 1850, and
subsequently served under the late Sir Henry
Dering and the present baronet. At a dinner
held in celebration of the event, Mr. and Mrs.
Butler were presented with their portraits. A
gold watch was also given to Mr. Butler. The
Rev. Dr. Springett handed to Mr. Butler an
album containing the names of the subscribers,
and an illuminated address.

New Work on Rock Gardens.— Messrs.
Williams & Norgate will publish in the early
summer a volume on Itoch Gardens, How to
Afal'e and Maintain Them, by Lewis Mere-
dith. The book will be illustrated with dia-
grams and photographs, and will consist of more
than 300 pages. The price will be 7s. .6d. net.

Free Seeds. — The seed trade in this country
does not suffer by the distribution of free seeds
as in America. It is stated officially that every
year the Government distributes in the States
something over 40,000,000 packets of garden
and flower seeds. It may have been all very
well when the country was young, and settlers
found great difficulty in obtaining vegetable seeds
for their new homes, to distribute free seeds
in this way, but surely the necessity for such
has long gone past in America. We believe the
members of the legislature consider it one of
their privileges to send these parcels to their
constituents. They are sent with such little dis-
crimination that tens of thousands of them, it is
stated, are never even opened.

American Gooseberry - mildew. — The

Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have received
information that the summer stage of American
Gooi>eberry-mildew (Sphserotheca mors uvae) was
discovered in a Norfolk garden on May 12.
All Gooseberry growers are advised to examine
their bushes carefully, and should any sign of
the disease be found, to spray their bushes with
a solution of liver of sulphur (1 lb. to 32 gallons
of water). A leaflet describing the disease and
giving directions for dealing with it can be ob-
tained from the Secretary, Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries, Whitehall Place, London, S.W.

Potassium silicate as a Fertiliser.—

Comparatively recently a new potassic fertiliser
has been placed upon the market in the form of
potassium silicate. It contains about 9j per cent,
of potash, and although insoluble in water, it is
readily absorbed by the roots of plants. Potash
silicate contains no salt or other chlorides, and
in this respect would appear to possess some ad-
vantage over kainit and muriate of potash, the
chlorides in which are sometimes found to act
deleteriously on growing plants. Where a slow-
acting and lasting source of potash is required,
this new fertiliser is worthy of trial. Satisfactory
results have been obtained in most cases where it
has been tried in the garden and field.

334

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 21, 1910.

Royal Meteorological Society. — In con-
sequence of the death of his Majesty King
Edw.vbd VII., the meeting fixed for Wednesday,
May 18, is postponed to Wednesday, May 25,
1910.

LiNNEAN Society. — There is no meeting of
this Society on the 25th inst. The announcement
of such a meeting in last week's issue was an
error.

International Congress of Rose

Growers. — The present year is marked by many
important international horticultural gatherings
on the Continent. In addition to those at Haar-
lem and Brussels, already described in these
pages, both the spring and the autumn exhi-
bitions of the National Horticultural Society of
France are of an international character.
In connection with the spring show, which
takes place on the 25th to the 31st of the present
month in Paris, there will be a congress of Rose
growers, and similarly during the autumn show
of the same society, which will be held from the
4th to the 13th November, a Chrysanthemum
Congress will take place. In regard to the Rose
congress, we have received the programme of the
festivities, receptions and excursions which have
been organised for the benefit of the jury, mem-
bers of congress and of the National Horticul-
tural Society. Briefly stated, the arrangements
are as follow : — On Wednesday, May 25, invita-
tion to the opening of the International Horti-
cultural Show by the President of the French
Republic at 10.30 a.m. At mid-day a luncheon
will be given to the jury at the famous Ledoyen
Restaurant, Champs Elysees. At 9.30 p.m.
there will be a reception and soiree in the hall
of the National Horticultural Society of France,
given by the Commercial Union of Nurserymen
and Seedsmen of France. On Thursday, May
25, the first meeting of the congress will be
held at the Society's Hall, 84, Rue de Crenelle,
Paris, at 9 a.m., the chair being taken by M.
ViGER. At 4.30 p.m. there will be an official
reception at the Hotel de Ville by the Munici-
pality of Paris. At 7.30 p.m. the National Hor-
ticultural Society of France will give a banquet
to the jury at the Hotel Continental, No. 3, Rue
Castiglione. On Friday, May 27, at 8.15 a.m.,
the jury and the members of the congress will
proceed in carriages to the Roseraie de I'Hay.
Later in the day visits will be paid to the nurseries
of M. Nomblot-Bruneau; Messrs. Vilmoein,
Andrieux & Co., at Verrieres-le-Buisson, and
Messrs. Croux & Son, at Val d'Aulnay. On
Saturday, May 28, at 8 a.m., the company will
meet at the show entrance near the Pont des
Invalides. There will be a carriage excursion to
Versailles vi^ the Champs Elysees and Bois de
Boulogne. At 9 a.m. a visit will be made to
the Roseraie de Bagatelle. The party will visit
the National School of Horticulture, and at mid-
day will be entertained at luncheon by the Hor-
ticultural Society of Seine-et-Oise and the nur-
serymen of Versailles. Afterwards a visit will
be made to the Trianons, and later to the nur-
series of Jlessrs. Teuff.^ut & Sons and Moser
& Sons. Further particulars as to the congresses
may be obtained of the Secretary, 84, Rue de
Grenelle, Paris.

Miss Ella Du Canes Paintings. — A

series of paintings in watercolours by this dis-
tinguished artist, representing plants and scenery
in the Madeira Islands, is on view until the 28th
inst. in the gallery of the Fine Art Society, New
Bond Street, London. The drawings are of a
high order of merit, and the colours true to
nature. At Madeira, calm weather is a rarity,
and, in consequence, gardens hide themselves be-
hind stone walls, which give a marked feature to

the scenery. It was somewhat of a revelation to
note the size to which plants of Plumbago capen-
sis grow at the Quinta Miramar, and examples
of Poinsettia pulcherrima are shown 20 feet in
height, covered with fine scarlet bracts. There
are several pictures of Magnolia conspicua in
flower, with, in one case, mop-headed trees of
Pinus pinea. Bignonia (Tecoma) radicans
and B. r. sanguinea occur again and again in
the pictures, and the plants are invariably flower-
ing splendidly. There are shovi-n several instances
of Bignonia, purple Bougainvillea, and Wistaria
japonica, supported on a rough Fir pole stretched
horizontally between two upright ones sunk in
the soil. The pergolas, too, consist of similar
simple contrivances. A Bignonia in full flower
at Quinta Miramar provides a wonderful sight.
Some of the pictures are unnamed, and not to
be distinguished because of their impressionist
character ; these include one with a yellow
creeper, probably Hibbertia dentata, over a door-
way of a chapel. Wistaria japonica, in the
vicinity of a Codieeum with multi-coloured leaves,
gives a wonderfully fine effect, the Codiaeum being
in a krge pot. A group of plants of Senecio
opulifolia. growing among rocks, showed what
an effective plant this species is when growing
out-of-doors. A mass of red-flowered Aloes are
shown growing finely just out of reach of the
sea. Indian Azaleas, grown in pots, arranged
about in the small, paved courtyards, are won-
derful pictures of floriferousness. The blue
Morning Glory (Ipomoea), now so seldom grown
in our gardens, is charmingly shown. Opuntias
are represented in most of the pictures.

The Feeding Habits of the Rook.— In

1873 the well-known ornithologist, the Rev. F. O.
Morris, gave the rook (Corvus frugilegus) a
glowing testimonial with respect to its feeding
habits, and on that testimonial the bird has lived
ever since as a benefactor to the agriculturist.
According to the estimate of this authority, a
rook requires 1 lb. of food ^er week, and of this
quantity nine-tenths consists of insects and
worms. At this rate, he added, a rookery of
10,000 rooks consumes in one year 209 tons of
worms, insects, and their larvae. Mr. Walter
E. CoLLiNGE, who has been engaged during the
past few years in reinvestigating this question,
finds himst'lt unable to endorse these conclusions.
As the result of his inquiry, made on behalf of
the Council of the Land .-igents' Society, and now
published in pamphlet form, Mr. Collinge con-
cludes that the rook at the present day has feed-
ing habits very different in character from those
which it possessed — or was reputed to possess — m
1873, when the Rev. F. 0. Morris sung its
praises as a destroyer of insects. The results of
examination of the food in the gizzards of some
631 rooks showed that 70 per cent, of the food
consisted of grain, 15 per cent, of seeds, fruits,
and other vegetable matter ; of the remaining
15 per cent., 4 per cent, consisted of wireworms,
4 per cent, of other insects (mostly injurious),
2 per cent, of earthworms, and 4 per cent, of
oddments. Mr. Collinge concludes, in agree-
ment with other authorities, that the rook is no
particular friend of the agriculturist, and that
the ravages for which it is responsible are to
be attributed to the fact that the birds are too
numerous. He, therefore, recommends that the
numbers be kept within bounds.

On the Waning of Weismannism —
Under the above title, Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliott,
writing in the Journal of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society (Vol. 35, Part III.), sets out to
demonstrate that the characters acquired during
the life of an individual are transmitted to its
descendants. The writer does not bring for-
ward any new facts in support of his con-
tention, and his arguments do not appear to be

conclusive. Thus, he points to the fact, which, of
course, we are not prepared to dispute, that Oats
have been improved by breeding from the largest
and best grains. Why, however, the original
" largest and best " grains are to be regarded as
the result of environment and not of inheritance
he does not say. Again, he quotes Kleb's ac-
count of the conversion of blue Campanulas to
white by changed conditions of cultivation. We
are inclined to think that Mr. Scott-Elliott .
would not be prepared to guarantee that such
white plants would come true to seed. As every-
one who breeds plants knows, the colours of in-
dividual flowers are very readily modified by
external conditions. Under certain conditions of
temperature, some strains of white Primula
sinensis may develop a pink hue. Such phe-
nomena, however, have nothing whatever to do
with inheritance of acquired characters. The fac-
tors which determine the ultimate colour of the
flower occur in the plant, are transmitted from
generation to generation, and external circum-
stances, temperature, light, &c., act — and then
only in certain cases — by permitting one colour-
factor to exert an influence which, in other cir-
cumstances, it does not exert. We do not think
that Mr. Scott-Elliott's contribution to this dif-
ficult subject will modify the views of anyone
who has a first-hand knowledge of the facts of
heredity.

Portrait of A Nurseryman. — At the Exhibi-
tion of Paintings, now on view at Burlington
House, there is a striking portrait of Mr.
William Kelway, senior partner in the firm of
I\Iessrs. Kelway & Son, Langport. It is by
Harold Knight, and has a prominent position
on the line. As a work of art, the porti-ait is
excellent.

Publications Received. — A White-Paper
Garden, by Sara Andrew Shafer. (London:
Methuou & Co., Ltd.) Price 7s, dA— British
Floral Decoration, by R. Forester Felton.
(London : Adam & Charles Black.) Price 7s, Gd.
— Alpine Flowers and Gardens, painted and
described by G. Flemwell. (London: A. & C.
Black.) Price 7s. 6d. net. — Bulletin of Miscel-
laneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew. Contents : Catalogue of the Library, ad-
ditions received during 1909. (London : Printed
for His Majesty's Stationary Office by Darling &
Sou. Ltd.) Price 3d. — Schlich's Manual of
Forestry, Vol. II., by Sir \Vm. Schlich, Fouitli
Edition, revised. (London : Bradbury, Agnew &
Co., Ltd., 10, Bouverie Street.) Price 9s. — The
Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good
Hope. Apiil. (Cape Town: Cape Times, Ltd.
Price Gd. — United States Department of Agri-
culture. Bureau of Plant InOustry : Some Con-
ditions Influencing the Yield of Hops, by W. W.
Stockberger and James Thompson ; Seeds and
Plants Imported, Bureau of Entomology : A Pre-
daceous Mite Proves Noxious to Man, by P. M.
Webster. (Washington : Government Printing
Office). — New Hampshire Agricultuial Experi-
ment Station. Department of Chemistry :
Analyses of Fertilisers, by B. E. Curry ; 1 he
Availability of the Soil Potash in Clay and Clay
Loam Soils, by F. W. Morse and B. E. Berry;
Analyses of Feeding Stuffs, by P. W. Morse and
and B. E. Curry. Department of Entomology :
The Codling Moth, and How to Control It By
Spraying, by E. Dwight Sanderson. Department, of
Botany : Some Apple Diseases, by Charles Brooks.
Department of Agronomy : Variety Tests of Oats,
Barley, Wheat, and Rye, by F. W. Taylor.
(Durham, N. H. New Hampshire College of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts). — Southern Cali-
fornia Acclimatising Association, Santa Bar-
bara, California, U.S.A., Seed Exchange List.
— Present Day Gardening. A series with
coloured plates from photographs. Edited by B.
Hooper Pearson. Vol. I., Sweet Peas, by Horace
J.Wright: Vol. II., Pansies, Violas, and Violets,
by William Cuthbertson. (London and Edin-
burgh : Messrs. T. C. and E. C. Jack.) Prico
Is. Gd. each volume.

May 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

335

WINDOW-BOXES.

Many a dull-looking building may he beautified
by window-boxes, even when the aspect is one
facing to the north. In such a case the boxes
should be filled with the plants and stood in a
south aspect exposed to the sunshine. In this
position the plants W'ill soon come into flower ;
then the boxes should be moved to the windows,
and the plants will make a good show throughout
the summer months.

In one of the Royal gardens where I was once
employed for some years, this system was prac-
tised with great success, a long range of garden

Those w-ho knew the Piccadilly thoroughfare
in London will call to mind the gorgeous display
of flowers provided every summer on a balcony of
a house between Hamilton Place and Hyde
Park Corner. A few years ago I assisted to plant
and tend them, and the material used was a back-
ground of white Marguerites with Ivy-leafed
Pelargoniums planted in the front. The variety
of Pelargonium employed was named " Gallilee,"
and very pretty it looked hanging down between
the stone balustrading of the balcony.

Other subjects suitable for window-boxes are
Rhodanthes, the yellow, shrubby Calceolarias,
Fuchsias, and Zonal Pelargoniums. It is a good

Fig. 143. — CCELOGYNE LAWRENCEANA,

[P'.otografh by C. P. Raffill.

offices, such as stoke-holds, tool sheds, &c., facing
north, being made to look very attractive
throughout the summer months while the Court
was in residence.

The boxes should be made to fit the window-
frames easily, and, as window sills are usually
sloping, two wedge-shaped " feet " should be
fixed to the bottom of the boxes to ensure the
boxes standing level, this being necessary for
watering purposes. If the fronts of the boxes are
painted green, this colour will harmonise well with
the plants There are many plants suitable for
growing in window-boxes, and the season has
now arrived for planting them.

plan when arranging the plants to introduce a
plant or two of Heliotrope, JNIignonette, or
scented-leaved Pelargonium into the back of the
box, as the scent from these will pervade the
room when the windows are opened. Plants of a
creeping nature should be placed in the front,
such as Nasturtiums, both double and single-
flowered varieties, and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums.
These will quickly establish themselves and cover
the whole front of the box.

At Rotherfield we utilise our old plants of
winter-flowering Pelargoniums for the window-
boxes, and most useful they are for the purpose
when associated with white Marguerites, yellow

Calceolarias, or similar plants, and they continue
flowering very freely throughout the summer.

In the autumn, if desired, the boxes may be
filled with Wallflowers, or shrubs, such as
Euonyraus and Veronica, to furnish them for
the winter months ; while for an early spring
show, yellow Genistas are largely employed for
the purpose in London.

Plenty of water must be afforded the plants
after they are established, while an occasional
application of some approved fertiliser will bo
beneficial. Wilinot H. Yates, Bothnfidd Park
Gardens, Hants.

FORESTRY.

THE EFFECT OF GALES.
The recent gales must have a very serious
effect on all newly-planted Conifers unless prompt
attention is paid to them, for, in many in-
stances, the young roots have been broken, and
the plants, being loose, are left to sway about in
the wind. The ground about them "should be
trodden firmly, holding the tree in an erect
position during this operation. In cases where a
stake is needed, this should be afforded at once.
Much wonder is frequently expressed in regard to
newly-planted trees failing to grow, but the cause
is often attributable to the looseness of the roots
in the soil. Nothing is more dangerous to the
life of the plant than allowing them to sway
about, as the roots cannot attach themselves to
the new soil under such conditions. The damage
occurs more frequently on heavy than light soil,
for the plant, in its movement, wedges the soil
firmly together, and very soon a large hole is
formed round the stem. On light soil the move-
ment of the plant generally causes the soil to
crumble, and no hole can be formed.

The R.iBBiT Pest.
Two plantations of Larch were planted on this
estate 26 yea;s ago. At the time of planting,
one plantation was wired in, to prevent rabbits
gnawing them ; in the other case the trees were
lightly tarred for the same purpose, and, curious
to note, while those that were wired in were badly
attacked with this pest, those that were tarred
were not touched, and are not at the present time.
The plantations are within 150 yards of each
other. I mention this incident because it would
be interesting to know if anyone else has ex-
perienced the same thing.

Selling of Undebwood.
Foresters who have sold the underwood in the
coverts, should inform the purchaser that he must
have his purchases removed within the next
fortnight. Now that the Hazel will begin
to start into growth, this matter should
be given attention, as its neglect may cause
a gappy covert, which means much endless
trouble in the future. A. Gooding, Eartham,
Oil ichcster.

COELOGYNE LAWRENCEANA.

This beautiful species was found wild in An-
nam by Mr. W. Micholitz whilst collecting for
Messrs. Sander & Sons. The plant was first
described by Mr. R. A. Rolfe in Gardentrs'
Chronicle, April 15, 1905, p. 227, and one of
the first specimens which flowered in this coun-
try was shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.,
at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society
on March 28, 1905, when the Orchid Committeo
gave it an Award of Jleiit. The plant produces
its flower-scapes from the top of the mature
pseudo-bulbs, and its handsome flowers have
greenish-yellow sepals and petals, the latter be-
ing slightly tinged with brown. The front of
the lip is pure white, and through the centre of
this organ is a pale yellow band reaching to the
disc ; the disc has three fimbriate keels, which
extend to the base.

336

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 21, 1910.

HORTICULTURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT
ACT, 1909.

HoRTicrLTURiSTS have had ample reason to
complain in the past that Parliament has done
little to encourage their industry, though usually
careful to recognise its existence when the ques-
tion of imposing additional burdens has come
up for consideration. It is refreshing, therefore,
to find that, for the purposes of the Development
Act, 1909, horticulture is recognised as having
claims equal, at least in principle, to those of
agriculture.

Development of Industries.
The Act in question is intended to provide cer-
tain machinery for aiding and developing —
(a) Agriculture and rural industries;
(h) Forestry ;

(c) the reclamation and drainage of land ;
{d) the general improvement of rural trans-
port (which includes light railways) ;

(c) the construction and improvement of har-
bours and inland navigations ;

(f) the development and improvement of
fisheries ; and

(r/) any other object " calculated to promote
the economic development of the United King-
dom."

The expression " agriculture and rural indus-
tries," used in Clause (a) above, includes agricul-
ture, Iwrticulture, dairying, the breeding of
horses, cattle and other live-stock and poultry,
the cultivation of bees, home and cottage indus-
tries, the cultivation and preparation of Flax,
the cultivation and manufacture of Tobacco, and
any industries connected with these pursuits.

The assistance to be rendered to agriculture,
horticulture, and the other rural industries above
defined is, however, limited in extent, and small
growers who hope for individual assistance from
the State in this connection are doomed to dis-
appointment. The nature of the assistance to be
rendered under the Act includes, however : —

(1) The promotion of scientific research, in-
struction and experiments in the science,
methods and practice of the industries in ques-
tion :

(2) The organisation of co-operation ;

(3) Instruction in marketing produce (which,
presumably, includes packing and grading) ;
and

(4) The extension of the provision of small
holdings. In this connection the Act is not
clear as to how the overlapping of powers
already possessed by local authorities is to be
avoided, especially as the terms and conditions
of the Small Holdings and Allotment Act, 1908,
are not to be departed from by the Develop-
ment Commissioners, except for some special
reason to be stated by them in their annual
report

The assistance to be rendered takes the form of
a monetary advance, to be made, either by way
of gift or loan, by the Treasury, on the recom-
mendation of a body of persons to be known as
the Development Commissioners. Advances may
be made either (a) to a Government Department,
or (h) through a Government Department to a
public authority, university, college, school, or
institution, or an association of persons or com-
pany not trading for profit. Applications for an
advance by any body of persons must be made,
in the first instance, to the Treasury. The appli-
cation will then b© sent on to the Government
Department concerned, who, in turn, will refer
it, together with their official report on the sub-
ject, to the Development Commissioners. In the
case of horticulture, the Government Department
concerned would, in most cases, be the Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries.

Development Funds.
It will be observed that the ground to be
covered by the scheme outlined above is very
wide, and, if practical progress is to be made.

considerable funds will be needed. For the
present, a sum of £500,000 a year is to be allo-
cated for the ensuing five years, thus furnisliing
a total fund of 2j million pounds, together with
any interest or profit which may result from the
loan or investment of the capital money. Power
is reserved for Parliament to provide further
funds in the future, if thought fit, and the
Treasury is also empowered to accept gifts to be
devoted to all or any of the above purposes. Pre-
sumably, however, wealthy persons interested in
horticulture will prefer, as heretofore, to make
their gifts (either by will or during their life-
time) direct to those societies which already
watch over the interests of horticulture, rather
than to a body of officials whose attention will
necessarily be claimed by so many diverse, and
Bometimes conflicting, interests.

The Commissioners have power to create a staff
of salaried officers and servants, as well as to ap-
point advisory committees. It is understood that
several well-known scientists have already been
invited to join these advisory committees, and
correspondence on the same subject has also taken
place with various learned and scientific societies.
So far as horticulture is concerned, it is to be
hoped that a sufficient proportion of practical
men in the trade may also be invited to act on
these advisory committees, in order that their
views may receive due weight.

The Horticultup.al Grant.
From the list of objects set out at the com-
mencement of this article, it will be seen that the
Commissioners have a very wide range to cover in
apportioning the 2^ million pounds among those

Fig. i^.\. — NARCISSUS cooksoni,e: a leedsii variety, colour creamy-white.

(Received an Award of Merit at R.H.S. meeting on May 3.)

The Development Commissioners.
The development funds are to be administered
by a new body, to be called the Development
Commissioners, two of whom may be paid
salaries not exceeding in the aggregate £3,000
per annum. The Commissioners will hold office
for 10 years, but one Commissioner must retire
every second year, though he may be reappointed.
The London Gazette, of Friday last notifies
the appointment of the first Commissioners
as follow : — (1) Mr. Henry .lones Davies, (2) Mr.
Saint-Hill Eardley-Wilmot, C.I.E., (5) Mr.
Michael Andrew Ennis, (4) Mr. Wm. Stowell Hal-
dane, (5) Mr. Alfred Daniel Hall, F.R.S., (6) Mr.
Sidney Webb, (7) Lord Richard Frederick Caven-
dish, and (8) Sir Francis Hopwood.

who may put forward schemes for their considera-
tion. The Act gives no directions as to the pro-
portion to be distributed in any direction, and
the Commissioners are likely to have a delicate
task in sifting the conflicting applications of those
who respectively urge the claims of agriculture,
horticulture, rural industries, afforestation, in-
land navigation, light railways, fisheries, and
local harbours. The Commissioners will naturally
be guided to a considerable extent by the weight
of evidence laid before them, and those interested
in English industries will doubtless do well to
bear in mind that the representatives of Scotland
and Ireland may be relied upon to show their
usual energy and patriotism in urging the para-
mount claims of their respective sections of the

xMay 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

337

United Kingdom. It is reasonable to anticipate
that, among all the claimants for consideration,
those will meet with most success who (1) put
forward a definite scheme, (2) present such scheme
at the earliest possible moment, (3) give a de-
finite estimate of the approximate cost, and (4)
show a persistence commensurate with their en-
thusiasm for the cause which they have at heart !

The representatives of horticulture will, for-
tunately, have little difficulty in presenting a
claim for favourable consideration on the merits
of their case. The refining and civilising
effect of a love of horticulture is a matter
well worthy of the closer attention of those
political leaders on both sides who desire to up-
lift the mental and moral standard of the masses,
while the successful cultivation of fruit and vege-
tables on English soil is intimately bound up
with many of the most pressing questions of the
day. The food supply of the nation, rural de-
population, the consequent overcrowding in large
towns, the increasing problem of unemployment,
the alleged decline in national stamina and phy-
sique— all these are matters intimately associated
with those schemes which are summed up some-
what vaguely in the cry of " Back to the land ! "
It is useless, however, to tempt workers back to
the land if, on arrival, they are to be faced with
starvation; and much remains to be done before
horticulture in all its branches can hope to offer
its proper quota towards an adequate solution of
the problems referred to.

Certainly the prospects of horticulture as a
means of livelihood during recent years have been
the reverse of encouraging. Faced with increas-
ing competition at home and abroad, subjected
by nature to special risks of attack from pests
and plant disease, liable to be called upon to burn
and destroy for the public welfare, the whi'le
of growing stock in return for only partial
compensation, harassed by emissaries of the
Pharmaceutical Society, who seek to recover
penalties for even technical infringements of
the Poisons and Pharmacy Act. singled out
(jointly with af;riculture), as the only industry
which is liable (in addition to all other rates and
taxes) to pay an " undeveloped land tax " as the
price of cultivating the soil in urban districts,
and now deprived of one-fifth of any future in-
crease in the building value of their land,
although such land be simultaneou.sly decreased
in value for horticultural purposes by the ever-
advancing forests of soot-laden chimneys — the lot
of the present-day grower is scarcely an enviable
one, and surely the time has arrived for the
State to turn the other side of the shield and to
assist, in so far as money can assist, an industry
which, if rightly encouraged, should benefit many
and can injure none.

Whether the Development Act furnishes the
key to even a partial .solution of the problem is a
matter on which opinions will necessarily differ ;
but even those who may doubt the efficacy of the
remedy offered will be glad to give it a fair trial,
and will spare no effort to enable the Act to
achieve a good measure of success, provided
the Development Commissioners will ensure
that the experiment shall not be doomed to
failure at the outset through lack of adequate
financial assistance. H. M. V .

TWO NEW NARCISSI.

Very few awards have been made this year
by the Narcissus Committee of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society to new varieties. In the small
number of successful novelties the varieties Cook-
soniae and Colleen are included, for they both
were given Awards of Merit at the meeting held
on May 3.

N. Cooksoniae (see fig. 144) is a creamy-white-
flowered variety of the Leedsii type, and was
raised in Mrs. Norman Cookson's garden,
Wylam-on-Tyne. N. Colleen (see fig. 145) has
been described as one of the most distinct of
modern varieties. It has a beautiful yellow-
crown, edged with deep primrose, and with base
of deep green. The flowers are fragrant, like
those of N. poeticus. Colleen was shown by
Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester. We are
indebted to Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech,
for the photographs.

NEW PEST AND DISEASE ORDER.

The Board of Agricidture and Fisheries, by
virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in
them under the Destructive Insects and Pests
Acts, 1877 and 1907, have made the following
Order : —

Notification of Discovery of Insect or Pest.
1. — (1) The occupier of any premises on which
an insect or pest mentioned in the Schedule to
this Order exists, shall forthwith notify the fnct,
with particulars of the time and place of dis-
covery to the officer appointed by the Local
Authority to receive such notices, or, if no si»ch
officer has been appointed, to the Board ; and.

that behalf by the Local Authority and any In-
spector of the Board may, upon production if so
required of his appointment or authority, enter
any prernises on which he has reason to believe
that an insect or pest mentioned in the Schedule
to this Order exists or has recently existed, and
examine any plant, fruit, crop, seeds, tubers,
bulbs, layers or cuttings on such premises.

Action to be taken by Loc.il Authority.

3. — (1) An inspector or other officer of the
Local Authority or of the Board, acting under
their direction, may at any time and from time to
time by a notice served on an occupier of pre-
mises on which an insect or pest mentioned in the

Fig. 145. — NARCISSUS colleen : perianth, white ; crown, yellow with green

AT the base.
(Received an Award of Merit at R.H.S. meeting on May 3.)

where practicable, a specimen of the insect or
pest shall accompany the notice.

(2) An officer of a Local Authority who receives
a notice under this Article sludl forthw'ith report
the fact to the Local Authority.

(3) The Local Authority on receiving in any
manner notice of the e-xistence or apparent exist-
ence of an insect or pest mentioned in the
Schedule to this Order shall forthwith transmit
the information to the Board and take such
steps as may be necessary to determine to what
extent the insect or pest exists.

Powers of Entry.
2. — An inspector or other officer appointed in

Schedule hereto exists or recently has existed,
require him to adopt such measures for preven-
tion of the spread of the insect or pest as are
.specified in the notice.

(2) Where a Local Authority have consented to
pay compensation for such destruction, the notice
under this Article may require the occupier of
premises on which an insect or pest mentioned in
the Schedule hereto exists or recently has existed,
to destroy by burning or other effective method
all or any of the plants, fruit, or crops on the
premises, and the Local Authority shall pay com-
pensation for such destruction subject and accord-
ing to the provisions in that behalf of the De-
structive Insects and Pests Acts, 1877, and 1GC7.

THE GA R D ENER S' CHR 0 NICL E.

\y\\x 21, 1910.

(3) A notice under this Article may prescribe
the time within which the adoption of any mea-
sure thereby prescribed shall be completed.

(4) An occupier may appeal to the Board
against a notice, served on him under this Article
by an insjjector or other officer of the Local
Authority, and the Board may, after consultation
with the Local Authority, cancel the notice or
modify its requirements in such manner as the
Board think fit.

(5) For the purposes of this Order a notice shall
be deemed to be served on a person if it is de-
livered to him personally or left for hira at his
last known place of abode or business or sent
through the post in a letter addressed to him
there, and a notice or other document purporting
to be signed by an inspector or other officer of a
Local Authority or of the Board shall be prima
facie, evidence that it was signed by him acting
under the directions of the Local Authority or
the Board as the case may be.

Penalty on Sale or Use for Planting of
Diseased Seeds, &c.

4. — Every person who shall knowingly use, or
sell for use, for planting any plant, seed, tuber,
bulb, layer or cutting attacked by an insect or
ptst mentioned in the Schedule to this Order, or
any seed, tuber, bulb, layer or cutting which has
been derived from a plant so attacked, and is
capable of spreading the insect or pest, shall be
liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding
£10.

Prohibition or Sale of Specimens.

5. — It shall not be lawful, except with the writ-
ten permission of the Board, to import, sell, or
offer for sale a living specimen of any insect or
pest mentioned in the Schedule to this Order.

Penalties.
6. — Every person shall be liable on conviction
to a penalty not exceeding £10, who —

(1) Knowingly fails to give such notification
as. is required by Article 1 of this Order ; or

(2) fails to adopt such measures for preven-
tion of the spread of the disease as are specified
in a notice served on him under this Order ; or

(3) wilfully obstructs or impedes any inspec-
tor or other officer when acting under this
Order ; or

(4) imports, sells or offers for sale an insect
or pest in contravention of this Order.

Notification of Order.
7.— This Order shall be published by the Local
Authority in accordance with any direction given
by the IJoard.

Revocation of Order.
8. — The Destructive Insects and Pests Order of
1908 is hereby revoked.

Execution of the Order.
9. — Each Local Authority shall carry into effect
this Order within their district, and shall appoint
such inspectors or other officers for that purpose
as may be necessary.

Definitions.
10.— In this Order—

" The Board " means the Board of Agi-icul-
ture and Fisheries ;

" Lccal Authority " means a local authority
having power to execute and enforce the Dis-
eases of Animals Act, 1894; and "District"
means the area in which the Local Authority
has such power to act.

Application of the Order.
11. — This Order shall apply to Great Britain.

Short Title.
12. — This Order may be cited as the Destruc-
tive Insects and Pests Order of 1910.

In witness whereof the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries have hereunto set their
Official Seal this third day of May, nine-
teen hundred and ten.
T. H. Middleton, Assistant Secretary.

The San Jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus,
Comstock).

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata,
Wiedemann).

The Colorado beetle (Doryphora decemlineata.
Say).

The large Larch saw-fly (Nematus erichsonii,
Hartig).

The Potato moth (Lita solanella, Boisduval).

The gipsy moth (Liparis [Ocneria] dispar,
Linne).

The brown tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea,
Linne)."

The nun moth (Liparis monacha, Linne).

The Cherry fly (Rhagoletis cerasi, Linne).

The Narcissus fiy (Merodon cquestris, Fabri-
cius).

Black knot (Plowrightia morbosa, Saccardo).

Wart disease or black scab of Potatos (Synchi-
trium endobioticum, Percival).

Tomato leaf-spot (Septoria lycopersici, Spegaz-
zini).

Melon or Cucumber canker (Mycosphoerella
citrullina, Grossenbacher).

American Pear blight (Micrococcus amylovorus,
Burrell).

Cspics of the above Order can be obtained on
application to the Secretary, Board of Agricul-
ture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London,
S.W.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

SCHEDULE.
Insects and Pests to which this Order

Applies.
The vine louse (Phylloxera vastatrix, Plan-
chcn).

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)
Pruning Newly - planted Trees. —

ir. F. ]/.'-i remaiks on this subject (p. 295) are
seasonable and practical. I once had occasion to
substitute disbudding for pruning in the case of
strong-growing young vines where bleeding, if
pruned, was anticipated. Long experience has
taught me that if the gross, central shoots of
Peach and other tan-trained trees were left their
full length, and were not bent in the direction of
the ground from a point within 5 or 8 inches of
their origin, to check the flow of sap, a.'^ advised
at p. 284, wood-buds would push from the ends,
instead of from the bases, of the individual shoots.
The weaker and more even-sized shoots situated
on either side of the strong, central growths, re-
quire no such treatment; but where the building-
up of a well-furnished, fruitful tree within as
short a time as possible is desired, it is absolutely
necessary to treat the unduly strong, central
shoots in the manner I recommended. H. W. W.

Fertilisation of Melons andCucumbers

(see p. 295). — The statement that a Cucumber
does not develop unless it is " pollinated " is
emphatically wrong, but no unfertilised Cucum-
ber, no matter how long it may be allowed to
remain on the plant, will be found to contain
fertile seed. H. W. 11'.

Breeding for Timber. — There is an im-
portant point Ml connection with this most in-
teresting question, to which I desire to call the
attention of those who may be disposed to fol-
low it up, as it was not alluded to in Dr.
Henry's most valuable lecture (see pp. 257, 276).
This is the influence of the stock. The
Elms propagated by nurserymen for many
yea,rs past have been budded, usually and
preferably on the W;Ach Elm stock, because
of its vigour and freedom from suckers,
but often, I fear, on stocks of foreign seed-
lings imported as U. campestris^ These, so
far as my observations at home and abroad
have gone, are usually, if not always, of a very
inferior strain as regards size, habit and timber,
to the variety which for centuries has repro-
duced itself by suckers alone in the hedgerows of
Oxford, Berks. Wiltshire, Gloucester, Wor-
cester, Hereford and Somerset ; in which coun-
ties it seems to attain its greatest perfection. I
have never seen trees of the Huntingdon or Eng-
lish Elm, as sold by nurserymen, which equal
these in habit or timber, though they are no
doubt more easily and quickly propagated than
from layers or suckers. In the cases of the
Bnt Willow and so-called Italian Black Poplar,
which have always been propagated by cuttings
only ; the good quality of the parents, believed
by Dr. Henry to be first crosses, have been re-
produced. In the Elms we have lost, owing, as
I believe, to the influence of the stock, more

than we have gained. Now, if we succeed in
raising from first crosses between the English
and American Ash ; a tree as superior in vigour
to its parents, as the first cross between the
European and American Black Walnut seems to
be, vve shall not be able to reproduce it true,
except by budding or grafting, which in the
Ash, rarely if ever produces a really fine tree
from a timber point of view. We have in the
Lucombe Oak, proof that the seedlings of the
first cross vary much, and are usually, perhaps
always, inferior to the original Lucombe Oak,
which, as first propagated by Lucombe, who
grafted it close to the ground on a stock of its
most vigorous parent, the Turkey Oak; has be-
come in its own district a magnificent tree. I
have seen several instances amongst Conifers
where grafting on stocks suitable to the soil and
climate has produced remarkably good results ;
but timber trees grown for profit will have to
be on their own roots, and, if not seedlings, pro-
pagated as usual with the Limes and Planes by
layering. Cambridge has taken the lead in
agriculture, where important results in the pro-
duction of new kinds of Wheats have been
already obtained by Professor Biffen. Similar
investigations in the production of new kinds of
trees will undoubtedly be now carried on at the
Forestry School, Cambridge, where Dr. Henry
has established an experimental plot for this
purpose. I trust that the work in forestry at
our great scientific University will receive from
landowners and others interested in planting
in this country the same generous support as
they have already given to agricultural re-
search in that institution. H. J. Elwes, Coles-
home.

Outdoor Gardening. — Under this heading
(p. 295), J . <>. U. declares that young gardeners
are too much wrapped up in the " blue apron
and Orchid-house side " of their profession. I
venture to suggest that we journeymen are not
entirely at fault, and that many would rather
have a more general experience than it is pos-
sible to acquire under present-day conditions.
How many head iiardeners in want of a journey-
jiian would entertain an application from some-
one who lacked knowledge of the particular de-
partment for which he was required? In order
to take over a " charge,'" whether it be inside
or out-of-doors, a young man must have held a
position in a similar department, and, in his
endeavour to secure a post, he confines himself to
one branch, not that he is desirous of doing so,
but because circumstance compels him. It has
often occurred to me that men who have served
in lai'ge places aie generally engaged as head
2:ardeners in preference to those who have
gained their experience in smaller ones, though
perhaps the latter possess a more varied know-
ledge of gardening. Preference is invariably
given to those who have had good indoor ex-
perience ; but seldom do gardeners who have
confined themselves to kitchen garden and plea-
sure ground work secure a high position. From
a gardening standpoint, one department is
equally as important as the other, and I think
\oung men would not shun out-door work if
head gardeners would give them employment
indoors afterwards. Journeyman,

It seems too true that many young

gardeners consider it the height of their
ambition to take charge of the glass depart-
ment, believing that the fact that they have done
so is a certain passport to a post as head gar-
dener. Certainly they should see that they have
a full knowledge of cultivation under glass ; but
the increiised importance of outdoor gardening
within recent years should be apparent to all
wlio have followed the trend of modern horticul-
ture. There is a tendency in many private gar-
dens to restrict jiUiss cultivation as far as pos-
sible, and to develop the outdoor garden to a
much greater extent than formerly. It is
saddening to come across so many men with only
the most rudimentary knowledge of outdoor
plants. They have not studied the principles
which underlie true landscape gardening and
its practice, and are often almost , helpless
when called upon to superintend outside
alterations. There are many who have felt the
difficulty experienced by J . 0. B. in obtaining
men- who can take charge of laying-out a garden,
,^ or in making extensive alterations, as well as
planting properly and tastefully. Young men
would study their own interests were they to
take up such subjects more seriously. A.

May 21, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

339

Laurel Leaves AS an Insecticide, — In the

correspondence which has taken place on this
subject, no one has mentioned the fact that care
is needed in choosnig the right variety. To avoi 1
disappointment, I may mention that it is the old-
fashioned common Laurel which gives off prussic
acid when bruised. Tlie modern kinds, rotundi-
folia, latifolia, and caucasica, which are driving
the old variety out of cultivation, owing to their
greater hardiness and more distinctive character,
have little toxic character, and I remember years
ago being amused at the disgust of an entymolo-
gist who had been raiding the nursery for moth-
killing njaterial, at finding the insects, which
should have been stupefied, battering themselves
to pieces in his kiUing-pots. Chas. E. Pearson,
Lowdham Nursery.

Rhododendron Veitchianum. — I send you
a flower of a greenhouse Rhoilodendron, whioli
was bought from the late firm of ilessrs. Rollin-
son & Sons, Tooting, about 50 years ago, under
the name of R. Veitchii. The original
plant died about four years ago, but I grafted
some plants from it in the previous year. All
visitors admire it on account of its beautiful
fringed edges. We have auuther Rhododendron
under the sam'3 name, but it is altogether dif-
ferent, there being no fringe or shade on the
petals. T. A. G. [The flowers are those of true
R. Veitchianum, which was introduced from
Moulmien by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons and e,\-
hibited by them for the first time in May. 1857.
It is not uncommon in collections ; ^lessrG.
Veitch and Sons exhibited plants of it in flower
in Jlay last year, and there are good examples
in the temperate house at Kew, where it
blooms annually. The other plant you mention
is probably R. formosum. — Ens.]

Exhibition Vegetable Culture. — As one

who takes much interest in the production of
good vegetables, and in vegetable exhibitions, I
was naturally much interested in the remarks by
Practical printed on p. 296. In the first place,
those remarks appear to imply that the prac-
tice of e.xhibiting vegetables frequently causes
an unpleasantness between the employer and
employee. Though this may occur in a few
cases, I venture to say there is far more un-
pleasajitne&s caused at the dinner table by the
vegetables produced at a friend's party, whether
the grower be an exhibitor or not, than frcVn
any cases of exhibiting. I am conversant with
many establishments where vegetables are pro-
duced in very large quantities by artificial
means, and where the gardener never exhibits.
Practical says in vegetable culture for exhibi-
tion there must be more artificial treatment
than in any other process of horticulture. Let
me point out that it matters not whether it be
fruit, flowers or vegetables, or whether these
are cultivated for exhibition or not, if they are
to attain to the highest state of perfection they
must be given special care. Practical speci-
ally mentions fruit-culture for exhibition in sup-
port of his argument, stating that the same
treatment is accorded to a Peach tree from
which the show fruits are gathered as to the
tree that produces the ordinary crop for the
table. But is this the case? He somewhat
qualifies his remarks in relation to Grape cul-
ture, and well he might, but the same applies
to other kinds of fruits, as Aijples. Pears, and
Plums cultivated in the open, as well as Chry-
santhemums, Carnations. Sweet Peas, and Roses.
If so much extra expense is required for the
production of exhibition vegetables, how is it,
may I ask, that such excellent produce is ex-
hibited at the majority of local shows through-
out the country, both by amateurs and cottagers?
These exhibits are frequently the produce of
men with large families, and who work at their
ordinary occupation during the day, doing their
gardening both early and late. I have never
known an exhibitor of vegetables who was not
capable of supplying, as far as circumstances
allow, a constant supply of good produce for his
employer's table. I'ractical says a casual, or
even a regular, visitor to a. show does not imder-
stand the requirements necessary to produce ex-
amples of any kind of vegetable fine enough
to satisfy the expert judge, but he is ready to
place the blame for his poor display at home to
other causes. ' Well, the same remark applies
to anything ei.?e. I am surprised to notice that
Practical, in support of his argument, takes
for an example Brussels Sprouts. He asks, who

does not prefer the small, hard, green, button-
like Brussels Sprouts — produced from an im-
ported strain, too — to the huge Cabbage-like
knobs so broadly displayed by many exhibitors.
Here let me state that all good exhibitors and
the most practical judges prefer very firm Sprouts
of small to medium size, to the larger specimens
which are frequently produced from imported
stocks. The most perfect Brussels Sprouts are
to be obtained not from foreign countries, but
from our leading seedsmen at home. Not only
is this the case with Brussels Sprouts, but with
nearly every other kind of vegetable, such as
Carrots, Parsnips, Beet, Tomatos, Potatos, Tur-
nips, Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, Cauli-
flowers, and Cabbage. Mere size is of little
importance with present-day exhibitors of
vegetables or with judges; but high-class
quality is insisted upon. Not only is some land
unsuited for the production of vegetables for ex-
hibition, but also for their production for con-
sumption, and naturally the land must be treated
accordingly. Practical states that large pods of
Peas are too often not filled, but I promise him
he will not find unfilled pods in the best ex-
hibits. He complains of the distance allowed
between the .seeds. I say without fear of con-
tradiction that heavier crops and better quality
are produced. Imth in Peas and Runner Beans,
when the plants are allowed the space generally
advised by a practical exhibitor. Can anyone
deny that the great improvement effected in
vegetable culture during the past few years has
been to a very gre,;t extent due to the com-
petitive shows throughout the country. A few-
years ago we were content to allow the Spaniards
to supply us with most of our large Onions. Now
these are produced in large quantities in most
gardens at home. If vegetables grown in the
ordinary way are the best for table use,
what cause have visitors to the exhibitions
to make any complaint to their gardeners?
Ideal vegetables, I admit, can only be produced
by much care, hard work, and forethought,
but much of this work is done in a gardener's
own time, and, so long as the gardens are not
allowed to suffer in other ways, the exhibitor
of vegetables should command the respect of
his employers, even if he cannot escape the
critic. Exhibitor.

Importing Alpine Plants.— 1 must join my
voice to Mr. Stuart Thompson's, although I dis-
agree with him for being secretive about the
habitat of Eritrichium nanum on Mont Cents.
(.Sha.ll enthusiast conceal a joy from brother-en-
thusiast ? Then let wolf start protecting sheep
from brother- wolf. ) But my collecting experi-
ence certainly bears out his opinion that the
worst plants of all to collect are the huge-rooted
species of the highest pastures, where the soil
also has a springy hardness very tiring and diffi-
cult to work. All the Alpine Anemones, that
is to say, such woody-.stocked things as Trifolium
alpinum and Potent ilia nitida, are almost im-
possible to get with their roots intact, hut they
are. as a rule, capable of surviving from a
mangled fragment; though, even so, they take
so long to recover their original splendour that
for myself I prefer the slower but more satisfac-
tory method of growing them from collected
seed. Nor have I found the big Alpine
Anemones troublesome about germinating. Even
if the seed is kept over the winter, it " comes "
with me like Cress, if sown straight out in a
prepared bed. I now have dense masses of seed-
ling A. alpina and A. sulphurea, with which I
hope to form a true Alpine meadow scene in
time. As for A. vernalis, I am afraid the
glorious Lady of the Snow deteriorates and grows
blowy under culture ; anyhow, this is the easiest
of the open-ground Anemones to collect by roots,
e.specially if a mountain-path ci-osses its tract, as
then it is only necessary to break up the cut
sods en either side of the path to get abundant
perfect roots of this Anemone, which, for the
rest, germinates as willingly as the others.
While on the subject of the great Anemones, may
I put in a word for typical A. alpina, whose
big, white flowers, backed with blue, are more
beautiful than even the sulphur stars of A.
alpina sulphurea. Perhaps the type is rarer ;
anyhow, it never seems to attract the homage
always paid to sulphurea. Yet it is more ex-
quisite, it is quite as vigorous, and in gardens
has, I fancy, a tendency to maintain its single-
stemmed, larger-flowered magnificence rather

more faithfully than the sulphur form, whi,--h
tends to make a many-stemmed clu-np, whose
blossoms thereby are diminished in size and bril-
liance. Both forms are of absolutely easy cul-
ture in a.ny deep, light loam; but I "have never
yet solved the riddle of A, baldensis, which ought
to be so easy, and yet with me has not proved
satisfactorily prosperous and floriferous under
any treatment. In respect to the saxatile species,
I think Mr. Jenkins has more nearly the right of
it. At least, in very great luck would a collector
be who was able to " peel off " a rock Primula
or Saxifrage from its bed of stone. This may
be all very well for inferior Saxifrages and
for Sempervivums, but my own experience of
rock plants tells me that saxatile species worth
the collecting generally have root-.systems of an
extraordinary length that ramify far down into
the heart of a rc<:k, which has to be prized
away piecemeal if the plant is to be got with
any hope of life. The joy of Androsace-hunt-
ing, for instance, lies in the quest for a piece of
rock so rotten that it will allow you to lift away
the slabs and secure those yard-long, silken fibres
without which there is little hope of long pre-
serving A. helvetica or A. imbricata. The same
applies to the precious Saxifraga cassia and
S. diapensioides, and, indeed, in my ex-
perience, to almost every high Alpine that de-
serves being collected. Who will hope lightly
to " peel off " Doronicum glaciale, Geum rep-
tans. Ranunculus glacialis. Primula marginata,
or Silene Elizabethan? The only treasure I have
ever " peeled " myself was Saxifraga Cintos-
cana from ledges below St. Martin Vesubie.
But saxatile plants are Nuts very hard to
crack. Let those who doubt me go and wrestle
with Androsace imbricata above the Plan
de Bertol, or with Phyteuma comosum on
the cliff behind Cortina. Sloraine plants, on the
contrary, are a joy and a luxury to collect,
even if their root-systems be as wide and laby-
rinthine as that of Campanula cenisia. And, of
all plants on the Alps, the easiest, compactest
and pleasantest to collect ai'e incontestably, so
far as my experience has always gone, those two
most impracticable glories of the high places,
Androsace glacialis and Eritrichium nanum.
Peginald Farrer.

SOCIETIES.

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

M-\Y 5. — The majority of Cypripediums being
out of flower, recent meetings have not been
quite so crowded with exhibits.

Z. A. Ward, Esq., Northenden (gr. Mr.
Weatherby), exhibited a good group of well-
grown Odontoglossums in variety. The plants
were well grown and splendidly flowered. (Silver-
gilt Medal.)

W. R. Lee, Esq., Plumpton Hall, Hey wood
(gr. Mr. Woodhouse), exhibited several interest-
ing plants, including Odontoglossum X ardentis-
simum var. Leeanum, 0. crispum var. Gloria
Mundi Lee's var., Cypripedium bellatulum var.
plumptonense, all of which received Awards of
Merit.

Dr. A. HoDGKiN'sON, Wilmslow (gr. Mr.
Woore), exhibited several choice varieties of
Cypripedium bellatulum, including the albino
form, and the quaint variety known as C. b.
Queen of Spain.

A. W^A.RBURTON, Esq., Haslingden (gr. Mr.
Dalgleish), was awarded a Silver Medal for a
group of Odontoglossums. 0. crispum var. Earl
(Glrey and 0. X eximium var. mosaicum received
Awards of Merit

J. T. Clifton, Esq., Lytham (gr. Mr. Float),
staged a large group of miscellaneous Orchids,
including several possessing a botanical in-
terest. Sobralia Cliftonise, a charming new
species, received an Award of Merit. (Silver-
gilt Medal.)

C. CooKSON, Esq., Wylam-on-Tyne (gr. Mr.
Chapman), exhibited Odontoglossum crispum
var. Leonard Perfect (First-class Certificate), and
O. X Ronald, the latter apparently a hybrid with
0. X Adrianfe concerned.

J. McCabtkey, Esq.. Bolton (gr. Mr. Holmes),
was awarded a Silger-gilt Medal for a good group,
in which were several fine varieties of Cattleya
Mendelii. C. M. airs. Grahame White and C. M.
Grahame White were given Awards of Merit.

340

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 21, 1910.

Cypripedium x Chas. Rickman var. Black
Knight also received an Award of Merit.

R. ASHWORTH, Esq., Newchurch (gr. Mr.
Gilden), received an Award of Merit for Odonto-
gloseum X Aviator, the parentage of which is
unknown.

Me.ssrs. J. & A. A. McBean exhibited Cattleya
Mendelii var. Pearl McBean, a fine, bold flower,
of good shape and texture. The plant received
an Award of Merit.

J. H. Craven, Esq., Keighley (gr. Mr. Cor-
rey), exhibited Odontoglossum crispum var. Oak
Bank, a beautifully spotted form, and 0. X
Keighleyens Beech's var., both of which re-
ceived First-claas Certificates.

W. Thompson, Esq., Stone (gr. Mr. Stevens),
received Awards of jlerit for Odontoglossum
crispum Dorothy Arkle, 0. X Wilsonii Walton
Grange var., and 0. X amabile var. picturata.

S. CtR.iTRix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mr.
Shill), was awarded a First-class Certificate for
Odontogloesum crispum var. S. Gratrix, a fine,
spotted form, of large size and good shape.

Mr. W. Bolton, Warrington, was awarded a
Silver Medal for a mixed group of Orchids.

BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION.

M.'iY 515. — To mark the occasion of the 25th
year of the Hungarian Horticultural Society, an
international exhibition was held on these dates,
at Budapest. The show was opened by the Minis-
ter of Agriculture, Count Eela Serenyi, in the
Hall of Industries of the City Wood. The exhibi-
tion was a success, there being 228 exhibitors.
Gold, silver, and bronze medals, beside a number
of important money prizes, were offered in the
various classes.

The exhibition was well attended even on the
opening days, and at the time of writing the
great number of visitors makes notetaking a
diflicult task.

As at many Continental exhibitions in spring,
Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Hippeastrums (Aniaryl-
lis), forced Lilac, Spiraeas. Lily of the Valley,
Palms, and Ferns were largely i'n evidence. Tlie
Dutch, Belgian, and German firms displayed
these spring-flowering plants in large quantities.
There were also similar exhibits from the gardens
of His Majesty the King of Hungary, the City
of Budapest, and the island Set. Margit, in Buda-
pest.

The exhibit from the gardens of the King of
Hungary excited much interest. The plants
included many of economic value, such as the
East Indian Piper betle, the medicinal plant
Tamarmdus indica, the Cinchona succirubra
■iPeruvian bark), the " Paw-Paw," Adansonia
digitata, the Upas-tree, Antiaris toxicaria. Tea,
Coffee, and Cinnamon plants, and Erj'throxy-
Ion Coca, from which cocaine is extracted.

In the same group were many interesting mem-
bers of the Proteacese, and between these were
specimens of Leucadendron argtnteum and a male
plant of Fockea capensis. Orchids were also ex-
hibited from the Royal gardens.

Count H.^rrach of Austria showed some beau-
tiful Ericas, including Erica persoluta alba, E.
Chamissonis (seedlings), E. undulata. E. vestita
purpurea, E. ventricosa, and E. Isevis alba. This
gi'oup found many admirers.

Carnations were well .shown by M. C.iBlLLAT,
of Antibes. The size of the flowers, and their
brilliant colours were remarkable.

A very plea.sing castle-parterre was the work
of M. Bernol.4k, a Hungarian market-gar-
dener. It consisted of a small fenced flower-
garden planted with groups of Pelargoniums,
Lilacs, and dwarf Roses, crossed and margined by
white paths. A small parterre on the opposite
end appeared to merge into a landscape picture.
The exhibit was awarded the prize of 500 crowns
given by M. Edmond Mauthuer, seedsman, Buda-
pest.

Another interesting exhibit was made by the
Royal Hungarian Academy for the Instruction of
Gardeners, Budapest. Not onlv were drawings
and plans exhibited by the Ac.\DEMy, but also
work of a more practical nature, including
flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Count Maurice Eszterhazy showed some
splendid examples of forced vegetables, and some
Strawberries, Cherries, and Peaches.

The keeping of fruits through the winter was
demonstrated by the Hungarian Refrigeratmn

Co., with up-to-date appliances for conserving
purposes.

Foreign nursery firms showed rich and varied
collections of fruit trees, shrubs, and Conifers,
whilst the nurserymen of the Hungarian State
also made a fine display of similar trees. Conifers
being especially well shown by M. Pecz, Buda-
pest.

The exhibition included displays of floral de-
signs, landscape gardening, diagrams, implements
and tools, hot-houses, appliances for heating and
watering, and exhibits of various insecticides.
Special Correspondent.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION,
(LONDON BRANCH.)

May 12. — The second annual meeting was held
at Carr's Restaurant on this date. Sir. E. F.
Hawes occupied the chair.

Nine meetings have been held during the past
year, the average attendance being 50. Three ex-
cursions to places of interest were conducted dur-
ing the summer. Two concerts have been held,
and these have proved very successful. Four-
teen new members have joined, the total member-
ship being 185. The Chairman congratulated
the members upon the good progress made and
upon the satisfactory financial condition.

Mr. Hawes resigned the post of chairman, Mr.
North being appointed in his stead. Much re-
gret was expressed by the members at Mr.
Hawes's resignation. Mr. A. G. Barnes was
appointed vice-chairman. The committee was
also elected, and Mr. A. G. Barnes and Mr. V.
Cockram re-eleeted as treasurer and secretary re-
spectively. The business being concluded, Mr.
Feltham gave an address upon the policy of the
British Gardeners' Association.

DUTCH BULB GROWERS',

At the recent meetings of the Narcissus and
Tulip Committees at Haarlem the following
plants received Awards of Merit : —

Narctsstts Glory of Wassenaar. — A large-
flowering, yellow variety, with broad trumpet,
somewhat darker than the pale-coloured peri-
anth.

N'arcissvs Glory of Haarlem. — A golden-yel-
low Daffodil, with trumpet of erect habit, and
bread, finely-formed perianth.

Narcissus Cliantecler. — A variety with large,
clear, citron-yellow-coloured trumpet.

Single early Tulip " Oranje Boven." — A
new, dark orange-coloured variety, resembling
the well-known variety Prins van Oostenrijk.

NEW INVENTION.

A USEFUL PLANT STAND.
The plant stand made by Messrs. Barr Bros.,
Deptford Pottery, Sunderland, is mo.st valuable
for protecting plants and seedlings from the
attacks of insects, including slugs, woodlice, and
ants. 'There is no risk of overturning the stand,
which is of attractive appearance. This firm
has also placed on the market a green
plant pot, which is one of the best I have
seen. The pots are a little deeper than the
ordinary ones, and have a ledge inside for the
plant to rest upon, allowing water to pass
quickly away from the roots. J. 0. C.

to
orrejboruhnU

Artillery Plant : .7. C. G. The species known
as " Artillery " or " Pistol " plant is Pilea
microphylla, often known in gardens as P.
mu-scosa. It is a tropical plant, belonging to
the natural order Urticaceae or Nettle family.

Asparagus Diseased: B. D. The plants are
affected by " root-rot," caused by Sclerotinia.
All diseased plants should be removed and the
soil treated with lime, preferably gas-lime.

Basic Slag for Vines: /. McC. Basic slag
when properly used is not injurious to young
vines, in fact it has frequently been found of

great benefit. You do not say how long the
compost had been made before" the vines were
planted into it. What has happened appears
to be this : the basic slag, lime rubbish, and
wood-ashes have acted on the decomposing cow-
manure and set up a strong ammoniacal action.
Free ammonia gas is injurious to the young
roots of all plants, and the effect would be
exactly as you describe — a dying off of the
young shoots and a blackening of the bark of
the roots. It is a case of overfeeding with
ammonia. Having employed basic slag and
wood-ashes for the compost, it would have been
better to omit the lime rubbish, or the com-
post should have been made a month previous
t-o planting the vines, and turned two or three
times to allow of the escape of the free am-
monia. If the vines are not too greatly
damaged they will most likely start afresh into
healthy growth, because the free ammonia
quickly becomes converted into nitric acid in
the soil through the aid of the nitrifying
organisms. Loosen the surface soil With a fork
to admit the air. ' '

Half-hardy Shrubs: Montana. Half-hardy
shrubs grown in pots may be wintered in skele-
ton frames erected on dry ground, protected
from east and north-east winds. Strong posts
should be driven into the ground at the cor-
ners of the bed, and at intervals along the
sides, taller posts being used along the centre.
In cold weather the roof and sides should be
covered with mats or some other protective
material, which should be removed when the
temperature rises above the danger point.

Names op Plants: S. C. J. Luzula maxima
(this plant is not considered poisonous). —
N. A. D. Dicentra formosa. — Claydon Nur-
sery Co. Lavandula Stoechas ; the dark, erect
Italian Cypress is probably Cupressus semper-
virens. — C. H. 1, Ribes aureum ; 2, Lonicera
tatarica speciosa. — A. J . J . G. 1, Dendrobium
Pierardii ; 2, D. densiflorum ; 3, Cupressus
Benthamii ; 4, Cupressus Lawsoniana stricta ;
5, C. L. var. ; 6, C. L. near erecta viridis.
There are numerous varieties of Lawson's
Cypress, and they are difficult to determine
from mere shoots.

Palm and Cypripedium Unhealthy : li. P.
The Kentia exhibits the usual trouble seen in
Palms used for room decoration. The princiiial
cause is the dry atmosphere of the room, but
inattention in watering — aft'ording too little or
too much — is a common reason for Palms dying
at the tips of the leaves. There is no disease
in the Cypripedium ; the condition of the leaves
suggest some trouble at the roots.

Pelargoniums Unhealthy : If. <{.• Co. No
disease is present. The plants appear to have
been kept too close. Expose them to plenty of
fresh air, and place them well apart.

Plum Shoots Dying : S. H. T . The shoots are
killed by the twig-boring moth. All the in-
fested branches should be cut off and burned —
by .June at the latest, as at that time the moths
escape and lay their eggs on the adjoining
shoots.

Sterile Potato Tubers : G. C. P. It is diffi-
cult to determine the cause of the complete
blindness of your Potato tubers. There is not
the slightest evidence of any disease even
about the eye-buds. These, indeed, seem to
have failed to push grow-th because the vascu-
lar cords which convey the food to the buds
when they begin to grow appear undeveloped
in your specimens. Over-feeding may have
caused this trouble, but it is very doubt-
ful, as it is so uncommon. It is possible
that the tubers are weak through having been
grown from stock raised in the same garden
year after year. Y^ou will do well to procure
sets from Scotland or Ireland. It is not as
yet too late to plant fresh tubers.

Verbenas: W. <t- J. B. We can find no trace
of disease in the young plants of Verbena, but
they are infested with mites. Syringe the
plants with a mixture of soft soap and sulphur
dissolved in water.

Communications RcccivGd.— H. F. B. If you will send
us particulars of the appointment we will publish them.
Werhy— J. H., Westmoreland— R. G.— J. E. H.— R. B. -
Ct F.— a. C. S.— J. B.-Souci-J. H., Compton— Smyke—
J. K. A., Cornwall— \i'. E.— Professor P., Director of
Imperial Institute— S. A.— A. Me K. G.— Platinns-L. K.
— E. T. C— F. M.-J. D.-Dr. A. H.-T. S.-R. I. L.-Sir
D. M.— \V. R. D.— W. F.— Florist— J. C. Rev. H. F.—
W. E. B.— A. V.-T. H.— T. W. L.-E. H. K.

■C.

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May 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

341

THE

^iirbcncrs'Cbronirlc

No. 1,232,— SATUBDAY, May 38, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Ammonia, effect of, on
germination 349

Apple blossom, colour in 34)

Bt-rberis stenophylla ... 345

Blossoming of Iniit trees 346

Books, notices of—
Genus Rosa 350

Canary Islands, notes
from the 313

Cattleya Enid var. Kar-
thausii 349

Challis, Mr. T., presen-
tation to 349

Disease and Plane trees 348

Fin'ibury Square Gar-
dens 350

Floral tributes to King
Edward \II 350

Forestry at Cambridge 350

"French " garden in a
Birmingham park ... 350

Gunnera scabra and My-
osotidinm nobile ... 346

Houtte, Louis van, cen-
tenary celebrations ... 319

Hydrocyanic gas as a
fumigaut 345

Madresfleld Court Gar-
dens

Orange, origin of the
Washington Navel ...

Plant-collecting, the
perils of

Plants, new or note-
worthy—
Narcissus x Fosteri...

Rhododendron racemo-
sura

Rhododendrons, choice

Saxifraga Faldonside
and others

Societies-
Royal Horticultural

Spring flowers in the
south-west

Temple Show, the 348

Tlirush with two nests

Week's work, the—
Flower garden, the ...
Fruits under glass ...
Hardy fruit garden, the
Kitchen garden, the ..
Orchid houses, the ...
Plants under glass ...

349
343

341

343
342

351

341

345

346
347
347
34G
847
347

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Androsace Henryi, a new Chinese species ... ... 345

■Cattleya Enid var. Karthausii (Supplementary Illus-
tration)
■Cinerarias in Messrs. Sutton's exhibit at the Temple

Show 856

Japanese garden at the Temple Show 358

Miltonia Bleuana Queen Maiy 351

Miltonia Menioria Baron Schroder 355

Narcissus x Foster! 342

Odontioda King George V 349

Odontoglossnm Memoria King Edward VII 353

Orchids, groups of, exhibited at the Temple Show 352, 354

Portrait of Mr. George Forrest 344

Rhododendron racemosum flowering in China 313

Rose E^celsa 357

SPRING FLOWERS IN THE
SOUTH WEST.

THE spring has been very backward in
this district, as for many weeks past
the wind has been more or less
northerly and the weather exceptionally cold
for the time of year. The winter tempera-
ture was not low, 5° of frost being the most
registered in this garden at one time, but
much damage has been caused by wind. Arc-
totis aureola, which in 1907 and 1908 was
killed to the ground level, is absolutely un-
harmed, and was in flower this year before
the close of March. Iris stylosa was very late
in commencing to flower, scarcely a bloom
being borne before the New Year, though in
ordinary seasons it begins its display late in
October, and continues to flower uninter-
ruptedly until the end of April. Doubtless its
late blooming was due to the sunless summer
of last year. The blue Chilian Crocus (Teco-
philfea cyanocrocus) was very beautiful in the
early spring with its deeply-coloured blos-
soms, but it is apparently a somewhat in-
tractable plant, and dies oi't in many gar-
dens, though in one or two places it succeeds

to perfection and increases from self-sown
seed. The scarce and charming Romulea
pylia, with satin-white, golden-centred.
Crocus-like flowers, was very pretty when in
full bloom, dozens of blossoms being expanded
at the same time, which created a delight-
ful effect. Hard by, Romulea nivalis was
growing, its white flowers feathered with blue,
and these two plants, with a purple Tricho-
nema, blooming together on the same ledge,
made an extremelj' dainty picture. Some of
the Tulip species made a splendid display. T.
C4reigii, with about 20 great, scarlet blossoms
expanded at the same time, had a gorgeous
efi'ect; T. Tubergeniana produced its large ver-
milion flowers in quantity, and T. Batalinii its
lovely pale-yellow blooms, while the Lady
Tulip, T. clusiana, was delightful with its little
blossoms, white with carmine-red markings
and a centre blotch of deep violet. T. flava is
a noble Tulip, and one of the latest to flower.
The blossoms are large and of a clear-yellow
colour, and it exceeds 2 feet in height; T.
KaufFmanniana is one of the lovelie.st of all
Tulips, almast resembling a refined AVater
Lily. The creamy-white flowers with golden-
orange bases barred with orange-red are
espe<'ially beautiful. Of scarkts, there are
the grand T. Gesneriana major, very bad to
beat; T. Ostrowskiana, a graceful plant with
vividly-coloured blossoms, and T. linifolia,
with narrow, serrated leaves and dazzling
flowers. T. saxatilis, with faint-rose, golden-
centred blooms, flowered badly, but where its
bidbs had been undisturbed it bloomed well, so
that the practice of annualh' lifting all the
Tvdip species will be discontinued in its case.
T. Kolpakowskiana is a pretty flower, deep
yellow in colour, and T. celsiana is another
pretty yellow variety; T. pulchella was so
disappointing it will be discarded, as its
cherry-red flowers only rose an inch above the
ground. The Tulip species are very interest-
ing, and it is a wonder they are not more
generally grown. The only florists' Tulip
grown was La Tulipe Noire, which is the
nearest approach to black of any Tulip. Many
of the stems bore two flowers.

The delicate little Violet Cress (lonopsi-
dium acaule), which seeds itself all over the
garden, was very charming, carpeting a bed
of bulbous Irises. Hardenbergia monophylla
alba, which flowered for the first time last
year, was in bloom in February, and remained
in blossom until May. Brachysema acumina-
tum, trained against a wall, commence<l to
flower in March, and it is .still in bloom. The
South African shrub, Euryops virgineus,
made an attractive picture early in April,
when it was covered with a cloud of tiny
yellow blossoms, and a specimen of Edwardsia
(Sophora) microphylla, about 6 feet in height,
bloomed splendidly, carrying over a hundred
flower-clusters, some of them bearing as
many as 14 blossoms. This plant made ram-
pant growth for some years, but never pro-
duced a flower ; therefore, a trench 4 feet deep
was dug round it at a distance of 2 feet
6 inches from the stem, and this trench was
filled with stones to the ground level, the ex-
IK>sed roots being cut away. The plant has
bloomed well every year since. Gorrea car-
dinalis was in flower before Christmas, and
carried its blossoms well into April. One of

the prettiest plants in that month was Morisia
hypogsea, a colony of a dozen being covered
with bright-yellow flowers. Lithospermum
rosmarinifolium bloomed in February, its deep-
blue flowers being extremely welcome at a
time when, in the open garden, there was
scarcely a blossom to be seen. L. graminifo-
lium, which was sent to me as L. rosmarinifo-
lium, is not yet in bloom, but its buds are
beginning to show colour.

The lovely Californian Erythroniums do not
succeed in many gardens, but where they do
well they are strangely beautiful. In a garden
near Truro they succeed to perfection, and
in April many dozens of great flower-clumps,
with wide-petalled blossoms standing 18
inches high, make an exquisite picture. They
are grown in pure leaf-mould collected be-
neath an old rookery. The crimson Erythro-
nian Johnsonii was especially beautiful, and
ther? were many home-raised seedlings with
flowers almost equal in colour. Leptospermum
scoparium was badly injured by wind in the
winter, and all its foliage was browned. This
resulted in a severe check, and instead of being
in full flower now, as it generally is at this
time of the year, the plant bears but a few
scattered blossoms. Manettia bicolor is in good
bloom, but the crimson and white varieties of
Clianthus puniceus have been so badly injured
by wind that they lost every leaf, and have
been cut hard back, though w^hether they will
eventually regain their health or have to
be replaced by young plants remains to be
seen. Iris tingitana has never flowered so well.
On one clump there were as many as 33 flower-
spikes, which were an entrancing sight when
at their best in the first week of May. Many
people appear to have a great difficulty in
flow^ering this Iris, but I have bloomed it
well for the last seven years. Ixiolirion mon-
tanum is now in profuse bloom ; this beauti-
ful plant is far superior to I. tataricum. It
is over 2 feet in height, and a dozen flowers
are often carried on a scape. The beautiful
Gladiolus tristis, clear sulphur-yellow in
colour, was in flower at the end of April, by
far the earliest of its family to bloom. It
increases rapidly by bulblets and also by seed.
The scent from the blossoms at night is deli-
cious, and much resembles that of a Mag-
nolia. The pure sulphur form, I believe, is not
in commerce, nurserymen who catalogue it
sending out a variety with wide, purple bands
on the three upper petals, which is far inferior
to the sulphur-coloured variety. Celmisia
coriacea flowered last year, but afterwards
died for some unknown reason ; a good plant
of C. incana is now throwing up flower. The
Alpine Clematis (Atragene alpina) has been
very beautiful with its narrow-petalled, pale-
blue and white flowers, and Deutzia Kalmise-
flora, the loveliest of its race, is now a charm-
ing sight, as every spray is thickly covered
with delicate blossom. Dien'illa (Weigela)
Conquete, one of the best of the family, is in
full bloom, and is bearing its pink flowers fully
2 inches across. Shortia galacifolia has been
charming, but the newer S. uniflora grandi-
flora, though plantetl in a speciallj'-prepared
site, appears likely to die. Sparaxis in vari-
ous colours have been very attractive. Fire
King, scarlet w'ith a yellow eye, being the
most brilliant variety. A pretty Gladio-
lus has just come into flower. This is G.
atroviolaceuSj and the blossoms are of a deep

342

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

violet-purple. One of the most delightful
sights jn the garden at the present time is a
colony of Iris (Mor»a) pavonia, with about
four dozen expanded flowers. The white blos-
soms faintly flushed with blue-grey, with the
deep-blue spot on each petal margined with
violet, are very lovely, and the opening bn;\'?
reticulated on the outside with lavender-blue
are almost as beautiful as the expanded
flowers. The plants are growing on a raised
border backed by a wall and facing the south-
west. This border was formerly planted with a
large collection of early-flowering, bulbous
Irises, hut most of these have died, I. pavonia
being the only one that appears happy in the
site. Wyndham Fitzhcrbert.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

NARCISSUS X FOSTERl *
This is a beautiful hybrid raised I ly the late
Sir Michael Foster, whose name, I lUink, it is

placed under Corbularia, though the scapes are
two-flowered, which is not quite without prece-
dent in that section. The bulbs were presented
to me by Lady Foster a few years ago, and I have
found this hybrid a valuable plant for the decora-
tion of the conservatory in March. It has been
treated to ordinary pot culture and has succeeded
well.

The leaves are very like those of N. triandrus ;
they grow about 10 inches long and are about
i inch wide, the upper surface is slightly concave
and quite smooth, the lower surface distinctly
convex and 'finely ribbed. In pot culture
they do not remain erect, but fall over
as shown in the accompanying illustration
(see fig. 146). The scapes are as long as the
leaves and bear two flowers, which in general
direction are almost spreading rather than dis-
tinctly refle.xed. The perianth tube is always
slightly curved, but sometimes to a considerable
extent. It is about | inch long and tapers into
the corona, being about 1-16 inch diameter at the
base and j inch below the perianth segments.
The perianth segments are lanceolate, | inch long
and about 3-16 of an inch wide ; they have a
green line at the back and are slightly inchned

Fig. 146. — NARCISSUS x fosteri : corona and perianth

SEGMENTS PALE YELLOW ; TUBE GREENISH-YELLOW.

worthy to commemorate. It is a cross between
Narcissus (Corbularia) Bulbocodium var. citrinus
and N. triandrus, and it possesses the merit of
being as easily grown as the latter plant, which
I believe was the male parent. It is fairly inter-
mediate between the two parents, and quite dis-
tinct from either. It unites the genera Corbu-
laria and Ganymedes (now of sectional value only)
which were established by Salisbury in the
T ransaclions of the Royal Horticultural Society
in 1812. Having regard to the similar size and
-shape of the perianth, the lanceolate perianth
.segments, and the declinate stamens, it must be

* Narcissus Fosteri, hybrida inter N. Bulbocodium var.
citrinum (foem.) et N. triandrum ; scapo billoro ; floribii^
■proxiine horizontalibus, perianthii tubo infundibular!
niinime curvalo ; seRmentis lanceolatis palentibus; corona
magna turbinato-ciinpanulata seKmentis aeqniloiiga; stami-
nibus declinatis. K.hwm Lynch.

to twist ; the corona is about | inch in depth and
the same in width. The stamens are declinate, as
in N. Bulbocodium. In colour the corona and
perianth segments are pale yellow, like N. Bulbo-
codium citrinus. and the tube is almost green or
of greenish-yellow colour. The stigma is very
small, disc-like, and depressed in the centre with
a papillose margin.

This hybrid differs from both parents in having
a slightly, or even more than slightly, curved
tube and in having distinctly spreading perianth
segments. In no nearly allied plant can I find a
curved perianth tube, and while the perianth seg-
ments are strongly reflexed in all N. triandrus
forms, they tend to be erect in N. Bulbocodium,
so that the hybrid in having spreading perianth
segments is intermediate. From N. Bulbocodium
citriims, and indeed from all other forms of that

species, it differs conspicuously in being two-
flowered, in having spreading or slightly deflexed
instead of ascending flowers, in having an in-
fundibuliform and not an obconic tube, and in
having perianth segments which are slightly re-
curved rather than ascending.

From N. triandrus it differs in having a
slightly curved and funnel-shaped tube (not
cylindric as in tiiat species), which is | inch long
instead of from ^ to J inch long : in having a
large obconic or campanulate top-shaped corona
instead of a cup-shaped corona one-third only as
large ; in having perianth segments which are
lanceolate instead of oblong, only half as wide as
in triandrus forms ; and also in having declinate
stamens which are never declinate in any form
of N. triandrus. In N. triandrus the flowers are
sharply deflexed by the bending of the pedicel
and not at all by any curvature of the perianth
tube, which may be detected more or less in N.
Fosteri. Briefly, to define this plant it may be
said that there is no other twin-flowered Nar-
cissus with a large corona and declinate stamens.
But hybrids may have been raised, of which I
have no information.

I am indebted to Messrs. Barr h Sons for some
very beautiful allies, which they have kindly
sent to enable me to make as good a diagnosis as
possible. Among them, besides the two parents
of N. Fosteri, are N. Bulbocodium conspicuus, of
beautiful golden colour ; N. calathinus, which, in
this case, is almost pure wdiite, and quite evident,
one must think, as taking part in some hybrids,
not only in colour but in the shape of the corona,
which is shortly cylindrical ; N. triandrus albus,
known as " Angels' tears," creamy-white and
with corona rather longer than in N. triandrus
pulchellus ; and N. triandrus hybridus, a beauti-
ful kind much lirger thnn the others, evidently,
I think, crossed with a Daffodil. For the excel-
lent photograph I have to thank Mr. E. J. AUard,
formerly of Cambridge, but now of the Innes
Horticultural Institution. R. Irwin Lynch,
V.M.H., Botanic Gardens, Camhridge.

CHOICE RHODODENDRONS.

No evergreen shrub holds such an important
position in gardens as the Rhodi«lendron, com-
bining as it does bold, handsome foliage with a
wide range of colouring in the flowers. During
the latter half of May and the greater portion of
June, Rhododendrons provide an ever-changing
blaze of colour, from the common lilac-purple of
R. ponticum to the more refined shades of red,
pink and white of the finest hybrids. When it is
remembered that all the most beautiful varieties
have been produced by hybridisation from about
half-a-dozen species, it is surprisnig there is such
an amount of variation. Probably some J300
hybrids have received names, and many thousands
of others have been discarded as not worthy of
naming or perpetuating. Like Roses, there has
been, and still is, a tendency to the multiplication
of names of Rhododendrons, irrespective of the
quality of the plants narned. The ideal Rhodo-
dendron must have good foliage, a strong, vigor-
ous liabit, free-blooming qualities and the inflor-
escence must be a conical or pyramidal truss of
bloom, the individual flowers of which are closely
set together ; the flowers must exhibit a good,
decided colour. In many hybrids, however, too
much attention has been paid to the flower, and
not enough to the habit and foliage of the
plant. It is difficult sometimes to decide
whether a plant is worthy the distinction of a
name or not, as a good, showy bloom, freely
produced, is a very desirable factor. A case in
yjoint is that deservedly-popular hybrid Rhodo-
dendron " Sappho." This bears a large, pyra-
midal truss of white flowers marked with a dark
blotch on the upper petal. Though perfect in
this respect, it has the disadvantage of being a
leggy grower, inclining, with age, to become
straggling and thin. If, however, tlie plant is cut
down when at this stage it becomes bushier
and of better habit afterwards, though, of

JIay 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

113

course, the flowers are sacrificed for a year or
two. The nearest approach to an ideal Rhododen-
dron is " Gomer Waterer," which bears a some-
what flattened pyramidal truss of blush-white
flowers of enormous size. The leaves are large,
thick and dark green, and the habit is bushy
without being slow-growing, while, in addition,
the plant is very free in flowering.

Of late years the popular taste has inclined to
those varieties with clear red, pink and white
blooms, there being no demand for those of lilac
or purple shades, with the exception of the ever-
popular " fastuosum." There are two distinct
classes of hybrid red Rhododendrons : (1) those
that show best on a close inspection, and (2) those
which are more effective at a distance, being
rather poorly coloured when seen at close quar-
ters. The latter class includes most of those
with bright crimson blooms, and also those
which have a strong admixture of purple in their
colouring, so that they are best described as
raagenta-crimson.

Amongst those that have this effect are Fred
Waterer, John Walter, Michael Waterer, Charles
Dickens, and C. S. Sargent. There is no true
tcarltt Rhododendron, though some more nearly
approach scarlet than others, and these appear
better seen at close quarters. Of these Doncaster,
Sun of Austerlitz, Duke of Connaught, Prome-
theus, and the so-called scarlet-edged section,
such as Helen Waterer, B. W. Currie. and Lady
Ilchester may be mentioned as examples.

Rose and pink hybrids have come into favour
largely during the last 10 years, and when it is
considered that these colours are represented in
such varieties as Pink Pearl, Cynthia, Concessum,
Kate Waterer, Strategist, and Lady Tankerville,
their popularity is not surprising. Next to Pink
Pearl, the best clear pink hybrid is the old and
almost forgotten " j\Irs. Cameron," which is
rarely seen nowadays, though why it should not
be popular still is hard to say, as it has no defects.

There are many so-called white Rhododendrons
but true white varieties are few, and are best
represented by JMme. Carvalho, Mrs. Tom Agnew,
Chionoides, and Mrs. J. Clutton, which all bear
clear white flowers, with few markings. The two
first-named I consider the best of their class, as
they will grow almost anywhere and are very
floriferous. Those of blush-white shades and
others with heavy spots are plentiful, being
represented by album elegans, gloriosum. Lady
Hillingdon, Lady Clementina Walsh, Minnie,
Sappho, F. B. Hayes, and Star of Ascot.

The raising of hybrid Rhododendrons is a slow
and disappointing task. It needs much patience
and good temper waiting years for plants to
flower, only to find perhaps not one in a thousand
is worthy of perpetuating It takes from seven
to 10 years to produce a fair bloom from the time
of seed sowing. The proper thing, however, is
to keep on trying, and bear the disappointments
philosophically, trusting that " next year " will
bring better luck. J . Clarlc, Baijahol, Surrey.

RHODODENDRON RAGEMOSUM.

Of the numerous Rhododendrons indigenous to
the province of \unnan, this is by far the most
abundant species. It is a charming little shrub,
and, with much variation in form and colouring,
extends from as far south as Mengtze, on the Tong
King frontier, right north into Tibet, and from
the frontier of Upper Burmah eastwards weU into
the province of Szcchuan. Its range of altitude is
also great, being from 4,C00 feet to 12,000 feet.

The favourite situations of the plant are roll-
ing,- grassy downs at about 9.000 feet above sea-
level. Such downs are common in Yunnan, and
there the species may be seen in perfection, in
some regions dominating many square miles, to
the exclusion of almost all other shrubs. It holds
almost the same position on the mountains of
Western China as our Heather does at home,
the masses of colour being visible for miles. In
the south, the plants are loosely formed, the
flowers lightly coloured and more scattered ; but,

at its best, it forms a compact, dwarf shrub, from
1 foot to 3 feet high; with numerous floweis,
though of small size and of a brilliant rose-
pink colour.

In many districts the onlj" other shrub found
in the vicinity was Rhododendron oleifolium,
which I imagine is a closely-allied species. The
flowering of R. racemosum is practically continu-
ous, extending from February to October, or even
later. The situation favoured by the plant is a
dry and open locality, with a soil of reddish,
clayey loam, containing a good admixture of lime,
overlying a pure limestone formation. George
Foneat.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

NOTES FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS.

Probable Origin of the Washington

N.ivEL Orange.

In an old dictionary on the natural history of

the Canary Islands written at the end of the

eighteenth century, by Viera y Clavijo, and

under the heading "Lemon," reference is made

to a peculiar variety, which the author calls

An old Spanish admiral, Don Antonio Ulloa, who
was also a great student of natural history and
founder of a museum in Madrid, paid a special
visit to Teneriffe to see for himself that the occur-
rence of this Lemon, " Citrum in Citro," was not
a fable but a reality. This Admiral wrote a work
entitled Voi/ai/e to South America in 1748, which
was translated into French in 1752.

No doubt such variations are much, more
likely to occur in a uniform climate like that of
the Canaries, where cross-fertilisation is so
favoured by natural conditions.

Of late years, owing to the introduction tf
living plants from other countries, scale insects
and other blights have become very common, and
have caused much destruction to Orange trees,
but it can be asserted, without fear of contradic-
tion, that there is no more ideal climate for the
culivation of these trees than that of these islands,
and it is to be lamented that plantations have not
been made in the Canary Islands similar to those
in California.

Tagasaste.

(CVTISUS PROLIFEnUS L. FII,. V. PALMENSIS, ChR.)

Besides this well-known forage plant, which
has not had the attention given to it that it de-

ll'hotog)aph by Geoige Forrest.

Fig. 147. — rhododendron racemosum flowering on the tali range, yunnan,

china (alt. g 000 FEET) : FLOWERS PALE PINK AND WHITE.

" Citrum in Citro," and which he asserts was
not uncommon in the islands of Teneriffe and
Grand Canary. Reference is also made to a
similar Orange to be found then growing in
Grand Canary. May the latter not be the an-
cestor of the present Californian Orange (seed-
less or navel)? Some years ago I remember that
Sir Daniel Morris* made investigations about
Sugar Cane and Bananas, and he ascertained
the fact that they found their way to the New
World via the Canaries. We know that the
above-quoted " Washington Navel Orange" was
imported from Brazil, and it is not illogical
to presume that it got there from Grand Canary,
which has always been famous for its Oranges.

* The Plants and Gardens of Ihe Canary Islands are
described in a paper read before the R.H.S. by Sir Daniel
Morris on May 14, 1895, and published in lheyc!<™ii( of the
Society, vol. six,, pp. 60-122.

serves in suitable countries, like South Africa,
and Australia, there grows in the same island of
Palma, where Tagasaste is indigenous, another
very beautiful Cytisus (C. stenopetalus), also
called Teline stenopetala, the local name being
" Gacia," which is used as a valuable fodder.
It is probable that in years to come, and in suit-
able countries, due attention will be given to
these two shrubs ; they are both very drought-
resisting, and would be further serviceable in re-
afforestation, but I would venture to suggest that
the only way of insuring their permanent success
in either South Africa or Australia would be for
the Agricultural Departments of those countries
to make a trial plantation of, say, one acre, and
show what can be done with these leguminous
plants in the feeding of cattle ; otherwise, the
usual routine criticisms will invariably be made

544

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 20, 1910.

by farmers that stock "won't touch them," &c..
&c. Besides being ornamental plants, they would
be df great service to beekeepers. (For a full
account of Tagasaste as a fodder plant see Kew
Bulletin, 1891, p. 259, and 1893, p. 115.)

Oleander.
I HAVE generally understood that the old, well-
known double pink Nerium will not seed, and
this certainly was the case in a garden where
for some 50 years this variety has been culti-
vated. It was noticed, however, that since the
recent introduction of single-flowered varieties
the old plants have begun to seed. I venture to
suggest an explanation, which is that, being plants
, multiplied by cuttings, the double pink Nerium is
- probably the offspring of a single plant which
may not be self-fertilising. In support of the
above suggestion, I may allude to my personal
experience in the growing of Statices. I have
found that solitary specimens of most species
will not r.eed, and, if so, only very little. I have
observed the same in the case of the Rose Root,
or Lignum rhodium, the beautiful shrubby Con-
volvulus known as the " Guadil " (Convolvulus
floridus), in which I have known isolated plants
that will not seed at all, and others that will seed
freely.

Lotus Bertholetii (Heinekenia).
This rare and ornamental plant of the Canary
flora, although extensively cultivated in gar-
dens, has not been found growing wild in
Teneriffe by any recent botanical collector. It
gives very few seeds, and the reason may be that
the plant is almost invariably reproduced by cut-
tings, representing, in all probability, an original
solitary plant. Occasionally (but very seldom)
one of these cultivated Heinekenias will seed
freely. George V. Perez, Puerto Orotava,
Teneriffe.

THE PERILS OF PLANT-COLLECTING.

iConcJudcd from pa^e 326.1
At the end of eight days I had ceased to care
whether I lived or died — my feet swollen out of
all shape, my hands and face torn with thorns,
and my whole person caked with mire. I was
nearly dead through hunger and fatigue, and on
the evening of the eighth day and morning of
the ninth was quite delirious for a time. Then
I knew the end was near, and determined to
make one more bid for life. In the valley there
happened to be two small villages of four to six
huts each, peopled by Lissoos, a sub-tribe of
Tibetans, and I decided on holding up one of
these, to force the inhabitants to give me food.
This plan I carried out on the evening of the
ninth day. Fortunately, instead of opposing me,
the people proved friendly. The one and only
food of these people consists of parched Barley,
or Wheat coarsely ground ; it is called " tsaniba."
This they offered me, and having but little
self control, after such a long starve, I partook
of it ravenously, in fact to such an extent that
I almost died of the effects. As it was, to
add to my trials, I brought on inflammation
of the stomach, from which I suffered for
many months. The headman of this village
proved one of the best friends I ever had, and
at once commenced making arrangements to
smuggle me out of the country. After four days
spent in restful hiding, we descended the valley
until we reached its junction with that of the
Mekong. Here we were met by the headman of
a village situated there, and he informed us that
though the majority of the rebels had returned
north, there were still many powerful bands
scouring the country.side in search of me ; in
fact, one had spent the previous night in his
village. He suggested we should go into hiding
until after sunset, when he would send out some
of the native hunters to escort us to a farmhouse
a few miles distant, where we could spend the
night in peace ; then, on the following day, with
guides he would send to me, I was to ascend
west to almost the summit of the dividing range,
and striking south we should skirt the troubled
region and thus reach safety. This plan we

eventually carried out, but the misery of it all
is entirely beyond my powers of description. It
was the middle of the rainy or summer season,
and I soon found myself in the thick of the worst
downpour Yunnan had known for a generation.
Up and up we clmibed, struggling through cane-
brakes, cutting our way through miles of Rho-
dodendrons, tramping over alps literally clothed
with Primulas, Gentians, Saxifragas, Lilies, &c.,
for these unknown hillsides are a veritable
botanists' paradise, till we reached the snowfields
on the backbone of the range, at an elevation of
17,000 to 18,000 feet. We had no covering at
night; no food but a few mouthfuls of parched
barley, and the rain and sleet fell in such de-
luges that to light a fire was impossible. On
reaching the summit we turned south, travelling
in that direction for six days, over glaciers, snow
and ice, and tip-tilted, jagged, limestone
strata, which tore my feet to ribbons. On
reaching this point, we hoped we had got be-
yond 'he danger zone, and commenced our

PORTRAIT OF MR. GEORGE FORREST TAKEN

IN TALIFU IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS ESCAPE

FROM THE LAMAS.

descent eastwards towards the Mekong. Down,
down we went, over sharp, jagged rocks and
through Bamboo brakes, until we reached the
inh.abited zone at about 9,000 feet, and here, to
put the finishing touch to my misery, I seriously
hurt one of my feet. Round most of the villages,
the inhabitants are in the habit of placing on
the paths around their Maize fields what they
name " panji." These are sharpened and fine-
hardened pieces of Bamboo of 12 to 18 inches
in length ; they are buried in the ground fully
three-quarters of the full length, the sharpened
end being upwards, and covered loosely with soil
or leaves. In approaching one of the villages by
an exceptionally muddy path, I unfortunately
stepped on one of these " panji." Had I been in a
normal condition of health, I might possibly have
had strength enough to have thrown myself back
in time, but I was so weakened by the experiences
I had passed through and by exposure, that I

simply fell forw ard on it ; the spike, fully an-
inch in breadth, passing between the bones of
my foot and protruding a couple of inches from
the upper surface. I suffered excruciating
agony for many days, and it was months before
the wound healed completely.

Finally, we arrived on the right bank of the
Mekong opposite the large village of Yetche. The
chief of this village was a friend of mine. My
troubles then were almost over. This excellent
man came across the river, at great risk to him-
self, bringing clean cotton clothes for me, besides
a large quantity of food, such as pork, eggs,
chickens and cakes, and at last I got what I re-
quired more than even those, a change of cloth-
ing, a good wash and a night's rest.

As bands of Lamas were still prowling about
near Yetche, disguised as a Tibetan and accom-
panied by my faithful guides and others, I con-
tinued my course down the right bank of the
river till, four days later, I arrived opposite the
little Chinese-Tibetan township of Hsias Wei
Hsi, where Chinese troops were stationed. After
much delay, everyone even there being panic-
stricken, I managed to get some of the people
to come down and assist me over the single rope
crossing the river at that point, and on reaching
the town found another missionary (Pere Jlon-
beig), who had also escaped from a station in the
west. He and the Chinese officials welcomed me
p,s one returned from the dead, and a few days
later he and I, accompanied by an armed escort
of 200 Chinese soldiers, commenced our journey
south to the nearest city — Talifu — which we
reached in safety in the course of 19 days.

Later, I received from the military mandarin,
named Li, a detailed account of the death of my
two companions. As I mentioned, I s-aw Pere
Bourdonnec shot down ; later the body was dis-
embowelled, beheaded and quartered.

Pere Dubernard escape 1 for two days, but w'as
eventually run to earth in a cave farther up the
valley. His captors broke both arms above and
below the elbow, tied his hands behind his back,
and in this condition forced him to walk back
to the blackened site of Tzekou. There they
fastened him to a post and subjected him to
most brutal mutilation ; amongst the least of his
injuries being the extraction of his tongue and
eyes and the cutting off of his ears and nose.
In tliis horrible condition he remained alive for
the space of three days, in the cour.se of which
his torturers cut a joint off his fingers and toes
each day. When on the point of death, he was
treated in the same manner as Pere Bourdonnec,
the portions of the bodies being distributed
.amongst the various lamaseries in the region,
whilst the two heads were stuck on spears over
the lamaserie of the town of Atuntze.

I was reported dead for almost three weeks,
but, fortunately, though there seemed no reason
to doubt the authenticity of the information, the
news was withheld from England for a time by
the consuls and the authorities at the Foreign
Office, on the chance that I might have escaped ;
thus my family mourned my loss for only a week.
Although escaping with my life, I lost every-
thing I possessed, all my camp equipment, am-
munition and guns, cameras, stores ; in fact, my
all, with the exception of the rags I stood in, my
rifle, revolver and two belts of cartridges.

What was much more serious, I lost nearly all
the results of a whole season's work, a collection
of most valuable plants numbering fully 2,000
species, seeds of 80 species, and 100 photographic
negatives. It is difficult to estimate the value
of such a loss ; coming from an entirely unex-
plored area, probably one of the richest in the
world, there was undoubtedly a very large per-
centage of new species. I had sent scraps of
specimens home in my letters, and about a dozen
of those, or one-third of the number, proved to
be new species. A magnificent new species of
Meconopsis, now bears the specific name
"speciosa;" another, even finer plant, . was a
climbing Rhododendron, having the habit
of Ivy, with minute foliage and large, fleshy,
crimson flowers. George Forrest.

May 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

345

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{Thi Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Berberis stenophylla. — I sent you some
time ago an account of an exceptionally fine
specimen of Cotoneaster Simondsii (Feb. 19, p.
123), and will now give you particulars of a plant
•of Berberis stenophylla, which is growing on Lord
Aldenham's property close to Aldenham House.
The shrub is certainly the largest of its kind
which I have seen, measuring as it does fully
11 feet 8 inches in height and 56 feet 6 inches in
circumference. It must be close on 30 years old,
and is perfect in shape. When its slender, trail-
ing branches are covered all over with golden-
yellow flowers in the middle of May it forms a
spectacle commanding universal admiration.
Vicurtj Gibhf, AlUenhum House, near EUlree.

space. This is an unnecessary quantity, as
1 ounce to every 1,000 cubic feet will be found
effectual. I do not doubt what i\[r. Garratt says
in reference to the cyaniding of vineries just after
the Grapes have passed the stoning period ; also
Fig.s and Peaches in all stages. With the little
experience that I have had with this fumigant, I
should not care to try it on plants with growth
in a young state. Charles Herridge, Dvnham
Massei/ Hall Gardens, Jltrincham, Cheshire.

A Thrush with Two Nests. — I have recently
observed a thrush's nest built in a shed. At the
lime the nest was discovered it was raining hard,
and owing to the drip from the roof the nest was
very wet. Several dayj later two eggs had been
laid, and by the side of the nest I was surprised to
find that another nest had been built, one side of
the fir.st nest serving as part foundation for the
second one, so that the two together looked like a

that the bird or birds observed that a nest built in
close proximity to the original would escape the
trouble which led to the abandonment of the
first, and that it could be constructed with a
great saving of time, labour and material, as
compared to an independent nest — a great advan-
tage to the bird, taking into consideration its
condition— is remarkable, and appears to afford
a good example of perfect reasoning. Alfred
Hamshire, Leicester.

Colour in Apple Blossom. — Now that
Apple trees are blooming so profusely, a very
favourable opportunity is afforded to note which
varieties give the best colour effects. That this
subject has interest outside of orchards is evident
because there is a desire in many directions to
have some of the richer-coloured varieties planted
on lawns, where their bright flowers may be
ornamental. An eminent gardener told me last

Fig. 149. — ANDROS.iCE HENRYI : A NEW CHINESE SPECIES.
Exhibited by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons at the Temple Show (see p. 348).

[Photograph by R. J. WalHs.

Hydrocyanic Gas. — 51r. Charles Gnrratt
says (see p. 295) that the damage done to the
plants in the stoves here must have been due to
a moisture-laden atmosphere. This was not the
cause, as we were very careful in following out
the directions sent with the machines, and
these pointed out the necessity of having the
structure perfectly dry. The atmosphere in the
stove, as well as the intermediate house, was dry
at the time of the operation. The temperature in
the intermediate house was 45°, and that of the
stove was 65° to 70°. I was much interested in
the account of cyaniding the Muscat house with a
temperature of 68° whilst the Grapes were at the
stoning stage. Mr. Garratt states that he used
li ounce of cyanide to each 1,000 cubic feet of

double nest. I frequently watched the nests, and
found that the bird confined her attention to the
newer one and abandoned the original. Now,
whenever there was rain, the original nest
became very wet, and in the intervals between
rain it never dried to any extent, while the last
built nest kept perfectly dry. In this nest three
eggs were laid, which the bird succeeded in
hatching. It is evident that the bird must have
laid the two eggs in the original nest after the
abandonment of the nest was decided on, and did
so as a matter of convenience only, as the interval
between laying the second and third egg would
not be sufficiently long to allow her to construct
a nest. The desertion of the original nest would
be expected in the circumstances, but the fact

autumn that he had been engaged in planting
Apples for such purpose by special desire of his
employers. From sources which enable selections
to be made from hundreds of varieties of Apples
I have secured a list which includes 13 varieties
described as giving specially rich-coloured bloom,
and a further list of 26 varieties which give
externally bright, rich colour, but the petals are
paler on the inside. It is interesting to note that
there seems to be but little connection between
colour in flower and in fruit, for only one excep-
tion is found in Baumann's Red Reinette. Not
one of the remaining 12 varieties gives col-
our in the fruit. These are Sandringham, Old
Winter Nonpareil. Dutch Codlin, Annie Eliza-
beth, Lord Suffield, Golden Spire, Northern

3-lG

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

Dumpling, Nelson Codlin, Lord Derby, Brown-
k'es's Russet, Rosemary Russet, and Harvey's
Wiltshire Defiance. In the larger list only Mr.
Gladstone appears as a high-coloured Apple, whilst
the list includes Warner's King, Stirling Castle,
Potts's Seedling, Stone's Pippin, Seaton House,
and many others of similar colourless nature.
Those who prefer fruit colour to bloom colour
should plant Mr. Gladstone, Duchess's Favourite,
Worcester Pearmain, Ben's Red, Baumann's
Reinette, Gascoyne's Scarlet, Colonel Vaughan,
Calville Rouge Prec.'ice, Old Quarrenden. Fearn's
Pippin, Paroquet, Red Astrachan, Scarlet Pear-
main, Jonathan, Akera, and King of Tompkins
County. To these should be added the Dart-
mouth, John Downie. and Red Siberian Crab
Apples. Another point which it would be in-
teresting to have investigated is whether colour
in bloom has any correlation to hardiness. ,4. 1).

Promise and Performance. — Since my
remarks upon "Fruit Tree Blcs'cm" (see p. 309)
were written, frost, on two occasiLUS, ranging up
to 8°, has done a considerable amount of damage
in some of the principal fruit districts. Goose-
berries have dropped from the buslies more or less
seriously, and a large grower in Kent states that
the crop in his county will be a short one. Drop-
ping in the Evesham district was reported before
the latest damaging frosts. Currants also are
said to have been injured to some e.xtent, and
Strawberries badly. Even in my southern situa-
tion Gooseberries have dropped somewhat exten-
sively, and the yield will not be more than half
what it was last year. The enormous profusion
of Pear blossom, in my case, has left only a
moderate setting of fruit on pyramids of some
varieties, and less than an average on others,
while on 12 rows of cordons in a sheltered situa-
tion, which always suffers more from frost than
an exposed one, although the trees were covered
with blossom, there will be hardly any fruit.
Plums here seem to be setting fairly in propor-
tion to blossom, but two varietiec-, out of the six
grown to any considerable extent, have small
crops. Of course, it cannot yet be told in what
proportion the embryo Plums will mature. In
some districts it is feared that this fruit was
badly injured by recent frosts, and there is some
doubt as to how Cherries passed through the oi-
deal. Apples here have not been harmed ; but
then we have not had more than 3° of frost 4 feet
from the ground since any of them were in blos-
som. Where they had 8° the case may be different.
It is a pity that fruit growers do not write more
frequently to the horticultural papers to re-
port fruit prospects. It would hel)) them if
they would compare notes on the subject, and
thus ascertain the probabilities as to market
supplies. For example, the reports as to the
dropping of Gooseberries have induced me to
alter a plan I had formed, namely, that of mar-
keting as many as povisible while they were small,
in order to sell largely before the usual glut sets
in. Under the circumstances, I conclude that
there will not be any glut this season, and there-
fore I do not intend to pick freely until the ber-
ries are of full size. Another thing that has
happened since my previous article was written is
a slight attack of aphis on Plums, much later
than usual. There is still complete immunity
among Apples, and it would be interesting if
readers would report whether this is general.
A Southern Grower.

Saxifraga Faldonside and Others. — Jlr.
Reginald Farrer's note, on p. 294, raises
several questions not easy to solve. As re-
gards the parent.ige of Saxifraga Faldonside,
I have always understood that it was one
of the seedlings raised at the same time as
S. Boydii, by Mr. J. Boyd, of Cherrytrees, but
Mr. W. B. Boyd, of Faldonside, should be in
the best position to enlighten us on the subject.
There seems no definite knowledge available as
to the parents, although S. burseriana was un-
doubtedly one of them. The other may or may
not have been aretioid.s ; if it was, it was
probably the variety calic<l aretioides primulina.
that we used to grow many years ago, it being a
brighter and finer plant than either areti-
oides itself or that now sold as primulina.
I have not seen the finer form for many years
past. I think one of the secrets of growing S.
Boydii in wet districts is to keep it cover -d
with a .''heet of glass in winter ; it is finer when
grown in sandy soil in a sunnv position than
under other conditions. Mr. Farrer has cer-

tainly pointed out the failing of Boydii and Fal-
donside. but the former variety is worse to "keep
than Faldonside. What about Boydii alba'? This
is the easiest of the lot, and I have always found
it do better even than Cherrytrees. I should
like to know if Jlr. Farrer has afforded these
Saxifrages any shelter from wet in winter. .'S.
Arnott, Sunnymead, Dumfries.

GUNNERA SCABRA AND M YOSOTIDIUM
NOBiUE. — I visited Heythrop on May 12, and, to
my great surprise, saw these two stately plants
in full bloorn in the open air, at an elevation of
750 feet, in a district which is usually considered
a bleak and cold part of England. I have not
as yet been able to discover whether there are any
botanical characters by which this particular
Gunnera can be distinguished from the Gunnera
v/hich is usuall}' grown as G. chilensis. I found
it in February, 1902, in flower on a bed cf stone
debris 2 or 3 feet thick, which rested i n the
moving ice of a great glacier on the T.onador
volcano in Chile, at about 2,000 feet a' iive sea
level. I raised a number of seedlings, some of
which have grown and flowered in a well-drained
border on the north side of a high wall in my
garden at Colesborne, where they have endured
temperatures of zero and perhaps lower, and in
my garden have only just started into growth. I
gave a plant of it to the Hon. Mrs. Brassey three
or four years ago. She planted it by a pond in
a sheltered place in her beautiful wild-garden at
Heythrop, and has covered the crown of the
plant in winter with litter, as usual. Her plant
is now 6 feet high, and the flower-spike seemed
quite uninjured by the severe frosts which have
taken place on several nights in the present
month. As I hare since raised plants from home-
giown seed, and have given seedlings to many
friends, I should like to know whether G. scabra
has proved as successful elsewhere, and especially
how it compares in hardiness and early -flowering
with other Gunneras. Myosotidium nobile I have
never before seen flowering in the open air, except
in warm and moist cliaiates in the south and west.
At Heythrop it is planted close to the wall of a
forcing pit, which prevents the ground from
freezing, and the plant is covered overhead, but
exposed ' in front, in winter and spring, and
though the plant was not as large or luxuriant as
it may be seen in Cornwall, it surprised me more
tlian anything I have seen out-of-doors for a long
time. //. •] . Elwes, Cnlexhonie, Gloucestershire.

The Week's Work.

THE FL0"S7ER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicary Gibbs,
Aldeiiharn Hou^e, Hertfordsliiie.

Veronica. — This shrubby species of Veronica
and their hybrids are valuable evergreens for
shrubberies and other portions of the flower gar-
den ; not only are they attractive when in flower,
but at every other season, owing to their neat
and beautifully-formed foliage. Perhaps the best
known species is "V. Traversii, which forms a
symmetrical rotund bush, developing into fine
specimens of perfictlv hardy growth. Similar in
habit is "V. ligustrifolia, but distinct with its
privet-like growth. V. Hulkeana, in a sheltered
position, is a glorious shrub when in full flower,
but in the cooler parts of the country this species
succeeds onlv in greenhouses. Others of neat and
compact habit and well adapted for carpeting
beds and borders are "V. buxifolia, Colensoi
glauca, cupressoides or salicornoidcs, decum-
beils, Hectori. loganioides, Guthriana, and
vernicosa Another excellent but half-hardy
variety, eminently suited for bedding in masses,
is "V". La Seduisante. It possesses handsome
purple foliage, and makes very free growth dur-
ing the summer months. There are other varie-
ties resembling this one with variously-coloured
flowers, but they need to be wintered in cold
frames. V. Andersonii variegata makes a splen-
did ground-work for large beds, if cuttings are
taken each year and rooted in the autumn in
boxes and allowed to remain in these until they
are required for planting in the beds.

Mesemhryniithemiim. — There are numerous
species of Messmbryanthemum of distinct and
curiously interesting growth which, though ten-
der, are nevertheless showy plants when used
out-of-doors during the summer months. An

open place, exposed to the full glare of the sun,
should be selected for them, an ideal site bein;;
a dry bank or rockery, with a shallow hungry
soil. Under these conditions they will pro-
duce their variou.sly-colourfcd, brilliant flowers
very freely. The plants are readily in-
creased by means of cuttings, and are best
wintered in a warm greenhouse ; they require
but little water and attention during that
season. A selection of species might include
acinaciforme, aurantiacum, aureum, australe,
barbatum, bicolor, bulbosum, caulescens, cocci-
neum, corniculatum, diversitolium, echinatum,
Ecklonis, falcatum, falciforme, glaucum,
Haworthii, multiceps, muricatum, rubricaule,
rubrocinctum and splendens.

Scented Pelargonium.^. — The Scented Gera-
niums, or Cape Pelargoniums, are closely asso-
ciated with old-tune gardening. They include
many interesting varieties with variously-shaped
leaves, small, quaint flowers, whilst most of
them possess a fragrance of one kind or another.
A very interesting bed can seen be established by
plunging or planting a selection of these about
the middle of June. It is surprising how rapidly
the plants grow. There are numerou.'' varieties,
but for this purpose onh' those which have large
haves and much perfume should be employed.
\'\'hen grow'ii on in large pots or tubs, specimen
plants are effective for terraces and for placing
under verandahs.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dcnn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Garden , Windsor.

Corrals. — A sowing of Carrots may be made
to furnish a late supply of roots: the plants of
this batch will not be so liable to an attack of
the Carrot fly as those sown a month ago. Thin
the plants to 5 inches apart as soon as they
are large enough, choosing a dull, damp day
for the thinning. Small sowings of Carrots
may be made from this date to the middle
of July, to furnish a supply of young roots
through the season. They should be thinned to
3 or 4 inches apart, and be given frequent dress-
ings of soot during dull weather. Suitable varie-
ties are Early Scarlet Morn and Early Gem. Stir
the ground frequently between the rows with the
Dutch hoe to keep down the weeds, and loosen
the surface of the ground.

Eiirhi Potalos. — The soil between the rows
should be deeply stirred with the digging fork
before the roots have extended far enough to
prevent such work being done without danger
of injuring them. If the ground has not been
manured for this crop, a dressing of Potato
manure should be applied before earthing-up is
commenced. The height of the ridges should
depend to some extent on the distance between
the rows ; steep ridges should be avoided, as they
would not allow the rains to penetrate the
mounds to any extent, to the disadvantage of
the crop. On light land the ridges should be
made as broad at the top as possible, so that
plenty of rain water will soak through and reach
the roots. One of the chief reasons for earthing
Potatos is to protect the tubers from the sun-
light.

Onions. — Spring-sown Onions will soon require
thinning, which should be done gradually, and
before the plants are large enough to be checked
seriously by the root disturbance. In most cases a
distance of 4 or 5 inches will suffice, but if extra
large bulbs are desired, double this distance must
be allowed. A few rows may be left unthinned
to supply small bulbs for pickling purposes.
Though deep hoeing is beneficial to most crops,
it is not advisable in the case of Onions, which
do best in a very firm bed. Weeds, however, may
be destroyed with the hoe, but only the very sur-
face of the ground should be disturbed. A little
soot dusted over the beds in showery weather
will be of great assistance to the plants, but soot
should never be applied in dry weather, unless
a copious watering is given afterwards.

Staking Peas. — Most of the second early varie-
ties will require staking. New stakes should
be used, as old ones are liable to break
during rough winds. Do not place too many
supports, as the sticks exclude a consider-
able amount of light, and too many will
cause the growth to be drawn and spindly. When
drawing the soil about the plants, leave the ridges
in such a form that the rain water will be directed
to the roots.

M\y 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

347

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GuoDACitF., Gardener to Sir Er.nest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton l^addocks, Newmarket.

Fig trees in j <)l.<. — When the fruits have been
gathered from ine earliest trees, which will be
required for forcing early next season, the trees
should be hardened and placed out-of-doors. The
pots should be plunged to their rims, selecting
a site e.xposed to full sunshine, but sheltered from
strong winds. Keep the trees growing, affording
water as required, and an occasional top-dressing
of some approved fertiliser.

Early Firja in borders. — When the first crop of
fruits lias been cleared from the trees, the houses
may be kept closer, with plenty of atmospheric
moisture, as everything must be done to assist
the trees to swell the second batch of fruit.
Afford libera! applications of liquid manure and
soot water, alsj a mulching of decayed horse
droppings, or manure from a spent jlushrooni
bed. Give careful attention to ventilating the
house, as the foliage will be liable to scorcliing.
Admit fre.sh air early in the day wlienevor it
appears likely that the sun will shine briglitly,
but close the house early in the afternoon to
retain as mucli of the sun's heat as possible.

Later /''/;/■•. — Tliese trees will require atten-
tion accordnig to their different stages of de-
velopment. In cases where syringing overhead is
discontinued, it will be necessary to damp the
paths and bare spaces several times daily to pro-
mote a moist atmosphere. Houses in which the
fruits are ripening should be well ventilated, and
the top ventilators may be allowed to remain
open both day and night. Tying, stopping and
training of the young shoots will require fre-
quent attention ; this work should not Be delayed
or there will be overcrowding of the branches.
Insect pests multiply rapidly at this season, and
preventive or remedial measures must be taker..
One of the most common pests is a small white
scale, and should any survive the winter
cleansing, they should be destroyed by sponging
with an insecticide. Ants are great pests in
many places, and they assist in the spreading of
scale and other insects by transporting them from
one tree to another. They will also destroy the
ripe fruits, entering at the aperture at the end
of the fruijt, and eating the soft central portions.
Ants are best destroyed in their nests with cya-
nide of potassium.

Yovng vines. — Vines which were raised from
eyes early in the year are ready for placing in
10-inch pots. For this purpose a compost similar
to that advised for a previous shift should be
employed, but the materials may be used in a
rougher condition. See the pots are clean and
suitably drained, placing a sprinkling of half-inch
bones over the crocks. Warm the soil to the
same temperature as the atmosphere of the vinery,
and use it in a fairly. dry state, so that it may be
rammed firmly in the pots. Care must be e.xer-
cised in watering for a few weeks after repotting,
as until the roots are working freely in the new-
soil but little moisture will be necessary. Main-
tain a temperature cf 70° to 75° at night time,
allowing an increase by sun-heat during the day.
Syringe the vines once or twice daily with soft
water, and afford the vines every encouragement
to make a vigorous and sturdy growth.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Seakle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Astlby, Northamptonshire.

Out-rloor vines. — These do not usually require
so much disbudding as vines grown under glass,
but in regard to the stopping and tying-in of the
shoots they need similar attention. If care
is given to these matters, a great deal may be
done towards securing good results if the weather
is anything like favourable. Vines are amongst
the most ornamental climbers, and for f.his
fact alone they are worthy of cultivation where
w-alls or other suitable positions are available.
Commence disbudding as soon as it can be dis-
tingui.shed which shoots promise to produce the
best bunches, gradually removing them until
only the requisite number of shoots is left. One
shoot to each spur is generally enough, but some-
times two may be necessary where the spurs are
thinly disposed and there is much wall space to
cover. The fruit-bearing shoots should be stopped
at the first or se -oitd leaf beyond the bunch, the
shoots should hi drawn gradually towards the
wall and finnllv be fastened to it as neatly as
possible. All li.teral growths should be stopped
at the first leaf If the vines are growing in a

very hot position, or in a light and porous soil,
cojjious supplies of water must be frequently ap-
plied to the roots, and the vines should be given
occasional waterings of liquid manure from the
farmyard after they pass out of flower. Should
mildew or red spider attack the foliage at any
time, the affected parts should be dusted with
flowers of sulphur.

Morello Cherries.—These trees require disbud-
ding in a similar manner to that, recommended
for Peaches and Nectarines ; I have often seen
Morellos with the shoots framed far too closely,
the walls being smothered with small, weak
shoots, which generally produce undersized fruits
of inferior quality, and are very diflicult to keep
free from insect pests. The disbudding should be
performed gradually, so that no checrk is given
the trees by the sudden removal of a large num-
ber of_ shoots at one time. If it is found, when
tying in the young growths, that more than the
required number has been left, pinch the surplus
ones to the third or fourth leaf; these will
form spurs, and eventually bear fruit. iMorellos
seldom fail to set their fruits thicklv, and, in
consequence, it is necessary to thin them where
it IS desired to have good-sized fruits; an old pair
of Grape scissors will be found useful for this
purpose.

Siveet Cherries.— The fruits of these should
now be set. Continue to examine the trees for
black fly, and if any be found let the trees be
syringed thoroughly with Quassia E.xtract or a
solution of soft soap, 2 ozs. of the latter to each
gallon of water. Attend to the training and
pinching of the shoots; those required for exten-
sion or for replacing useless branches should be
laid in their entire length and be thiiilv disposed,
so that plenty of light and .tir may reach them ;
all other shoots not required to "be trained in
should be pinched at the third or fourth leaf to
furnish fruiting spurs for next season.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By VV. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Btuford, Surrey.

Phalfenopsis. — Such plants as P. Schilleriana,
P. Sanderiana, P. Aphrodite, P. amabilis (graiuli-
flora), P. Stuartiana, P. casta, P. leucorrhoda.
and P. Lueddemaimiana having passed their
flowering period, are commencing to make roots
and new leaf growth. They shoidd be examined,
to ascertain if more rooting space is required, or
if the potting materials have deteriorated, and in
cases where the baskets have decayed, new ones
may be substituted for them. Phalsenopsis
suffer if their roots are disturbed by detaching
them from whatever they may be "clinging to,
the young roots being very susceptible to injury.
Therefore, when removing the plants from their
old baskets, the potting materials and drainage
should be carefully piclved out. and the basket
plunged into a vessel of tepid soft water for
several minutes; then, w^ith a thin-bladed knife,
gradually the living roots may be detached from
the wood. These plants will succeed in teak
baskets, or in teak cylinders, shallow pans, or-
dinary flower-pots, or even on wooden blocks
cohered with Sphagnum-moss. Whichever re-
ceptacle may be jjreferred, they should be filled
to quite three-fcurths of their depth with
dean crocks. The plant should be placed
in the centre, with the collar well above the
rim, carefully arranging the roots over the drain-
age, and placing a few small crocks over them.
The remaining space up to and around the base
of the plant should be filled with living Sphag-
num-moss, chopped finely and mixed with very
small crocks. If the new roots were to get
into a bed of moss, which may at any time
become saturated through careless waterings,
they would decay quickly. Firm potting is ad-
visable. Plants which are healthy and well
rooted, and have sufficient room for further
development, should be allowed to become rather
dry before a top-dressing is applied to them.
Weakly plants having few cr no roots should be
placed in small receptacles, and be suspended to
the roof in a position where they will receive
shade. As with many Orchids, the principal
point in growing Phaltenopsis is to maintain
a suitable atmosphere. The plants come from
some of the hottest regions of the East, and
therefore require the temperature of the East
Indian house, or the warm, humid atmosphere
of the plant-stove. Where a house is not set
apart for them entirely, the next best place is a
position close up to the roof glass ?n the north or

shady side of the house, where they will obtain
plenty of light, but no actual sunshine. All
the tender, green-leaved kinds, as P. violacea,
P. Lueddemanniana, P. JMarie, P. tetraspis, P.
speciosa, P. snmatrana, P. Mannii, P. Cornu-
cervii, P. denticulata, and P. fascinata are
susceptible to injury from the least direct sun-
shine at any time. Place them, therefore, alto-
gether, so that they may be more conveniently pro-
tected by extra shading when the sun is power-
ful. If placed under the shade of the stippling,
as recommended in a former Calendar, applied
rather thickly on the glass, the blinds need not
be let down nearly so early in the morning, and
they may be drawn up much sooner in the after-
noon, than would be the case if only the blinds
were used. The high temperature of t'he house can
therefore be largely maintained by sun-heat,
which is just what Phala;nopsis delight in ; at
the same time, the humidity of the atmosphere
shouli be correspondingly "high, but on days
when there is little or no sunshine, the amount,,
of water used when damping down should he
decreased accordingly, as a comparatively low
temperature, as maintained by fire-heat alone,
will soon cause the delicate leaves to become
spotted and diseased. After rebasketing, or re-
surfacing, very little water will be necessary, r.nd
for a time merely spray around the sides of tl.s
baskets and the moss on the surface, to keep it
in a growing condition. Newly-imported plants
of Phalijenopsis are generally est'ablished on blocks
of wood, or on a bit of the branch on which they
grew. Those that arrive at this season may be
removed at once from the blocks and put "into
baskets, etc., but any imported during autumn
and winter should not be so treated until thev
begin to produce roots -in the following spring. "

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghi.e, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Calceolaria. — The Calceolarias are now in full
bloom, and it is desirable to make a sow-ing of
. seed for raising the earliest batch to flower next
year. The seeds should be .sown in shallow pans,
which should be well drained and filled to within
half-an-inch of the rim with a finely-sifted com-
post of loam, leaf-mould and sand in equal por-
tions. Press the soil moderately firm, and after
applying a watering, allow the pans to drain for a
few hours, then make the surface perfectly
smooth and sow the seeds thinly and evenly en
the soil. Place a sheet of glass and some damp
moss over each pan, and arrange the pans in a
cool, moist frame. As soon as germination takes
place, tilt the glasses a little on one side, that
the seedlings may be hardened gradually to the
light, when they may be removed to a "position
near the glass. A little later, when the seedlings
are large enough to handle, plant them singly
into small thumb pots, and shade the plants at
all times from hot sunshine. Calceolarias should
never be allowed to get in the least root-bound,
or they will suffer a severe check to growth.
They need very great care in watering.

Huiiiea eleijans. — Sow seeds of this fragrant
plant and treat the seedlings in the early stages
as recommended for Calceolarias.

I'oinsptlia pulrherrima. — Take cuttings of this
winter-flowering plant at intervals of a few weeks,
in order to raise plants of different heights. The
first cuttings may be selected as soon as the old
plants have produced growths of 2 to 3 inches in
length. The cuttings should be removed with a
portion of the old wood attached, and, if pos-
sible, they should be plunged for a time into
fine sand or charcoal to prevent loss of sap from
the wound. They should be rooted in sm.all
thumb pots, plunged in a hot-bed.

General work. — Spring-raised cuttings wilt,
need to be potted on, and in cases where the
cuttings have been inserted several together in a
pot, extra care must be exercised in dividing;
these otherwise the roots will suffer considerably.
Many plants require shade, which should be pro-
vided at once Plants which have suffered root
disturbance recently will be benefited by an occa-
sional spraying with clear water. Pay careful
attention to the fires, in order that the water
pipes shall not be overheated during periods of
bright sunshine. Let the ventilators be so used
that, whilst scorching is prevented, there will be
no cold draughts to injure the tender plants. The
stoves and intermediate houses should be
syringed early in the afternoon, closing them
whilst they still contain a fair amount of sun-heat.

348

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Newspapers.— Cot »es/'o«(ffi«/s sending newspapers should be
caie/iilto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

.Special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ie Editors do not
uniU-itake to pay for any contnl^fitions or illustrations, or
to return unused communications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

■Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be writtkn on onk side only of
THE PAPER, sent as earlv in the week as possible and duly
signed br the writer. 1/ desired, the signature will not be
printed, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

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

Illustrations. - The Editors will be gladto receive andto select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable pliints, jlowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR JUNE.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2 -Linnean Sec. meet.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3-Biienos Ayres Inlernational Exh. opens.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4-

Soc. Fran?. d'Hort. de Londres meet.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7— _, . , i,

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Prof. Henslow on "Survivals among Plants of the
Past.") Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet, British Card.
Assoc. Ex. Council meet.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9-

London Branch of B.G.A. Excursion,

SATURDAY, JUNE 11- , „ .

R.H.S. Gardens Club Annual Re-union at Wisley.

MONDAY, JUNE 13-

United Hort. Ben. & Prov. Soc. Com. meet.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15— Yorkshire Gala (3 days).

THURSDAY, JUNE 16— Linnean Soc. meet.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17— Richmond Royal Horse Sh. (2 days).

TUESDAY, JUNE 21—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Coms. meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Mr. W. Culhbertson and Mr. Jas. Grieve on " Fifty
Years among Pansies and Violas.") R.H.S. Pro-
vincial Show at Liverpool in conjunction with the
Annual Show of Roy. Agric. Soc. (3 days) (provisional).
Roy. Oxfordshire Hort, Soc. Sh.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22- , ,r, , -^ , , ,, . ,

Roy. Agric. Soc. Sh. at Liverpool (Hort. Exh.) (4 days).

FRIDAY, JUNE 24-Midsummer Day, Quarter Day,

TUESDAY, JUNE 28-
Isle of Wight Rose Sh.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29-

Richmond Fl. Sh. Southampton Rose Sh. Roy, Soc.
Ann. Meet., 4 p.m. Dartford Rose Sh.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30-Canterbury & Kent Rose Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greeuwich— 55'4''.
•Actual Temperatures :—

hoKDOn.— Wednesday, May 25 (6 p.m.): Max. 67°;
Min. 48°.
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London— 7 /ni«(lny, Mav 26
(10 A.M.): Bar. 30-3 ; Temp. 69°; It'rn/Aer—
Sunshine.
Pbovikcks.— Wednesday,. May 25; Max. 59" Ireland
£. coast; Min. 53° Yorkshire.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Hardy Bulbs and Plants at 1 ; Palms, Plants, Ferns,
&c., at 3 ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe &
Morris.

Imported Cattleyas and Established Orchids, at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe & Morris, at 12.45.

The

The effect of the national mourn-

Temple ing was so noticeable at this

Show, gj^^^ ^j^^j. ^^ Temple -Gardens

presented a picture of somhreness which was
in strange contrast to the gay scenes we are
accu.stomed to witne>ss on these occasions. Not
only was the Show robbed of its usual appear-
ance of gaiety, but the number of visitors on
the opening day must have been very much
less, for it was possible to pass through the
larger tents with comparative ea.se, and the
crush in the narrower tent, where the hardy

flowers and similar exhibits were arranged,
was not overwhelming.

It is satisfactory, in the circumstances, that
the Show itself was equal to any of the 22
exhibitions already held in these historic gar-
dens. The general quality of the exhibits was
beyond praise, and a considerable number of
new hybrids and varieties of Orchids and other
plants were sufficiently meritorious to gain
awards from the Committees. Orchids were
never "shown better or in greater num-
bers. The brilliant scene inside the large tent
which accommodates these plants was freely
remarked upon. We missed the exhibits of
the President, Sir Trevor Lawrence, and of
Lieutenant-Colonel Holford, but the choice
plants from Mr. Menteith Oglivie, Sir Jere-
miah Colman, Bart., who was awarded the
Sherwood Cup, the Duke of Marlborough, and
other gentlemen well maintained the prestige
of amateur exhibitors. From the trade firms
there i\ere marvellous groups, and we may
mention those of Messrs. Sander & Son, J.
Charlesworth & Co., and Mansell & Hatcher
as being amongst the most prominent.

As usual, the Show was favoured by exhibits
from Continental cultivators, and Monsieur
Vuylsteke, of Ghent, showed further varieties
of Odontiodas, surpassing any previously ex-
hibited. The variety named George V. not
only possessed attractive colouring, but it was
larger than most Odontiodas, and there is
every reason to believe that in the future
Odontiodas will be obtained equal in size to
Odontoglo-ssums. Other novelties of special
merit included the beautiful Miltonia shown
by Messrs. Sander and named after the late
Baron Schroder, and the large and richly-
coloured Odontogloissum from the same firm
named in memory of King Edward VII.

Novelties amongst other plants which at-
tracted considerable attention included a
double-flowered Marguerite, shown by Messrs.
Sander, with large whit© blooms, al-
most mimicking a Pyrethrum; two choice
Rhododendrons, one named after Princess
Juliana and the other bearing the name of
Alice, from Messrs. J. Waterer & Son ; several
new Roses, including a brilliant Wichuraiana
hybrid named Excelsa, .shown by Messrs. Paul,
of Cheshunt; and bearing large racemes of
flowers, so brightly coloured that they were
frequently described as scarlet. It is satis-
factory that this magnificent variety has
already proved to be perfectly hardy. Messrs.
Cutlibert exhibited a fine new variety of Rho-
dodendron sinense named Florodora; Mr. R.
C. Notcutt, a variety of Rhus typhina with
laeiniated leaves ; Messrs. Blackmore & Lang-
don, a very beautiful tuberous Begonia named
Rose Queen ; Mr. A. J. Bruce, Sarracenia
Willmotta;; and the Director of the Royal
Gardens, Kew, a hybrid Cytisus named 0.
Dallimorei.

In addition to the novelties which gained
awards, we may mention a new Androsace,
with white flowers, exhibited by Messrs. Jas.
Veitch, and a Composite shown by Mr. W.
Marshall, Chairman of the Floral Committee.
The Androsace is a Chinese .species, collected
by Mr. Wilson, and it is illu.strated on another
page of this issue. Unfortunately, the flowers
had passed their best, and the plant could not
be submitted to the Committee. Mr. Mar-
shall's Composite was raised from seed which
was erroneously believed to be seed of Aster
diplostephioides. The seedling is a new species

and it will receive the name of Aster falconeri.
For the rest, the usual di.splaj's of indoor
and outdoor flowers were as brilliant as ever.
Messrs. Sutton, Carter, and others showed
magnificent Calceolarias, Cinerarias, and
other florists' flowers. Messrs. Sutton's Gode-
tias represented a grand strain. The Roses
appear to advance from year to year ;
especially is this seen in the numerous varie-
ties of the Rambler, the Wichuraiana, and the
hybrid tea sections. The groups in the large
tent shown by Messrs. Paul were remarkable
for the number of colours and shades repre-
sented in the flowers. Streptocarpuses, exhi-
bited by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons and others,
continue to show improvement, and the beau-
tiful hybrid Gerberas were represented in
several collections. Amongst hardy flowers
the Tulips always constitute a prominent
feature at the Temple Show, and numerous
varieties were exhibited on this occasion.
Amongst the most interesting were some seed-
lings from Mr. A. D. Hall, almost the only
raiser of these flowers.

Messrs. James Carter & Co. designed a
Japanese garden, which is represented in one
of our illustrations.

It is to be regretted that the display of
fruits and vegetables was so meagre. This
may partly be accounted for by the cold
weather which characterised the present
Spring, but it can scarcely be contended it
is impossible to get a good exhibition of these
products at the end of May. Both fruits and
vegetables were better represented at the
Brussels vShow than at the Temple, notwith-
standing the Belgian Exhibition took place
three weeks earlier. The Temple Show is
primarily a flower show ; at the same time
there are good reasons for hoping that the
value of fniits and vegetables in the economy
of the nation may receive expression in future
displays. Visitors were grateful for the mag-
nificent group of fruit trees in pots exhibited
by Me,ssrs. Rivers & Sons ; the extraordinary
fine vegetables from the Hon. Vicary Gibbs,
and the choice Strawberries shown by Messrs.
Laxton Bros.

The weather was fair during the whole ex-
hibition, but, owing to an east wind, the
temperature showed a great difference from
the extreme heat which prevaile<l for several
days previous to the opening of the exhibi-
tion. The absence of the indefatigable secre-
tary, the Rev. W. Wilks, through indisposi-
tion, was greatly regretted, and it is hoped
that the indisposition is merely temporary.

In a recent letter to the Times
Plane Lord Walsingham draws atten-
Trees and tion to the Plane tree as an im-
Disease. suspected cause of disease. Near-
ly twenty j-ears ago he was led
to the belief that a serious attack of bron-
chial catarrh and pneumonia in a member of
his family was to be attributed to the irrita-
tion set up by the minute spicules of the fruit
of the Plane tree, which were found floating
in the air with road-dust, in an avenue of
these trees near Cannes. He states that
further ob.servations have tended to confirm
the view that coughs, colds, inflamed e3'ea
and throat troubles are prevalent where these
trees abound.

The spicules referred to are long-pointed
hairs, which surround the achenes compasing

Mai 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

349

the fruit of the Plane. Lord Walsingham
adds that, during last month, Dr. Henry,
tlie University Reader in Forestry at Cam-
bridge, found these irritant spicules in abun-
dance in the dust floating in the air near
Phine trees at Kew and in Berkeley Square
in London. If these were found in the throat
of patients residing near Planes, and suffer-
ing from throat irritation, there would be a
very strong case against the tree.

It is interesting to note that long ago the
ancient authors, Dioscorides and Galen, knew
of the irritating qualities of the Plane. The
latter says: — "It is necessary to guard
against the downy hairs which are found on
the undersides of the leaves of this tree, for
they injure the throat, drying it up and
irritating it violentlj' ; they alter also the
voice, and injure the eyes and ears."

In 1873 Dr. Durvell drew the attention of
the authorities in Alsace to the injurious
character of the Plane ti'ee, attributing its
irritating qualities to the pubescent hairs
found on the lower surfaces of the young
leaves. He advised all who were inclined to
suffer from throat troubles to avoid the neigh-
bourhood of these trees in Spring and Sum-
mer, and recommended the removal of Planes
from gardens and avenues used as public pro-
menades, and especially such as are associated
with schools, hospitals, convents and prisons,
where children and adults are compelled to
live near the trees for considerable periods of
time.

Although the older writers considered the
hairs from the young leaves as the irritating
agents, it is likely that the fruit spicules
are equally injurious. A severe case of
bronchial irritation, mentioned by Lord
Walsingham as occurring at Acqui, in
North Italy, apparently in consequence of a
drive on a windy day through a well-known
avenue of Planes, could not be due to the
hairs from the leaves, as the latter were still
in the bud.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Cattleya Enid var. Karthausii (Warscewiczii X
Jlossioe) was raised by Mr. C. F. KARTHAns,
Potsdam, Germany, who states that the
flower is remarkable for its size and rich
colouring, the variety ranking as one of
the finest Cattleyas in existence. The first blooms
that developed measured more than 6 inches
across, but this year the largest flower measured
8 inches, each petal being more than 3 inches
in breadth. Mr. Karthaus has abo sent
us a painting of a Cattleya which flowered for
the first time in 1909. The sepals and petals are
bluish, and the lip is also of this tone, but with
a tinge of purple. The parentage is recorded as
C. speciosissima x C. Hardyana, but this is pre-
sumed to be an error. Another hybrid worthy
of note is flowering for the first time at Potsdam.
It was raised from C. Mossise Wagneri, and has
purz white sepals and petals, the lip also being
white but with yellow on either side.

A Gardeners Present from the German
Emperor. -Mr. T. Challis, gardener to the Earl
of Pembroke at Wilton Park, has recently re-
ceived a present from the Emperor William IT.,
in return for a few plants of Cedrus libani which
were raised at Wilton from seeds obtained from
one of the original specimens of the species intro-
duced into these islands. The Emperor's pre-
sent is a scarf pin containing 20 diamonds and
three rubies. The pin represents the letter
"W" surmounted by a crown.

Centenary of Louis van Houtte. — We

have already drawn attention to the efforts that
are being made by Belgian horticulturists to
celebrate the centenary of the birth of Louis
VAN HouTiE on June 25 next. We are now in-
formed that the list of subscriptions towards the
expenses connected with the celebrations will
be closed at the end of the present month. Up
to the present a sum of about £280 has been
subscribed, and we are glad to see that in the
list of donators British horticulturists are repre-
sented by one or two subscribers. The com-
mittee and its president, Mons. Frederick
CuRVENicH. have received an encouraging letter

water were germinated at 60° F. The tabular
results indicate a decided increase in the speed
of germination after steeping for 24 hours, the
rate diminishing when the seeds were acted upon
for shorter or longer periods than this. Whether
the ammonia acts as a direct stimulus to growth
is however not clear from the records, as the
germination of " control " seeds, after steeping
in water only for the same time, is not given in
the report.

Madresfield Court Gardens. — These

beautiful gardens were thrown open to the pub-
lic on Whit Slonday in the intere;?ts of the Royal

THE TEMPLE SHOW.

Fig. 150. — ODONTIODA KING GEORGE V., EXHIBITED BV MONS. VUYLSTEKE.
(Received a First-Class Certificate.)

from the Societe Royale d'Agriculture et
Botanique of Ghent, accompanied by a dona-
tion of 1,000 francs.

Effect of Ammonia on Germination. —

During last year tests were made at the Harper
Adams' Agricultural College to determine the
effect of a solution of ammonia upon the
germination of Broad Beans. The seeds were
steeped in a 10 per cent, solution of ammonia
from 1 to 48 hours, and after washing in

Gardeners' Orphan Fund. The noble owner.
Earl Beauchamp, takes a deep interest in the
charity, being president of the local branch at
Worcester. Nearly £25 was taken at the gates,
although only a small charge was made for admis-
sion, and the amount would probably have been
larger but for a thunderstorm early in the after-
noon. The flowering shrubs and spring flowers,
including bulbs naturalised in the grass, wcr»
verv beautiful.

550

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

LiNNEAN Society.— A meeting will be held on
Thursday, June 2, at 8 p.m., when a paper will
be read on " The Flora of Gazaland," by Dr.
A. B. Rendle, F.R.S.

R.H.S. Gardens Club.— The annual meet-
ing will be held at \Vi.>-ley on Saturday. .June 11.
A train, leaving Waterloo at 2.28, arriving at
Weybridge 3.10, will be met by a conveyance from
the" gardens. The secretary, Mr. R. J. Wali-is,
Cudworth, Newdigate, Dorking, will be glad to
hear from tho.se intending to be present.

A Rhododendron Exhibition. — The annual
display of Rhododendrons by Messrs. John
Waterer & Sons, Ltd., in the Royal Botanic
Society's Gardens will be opened to the public on
June 6, and the show will be continued through-
out the month.

Finsbury Square. — A proposal is on foot to
throw open the garden at Finsbury Square as a
public recreation ground. According to the City
Press, there is considerable opposition to the
suggestion from the residents*of adjoining pro-
perty, notwithstanding the procedure would be
only reverting to former practice, as the Square
was at one time a playground for the citizens,
and remained, with Moorfields, common
ground until the erection of IMoorgate in 1415.
The residents regard it as a hardship to be asked
to pass on to the public a privilege they them-
selves have enjoyed e.xclusively for many years
past. The objection that the opening of the
garden must tend to deprive the Square of the
privacy that now characterises it, may appear
reasonable, but it has to be remembered that
the public has the right of admittance to the
gardens at Lincoln's Inn, and what could be
quieter than these?

Miss Wlllmotts Rose Book. — Messrs.
Henry Sotheran & Co. announce that Miss
Willmott's book on Roses, entitled O'cmis liw'i,
will shortly be published. The work will contain
129 coloured plates in addition to 56 drawings of
fruits in black and white, with corresponding
letterpress, giving the description in Latin and
English, thefull synonymy, and details of infor-
mation relating to each Rose. In addition there
will also be an illustrated glossary and inde.\.
The bock will give an account with illustrations
of the most distinct and interesting species of the
Roses of the Old and New Worlds ; some natural
hybrids and a few first crosses and -old garden
Roses, necessary to the complete treatment of
the subject. Miss Willmott has been assisted
in the work by Mr. John Gilbert Baicer,
Canon Ellacombe, the Rev. Charles Wolley
D,DD, Professor Sargent, and Colonel Prain.
The edition is limited to 1.000 copies, and will
be completed in 20 to 24 parts, small folio, at
intervals of one month, commencing in July.
The subscription price is £1 Is. for each part.

Forestry at Cambridge. — The tliird annual
report of the Forestry Committee at Cambridge
is most encouraging. We learn that the course
o£ instruction during the past year has com-
prised lectures and demonstrations by the
Reader, Dr. Augtistine Henry, M.A., which
have been supplemented by excursions to woods
and plantations in the neighbourhood of Cam-
bridge. The lectures have been attended mainly
by students who are taking the course for Diplo-
ma in Agriculture. The attendance was : 5 in the
Easter term, 1909; 18 in the Michaelmas term,
1909 ; and 18 in the Lent term, 1910. Mr. E. R.
BuRDON gave once a week in the Lent term a
special course of lectures and laboratory work
on the classification and structure of timber. In
the Easter term, 1909, the Reader gave at Cam-
bridge a course of six lectures on trees and
elementary forestry, v;ith demonstrations in the
University Botanic Garden, to school teachers
and others, under the auspices of the Education
Committee of the Cambridge County Council.
The attendance averaged 80. In June of

last year Dr. Henry commenced a series of ex-
perimental sowings of different kinds of Elms,
which have yielded interesting results, showing
that what were supposed hitherto to be varieties
of one species, of unknown origin, are in reality-
combinations of two species, in which the Men-
delian ratios are observed. Incidentally these
experiments have drawn attention to the
astonishing vigour displayed by certain first-
crosses in trees, all of which hitherto had arisen
in the wild state. An attempt is being made
this year to produce artificially similar hybrids
in the case of the more valuable kinds of trees ;
and for the first time almost, the production of
new breeds of forest trees is being tried. We
are glad to know that a plot on the University
Farm has been assigned by the Agricultural
Department for forestry experiments ; about 5,300
seedling trees, of known pedigrees, have been
already planted out. A small plot of Eucommia
ulmoides has been established near Norwich.
This tree, which was discovered by Dr. Henry
in the mountains of Central China, is perfectly
hardy in this country. Its bark produces 5 per
cent, of rubber, the quality of which, however,
is still a matter of doubt, as only minute quanti-
ties have been tested. The investigation into the
possible influence of Chermes insects on the spread
of Larch canker, which .Mr. Burdon is supervis-
ing in 14 experimental plantations, distributed
through England, Ireland, and Scotland, is pro-
gressing satisfactorily. Reports show that the
infection of certain groups of trees in each
plantation with Chermes has been successful.
Other groups in the same plantations have been
successfully kept free from Chermes by spraying
operations" In regard to the need of museum
and laboratory accommodation for research and
teaching in forestry, it is gratifying to know that,
although no public appeal has been made for the
funds required for this purpose, generous dona-
tions, amounting to £2,451. have been already
either given or promised, including a sum of
£1,000 from Mr. H. J. Elwes, F.R.S. A site
for a forestry building has been chosen.

A Model "French" Garden in a Birming-
ham Park.— From the 16th to 20th inst. largo
numbers of people were attracted to the W'arley
Park, Birmingham, to inspect, free of charge, a
model French garden constructed by Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading. This garden was in-
tended to demonstrate the system of intensive
culture practised in France ; it covered
an area of about 1,500 square feet, and was
divided into 12 sections, each section consisting of
a low hotbed. Four shallow frames, each 12 feet
6 inches long by 4 feet 4 inches wide, occupied
separate beds, and 140 cloches were distributed
over seven other beds. The crops were
exhibited in various stages of growth-, from
the seedling to the time of gathering. They in-
cluded, amtngst others. Cabbages, Carrots, Cauli-
flowers, Endives, Lettuces, Radishes, Spinach,
Turnips, Peas, Tomatos, Cantaloupe Melons, and
Strawberries. Radishes, Carrots, Lettuces and
Cabbages were exhibited growing under the
same cloche, and all these, with Cauliflowers
added, were to be seen in good condition growing
under another cloche. As cn^ crop matures another
crop is in course of development, and so the series
goes on. In addition to Messrs. Sutton's exhibit,
Messrs. John Waterer & Sons, Bagshot,
Surrey, had a choice collection of hybrid Bhodo-
dendrons in flower, and Me:srs. Bakers, Wol-
verhampton, showed large clumps of new varie-
ties of mossy Saxifragas, together with a good
strain of Polyanthuses and small, shapely Coni-
fers. During recent years, the acreage of the
parks and gardens under the control of the Bir-
mingham City Council has been much increased.
On Whit Monday, the 16th inst., when the
'' French " gardening exhibit was open to public
inspection, upwards of 40 acres of ground in
the occupation of a golf club, forming part ct
Warley Park, was also opened to the public
for the first time by the Lord Mayor of Bir-
mingham.

FLORAL TRIBUTES TO KING EDWARD VII.

The widespread grief and loyal devotion of
British subjects to their late Sovereign was seen
ill the thousands of floral tributes which were
sent to Windsor for the funeral. It was esti-
mated that the number was probably nearly
6,000 ; these included some of the most beautiful
floral designs it is possible to conceive. Lying
beside the costly tributes were also to be seen
the more humble expressions of loyalty from
the poorest people.

The Queen-Mother's contribution was made at
the Royal Gardens, Frogmore. It was a beauti-
ful cross of Cattleyas, Odontoglossnms and Lilies
of the Valley. Some of the foreign kings
brought artificial tributes in gold and silver
colours. The rulers and governments of some of
Britain's far-off dependencies were responsible
for many elaborate and costly designs. Per-
haps the most beautiful trophy was the wreath
sent by the Sultan of' Zanzibar ; this was com-
posed chiefly of Cattleyas, La^lias, Odontoglos-
sunis, Liliuni longiflorum album and Lilies of the
Valley. This huge wreath measured about 8
feet in diameter. The President of Chili's
wreath was also a magnificent specimen ; this
was composed of Blue Cornflowers, with bou-
quets of Carnations and Orchids at intervals.
A notable wreath, sent by Sir Herbert and
Lady Beerbohm Tree, represented a stand-
ing cross covered entirely with Yellow Iris and
Yellow Arum Lilies and tied with yellow ribbon.
The Greek community in London sent a lovely
tribute in the form of a column about 5 feet
high, standing on a base covered with White
Stocks ; several bouquets of beautiful Orchids
were arranged round it and a larger one at the
base, making the whole very effective, Mr.
Theodore Roosevelt sent a magnificent wreath
of Cattleyas and Odontoglossums. Messrs.
Sutton & Sons, Reading, sent a very striking
tribute in the form of a large oval wreath some
7 or 8 feet through ; this was made entirely with
White Lilium longiflorum placed closely together
— there must have been several hundreds of
flowers. The wreath sent by the Indian Army
w-as most elaborate; this was funned chiefly with
Cattleyas, Odontogkssums, White Heather and
Asparagus. The tribute from the Japanese Am-
bassador was made entirely of yellow flower.s —
Roses. Arums and Iris being the chief sorts. The
French Republic sent a most striking wreath
made entirely with La France Roses and Lilies
of the Valley. That from the Falkland Islands
had the form of a crown, beautifully made
with Lilies of the Valley resting on a
cushion of Blue Violets. A wreath from the
Duchesse d'Orleans was made with Pink Mal-
maison Carnations and Odontoglnssums. Prince
and Princess Jlarat's contribution to the floral
tributes was one of the most beautiful ; the base
was composed of hundreds of bunches of Marie
Louise Violets, several bouquets of Odontoglos-
sums and Asparagus being placed round ^t
suitable intervals. The City of London's tribute
was a large wreath of Laurel leaves encircling
the borough arms, which were carried out with
Red and White Carnations.

One of the most striking wreaths was that sent
by the City of Edinburgh. This was made
entirely with Ericas in six varieties. An-
other beautiful wreath came from the Societe
des Steplechases de France ; this was com-
posed chiefly of Orchids, but small plants of
Caladiums, Adiantum Fern, Pandanus and Aspa-
ragus pluraosus were interspersed with excellent
effect. The " Women of Lancaster " were re-
presented by a huge wreath composed entirely
of Red Roses; there must have been several hun-
dreds of flowers in this emblem. The wreath
from the Rt. Hon. Joseph and Mrs. Chamber-
lain Avas composed of choice Orchids. Mr. Leo-
pold de Rothschild sent a beautiful tribute com-
posed entirely of Odontoglossums and sprays of
Asparagus. The City of Cardiff sent a large
shield composed of double white Narcissus as a
groundwork, and the city arms were represented
in the natural colours w-ith other choice flowers.
All the floral emblems were placed in the clois-
ters and on the lawns around St. George's Chapel.
Some were arranged on stands and easels, while
others were laid on the grass.

The public were admitted to view the flowers
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday ; it was esti-
mated that upwards of 100,000 people took ad-
vantage of this privilege, many having travelled
long distances in order to do so. //

May 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

351

ROYAL ] (OllTICULTUEAL SOCDi:

Temple Flow^cr Shov7,

1 i «

TH3 most important of the exhibitions held
each year by the Royal Horticultural
Society, took place on these dates, in the
gardens of the Inner Temple. The opening day
was fine, and, although the weather turned cold,
it remained fair throughout the exhibition.
The arrangements in the open were rather
different on this occasion, everything being done
to avoid obstructing the views from the windows
of the Benchers' quarters. For this reason,
mainly, the refreshment tent was dispensed with.
The exhibition tents, however, occupied the same
positions. The arrangements were admirable,
and everything passed off favourably. The
grouping of the novelties in a tent by them-
selves was commendable ; but unfortunately
many of the plants that received Awards were
distributed in the other tents.

For the courtesy and help given by the secre-
taries, the superintendent, i\Ir. S. T. Wright,
and the members of the Vincent Hall staff, in-
cluding Mr. Reader and Mr. Plowman, the
thanks of exhibitor.-;, and ourselves,, are due.

Orchid Committee.

Present : Harry J. Veitch, Esq. (in the Chair),
and iMessrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec). Sir Jeremiah
Colman, de B. Crawshay, H. J. Chapman, W.
Eoxall, J. Gurnev Fowler, W. Thompson, H. A.
Tracy, H. G. Alexander, A. Dve, W. P. Bound,
F. M. Ogilvie, W. H. White, Gurney Wilson, W.
H. Hatcher, A. A. McBean, W. Cobb, F. Sander,
R. G. Thwaites, W. Bolton, J. Wilson Potter,
and E. Ash worth.

So far as the general show of Orchids was con-
cerned, the quality was uniformly good, and,
taken throughout, better than at any of the
former shows. There were many novelties found
worthy of Awards, but, at the same time, there
were few new breaks in the field worked by the
hybridiser, the improvements being generally on
lines already known.

The amateur Orchid growers found worthy
champions in F. Menteith Ogilvie, Esq., Sir Jere-
miah Colman, Bart., J. Talbot Clifton, Esq.. and
His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, together
with some other exhibitors of smaller selections.

F. Mentieth Ogilvie, Esq. (gr. Mr. Balm-
forth), staged one of the most extensive and
effective groups, contaniing plants uniformly
good. In the centre of the group the varieties of
Miltonia vexillaria were splendidly represented,
M. V. Chelseieupis. with a profusion of rose-tinted
flowers, the white M. v. virginalis, and others be-
ing prominent. Also fine varieties of M. Bleuana
and M. Hyeana. In front could be seen a grand
example of Brasso-Lielio-Cattleya Veitchii, with
four tiowers, a fine lot of Lselio-Cattleya Fascina-
tor, good Brasso-Cattleya Digbyano Mossi*. and
the clear white B.-C. Queen Alexandra. In other
parts of the group there was a fine selection of
LdsWa purpurata. including the white variety
Queen Alexandra : a selection of the pure white
Cattleya Dusseldorfei Undine, with a setting of
the emerald-green and white Cypripediinn callo-
sum Sanderae, C. Lawrcnceanum Hyeanum, and
C. Maudite. Behind these were a batch of
C Lawrenceanum, including the dark-coloured
variety Hackbridgense, the scarlet Renanthera
Imschootiana, Odontioda Charlesworthii, and
other Odontiodas. One new form of Odon-
tioda, which opens its flowers rich scar-
let and afterwards changes to rosy-mauve, was
peculiar. Odontoglossums were also finely repre-
sented, two patches of yellow O. luteo-purpureum
Vuylstekeanum being specially effective. Among
the 0. crispum, the handsomely-blotched 0. c.
Empress of India and others were noted, and also
Diacrium bicornutum, a very nice, deep-yellow
Dendrobium Thwaitesi;e Veitch's variety, and
many other excellently-bloomed rare forms.

Sir Jeremiah Colm.4N, Bart., V.M.H.. Gatton
Park, Reigate (gr. Mr. Collier), staged a remark-

MAY 24-26.

able group replete in rare species of botanical in-
terest, atid well supplied with good hybrids, the
red Odontiodas raised at Gatton Park being speci-
ally effective. The graceful sprays of the deep
purple Odontoglossum Thompsonianum, raised at
Gatton, were effectively displayed, and some new
hybrid Odontoglossums, including 0. Astarte
(tripudians X Harryanum) and 0. Duke of Corn-
wall, were interestnig. Some rarely-seen plants
were represented by Bulbophyllumbitlorum, B.
Lobbii Colossus, B. Siamense. the very remark-
able B. inflatum, with an ovate head of hairy,
greenish flowers ; B. Godseffianum, B. leopardi-
imm, Stanhopea saccata, the rosy-carmine
Broughtonia sanguinea, Polystachya pubescens,
the elegant little Platyclinis cornuta, the singular
little'Eria pannea, with terete, woolly leaves and
flowers, Lycaste lasioglossa. Oncidium pulchel-
lum, Masdevallia O'Brieniana, and many other
interesting Masdevallias ; the singular Crypto-
chilus sanguinea. Dendrobium canjiliculatum", and
many other species.

a long, drooping spray of cream-white flowers
with purple markings on the lip ; a good white
Cattleya ilrs. Myra Peeters and a good selection
of Odontoglossums.

His Cirace the Duke of Marlborough. Blen-
heim Palace (gr. Mr. Hunter), staged an effective
group, in which the best plant was Lffilio-
Cattleya luminosa magnifica (see Awards). The
centre of the group was of good white Plialaenop-
sis amabilis Rimestadiana, in front of which
were Cattleya Empress Frederick, C. Lord Roths-
child, and other hybrids. On each side were
arrangements of Dendrobium Phalajnopsis, Odon-
toglossum crispum, Cypripedium callosum
Sanderae, C. bellatulum, and forms of Lselia
purpurata, one hybrid between that species and
L.-C. Hyeana being of very fine colour.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, "St. Albans, staged an
extensive and finely-arranged group. All the
plants were of good quality, and a large num-
ber of them new. The Odontoglossums and •
Miltonias were specially fine, and two First-class

Fig, 151.-

-MILTONIA BLEUANA "^UEEN MARV" EXHIBITED BY MESSRS. CHARLESWORTH
AND CO. AT THE TE.MPLE SHOW.

J. Talbot Clifton, Esq , Lytham Hall,
Lytham (gr. .Mr. Float), staged a very interesting
group, in which the Vandas, Aerides, and Pha-
hLuopsis, that make the collection noted, were
prominent. There was a good display of the
white Phalfenopsis amabilis Rimestadiana, a very
tine variety of P. violacea, and another of the
now extremely rare P. sumatrana, with wax-like,
cream-coloured flowers, finely marked with rose-
purple. Aerides Fieldingii, A. expansum, A.
Houlletianum, and other Aerides, Vanda tricolor,
V. Parishii. V. cocrulescens, and other Vandas
and Saccolabiums were also included, and among
specially fine plants were Laelio-Cattleya Aphro-
nile var. Mark Hambourg (see Awards), Cattleya
Mossiie Reineckiana Hardy's variety, a clear,
white flower, with magenta front to the lip,
C. M. Hardyana. wiih striped sepals and petals,
C^mbidium Lowianum concolor. Miltonia specta-
bili,-? radians, with distinct, rose-coloured lines on
the lip, Cattleya Mendelii Lady Dorrington, a
very distinct and delicately-tinted flower, the
pretty white Disa sagittalis, and several other
South African terrestrial Orchids ; Lycaste tri-
color rosea, Lacaena bicolor Sander's variety, with

Certificates, two Awards of Merit, and two
Botanical Certificates were granted. The centre
of the group at the back was of a noble specimen
of Cymbidium Lowianum, with white Den-
drobium nobile, Lselio-Cattleyas, and other hy-
brids in front, the foreground having a fine white
Brasso-Cattleya Queen Alexandra with nine
flowers, and some new and rare Orchids from
Peru, including a very singular Gongora, a
curious Mormodes with pale greenish flowers,
and the new Lycaste peruviana. The high parts
on the sides were of pure white Phalsenopsis
Rimestadiana, with scarlet Renanthera Im-
schootiana, the ends of the group being formed of
spotted varieties of Odontoglossum crispum and
hybrid Odontoglossums with bright scarlet Odon-
tiodas. One which exhibited the brightest scarlet
was 0. Cooksonias var. Brilliant. Very remark-
able plants noted were Miltonia vexillaria Memo-
ria Baron Schroder, a charming flower resulting
from home-raised crossing of M. vexillaria ; Odon-
toglossum Memoria King Edward VII., both of
which secured First-class Certificates; 0. ama-
bilis Dreadnoueht and 0. eximium Emperor, both
very fine ; Miltonia vexillaria Memoria G. D.

552

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

Owen, unique in its fine flower with rich crimson
mask; a very fine series of Brasso-Cattleyas, one
of the forms of Veitchii being of a uniform deep
rose ; HouUetia Sanderi, with wax-like, cream-
coloured flowers ; some very fine Lfelio-Cattleyas,
including L.-C. Aphrodite The Duke, a
handsome flower; L.-O. Henry Greenwood var.
Othello, very dark in tint; several Cattleya
Mossiae, flowering from a new importation and
very rich in colour, one being tinted slate-blue;
two fine plants of Cirrhopetalum robustum, a
very singular Bulbophyllum with thick scapes
having hairy-lipped flowers of dusky hue ;
Ornithochilus fuscus, with insect-like flowers;
Eria ornata (armeniaca), with red lips to the
tomentose flowers and large apricot-yellow
bracts ; Catasetum tabulare, with a raised table
on the labellum, and a great variety of other
rare species. In the cave-like depressions scarlet
Sophronitis, with white Cypripedium niveum,
red Cochlioda Noezliana, and other brilliant,
dwarf species were arranged.

Bleuana Queen Mary was a very fine and distinct
form of new colouring, the clear milk-white
flowers having a well-defined mauve mask at the
base of the lip. Cattleya intermedia Aquini,
with its petals tipped with purple like the lip,
was very singular. Cypripedium caudatum was
grand. Dendrobium Phals;nopsis was arranged
with white D. nobile, Cattleyas and Brasso-Cat-
tleyas, and C. Mossiae King Haakon and C. JI.
King Alfonso. One of the most remarkable plants
in the show, from a botanist's point of view, was
the' Disa lugens, with a strong spike of nine
cream-coloured flowers, veined with purple, the
large, deeply-fringed lip being like a fine greenish
Moss and the structure altogether remarkable and
pretty. Disa sagittalis, Oncidium pulchellum,
Catasetum cristatum, with a spiny, white lip,
were all remarkable ; and among the Lselio-
Cattleyas, L.-C. Fascinator King George V. was
the finest variety.

Leopold de IIothschild, Esq., Gunnersbury
Park (gr. IMr. Revnolds) admirablv filled in the

bling 0. c. Graireanum, with orange-tinted browa
blotches and flowering for the first time. Among
specially interesting and pretty species were
Dendrobium nudum, with a spray of three pale
yellow flowers marked with purple on the lip, the
large mentum of the flowers being very peculiar ;
Masdevallia O'Brieniana and other dwarf Masde-
vallias ; Bifrenaria pubigera, a purple-tinted
species of the B. Harrisonise class ; Pleurothallis
Birchenallii, Bulbophyllum siamense, Brassia
brachiata major (a very fine Brassia) ; Oncidium
ampliatum, 0. unicorne, Cymbidium Schroderi,
&c. Among the hybrids could be seen the forn.s
of Lselio-Cattleya Fa.scinator, L.-C. Aphrodite,
Cypripediums, including the large and dark-
coloured C. Woottonii, some pretty Brasso-
Cattleyas, Epidendrum elegantulum, and others.
Messrs. J. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
staged a good group, in which the forms of
Miltonia vexillaria were very effective, arranged
with handsome Odontoglossums, Cattleyas, and
other kinds. At the back of the group the varie-

THE TEMPLE SHOW.

Fig. 152. — MESSRS. mansell and hatcher's exhibit of orchids.

Messrs. Chableswokth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, had a grand group very tastefully
arranged. The central plant was a specimen of
Cattleya Lawrenceana Mary Regina, the first
albino of this long-cultivated species to appear.
This was awarded a well-merited First-class Certi-
ficate, a like honour falling to Sobralia Charles-
worthii. Cattleya Mendelii Queen i\Iaud, a charm-
ing white variety with pale rose front to the lip,
received an Award of Merit. The centre of the
group at the back was of fine, white Phalsenop-
sis, arching over a setting of rich, deep rose
Miltonia vexillaria Empress Augusta Victoria,
beside them being a selection of scarlet Odon-
tioda Charlesworthii and other Odontiodas,
whilst specimens of Cochlioda Noezliana were
arranged in the lower parts. Hybrid Odon-
toglossums and forms of 0. crispum were
excellently well shown, among the former
being 0. Ceres and 0. Goodsonii, both wide
crosses which improve greatly as they become
established. Among the Miltonias, " Miltonia

end of the central staging with a grand group of
Vanda teres most cleverly arranged, the plants
being densely set with their fine rose and white
flowers. The present exhibit was superior to any
yet shown, and it contained between 400 and 500
plants. Every year this fine Orchid is bloomed
well by Mr. Reynolds, who seems to understand
its requirements thoroughly.

IMessrs. Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, staged a very fine group, in which the
Dendrobiums and Cattleyas were displayed
and rare species well represented. In the centre
was a group of Phal«nopsis Rimestadiana, with
Cattleya Mossise of excellent quality beneath, C.
M. la Vierge being a pure white and C. M. Bush
Hill Park variety also white. We noticed
Cattleya Parthenia, C. Mendelii, C. Diisseldorfei
Undine, many strong spikes of Oncidium Mar-
ehallianum, Coelogyne Dayana, Cattleya inter-
media crerulea with slate-blue lip, a good selec-
tion of Odontoglossums, including some pretty
hybrids, and a finely-blotched 0. crispum resem-

(ies of Lielia purpurata, which Messrs. Cypher
cultivate uncommonly well, were fine features.
In the front was a mass of Cattleya Skinneri,
with good G. Mendelii, C. Schroderse, and C.
Mossise ; also a plant of the fine Sophro-Lselia
Phroso. A little batch of Cypripedium bella-
tnlum, another of Dendrobium nobile virginale,
a few very dark-coloured liybrid Odontoglossums
were tastefully arranged among fine white 0. cris-
pum. Others noted were Lycasfe Skinneri alba,
Coelogyne speciosa, a grand plant of Dendrobium
acuminatum, with a spike of 15 pink and rose-
coloured flowers ; good Cypripedium callosuin
Sanders, a batch of Dendrobium Dearei, D.
Nestor, Cattleya Mossise " Peach Blossom " of a
very delicate tint, and other good things were
included.

Messrs. Manselt. & Hatcher, Rawdon, Yor!is.,
staged one of the most effective groups. It con-
tained good representatives of most of the showy
species. The centre was composed of Phalsenop-
sis, with good Odontoglossums on either side, and

May 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

353

1 large number of Lhe reddish-scarlet Reiiaiithera
Inischootiana, which has never been so well
shown. Salient plants were several finely-
coloured Dendrobium Goldiei, with some white
D. nobile ; a very distinct D. Chessingtonense,
with deep yellow flowers tinged with purple;
Cymbidium Lowianum concolor, some very fine
Cattleya Mendelii, including the charming
variety Princess Victoria (see Awards), Cattleya
Mossiie The Monarch, a pink-tinted, large flower;
Cypripedium Goweriaaum magnificum Birken-

toglossums, including a fine new spotted 0.
crispum and 0. c. xanthotes Vine House variety,
of perfect shape and pure white, with a few
orange-coloured spots. Others noted were Lfelio-
Cattleya G. S. Ball, Lycaste Ballise, Cypripedium
A. Dimmock, Odontoglossura Groganianum, Cym-
bidium Lowianum concolor, &c.

Messrs. William Bull & Sons, Chelsea,
staged a group containing several very good
Odontoglossums, including 0. crispum King
George V., a heavily-blotched variety, ihe colour

THE TEMPLE SHOW.

Fig. 153. — ODONTOGLOSSUM •' MEMORIA KING EDWARD VII." (rEDUCEd)
(Received a First-class Certificate.)

shaw's variety, very dark in colour; Coelogyne
Rossiana, Dendrobium velutinum, D. revolutum,
a batch of Cypripedium Godefroyae leucochilum,
and Disa grandillora.

Mr. E. V. Low. Vale Bridge, Haywards
Heath, staged a small group of good things, in
the centre being a grand specimen of Cattleya
Skinneri alba, and around this various Odon-

well shown up by the broad white margin. In
a cave-like recess was a group of the mauve-
tinted Odontioda chelseiensis and scarlet Coch-
liodas and Odontiodas. The forms of Cattleya
Mendelii, including Diadem and Empress, were
good ; so also were the varieties of C. Mossiae,
arranged with Odontoglossum Pescatorei, Lselio-
Cattleya General Baden-Powell, &c.

Mr. J. RoBSON, Altrincham, staged a small
group of i\Iiltonia vexillaria and Odontoglossums.
Miltonia Robsonas (Roezlii x vexillaria Queen
Alexandra) was a very handsome flower ; Odonto-
glossum crispum Evansianum, a grand variety,
with deep claret-coloured blotcb.es almost covering
the segments except the white margin. There were
also some finely-coloured hybrid Odontoglossums.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, in the
centre of their group of fine foliage plants had
an arrangement made up of several of their
superb Brasso-Lselio-Cattleya Veitchii, which
here, as in other groups where it was shown,
represented one of the finest hybrids yet raised,
a qualification which equally applies to the fine
dark Ljelio-Cattleya Dominiana langleyensis,
also shown by Messrs. Veitch, together with
good Odontoglossums, Cattleya Diisseldorfei Un-
dine &c.

William Bolton, Esq., Wilderspool, Warring,
ton, staged a selection of very fine Odontoglos-
sums Slid Gattleyas.

Mr. Harry Dixon, Spencer Park Nurseries,
Wandsworth Common, staged a pretty group of
Miltonia vexillaria, Odontoglossum crispum, one
of which was a finely-blotched form.

RiCH.iED AsHWORTH, Esq., Ashlands Hall
Newchurch (gr. Mr. W. Gilden), staged a good
group of fine Odontoglossums and Cypripediums.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Jlr. Hopkins), again showed the superb
Cattleya Mendelii His Majesty the King, which
received a First-class Certificate in 1908 and
whose finely-formed blush-tinted flowers place it
in the front rank of good Cattleyas ; also C.
Mossife Duchess of Norfolk, a pretty blush-white
flower with much orange colour on the lip ; C.
Mendelii Mrs. 0. M. Bradshaw, with flowers deli-
cately veined with pink and having a magenta
front to the lip ; and Odontoglossum Arra-
strongise, a finely-blotched hybrid.

J. CiuRNEY FbwLEE, Esq., Glebelands, South
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), showed the hand-
some rose-tinted Odontoglossum amabile Fowleri-
anum with two fine spikes.

Mrs. Norman Cookson, Oakwood, Wylam (gr.
Mr. H. J. Chapman), showed Cypripedium Mary
Amelia (Lord Derby x Godefroyae leucochilum),
a distinct hybrid of good form and dark colour.

AWARDS.

First-class Certificate.

Odontofjlossum Memoria King Edward VII.
(see fig. 153), from Messrs. Sander & Sons. — A
grand Odontoglossum, with large flowers having
equally broad segments, the greater part covered
with deep claret-purple blotches, the margins
and small inner markings being white.

Miltonia Memoria Baron Schroder (see fig.
155), from Messrs. Sander & Sons. — A most
beautiful flower, said to have been raised from
seeds of inter-crossed ISL vexillaria, to which it
closely adheres, although in its large size and
bold outline it resembles M. Bleuana. The
flowers are of a delicate pink, but are white
towards the margin and have a claret-crimson
mask at the base of the lip.

Cattleya Lawrenceana Mary Her/ina, from
Jlessrs. Cn.iRLESWOKTH & Co. — A unique speci-
men and the first albino of this species yet to
appear or even be reported by collectors. The
flowers are pure white, with a very faint blush-
pink shade on the front of the lip.

Sohralia Charhsivorthii, from Messrs.
Chablesworth & Co. — A very fine Sobralia of
the racemose section, with deep rose-coloured
sepals and petals and a broad band of purple
round the lip, which has a yellow crest. It may
prove to be a fine form of S. Ruckeri, illustrated
in the Gardeners' Chronicle, July 27, 1901, p. 67.

Odontioda King George V. (Odontioda
VuyUtehece X Odontoglossum laudatum).. —
This gem is the production of Mons. Chas.
VuYLSTEKE. of Loochristy, Ghent. Its flowers
are much larger than other Odontiodas and of
fine shape. The marginal parts are soft rose, the
inner parts closely marked with red, some lighter
lines showing between. The front of the lip is
cream-white tinged with rose.

Odontoglossum eximium Empress of India
(crispum x ardenfissimum), from Mons. Chas.
VuYLSTEKE. — A very handsome hybrid, nearly
covered with deep claret-coloured blotches, the
white-ground colour only showing at the marg'ns
and small intervening spaces.

Cattleya Mendelii Princess Victoria, from
.Messrs. Mansell & Hatcher, Rav/don, Yorks.

354

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

— A charming flower, unique in tint. Its flowers
open pure white, but later attain a slight rose
shade with a narrow lilac band inside the broad,
crimped margin of the lip.

AwAEDS OF Merit.

Catilcya Mossite Magall Sander, from Messrs.
S.4NDER & Sons. — A charming variety with pure-
whit* sepals and petals and light, rose-coloured
front to the lip.

Orlontoglossum eximium Emperor, from Messrs.
Sander & Sons. — The flowers are largo and the
white is heavily blotched with purple.

Odonlioda Royal Gem (Odonthda ViiylHehece
X 0. ardentissimum), from Mons. Chas. Vuyl-
STEKE. — This may be likened to an enlarged 0.
Vnylstekese, with pale salmon-tinted ground
colour beautifully marked with reddish rose
colour.

miniature L. fulvescens. The flowers are white
tinged with sepia-brown, and the lip is fringed.
Bifrenaria bicornario, from Messrs. Sander
& Sons. — This species belongs to the section of
B. aurantiaca. The spikes are erect and 10 to 12-
flowered. The flowers are orange-coloured,
spotted with purple.

Roses.

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt,
showed Roses in one of the corners of the mar-
quee, .the blooms being amongst the finest ex-
hibited ; pot plants of H.T. and other large-
blooming kinds were especially choice, each speci-
men having many flowers of high quality. A
selection includes Paula, a yellow Tea, shown as
a standard. Mme. Segond-Weber. Geo. C. Waud,
Mildred Grant, Harum, Jenny Gillemot, blush
white, and Chateau de Clos Yougert, one of the

Messrs. Wm. P.A.nL & Son, Waltham Cross,
Hertfordshire, made a magnificent show with
Koses, the exhibit being of very large dimensions.
Along the back was a row of tall pillar Roses,
and others of this type were interspersed in the
general group, dwarf plants in pots being utilised
as a groundwork. Among the more showy of the
climbers we may instance Coquina, Delight, Lady
Gay, Crimson Rambler, white Dorothy Perkins,
Stella, and American Pillar. The large-blooming
H.T. and H.T. varieties were very choice, such
beautiful kinds as white Maman Cochet, Lyon
Rose, Mme. Jules Gravereaux, Mme. Melanie
Soupert, Cynthia, and Farben Konigin being
very fine. Orleans Rose is an attractive dwarf
Polyantha variety.

A large bank of Roses was shown by Messrs.
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent. The
majority were of the variety American Pillar,

THE TEMPLE SHOW.
Fig. 154. — MESSRS. f. sander and sons' exhibit of orchids.

Odontoqlossuni Promereus (crtspum x exi-
mium), from Mons. Chas. Vuylsteke. — The
flowers are heavily blotched with purple and re-
semble a fine blotched O. crispum.

Caltleya Mendeiii Queen Maud, from
Messrs. Charlesworth & Co. — A charming
white form with light magenta front to the lip.

Lcelio-Cattleya Aphrodite var. ilark Ham-
hourrj, from J. Talbot Clifton, Esq. (gr. Mr.
Float). — A superb variety with large flowers, the
sepals and petals are white, and the lip a glowing
crimson.

Lcelio-Cattleya luminosa magnifica, from
his Grace the Duke of Marleoeough (gr. Mr.
Hunter). — A richly-coloured flower, the sepals
and petals being deep orange, tinged with
purple ; the lip is claret-purple.

Botanical Certificate.
Lycaste perirviana, from Messrs. Sander &
Sons. — A remarkable species, resembling a

darkest and most fragrant Roses. There were
also pillar Roses, densely flowering; a row cf
these formed a suitable background. The weep-
ing standards were especially pretty.

Mr. Chas. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough,
showed, in the largest tent, an exhibit of Roses.
The outstanding feature was a trained plant of
Hiawatha, about 10 feet in circumference, the
plant being covered with the bunches of red blos-
soms. There were also large specimens of Lady
Gay, and another of Dorothy Perkins, one on
either corner. The main portion of the exhibit
was filled with pot Roses, many being standards.
Queen of Spain was shown well as a standard.
We also noticed good examples of Fran Karl
Druschki, Maman Cochet, Hugh Dickson,
Florence Pemberton, Niphetos, Antoine Rivoire,
Alice Lindsell. and Lady Ashtown. These were
all shown splendidly, tha background being
formed of pillar varieties, interspersed with
Palms.

which attracted such attention last year, but
the clusters were not so large on this occasion.
Other varieties were Blush Rambler, White Baby
Rambler, a dwarf kind, Maman Levavasseur,
also a dwarf kind, very free in flowering, while
Dorothy Perkins, Hiawatha, Minnehaha, and
other popular kinds.

Messrs. Geo. Mount & Sons, Canterbury,
showed Rose blooms in large batches, the centre
display of white Fran Karl Druschki being
magnificent. Mrs. John Laing was also shown
in superb form, there being dozens of this grand
variety in a batch. The new variety, Lady
Hillingdon, attracted much notice, and others
that contributed to this fine display were Ulrich
Brunner, Liberty and Richmond. At the back
were arching plants of Crimson Rambler. . ^

Messrs. Hobbies, Ltd., Dereham Nurseries,
Norfolk, furnished the extreme end of the longest
tent with a good display, the exhibit being
rather too cramped to show to the best

May 28, 1910]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

355

effect, but, nevertheless, the exhibit was very
imposing. The feature of the display were
numerous pillar Roses, all profusely flowered
and of large size. Chief of these were
American Pillar, a charming single Rose, with
pink and white flowers hanging in dense clusters ;
Lady Gay, jMinnehaha, Dorothy Perkins, Sea-,
gull, a white variety; Apple Blossom, very
pretty ; Anni-j Miiller, and Veilchenblau. There
were also a number of Dwarf Polyantha Rosee,
of which the new Orleans variety, with dense
heads of rose-coloured blooms, deserves mention.
Messrs. Ben. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester,
showed a large group of Rambler Roses, the
shoots of Lady Gav being cascades of blooms ;
very fine also were \Its. F. W. Flight ; The Gar-
land, a pretty white Rose blooming in clusters ;
Hiawatha, a single crimson kind; White Doro-
thy Perkins, Veilchenblau, Minnehaha, Lyon
Rambler and Goldfinch. ' There was a box of

tent. Pillar varieties and H.T. and T. kinds were
worked together in a pleasing group. Lady Gay,
Dorothy Perkins, Blush Rambler, and others of
the tall kinds being mixed with such varieties
as Augusts Comte, Lyon Rose, Mrs. David Jar-
dine, Souvenir de Pierre Notting, and other well-
known sorts.

Carnations.

Messrs. W. CuTBnsH & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., had one of the most attractive floral
displays in their group of Carnations, set in a
giound of dwarf Polyantha Roses and backed
with Rambler Rosea. The group formed a
pretty picture in flowers. At intervals arose
mounds of Carnations, lightly disposed, and with
a drooping Palm as centrepiece, the varieties of
Carnations being selected for harmony of colours.
Coleus Cordelia was as bright as the flowering
plants : a touch of blue was provided in tall speci-

Messrs. Young & Co., Hatherley, Cheltenham,
had a good exhibit of Carnations, showing,
amongst others, White Perfection, Mikado, in
association with Yellow Queen ; Winsor, Bri-
tannia, White Lawson, and Mrs. T. W. La'wson.

Mr. W. H. Lancashike, Guernsey, arranged
a display of Carnations, of big, bold blooms, the
new Carola being grand; also a stand of Mar-
mion in the centre of the group, with White
Perfection, Beacon, and Rose Dore near by
equally attractive.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Enfield, made an
imposing display with Carnations, arranged with
fine taste, and representing all the choicer varie-
ties in commerce. They showed many promising
seedlings, of which we remarked Princess Juliana,
a iiew perpetual-blooming hybrid of the " Mal-
maison " type, the flowers being orange-red.
Roseate Dawn is also new, the colour being soft
pink. Eival is of deep salmon tone. Royal

THE TEMPLE SHOW.
Fig. 155. — miltonia " .memoria baron schrodek."

(Awarded a First-class Certificate.)

Claudius, a fine H.T. variety of glowing rose
shade. Another Rose of much merit was a seed-
ling from the Himalayan Briar, with blush-
tinted flowers,

Messrs, F, Cant & Co., Colchester, arranged a
beautiful display, principally of the Rambler
varieties, the larger blooms being in boxes
along the front, with several H.T. and
other showy kinds as pot plants. Jlinnehaha
was exquisite, the large trusses of blooms quite
smothering the foliage ; very fine also were Lady
Gay, Trier, white ; White Dorothy I'erkins, with
heads of bloom ; Paradise, a single kind blooming
in den.se trusses ; Austrian Copper, very effec-
tive , Irish Elesance, and. in boxes, Lyon Rose,
J. B. Clark, Rhea Reid, Laurent Carle, Lady
Roberts, and other well-known varieties,

Mr, George Prince, Longworth, Berkshire,
ade a pretty display with Roses in the largest

mens of Anchusa Sappho, and other prominent
features were pillar plants of Roses Veilchen-
blau and American Pillar,

E, J. Johnstone, Esq., Burrs Wood, Groom-
bridge, Kent (gr. Mr. A. T. Paskett), showed an
attractive group of Carnations, mostly as pot
plants, but with sheaves of blooms in epergnes.
The exhibit attracted our notice especially by
reason of the natural manner in which it was
shown.

Mr. W. H. Page, Tangley Nursery, Hampton,
Middlesex, set up a grand group of Carnations,
relieved with large sheaves of Lilium longi-
floium blooms and rambler Roses.

Mr. G. Lange, Hampton, Middlesex, was also
the exhibitor of a choice group of Carnations of
well-known varieties. He showed the scarlet
Beacon in splendid form, also choice examples
of Mrs. H. Burnett, Harlowarden, and Winsor.

Purple blended weli with White Perfection.
Black Chief is amongst the darkest-flowered
varieties. A pretty feature was made with
hanging baskets filTed with the scarlet-flowered
Britannia.

Mr. H. Mortimer, Rowledge, Farnham, Sur-
rey, showed a representative collection of Car-
nations, with vases of a clove-scented Stock.

Carnations were also well shown by Mr. B.
Bell, Castel Nursery, Guernsey ; Mr. A. F.
DuTTON. Iver, Buckinghamshire; Mr, H. Bur-
nett, Guernsey ; and Rlr. C. Englemann.

Groups of Plants.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, staged a magnificent group of
stove plants, principally of ornamental-leaved
species. The colours in the various subjects
were splendidly developed, and the culture shown

356

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910,

in the plants was of the highest merit. Very
large examples of Caladiums, Dracaena Victoria
and Dieffenbachia Fourneri formed the back row,
In the body of the group were superb specimens
of Alocasia Sanderiana, A. Watsouiaua, Glei-
chenia dicarpa, Dracjena liniata atro-purpurea,
Anthurium Andreanum in variety, Tillandsia
]\Iassangeana, Medinilla magnifica, Croton B.
C'omte, Maranta Veitchii (very liandsome), Dief-
fenbachia Jenmanii, and other equally handsome
species, with a number of Orchids to brighten
the effect.

Mr. L. R. Rtjssell, Richmond, showed a group
of choice ornamental-leaved plants, chiefly
stove subjects. In the centre was a grand ex-
ample of Cyanophyllum magnificum, with leaves
of deep olive-green above and crimson be-
neath. Equally fine were Anthurium Veitchii
and A. crystallinum. JIaranta insignis was also
shown splendidly, and other plants of note were
Alocasia Watsoniana, Heliconia illustris rubri-
caulis. Dracffina Bruantii variegata, Phyllanthu."

Mr. A. Ll. Gwillim, Cambria Nursery, New
Eltham, also staged a showy group of tuberous-
rooted Begonias. Sea-shell has the tips of the
petals bordered with pink and delightfully
crimped. Alice Flood is a bkish variety of much
beauty. Others of merit are Mrs. J. C. Gwillim
(reddish-salmon), Bliss Muriel Edwardson (sal-
mon-rose), and Sultan (sabnon-scarlet). There
were many beautiful unnamed seedlings.

Messrs. Thos. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, Mid-
dlesex, exhibited the largest group, and
the " quality was excellent throughout. The
plants represented most of the types, in-
cluding double and single-flowered, crested
and frilled kinds. Most were named sorts,
a selection being Mrs. Ernest James (pale
salmon), Mrs. F. C. Stoop (blush with creamy-
yellow ground), Duchess of Connaught, Hon.
Mrs. Roland Greville (white), Lady Cromer (one
of the largest flowered, the colour is pink tipped
with white). Miss Greaves- Banning (rosy-cerise),
Mrs. Jolin Brinsmead (nhiteV JIrs August P

Waterer with pale-yellow blooms. The smaller
Azalea rustica varieties were extremely pretty,
the white Mecene being especially good. ~A
new variety of much merit was seen in occi-
dentalis delicati?sima, the white flowers being
blended with orange.

INIessrs. J. Waterer & Sons, Bagshot, Sur-
rey, made a fine show with Rhododendrons, a
group of the beautiful Pink Pearl dwarfing by
comparison all others. But there were many
other sterling kinds, such as Lady Hillingdon, a
variety having large trusses of blu.sh blooms with
yellow upper petal ; John Waterer, with fine,
red trusses; INIarquis of Waterford, dark rose,
shown as a standard ; ilrs. William Agnew,
rose tipped with a deeper tint ; Doncaster, deep
red ; and Cynthia.

Messrs. Ja,s. Veitch & Sons also made a fea-
ture with Pink Pearl Rhododendrons, which
were arranged in a hollow with other shrubs
around. Two magnificent plants of the Rho-
dodendron .attracted notice, being used as

THE TEMPLE SHOV^.
Fig. 156.— a group of cinerarias in Messrs. sutton and sons' exhirit.

nivosus, and Dracaena Victoria. There were also
many handsome Codiseums (Crotons), Nertera de-
pressa in fruit, and Ficus radicans majus varie-
gatus. In another part of the show Mr. Rus-
sell displayed varieties of Bertolonia.

Begonias.
Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon, Twerton Hill
Nursery, Bath, showed an imposing group of
tuberous-rooted Begonias. Baskets suspended
from iron arches contained drooping kinds, such
as Carminea Mrs. Bilkey (orange). Ghidys (red),
and Fleur de Chry'»ntheme (salmon). The larce-
flowered kinds were magnificently bloomed, with
delicate and refined colours of rose, salmon, yel-
low, pink, carmine and other tones. A selec-
tion of the finer sorts includes Mrs. W. L.
Ainslie (yellow), Grace Audrey (salmon-pink),
Jlme. Tettragoni (deep salmon), Pir.k Pearl, Rt.
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain (crimson). Lady
Marjory (orange-red). Nellie Nicholson (a fine
plant with six extra large blooms), Rose Queen,
and Empre.'is Marie (white).

Brandt (white blush), Mrs. Andrew Tweedie
(white), and Miss Vance (pale salmon).

A group of Begonia Marie Bouchet in hanging
baskets and pans was shown by the Hon. Mrs.
Glyn, Albury Hall, Herts, (gr." Mr. J. Friend).
The plants were excellent specimens, very freely
flowered, and would have shown to greater ad-
vantage if the supports had been less obtrusive.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

These beautiful flowering shrubs were shown
in fine condition. Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert
surpassed all their previous efforts in their grand
exhibit of Azaleas, which had as a centre-piece
the new Florodora variety of salmon-orange
shade. There was also a great mass of yellow
blooms from a number of grouped plants of
Anthony Koster variety, one of the gems of the
race. Some plants on tall stems served to break
up the continuity of the surface, and of these
none was finer than Consul Cercsole, of soft-
pink shade. A fine red variety was seen in
J. C. Van Tol, and we may mention also Nancy

foils, one at either end. There was seen the
new R. Souliei, which has great promise as a
garden subject. The centre of the exhibit was
a bank of well-flowered Wistarias, and grouped
about were Vitis Henryana, Cytisus Dallimorei,
Philadelphus Lemoinei rosace, Olearia stellulata,
Andromeda speciosa cassinefolia, with Azaleas
in a-ssortment.

The King's Acre Nursery Co.. Hereford,
showed pyramidal-trained plants of Indian Aza-
leas, and varieties of Heliotropes. The Azaleas
were good specimens, a plant of the white-
flowered Madeleine being especially fine.

Miscellaneous Indoor Plants.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, exhibited a
bank of flowers at one end of the large marquee.
They arranged a group of star Cinerarias in the
centre, with a belt of the new Reading Gem
strain, which has larger flower.s than the st.ir
varieties and ohibits very beautiful colours. On
either side of this central bank were groups of
Calceolarias, a dividing line of Begonias and fine

Mai- 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

Ihl

pot plants of Clarkia pulchella. Then, separat-
ing these from a final group of Schizanthiis,
was another band of Begonias and Clarkia of
the variety Firefly, with beautiful rosy-cerise
flowers. There were also many grand plants of
tuberous Begonias, a batch of Gloxinias, Be-
gonia Lloydii, Nicotiana hybrids, and a band of
Nemesia strumosa of the compact-habited type,
the whole forming a group of the greatest excel-
lence.

Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Holborn,
London, staged an unusually attractive exhibit
of flowering plants. They made a large bank of
showy Cinerarias with a varied selection of
colours, the display overflowing some distance in
a narrower band, and facing a table on which
waa staged a collection of plants in flower.
They had Gloxinias of splendid quality, all the
plants being well-flowered ; with these were Bi-
gonias of th« tuberous-rooted type, the delicate
tints of the flowers being very impressive. Their
hybrid Streptocarpuses were very finely in bloom,
as also were Schizanthuses and Carnations.
Facing the table exhibit was a batch of a choice
and large-flowered white Petunia labelled Queen
Mary. Messrs. Carter also showed a consider-
able number of dwarf trees in fancy receptacles,
and, just outside the tent, a representation of a
Japanese garden (see fig. 158), which was made
to present an appearance of realism, not always
obtained in temporary exhibits of this nature.

Messrs. Stu.art Low & Co., Bush Hill Park
Nursery, Enfield, staged an assortment of green-
house-flowering plants, giving prominence to a
large batcli of finely-flowered plants of Metro-
aideros floribunda. A pretty, small-flowered white
Azalea was also pleasing, and other subjects were
white and blue-flowered Hydrangeas, the up-
right-growing Boronia polygalifolia with pale-
rose blooms, Pimelia mirabilis, Gerberas in
various colours. Embothrium coccineum (very
finely in flower). Coreopsis Grantii, and Lotus
peliorhynchus, used as a draping in front.

Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, had a choice assortment of exotic
flowering plants suitable for greenhouse and con-
servatory decoration. The blending of the
various subjects was done with much skill
and taste. There was a bold group of Scnecio
auriculatissima dominated by large plants of
Cineraria Feltham Beauty and edged with the
white Cineraria Snowball. Another pretty com-
bination was the blue Exacum macranthum and
Calceolaria Buttercup, this latter a cross from C.
Clibranii. There were also batches of Strepto-
carpus of the achimeniflora type in rose, white
and heliotrope colours. Gloxinias were well re-
presented, conspicuous varieties being Leda,
with upright, purple flowers ; Snow Queen
and Acis, reddish-scarlet. A selection of M.
Adnet's Gerberas, tall plants of Fuchsia.s.
Notonia Grantii, and Aristolochia Sturtevantii
were also noticed.

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent,
showed the flesh-coloured Phyllocactus German
Empress, excellent little plants beautifully in
bloom ; a number of Regal Pelargoniums, a
batch of Pilocerus senilis, the Old Man Cactus,
Carnations in variety ; an imposing group of
Calceolaria Clibranii, and a new Verbena labelled
Cannell's Pink. As an edging a number of
showy blooms of Phyllocactuses were arranged in
a band of Adiantum Ferns.

Messrs. Robert P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool,
showed nearly 100 plants of Hippeastrum
(Amaryllis). Although so late in the season, the
plants were in fine condition, notable varieties
being Comet (whit« with rose markings). The
Queen (white striped with red). Pink Gem,
Cynthia (rose with white stripes), alba punctata,
Prosephone (a grand plant with four large
red and white flowers), Firebrand and Cerise .
Gem.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, showed a floor group of Hippeastrums
(Amaryllis) in the marquee, the plants being set
off with Alocacias, Aralias, Dracaenas, Cala-
diums and other handsome foliage plants fin-
ished by a row of Bertolonias and Eugenia myrio-
phyllum as edging. Notable varieties of Hip-
peastrums were Beryl (orange red). Comet. Ori-
flamme (scarlet.) Sunbeam "(pink and whit*).
Queen Mary (white, faint blush). King George V.
(a fine, big, scarlet flower), and Norah (rose-
reHl.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,

London, set up an exhibit of Gloxinias and Strep-
tocarpuses with Palms, Ferns and trails of As-
paragus plumosus for relief. The Gloxinias repre-
sented a good strain, many being choice-named
varieties such as Countess of Carnarvon, Em-
press of India, Countess of Warwick, and Rud-
yard Kipling, all being well known in gardens.

Some remarkably good Calceolarias of the
large-flowered type were shown by Wickham
NoAKEs, Esq., Selsdon Park, Croydon.

Another excellent group of Calceolarias was
shown by Vivian PraLms, Esq., Crofton
Court, Orpington (gr. Mr. T. Hobbs). the flowers
having a good range of colours, and set off by
healthy foliage.

THE TEMPLE SHOW.

Fig. 157. WICHURAIANA ROSE "excelsa":

COLOUR OF FLOWERS ROSY-SCAULET.
{Received an Award of Merit.)

Messrs. Webb & Sons, Stourbridge, showed
herbaceous Calceolarias, with extra fine blooms,
a bank of stellate-flowered Cinerarias, bordered
with Schizanthus, equally good Gloxinias, and a
repetition batch of Calceolarias, all of extra fine
quality.

A variegated Dracaena, named Souvenir de
Fran(,:ois Buysse, was shown by M. Emile
Vercauteren, Melle, Ghent, Belgium.

Messis Godfrey & Sons, Exmouth, Devon-
shire, displayed varieties of Regal and large-

fiowenng Pelargoniums, many of the varieties
being new, with up-to-date names, amongst which
King George and Queen ilary were conspicuous
on especially fine sorts.

Messrs. W. H. Rogers & Son, Ltd., Red
Lodge Nurser;^, Southampton, showed their hy-
brid Pelargomum James T. Hamilton.

Messrs. Gr. van Waverin & Kruijff, Sassen-
heim, Holland, displayed a batch of plants of the
pink Astilbes (Spiraeas) Queen Alexandra and
Peach Blossom.

Messrs. Wm. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chel-
sea, exhibited small plants of Hydrangea, with
very large inflorescences, in blue," as well as the
ordinary creamy-white colours.

A splendid strain of hybrid Streptocarpuses was
shown by the Hon. Vicart Gibbs, Aldenham,
Elstree (gr. Mr. Ed. Beckett). Some of the
blooms were amongst the largest we have ob-
served in this plant, and the colours showed a
great advance on those of earlier raising.

Mr. George Gilbert, Queen's Road, Hastings,
showed varieties of Zonal Pelargoniums and ]\lar-
gucrite White Perfection.

Messrs. H. B, May & Sons, Edmonton, showed
varieties of Zonal Pelargoniums with a back-
ground of Clematis plants in flower.

Mr. A. Bruce, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Man-
chester, staged nearly 20 species and varieties
ol Sarracema. The largest pitchers were those
of S. flava gigantea, but the prettiest marked
were those of S. Drummondii.

Large, trained plants of Clematis were shown
by Messrs. G. Jackman & Son, Woking.

Caladiums.
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Royal
E.xotic Nurseries, King's Road, Chelsea, showed
some excellent specimens of these beautiful-
kaved stove plants in their mixed group.
The foliage exhibited almost every tint of
colour from white to deep red. Some of
the best were Caladium Sir Julian Goldsmid,
with very large foliage varying in tint according
to age, the vounger leaves being whitish, veined
uith red, tne older leaves suffused with pink;
The Mikado, dark red in the centre shaded with
maroon and with a broad, grass-green margin ;
Sir Henry Irving, of a delicate transparent w-hite
with pink veining and green margin ; Rose Laing,
large cream-white suffused with rose and having
pale green -veining at the margin; Mrae. E.
Pynaert, white, flushed with red and with a
yellowish-green margin; Guill Mar, of a beauti-
ful, delicate rose tint with a tracery of cream-
white and freckling of emerald-green; R. Hoff-
mann, with centre of pale rose passing to w-hite
with a broad, irregular, marginal green band ;
Mme. John Box, of large size, with pink centre
having a red veining, the margin being white
and green; May Archer, cream-white with
greenish veining on the outer part, the main
veining being ivory-white bordered with rose ;
Noakesii, white, with deep claret veining, shad-
ing to rose towards the greenish margin ; W.
Rappard, rosy-red, veined with purple and mar-
gined with green; President de la Devansaye, a
dwarf red variety : Ronca d'Or, white, suifused
w-ith rose and w-ith green reining ; Golden Queen,
still one of the best of the pale vellow kinds;
Baron Adolphe de Rothschild, Pantia Ralli, Misa
Elsie Hoffmann, and Silver Cloud.

Messrs. John Peed & Son, West Norwood,
London, had a choice group of Caladiums. the
plants having finely-coloured leave.s, rather bet-
ter tinted than usual. Some of the largest were
John Peed, green and crimson ; Candidum, sil-
ver and green ; Jlrs. J. R. Box, rose and green ;
Mme. Mitjana, a magnificent red-coloured leaf,
shown a trace only of green ; Roncador, rose with
green veins ; Marquis of Camden, a very big
leaf with red veins.and greenish ground ; Racine,
red veining on creamy ground ; Triomphe de
Comte, one of the oldest and best, the rich crim-
son leaf being bordered with green.

Ferns.

Messrs. H. B. M.ay & Sons and Messrs. J.
Hill & Sons were the principal exhibitors of
Ferns, but there were smaller collections contri-
buted from various sources. -

Messrs. T. Rochford & Sons put up a group
in which Cyrtomium Rochfordii. a very fine plu-
mose form of C. falcatum, was well shown.
Nephrolepis lycopodiodes, another of the

358

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[May 28, 1910.

plumose section of compact habit, and Poly-
podium sporodicarpum cristatum and P. glaueum
crispum were also good decorative Ferns.

Mr. H. N. Ellison, West Bromwich, made a
good exhibit of Ferns, the plumose Nephrolepis
being prominent, also many of the best Asple-
niums, with a variety of other choice plants.

Messrs. Hill & Son, Lower Edmonton, had an
imposing group of choice species and varieties
of Ferns, the exhibit being remarkable for the
brightly-tinted varieties it contained; these in-
cluded Adiantum Veitchianum, A. Heiislowi-
anum, Lomaria L'Herminera, and many Gymno^
grammas. Platyceriums were prominent, also
the best sorts of Davallia and Nephrolepis. It
was noticeable that no ordinary market sorts
were included in this large group.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Edmonton, made
a splendid exhibit of Ferns in one of the large
tcuts, in addition to a group of hardy Ferns

Hardy Herbaceous and Alpine Plants.

Exhibits of these have never been more finely
displayed ; the water and rock-garden exhibits
arranged in the open were excellent and very
educative.

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, had an
imposing display, in which Liliume, such as
L.. Hansonii, L. dabnaticum, L. excelsum, L.
venustum, L. macranthum, and others were very
fine. Masses of Spanish Irjses, Tulips, early
Gladioli, Irises of the Cushion and Korolkowii
groups, Ixias, and many other garden plants
were well shown, the effect of the whole display
being particularly good.

Messrs. Backhouse & Sons, York, had an
exceptionally good exhibit of a miniature rockery,
with the various plants displayed in excellent
taste. We noticed the lovely and rare Primula
Reidii, Gentiana verna, G. bavarica, G. acaulis,
and G. a. alba; also a lovely lot of Orchis

choice things as Campanula muralis, Saxifraga
Macnabiana, Primula sikkimensis, P. japonica,
Saxifraga aizoon rosea, Alpine Phloxes, and
Aubrietias in variety.

Mr. B. Ladhams, Shirley, Southampton, had
a showy group, in which Primula sikkimensis,
Meconopsis cambrica fl. pi., Aquilegia Stuartii
Mather's variety, and Primula Cockburniana
were arranged in bold masses with striking
effect. Some perpetual-flowering Pinks and Ver-
bascum densiflorum were also noted.

The Guildford Haupy Plant Nursery dis-
played many good plants in a somewhat exten-
sive group, the rose-coloured variety of Poly-
gonum sphserostachyum, Tiarella cordifolia
superba. AJster peregrinus (a fine plant with blue-
coloured flower-heads about 3 inches across),
Anthyllis montana with reddish spikes, Saxifraga
aizoon rosea, and S. JMacnabiana being among
the moat notable plants.

THE TEMPLE SHOW.

Fig. 158. — JAPANESE GARDEN EXHIBITED BY MESSRS. JAMES CARTER AND CO.

staged in the open. The group under canvas in
eluded large specimens of Davallia solida superba,
D. fijiensis in several fine varieties, Cibotium
sabeidei, Platycerium Alcicorne, P. ./Ethopicum,
Polypodium Mayi, Polypodium Knightse, P.
sepultum, Nephrolepis in choice new varieties, N.
Marshallii being very attractive; Lomaria dis-
color, and L. attenuata.

In the group of hardy Ferns Scolopendriums
were a great feature, the varieties specially
worthy of note included corymbiferum ramo-
cristatum, ramo-digitatum, crispum grande, and
coiigregatimi. Osmundas included 0. Regale. 0.
palustris, and 0. japonica. Some fine varieties
of Polypodiums, Lastrea filix-mas, Athyrium
filix-tcemina, and Polystichums were noticed in
the group.

foliosa, pretty colonies of Saxifragas and Ramon-
dia pyrenaica, with hardy Cypripediums in
groups at intervals.

Another fascinating exhibit of a similar nature
was ehown by Mr. Reginald Farreb, the
Craven Nurseries, Lancaster. Ramondias, An-
drosaces. Anemone alpina. Primula farinosa in
hundreds, Dianthus Freynii, Viola pedata, the
eyer-beautiful Daphne rupestris, and Saxifraga
aizoon rosea were among the choicer plants
exhibited.

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, had a
splendid lot of hybrid Trolliuses, with Phlox
canadensis in variety, and Eremuri in bold
spikes.

The King's Acre Nurseries, Hereford, had
a very effective group of plants, including such

Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, Devon,
brought a very fine lot of hybrid Oriental Pop-
pies, in shades of terra-cotta and brownish-
red.

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, Kent, staged a group
of choice Alpines and rare Rhododendrons of
much interest and beauty. Haberlia Frederici
Coburgii, H. virginica alba, Daphne CoUina, and
the very beautiful Lewisia cotyledon.

Messrs. Whitelegg & Page, Chislehurst. had
groups of Sweet Peas, Tulips, and a variety of
showy Alpines arranged in masses.

Messrs. Barr & Sons. Covent Garden, Lon-
don, brought a splendid collection of Darwin
and May-flowering Tulips, Spanish Irises, early
Gladioli, and a delightful collection of choice
Alpines. Many Lilies were also noted, and

Mat 28, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

359

many beautiful Irises. Iris cristata is especially
good. Anemone sulphurea and Rodgersia tabu-
laris were also remarked in this group.

Messrs. Storrie & Storrie, Glencarse, Perth--
shire, had a showy group of Auriculas and
Polyanthuses representing particularly fine
strains, the plants being free and bold in their
flowering.

INIessrs. G. Mallett & Co., Cheddar, had a
somewhat extensive rockwork exhibit, arranged
for the mo.st part with mafses of Lithospermum ,
Primulas of many species, Wahlenbergias, In-
carvillea grand iflora, Gerberas, Iris Susiana,
Poppies, Tidips, and other flowers in season.

From Gashill, King's Co., Ireland, Messrs.
Reamsbottom brought a fine lot. of St. Brigid
Anemones.

Rlr. R. C. NOTCUTT, Woodbridge, showed
masses of Kalmias, Trollius, and Tree Pseonies
in the cut state, also Primula Cockburniana and
ether plants.

Jlessrs. Jackman & Sons, Woking, had a
fhowy group of herbaceous plants, including
Globe flowers, Incarvilleas, Pyrethrums and
Irises, with a choice assortment of Alpines.

Mr. M. Prichard, Christchurch, Hants., had
a collection of some eight or ten varieties of
^Scillas, making an exceptionally good display.
He also showed Irises, Piconies, Pyrethrums,
Trolliuses, Eremuri, and Lupins in batches.

i\Ir. H. Hemsley, Crawley, Sussex, had a par-
ticularly good and extensive rockery, planted
well and tastefully. Among prominent plants
we noted Erodium pelargonifolium. Geranium
sessiliflorum, Daphne Cneorum (very fine), Viola
pedata rosea. V. cuculata grandiflora, TiHlliums,
Primula farinosa, Edraianthus serphyllifolius,
and Ramondias. A group of fBarracenias formed
a colony apart from the rockery.

Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield,
had a magnificent display of Tree Pseonies, the
plants being in superb condition and command-
mg much notice. In addition to these were huge
masses of hybrid Globe flowers, Eremuri, Tulijis,
and other bulbous plants. Hybrids and cross-
bred Irises of the Korolkowii and allied sections
were especially fascinating. In the corridor at
the end of the tent Mr. Perry had a magnificent
display of Lithospermum Heavenly Blue, several
yards of a rockery bank presenting a sheet of
the loveliest blue colour. This plant is quite
distinct from L. prostratum.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Feltham, had a
rockery bank freely planted with Saxifraga
aizoon rosea, S. granulata fl. pi., Phlox Vivid,
P. Sprite, Cypfipedium acaule, and other Alpine
plants.

Messrs G. ]?unyard & Co., Maidstone, had a
very extensive arrangement of cut blooms of
herbaceous subjects, such as Irises, Liliums, and
Eremuri, Phlox Laphamii, Dianthus Napoleon
III. Many Saxifragas and other Alpine plants
were arranged in colonies. One such was formed
of Primulas, P. sikkimensis, P. Cockburniana, P.
X Unique, and P. Reggiana. The exhibit also
included many Tree Pjeonies and Parrot and
Bouton d'Or Tulips.

Messrs. Hogg & Robertson, Dublin, had a
bright display of Ixias, Tulips, and Irises ; while
Messrs. Gilbert & Son, Bourne, Lincolnshire,
had a superb lot of Anemones. From Messrs.
DoBBiE & Co. . Rothesay, came a delightful group
of Pansies and Violas, arranged in miniature bou-
quets, sprays, and bunches, the effect being very
good. Messrs. Felton & Sons, Hanover Square,
showed a collection of Gerberas. Messrs. J.
Cocker & Sons, Aberdeen, had a showy lot of
Trolliuses, with Anemone alpina and A. sul-
phurea. Messrs. Bees, Ltd., Liverpool, had a
most interesting collection of their recently-in-
troduced Primulas, including P. Littoniana, P.
BuUeyana, P. Beesiana, and P. Forrestii. P.
TTnique and P. sikkimensis were also represented.
Anemone demissa, with white flowers, is a dis-
tinct and good plant.

Mr. J. E. Knight, Wolverhampton, had a
large display of Violas. Messrs. Toogood &
Sons, Southampton, displayed a capital lot of
Stocks. Mr. Frank Lilley, Guernsey, made a
good display with Ixias and early Gladioli.

Pansies and Violas were well shown by Messrs.
Seagrave & Co., Sheffield, and TroUius, Tulips,
and Anemones by Messrs, A. Young & Co.,
Elgin.

Messrs. Gcnn k Sons, Olton, Warwick, had a
splendid bank of Viola cornuta purpurea ; while
the pale-flowered typical form and V. c. alba was

also shown in groups. Messrs. G. Gibson & Co.,
Leeming Bar, Bedale, brought masses of Trollius
and Poppies ; ftlr. A. J. Howard, Colchester,
had a showy lot of Irises and Primulas ; while
Mr. W. Artindale, Sheffield, had splendid ex-
hibits of Daphne Cneorum, Primula Veitchii, P.
Sieboldii, Phlox Laphamii, &c.

Tulips and Sweet Peas.

Darwin and other Tulips shown by Sir G.
Faudell Phillips, Balls Park, Herts,, were par-
ticularly fine. Velvet King, Sultan, La Tulipe
Noire, Zulu, and Raven's Wing being all of dark
shades, while Cherry Ripe was among the
showiest of the highly-coloured forms.

;\Ie.'srs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, had a
grand lot of these flowers, the May-flowering
and Darwin varieties being the most prominent.
This firm also showed good Carnations.

The exhibit of Tulips from Messrs. Bare,
alluded to elsewhere, was one of the most com-
plete.

Messrs. H. J. Jones. Ltd., Lewisham, had a
capital assortment of Sweet Peas, Zonal Pelar-
goniums, Violas and Spiraeas, the whole making
a fine display.

Messrs. Alex. Dickson & Sons, Ltd., New-
townards and Belfast, had a superb lot of Dar-
win and other Tulips, La Tulipe Noire being the
darkest of all. Mrs. Moon (yellow), Prince of the
Netherlands (deepest rose), Sultan (nearly black),
and Scarlet Emperor were noticed in this choice
collection.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons. Reading, had a mag-
nificent lot of these flowers, Fawn, Bouton d'Or,
Queen of Brilliants, Orange King and Thorbeck
being among the finest varieties in a very repre-
sentative exhibit.

Messrs. Robert Sydenham & Co., Ltd., Bir-
mingham, had a group of Sweet Peas, in
which Audrey Crier, Evelyn Hemus, Earl Spen-
cer, St. George, Zeph\T, Black Knight, Sun-
proof Crimsoii, and White Spencer were seen to
advantage.

Mr. Howard Crane, Highgate, N., arranged
a fine collection of Violas and Violettas, setting
them in pans of wet sand to preserve their
freshness.

Exhibits Displayed Out-of-Doors.

ilessrs. PuLHAM & Son, Newman Street, Ox-
ford Street, London, arranged a rockery, planting
it with Alpine and other plants.

Messrs. W. Cutbush & Sons, Highgate, ex-
hibited numerous objects in the topiary art in
Box and Yew ; the more novel of these represent-
ing a sailing vessel. These exhibitors had thrown
up a bank 12 feet high and planted it with flower-
ing shrubs ; at the foot was a pool with a margin
of rocks, among which were planted Osmundas,
Funkias, Sarracenias, Richardias, Trollius, Gun-
iieras. Spiraeas, and other water -loving plants.
Other flowering plants included Meconopsis cam-
brica, Primula japonica, Ranunculus aconiti-
folius fl. pi., Incarvillea, Tulipa persica, dwarf-
growing Phloxes, Calceolaria ventricosa, C. par-
viflora, C. macrantha, and species of Primula.
The group was set up with good taste.

Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nur-
sery, Chelsea, had a group of plants, chiefly in
pots, arranged on the level turf. There were
masses of Schizanthus grandiflorus hybrids — fine
in colours ; of Anchusa italica (Dropmore
variety), of a lovely shade of blue ; Primula
japonica in several varieties, P. pulverulenta.
Calceolaria " Buttercup," tall and yellow-
flowered ; Incarvillea Delavayi, Primula x
Unique, Rehmannia, Meconopsis integrifolia.
Viburnum Opulus, Wistarias, Ostrowskia magni-
fica, hardy Azaleas, Hydrangea arborescens alba
grandiflora, with large corymbs, and some stan-
dards of Viburnum plicatum, capitally flowered.

Messrs. Paul & Son, The Old Nurseries, Ches-
hunt, had a group formed in several oblongs, 30
feet and 3 feet deep, which contained flowering
shrubs of species. We noted a fine Azalea Helen
Schiffner, with white blooms, in moderate-sized
corymbs ; A. George Cunningham, white flowers,
with dark spotting on the upper part of the
flower ; Rhododendron Bennington, of a rosy-
purple colour, in big trusses ; R. H. M. Ardern,
with rosy-crimson flowers, and R. Jeanne d'Arc,
of similar colouring.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, Surrey, was
the exhibitor of an oblong group, consisting of
hardy shrubs of Ivies, species of Vitis from

China, nicely-flowered Clematis, Japanese
Maples, hardy Azaleas and plants possessing
variegated leaves — his specialities. Among Cle-
matis we observed the varieties Guiding Star,
single-flowered, and of a lovely blue colour ; Pro-
teus, semi-double blooms of lilac colour; Fairy
Queen, of the same tint, but single-flowered, and
the old Countess of Lovelace.

Messrs. John Waterer & Sons, Ltd., Ameri-
can Nurseries, Bagshot, Surrey, had a group
similar in shape to the last, and made gay with
Rhododendrons Alice, Doncaster, Everestianum,
Prometheus and others. The exhibit included
Lilacs in variety, Ledum and many Japanese
Maples, which gave a pleasing change of colour
to the group.

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Lowfield Nurseries,
Crawley, showed a group consisting of Acer
palmatum as standards, the Concordia Oak, Ivies
with variegated leaves. Rhododendrons Pink
Pearl, Mrs. Stirling and Cynthia — a fine crim-
son-coloured variety ; Weigela Eva Rathke, very
freely flowered; also Clematis Ville de Lyoii,
single-flowered, of a deep crimson colour. The
exhibitors formed a rockery with Kentish rag-
stone, planting it with Dwarf Alpines and small
shrubs. They showed likewise eome of the newer
varieties of Lilacs.

The Misses Hopkins, The Mere Gardens, Shep-
perton-on-Thames, were also constructors of a
rockery, planting it with suitable occupants.

Messrs. Stuart Lo-sv & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Middlesex, exhibited a rosery, formed taste-
fully with Polyantha varieties, in tall and dwarf-
grown plants. These were arranged in a semi-
ciicle, the dwarf plants forming the carpet be-
neath the standards, and in the middle of the
semi-circle a narrow bed was similarly filled.
The arrangement was novel and pleasing. This
firm also showed many plants of Metrosideros
floribunda finely bloomed, and measuring 3 to
4 feet in height and width. ^

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Upper Edmonton, exhibited a comprehensive
group of hardy species and varieties of Ferns.
With these a broad border was formed, which
surrounded three sides of a square filled with
flowering plants standing on the turf. These
last consisted of Lobelia Waverley Blue, a
variety that is destitute of the disturbing white
" eye," the fine Heliotrope Lord Roberts, Abu-
tilon triumphans, various tricolor and bicolor
Pelargoniums, Salvia Zurich, some beautiful
pink Intermediate Stocks, with Verbenas Prin-
cess of Wales (deep blue) and The King (of a
rosv-crimson tint), Adonis (scarlet), and Queen
of "Whites.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, exhibited pigmy trees — Acers, Quercus
dentata, Prunus, and Conifers.

Messrs. R. & G. Cuthbert, Southgate Nur-
series, Southgate, Middlesex, showed a large
group of late-flowering Tulips. These were ar-
ranged in groups of 12 potsful each. Amongst
the showiest were Salmon Queen (rosy-purple),
Margaret, Pscyhe, Ruby (dark crimson), Jlrs. F.
Sander, Bacchus (a Darwin variety), Lucifer
(dull red), and Tulipa Gesneriana major.

Topiary objects were shown by Messrs. Piper
& Sons, Bayswater, W. They were of the usual
kind in form and materials.

Mr. R. C. NoTCUTT, Woodbridge, Suffolk,
. showed a group of hardy, flowering shrubs, such
as Rhododendron hybridura. Azalea mollis, Kal-
mias, Cytisus, Viburnum macrocephalum, Phila-
delphus Bouquet Blanc, and Lilacs in variety.

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, built
up a lockery about 24 feet square, decorating it
lavishly with Alpines, dwarf Conifers, hardy
Ferns, and other suitable rock-garden plants.
A pool occupied the middle area, and the salient
parts of the rockery were planted with Saxi-
fragas, Calceolarias, Phloxes, Trollius, and many
other hardy subjects.

Messrs. W. Artindale & Son, Nether Green,
Sheffield, displayed a bed of Violas of excellent
quality, the better varieties being Countess of
Eglinton, Lady Muserave, Mauve Queen, Baden
Powell, Kathleen, Blanche, asd Willie Farmer.

Messrs. Carter, Page & Co., London Wall,
showed grand Violas in pans. The flowers were
remarkable for their fine colours and large size.

Slessrs. Heath & Sons, Cheltenham, built a
rockery at an angle of a grass plot, and planted
it in some profusion with an interesting collec-
tion cf succulents, but the plants were too small
to produce the best effects. The rather large.

330

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[Mat 23, 1910.

stiff-leaved Saxifraga Willkomiana was noted
amongst these, also the New Zealand plant
Tanakea radicans, a species of dwarf growth,
■with Spirsea-like flowers.

J[. Henri Corrkvon, Jardin Alpin d'Acclima-
'tation, Geneva, arranged a table with rare
species of Alpine plants, which had, unfortu-
nately, suffered a good deal in transit from
Geneva.

Mr. Clarence Elliott, Six Hills Nursery,
Stevenage, Herts., staged on a table Alpines of
a showy character, and many of them rare in
gaidens.

jNIessrs. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, showed
a small decorative group, consisting of hardy
subjects, such as Loniceras of species, Geano-
thuses, Cytisus albus, a few plants of Cupressus
macrocarpa, also Pyrus angustifolius.

AWARDS.
Awards op Merit.

Base. Exrrlsa (see fig. 157).— This variety be-
longs to the Wichuraiana section. It is a slender-
growing, climbing Rose, which has already
proved hardy. The colour is approaching to
scarlet, and, mainly on this account, it will be
regarded as amongst the best of the pillar or
climbing Roses. The inflorescences show it to
be a very free-flowering variety. Plants were
exhibited" by Messrs. Paul & Sons, The Old
Nurseries, Cheshunt.

Rhododendron .4/)Vc.— This variety is per-
fectly distinct from every Rhododendron in culti-
vation, by reason of its rich, pink colour, which
remains the same shade throughout the petals.
The truss is compact, and the flowers possess
considerable substance. Altogether the variety
is one to be highly commended.

Ithododendron Princej<s Juliana. ■ — This
variety has rather larger flowers than Alice ; the
truss is not so compact, and, as shown, the
flowers appear to have less substance. The colour
is white or pale pink, but specimens which came
before our notice in Holland recently were deeper
in tint. Both these Rhododendrons were shown
by Messrs. J. Watbkeu & Sons.

Marguerite Mrs. F. Sander. — Those who
have already had experience with double-flowered
Marguerites will probably look askance at
another novelty ; however, in the variety
Mrs. F. Sander it would appear that a very
great advance has been obtained. The blooms
are perfectly deuble, and pure white, measuring
44- or even 5 inches in diameter, and mimicking a
first-rate flower of Pyrethrum roseum. We be-
lieve that this new variety has not been obtained
from the Queen Alexandra type, but is a newly-
introduced plant to Europe. The flower-stems
would probably be more satisfactory if they
possessed greater strength ; but we are not
eertain in this criticism, as the wind on entering
the tent may have caused tliem to bend when
they would not otherwise have shown a fault.
Shown by Messrs. F. Sander & Sons.

Cytisus X Dallimorei.- — This is a hybrid
raised in the Ro3'al Gardens, Kew, from a cross
between C. albus and C. ecoparius var. Andre-
anus, and named after Mr. DaUimore, who had
charge of the Arboretum. The general effect of
the flowers is rose colour and white. The hybrid
may now be seen in full flower in a bed near the
T range at Kew. Shown by the Director of the
Royal Gardens, Kew.

Tihododendron sinense Floradora. — This is a
new variety of the section of hardy Rhododen-
drons known as Azalia mollis. The flowers are
very large and are produced in good trusses, the
colour being orange flushed with salmon. Shown
by Messrs. R, & G. Cuthuert.

Sarracenia W dlinottce. — This is a hybrid
raised from a cross between S. purpurea and S.
Stevensii. The lid is upright and very broad.
The pitcher is also broad, and marbled with
crimson, becoming more and more crimson with
age. Shown by Mr. A. J. Bruce.

Begonia Bo.^e Queen. — -'A beautiful variety of
the Camellia-flowered type, with very wavy
petals. The colour is old rose. One of the
plants exhibited carried eight well-developed
blooms. Shown by Messrs. Blackmore &
Lang.don.

Rhus typJiina laciniata. — This very pretty,
cut-leaved variety is fairly well known in gardens.
It was shown by Mr. R. C. Notcutt.

TJose Duchess of Westminster. — A rose-pink
hybrid-Tea variety. Shown by Messrs. Alex.
D'ickson & Sons.

Fruit.

It was probably due in some measure to the
exceeding coldness of the spring that the display
of fruit was very limited. There were, indeed,
only two groups, one of stone fruit trees and one
of Strawberries. The group of trees, as may be
anticipated, came from Slessrs. T. Rivers &
Sons, SawJaridgewoi-th, who set up in a large
tent a very fine lot of Peach, Nectarine and
Cherry trees, some 40 in number. The specimens
ranged from 3^ to 5 feet in height, and in each
case were well fruited. The dominant variety
was a new Nectarine staged as Seedling 101,
and this was represented by some 10 or 12 trees,
all well fruited. The fruits were very rounded,
having a shallow suture, and showed very rich
colour, almost scarlet, quite exceUing Cardinal
in that respect. It is a very early variety, and
forces well. Other Nectarines were Cardinal
and Early Rivers. The Peaches were Peregrine
and Kestrel, and the Cherries were the red
Elton and the black Early Rivers. A basket of
18 fine fruits of Peregrine Peach fronted the
group, which was neatly dressed with foliage
plants.

Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, had a very
effective and tempting collection of Strawberries
picked in some 24 baskets ; also numerous fruit-
ing plants in pots. The variety " Connoisseur "
showed very rich scarlet colour, quite eclipsing
the popular Royal Sovereign in that respect.
The fruits are of a tapering form, flesh firm,
and extra well flavoured. Other varieties were
Bedford Champion and George Monro. Plants
were shown of these varieties. The fruits of
each variety were bright and of medium size.

Vegetables.

All vegetable lovers owe a debt of gratitude
to Mr. E. Beckett, V.M.H. (gr. to the Honble.
Vic.ary GlEBS, Aldenham House, Elstree), for the
very fine collection he set up in the long tent.
It comprised 90 dishes or mounds, and was
representative of what British-grown vegetables
can be at this season of the year when in the
hands of capable growers. On an erect back-
ground were placed mounds of Late Queen,
Sutton's Satisfaction, and Leamington Broccolis ;
Long Green and Moore's Cream Marrows ; Early
White and Red Milan Turnips ; Sutton's
Earliest and Flower of Spring Cabbages ; stems
of the Sutton Rhubarb ; very fine Stanstead
Park and other Cabbage Lettuces ; good Giant
French and Perfection Asparagus ; and white and
red Celeries ; on the table were First Crop and
Magnum Bonum Cauliflowers ; Early Giant,
Duke of Albany and Centenary Peas ; Abun-
dance, Winter Beauty, Perfection and Princess
of Wales (red), and Sunbeam. Golden Perfec-
tion, and Golden Nugget (yellow) Tomatos ; Duke
of York. May Queen, Purple Eye, King Edward
Vn. and other Potatos; Satisfaction, Matchless
and Delicacy Cucumbers ; several varieties of
Carrots ; Long Pod and climbing French Beans ;
several small-fruiting Marrows ; numerous
Radishes ; mounds of Mustard and Cress ; and
ca.oital Mushrooms.

From The Thatcham Fruit and Flower
Farm. Newbury, Berks., was staged a collection
of some 40 dishes of vegetables, including good
samples of William IV., World's Record, and
Pilot Peas, of which also were numerous plants
in fruit draping the background ; ahso bunches of
.Tersey Nanet Turnips, Nantes Carrots, May
Queen Potatos, French Breakfast and other
Radishes, Cabbage Lettuces, Cucumbers, Vege-
table Marrows, and Tomatos.

Mr. S. Mortimer, Rowledge, Surrey, set up
an attractive exhibit in three large shallow boxes
of Tomatos Sunrise and his new Improved Sun-
rise, one box showing racemes of fruit, the other
picked fruits. This latter variety showed finer
fruits and deeper colour than the original
variety. Fronting these were boxes containing
eight fruits of Cucumbers Improved Telegraph,
King George (fruits " long and green "), Express,
Bounteous, and Delicacy.

Mr. A. J. Harwood. St. Peter's Nursery, Col-
chester, was the only exhibitor of Asparagus,
having six bundles of Giant, the stems being
10 inches long and very stout.

to

(For Awards made by the Council see page IX.)

Employment on Rubeer and Tea Estates:
A. McK. Your best plan is to insert an
advertisement in some paper (such as The
Tropical AgriciiHurist, Colombo, Ceylon),
published in the districts where rubber and tea
are grown. There is a paper devoted to the
rubber industry, called The Rubber World,
and published in London. You should secure
a copy from your newsagent and scan the ad-
vertisement columns. The address of the Im-
perial Institute is South Kensington, London.

Figs Diseased : J. D. M. The trees are affected
with a fungus — Cercospora BoUeana. The
disease can be kept in check by spraying with
dilute Bordeaux mixture, but badly attacked
trees cannot be cured and should be dug up and
burned. In any case be careful to burn all
fallen leaves, and others that show evidence of
disease.

Fungus: A. C. S. The fungus found on the
bark of a tree is Collybia vclutipes in an im-
mature condition.

Grubs Attacking Carrots, &c. : Derby. The
grubs are the larva? of Daddy-long-Legs (Tip. da
oleracea). Place traps of some vegetable, such
as Potato or Turnip, in their haunts, burying
the traps just below the surface of the ground.

Names of Plants : James Geddes. 1, Ledum
palustre ; 3. Philadelphus Coulterl, — 6'. F.
Pyrus salicifolia. — J. A. A. 1, Specimen not
found ; 2, Diervilla japonica var. hortensis ; 3,
Clematis montana ; 4, Cytisus scoparius var.
Andreanus ; 5, Magnolia Soulangeana ; 5, Grise-
linia littoralis. — R. B. Saxifraga muscoides. —
H. F., Uitenhage. Plectranthus saocatus,
Benth. See Bot. Mag., t. 7341 (1902). and
Wood and Evans' Plants of Natal, vol. i.,
t. 85. J. R., Tyne. Oncidium sphacelatum.
J. (_T. Odontoglossum .Vdrianse. — .-1. N. 1,
Oncidium pubes ; 2, Oncidium sphacelatum ; 3,
Odontoglossum Lindleyanum ; 4, Masdevallia
radiosa ; 5, Brassia verrucosa.- — T. B. O. Ixia
conica figured in the Botaniral Magazine, t.
539.

Peas : E. P. The Peas have been kept under
observation up to the present, but there is still
no evidence of disease.

Rhododendron (Azalea) an ) Tomato Diseased :
R. G. The Rhododendron leaves are affected
with the gall fungus, a species of Exobasidium.
You can prevent the disease from f.preading by
picking off and burning the affected leaves.
The Tomato is also attacked with disease.
Spray the plants with the Bordeaux mixture
or liver of sulphur. — Sovri. The blisters on
Azalea are caused by the fungus E.xobasidium
rhododendri. Diseased leaves should be re-
moved to prevent .spread of the disease. We
were unable to discover any scale or other pest
on the remaining specimens. — J . H. Root-rot,
caused by the mycelium of Armillaria mellea,
is destroying the root. Lime is the best pre-
ventive ;' but, of course, cannot be applied
under the circumstances. Soak the soil with
a solution of nitrate of potash, applied at the
rate of one ounce in two gallons of water.

Vines " Bleeding " : Reader. The cause of
bleeding is either late pruning or keeping the
borders too warm after pruning. The sur-
roundings of the vine at its resting stage should
be absolutely cold, and also for some time after
pruning. The leaves you sent have been
scalded : no disease is present. Ventilate tne
vinery early in the daytime.

Water-Lilies and Cattle: A. W. We do not
think the presence of Nymphaeas in the pond
will harm the cattle. In marshy districts,
where cattle is largely pastured, the ponds and
dykes are often covered with the white Water-
Lily.

Communications Received.— S. & Sons -A. M.— J. P.,

Cheshire-P. W. C. S.-Sliliscriber-G. R.— A. B. P.—
C. P., Bucks-S. H. T.-Lady C, Guiliitora— VV. M.—
A. C. H. R.-M. Mc N.— M. T.-.I. C. & Co.-G. B.-
W. P. G.— Z. O.— Anxious— J. V. & Sons— The Janmicf
Agency— H. A. P.-K. & B., Darlington_T. J. L.— Roya;
Meteorological Society— H. R. & Sons— E. A.— B. W.B.—
W. G S.-H. J. V.-G. W. S.-C. P. B.-J. D.— R. K -
A. P.— B. S.-A. H. T.— Mrs. I. S. E.-P. G.— T. S.-S. O.,
■\Visbecli-E- H. K.-F. M.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

381

THE

^cirticncrs'Cbroniclc

No. 1.223.— SATURDAY. June 4, 1910.

7* •' ...... _ .. ^

CONTENTS.

Apple blossom, colour

Orchid notes and glean-

in

37X

ings—

Apple Lane's Prince

Cypripedium monta-

Albert

371

num

366

Berberis stenophylla, i.

Dendrobium trans-

large specimen of ...

370

parens

365

Books, notices of —

Lfelia chamonicen-

Sweet Peas

364

sis

366

*' Weekly Telesraph "

Regent's Park, an ex-

Gardening Book ..

364

hibition of intensive

Year Book of the

culture at

369

Country Gentle-

Rosa gigantea flower-

men's Association...

P69

ing at Kew

370

Publications received

370

Rosary, the —

Chaffinch's nest, a

371

Cultural hints for June

363

Cornus canadensis

3G3

Schroder, the late

Delphinium sulpbureum

370

Baron, and the gar-

Essex farmers to visit

dening charities

369

IreJand

369

Societies-

FlowiT gardening for

British Gardeners'

children

368

Association

371

Forcimg, artificial aids

National Horticul-

to

368

tural of France

373

*' French " garden, notes

Royal Meteorological

372

from a

364

Royal National Tulip

371

Fruit crops, prospective

370

Selborne

368

Fruit topics, some

361

Speir, Mr John, pro-

Hymenocallis x Sulphur

posed memorial to ...

369

Queen

362

Spring flowers in the

Iris Willmottiana

364

South-West

370

K e w Guild, annual

Temple Show» the

meeting of

369

recent

369

Liaurel leaves as an in-

Van Houtte Centenary,

secticide

371

the

370

Leonardslee gardens ...

368

Warley Place gardens-

370

Lithospermum prostra-

Week's work, the—

tum " Heavenly Blue "

371

Apiary, the

367

Madresfield Court gar-

Flower garden, the ...

366

dens

S6S

Fruits under glass ...

367

McLeod, Mr. J. F. ...

365

Hardy fruit garden, the

3fJ7

Obituary—

Kitchen garden, the ..

367

Calvat, Ernest

375

Orchid houses, the ...

366

Orphan Fund, Royal

Plants under glass ...

366

Gardeners'

372

Wilton House, Salisbury

362

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Calvat, Ernest, the late

375

Cornus canadensis in flower at Kew

363

Cypripedium pubescens.

369 ; C. spectabile

370

Hymenocallis x Sulphui

Queen

362

Iris Willmottiana flower

ne at Glasnevin

364

McLeod, Mr. J. F., portrait of

365

Paris show, MM. Vihnorin, Andrieux et Cie's exhibit

at the

373

Wilton House, Salisbury

(Supplementary Illustration)

SOME FRUIT TOPICS.

THE most striking discrepancy between
promise and performance this season is
that of Pears. Never have I seen such
a general profusion of blossom on the several
varieties as appeared this 3'ear. Moreover,
the blossoms were strong, and they remained
open an extraordinarily long time. Yet the
setting of fruit is most meagre and reports
from various districts indicate that this failure
is common. What is the cause ? It can
hardly be frost in my case, becaase, after the
blossom was open, we had not more than 3°
on any occasion, and this much only once, as
registered by two thermometers in an unpro-
tected position at 4 feet from the ground. One
was on a level as high as the top of the
orchard containing Pear trees, and the other
was on a lower level than the bottom of the
orchard. As a rule, we have more severe
frost on the lower level, but this was not the
case on the occasion under notice. The blos-
som was dry when the frost occurred and it is
not credible that it was killed by 3°. My
theory of explanation is that bees and other
insects were prevented from doing their fer-
tilising work by the wet and cold weather
which prevailed during the whole of the Pear-
blossoming period, and, that the blossoms of
varieties which are not self-fertilising remained
sterile, except where different varieties nearly
touched each other. This explanation is sup-
ported by the fact that the only fair setting

of fruit in my case has occurred where several
varieties are close together ; whereas in a row
of Clapp's Favourite situated 20 yards from
any other Pear there are not six fruits set on
trees that miglit have borne two bushels each.
Similarly, among 12 rows of cordons, mainly
Clapp's Favourite, which might have yielded
2,0IJ0 Pears, there are not two dozen set, al-
though these are on the side where three rows
of other varieties are growing.

With respect to Gooseberries and Currants,
among which dropping has occurred even on
my southern farm, there is no doubt that the
frost was much more than 3° close to the
ground. That the damage in this case was due
to frost is indicated by the complete destruc-
tion of the blossom of Black Currants in a par-
ticularly low and sheltered corner of a field,
whereas in the rest of the plantation only the
two or three terminal blossoms on an inflores-
cence were damaged. Moreover, a field of
Gooseberries on high ground escaped injury
entirely. In some districts where frost was
much more severe than it was here the Goose-
berry crop is reported to be only half, and the
Black Currant crop only one-fourth of the
average.

Plums never promised to be a great crop,
but the set of fruit is not even equal to the
moderate expectations. Rivers's Early Pro-
lific, which promised about a fifth of an aver-
age, judging from the blossoming, will not
yield a tenth; and Monarch, which seemed
likely to give a quarter of a crop, will not
yield a sixth. Czar, Victoria and Pond's
Seedling have set their blossom well, but
there are many fruits of diminutive size,
which are certain to drop sooner or later.
Choice dessert varieties never promised well,
but they are not equal to the low expecta-
tions. It still remains to be seen how the em-
bryo fruit will pass through the stoning
period.

Most of my varieties of mature Apple trees
blossomed profusely, though with more or less
numerous examples in some of them, almost
or quite bare of bloom, the exceptions being
Bramley's Seedling, Royal Jubilee, Dume-
low's Seedling, and Blenheim Pippin, which
were very short of flower. Immature trees, old
enough to bear moderately well, never pro-
raised, on the whole, to give much fruit, the
supposed reason being as stated in my article
on p. 309. The proportion of fruit varies
greatly ; it is satisfactory in some cases and
very much the reverse in others. Nearly all
the blossom on Blenheim Pippin has fallen,
and a large proportion of that on Uuchess
of Oldenberg, Cox's Orange Pippin, and Stir-
ling Castle. Probably the cold and wet
weather prevented fertilization to a great
extent, and Apple suckers and caterpillars
may have helped materially to produce wither-
ing. On the whole, there is reason to fear
that the Apple crop in my case will be less
than the average.

The Battle with Fruit Pests.
The extraordinary immunity' from aphis at-
tack is still a gratifying feature of the season
here, so far as Apples are concerned. A late
attack developed on Plums, but not to a very
serious extent. An infestation of Apple
sucker extended during May to many varieties
on which it had not been found before the
blossom opened. As stated last month, trees
that were sprayed with quassia and soft soap

while the closed blossom buds were showing in
clusters had the suckers on them killed to a
great extent, but they required a second dress-
ing after the petals had fallen. Unfortunately,
two or three varieties which were not sprayed
in the first instance, because no suckers, or
none worth notice, had been found among
them, became badly infested later. In such
cases much damage was done to the trusses
of blossom before the petals fell, and spraying
was carried on again.

Various caterpillars have injured the foli-
age and embryo Apples alike, the attack
being much worse than usual. In the fight
against these enemies the fruit-grower is sadly
handicapped. He cannot poison them while
they are feeding inside clusters of leaves that
have not expanded, and in our climate the
expansion is frequently delayed by cold
weather, as it was this season. When the
leaves have expanded the blossom is open,
and then a poisonous spray would kill bees
and other fertilizing insects. After the petals
of the blossom have fallen irreparable injury
has been done, but further damage must be
prevented by prompt action. Even this is not
safe if there are Gooseberrj' bushes under the
trees, as the berries are then almost or quite
ready for marketing, and it is a criminal risk
to spray with arsenate of lead or Paris green
at such a time. Caterpillars feeding among
the clusters of blossom must have helped, as
well as the suckers, to impair their vitality.

A repetition of the attack of aphides on the
ends of shoots of Black Currants, referred to
last season, began towards the end of May.
These pests, which do not appear to be re-
cognised by entomologists, are black to the
naked eye, but appear as olive green in colour
when magnified. They feed on the stems of
the shoots under leaves curled over them um-
brella fashion — not on the leaves themselves.
Spraying does not wet them all, and they in-
crease so rapidly that anything short of per-
fect clearance is of comparatively little use.
This season, accordingly, a new method of en-
countering them is being pursued. Women
carrying small receptacles filled with strong
quassia and soft soap wash traverse the rows
of bushes, and when they find an infested ter-
minal to a branch they immerse it in the
liquid by bending the shoot down into the ves-
sel. This is completely effectual; but the
plantation must be gone over two or three
times at intervals, because the infestation
does not take place all at one time.

Reference has still to be made to one cause
of defective setting of fruit-blossom. As an-
ticipated, brown-rot is unusually prevalent
among Apples and Plums, and many fruit-
spurs with their clusters ai blossom have
been destroyed by the fungus, as well as
shoots. Powdery mildew among Apples is
also in strong force, affecting ends of branches
chiefly, and trusses of blossom to a compara-
tively small extent. Canker in young shoots,
too, is in evidence. Cutting off and burning
affected shoots and spurs is part of the
remedy in each of these cases, while spraying
with the Bordeaux mixture should follow.
This will take place for scab in relation to
many varieties of Apples, so that all the fun-
gus enemies can be encountered in the same
operation or operations. Traces of scab on the
leaves of some varieties of Apples and Pears
were noticed before the end of May. A
Southern Groirer.

362

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

WILTON HOUSE, SALISBURY.

{See Supplementary Illustration.)
Wilton House, the seat of the Earls of Pem-
broke, is situated about three miles to the north-
west of Salisbury. The house takes its name
from the small market town of Wilton, a place of
rather more than 2,000 inhabitants. Whilst
Sarum has grown into the important Salisbury,
Wilton has declined from its former greatness,
although it gave the name to the county, and
was once the seat of a bishopric, besides being
the capital of Wessex. The ancient Abbey of
Wilton was one of great splendour, but this has
long since disappeared, and Wilton House nnw

The Supplementary Illustration gives a glimpse
of the mansion, which is built of stone
quarried at Chilmark on the estate ; the same
quarries supplied the stone for building the
Cathedral at Salisbury. The pavilion shown in
the bottom picture is the work of Inigo Jones,
and from its steps a very fine view is obtained
over the Italian garden. Both the views repre-
sented in the illustration were taken in this gar-
den. The stone-enclosed beds are beautiful in
spring-time with Tulips and other bulbous plants
in company with Wallflowers, Arabis and Myoso-
tis. Later in the season their places are taken
with summer-bedding plants, the air being frag-

FlG. 153. — HYMENOCALLIS X SULPHUR QUEEN.

■occupies the site. In common with all such old
ecclesiastical centres, the spot was selected as
much for its natural beauties as for its fertility,
and, fortunately, neither time nor the hand of
man has destroyed the setting. Wilton has
many claims to notice in its antiquity, build-
ings, statuary, gardens and pleasure grounds.
The antiquarian will find there the oldest build-
ing in a county renowned for its past history —
an old seminary used as a barn ; Roman statuary,
and the beautiful carvings of Holbein and Inigo
Jones which excite the wonder and admiral:; n
of the visitor.

rant with Ro3es, that clothe the terrace walls.
There are many statues and vases, the latter being
furnished in summer time with flowering plants.
It is a place of great beauty, tree, shrub and
flower playing their parts in company with fine
sculpture mellowed by age. The Tulips were not
quite over at the time of our visit, and we noted
as some of the most pleasing beds Tulip Soleil
d'Or interspersed with Wallflowers ; Tulip Bril-
liant and jNIyosotis dissitiflora ; and Tulip La
Cpndeur, Yellow Wallflowers and Myosotis dissi-
tiflora. At the far end of this garden, opposite
tjo house, is a porch sculptured by Holbein in

most exquisite fashion. It was one of the en-
trances to the old Wilton House, now demolished.
A fine old Lime tree grows to the left of this
porch, whilst a little further on to the right is an
Orangery, now utilised for Pabns. In front of
the building are scroll beds and many trees of
Cupressus erecta spicata nana, which have a
very formal appearance. A door at the back of
the Orangery leads into a glasshouse with a north
aspect, which is valuable for keeping plants
backward or retarding them when in bloom. Be-
yond this is a " reserve " garden, with a newly-
erected glasshouse for growing bedding plants.
In the construction of this house no paint or
putty has been used ; the glazing has been done
by means of copper clips ; whilst paint was net
considered necessary, as the house is not used
for show purposes, and another structure has re-
mained sound for 40 years without ever having
been painted at all.

Tuberous-rooted Begonias are extensively em-
ployed in the flower-beds, also Zonal, Ivy-
leaved and scented-leaved Pelargoniums. We
were pointed out a strong-growing Pelargonium
of the Clorinda type, but with much finer flowers,
the colour being deeper. Heliotrope is propa-
gated largely for bedding, ISIme. de Bussey being
the favourite variety, as this gives the largest
and best trusses. Other common sorts of bedding
plants are grown in large numbers, and there is
a good stock of subjects for the sub-tropical gar-
den, including Musas, Eucalypti and Cordylines.
Seedlings of Pinus canariensis were verjf pretty,
these being also used for bedding.

We noticed several rooted cuttings of Italian
Cyprese taken from a tree that passed through
the winter of 1870 uninjured, when nearly all its
fellows were killed by the cold. Believing this
to be due to an extra vigorous constitution, Mr.
C'hallis is wisely perpetuating the variety, and
intends to plant it extensively at Wilton.

(To he continued. J

HYMENOCALLIS x SULPHUR QUEEN.

The hybrid Hymenocallis with pale sulphur-
coloured flowers, illustrated in fig. 159, was ob-
tained from a cross between H. calathina (Is-
meue calathina) and H. Amancaes (Ismene
Amancaes,) the two best of the Peruvian
Daffodils. The seed-bearing plant was H. cala-
thina. Mr. C. G. Van Tubergen, junr., who
showed a plant at the recent Haarlem exhibition,
informs us that the hybrid grows perfectly well
during summer in a deep, rich soil in a sheltered
place out-of-doors. The bulbs are planted to-
wards the end of April, and when the foliage is
cut down by frost in the autumn, they are har-
vested and kept perfectly dry and warm during
the winter. The plant is also a suitable subject
for cultivation in pots in an unheated, sunny
greenhouse.

Visitors to the Haarlem exhibition who took
the opportunity to inspect the nurseries of Mr.
Van Tubergen, which are situated close to the
exhibition grounds, were delighted with the
many interesting bulbous plants to be seen in
cultivation there. Great breadths of T. Greigii had
thousands of its brilliant, scarlet flowers open,
whilst T. Forsteriana, a species not unlike T.
Greigii, appeared even brighter than that species
as seen in the sunshine. Another Tulip which
was imported from Bocara a few years ago has
just been declared by the Rus,3ian botanist, Mr.
Boris de Fedichenko, to be a new species, and
he proposes to name it T. Hoogiana. We may
refer to this plant again. The nursery is ex-
tremely rich in its collection of Tulipa species.
Another interesting feature was the extraordi-
nary collection of Eremuri. These were repre-
sented in very large numbers, E. robustus and
E. Elwesianus being quite in separate batches and
selected in order to show as much distinctness as
possible.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

363

THE ROSARY.

CULTURAL HINTS FOR JUNE.
Roses generally made a better show a month
ago than they do at the present time, for most of
the plants have suffered greatly from north and
east winds. The old-fashioned summer-flowering
Roses should not want much attention except to
cut out the dead and injured shoots. Hybrid
China Rosea, Moss and Province Roses, hybrid
Sweet Briars, and the Ayrshire and Boursault
climbers, also varieties of the Rambler section,
will need to be carefully secured from strong
winds ; any shoots that are frost-killed at the
end should be shortened. JIulch the beds con-
taining plants which have suffered greatly, as it
may tend to induce them to make a good
secondary growth. Later, when this growth is
well commenced, apply frequent waterings with
liquid manure. All suckers from the stem should
be removed promptly.

Budding.
It v.'ill soon be possible to see which shoots on
the standi'—' briars are strongest, and it is only

both by day and night. Thoy should bs sprayed
with some good insecticide, and, following this
application, they should be syringed with clear
water from the garden engine. The grafted
plants plunged out-of-doors are now growing
freely ; the long, straggling shoots can be stopped
during July.

Roses in. Towns.
The cultivation of Roses in towns and suburban
districts is often a matter attended with much
difficulty. The only way to prevent disappoint-
ment is to get the hardiest and most vigorous-
growing varieties which are known to be capable of
withstanding an atmosphere laden with smoke
and smuts. The worn-out garden soil should be re-
placed with good turfy loam, well-rotted manure,
and half-inch bones. The present season is too
far advanced for this kind of thing, but the soil
at the surface may be removed down \o the
roots, and a good top-dressing applied of a com-
post similar to that described above. I have
known the following varieties succeed fairly well
as dwarfs on the briar stock ; but standards are
only very short-lived, and are not to be recom-
mended. The old Common JIoss, Crested Moss,

Fig. i6o. — cornus canadensis in flower at kew: bracts white.

-» >'

necessary to retain two on each briar. They
should bo equilateral, and as near to the top of
the stem as they can be obtained. So far as can
be seen at present, the general budding season
will be as late as July. Complete the staking and
tying of the maiden buds, both on standards
and dwarf plants. Guard against insect pests
and mildew by spraying the plants with a strong,
warm solution of Tobacco and soft soap. Keep
the Dutch hoe well employed amongst the beds
and borders during dry weather. Apply mulches
of stable litter and thorough eoakings of water
as often as may be required.

Both Briar and Rose cuttings are looking well,
and if care is taken in shading and watering
them, there is every promise of a good season.
Pot Roses of all descriptions, e.xcept those under-
going propagation, should be placed out-of-doors
to give them a rest. Roses planted in houses
having fixed roofs require abundant ventilation

Rosa rugosa. Common and Crested Provence,
Hybrid China-s, Blairii No. 2, Coupe de Hebe,
Paul Ricaut, Mme. Plantier, and York and Lan-
caster (Damask). A few hardy Hybrid Perpetuals
do fairly well for a year or two, but require fre-
quent renewal. Such are the following varie-
ties : — Magna Charta, General Jacquiminot,
John Hopper, Victor Verdier, Senatcur Vaisse,
Ulrich Brunner, and Dupuy Jamain.

Plants rooted in the spring from cuttings and
now growing out-of-doors on hot-beds, may now
have the glass lights removed entirely. If the spent
hot-bed is turned over afresh and well trodden
down, the plants can be set out further apart to
allow room for further development of growth.
Any that require a shift to a larger-sized pot
may now be given it. The longer shoots may be
stopped early in August to promote a compact
growth. The annual losses in the Rose garden
by failures in the Hybrid Perpetual and tender

Tea varieties, arise, in many instances, through
planting unsuitable varieties for the locality or
soil. Hybrid Teas will eventually receive most
favour, but what is wanted is more crimson
colour in this section, such as is found, for in-
stance, in Liberty, J. B. Clark, General
McArthur, and JIarquis of Salisbury, but better
quality in the flowers. I am glad to find that the
long, well-ripened shoots of the Hybrid Per-
petuals pegged down during autumn and spring
have escaped injury from frost in a marked de-
gree ; but others which were not laid down show
even at this time, the effects uf frost and cold'
winds.

Exhibition Roses.

Rose growers for exhibition need to secure
well-developed blooms of good form and sub-
stance, and this has to be done by persistently
thinning out the weakly growths several weeks
in advance of the exhibition, and thinning the
buds according to the time when it is neces-
sary to obtain perfect flowers. Exhibitors should
have duplicate blooms of each variety intended
to be shown. The best flowers are usually jiro-
duced by the maiden buds on plants budded in
the previous year. Unless there is a change in
the weather very soon, the maiden buds will only
pi-oduce flowers early enough for the later shows,
and growers will have to fall back on their " cut
backs " for the earliest flowers.

The feeding of the plants must be given careful
attention for several weeks before flowers are
required, r.nd protection and shade must be given
the blooms during their development. For stimu-
lating Roses in June, I have found nothing better
than cow manure and soot, using about one-
third of the former and two-thirds of the latter
in a tank holding about 30 gallons of water. The
mixture is put in a bag, and after a few days this
can be further diluted one-half, and applied three
times a week At every third watering a change
of stimulant in the form of a chemical fertiliser
mav be used to advant'^e. J . D. G.

CORNUS CANADENSIS.

Most of the members of the Dogwood family-
are of shrubby habit, while a few form smalT
trees. Many of them, like C. alba, and iti
variety Spaethii, have very ornamental foliage
combined with stems and branches that art
clothed with bright-red bark, which make
tliem attractive subjects for the shrubbery.
Others, like C. Mas — the Cornelian Cherry — are
useful, early-flowering plants. Quite different in
liabit, and forming a small section apart from
the rest is C. canadensis, the Dwarf Cornel or
Bu:ichberry (see fig. 160) and our native species,
t-'. suecica. C. canadensis is a small plant of
herbaceous habit, with creeping underground
ihizomes and upright simple stems about 5 inches
high, and spreading freely when established. The
leaves are produced in a whorl of four or six
at the summit of the stem ; the minute flowers
are surrounded by four rather large, white or
cream-coloured bracts, which remain conspicuous
for a long time. The plant is one of the prettiest
subjects for carpeting cool and shady parts of
the rock-garden. It thrives well in peaty soil,
but is a difficult subject to transplant, as it does
not recover quickly after root disturbance. The
flowers are succeeded by red berries, and the
leaves later in the season are tinted with bronze.
The species has been in cultivation since 1774 ;
it is found in North-eastern Asia and right across
the continent of North America, extending as far
north as the Fir forests. C. suecica is closely
allied to C. canadensis, and is a native*' >f
Northern and Arctic Europe, Asia and North
America. In Britain it occurs on the high moor-
lands from Yorkshire northwards. Whilst C.
canadensis flowers in May, C. suecica flowers in
July and August, the flowers being attended by
rather large, white bracks. Both the species may
be increased by division or by seeds. 11'. I.

364

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

The Carrots have all been marketed from the
frames. Those growing concurrently with the
Cos Lettuces require abundant waterings, and
may be pulled as they become ready. The batch
eown early in jMarch in the open has been
thinned, and must also be watered frequently.

As soon as the Carrots have been cleared off the
ground, the beds are hoed and raked carefully,
care being taken not to damage the Cauliflowers.
As these are now forming their inflorescences,
the curd is covered carefully with leaves
broken from the base. Though the Cauliflowers
have their roots in the manure of the old beds,
they require copious waterings.

Plants of the third batch of Cos Lettuces
grown under the cloches are now marketed ;
those planted in the open to provide a succession
will be ready fur cutting in the course of a few
days.

The last batch of Passion Lettuces grown in
the open was marketed last week ; the beds
have since been hoed, and the Cauliflowers
planted amongst them a month ago mulched.

The Melon plants have progressed favourably
rfuring the past two weeks, and half of them
are now showing fruits. The stopping of all the
side shoots to the second leaf requires a con-
siderable amount of time, as it is imperative it
should be done carefully and at the proper stage
to avoid giving a check to the plants.

During the very hot weather the plants are
given three gallons of water at the roots on
alternate days before breakfast. In very sandy
soil, and especially after the fruits are well set,
three gallons of water daily is not an excessive
quantity.

Ventilation is given before 8 a.m., and until
6 p.m. on bright days. No covering is necessary
for the earlier batch in calm weather.

The few Melons planted in rows in the first
days of April should, with favourable weather,
ripen some of their fruits by the middle of June.
The plants were given careful attention during
the cold and wet weather in April.

The market returns of the Spring Lettuces have
proved once more that there is no profit to be
obtained from very early Lettuces. The prices
for good heads were far from remunerative till

Fig. i6i. — mis willmottiana flowering at glasnevin :

FLOWERS BLUE AND WHITE.

When this latter crop is not too forward, two
rows of Radishes or Spinach may be sown be-
tween each row as a catch crop before the Cauli-
flowers require the room. A batch of Endive
La Rouennaise has been inserted in a cold frame
to be planted at the end of June on the old
manure bed. A prevailing idea among French
growers is that all curled Endives must be sown
under glass till June 20, or the plants will seed
prematurely.

Tomatos have been planted in their final
quarters at 18 inches apart each way. Our plants
are beautiful specimens, being well-hardened
and showing the first truss of bloom. The
natural dampness of the soil has been sufficient
for their growth, from the seedling stage, without
further moisture.

Their place in the frames has been occupied
by the Ridge Cucumbers, sown in the Melon
beds late last month. As the ground was
manured heavily for the Tomatos, it will be in
excellent condition for the Spring Cabbages or
Onions planted in the autumn.

February 20, but after this date prices were
better tiU March 13, when their value declined
again, as a large quantity was available from the
hot-beds. The best prices were obtained from
.IprU 1 till May 10. P. Aqiiatias.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Sweet Peas.*

The first volumes in the " Present-Day Gar-
dening " series, edited by Mr. R. Hooper
Pearson, are e.xcellent. The illustrations in Mr.
Wright's volume on Sweet Peas at once enlist
sympathy on behalf of the book. These embrace
Helen Lewis, Evelyn Hemus, Queen Alexandra,
Mrs. Hugh Dickson, Clara Curtis, Sunproof
Crimson, Masterpiece, and a selection of 15
varieties to show form and range of colouring.

• Sweet Peas, by Horace J, Wright, with eight coloured
plates from photographs. ( London and Edinburgh : T. C.
and E. C. Jack.) Price Is. 6d. In the " Present-Day Garden-
ing " Series edited by R. Hooper Pearson,

It is almost invidious to make comparisons where
all are fine examples of colour photoj;raphy, still,
to my liking. Masterpiece, for its cool yet deli-
cate effect, is the best picture, but Queen Alex-
andra and Clara Curtis, though somewhat harder,
are also very fine.

Mr. Wright excites wonder at the outset by
stating that British seedsmen distribute annually
448 millions of Sweet Pea seeds, a number impos-
sible to appreciate, but it helps us to realise
something of the fascination of the Sweet Pea
and the love it excites in all classes. The authoi-
foretells for it a still greater future, with varia-
tions from the three present types, and probably
more lovely colours. In a chapter on genertil
culture he describes some of the essentials to suc-
cess, stating that deep cultivation and a not-too-
liberal use of manures are most important. The
various methods of culture out-of-doors, as well
as under glass, are fully treated upon, as also
autumn and spring sowing, its advantages
and defects ; enemies and diseases, of which
"streak" is treated as of no importance, pro-
vided the plant is destroyed on its appearance.
If the appearances were to be numerous, its im-
portance would be apparent, but Mr. Wright
expects that oidy an odd plant or so will ever be
affected. He reduces the varieties to be grown
to a select 50, and a second selection, the quin-
tessence of these, is made for those who need
only a few sorts.

A chapter by Jlr. Thomas Stephenson on
" Sweet Peas for Exhibition " is included, in
which excellent advice is given on everything
connected with this absorbing passion — it is
said to be worse than golf or aviation. A
list of names of suitable varieties is added,
these being very similar to those of Mr. Wright's
selection. The book concludes with " a word or
two to judges" and a full index. I close the
volume with the feeling that it is a credit to all
concerned. If. P. Brolherston.

The "Weekly Telegraph" Gardeninq
Book.*

An inspection of the pages shows that these
are lavishly illustrated, the first picture being a
rock-work in Battersea Park. The subjects de-
scribed are taken alphabetically. There is a short
descriptive note attached to each illustration, but
the cultural directions, which are of paramount
importance in a manual intended for the use of
cottagers and amateurs, are very meagre. The
list of novelties in flowering species suitable for
pot culture, for bed and border decoration, is well
up to date, and the plants are, in most instances,
afforded illustrations. We find figures of Ferns
and Cacti, and a note concerning the soil, and
other materials in which these plants succeed.

The vegetable garden is more fully treated
upon than the flower garden. The book con-
cludes with a short calendar of operations for each
month.

IRIS WILLMOTTIANA.t

This Iris was iiitrudiiccd Ijy Mr. van Tubergen
from the mountains of Eastern Turkestan. It be-
longs to the dwarf Juno section, and flowers in
April. The plant is similar in habit to I. cau-
casica, with a glistening green blade, and white,
horny margin to the leaf. The flower.s are ses-
sile in the axils of the leaves, from three to
seven flowers being borne on each stem, according
to its strength. The top flower opens first, and
the others successionally downwards. In colour,
the flowers are a soft lavender-blue, with
blotches of white on the falls; but it is stated
that the colour varies in different plants. The
species is proving a free and easy grower. C. F.
Ball, Ruyal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Co.
Dublin.

* Published by the jiroprietors of the Weekly Telegraphy
London, E.C., and Sheffield. Is. net, demy 8vo.

t Described bv the late Sir Michael Foster, with Illustra-
tion, in Gardeiicn' Chronicle, April 27, lUOl, p. 261, fig. 100.

Jdne 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

365

MR. J. F. McLEOD.

A FEW weeks ago we published an article on
Dover House Gardens, with illustrations. We
now present a portrait of Mr. J. F. McLeod, the
agent and gardener at that place, together with
a few particulars of his career.

Mr. McLeod was born in 1853 in Inverness-
shire. His father was estate-manager and gar-
dener to Major McDonald of Glenfiiman. After
leaving school, the son worked in the gar-
dens at Glenfinnan for two years, and then went
through a course of work on the farm. During
several succeeding years a few months in each
winter were taken advantage of for the purpose
of attending school, the rest of the time being
occupied in farm work. This practice used
to be common in Scotland, especially before the
institution of school boards, and in consequence
many of the scholars at the winter courses were
grown-up men and women. For several years
afterwards he devoted his time to acquiring a
knowledge of farm work, stock-raising, and
forestry, but subsequently, being urged by his

House, Roehampton, which belonged to the late
Julius Spencer Moi-gan. Esq., father of J. Pier-
pont Morgan, Esq., the present owner.

Dover House gardens being situated on the
old valley gravel similar to that of Wimbledon
Common, Putney Heath, and Richmond Park,
they would be exceedingly difficult to manage
were it impossible to increase the fertility of the
land by the introduction of large quantities of
fresh soil and organic and chemical manures.
Fortunately, Mr. Morgan, desiring that the gar-
dens and estate should be maintained in the best
condition, allowed his gardener a free hand in
carrying out the measures he considered neces-
sary to supply natural deficiencies. In conse-
quence of this, many of the large beds have been
remade with Banstead loam, and the general soil
of the garden has been improved by additions
made from time to time.

In the last few years Jlr. McLeod has made
many outdoor improvements. Old shrubberies
have been uprooted, and beds of choice trees and
shrubs have been planted in such combinations
as produce very beautiful effects.

MR. JAMES KINDLAY McLEOD.

mother to adopt gardening as a profession, he
was apprenticed in the gardens of the late
Colonel Ogilvy at Rannagulzion House, Perth-
shire, in November, 1880, at a much later age
than the average apprenticeship is commenced in
Scotland. In the autumn of 1883 he was employed
as journeyman in the gardens of Jliss Fothering-
ham, of Tealing, Dundee, where he remained one
year. The next two years were spent in the West
of Scotland in the gardens of the late John Gor-
don, of Aikenhead, Cathcart. This garden was
specially well maintained, and plant growing, in-
cluding hard-wooded species and Orchids, were
specialities. The late Mr. T. Hogg, the head
gardener, was one of the leading prize-winners at
the Glasgow show's for plants and vegetables.
From Aikenhead Mr. McLeod moved into the
county of Fife, and three years were spent in
the gardens of the late John Balfour, Esq.,
Balbirnie. The Balbirnie gardens were then
under the charge of Mr. Wm. Henderson, the
present gardener. They were not only extensive,
but were maintained in a condition equal to any
in the county.

In September, 1889, Mr. JIcLeod left Balbirnie
in order to take charge of the garden at Dover

Not only have the grounds been extended and
remodelled, but, under Mr. ]\IcLeod's direction,
many of the buildings have been renewed and
new ones erected. The farm buildings have been
enlarged and brought thoroughly up-to-date.
Three span-roofed Orchid houses, connected by a
corridor, have been built ; a Palm house, a large
span-roofed Fig house, two long span-roofed pits,
and about 1,000 feet run of cold and heated
frames. The frame ground is exceedingly well
arranged and protected by high, closely-cut
Privet hedges. Adjoining the frame ground, a
new bothy has been built, affording every neces-
sary convenience for the young gardeners.
Although Peaches, Nectarines, vines, Figs,
Strawberries, and outdoor fruits are grown with
great success at Dover House, Mr. McLeod's
fame as a cultuiist rests principally upon
his successes with indoor flowering plants,
and of these he has exhibited collections from
time to time. Carnations are his chief speciality,
including the perpetual-flowering or tree type,
border Carnations, and the Souvenir de la Jlal-
maison section. In summer, there may usually
be seen a first-rate display of border varieties in
flower out-of-doors, but it is the " Malmaison "

Carnation Mr. McLeod has most closely studied.
Years ago, when cultivators were unable to suc-
ceed with these plants owing to the fungus
disease {Helminthosporium echiinilatum), Mr.
JIcLeod was showing specimens in 16-inch pots
with 50 growths upon each plant, bearing large,
well-developed leaves from their points to their
very base. Some of these were illustrated in our
own pages (see Gardeners' Chrunirle, July 2,
1898, pp. 3, 5, figs. 1, 2). In those days it was the
custom in many places to remove the " Mal-
maison " Carnations out-of-doors in summer-time,
and Mr. JIcLeod was among the first to discon-
tinue this practice. He found that when the
plants were subjected to rains and dews the leaves
became of a softer texture, and therefore more
readily preyed upon by disease. He has since
endeavoured to keep the leaf surface moderately
dry at all seasons of the year, but particularly
dry throughout the winter months. It is mainly
owing to the same culture having been adopted
in other places, that the " Malmaison " varieties
may now be more frequently seen in good con-
dition than formerly.

Other indoor plants which are cultivated in
very large numbers at Dover House are Begonias,
Calanthes, Cannas, Cyclamen, Gloxinias, Zonal
and Regal Pelargoniums, Richardia EUiotiana,
Nerines, and Chrysanthemums. The stock of
Nerines includes 600 plants in various sizes,
and those who know the valuable nature of these
plants at the present time may imagine how
much such a collection is worth. Mr. McLeod
has raised many seedling varieties of Codiseum
(Croton), some of which have been introduced to
commerce, including varieties named Mrs.
JNIcLeod, Florence, Norman McLeod, &c., all
these being narrow-leaved varieties.

Amongst the numerous medals he has been
awarded for exhibits at the horticultural shows,
one which is most prized is a Jubilee Com-
memoration Medal awarded by the Richmond
Horticultural Society for the best exhibit,
whether competitive or non-competitive, in the
show. The group which secured this award was
composed of Souvenir de la Jlalmaison Carnations.
Mr. -McLeod has several medals from the Royal
Horticultural Society, and a gold medal awarded
for an exhibit of Codiaiums exhibited at the
Earl's Court Exhibition in 1892. In another
direction Mr. McLeod is also an exhibitor,
namely, at the shows for the Guernsey breeds of
cows, out this part of his work is outside our view.
He has been a member of the Floral Committee
of the Royal Horticultural Society and a member
of the Executive Committee of the Royal Gar-
deners' Orphan Fund for many years past, and
during the present year has been called upon to
judge at an international exhibition in Holland.
Mr. McLeod is a strict disciplmarian, requiring
efficient service in every department, but he takes
a keen personal interest in the future of the young
men employed in Dover House gardens, whilst
his geniality in public and faithfulness in friend-
ship are personal qualities for which he is widely
esteemed.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

DENDROBIUM TRANSPARENS.

Recently-imported plants of this pretty and
fragrant Dendrobium are now flowering in
the nurseries of Jlessrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons,
at Chelsea. Years ago 't was frequently seen
in gardens, but latterly it appears to have
become scarce, in common with the smaller D.
amrenum, and the larger D. lituifloruni, both of
the same section and inhabiting the Himalayan
ranges of Northern India. The flowers, which
are very freely produced, are white, tinged with
pale purple, and they have purple markings on
the disc of the lip. Coming from high altitudes, it
is probable that the custom of growing the species
in too high a temperature frequently caused the
loss of the plants. When the plants are in
growth, a warm, moist house is essential, but

366

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

during the resting season a long period in a cool
greenhouse or vinery admits of them being kept
inactive until their proper growing season arrives.
If they are kept during the resting season in too
high "a temperature, like other Dendrobiums,
they send forth weak growths and gradually de-
cline in vigour. Various other Dendrobmms,
also fine varieties of Catleya Mendelii, and C.
Mossia?, Cymbidiums, Odontoglossums and Jlas-
devallias are in bloom with Messrs. Veitch, and
the fine collection of Nepenthes are developing
their new pitchers.

L^LIA CHAMONICENSIS (purpuk.ita x
Jongheana).
Flowers of this interesting hybrid are kindly
sent by Eustace F. Clark, Esq., Chamoni.\, Teign-
mouth, who raised it from seeds of the cross
indicated. The flowers, which are equal in size
to those of L. Boothiana, to which species it
bears a resemblance in colour, are light, rosy-
lilac, with mauve-purple colouring and veinuig
on the lip, which in its crimped margin shows
L. Jongheana distinctly. The lip has a yellow
disc which, seeing the great amount of orange
colour present in the lip of L. Jongheana, might
have been expected to be more pronounced m the
hybrid, were it not that the experience of raisers
has already proved the instability of the yellow
of one parent when crossed with forms having
lilac and purple tints, the yellow being often
suppressed in the progeny.

CYPRIPEDIUJI MONTANUM.
\ FLOWER of this prettv hardv Cypripedium is
sent bv Mrs. Edward Thatcher, The Manor
House," Chew Magna, Somerset, who states that
the plants now in bloom in her gardens were re-
ceived from British Columbia, and that one speci-
men bears 13 blooms. The narrowr sepals and
petals are purplish-brown, and the lip white. It
is nearest to the European yellow-lipped G. Cal-
ceolus, and well-flowered plants like Mrs.
Thatcher's specimens are very pretty. The whole
section thrive best in a cold, shady frame un-
healed bv artificial means, as the plants are very
impatient of excessive heat. In .sheltered situa-
tions they may be grown in boggy nooks in the
rock-garden in the open air. During the grow-
in" season they require an abundance of water.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicarv Gibbs,

Aldenham House, Hertfordshire.
Datura [Brm/mansin]. — D. siiaveolens, when
thoroughly hardened off, makes a splendid subject
for plunging in the borders. In a warm summer,
the large, pure-white pendulous flowers are pro-
duced with wonderful profusion until checked by
the approach of autumn frosts. Nothing is more
conspicuous or beautiful than a well-grown
standard specimen in full flower. Cuttings will
root readily, but some little time is necessary for
them to make good-sized standards. At the com-
mencement of winter the growths of the previous
summer may be pruned hard back, and the pots
stood quite close together in a house from which
frost is excluded : they must not be given much
water. In May remove them out-of-doors into a
sheltered position, where protection from frost
may be provided, and they may be thoroughly
hardened before plunging the pots. Once
plunged, they may remain out-of-doors until the
plants are disfigured by frost.

Summer bedding.— AW bedding plants are now
out-of-doors, and if they are well hardened, they
are ready for planting whenever an opportunity
occurs. There is plenty of material to select
from nowadays for planting any kind of beds ;
at the same time, extreme care must be exercised
in selecting the various plants and determining
upon the combinations to be employed if artistic
and bright effects are to be obtained. In gardens
where a portion <>f the summer bedding is
situated in close proximity to the mansion, the
gardener will select the choicest plants suitable
for the purpose, and endeavour to get a specially
novel and charming effect. Locality and aspect
must determine the class of plants that may be
used with certainty of success, but in all cases
those who have well-grown, properly-hardened
plants will be most likely to get the best results.
It is not only necessary that the colours of the
flowers or leaves are such as to harmonise, but

tf-e style of plant and the habit of growth must
also be of such a character that they will asso-
ciate one with another. In the modern system of
summer bedding there may be wide differences in
the designs and in the planting. The effect of
standard plants is charming when well-grown
specimens are used and a suitable groundwork is
provided. The use of a few standard plants pre-
vents any appearance of flatness or monotony.

rrepa'ration of th". ground. — This important
operation is sometimes overlooked. The beds
and borders should be deeply worked and a
liberal quantity of rotted manure in most cases
should be incorporated with the soil, not only to
.supply plant food, but to render the ground
retentive of moisture. Borders which have been
prepared in the proper manner will only require
to be forked over and the surface made moder-
ately firm and raked evenly. All spring-bedding
plants at present in the flower-beds required for
propagating must be lifted carefully and laid
in until attention can be given them which
should not be delayed a day longer than neces-
sary. It is desirable to make every preparation
before commencing to put out the summer plants
so that when this operation commences it may
be brought to a conclusion without, any unneces-
sary delay. The level of the beds should be
raised above that of the surrounding soil, as this
adds greatly to the effect, and also provides addi-
tional space for a neat edging.

Planting. — Many standard plants succeed best
when plunged in their pots, especially any which
will be required again next season. All the
plants should be made firm at the roots, and they
should be uniform in height. Any that require
ftaking should have stakes put to them at the
time of planting. The plants should be given a
good soaking with clear water on the same day
as they are in.serted, and afterwards frequent
sprayings with a springe or rose-can in hot
weather will keep the plants fresh during the
time they are becoming re-established. Most of
the plants intended for carpeting should be
pegged down neatly as early as possible.

General work. — The Dutch hoe must be used
frequently to destroy weeds. Plants require fre-
quent attention in regard to tying, especially
climbing plants. Any which are affected with
aphis should be syringed late in the afternoon
with an insecticide. Shrubs in pots which have
been forced should be planted in the nursery or
similar place where they may grow for a season or
two before they are used again for forcing. The
rock-garden should be hand-weeded by someone
who has a good knowledge of Alpine plants, and
many of the rock plants will require watering.
Continue to plant bare spaces in the garden
with bright-flowering plants.

PLANTS UNBER GLASS.

By John DoNOGHCf, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Begonia Gloire de Lorraine. — The earliest
batcii of young plants will now be ready for pot-
ting into their flowering pots, which should be
selected from 5 to 7 inches in diameter according
to the strength of each plant. A suitable com-
post is one consisting of good turfy loam, peat,
and leaf-mould, using these materials in equal
quantities. There must be added a quantity of
manure from a spent Mushroom bed or some
well-decayed sheep manure which has been dried
and rubbed through a sieve, also a moderate
quantity of charcoal and silver sand. The soil
should not be made very firm in the pots, as all
the varieties of Gloire de Lorraine appear to
like a loose rooting medium. The chief points to
observe are care in watering, the provision of
considerable heat and atmospheric moisture,
also shade from excessive sunshine. A little
liquid manure can be given the plants in
autumn. A neat, green stake should be placed
firmly in the centre of each plant, and the
growths should be lightly secured to the stake
with a loop of thin Raffiatape. The pyramidal-
shaped plants are most valuable for decorative
purposes. It is desirable to damp the paths and
bare spaces occasionally with farmyard manure,
as it has the effect of preventing thrip. An
occasional fumigation may be necessary.

Begonia Gloire de Sceaux. — The brilliant
metallic-looking foliage of this handsome
Begonia is something to be desired. Its usual
season of flow-ering is in winter, and it is con-
tinued until March or even April. Young plants
may easily be raised from cuttings inserted at

this season or by division of the stem ; these
latter should be placed into small pots filled with
sandy compost, and the pots should be plunged
in a gentle bottom heat. When they have formed
roots they can be potted up singly and treated
afterwards similarly to Begonia CJloire de Lor-
raine, but using less fire-heat.

Pot I/oses. — .'Vny varieties which have flowered
should be placed on an ash base out-of-doors.
They will need root waterings pretty frequently,
so long as the plants remain in an active condi-
tion of growth. The plants should be exposed
to the sunshine in order that the shoots may get
thoroughly matured. The pots being now full
of roots, an occasional top-dressing with some
chemical fertiliser w-ill be useful. In order to
keep the plants perfectly free from aphides and
red spider, they must be syringed occasionally
with an insecticide. Climbing plants require
constant attention. The weak growths and other
undesirable shoots should be removed and the
remaining shoots trained evenly over the space
available. Such plants should be kept under
proper control, otherwise the plants in the house
will suffer from shade. Any climbing plants
that grow in permanent borders will require a
top-dressing and frequent applications of water
during the next few months.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Catlleya hou.'ie. — Plants of Cattleya War-
scewiczii (gigas) now showing their flower-sheaths,
will require to be kept fairly moist at the root
to assist the plants while developing their
flowers ; they should be placed well up to the
roof-glass in a shady part of the house. Those
plants which fail to produce sheaths should also
receive generous treatment, or they will not de-
velop strong pseudo-bulbs. When the growths
are fully completed, and the flower-spikes re-
moved, gradually expose the plants to more air
and sunshine, because the better the pseudo-
bulbs are ripened, the better W'ill the plants
bloom next year. After the bulbs are completed,
but little water need be afforded the plants. As
soon as they commence to produce roots from
their base, fresh potting material may be afforded.
C. Dowiana and its variety aurea, having now
started well into growth, should be placed at the
warmer end of the hou.se, and be carefully sup-
plied with water until the flowers open, and when
these fade, the plants should be treated as
advised for C. Warscewiczii. C. Luedemanniana
(speciosissima) may be repotted within a .-jw
weeks after the plants have flowered, and then
be kept in a cooler and drier atmosphere during
the resting period. Lselia rubescens (acuminata),
L. Gouldiana alid others, which are at rest,
should be placed in a little more warmth than is
afforded by the ordinary greenhouse, but with
more air and less atmospheric moisture than are
to be found in the Orchid houses ; very little water
being needed at the root to keep the pseudo-bulbs
plump. Oncidium ampliatum majus. after bloom-
ing, should receive similar treatment. At this
season there are numerous hybrid Cattleyas and
LEelias which have passed out of flower, and
that need a short period of rest, therefore let them
be placed in a cool, airy part of the house,
being careful not to induce the growths to start.
This kind of treatment is applicable to Laelia pur-
purata, a species which is apt to start into growth
almost immediately after it has flowered.

Intermediate honse. — Plants of the summer-
flowering Platyclinis filiformis are starting their
new grow-ths, which, when about half-way
through their growing period, send out their
thread-like flower-spikes, and from this time un-
til the growths are made up, abundance of water
is necessary at the root. Suspend the plants in
a well-shaded part of the house, and in a position
where the foliage can be conveniently sprayed
over several times each day. Repotting should
be deferred until after the flowers have faded.
P. glumacea should be placed in a similar posi-
tion, and plenty of water afforded it to assist the
development of the new growths. P. uncata,
although at rest, will need similar treatment as
for P. filiformis.

B/efia. — Such deciduous plants as Bletia
hyacinthina, B. campanulata and B. verrucunda
which have completed their growth should be
placed in a light position in a cool greenhouse, or
cool frame.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

367

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

Jy A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northaaiptonshtre.

Mulch'ing. — Special attention should be given
to mulching during the next few weeks, in order
that evaporation may be hindered and less labour
required in watering. Such attention is particu-
larly needed in regard to trees growing against
walls, or which have been budded or grafted
on shallow-rooting stocks, because the roots being
near to the surface they are more likely to suffer
in case of drought. In cases where the soil is
of a heavy nature, it may be desirable to defer
the mulching until the soil has become warmed
by a period of sunny weather. Mulching re-
quires to be carried out with considerable care,
and the same materials are not suitable for all
trees. Any which have been newly-planted, or
that have failed to set crops this season should
only be mulched with light, strawy litter, as rich
manure would have an injurious effect upon
them, tending to the production of unfruitful
wood. Trees in light, porous soils, on the con-
trary, and bearing good crops of i'ruit, will be
benefited by a liberal dressing of partially-de-
cayed stable manure, and soakings of clear water
should be given directly after the mulching has
been applied. Future waterings may consist of
clear water and liquid manure from the farm-
yard, applied alternately. In commencing this
operation, the first tiling to be done is to remove
all the weeds, then to prick up the surface soil
by means of a garden fork. If the weather dur-
ing summer is hot and dry, it may 'be necessary
to repeat the mulching in .some, and possibly in
all cases.

The CocUin 7noth ( C a r poixi ih<a puinondja). —
This moth is on the wing laCj in spring; the
eggs are deposited in the calyx of the young
fruit. After about a week or 10 days the mag-
gots appear, and they pierce the young fruits,
boring to the centre. There they feed and cause
the fruits to fall to the ground. Preventive
measures should be taken directly the flowers
have faded, and it should be remembered in this
connection that tom-tits and the little fly-
catchers do much service in devouring the cater-
pillars before they have bored into the fruit. The
best winter remedy is to spray the trees with the
caustic alkali wash. Later, when the blossoms
have fallen from the trees, a spraying should be
carried out with arsenate of lead. Fallen fruits
should be picked up and destroyed by burning,
for if allowed to lie on the ground, the cater-
pillars will escape from them and conceal them-
selves in any loose material that may be near,
and eventually another generation of moths will
foUow.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Melons. — During hot, sunny weather these
plants need extra attention in regard to watering
and feeding. If they once suffer from drought,
a check is caused and the fruits are apt to .split.
Apply a top-dressing of fresh soil as often as the
roots appear on tlie surface of the border.
Plants now swelling their fruits should be given
liberal supplies of liquid manure, but such
manure water should be discontinued directly
the fruits show signs of ripening. Admit air
freely during fine weather through the top venti-
lators early in the day in order to prevent
scorching of the foliage. Syringing overhead
should cease when the fruits have commenced to
swell freely, but atmospheric moisture must still
be promoted by syringing the paths and shelves,
and other surfaces in the house, several times
each day. The atmospheric temperature at night
should range from 70° to 75°, and the house
should be closed early in the afternoon in order
to utilise the sun-heat, so that the temperature
may rise to 95°, or even 100°. Examine the
plants once or twice each week and remove any
lateral growths before it is necessary to cut a
large quantity away at one time, which invari-
ably causes a check to the plants. Pinch the
laterals generally to one leaf, but where there
is sufficient room on the trellis above the fruit,
the laterals may be allowed a little more exten-
sion than those on the lower part of the plant.
This will encourage a flow of sap to the fruits
and tend to increase root action.

Melons in frames. — The supply of Melons
during summer can easily be augmented by
growing a batch of plants in frames. Brick pits

deep enough to contain a good bed of fermenting
material are the most suitable structures. The
hot-bed should be composed of leaves and fresh
manure, using two parts leaves to one part of
manure. These materials should be placed in a
heap which should be turned over a few times
before they are used to form a bed. When the
bed has been formed and trodden firmly the sur-
face should not be less than 15 inches frotn the
glass, otherwise the foliage may reach the glass
and become scorched. The Melon plants should
be placed on mounds composed of turfy loam,
with a considerable proportion of lime rubble
mixed with it. Two plants may be put under
each light, one to grow toward the back of the
frame and the other towards the front. If proper
attention is given to watering and top-dressing
the border, and regulating the growth, each
plant may be expected to produce two or three
fruits. The fruits should be raised tow^ard the
light by placing inverted pots under them when
they have attained to a fair size. Endeavour to
keep the temperature regular, cover the frames
with mats on cold nights, and ventilate carefully
during sunny days.

Vines in puis. — The Grapes on the pot vines
being now fully ripe, more ventilation should be
cmploj'ed and a drier atmosphere maintained.
Apply just sufficient water to the roots to keep
tlie foliage from flagging. As soon as the crop
lias been gathered, the vines may be removed
out-of-doors r.iid the house utilised for some other
crop.

Early vines in borders. — Vines on which the
fruit is now colouring will also require more air
and a drier atmosphere. The atmo.spheric tem-
perature at night should range from 65° to 70°,
allowing a little ventilation at the top of the
house. Air may be admitted both by top and
bottom ventilators during day-time when the
weather is favourable. Give attention to the
border, remembering that shanking of the berries
is often caused by extremes of drought and wet.
Outside borders may be mulched with horse-
droppings to encourage the surface roots and
prevent any ill-effects from the sun and wind.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Aspnra;;us. — Beds in full bearing will be bene-
fited by applications of weak liquid manure, and,
during showery weather, light dressing of guano.
Examine the beds each day and cut any shoots
that are ready ; if the supply is greater than the
demand, the surplus heads may be kept fresh for
a few days by standing the cut ends on wet sand
in a dark, cool place. The beds must be kept
free from weeds by hand-weeding.

French 71-ons. — The earliest plants will now be
pushing through the ground, and some protection
must be afforded them during frost. Continue
to make sowings of French Beans fortnightly, on
rich land, to furnish a good supply of young pods
over a long period.

Curunihers. — Cucumber plants, either in pits
or houses, should be given an abundance of water
at the roots and a little artificial manure. If
the rooting space is limited in extent, frequent
light top-dressing of loam and rotted manure in
equal quantities should be applied. Let the
atmosphere be kept moist by frequently syring-
ing the walls and borders. JIuch air is not
needed at any time, but only just sufficient to
keep the atmosphere of the house in a fresh con-
dition. Stop and regulate the shoots, frequently
removing all surplus shoots, also any leaves that
are becoming exhausted. Be careful to avoid
overcropping. Sow another batch of seeds
singly in small pots for raising plants to fruit in
August and September.

Parsley. — The main winter crop of Parsley
should now be sown in rows 18 inches apart. A
border facing to the west is best for this sowing,
as such a position is protected from the east
winds. Another sowing may be made a month
later in a sheltered portion of the garden where
it will be possible to protect the Parsley by the
use of boxes, frames, or spare lights during cold
weather in winter. As soon as these latter plants
ar& large enough they should be cut close to the
ground level. They will then make short, sturdy
growths before the commencement of winter.

Endive. — Seeds of Endive should be sown
without delay on a north border in light, rich
soil. Sow the seeds in drills 15 inches apart, and
thin the plants to distances of 1 foot apart. The

seedlings which are removed in the thinning pro-
cess may be transplanted on a north border.
These will come into use in September, a fort-
night later than those which remain in the soil.
The best way to blanch Endive in summer is to
tie the leaves together when they are perfectly
dry and cool.

Lettuce. — Lettuce seeds should be sown each
fortnight on a north border in rich, but not
excessively light, soil. Sow the seeds in drills
15 inches apart and 1 inch deep. If the ground
is dry a good watering should be given on the
day previous to sowing the seeds. Sow thinly
and shade the ground in very hot weather until
the plants are well above the soil. Jlammoth
White Cos, Continuity, and All-the-Year-Round
are reliable sorts for summer sowing.

Broad Beans. — These should be topped as soon
as sufHcient flowers have set, and, if black fly is
troublesome, the plants may be syringed with
soft soap and water. If fresh sowings are de-
sired, the seeds should be sown in trenches pre-
pared as for late Peas, so that liberal supplies
of water can be given in hot weather. Broad
Windsor is the best for a late sowing.

Peas. — Small sowings of late Peas may be
made every week from now until the middle of
June in trenches into which a quantity of farm-
yard manure has been dug. The plants must not
be allowed to suffer from drought, or mildew
will be sure to put in appearance. Apply a
mulch of farmyard manure to the ground between
the rows.

JRadishes and Mu.?l.ard and Cress. — JIake a
sowing each week of Radishes, selecting a site
where the sun will not have dried the ground.
Mustard and Cress may be sown in a similar
situation, covering the seeds with sheets of paper
until they have germinated.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.
Confrollinrj swarniimj. — Although some bee-
keepers desire to increase their stocks, many
would be glad if they could find some method of
preventing their bees swarming. Some are of the
opinion that swarming is caused by there being
more nurse bees than there is brood to nurse.
When the brood chamber is filled with brood, the
bees fill the cells with honey as the young bees
leave the cells, consequently there is no work
for the nurse bees. If colonies could be kept
supplied with plenty of cell space, then swarming
could certainly be prevented. Many beekeepers
extract honey from the brood frames, w^hikt
others add an empty frame. Another and easier
method is as follows : \Vlien a colon\' is making
preparations for swarming, which can be known
by the building of queen cells, then in less than
a week, probably only a day or two, swarming
will take place if the weather is favourable. The
beekeeper must prepare another hive, place it
upon the old stand, and, taking the frames singly,
shake off the adhering bees into the new hive,
taking care that the queen is amongst them.
All supers should be removed from the old hive
and placed in the new one. By this means, the
beekeeper makes certain that the bees will not be
lost in swarming. Sometimes the bees will leave
their new house, but this may be prevented by
placing a frame of hatching brood in the centre
of the hive, for bees rarely desert their brood.
Before disturbing the colony rap the sides of the
hive well to thoroughly frighten the bees, as
these latter will then gorge themselves with
honey. Ihis is a very important procedure. If
it is desired to increase the stock the old hive
should be placed on a new stand, but if no in-
crease is wished the old hive should be placed
near to the new one, to receive those bees that
were abroad at the time of transference. In a
fortnight all the bees may be shaken from the
frames into the new stock and the old hive re-
moved. To prevent after swarming, when a
colony has swarmed naturally, place the hive
containing the swarm on the old stand,
and allow the parent hive to remain by its
side, with the entrance turned slightly aside, and
on the seventh day. w-hilst the bees are very busv
afield, remove the old colony to a new stand, and
the flying bees will join the swarm, thus
strengthening it, and the loss to the other stock
will be so great that there will be no disposition
to swarm again. Should such after swarming
take place, then, while the bees are clustering,
cut out all the queen cells, and the bees may then
be returned to the hive.

368

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ie Editors do not
undettake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused couniiunicaiions or illustrations, utiless by
special arrangement. The Editois do not hold themselves
tesponsibie for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Letters for Publication, as welt as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addiessed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellington street, Covent Garden, London.
Communications should be writtkn on one side onlv of
THP PAPER, sent as early in tf-^ 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.

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

Illustrations. - The Editors will be glad to receive andto select
phologiaphs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, &-c.^ but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

ticVi'spapcrs.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
cate/ulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Prof. Henslow on "Survivals among Plants of the
Past.") Scottish Hort. Assoc, meet. British Gard.
Assoc. Ex. Council meet.
THURSDAY. JUNE 9-

London Branch of E.G. A. Excursion.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11—

R.H.S. Gardens Club Annual Re-union at Wisley.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 582^.
Actual Temperatures: —

London. — Wednesday^ June 1 (6 p.m.) : Max. 65°;
Min. 61".
Gardeners' Chronicle Ofiice, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — Ihursday, /une 2
(10 A.M.); Bar. 29-8; Temp. 60°; U'ealher—
Raining.
Provinces. — Wedrtesday, June 7: Max. 62" Chelms-
ford ; Min. 50° Scotland N.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Liliums and Hardy Bulbs, Bedding Plants, &c., at 1;
Palms, Bays, Ferns, Pot Roses, &c., at 3 ; at 67 & 68,
Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe & Morris,

FRIDAY—

1,200 Imported Cattleya Schroderse, Established Or-
chids, &c , at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe
and Morris, at 12.45.

Aids to
Forcing.

Our readers are familiar with
*r5!.*'*^'*' tho accounts which we have
given from time to time of
attempts to apply various
artificial aids to the forcing of plants. Tlie
objects which the cultivator has in view in
thus interfering with the normal course of
development of the plant are either to cause it
to flower earlier than it would do under more
natural circumstances or to reduce the
forcing period and the cost of production. All
the various methods employed, including
etherisation, cold storage, and treatment
with hot water, start from the well-recognized
premiss that plants must have experienced
a check before they can be forced success-
fully. The object, therefore, of the culti-
vator who is engaged in forcing plants is to
discover means whereby the plant, in.stead
of being subjected to the natural check or
arrest of development by frost, is checked
in a similar manner by artificial means.

Of the means which have been employed,
with greater or less success, tha chief are, as
we have mentioned, etherisation, subjection
to low temperature, and treatment with hot
water.

Johanssen's etherisation experiments are
nov/ so well known that we only mention them
in order to call attention to the admirable
summary published in the Preliminary Eeports

of the Brussels International Exhibition, of
the results of the application of this method
on a large scale. According to the report by
M. Charles Chevalier, the chief merits of the
method are, that plants which are amenable
to the treatment may be caused by etherisa-
tion to flower two months earlier than is other-
wise po.ssible, that the time required for the
subsequent forcing is shorter, and, hence, the
treatment with ether results in an economy of
fuel and labour, and that the flowers are
superior to these borne by unetherised plants.

As to the actual effect produced by ether,
our knowledge is still incomplete. The preva-
lent opinion, however, is that it causes a loss
of water from the tissues, and thus acts by
drying the plant. In support of this view, it
is pointed out that the eff'ect of ether is the
less the more the plants treated have been
exposed previously to frosts. Whence it fol-
lows that, if etherisation is to be practised
with success, it must be applied early, for ex-
ample, during October or November.

The most important points to bear in mind
in the application of the ansesthetic are that
the temperature must not be too low — about
30°-32" F.- and that the plants mu.st be ex-
posed for a fairly long time to the action of
the vapour. In the table given by M. Cheva-
lier 72 hours is cited as a fair time if the pre-
ceding season has been wet, and 60 hours if
it has been dry. It may be that certain fail-
ures which have been reported in this country
are traceable to the exposure having been
of too short duration. Other ansesthetics
which have proved serviceable substitutes for
ether are chloroform, which has the advan-
tage of being less inflammable, and carbon-
tetrachloride.

The origin of the u.S6 of artificially-obtained
low temperatures for forcing is due to the in-
itiative of the cultivators of " cut flowers " at
Aalsmeer (Holland). In his interesting re-
port on the Influence of Artificial Cold on the
Forcing of Plants, M. P. de Vries, State Pi'o-
fessor of Horticulture at Aalsmeer, describes
the experiments made in 1907 on such subjects
as Syringa, Prunus triloba, Deutzia Lemoinei
and D. gracilis; Magnolia and Convallaria.
Large numbers of these, as well as other
plants, were placed in a refrigerating cham-
ber on October 31 and maintained for a week
at a temperature of from 3°-4° above freezing
point.

In this case the drying effect of the low
temperature became evident, for the plants —
which were packed very closely — gave off so
much water vapour as to form a coating of
snow on the pipes in the refrigerating cham-
ber, where, evidently, the temperature was
lower by several degrees than in the middle
of the room.

Though the original experiments were not
a complete success, they were followed by
others, in which it was demonstrated that, for
Syringa, Spiraea and Convallaria, the method
was capable of yielding excellent results. The
advocates of the yet more recent hot^water
method claim that it is much easier of appli-
cation and more certain in results than the
ether method, which required an airtight
chamber.

Among the plants which have responded to
the treatment are Lilac, Fonsythia suspensa,
and many other spx'ies of less horticultural
importance. The plants to be treated are
plunged in tepid water, which is kept as nearly

as possible at temperatures ranging from 85°-
96°. The roots are not submerged, but the
rest of the plant is maintained under the
water for periods varying from 6 to 12 hours.
Though the several methods cannot yet be
said to have passed altogether beyond the
experimental stage, yet it is evident that,
for certain plants, they provide means of
securing precocious crops and of allowing the
cultivator to determine with no small amount
of precision the times of their flowering. For
it should be noted in conclusion that plants
subjected to ether vapour or to hot water
need not be forced immediately. They may
be left exposed to the weather, and be taken
into the forcing house as occasion re<iuires.

The Selborne Society. — The annual
meeting of the Selborne Society will be held in
the Theatre of the Civil Service Commission,
Burlington Gardens, on Friday, June 17. After
the business has been transacted, an address will
be delivered by Mr. James Buckland, on the
traffic in feathers and the need for legislation. Mr.
BrCKLAND was the promoter of the Plumage Bill
which Lord Aveeukt recently introduced into,
and pa.ssed through the House of Lords. It will
be remembered that during last year the Sel-
borne Society acquired new offices at 42, Blooms-
bury Square, in order to form a home for its
library, and to provide reading and committee
rooms.

" French ■■ Garden at Warley Park,
Birmingham. — We are informed that the
French garden exhibited by Messrs. Sutton &
Sons in Warley Park, Birmingham, and de-
scribed in these columns last week, was in-
spected by 140,000 visitors.

Leonardslee Gardens. — We stated on
p. 333 that Sir Edmund Loder's beautiful gar-
dens at Leonardslee, near Horsham, were to be
opened to the public for the benefit of the West
Sussex Nursing Association. We are now in-
formed that the number of visitors who paid for
admission was 550. and that a sum approaching
£70 will be handed over to the institution.
Leonardslee is not particularly accessible, owing
to its distance from the railway station, there-
fore the number of visitors is surprising, not-
withstanding that many motorcars were brought
into requisition. The gardens were seen at their
best, and Mr. W. A. Cook, the head gardener,
gave the visitors all the information possible
respecting the magnificent Rhododendrons and
other plants.

Madresfield Court Gardens. — We are

ii'formed that the proceeds obtained from the
opening of Madresfield Court gardens on Whit-
jNIonday for public inspection will not be given to
the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund, as stated
last week, but to the Worcester Auxiliary of the
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution.

Flower Gardening for Children. -The

North British Academy of Arts (Newcastle-on-
Tyne) recently formulated a scheme for en-
couraging the children in pot-plant and window-
box gardening, prizes being awarded for the
best. An influential committee was formed, and
so successful have been their efforts that on
Tvneside alone more than 2.500 children have
been provided with the necessary seed by the
academy. The sum of 50 guineas has been allo-
cated for prizes in the hope that not only will
the homes be beautified, but a love of nature
inculcated which will have lasting effects in the
minds of the children.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

369

Kew Guild. — Instead of the customary dinner
at the Holborn Restaurant, the annual re-union
this year took place at the Gymnasium,
Kew, on May 23. About 60 members were
present, under the chairmanship of the cura-
tor and president, Mr. W. Watson. The an-
nual report showed that the total membership is
273. Owing to the alteration in the date of publi-
cation of the Journal the expenditure was only
16s. 7d. The number to be issued in June will
serve for the period between December, 1908. and
the date of the present meeting. As there is now
a reserve fund sufficient to meet all liabilities, and
the interest from this, together with the re-
turn from advertisements is sufficient to
maintain the Guild were there no other
sources of income, it is felt that the annual
balance should be placed at the disposal of the
committee, to be used at their discretion in fur-
thering the objects of the Guild. The committee
invite members to inform the secretary should
they be in need of employment, or if they know
of situations which Kew-trained men might fill.

Intensive Cultivation at Regents Park.

— The directors of the Daily Mail newspaper
have made arrangements to hold an exhibi-
tion relating to intensive cultivation, small hold-
ings, poultry farming, bee-keeping, fruit-growing
and bottling, and subjects of a similar character,
at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park,
London, from July 18 to August 1. It is in-
tended to make the exhibition as comprehensive
as possible. In addition to the " French " gar-
den, which will be shown in actual operation,
sections will be devoted to poultry farming and
the other industries already mentioned. Space
will alfio be available for practical displays of
appropriate undertakings furthering the " back-
to-the-land " movement. In the exhibition
grounds 18 picturesque houses of an early English
period will be erected for occupation by exhibi-
tors and a limited amount of space will be re-
served for appropriate exhibits in various other
positions in the gardens. Particulars may be ob-
tained from the Daily it ail Office.

Fig. 163. — CYPRIPEDIUM PUBESCENS, A HAKDV SPECIES, AS EXHIBITED BY MESSRS. BAKERS

AT THE TEMPLE SHOW.

The committee also desire to be informed of any
case in which assistance, pecuniary or otherwise,
might be afforded to a Kewite. After a very in-
teresting meeting, most of the members spent a
pleasant evening at the Kew Gardens Hotel.

The Recent Temple Show/. — It is satis-
factory to learn that the receipts for admission
to this show exceeded those of last year,
although, as we pointed out in our last issue,
there was less crowding than usual. Large
numbers of Fellows took advantage of the Wed-
nesday morning, when the show was reserved for
their inspection, and this relieved the pressure
on the Tuesday afternoon. As supplementary to
our report published last week, we may mention
the fine groups of garden flowers shown by
Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, and Messrs.
Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset. The
former firm showed a rock-garden exhibit planted
with choice Alpine plants. There were fine
clumps of hardy terrestrial Orchids, and we now
illustrate Cypripedium pubescens in fig. 163. and
C. spectabile in fig. 154. Messrs. Kelway's
Pyrethrums and Pseonies were greatly admired.

Proposed Memorial to Mr. John Speir. —

A proposal to commemorate the services of Mr.
John Speir, Newton, near Glasgow, by some
memorial, such as a scholarship, is likely to in-
terest many horticulturists, as well as those con-
cerned in agriculture. Besides his many activi-
ties as a farmer, Mr. Speir was an able market-
gardener, and, in addition to other crops, grew
large quantities of Narcissi and other flowers for
the Glasgow markets. The movement, we are
informed, is likely to be carried to a successful
issue.

Essex Farmers to Visit Ireland.— The
Essex Education Committee has arranged for a
party of agriculturists and horticulturists to visit
Ireland in July. The members will be afforded
opportunities of seeing the organisation and prac-
tice of agriculture and horticulture, on farms and
holdings varying in size from 4 up to 350 acres.
The sparsely-populated districts of the west, the
Potato-growing soils of the south, and some of
the more intensely cultivated areas of the north
will be visited. One day will be devoted to an
inspection of the Loughgall fruit district of 3,000

acres, another to the commercial estate of Sir
JossLYN Gore-Booth, Bart., near Sligo, and a
third to the estate of Col. Nugent T. Everard,
J. P., D.L., at Navan. Co-operative creameries,
bacon factories and a poultry-fattening station
will also be inspected, while among the extra-
ordinary industries to be visited are Tobacco
and Hemp culture, bulb farming, cyder making,
fruit and vegetable drying, and a school of
needlework. The schemes of instruction and agri-
cultural institutions of the Department of Agri-
culture, the work of the Congested Districts
Board, and the Irish Agricultural Organisation
Society will also be studied. Killarney and the
Vale of Avoca will form the subject of a week-
end visit. The party wiU leave Paddington Sta-
tion at 8.45 on Thursday morning, July 14, for
Cork, returning on Tuesday morning, July 25,
reaching Paddington at 9.55 p.m. The members
will travel third class by train and first-class
saloon on board the steamboat. Applications to
join the party (which will be limited to 40 per-
sons) must be sent to the Education Committee
not later than July 1.

Baron Schroder and the Gardening
Charities.— It will be seen from our report of
the proceedings at the annual festival dinner of
the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund that Mr.
Edward Sherwood, the hon. treasurer, an-
nounced that by the terms of the will of the late
Baron Schroder the fund would benefit to the
extent of £500. We learn also that Bar.-jn
Schroder bequeathed a sum of £1,000 to the
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. Our
readers who have been familiar with the
numerous instances of Baron Schroder's
liberality during his life will be all the more
grateful that he has remembered the afflicted and
poor at his death. These gifts will still further
cause the name of Baron Schroder to be
cherished in the memories of all associated with
gardening.

" The Country Gentlemen's Estate
Book." — The Year Book of Vie Country OentU-
mnt's Ansociation for 1910, edited and compiled
by the managing director, Mr. William Broom-
hall, is a bulky volume of over 500 pages, ad-
mirably-printed and illustrated. The members
of the association certainly cannot complain of
Uick of variety in its contents, as the subjects
I over estate work and management, farming, hor-
ticulture, woods and forests, sports and pastimes,
;ind miscellaneous topics, while a mere list of the
articles under these several divisions would fill
a column of this paper, if a line were given to
each. Under " Legislation in 1909," with which
the volume opens, there are excellent descriptions
of the Town Planning and Development and
Road Improvement Funds Acts. Among the sub-
jects under estate work and management various
writers, including well-known authorities, deal
with concrete house construction, country house
lighting by electricity, a practical mono-railway,
the reclamation and utilisation of peat lands,
municipal water supplies and the storing of water,
land drainage, and many other topics. To farming
a stiU more numerous set of articles is devoted,
including those on such subjects as associations
for the creation of small holdings, functions of a
department of agriculture, goat-farming, and new
fertilisers. In the same division Sir Walter
GiLBEY writes suggestively en " Horses for the
Army," and Mr. C. J. Davies on " Somf. Indica-
tions of Milk Producing," while Mr. Cecil
Hooper deals with " Small Holdings in Kent."
Among the most interesting horticultural articles
are "Fruit Culture on Farms," by "Ember;"
" The Training of Gardeners," by G.H.H. ; and
an unsigned p&per on " Narcissus Cultivation."
It must be added that some of the articles on
important subjects are too short to afford much
information.

01

0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

The Van Houtte Centenary.— The arrange-
ments for the centenary celebrations on Sunday,
June 26, at Gendbrugge, are nearing completion.
The procession promises to be a very impressive
spectacle, and on all sides the committee is re-
ceiving sympathetic help. An immense crowd ia
expected to gather at Gendbrugge, and measures
are being taken to prevent accidents. On the
first day of the festivities the proceedings will be
terminated by a great banquet at the Casino of
the Societe Royale d'Agriculture et de Bota-
nique. The banquet will be attended by any ad-
mirers of Louis v.\n Houtte, whether they are
horticulturists or not. Since our last announce-
ment was made, a further sum of nearly £40 has
been received towards the general fund.

Rosa cicantea in Flower at Kew. —

Rofarians will be interested to know that the
magnificent plant of Rosa gigantea, in the Tem-
perate House, Royal Gardens, Kew, has de-
veloped during the present week two of its rare
and beautiful flowers. The Kew plant has a
splendid stem, 7g inches in circumference, whilst
its branches extend a considerable distance along
the top of the high building. This is the first
occasion that the specimen at Kew has borne
flowers, although it has been planted very many
j-ears. It will be remembered that, on February
28, 1905, flowers of Rosa gigantea were exhibited
from the Duke of Northumberland's garden,
Albury Park, Surrey, at a meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society. So extraordinary was this
exhibit considered that the Floral Committee
made it the award of a Botanical Certificate, and
also a Cultural Commendation. Previous to this
exhibit from Albury Park, we do not know that
the species has flowered in England, except in
the nurseries of ilessrs. F. C.A.NT & Co., Colches-
ter. A curious point about it is that, whilst in
temperate houses like that at Kew the plant will
grow with the greatest freedom, it seems in-
capable of blooming freely in this country. Yet
the species flowers profusely on the Riviera.
In our issue for March 4, 1905, a full-page illus-
tration of this Rose appeared, together with
some particulars respecting its native habitats
and its behaviour in the gardens at the Chateau
Eleonore at Cannes.

Delphinium sulphureum (D. Zalil). — This
fine species of Delphinium, with its pale yellow
flowers so distinct from those of its allies, is less
frequently grown than it should be, mainly per-
haps on account of inherent difficulties connected
with its culture. It requires a dry, open situa-
tion and freedom from competition with weeds
or other plants. In the ordinary crowded her-
baceous border it rarely succeeds. Some useful
hints on the management of the plant are given
by M. Roll in a recent issue of Die Gartenwdt.
While the seeds of many of the common types
of Delphinium germinate readily when sown in
spring, those of D. sulphureum, if sown at this
time of year, usually remain a year in the ground
before coming up, orJhey die altogether. If, how-
ever, they are sown out-of-doors at the natural
season, namely, in autumn, as soon as ripe,
vigorous young plants appear in the succeeding
spring months. Seedlings which are disturbed
much in transplanting make poor, stunted speci-
mens, the best results being obtained from plants
which are allowed to grow where the seed is sown.
Older, well-established plants exhibit similar dis-
like to disturbance, and can only be moved into
new situations with success during late autumn
when completely at rest or in early Spring before
there are any signs of new shoots from the root-
sLocks. Nevertheless, in spite of these peculiari-
ties, the species is quite hardy, and on account
of its handsome appearance deserves a place in
the open borders of all gardens where tall,
stately plants are needed.

Warley Place Gardens.— JIany readers will
h'i glad to know that Miss Willmott's charm-
ing gardens at Warley Place, Great Warley,
Essex, will Ije open for public inspection on
Thursday, June 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. One shilling
will be charged for admission, and the proceeds
will be devoted to local charities. We have
reason to know that the Alpine and herbaceous
plants are particularly interesting at the present
time. A few copies of the book, Warhy Gar-
di'iis, will be on sale during the afternoon, and
the profits on these will also be given to the
charities.

Publications Received. — Tourist Guide to
th C ntinent, edited by Percy Lindley. (London :
Gieai, Eastern Railway Co.) Price "6d. — "One
and All" Garden Books, edited by E. 0.
(ireening. Small Gardens, by T. W, Sanders.
(Loudon: Agricultural and Horticultural Associa-
tion, Ltd ) Price Id. — Insects and Mildew on
Garden Plants and Trees and their Destruction,
by E. A. White, Ltd., Beltring, Paddock Wood.
Kent.

ter plant has proved quite hardy in Devon.
Veronica Lyallii is a charming little shrub, and
is a delightful sight when covered with its pale
blo-ssoms, but it often proves difficult to keep in
health. Geranium grandiflorum expanded the
first of its large, purple blossoms in April, and
early in May Calceolaria violacea perfected the
earliest of its helmet-shaped flowers, w^hich
are beautiful with their yellow throat and purple
spots. One of the loveliest things in the garden
early in March was a shrub of the in-
appropriately-named Corylopsis pauciflora, every
spray of which was studded with pale-yellow,
drooping blossoms. A little bush of Diosma
ericoides is now a beautiful sight, being liter-
ally covered with tiny, white blooms, and the
precious Pseonia Wittmanniana. one of the hand-
somest of the Pwonies. has produced its single,
pale-yellow blossoms with their striking eyes.
P. Whitleyi, almost a.s beautiful, is not yet in
flower. Erodium pelargoniifoliura commenced its
floral display at the close of February, and will
probably bloom without a rest until De<?ember,
and Polygonum capitatum, another plant with a
very extended blooming season, produced the
first of its rose-pink flower-heads in March. Iris

I

JAHpCMf^Of/

Fig. 164. — CVPRIPEDIUM SPECTABILE, a hardy species, as exhibited DV MESSRS. DAKEUS

AT THE TEMPLE SHOW.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Berberis stenophylla. — The particulars
given 'if this plant by the Hon. Vicary Gibbs
(p. 345) are very interesting, and the specimen
mentioned is doubtless one of the finest in the
country. There is a very good plant of B. steno-
phylla growing in the pleasure grounds of Lilford
Hall, which I noted recently. Mr. Wilson, the
head gardener, gave me the following particu-
lars of it : — Height 13 feet, circumference 93 feet.
It was planted in 1867 or 1868 from a small pot.
This plant was the finest specimen of a Berberis
1 have .seen. T. H. .S/arfc.

Spring Flowers in the South-West. —

As supplementary to the article published in last
week's issue, the following notes may be inter-
esting. A large colony of Ranunculus Nyssanus
made a pretty picture with its countless, bright-
yellow, polished blossoms, and the handsome R.
covtussefolius from Teneriffe carried its large,
glistening, golden flowers on tall stems. This lat-

setosa has borne its purple blossoms, Arenaria
baliarica has spread a network of green studded
with inuumerable, minute flowers over damp
rocks, and A. montana droops from a ledge in a
cataract of white blossom. Acacia armata and
.\. cordifolia have flowered well, and the
Australian CandoUea tetrandra against a north-
west wall is now bearing its yellow flow'ers
freely. The white Camassia Leichtliuii and the
pale-blue C. Cusickii have made a fine show, and
are backed by great clumps of Libertia formosa
just coming into bloom. Homeria colliiia has
made a pretty picture with dozens of its deli-
cate, orange-buff flowers, and the charming Daisy
" Alice," with hundreds of quilled falmon-p'nk
blo.'soms, has been much appreciated. The
Wtwdruff. in a shady corner, is a veil of scented
white. Wyndham Filzherbert.

Prospective Fruit Crops. — The fruit tree
bloom this season was magnificent, and gave hope
of a grand season, but shari5 frosts and a long
snell of low temperatures and sunless skies have
dispelled all those high anticipations. There is
loo much reason to fear that, so far from the
crops of any tree or bush fruit being extra good,

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

371

(hey will be very light. Even Apples do not
feem to be setting at all freely, and there may
yet be great natural thinning. That able fruitist
and keen observer, the late Mr. A. F. Barron,
always looked with much distrust on great bloom
seasons. His view was that such an excessive
lilcom weakened the trees, especially in pol-
len production. How far that opinion may
have been right, other fruit-growers can judge
for themselves, but certainly it is not common
fjv e.\tra-free displays of bloom to be succeeded
by good fruit crojjs. Another factor has this
season to be taken into account. We had last
year a cold, wet season, and the maturation of
the wood and buds on trees was by no means
so good as is the case when the summer.-; are war;n
and dry. The point is. how far, in estimating the
causes for a poor fruit crop, should the effects of
last season be taken into account? A. D.

The notes by Southern GroiBtr

(see pp. 227 and 309) are very interest-
ing. In this locality the hardy fruit crop,
excepting Apples, points to being up to the aver-
age. Orchard trees in the case of Apples are
loaded with blo.ssom, while trained trees are
almost barren. I do not remember ever seeing
such a small amount of bloom on garden Apple
trees. I am convinced that severe pruning and
pinching of fruit trees is satisfactory only for a
time ; after trees reach a certain age it is net
to be recommended. In several gardens I have
visited the trained Apples have very little blc;i:n,
whilst cottagers' tiees which are seldom or never
pruned, are wreathed with blossom. Last season
our Apple trees l)ore heavy crops, but, so did the
trees that are full of bloom again this year. The
trees are very clean so far, and small fruits are
locking well. 3 . S. H^figins, Riig tiarchns, Cor-
iven, N. Wales.

Colour in Apple Blossom. — Referring to
.1. D.'s interesting remarks on the above subject
(seo p. 345), there is, in my opinion, no more
showy, rich-tinted-flowered variety than the old
Catshead. I am writing in the belief that this
ifi the correct name of the variety, an old tree of
which I had in my garden near liford. I say this
because it is difficult to fix the names of not-too-
well-known, older varieties. I made all inquiries
concerning it. and the late Dr. Hogg thought
there could be no doubt the name Catshead was
the correct one. Its individual blooms were of
immense size, and the trusses large, added to
whiili the fruit, which is large and oblong, is
yellow, grey tinted, with a bright red cheek,
thus adding another coloured-fruited variety to
Baumann's Reinette. The tree is a large and
vigorous one and free fruiting, the fruit soft and
sweetish. ll'iV/iom Earhij.

Apple Lanes Prince Albert. — Everything
points to this variety hearing a very heavy crop
thi.s year. The crop was light in 1909. lout this
failure was partly due to our early spraying.
Late lime spraying this season, just as the buds
were breaking, has proved successful, and a most
beautiful sight now is the fine bloom. Lane's
Prince Albert is the most useful Apple grown
here : but it is difficult to get the trees to make
sufficient growth, especially in their young stage.
Sl:plien I'dslh, Mai/ 30.

Laurel Leaves as an Insecticide (see

p. 282). — I may mention that, some few years
since, I tried decoctions of the foliage of several
subjects for destroying insect pests on plants
both under glass and out-of-doors. Amongst
them wero Laurel leaves. We put a quantity into
a 6-gallon pan, filled it with rain-water, and huna
it over an open ."ire, allowing the water to boil
fjr some time. We both dipped plants therein,
when cold, and syringed others with it. It
seemed to kill green fly and thrips, but was not
effectual with mealy bug or scale. I had an im-
pression at the time that decoctions of Laurel
1 -aves. Elder sh'X)ts, or Walnut leaves had the
effect of making the foliage of all plants, in-
cluding Orchids, distasteful to insects generally.
Nowadays, when there is choice of so many
specialised insecticides, it is questionable whether
it is worth while going back to the home-made
" simples." I got my first idea of trying them
in the 'sc'^nties. after seeing a very fine lot of
specimen Jattleyas, Laelias, and Dendrobioms
growing at Burto.i Constable, near Bedale. The
gardener, whose name I forget at the moment,
had grown them on from small plants purchased

by his employer, Mr. MacLaren, from time to
time. In reply to my query as to hints bearing
upon his evident cultural success, he said that
he thought much depended on the use of bruised
shoots of Elder being put into the open tanks of
rain-water once a week during the summer
months. It was thus applied in watering, as well
as for syringing. A boy was sent once
a week to an adjoining plantation to cut Elder
shoots, and tie them into as many bundles as
there were tanks. I have adopted the plan my-
self, on and off, for years. All this may sound
very unscientific nowadays, but these are the
facts. Not long ago, I was talking to Mr. S.
Marshall, late manager for Messrs. i. Backhouse
& Son. who purchased the collection of Orchids
and sold most of them for that firm. He said
that the collection included some of the best
specimen Cattleyas and Laelias to be found in this
country at that" time. H. J. C.

LiTHOSPERMUM PROSTRATUM " HEAVENLY

Blue." — Cultivators have lieen disappointed so
often in the quality of new varieties of old
plants that it becomes almost a duty to pro-
claim the merits of those that fulfil the terms
of the prospectus. The above-mentioned grom-
well does so most thoroughly ; and, although he
is hard to please who is not satisfied with
the standard type, with its profusion of gentian-
blue flowers, ■■ Heavenly Blue " is even more
charming — a perfect sky-blue. Moreover, it is
of most generous habit ; a couple of plants which
I obtained last winter, having made vigorous
growth, are now flowering profusely. The beauty
of flowers may be enhanced or marred by juxta-
position. This gromwell contraats well with
Aethionema grandiflora (pink) and Cheiranthus
alpinus (lemon-yellow). Unlike these, however,
and unlike most of its own genus, L. prostratum
Ivs an intense horror of lime or chalk, llerhert
Maxwell.

A Chaffinch's Nest. — Referring to the
note on p. 345. the following facts may be
of interest. Last spring a thrush built a nest in
a Laurel here, which had only recently been
transplanted. Before the nest was finished the
tree had to be set upright because of wind. But
the thrush stuck to her nest, and soon there were
eggs, which were stolen by someone. Later, we
chanced to lo<ik into the nest, and to our sur-
prise discovered that a chaffinch had commenced
building inside the old structure. Not in the
centre, but utilising one side of the old nest as
part of the outside of its own, she finished off in
three parts of a circle. All around three parts
of the chaffinch's nest and the inside lining were
typical of the handsome nest this bird constructs.
In due time eggs were deposited ; but this nest,
too, was stolen. We would not have minded so
much if the two nests had been taken away, for
they were interesting, but it was annoying to
find that the chaffinch's nest was ruthlessly torn
awav from its remarkable setting. A. Piper,
Vckfiehl. ^

SOCIETIES.

BRITISH GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION,
(SIXTH ANNU.\L MEETING.)

M.w 25. — The sixth annual meeting was held
at Carr's, Strand, on the above date, Mr. John H.
Witty, vice-chairman of the Executive Council,
in the chair. The minutes of the last annual
general meeting having been read and confirmed,
Mr. Hawes moved a vote of sympathy and con-
dolence with the King and Royal Family on the
death of his late Majesty King Edward VII.
The vote was passed in silence, with the mem-
bers upstanding.

In moving the adoption of the annual report,
the chairman referred to the sure and steady
progress that had been made by the association.
There uere now about 1.900 gardeners who had
joined the E.G. A., and there were signs of
quicker progress during the past year. The
monthly Journal of the association was well
edited lay the secretary and published with regu-
larity. It was doing excellent work in spreading
information of a useful character amongst the
gardeners in the United Kingdom, and it was
now paying its way with advertisements and
donations.

With regard to the badges, the Chairman said
he would like to see every gardener wearing one.

as a mark to distinguish the intelligent members
of the gardening craft.

So far as the financial position of the B.G.A.
was concerned, there was a larger baVnce than
ever to its credit, although the expenses were
heavier than usual. The work of the association
was growing enormously, and entailed an in-
creasing amount of labour upon their secretary.

Mr. Wrigglesworth, of Sunderland, seconded
the adoption of the report in an eloquent speech.

Very little discussion took place upon the re-
port, which, upon being put to the meeting, was
carried unanimously.

A discussion arose, however, on the question
of giving an honorarium to branch secretaries,
and many members took part in it. The general
opinion was against the payment of branch
secretaries out of the funds, but there was no
objection to the members of any branch recog-
nising the services of their seci-etary, and the
Executive Council would be pleased to help.

Mr. RaffiU was elected treasurer. Mr. J.
Weathers secretary, and Messrs. Tinley and
Cowley auditors.

ROYAL NATIONAL TULIP.

(SOUTHERN EXHIBITION.)
May 25. — A society that can boast of a life of
51 yeais, and that, in its 51st year, can so adapt
itself to circumstances as to be able, within 10
days, to find itself a new place for its annual
show, may well claim to have a large measure
of vitality. The death of King Edward caused
the R.H.S. to abandon its meeting on May 17,
and as this was the date on which the show had
been fixed, it was imperative to find another
meeting-place soon. The Tulip season is always
comparatively short, but this year, owing to the
trying weather it has been even shorter than
usual. Mr. Peters, the energetic secretary, was
equal to the emergencv. and, supjiorted as he
was by Mr. J. W. Bentley, Mr. A. D. Hall, and
.Air. Needham, a capital little show was arranged,
and duly took place at Harpenden on the above
date.

Real Tulip shows such as this, and those that
take place yearly at iliddleton, near Manchester,
and at Wakefield, are relics of a past age, when
friendly rivalry spurred on exhibitors to efforts
as great or even greater than a valuable money
prize would do to-day ; when a good square meal
was part and parcel of the yearly anniversary,
and when interest in this one flower alone was
sufl[icient to give life and vitality to its existence.
At Harpenden there were not many exhibitors,
there were no big prizes, there was not a single
flower of any other description in the hall, not a
single embellishment, and yet those who were
there probably got as much pleasure out of the
lovely flowers", so wonderfully marked with their
fames and feathers, as a " Templer " would get
out of " The Temple." One visitor who is
always welcome, and whose presence is almost a
necessity, if the full glory of the blooms is to be
seen, was absent. It was a pity, for the sun
makes all the difference. The flowers arrive in
their cases, each one with a " criney ' inside it,
and carefully swathed in cotton bandages. Each
one is carefully unwrapped and placed in water
on the show board, but, alas ! if the sun hides
his face, " Sir Joseph Paxton " will never open;
" Trip to Stockport " or " Masterpiece " will not
disclose their beauties, nor will the flames of
" Samuel Barlow " or " Talisman " be shown in
all their glory.

So it was at Harpenden. Considering the
disastrous year, the quality of the blooms was
very fair ; but when the judging was taking
place, they were not sufficiently open to do them-
selves justice. A wonderful thing happened in
regard to the prizes in the two most important
classes, viz., those for 12 and for 6 dissimilar
rectified Tulips. In both, Jlr. J. W. Bentley,
Jlr. A. D. H.\LL, and Mr. C. W. Needham were
placed equal 1st. The judges, after a long de-
liberation, found it impossible to separate them.
Among the flowers that were particularly good
were Bessie, feathered bybloemen ; George Hey-
ward, feathered bizarre ; Mabel, flamed-rose ; old
Duke of Devonshire (a Tulip introduced about
1845), feathered bizarre; and Talisman, flamed
bybloemen, and Talisman, feathered bybloemen.
It was interesting to see the same flower in the
two states ; both are equally correct, and both
are the same Talisman, but when the bulbs
" broke " thev broke and took on different

372

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

markings. " Ti'ip to Stockport " or, as it is usu-
ally called, Stockport was very good. It is a var-
iety that is always somewhere very near the top,
on "account of its perfect form and even markings,
a counterpart, as it were, of the famous " Home-
spun ' among the Daffodils. An interesting fea-
ture was the new feathered rose " Wagtail." It
is one of Mr. A. D. Hall's seedlings, and this is
the fir-st time it has " broken." It is e.xpected
to improve, and if it does it may become a famous
flower like " Sir Joseph Paxton," and " Fanny
Kemble " of earlier days. In the other open
classes the same three e.\hibitors, together with
Mr. Peters, divided the prizes between them.

Two Tulips shown in the flamed-rose class de-
serve mention on account of their historic in-
terest— Aglia, a flower raised 80 years ago by
Lawrence, and La Vandikken. an older variety
etill, as it is certain it existed 120 years ago in
Holland. The colour in these was not nearly so
bright as in the newer " roses," like Mabel and
Annie McGregor. This brightness is a modern
development.

In the restricted classes (for those growing
under 400 blooming bulbs) the winners were
Mr. R. W. Hall, of Cambridge, Miss Hakd-
CASTLE, of Harpenden, and Mr. Bartlett, of
Shooter's Hill.

The classes for garden and Darwin Tulips were
■weak. Mr. Ball, of Ramsgate, and Jlr. Loat,
of Oxford, who were champions in former years,
being both absent

The premier blooms in the show were : —
Breeder Alfred Lloyd, shown by Mr. Needham ;
Feathered Stockport, a bybloemen, shown by
Mr. Hall ; and Samuel Barlow (flamed), shown
by Mr. Bentley.

ROYAL GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND.

(ANNUAL FESTIVAL DINNER.)

May 26.— The 22nd annual festival dinner of
the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund took place
on the 26th ult. at the Hotel Cecil. The presi-
dent for the evening was Sir Jeremiah Colman,
Bart., and he was supported by a company num-
bering about 140.

After the loyal toasts had been honoured.
Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., proposed " The
Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund." He re-
minded those present that there were 127 orphan
children of gardeners now receiving the full bene-
fit of 5s. per week from the funds. He referred
to the need there was for such a fund, and de-
scribed how valuable was the help the fund was
in a position to afford to necessitous cases. Pass-
ing to the subject of gardeners, Sir Jeremiah
Colman remarked that the old-fashioned gar-
dener, who found it difficult to always remember
that the garden placed in his care "belonged to
the proprietor, and not to himself, had passed
away. Present-day gardeners had learned to ac-
commodate themselves to their masters' wishes
and to expend the skill and experience they pos-
sess in cultivating those plants or crops in
which their employers had most interest. Gar-
deners were a most honorable and skilful body of
men, whilst gardening itself was the most delight-
ful pursuit. Nothing could be more restful or
soothing than to turn away from the everyday
things of life and study the effects of plant" and
flower as presented in the garden. Gardeners
deserved all the help they could give them. Sir
Jeremiah Colman therefore begged those present
to do their utmost to ensure that the proceeds of
that gathering should constitute a record in the
a))nals of the fund. At the siame time, he re-
marked that it was desirable that gardeners
themselves should contribute to this charity in
larser numbers than has been the case hitherto.

Mr. Edward Sherwood, hon. treasurer of the
fund, responded to the chairman's toast. He
commenced by thanking Sir Jeremiah Colman for
the very sympathetic letter which he had caused
to be circulated amongst the friends of horticul-
ture during the past few weeks. He (Mr. Sher-
wood) hoped that the Orphan Fund would not
suffer from the sadness which had overtaken the
country as the result of the lamentable death
of the late King. The present receipts were not
sufficient to meet the expen.ses. There were 127
orphans receiving £13 per year each, and at the
present time there were 15 children awaiting
election whose cases had been sifted by the com-
mittee and found so necessitous that 2s. 5d. per
week is being allowed each candidate dur-
ing the time they have to wait. The ex-

penditure during 1909 actually exceeded the re-
ceipts, and the receipts during 1909 were
rather less than in 1908. when special efforts
were made to celebrate the Coming of Age of
tliis Fund. At the recent election in February
the committee found itself unable to recommend
the election of all the candidates, a circumstance
that has not arisen for several years past. He
(Mr. Sherwood) felt it a very great privilege to
be able to announce to that gathering that the
late- Baron Schroder, " that great patron of hor-
ticulture," had bequeathed the sum of £500 to
their charity. This sum would be invested and
the interest would be employed in perpetuity
for the maintenace of an orphan in honour of
that revered name. Mr. Sherwood then referred
to a very sad case with which the committee had
recently to deal. .The father and mother died
early in February last, leaving seven children.
The baby was adopted by a friend, four of the
children were placed in institutions, another is
amongst the 15 candidates now awaiting election
to the Royal Gardeners' Orphan Fund, and the
seventh was received into a School of Handicraft
for two years on the condition that the Orphan
Fund would subscribe 5s. a week to his mainten-
ance. This was only one of a great number of sad
cases presented to the committee from time to
time. He begged, therefore, that a larger
measure of support may be given to the fund.
Referring to a remark by the chairman, he said
that whilst manj' gardeners may find it almost
impossible to subscribe 5s. per year, they might
form themselves into auxiliaries in various locali-
ties and, by subscribing even one penny a month,
the sum obtained in this way could be sent each
yc.ir from that locality and the votes that would
be given in exchange for the subscriptions would
help to make it more certain that the candidates
from that district would be successful in the elec-
tions.

The next toast, that of " Gardeners and Gar-
dening," was proposed by Mr. W. Armstrong
and responded to by Jlr. Harry J. Veitch,
chairman and treasurer of the Gardeners'
Royal Benevolent Institution. Mr. Veitch
congratulated Sir Jeremiah Colman upon
the magnificent exhibit of " home-grown
Orchids " that Sir Jeremiah had contri-
buted to the Temple Show from the gardens at
Gatton Park. Every specimen in that group had
been in cultivation at (Jatton Park for several
years, which said a great deal for Sir Jeremiah
Colman's skill as an Orchid grower. As to gar-
dening itself and its development in this country,
Mr. Veitch felt he need only point to the Temple
Show, which had been open to the public during
the past three years. If, he said, that was an
ordinary exhibition, what may this country be
expected to do in 1912, when they not only hoped
to do their very best at the international exhibi-
tion, but also to obtain exhibits from foreign
countries and from our own Colonies. 5Ir. Veitch
was very glad to be able to state that the com-
mittee of the international show had secured a
very good site for that exhibition.

The toast of " The Visitors " was given by Mr.
\. N. Sherwood, and responded to bv Mr. E. A.
Ebblewhite, J.P., Clerk to the Worshipful Com-
pany of Gardeners.

The next toast was that of " The Chairman,"
proposed bv Jlr. Henry B. May. chairman of the
Executive Committee. He stated that it had always
been the object of the Executive Committee to in-
vite chairmen for their annual festivals who were
intimate with horticulture. In Sir Jeremiah Col-
man they felt that they had one of the most
ardent and skilful horticulturists, who was
amongst the most liberal contributors to the first-
class horticultural exhibitions. Mr. May said
that he would beg the chairman's permission to
refer again in a few words to the unfortunate case
described by Mr. Edward Sherwood. The commit-
tee felt itself in a difficulty in regard to allowing
a weekly maintenance sum in respect to the boy
who had been placed in the School of Handicraft.
The rules of the Fund provided for a sum of 5s. per
week to be given to children under 14 years of
age, but there was nothing which provided for
cases of exceptional distress after a child had
passed that age. Considering the exceptional cir-
cumstances, he had asked the committee to
stretch a point, and at the next annual meeting
he w-ould personally ask the subscribers to the
fund to sanction the action that had been taken.

In this connection he wished to point out the
necessity there was for the institution of an
emergency fund, which would be available to the

committee, when it was desirable to afford assist-
ance to the cases that do not come within
the scope of the rules. Again and again circum-
stances had arisen when the lack of such a fund
had been felt very acutely by those responsible
for the interest of gardeners' orphans.

The toast of " The Press " was proposed by
Jlr. Edward White, and Mr. J. Harrison Dick
made a very suitable reply.

The Highest Collection on Record.

Mr. Brian Wynne stated that the result of the
proceeds of the chairman's list amounted to the
record sum of £1,160. Towards this sum. Sir
Jeremiah Colman, Bart., had contributed £250;
Messrs. N. N. Sherwood & Sons, £100 ; Jlr. Leo-
nard Sutton, £50 ; Jlr. George H. Cutbush. ££2
lO.-?. ; Jlr. G. Revnolds. £37 12s. ; Sir Frank Crisp,
£27 12s. ; Messrs. Rothschild & Sons, £26 5s. ;
Jlr. J. F. McLeod, £27 6s. ; Jlr. Anthony
Waterer, £25 ; Jlr. R. Hooper Pearson, £17 ; Jlr.
Whitpaine Nutting, £16 5s. 6d. ; Mr. F. C.
Stainsbv, £13; Jlr. R. B. Leech, £13 13s,; Mr.
David W. Thomson, £13 8s. ; Jlr. J. C. Eno,
£10 10s.; Jlessrs. Barr & Sons, £10 10s.; Mr.
W. Howe, £7 7s. ; Jlr. T. W. Sanders, £6 6s. ;.
Jlr. James Douglas, £6; Jlr. W. JI. Walters. Mr.
Edward White, Jlrs. Frederick Colman. Jlr. H.
G. Jones, Mr. H. B. Jlay, The Worshipful Com-
pany of Gardeners, Jlessrs. Osman & Co., Ltd.,.
Jlessrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Mr. Harry J.
Veitch, The Thames Bank Iron Co., Jlessrs. J. T.
Anderson & .Sons, Ltd.. Mr. William Atkinson,
Jlr. W. C. Dawes, and Jlr. Chas. Heidseick,
5 gns. each ; Mr. Robert Gordon, Jlrs. Fielden,
Mrs. Colman, Jlr. Otto Beit, £5 each ; Covent
Garden Friends, as per collections made by Jlr.
D. Ingamells. Jlr. H. L. Wright, and Jlr. W.
Poupart, £211 18s. 6d.. including Mr. G. JIunro,
5 gns. ; Jlr. E. Rochford, 10 gns. ; Jlr. John
Rochford, 5 gns. ; Jlr. Joseph Rochford, 5 gns. ;
Mr. Jesse F. Smith, 5 gns. ; Messrs. Parsons &
Co., 5 gns., Jlessrs. C. P. Kinnell & Co., 5 gns. ;
Mr. A. F. Dutton, 5 gns., and Jlr. H. 0. Larsen,
5 gns.

The room and tables were tastefully decorated'
with plants and flowers kindly supplied by sup-
porters of the Fund, including Jlessrs! Jas.
Veitch & Sons, Mr. R. F. Felton, Jlessrs. H. B.
May & Sons, Messrs. Stuart Low & Co., Jlessrs.
Barr & Sons, and others. Some weeping Stan-
dard Roses, placed at intervals on the chairman's
table, had a very novel and pleasing effect. For
the rest, the flowers consisted of 'Tulips, Irises,
and Carnations, whilst the platform was sur-
rounded by a pretty group of miBcellaneous
plants supplied by Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons.

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL.

JIay 25. — Tlie afternoon meeting, which had
been postponed on account of the late King's
death, was held at the Society's rooms on the
above date, Jlr. H. Jlellish (president) in the
chair.

A paper on " The Daily Rainfall at the Royal
Observatory, Greenwich, "1841-1903," by Jlr. W.
C. Nash, was read. From the statistics given in
this paper it was shown that the average annual
rainfall for the 63 years was 24.19 inches with
157 rain days. The day with the maximum num-
ber of rain days to it-s credit is December 5. while
the days with the least number of rain days are
April 18, 19. June 27, and September 13. "There
were 94 occasions during the whole period on
which the rainfall exceeded 1 inch in the day.
The greatest fall was 3.67 inches on July 26. 1867.

Jlr. L. C. W. Bonacina read a paper on " Low
Temperature periods during the Winters 1908-9
and 1909-10." It is often observed that if a
given week, month or other period in one year
is marked by some very special meteorological
character with respect to one or more elements
of weather, the corresponding period the follow-
ing year shows exactly the opposite character.
Dealing with the last two winters, the author
drew attention to four very remarks hie frosts
which stand out j>ioininentlv, viz.. (1) December,
1908, in the south of Eiighmd ; (2) JIarch, 1909,
in the south of England ; (3) November, 19C9, in
Scotland and Ireland ; and (4) January, 1910, in
Scotland and the north of England. ®

Jlr. R. Corless read a j>aper on " The Rate of
Rainfall at Kew in 1908," in which he described
a method of obtaining information about the rate
of fall of rain from the records of a self-record-
ing rain gauge, which yields a continuous trace
showine by the position of the pen the amount of
rain fallen.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

37c

SOCIETE NATIONALE D'HORTI-
CULTURE DE FRANCE.

INTERNATIONAL SHOW AT PARIS.

May 25-31. — Those of our readers who remem-
ber the two handsome glass structures erected on
the Cours-la-Reine to serve as the Palace of
Horticulture during the Universal Exhibition of
Paris in 1900, which subsequently remained for
some years and were used for the spring and
autumn shows of the National Horticultural
Society of France, must have heard with regret
of the intention of the Town Council to demolish
them. The site was an eminently favourable
one, being situated between the Champs Elysees
and the River Seine. The area was of consider-
able extent, affording space for an approach of
the most attractive character, and indeed this
promenade was a striking feature in connection
with these great floral displays.

We were curious to know how the removal of
these greenhouses would affect the success of the
shows of the National Horticultural Society of

intervals of hardy shrubs and Japanese Maples
in variety. M. Paul Lecolier likewise con-
tributed several similar groups. The well-
known house of Nomblot-Beuneau had a great
variety of trained fruit trees in every conceiv-
able shape and form, as also had the firm of
Croux et Fils. The last-named firm exhibited a
richly-coloured group of ornamental plants.

The vista from one end to the other of the
large covered-in structure was dazzling in the
extreme on account of the brilliancy of the
colours of the many exhibits. A small side-room
was devoted to Orchids and stove plants, but
the exhibits feU far short of the displays at a
Temple Show.

It will be well before proceeding further to
enumerate briefly the names of the winners of
the most important prizes. The premier grand
prize of honour given by the President of the
French Republic was awarded to M.M. Vil-
MOEIN, Andrieux et Cie. for their exhibits of
flowering plants and vegetables. The 2nd grand
prize of honour, given by the Minister of
Public Instruction, was made in favour of MM.

consisted chiefly of Odontoglossums ; and M.
Beet displayed Cattleyas and Lalio-Cat-
tleyas in quantity. A lovely display of
choice foliage plants was set up by MM.
Chantrier Freres, consisting of Bertolonias,
Begonias, Anthuriums, Nepenthes, and Dra-
caenas. Another grower, Mme. Beranek, had a
pleasing group of Orchids, flanked on each side
with fine ornamental foliage plants, including
Anthuriums, Kentias, Dieftenbachias, Asple-
niums, Marantas, Dracaenas, and Nephrolepis
Ferns.

Roses and flowers generally were shown in
large and varied groups. Especially fine displays
were made in several parts of the shown bv MM.
ViLMORiN. Andrieux et Cie. In one prettily-
shaped bed, edged with golden Pyrethrum. were
Astilbe (Spiraea) japonica, flanked with bright
red-flowered Gerbera Jamesonii. Two enor-
mous beds from the same firm occupied a large
space near the steps leading to the lower pro-
menade alongside the Seine. They were filled
with hardy flowers of the season in endless
variety. Stocks, Nasturtiums, Ageratums, Mig-

THE PARIS SHOW.

Fig. 165. — IRIS GARDEN and ROCKWORK exhibited by mm. VILMORIN, ANDRIEIX ET CIE.

France, and when we heard that they would be
held in a tent we imagined that the shows would
in consequence be something in the nature of our
own Temple Shows. But the French interpreta-
tion of tent is far different from ours, and the
reader may judge of our surprise when we entered
the show last week to find ourselves in a gigantic
construction built of wood and iron and covered
with a canvas roof of considerable height, the
whole building being some 400 yards in length.
In addition to this covered area, there was a
promenade alongside the Seine, another on the
Champs Elysees .=ide, and also a third pro-
menade immediately in the rear. Along the first
two were the numerous exhibits of greenhouses,
garden pottery, statuary, boilers, and other gar-
den sundries. ■ The promenade in the rear com-
municating with the back entrance to the show
was divided into four alleys, each one bordered
with the trained fruit trees and ornamental
shrubs that form important features of a Paris
show. M. Brochet had several fine groups at

Croux et Fils for Rhododendrons and fruit
trees. Prizes of honour were gained by MM.
Leveque for Roses ; MM. Cordonnier et Fils
for forced fruit, M. Debrie-Lachaume for floral
decorations, and M. Graire for Orchids. Other
winners of leading prizes were MM. Page,
Ferard, JIaron et Fils, Moser et Fils, Geo.
Truffaut. Nomblot-Bruneau, Cochtj, Toueei
and Maetre.

In addition to these there were numerous
medals awarded in the 372 classes provided for
by the schedule, which comprised 16 main sec-
tions, the jury appointed being an international
one and consisting of 87 members, with an
additional jury of eight members to deal with
the exhibits in the fine art section.

In the Orchid room were some daintily-
arranged exhibits of medium extent from
M>r. M.\RON et Fils. who showed a varied
and interesting collection of Cattleyas, Lselio-
Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, Oncidiums. and
Cypripediums ; M. Graire, whose exhibit

nonette, Silene, Antirrhinums, and similar sub-
jects were arranged along one side. Then came a
cleverly-designed water scene, with green turf
to the water's edge studded here and there with
clumps of Iris (see fig. 165). Passing onward in
the direction of the steps were large masses of
Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Kalanchoe flammea, and
many other kinds. Just where the steps began
and on each hand a slope was filled with rock-
work planted with Alpines. The arrangement by
MM. ViLMOEiN was practically in duplicate, and
was fully in accordance with the traditions of
this world-renowned firm.

Carnations were shown in rather smaller num-
bers than is usual. A collection of French varie-
ties was staged by the Et.\blissement CEillet
Cottage. iNI. B. Carriat also set up a collec-
tion of French varieties in va^es. Mr. Engel-
MANN. of Saffron Walden, had a good stand in
tall vases show-ing the variety Carola.

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Ltd., Dover, put up a
very pretty mixed group of flowering plants that

374

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

was much admired. A large number of bunches
of Sweet Peas were displayed on an arch over
the exhibit, which contained Iris, Geums,
Verbena Miss Willmott, Pyrethrums, Oriental
Poppies. TroUius Orange Globe, Ivy-leaved Pel-
argoniums Leopard, Baden Powell, and Scarlet
Mme. Crousse, relieved with some succulents and
clumps of ribbon grass.

The Etablissement .i la Pensee showed a
pretty collection of Pansies. M. Perret dis-
played Hydrangeas ; iM. E. Taear, a collection
of Iris Kiempferi in many varieties ; M. Kkatzer
sent some fine foliage Begonias and Pelargo-
niums.

From JI. A. Gravereatj there came a mixed
collection of some extent, containing Petunias,
Mimulu.se«, Pansies, edged with a broad border
of Viola cornuta alba. He alto showed a
group of Nemesia with a similar edging.
Fuchsias were represented by a small collection
from JI. Francois.

There were several good collections of Paeonies.
M. Aug. Dessert, a well-known specialist in
these plants, had Balzac, Athlete, Chantecler,
Weisse, Blanche de Noisette, and many others of
fine size and substance. Another exhibitor of
P.Tonies was M. Benoist Riviere. A very
bright lot of Paeonies also came from M. A.
Brocket. Elisabeth, Reine Victoria, Purity,
Flora, Jeanne d'Arc, Princesse Louise, and Le
Soleil were notable examples.

MM. Cayeux et Leclerc had several mixed
groups of hardy herbaceous and other seasonable
flowers in large variety and extent. Some fine
Hydrangeas were sent by M. Mouillere, and
MM. C. Angel et Fils staged a large mixed
collection of Paeonies, Anemones, Tulips, Irises,
Gladioli, Eremuri, &c.

Along a large portion of the left-hand side of
the show, M. Robert Lebaudy had several most
delightful groups. One was composed entirely of
Caladiums. We noted as especially good the
varieties L'Automne, M. A. Hardy, John Box,
Virgille, Ferd. de Lesseps, Perle du Bresil, Clio,
and M. Alphaud. His second group contained
Dracienas and Orchids in variety. A third com-
prised a fine collection of Dracienas, the most
attractive being Lady Zetland, Queen Victoria,
Reedii, Thompsonii, and Alexandre III. The
same exhibitor staged, in continuation of his
other exhibits, a long bank of well-flowered
plants of Begonia Gloire de Lorraine, set up in
fine style.

JIM. PoiFOL et Gautier sent some finely-
flowered Cannas, comprising Junon, Bizarre,
Patrie, Souvenir de J. Crozy, Amateur Benoit,
Otto Olberg, Coquet Van Tubergen, Van der
Schoot, Jean Brachet, Mrs. Dreer, &c. Lilacs in
variety came from M. A. J. Peters, and a
group of a new Calceolaria, called Soleil, was
staged by M. Foucard.

In the middle of the show there was a large,
circular pond, containing a large quantity of
aquatics, chiefly Water Lilies, from JI.
Lagr.\nge. Tuberous-rooted Begonias were well
shown. A brilliant display of both double and
single varieties was shown by M. Billard, whose
collections are always noteworthy.

Pelargoniums at the Paris spring show usually
form a brilliant sight, and the colours are massed
in a manner never seen at the English shows.
They are staged in beds on the ground, each
colour by itself, in zig-zag panels and other
geometrical designs. MM. Le Conteulx et
Fils exhibited a new Ivy Zonal Pelargonium,
labelled President Desseine, a semi-double, pale-
blush, spotted deep-rose.

Another grower of these plants, M. E. Poirier,
had a number of single varieties grown as stand-
ards from 3 feet to 6 feet high, forming an im-
posing exhibit. M. Francois set up a fine dis-
play of single and double Zonal Pelargoniums in
pots, a dazzling collection, mostly of French
origin, comprising Paul Crampel, Andrew Lang,
Gloire Lyonnaise, Michel Crozy, Fleur de Rose.
Mary Pulton, Marcel JIartinet, and many
others. The same exhibitor had also two
very long rectangular beds in the middle of the
show, intersected by cross paths, the blooms
being closely arranged together in the orthodox
French style. The zig-zag panels of colours ar-
ranged in the most striking effect contained many
single varieties of good form and size mostly
unknown to English growers. We specially ad-
mired in the aggregate Victor Grosset, Ferd.
Fabre, Chaplain, Michel Crozy. Mdlle. Jeanne
Poirier, Mr. Ward, and Mrs. Tuck Hall.

M. Ferarb showed several mixed groups oi
-Spiraea japonica. Primula japonica, and Reh-
niannia angulata, together with two prettily-
arranged but very large beds of hardy flowers.

Before leaving the purely floral part of the
show, we must not omit to mention a few other
important features.

Rhododendrons were shown in large numbers
by several of the well-known French cultivators.
At the entrance to the show, right and left, there
were two collections with a fountain in front,
making an attractive advertisement of the show
to the passers-by. M. Derudder was the ex-
hibitor of these. Then, just inside, after pass-
ing the ticket entrance, there were two finely-
flowered banks of the same shrubs, shown by
JIM. Croux et Fils. The varieties were
staged in immense numbers. We noted Jlichael
Waterer, Lady Eleanor Cathcart, Matchless,
Pink Pearl, Jlrs. R. S. Holford, Purity, Sir Isaac
Newton, Delicatum, Nobleanum, and Helen
Waterer. A few steps further on was a group
of Rhododendrons staged by JIJI. Moser et
Fils, of Versailles, of which Caractacus, G.
Claretie, Everestianum, and Comtesse d« Beam
were conspicuous examples.

The same firm had an immense group at the
far end of the show, arranged in fine form with
a winding front. The rear plants were of enor-
mous size, and in full flower, producing a grand
colour effect. JIJI. JIoser et Fils also contri-
buted right and left of the entrance to the fine
art gallery two superb triangular beds of Rho-
dodendrons.

Clematis were not so numerous as usual, but
the well-known grower. M. Geo. Boucher, had
a corner exhibit containing many choice varie-
ties. He also had a collection of Viburnum
plicatum and Rehmannia angulata in quantity
at the extreme end of his Clematis exhibit.

JI. Fargeton Fils showed plants of Hy-
drangea hortensis. The varieties La Lorraine,
Avalanche, and Bouquet Rose were in fine form
in a bank that ran for a length of about 25 feet.
JIJI. GiRAUD ET CiE. presented some fine heads
of white Hydrangeas.

Azaleas were shown by MM. Croux et Fils.
It would be difficult to give in a few words an
idea of this excellent group. We may mention,
among some of the most attractive plants, Aida,
II Tasso, Pallas, Imperialis, Emile Liebig. Rosa-
lind, Unique, Rene. Byron, and Anthony Koster.
A long bank of Azalea Jlollis and A. pontica was
also staged by JIJI. JIoser et Fils in most
attractive style. Another exhibit of Azaleas
came from JI. Royer.

Decorative groups cf ornamental-foliaged
plants were well represented. M. Desire
Ramelet filled a length of about 18 feet of the
side border with these plants. Very good examples
cf Adiantum grande, A. sancta Catharinae, A.
Birkenheadii, A. farleyense. A. decorum elegans,
A. pedatum, Nephrolepis Whitmannii, N. tessel-
lata, N. compacta, N. superba, Osmunda palus-
tris. and others were shown. Another very
varied and handsome collection of Ferns was dis-
played by JIJI. Le Couteux et Fils. It was
a mixed collection, mainly composed of medium-
sized plants of different varieties of Pteris, Adi-
antum, Nephrolepsis, Polypodium. Asplenium,
Gymnogramma, Platycerium, and Lomaria.

JI. Louis Dalle staged a fine and imposing
bank of lofty Palms and other foliage plants,
filling a large space along the side wall. It was
enlivened by the addition of Dracaenas and small
Ferns in front.

JI. Desire Desmonts staged foliage Begonias
in large and varied selection.

A very graceful group was exhibited by JI.
Vazon. Pandanus Veitcbii. Kentia Belmoreana,
Anthurium Hookeri, Maranta Porteana, Cycas
revoluta, Pandanus utilis, various Dracaenas,
Crotons, and Palms were included. Not far off
was another exhibit, in two lots, from JIJI.
Lecointe et JIartin, compcsed exclusively of
ornamental JIaples.

Japanese dwarf trees were shown in a neat
little collection by M. Leon Fonteneau. M. A.
Brochet staged Ferns, and JI. Marcel
PiCQUEFEU had a mixed group of Taxus, Abies,
Thuja, Cedrus. Juniperus, Cupressus, Thuyopsis,
and other Conifers.

Floral Decorations were well shown. They
were this year placed in a corner of the show
near each other instead of being interspersed
throughout the exhibition. JI. Ed. Debrie and
M. Lachaume had excellent designs of floral art.

Fruit.

Collections of forced fruit were numerous, and
displayed great ingenuity in the tasteful method
of arrangement. Without exception, every
exhibitor set up his exhibit in glass cases.
One of the first to attract our notice was that
staged by the Societe Anonyiie des Forgeries.
DE LA Seine. It comprised neat boxes of
Peaches Amsden, Surpasse Amsden, and Precoce
de Hall. The same firm exhibited Nectarines
Early Rivers, Lord Napier and Croncels.

The well-known growers of Bailleul, MJI.
A. Cordonnier et Fils, had a grand display of
several beautifully-arranged cases of the choicest
fruit — Grape Black Alicante and Plums in one.
In another. Grapes Foster's Seedling and Frank-
enthal, with sundry variety of Plums. Another
case contained Peaches, Nectarines, Cherries and
Strawberries. JUL Dupont-Barbier staged
fruit in glass cases occupying a length of about
65 feet, being draped in front with deep crimson
velvet — Apples, Jlelons, Peaches, Grapes, Figs,
Raspberries, Pears, and other fruits. The
centre case was decorated with Roses, Ferns
and Smilax, flanked on either side with
two immense bundles of Asparagus, while the in-
tervening space was filled with large Pears,
Grapes and Strawberries ; some fine Straw-
berries and large examples of Pears Ber-
gamotto Esperen, Directeur Alphaud, Doyenne
d'Hiver, and Passe Crasanne completed
the stand. Another important exhibit of
fruit was aiTanged by JI. L. Parent. In his
case he had on the back some fruit trees and
Strawberry plants in full bearing. Plums, Red
Currants, Raspberries, Figs and Pears were
neatly arranged in small boxes.

Vegetables.

Those who have once visited the Paris Show
need no reminding of the handsome and
gigantic displays of vegetables that JIJI.
ViLMORiN, Andrieux ET CiE. are in the habit of
making there. On the present occasion the firm
made no exception to their general rule. Two
grand lots of great extent and variety were staged
containing every conceivable vegetable that even
the French palate could desire at this season of the
year, the whole group being set off at intervals
by a large standard Rhododendron. The Rotter-
damsche Tuinbourd Vereeniging also staged a
very large and representative collection in an.
adjoining room, opposite to which was a some-
what smaller one from the Hospice de Bicetre.
JI. Cauchois had a series of JIushroom beds irt
bearing. JI. Juignet .showed some monster
bundles of Ciiant Asparai;us in the same room.

Among other features of the show was JI. Geo.
Truffaut's scientific exhibition, which was also
displayed in a side room by itself. This con-
sisted of a large number of cases, in which in-
jurious insects, worms, moths, &c., were repre-
sented.

The fine art section of the society showed an
interesting exhibit of pictures in oil and. water-
colours of plants, fruit and flowers, the works of
well-known artists connected with the society,

A brief reference may be made to the retro-
spective exhibition of the Rose organised on
similar lines to the Chrysanthemum Retrospec-
tive Exhibition in November, 1908. There was,
besides the literary and artistic exhibits, a small
Rose garden depicting the progress of the Rose
from its origin to the present day.

FURTHER NOTES BY JIR. GEORGE PAUL,
V.JI.H.

The judges met at the exhibition at eight
o'clock on Wednesday morning, and at 10.30 a.m.
the show was opened to the public by the Presi-
dent. The presidents of the several sections met
at about 11.30 to decide the Grand National
and other awards. The Juries were composed of
representatives from England and most of the
Continental countries, including Belgium, Luxem-
bourg, Holland. Germany. Italy, Switzerland,
Austria, and Hungary. The President's prize
was awarded to JIJI. Vilmorin, Andrieux et
ClE. for their magnificent display of annuals, her-
baceous plants, and vegetables. That offered by
the Jlinister of Education was won by JIJI.
Crou.x et Fils. while JIJI. Leveque et Fils
were given the Gold Jledal offered by the Jlinis-
ter of Agriculture, for their exhibit of Roses, and
JIJI. Cordonnier et Fil for their forced fruits.
A splendid display of floral decorations by M.

June 4, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

375

IjACHA0me won the large Gold Medal offered by
the Department de la Seine. MM. Moser et
Fii.s gained the Gold Medal offered by M.
Duchart, for a fine display of specimen Rhodo-
dendrons. A very effective e.xhibit was that of
M. George Truffaut, showuig the life his-
tory of various insect pests. This deservedly
gained the Gold Medal offered by the Syndicate
of French Seedsmen.

Taking the exhibition as a whole, the one thing
that impressed the foreign visitor was the subor-
dination of the whole of the e.xhibits to the pro-
duction of a general effect, so that the couj) d'oeil
of the whole show was most effective.

Amongst the special exhibits, Roses were pro-
minent, the leading exhibits in these being collec-
tions of standard Roses in series of 200 and 100
lots. There were masses of dwarf Roses and a
few new varieties, but no sort which stood out
above its fellows was exhibited. The flowers
were not of the high excellence to be seen in
the Knglish collections. The three principal ex-
iibitors were MM. Leveque et Fils, M. M.
Boucher, and M. Defresne. M. Aug. Nonin
showed a charming collection of weeping
and pillar Roses, much in the English style, to
whicli one of the leading prizes was given with
the addition of a special prize of 100 fr. offered
by an amateur.

The exhibits of MM. Vilmorin, Andrieux et
ClE., consisting of beautiful groups of herbaceous
plants and annuals, one, a massive group, furm-
ing a foreground to the group of Rhododendrons
ehowii by M. Moser, were very beautiful.
There were masses of Stocks, herbaceous plants,
rock plants descending by the sides of the steps
leading down to the Seine, Iris Kaempferi sur-
rounding basins of water (see fig. 165), and al-
most gardens of vegetables, including Asparagus,
Radishes, and Mushrooms. The display won the.
highest award.

The exhibits of Orchids did not seem to reach
the average seen at English shows — certainly not
those of the Temple — and no special variety at-
tracted attention. Some medium-sized plants of
Azaleas were well shown by M. Royer, of Ver-
sailles, whilst Rhododendrons and Azaleas were
well exhibited by MJI. Crousse et Fils and
by M. Moser, of Versailles. Amongst the former,
a few kinds not much known in English gardens
were seen, such as Leon Say, M. Geomans and
Robert Crousse ; there was also a white Rhodo-
dendron (Azalea), supposed to be hardy, named
ledifolium leucanthemum.

Tree Pieonies were shown largely, but there did
not seem much novelty in them.

In bedding Pelargoniums, both double and
single-flowered, a very pretty effect was produced
by JIM. PoiRiER, of Versailles. They were
shown in diamond-shaped beds, mostly aoout 50
plants of one kind, each with a single tru,ss of
flowers. The varieties were mostly of Conti-
nental character, but Paul Crampel stood out
well amongst its compeers.

One pretty exhibit was of Ampelopsis Henryi,
trained as bushes.

There were two English exhibitors. G. & A.
Clark, Ltd., Dover, who obtained a Gold
IMedal for Sweet Peas and one or two other
awards for minor distinct exhibits, and Mr.
Engelmann had a high award for his new Carna-
tion Carola. M. Taber showed a very beautiful
group of Iris Kaempferi in pots, and MM. Angel
ET Fils a fine group of Eremurus robustus. There
was also an interesting exhibit from M. MoUL-
liere, of Vendome, for his Hydrangeas. Mme.
Raymond, Souvenir de Mme. Chaubard, and
Reine Gaillard were the best novelties.

The aiTangements for the entertainment of the
members of the Jury were excellent, com-
mencing with a luncheon to the judges and ex-
hibitors in the adjoining restaurant in the
Champs Elysee, at which one or two of the Min-
isters were present. This was followed by a re-
ception by the Nursery and Seed Trade Associa-
tion at the Hotel of the Society of Horticulture
of France. On Thursday a Corigress of the
National Rose Society of France was held, at
■which several decisions we-e arrived at, more
especially on the question of not altering or trans-
lating the names given in the country where a
new Rose »»is raised, and the reference to
the Rose societies of the question of s,\Tionyms.
At four o'clock a reception w-as held at the Hotel
de Ville, where rpeechea were made by the Pre-
fects of Paris, of the Seine, and of the Police,
and by the president of the French Horticultural
Society. A dinner at the Hotel Continental, at

which some 400 people were present, including
ex-President Loubet, who made an. excellent
speech, ended that day.

On Friday an excursion was made to Verrieres,
the seat and experimental grounds of M. P. de
Vilmorin, where some 420 of the visitors were
entertained to luncheon.

On Saturday an excursion took place to Ver-
sailles, to see the new Rose garden of the State
at La Bagatelle in the Bois. This was followed
by a reception at the Hotel de Ville, Versailles,
by the Prefect. A visit to the State School of
Horticulture, a luncheon, at which the Mayor of
the town presided, and a subsequent visit to the
palace and grounds of the Trianon, and to the
nurseries of MM. Truft'aut and Moser, completed
a programme which, under the admirable man-
agement of M. George Truffaut, of Versailles,
was conducted in such a manner as to secure the
greatest enjoyment and comfort of the visitors.
George Paul.

©bituar|).

Ernest Calvat. — The death of this eminent
French Chrysanthemum grower and raiser has
taken place suddenly at his home at Grenoble.
When the news reached Paris towards the close
of last week it was received with consternation bv

THE late ERNEST CALVAT.

many of the Chrysanthemum growers who were
present at the Paris spring show, and they were
unanimous in their opinion that such a loss is an
irreparable one for French horticulture in general,
but certainly for the Chrysanthemum-growing
fraternity in particular. It is now nearly 19 years
since M. Calvat's name first became known in
England in connection with the Chrysanthemum.
He was the greatest raiser of new Chrysanthe-
mums the world has ever known. It is a curious
fact that he was not a nurseryman or a gardener
by training. He was the son of M. Calvat, for-
merly Mayor of Grenoble, and was born in that
city in 1852. After receiving the education
usually given to young Frenchmen in his sphere
of life he was sent to an English boarding school
at Highgate, there to complete his studies in
English. On his return to France he entered the
important glove factory carried on by his father,
whose business connections with this country and
the Colonies were considerable. Some years later,
when his father gave up the business, M. Calvai.
remained as head of the firm, but notwithstand-
ing his being a business man, he employed his
spare moments in the hobby of gardening, to
which he was devoted. About 1887 he first
began io grow Chrysanthemums, and shortly
afterwards he turned to advantage the favourable
site and climate by raising his first seedlings.

Some of his earliest novelties were exhibited at
the meetings of the National Chrysanthemum
Society. It may be pointed cut that, up to that
date, exhibitors of novelties fiom the other
side of the Channel had no very definite concep-
tion of what a show Chrysanthemum was like in
this country. Some will remember the astonish-
ment of the members of the Floral C-ommittea
when the blooms were staged. First-class certi-
ficates were awarded to Mrs. C. Harman Payne,
a Japanese variety that long remained a promi-
nent show flower, and to Comtesse de Galbert;
a commendation was awarded to Exposition do
Grenoble. For some few years M. Calvat was a
regular exhibitor at the National Chrysanthemum
meetings, where his novelties received many dis-
tinctions. At the meeting held on November 22,
1893, besides gaining several first-class certifi-
cates, one of these for the famous Mme. Carnot,
the committee awarded M. Calvat the Silver
Medal of the Society in recognition of the high
quality of the entire collection. When M. Calvat
first appeared on the scene the products of the
older French growers were at a low ebb, and tha
American seedlings were strongly in evidence.
But Calvat's novelties took the public taste, or,
rather, the exhibitors' taste, and in a remark-
ably short space of time he had practically swept
the boards at the English and Scotch shows of
almost everything that had been previously
grown. His success in France was no less sur-
prising. M. Cordonnier and M. Fatzer had begun
to show the French what big-bloom culture reaUy
meant. With M. Calvat's novelties, all of them
big, heavy, deeply-built flowers, there was a fund
of new material to work with, and the French
autumn shows, like ours, underwent a complete
transformation.

It would be of little value for us to record the
long-continued series of gigantic Japanese and
even Incurveds that came from M. Calvat's seed-
bed. After a time he gave up his glove busi-
ness and devoted himself solely to the raising
and growing of Chrysanthemums. Although the
sale of plants was an important branch of his
business, yet it must not be forgotten that he
r;rew tens of thousands of large show blooms for
the Parisian florists. He was a large exhibitor
at all the shows on the Continent, where he
;;ained numerous awards.

M. Calvat was always courteous and genial,
never vainglorious ; he had a quiet self-possession
that seemed to accept success without any undue
rejoicinj; over his rivals. The crowning success
was undoubtedly that which he obtained in Paris
in November, 1908, when, for the first time on re-
cord, a Chrysanthemum raiser obtained a Grand
Prix d'Honneur. He was a recipient of many
distinctions. He had long been an honorary fel-
low of the National Chrysanthemum Society. He
was also a vice-president of the Societe Fran^aise
des Chrysanthemistes and president of the
Societe Horticole Dauphinoise. Among his de-
corations he had been successively chevalier,
officer and commander of the Merite Agricole.
He was a Knight of the Order of the Crown of
Italy, an officer of the French Academy, and he
possessed a Tunisian Order.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending Jitne 1,
A week of ** growing'* weather. — Durini; the pat;! week
there have been only two moderately cold days, and but one
cold night. On the warmest day the temperature in the
thermometer screen rose to 71*^, and on the one cold night
the exposed thermometer fell to within 6° of the freezing
point. The ground is now of about seasonable warmth at
3 foot deep, and 1* warmer than the averace at 2 feet deep.
Rain fell on three days to the total depth of half an inch.
A small amount of rainwater passed through the bare-
soil percolation gauge this morning, bat with this exceptioa
there has been no measurable quantity through either gauge
during the week. The sun shone on an average for five
hours a day. or for about an hour a day less than the usual
duration at the end of May. On the first two days of the
week the wind came from some northerly point, but since
then westerly breezes have, as a rule, prevailed. The mean
amount of moisture in the air at 3 o'clock in the afternoon
exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour by seven per
cent. E. M., '* Rosebaytk," Bet khamsted, June 7, 19J0.

SCHEDULE RECEIVED.

Hemel Hempstead Horticaltural Society*s 51st annual
show, to be held in the Bury Meadows, Hemel Hempstead,
on Wednesday, August 31 ; also the 3rd Rose and Sweet Pea
exhibition, to be held in the grounds of the Old House,
Marlowes. Copies of the schedules may be obtained from
the secretary, Mr. H. Jennings, Marlowes, Hemel Hemp-
stead.

376

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 4, 1910.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

[Correspondents are requested to write ih* aam»a of perBona
and placts as legibly as possible. A'o chat^e is
vuule for these ainwuncements, Out if a small contribution
is sent, to be placed in our colleitmp. Jh)\ fur the Gantenen'
Qyphan Fund, it will be thankfully receive t, and an
acknowledgment made in these columns.]

Mr. Matthew Finney, for the past 4 years Gardener to
A. M. KiRKER, Esq., J. P., Craigarad House, Co. Down,
and previously for 15 years Gardener to the late George
Evans, Esq., Gortnierron House, Dungannon, Co.
Tyrone, as Gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of
Ranfurly, Northland House, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
(Thanks for Is. 6d. enclosed for R.G.O.F. Box.— Eds.)

Mr. Allan Mquntford, for 2 years Gardener to Joseph
Pike, Esq., Dunsland, Glanmire, Co. Cork, and pre
viously Foreman at Powerscourt Gardens, Enniskerry,
Co. Wicklow, as Gardener to W. Cunliffe, Esq.,
Headley Court, Epsom, Surrey.

Mr. F. A. Edwards, for 2^ years Gardener to the late
Lady Chichester, Arlington Court, Barnstaple, as Gar-
dener to A. H. Harman, Esq., Lower Grayswood, Hasle-
mere, Surrey.

Mr. F. W. Chilvers, formerly of Wm. Knight's nurseries,
and 7 years Gardener for J. B. Campion Coles, Esq., as
Gardener to Cecil Chandless, Esq., Sherrington
Manor, near Berwick, Susses.

to
"oTre^foondentA

*,* The Editors will he glad to receive, for
consideration, large pholograplis of horticultural
eubjects, suitable for rejn'oduction as Supple-
vieniary Illustrations in this Journal.

Apple Shoots Stunted: Anxirms. Adverse
weather conditions are responsible solely for
the injury to the shoots. In the case of Cox's
Orange Pippin, there appears to be a little
Apple scab on the leaves. In this case the
tree should be sprayed with the Bordeaux mix-
ture, after removing any dead twigs and burn-
ing them.

Cauliflower : Sviyke. The inflorescence has
become fasciated through some irregular con-
dition of growth. It is not any sjiecial variety.

Chrysanthemum Leaves Spotted : .7. P. No
disease is present. The trouble is due to some
error of culture, probably allowing too much
moisture to condense on the foliage.

Cineraria Blooms : /. IF. The flowers are
large, but not exceptionally Bo. The variety
is worth perpetuating.

Crickets in Glasshouses : /. S. L. See an-
swer to Inquirer under " Insects in Orchid
House."

Flowers of Sulphur: A. E.. Ilars/ield. The
black sulphur is not so suitable as a fungicide
as the ordinary flowers of sulphur, which can
be obtained from any chemist or Italian ware-
hou.seman. Black sulphur contains a con-
siderable amount of arsenic, and its use might
not be advisable under certain circumstances.

Grape Black Hamburgh: G. E. No disease is
present ; the cause must be attributed to wrong
cultural treatment.

Grapes Diseased : F. T. B. The Grapes are
badly attacked by Guignardia Bidwellii, caus-
ing black rot. But little can be done now.
The fungus is probably present on some of the
rods, where it forms brown patches studded
with black points ; infected portions should be
removed. When the plants are resting, drench
the canes thoroughly with the Bordeaux mix-
ture made at half strength. — C. F. C. and
Enquirer. — The berries are affected with
" spot " (Gloeosporium ampelophagum). Cut
out all the diseased berries and burn them.
Spray the bunches with liver of sulphur, using
half an ounce in two gallons of water. Be
careful the liquid does not reach the paint on
the woodwork, as the sulphur combines with
the lead to form lead sulphide, thus causing
the paint to turn black.

Insects in Orchid House : Inquirer. Slugs may
be trapped by laying Lettuce leaves and in-
specting them every morning, and by continu-
ally watching for them when watering or
carrying out any other operation in the Orchid
houses. A visit to the house at night rarely
goes unrewarded, for insect pests are more in
evidence then than in the daytime. Woodlice
may be trapped by hollowed halves of Potatos
placed on the surface of the plants or staging,
concave side downwards. These should be

lifted periodically for the purpose of destroying
the insects collected in them. If the pests are
numerous, the whole house should be over-
hauled, in order to remove rubbish and any
probable harbours for insects. Inverted pots
on which plants are often elevated serve as
harbours for insects, and they should be lifted
and inspected, and their number reduced as
much as possible. .Cockroaches may be de-
stroyed by laying phosphor paste on pieces of
pape"r placed in their haunts in the evening,
and removed in the morning, the supply being
renewed for several days and then discontiiuied
for a similar period of time before recommenc-
ing to use them. Insect pests should never be
altowed to become numerous. If remedial
measures are taken when they first appear,
they can be got rid of the more easily.

Lawn Turf : D. d; Co. The turf is infested with
the weed Arenaria tenuifolia (Fine-leaved
Sandwort), which has entirely destroyed all
the grasses. Apply at once a dressing of sul-
phate of iron at the rate of 6 ounces per square
yard ; this will kill off the weed. Then make
a mixture of three parts superphosphate and
two parts of sulphate ammonia, and apply
4 ounces per square yard of surface to encourage
the grasses. A portion of the turf might he
treated with a mixture of fine road scrapings
and soot, to which may be added some fiiiely-
sifted horse droppings.

Myosotis Seedling : Lady C. Seedlings of
Forget-me-Not are very variable, but in their
habit and flowering your example is rather
better than most strains, and worth perpetuat-
ing.

Names of Fruits: A. 0. Th© Peach is the
variety known as Amsden. It is a poor speci-
men, probably because very little sunshine
reaches the back wall.

Names of Plants: A. M. Tiarella cordifolia, —
ir. /, G. Hymenocallis (Pancratium) macro-
stephana,- — IF. H. D. Brassia verrucosa. —
Anno Domini. 1, Codifeum (Croton) Evansi-
anum ; 2. Codiseum Weissmannii ; 3, Codiseum
spirale; 4, Abutilon Savitzii ; 5. Pteris Wim-
setii ; 6, Pteris serrulata. — )i". 7?. Price. Saxi-
fraga trifurcata. Clematis montana. Geranium
pratense. — T. A. L. Saxifraga muscoides var.
Rhei. — IF. M. Berberis vulgaris. Tulipa
spathulata, Saxifraga granulata var, flore pleno,
— IF, Stallard. 1, Sedum Aizoon ; 2, send in
flower ; 3, Phlox lilacina ; 4, Sidalcea Can-
dida ; 5 and 6, send again when in flower, —
F. V. B. 1, Prunus Padus (Bird Cherry) ; 2,
Cupiessus pisifera var. squarrosa (commonly
known as Retinospora squarrosa) ; 3, Cupressus
pisifera var. filifera ; 4, C. obtusa tetragona
aurea ; 5, C. Lawsoniana Allumi ; 6. Thuya
orientalis ericoides (Retinospora ericoides of
gardens). — F. ])., Herault. The Hoya with a
lanceolate leaf is probably a new species. The
other Hoya, of which you sent the leaf only,
appears to be H. obovata, but, in the absence
of flowers, it is impossible to name it with cer-
tainty.— li. J . F. 1, Vitis heterophylla varie-
gata ; 2, Sedum Sieboldii variegata ; 3, Wei-
gela hortensis variegata ; 4, Kerria japonica
fiore pleno. — M. P., Chri.itrhurch. Dendro-
bium clavatum. — F. C, Guildford. Akebia
quinata. — A. de S., Madeira. Sobralia, pro-
bably S, macrantha. The flowers are rose-col-
oured and large. You could get .specimens at
about 10s, each, — F. A. M. 1, Odontoglossum
nevadense ; 2, Oncidium pubes ; 3, 0, spilop-
terum ; 4, Lycaste plana ; 5, Cochlioda san-
guinea ; 5, Epidendrum virens, — T. E. Ipomoea
Quamoclit, Wing-leaved Ipomcea, figured in the
HotanicAtl Mnqazine, t, 244, Common in many
parts of the Tropics, — Orchid. Maxillaria
picta, — A. J. J. G. 1, Cytisus hirsutus; 2,
Lonicera Standishii ; 3, Spirsea bracteata; 4,
Weigela rosea ; 5, Lonicera involucrata,

Ophiopogon spicata: Suh.icriher. .\llow the
plants a restricted root run and afford water
sparingly. In the autumn keep them compara-
tively dry, and endeavour to ripen the crowns
thoroughly. The next season the plants should
flower satisfactorily.

PE.iCHES Disfigured: A. B. II. No disease is
present. The marks are the result of minute
scars, made when the fruits were quite small.

Peach Leaves : C . H. The leaves are affected
with " Blister " (Esoascus deformans). It is
probably due to the cold weather in spring.
As a preventive, plant the trees against walls

facing south in a sheltered part of the garden
Remove any diseased leaves as soon as de-
tected, and burn them, and prune those
branches bearing diseased leaves beyond the
point of infection. Spray with dilute am-
mouiacal solution of copper carbonate at in-
tervals.

Peach Leaves Diseased : T. D. The trouble is
due to " shot-hole " fungus (Cercospora cir-
cumscissa. Spray the trees at intervals with
the ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate.

Peach Mildew: Northumbrian. The fruits are
affected with Peach mildew. Gather the
diseased fruits and burn them ; afterwards
spray the trees with some fungicide, such as
liver of sulphur.

Propagation of Hyacinths by Notching :
J . J. The illustrations you refer to formed
the supplements to our issues for May 1 and
May 8. 1909, The bnlb.s are cut in June,
placed direct in trays, and kept in a high tem-
perature. In time the tiny bulbils appear along
the cut furrows. In October and November
they are detached and planted in the nursery.

Rhododendron (Azalea) G.alls : T. A. See
reply to B. G., page 360, in the last issue.

Rhododendron Leaves Spotted : A. W . No dis-
ease is present. The injury has been caused
by drip.

Rose Leaves : G. B. The Rose foliage is affected
with a dangerous disease caused by the fungus
Peronospora sparsa. Spray the trees with a
solution of liver of sulphur at the rate of 1 oz.
in 3 gallons of water, and afterwards, whilst
the leaves are still wet, dust flowers of sulphur
over them.

Spent Hops : H'csses. Spent Hops belong to
the waste products often employed as manure,
but they have little value beyond that of pro-
viding humus, and the mechanical effect they
have on the soil, particularly a heavy, clay soil.
The use of spent Hops will not repay the cost
of haulage to any great distance. A small ex-
periment could easily be tried of the compara-
tive effect of spent Hops and some strawy
manure of equal money value.

Stocks Diseased : F. W . O. S. The seedlings
are affected with root rot, caused by Rhizoc-
tonia. The plants cannot be cured, but the
soil may be treated with lime.

Tomato Soil : IFe.?.sea;. Soil which has been used
for growing Tomatos or Cucumbers on an ex-
tensive scale is usually found to be greatly
affected with injurious bacterial life, very
harmful to young plants of other species, and
hence the damage to the Carrot crop. It would
have been advisable to give to the old Tomato
soil a liberal dressing of ground lime, say,
6 lbs. per pole of ground.

Verbenas: F. T. B. The plants are injured by
Erysiphe verbense. Dust the foliage with
flowers of sulphur mixed with half its weight
of powdered lime.

Vine Growths : T. II. See reply to G. li.

Vine Leaves : Z. 0. and J. H. The spots on
the leaves are " sap warts " or " intume-
scences," produced by an excess of moisture
in the atmosphere. Ventilate the house early
each morning.

Wibeworms in Soil : C . P. Why address the
Publisher on such a question ? What you mis-
take for wireworms are millipedes ; they are
easily distinguishable from wireworms, be-
cause, whereas wireworms have three pairs of
feet and a sucker foot, millipedes have numer-
ous feet. They are most common in decaying
vegetable matter, and are destructive to vege-
table and root crops. Before using manure
infested with this pest, water the manure with
a solution of salt in water. Nitrate of soda
and soot are also found useful, and methods
recommended for destroying wireworms are
just as effective in the case of millipedes. If
these pests are troublesome in plant and fruit-
houses, large luimbers can be caught by trap-
ping them with pieces of mangold

Communications Received.— H, R. Ii,— Albion— G,W,
— Anxious, Somerset— A, H,— T. N. -I, S, E,— A. Bros,—

A. S,— C, Nicliolson— G. B, A, -A, M., Londonderry —
M, Mo N._J. E. W,— X. y, Z,— Platinus-G. C. Pearson
— M, L, D,-E, A,-Enquirer-E, M, -W, O,, France—
E. A B.-B. B.— A. H.T,— A. W, T.— W, W,-H, .7. C—

B. G.— A. P.— S. A.— S. C— W. H.— W, W,— W. R. D.—
J, D,— A. B,— P. M. D., Wynburg, S, Africa— C. H, H,—
T. B. S., Maryland, U.S.A.- A. G.-K. P. D.-C. F. B.-
L. B., New York.

Supplement to the "Gardeners Chronicle.

Photographs by F. Mason Good,

Wilton House, near Salisbury, the residence of the Earl of Pembroke.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., Lcndor, E.C.

I

I

Jdne 11, 3910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

377

THE

#arbencrs'(!rbronicIc

No. 1,224.— SATURDAY, June 11, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Acacia on French rail-

Nursery notes—

way hanka

388

Barr & Sons

383

BerberJs sienophylla ...

388

Wallace & Co.

383

Calceolarias at Aberdeen

386

Oichid notes and glean-

Carnation Lady Her-

ings—

moine

388

Calanthe

378

Chenopodium amaranti-

Eria rhyncostyloides

378

color

387

Peach culture in

Clarkia elegans as a pot

Ontario

386

plant

379

Pear Lucy Grieve

388

Collembola as injurious

Primula anisiaca

388

insects

387

Rhododendron Veitchi-

Columbines

387

anum

379

Crataegus punctata and

Rosary, the —

C. oricntalis

388

Roses grown in brick

Cultural memoranda-

pits

379

Plums

381

Societies-

Dover House gardens ...

388

Linnean

394

East Burnham Park,

Natiouale d'Horticul-

visit to ...

386

tiire de France ...

393

Foreign correspondence-

-

Royal Counties Agri-

Hechtia

384

cultural

392

Fruit prospects, di-

Royal Horticultural

3^9

minishing

389

Royal National Tulip

394

Glasnevin, note from—

Spraying, injuries from

386

Cassiope

379

Strawberry crop, the ...

389

Grapes, keeping late ...

3.18

Water Lilies, hardy ...

330

Hardy flower border—

Week's work, the —

Fritillaria pallidiflora

37S

Flower garden, the ...

384

Holford, Sir George L.

.-iMr;

Fruits under glass ...

3ri4

Houtte Centenary, the

3HG

Hardy fruit garden, the

364

Manuscript, an old

Kitchen parden, the ..

385

garden

377

Orchid hniises. the ..

3-5

Miles, Mr. W

3=7

Phmts uiidtr glass ...

385

Nonin, Mens., honour

Wilton House

382

for

3t:G

Worms, new garden ...

381

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Carnation Lady Hermoine 338

Cassiope fastigiati Cowering at Glasnevin 3'i9

Cedar at Wilton House 3S3

Eria rhyncostyloides 378

Mertensia echioides lanceolata 390

NymphiPa alba rosea 380

Nymphtea odorata rosea 381

Opuntia ficus indica 387

Riviera garden, view in a {Supplementary Illustration)

Robinia Kelseyi .. ... .. 391

Roses at the Paris Exhibition ... ... ... - 393

Wilton House, Salisbury 382

AN OLD GARDEN
MANUSCRIPT.

I AM indebted to Miss Willmott for the
opportunity of jierusing a volume on
gardening, for the greater part in manu-
script, which I think has never been pub-
lished. Its contents include bits from Evelyn,
Bradley, Lawrence, Switzer, and Millt^r, there-
fore, as a work on gardening its claim to origi-
nality is only slight, being to a large extent
an abbreviated compilation of the writ-
ings of others. The caligraphy is extremely
beautiful and so fine that it can be
read only for a brief space without tiring
the eyes. The matter seems to have been
inscribed on narrow sheets of paper, which
having been cut to the proper length, have
been pasted on the pages of a book bound
and prepared for the purpose. It boasts of
no general title, each section having one to
itself, the first being " The Flower Garden,
in two parts," followed by "The Kitchen
Garden, in two parts," " The AVilderness, in
two parts," the " Greenhouse," and " The
Stove," concluding with " The Gardener's Re-
membrancer, showing the works to 1)6 done in
the flower garden, kitchen garden, wilderness,
the greenhouse and stove in every month
through the year." There is also an exception-

ally complete index. McPhail was the author
of a volume entitled The Gardener's Eemcn-
Inmcer, but the two are distinct.

The exact date of the present manuscript is
not easy to determine, the paper marks being
undecipherable, but it is possible to approxi-
mate the date by a reference to plants, the
year of whose introduction is known, and by
the compiler having followed Miller in his
nomenclature, even to errors in spelling.
Judging from these circumstances, it appears
not unlikely that it was written previous to
1750, and, perhaps, not earlier than 1744.

Inside the front cover is a Georgian book-
plate on which is written " John Hall," and
the person whose signature this is, was, ob-
viously, also the scribe who indited the sheets
of which it is composed. The arrangement
of the several sections is alphabetical, and
each subject has brief, cultural notes attached
where these appeared necessary. At the end
of each division are such general remarks as
are needed to complete the teaching,' and to
describe the conditions asked for by the gar-
dening of the period. Part I. of " The Flower
Garden," is, however, merely a list of annuals
and biennials, but only the more tender sorts
have notes attached. The species or varie-
ties are written in red ink, as is the case
in all sections, and there are six chap-
ters or divisions devoted to annuals, of
which the first are hartly sorts to be sown
in Spring and not to be transplanted. As
an example the first noted is: " Alyssoides,
two sorts. Hoary and Oriental, the first
Rienl." These are respectively Berteroa
(Farsetia) incana and Rapistrum orientale,
and in most instances the names are equally
curious, e.g., Caterpillars, six s.orts; Gari-
della, Gnaphalodes, Vervain, three sorts,
etc. These are succeeded by an interesting
chapter on " Bulbous Rooted Plants," in
which 15 sorts of Lilies, and 17 Martagons
are mentioned, and no fewer than 43 sorts
of Narcissus or Daffodils. A note at the end
tells how " Tulips and most other Bulbous
Rooted flowers will blow very well and come
early by being put in glasses filled with water,
placed there in the month of October and
November ; only continue to give them f re.sh
water once in 5 or 6 days."

" Part the 2d" of " The Flower Garden "
treats of " all the Perenl. and abideing
Plants" in three chapters, one each to the
tallest class, middle class, and lowest class.
Every genus is briefly and tersely treated upon
in relation to its culture, soil, position and
propagation. A fair example is this of the
" None.such, or Double Scarlet Lychnis, 2
sorts. By parting of their roots in Septr., or
by cuttings made of the lower part of their
stems of 3 Joynts, about the middle of July;
l)lace 2 Joynts in the ground, and water and
shade them till rooted. They should have a
fre.sh, light soil, but not too dry." Carnations,
Pinks, Auriculas, Hollyhocks and other fib-
rous-rooted, florist flowers appear in this sec-
tion. It is remarked of Carnations, if plants
late in flowering are lifted from the ground,
and placed in pots they will produce flowers
most of the winter. Appended to this part
is a series of instructive and descriptive
notes on the general amenities of the flower
garden. These include " Bosquets or little
Groves, Cabinets, Compartments, Parterre,
Walks, Amphitheatre or Temple of Ever-
greens, Borders, Basons, a Laun, Destroying

of Insects, Some Rules for Making a Garden,
Manures, Water, Some General Rules in
Gardening, concluding with ' A List of
Flowers blowing in each Month of the Year,' "
The influence of Switzer is observable in
several of these essays, but Miller and others
also made free of his methods, and this volume
under review is only another instance of the
manner one writer borrowed from another
without making any acknowledgment. In-
sects, to our author, meant such things
as caterpillars, snails, worms, and even
"The Bird called Titmouse (which) should
carefully be destroyed, and the best way
to do it is to catch them with Bird lime."
One of the general Rules is to this effect :
" By changing of Seeds every year with
some curious person at a distance from you,
you will have much better flowers than if you
continue the same in your own garden."

Succeeding the list of trees and shrubs
for "The Wilderness," there are brief in-
structions on its formation ; on Blights " some
of which are Occasioned by a dry Easterly
Wind for several days; " on transportation
of plants, on grafting, on pruning, a nursery,
planting an orchard, layering, tree-lopping,
avenues, draining, hedging, advantages of
timber growing, general oljservations and list
of trees and shrubs blowing in each month
of the year. A large part of the matter in
these chapters may be traced to Miller,
but the " Advantages " are abstracted
from Bradley, and give in detail his re-
markable table of the profits of an acre of
trees at the end of 25 years, which amount
to exactly £2G0 10s. 6d. ! Of the " general ob-
servations " it may be noted that root pruning
is recommended for " Trees too luxuriant,"
and the removal of moss is advised. " Trees
catched by frost in the bringing from one place
to another " were to be placed in a cellar
and protected till thawed, and those kept out
of the ground too long were to be recovered
by steeping the roots in milk and water, or
in " Dish water for 24 hours." " The Green-
house, containing the proper Rules for
raising and Cultivating near Five Hundred
plants, which require the Shelter of a House,
together with the be.st method of Building
of Green Houses, Glass Cases, Dry Stoves,
and Bark Stoves," is the formidable title of
this section. The notes on Agapanthus um-
bellatus may be reproduced as an example of
how the several plants are treated. As in this
instance very few plants are described by any
other than the vulgar name, the exceptions
being cases in which an English designa-
tion was unknown. " Hyacinth, African,
Tuberose rooted with the Umbells of Blue
Flowers, by Roots put in pots of the same
soil as the other sorts of Hyacinths, the end
of March before their green leaves are too
far advanced. Whilst their leaves are in
vigour frequently water them. The middle
or end of October place them in the coldest
part of the house ; when their leaves begin to
decay give them but little water. They are
propogated by Offsets from the old roots when
they are transplanted." It will be under-
stood that during the summer months all-
greenhouse plants were transferred to a
sheltered position in the open, and keeping
this fact in view it will be apparent that tho
treatment of Agapanthus was cjuite correct.
The success attending the raising of Agapan-
thuses from seeds seems not to have beea

378

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 1910.

recognised by others at that period any more
than by the author. The directions for con-
structing the various houses required for the
plants in this section are very clear and with-
out the least attempt at circumlocution. The
greenhouse might be a plain building or it
might be, according to the fancy of the owner,
so grand as to have a marble floor. The plants
were protected by means of shutters, and
where no provision for heating was made " 4
or 6 candles were to be lighted every night dur-
ing frosty weather, which," it is remarked,
" is much better than burning charcole." At
the same time the plantsman is warned to
" Be not over buisy in warming the House
with artificial heat,'" which, considering the
means adopted for its production, seems to
be unnecessary advice.

"The Stove, containing upwards of six
Hundred plants, with the best Rules for
Raising and manageing them," is the heading
to a section devoted to most tender plants.
There are five divisions, the several plants
being located in the one suited to its propaga-
tion and culture. Here we find not a few old
friends, but in such strange guise that we have
reat difficulty in recognising them by name.

The last division or chapter refers to " Exo-
ticks raised Abroad and brought over in Tubs,
guarded from Salt-water in their passage."
These comprise Cacao, Gesnera (three sorts).
Hog Plum Tree, Lignum Vit^ (two sorts),
Lizard's Tail (14 sorts), Mammee Sapota,
Melon Thistb (six sorts). Turpentine Tree (two
American sorts), and Dwarf American Valer-
ian. Oranges and other greenhouse plants
\vere also imported annually, similarly to
Azaleas and other plants at the present time.
The Gardener's Bemembrancer is, to a large
extent, an abstract of Philip Miller's Gar-
denei-'s Kalcndar. It passes in rapid re-
view what it is necessary to attend to in
each month, the difi'erent departments being
treated separately, and, as the former portion
of the volume provided a concise cultural
treatise on each plant, the object of this later
chapter is to remind the cultivator in a few
words of what was taught there. Few plants
mentioned in the cultural portion are omitted
in this. So painstaking were these pioneers!
B. P. Brothcrston.

HARDY FLOWER BORDER.

FRITILLARIA PALLIDIFLORA.

This plant appears to be comparatively rare
in cultivation, and its merits certainly deserve
to be better known. A single bulb was one
of the many treasures that I brought away from
Shelford aftei- spending some hours with Sir
Michael Foster in his garden in 1905. This has
now increased so that there have been eight
heads of flowers this year, and I have searched
almost in vain in many private and public
gardens for specimens of this fine plant.

It may be that my bulb was that of some
selected seedling raised at Shelford, but, at any
rate, the plants always grow 2 feet in height,
although I have seen 9 inches given as the usual
height.

The lanceolate leaves are about 6 inches long
and 2 inches broad, of an extremely glaucous
grey-green colour, and it is perhaps the contrast
between the glaucous leaves and the pale lemon-
yellow of the numerous flowers that forms the
chief beauty of a clump of this Fritillary. Every
stem bears from six to twelve flowers, each borne
on a stalk of some length (4 to 6 inches) spring-
ing from the axil of a leaf. The flowers are
"thus distributed amongst the leaves and not
gathered together in a close cluster as in the
Crown Imperials.

The individual flowers are of the palest lemon-
yellow about an inch and a half in diameter and
slightly more in length. They are usually at
their best in the first week of May, W. if.
Dykes, CharterJiouse, Godalming.

ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS.

ERIA RHYNCOSTYLOIDES.
A DESCRIPTION of this fine new species, by Mr.
James O'Brien, was published in the Gardeners'
Chronicle, November 30, 1907. The species
was founded on the only known plant, which had
been imported from Java, and flowered in the
collection of the Hon. Walter Rothschild, at
Tring Park, who later presented the plant to
the Royal Gardens, Kew, where it again
flowered. The excellent photograph from
which our iUustration (fig. 167) was prepared was

red. The surface of the flower has a granu-
lated, or frosted, appearance, and the ovariea
and backs of the sepals are sparsely tomentose.
E. rhyncostyloides forms a very desirable gar-
den plant, and it is to be hoped that further
plants may be imported.

CALANTHE.

Calanthes ai-e now growing freely. As the
pots become full of roots the supply of water
must be increased, but it must be intelligently
applied, as over-watering at this time of year
is one of the primary causes of " spot," which ia

[Photograph by C. P. Raffill.
Fig. 167. — ERIA rhyncostyloides: flowers, faint blush; labellum, rose-tinted

AT THE base; COLUMN, BROWNISH RED.

taken by Mr. Raffill. Erica rhyncostyloides is
probably the finest species of its section, and the
name is an apt one, for at a glance the inflores-
cence might easily be mistaken for Rhyncostylis
retusa, which it resembles in colour and in the
dense manner in which the flowers are arranged,
although structurally they are quite different.
It is a strong-growing species, with brownish
pseudo-bulbs furnished with rather fleshy, dark-
green leaves. The flowers are white with a
slight blush tint ; the labellum is rose-tinted at
the base, and the apex of the column brownish

apt to disfigure the leaves permanently for the
whole season. I have come to the conclusion that
when the compost is made thoroughly porous,
so that the water percolates freely, the danger
of leaf-spot is reduced to a minimum. These
terrestial Orchids flourish and root better if, at
potting time, the pseudo-bulbs are placed about
2 inches deep, the risk of the roots getting eaten
or broken is minimised, and there is the neces-
sary stability during the time the roots are es-
tablishing themselves. A buoyant atmosphere is
necessary, and in oases where large quantities

JONE 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

379

of these flowers are grown it is well to place the
plants in parallel rows 9 inches apart, so that
the syringe can be freely used amongst the pots.
Now that the bright green foliage is developing
a more dense shade is needed, for Calanthes do
not like direct sunshine, except early and late in
the season. Scale insects are troublesome, but
these can be got rid of by sponging the leaves
carefully with any of the well-known in-
secticides. We have one bulb in the collection
here which has produced as many as five growths.
A. IF. Proudlocl-. Hall Garth Gardens, Cam-
forth.

NOTE FROM GLASNEVIN.

CASSIOPE.

The species of Cassiope are tiny Alpine bushes
somewhat resembling the Heaths. There are
three species in cultivation, C. fastigiata from
the Himalayas, C. tetragona from Lapland, and
C. hypnoides from Lapland and North America.
Until their requirements are perfectly under-
stood they are not easy plants to grow, but when
success is attained the plants are to be num-
bered amongst the choicest Alpines for tlie rock

fastigiata, and they are not produced so freely.
The growth is very free, and if the stems are
pegged down they root quickly. This plant pro-
duces its little white, bell-shaped flowers in April,
about three weeks before its Himalayan relative.
C. hypnoides is a creeping, moss-like plant
bearing solitary, drooping flowers on somewhat
long stalks. This species is not in cultivation at
Glasnevin. C. F. Ball.

THE ROSARY.

ROSES IX BRICK PITS.
The very interesting article upon " Roses in
Frames," which Mr. J. T. Strange contributes to
the Rose Annual for the pr6.sent year reminds
me of the grand Teas and Noisettes that used
to come from the Messrs. Mitchell, of Piltdown,
near Uckfield, during the early 'seventies. Some
readers must still remember that this firm was
noted for Teas and Noisettes, which exhibited
the most perfect development. Few of these
were grown in the open, but most of them in
brick pits. As we occupied those nurseries for
several vears after the retirement of the old firm.

Fig. i6S. — cassiope fastigiata flowering at glasnevin: flowers white.

or bog-garden. They appear to like a shady
position and a moist, peaty soil that is
well drained ; stagnant moisture and drought
are alike harmful. The happiest plants in the
Royal Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin are planted
on the fiat, where they are shaded by a north
wall, and are never exposed to the sun until it
begins to wane.

C. fastigiata is a beautiful, free-flowering plant
about 9 inches high. The flowers are solitary,
white and bell-shaped, not unlike an Andro-
meda. The five segments of the corolla
are recurved and show the pink centre and
curious awned stamens like the Arbutus. The
leaves are imbricated in four rows and have
white membraneous margins : they overlie one
another so closely that they completely clothe
the stem. Cassiope fastigiata was figured in the
Bot. Mag., t. 4796, from a plant growing at
Glasnevin. That specimen was raised from seed
collected in the North-Western Himalayas, where
it is said to be fairly abundant at an elevation of
12,000 to 13,000 feet. ^

C. tetragona is a more common, but less beau-
tiful, plant. The foliage has a more grassy-
green colour and the stems are more branched :
the flowers are about half the size of those of C.

a brief description of the pits and the culture
adopted may prove of interest.

The pits faced due south, and were sheltered
on the north, eai. and west by high hedges. At
that period few cultivators believed the Tea or
Noisette Rose to be so hardy as many varieties
have since proved. The pits were constructed in
the same manner as the old pine and other brick
structures, but they had no water pipes, and were
not heated artificially. Two of them had a back
wall about 4 feet in height, falling to 3 feet in
front. Below these were two more with a 3 feet
back wall and sloping to the front in proportion.
The lights were of the ordinary type, but glass
was not used in such large squares, and the
bars were much wider. I mention this be-
cause it afforded shade that is seldom found in
modern pits, the sun only reaching the plants for
a very short time from the - same direc-
tion. So much then for the pits. The
plants were all planted out. I never saw a
pot plant in that nursery during the time the
Messrs. Mitchell were there. The back walls
were occupied in all four pits, and some of the
finest blooms of Marechal Niel I have ever seen
came from those walls. Catherine Mermet, Sou-
venir d"un Ami and others were used on the

walls of the more shallow pits, while in the body
of the pit were the best Teas and Noisettes of
that date. The names of some of those varieties
linger in my mind yet, especially Souvenir
d'Elise Vardon, Anna Olivier, Devoniensis, Caro-
line Kuster, Comtesse de Nadaillac, Mme. Bravy,
Marie Van Houtte and Niphetos.

The lights were merely used as a shelter dur-
ing winter and when the growths were tender.
But they were very useful in keeping the flowers
clean. The Roses were mulched after the first
main crop ; never at the time of starting.

Doubtless some may think such pits and the
plants in permanent position were not used to
the best advantage, but that would not be the
impression of those who saw them. Besides, at
that time there was not such a wide choice of
hardy Teas, and there were no Hybrid Teas.

I have penned this note in confirmation of
Mr. Strange's article upon the culture of Roses
in frames. But Messrs. Mitchell's plants were
permanently planted. A. Piper.

PLANT NOTES.

RHODODENDRON VEITCHIANUM.

This beautiful Rhododendron, concerning
which T. A. G. enquired on p. 339, is, when
raised from seed, exceedingly variable in the
crimping of its petals, and occasionally an indi-
vidual plant may be seen in which the flowers
are perfectly smooth. Such being the case, it
is possible that the smooth-edged flower referred
to may be that of Veitchianum, This plain-edged
kind is sometimes met with in nurseries as R.
Veitchianum Isevigatum. That this last can be
raised from the best type I have proved. I self-
fertilised a particularly fine, crispate flower, and
the seedlings showed a considerable amount of
variability. Some were equal to the best form
of R. Veitchianum I have seen ; others had
narrower segments, whilst in some the edges
were smooth. I discarded those with smooth-
edged flowers. When the plants were young
they also varied considerably in habit, some being
more bushy than others. Those of neat, free
growth produced, as a rule, the poorest shaped
flowers, the massive, crispate blooms being, in
most instances, borne by plants of a straggling
character. As they grew up this undesirable
feature gradually disappeared, and the plants
ultimately became handsome bushes. In R.
Veitchianum the flowers are not borne in a com-
pact truss, but as a rule three or four are pro-
duced in a loose cluster. A notable feature,
apart from the crisped edges of the flowers, is
the thick wax-like texture of the petals, for which
reason the blooms remain in perfection longer
than most Rhododendrons.

Despite the desirable qualities of R. Veitchi-
anum, it has not been much employed by the
hybridist. The best-known varieties descended
from it are e.xoniense, whose other parent was
R, ciliatum ; and Forsterianum, raised by Herr
Otto Forster, the parents being R. Veitchianum
and R. Edgeworthii. W.

CLARKIA ELEGANS AS A POT PLANT.

I KNOW of nothing more graceful or beautiful
for the conservatory than Clarkia elegans. A
few seeds should be sown in 3-inch pots in the
first week in January, and the seedlings
thinned out to three in a pot. Later, the three
plants should be potted into a 6-inch pot, placing
the pots in a cool-house. The plants will begin
to flower in the last week of April, and continue
to bloom for about six weeks. I recommend sow-
ing again at a later date for succession. I have
plants with growths varying from 3 to 6 feet
in height, with numerous side shoots, and carry-
ing hundreds of flowers. Clarkia elegans can be
had in a great variety of colours, and the seeds
are cheap. J. Herdman, Under Fell Gardens,
Westmoreland.

3S0

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

lJune 11, 1910.

HARDY WATER LILIES.

Water Lilies exhibit considerable diversity in
the form and colour of the flowers, while the
character of the growth is varied enough to meet
the requirements of every taste. While recog-
nising the merits of Nymphsea tetragona for the
smallest areas, there can be no question that the
capacity of Wat«r Lilies for ornamental plant-
ing is greatest when presented on a large scale,
and, if possible, in a natural lake where the
eurroundings are treated as belonging to the
scheme of water gardening.

In the matter of cultivation it is an advantage
if a large body of water is available, because
the necessary temperature is more readily secured.
A moderate inflow of water is desii'able, as a
larger volume entering at one time would cool
the main body rapidly and check the development
of the plants.

Natural lakes should be carefully cleared of
all water-weeds before planting, and every pre-
caution taken to secure a clean st*rt with the
Nymphaeas. The best rooting medium is the rich,

it is indigenous to certain parts of New Jersey.
N. tetragona, also of very small habit, is a
native of the Himalayas. It has white flowers,
but the variety Helvola is pale yellow. The plants
already mentioned succeed in water 9 inches in
depth, and are most suitable for shallow
basins, tubs or pools. Of medium growers, the
forms of N. Laydekeri and N. odorata are most
generally useful, one group furnishing those
colours in which the other is singularly deficient.
In the Laydekeri group, fulgens and rosea are
the brightest colour forms, the former having
crimson-purple, cup-shaped flowers and bright
red stamens, and rosea, pale pink flowers passing
to a deeper shade with age. Lilacea produces
medium-sized flowers in which rose, lilac and
pink are curiou.sly blended ; it is one of the
earliest to flower. Purpurata has the largest
flowers of this group ; these are coloured bright
red and have deep orange-coloured stamens

N. odorata, the " White American Pond Lily,"
produces most graceful flowers, some 5 inches in
diameter, composed of narrow-pointed petals.
Among the varieties, that named Exquisite

and SphaBrocarpa, and in English as the "Swedish
Water Lily." It comes into flower about the third
week in ilay, and is generally over by July ; it
succeeds best in ponds of moderate depth and
flowers freely where the roots are restricted ; on
opening, the flowers are a fine shade of pale pink,
becoming curiously mottled with age and ulti-
mately exhibit a deep magenta colour. Froebellii
is an improved form of the " Swedish Water
Lily," and one of the best dark kinds; the
flowers are deep crimson with orange stamens.

The best dark-coloured Water Lilies include
Froebellii, with sanguinea, a beautiful red
flower of medium size and orange-red stamens ;
Wm. Falconer, a new American introduction,
having flowers 7 inches across and of a deep
crimson-purple, the stamens being bright yellow ;
and atropurpurea, the deepest colour of all and
most distinct.

The medium-coloured kinds include Ellisiana
(see fig. 159), a plant of vigorous growth and
utmost freedom when in flower. The blooms are
composed of broad-pointed petals mottled with
reddish-crimson, the stamens being orange-red.

Fig. i6o. — NyMPH.«AS in lough gardens, Lincolnshire, n. alba rosea in the foreground; n. ellisiana at back.

natural mud, but where this is absent, an excel-
lent substitute is prepared by mixing three parts
of good stiff loam with one part each of rotted
manure and sand. The soil is deposited on the
bottom of the pool in the form of a flat mound,
and the plant introduced, having its crown emerg-
ing from the apex. Where it is impracticable to
lower the water level in order to plant, Nym-
phseas may be planted in baskets in the ordinary
way and lowered into the desired positions ; the
roots get through the wickerwork, and the latter
presents no obstacle to their future development.
Comparatively few species of hardy Nymphoeas
are cultivated in u'ardens : most of the plants
are hybrids of garden origin. The flowers
are characterised by great size and rich
and delicate colours, while the sulphur, yellow
or orange-coloured stamens form a conspicuous
inset and are strikingly suggestive of some fine
filagree work in gold. The dwarfest Water
Lily is Nymphsea odorata minor (syn. pumila),
a variety having very small leaves and
pretty star-shaped flowers, some 3 inches across ;

is a deep pink flower of perfect form,
standing clear of the water ; the stamens are
bright yellow. Rosea (see fig. 170) is a plant of
medium vigour, with glistening petals of a clear
rose colour. Sulphurea grandiflora is a form of
sulphurea, and the largest-flowering variety in
this section ; the flowers are composed of long,
narrow petals of a soft yellow colour, and are
produced freely.

N. caroliniana is a natural hybrid between N.
odorata and N. tuberosa. The flowers are com-
posed of slender, pointed petals, pale pink towards
the points but deeper in colour at the base. In
the variety perfecta the flowers are semi-double
and of the richest shade of flesh-pink, being alto-
gether one of the loveliest of Water Lilies.

The forms of N. Laydekeri are among the
earliest to flower, from the middle till the end of
May according to season ; those of N. odorata-
rarely flower until June. Among the greater
Water Lilies, N. alba, the "British white Water
Lily," is widely distributed ; the best-known form
is alba rosea (see fig. 169), also known as Caspary

Fulva has starry, rose-tinted flowers that deepen
to red with age. In Robinsonii the pointed petala
give the flower a star-like appearance ; the colour
is a mixture of red, purple and orange, varying in
degree according to the age of the flowers.

N. gloriosa is a massive flower some 7 inches
in diameter, of great fullness. Although the plant
makes vigorous growth, it spreads but slowly ;
the flowers are bright red, tinted with pale rose
at the points of the petals ; are large and double ;
the stamens being reddish-orange. The flowers
float on the water.

The most popular group of Water Lilies is that
raised by the distinguished Frenchman, Mons.
Marliac, and which bears his name. They are
marked by extreme vigour and freedom of in-
crease, great substance of petal and purity of
colour. The latter character is most con.«picuous
in the forms carnea, rosea, and chromatella,
and even in ignea, the colour is more uniform
over the petals, and also more constant than is
the case with many of the coloured Water
Lilies. N. Marliacea albida produces massive

JONE 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

381

white flowers 7 to 8 inches in diameter ; the petals
are of great substance and stand clear above the
water ; the stamens are bright yellow. Carnea
is a flower of delicate colouring ; the soft flesh-
pink is deepest toward the base of the petals and
it imparts a warm glow to the centre of the flower.
Chromatella produces flowers of a soft lemon-
yellow, the stamens being paler. Flammea has
dull red flowers, the petals being lighter toward
the points. Ignea produces deep purple-red
flowers with apricot-coloured stamens. Rosea is
a deep pink form of carnea, and one of the love-
liest of this group. The forms of Marliacea are
deepest in colour on opening and become paler as
the flowers age.

Further good subjects include colossea, this
being massive in leaf and flower ; the latter are
pale flesh-pink, the stamens being lemon-yellow.
N. Gladstoniana also produces very large, pure
white flowers of great substance and some
8 inchee across, standing clear of the water. The
species N. tuberosa is a rampant grower and is
best lepresented in gardens by the variety Rich-
ardsonii, a form of moderate vigour having double
pure white, globe-shaped flowers. William
Doogue is an American seedling of marvellous
beauty ; the flowers are large and of a glistening
white e.xcept for a faint suffusion of pink that
marks the base of the petals and gives to the
flower a silvery sheen. Thomas Smith, Walm,s-
gate Gardens, Loullt.

material would be forthcoming. I had occasion
during the week before Easter to visit Bridling-
ton, and while there turned up another specimen
of the annelid, or a closely-related variety ; and
I feel that it is possible for me now to bring it
before the notice of those gardeners who are
following these questions with interest.

NEW GARDEN WORMS.

It is always gratifying to be able to throw
light on doubtful points, particularly to establish
the accuracy of a pioneer, whose work is certain
to be criticised more or less severely. When rare
species of plant* or atnmals are under discussion
it is easy to assume that a writer has been care-

f-a

Fig. 171. — ocTOLAsioN gr.^cile.

(A natural size.)

15, male pore : 22. papillfe ; 30-35, girdle and tuberculs,
[Tbe male pore is also shown natural size.]

CErley described two closely -related species of
earthworms under the names Octolasion rubidum
and 0. gracile, and stated that he had found the
former species at Woolwich and in Hungary. For
some years no one seems to have seen the species,
and Bcddard, in his Monoijro ph of the Oligo-
chacta. was content to follow Rosa, and give O.
gracilo a place, while regarding 0. rubidum as a
variety. Later, when Ribaucourt in 1895 studied
the Lumbrioid fauna of Switzerland, a little fuller
light was thrown upon the subject. Ribaucourt
found two specimens of 0. rubidum in gardens
at a height of 1,600 metres in the Bernese Jura,
and refers to 0. gracile as if he were acquainted
with it. but considered it a subspecies of Rosa's
Allolobophora profuga ; Ribaucourt elaborates
Qu'lcy's descri; -ion of 0. rubidum, but says

FlG. 170. — NVMPH^A ODOR.'iTA ROSEA. (See p. 380.)

leas or has allowed himself to be misled; and it
years elapse before his discovery is confirmed, it
is no unusual thing to allow a certain amount
of suspicion to attach to names which really
deserve honour.

Some years ago a careful investigator into
earthworm fauna visited this country, and made
certain records which have been regarded as
doubtfrJ because the species have been rarely
seen. I am especially glad, therefore, to be
able to say that recent research shows that ffirley
is a leader who is thoroughly to be trusted.
Some months ago I received from the Curator of
the old Chelsea Physic Garden a single specimen
of a garden worm which had not previously been
recorded for Great Britain. I did not, however,
describe it, as I hoped that in time further

The male pore is situated on the 15th segment,
and the papillte e.xtend over one-half the adjoin-
ing segments 14 and 16. On the ventral surface
of segment 22 are well-marked papillae when the
worm is perfectly adult Similar papiUse are
found on the 26th segment of the common earth-
worm (Lumbricus terrestris), and are in all proba-
bility connected in some way with the spermato-
phores. The girdle covers the segments 30 to 35.
Dorsally the segments are so closely fused that it
is impossible to see the line of separation, but
the girdle is saddle-shaped, and leaves the ventral
surface unaffected. Hence it is possible to see
each segment clearly on the under surface. The
tubercula pubertatis form a band near the ventral
margin of the girdle. The setse follow the
arrangement usual in this group, but the tail is
S(?.newhat differently shaped.

The dorsal pores are so conspicuous that one
involuntarily thinks of Eisenia rosea ; but in that
species the pores are remarkably large on the
girdle, while in 0. gracile they are quite invisible
in the girdle and begin between 11 and 12, or
possibly between 10 and 11, as is the case with
profuga. In nearly all the examples of profuga
(or studiosa) which I have examined, the girdle
is divided into two equal parts by a deep suture
on the ventral side, but no such division takes
place in the present species (see fig. 171).

The prostomium cuts about one-half the first,
ring, and instead of the Y-shaped groove which
is often found on the underside of the pros-
tomium there is a simple I-shaped one. These
grooves really correspond with a special arrange-
ment of the muscles, and are modified to enable
the worms to grasp their food firmly, or to help
them to seize leaf stalks and similar objects
which they may wish to drag to their burrows.
I should judge that we may expect this species
to occur in gardens along the eastern side of the
country, where it may possibly take the place
which is occupied elsewhere by profuga.

Since the foregoing was written, my suspicion
has been confirmed by the receipt of a further
" specimen ' from the East of Scotland, where it
was found by Mr. W. Evans, of Edinburgh.

I quite agree with ffirley in separating Octo-
lasion, with its eight rows of setae, from AIlolo-
bophora. It has not seemed necessary that I
should dissect the worm in order to ascertain
the number of spermathecie, but I shall do this
when new material is" secured, as the species will
be included in the Monograph of British
Oligochaets, upon which I am working for the
Ray Society. I/ihleric Friend, St. Asaph,
Great Malvern.

little of 0. gracile. It is the latter species which
I have found, and as it is new to Britain, and
differs in seme particulars from CErley's type, I
propose to give my own diagnosis and diagrams.
Octolasion gracile. CErley. as found in England,
is a stout worm which somewhat resembles pro-
fuga and studiosa. But it may at once be dis-
tinguished from them by its colour. In this
respect it closely resembles caliginosa, but from
this well-known species it may be readily
separated by observing its dimensions. Alive it
extends to 10 cm., but in alcohol it contracts to
70 or 80 mm., and is about 5 mm. in diameter
in the widest parts. It does not emit a yellow
fluid as studiosa does from the tail, and it is
wanting in the steel-blue and bright yeUow
colour of that species.

CULTURAL MEMORANDA.

PLUilS.

It is most desirable, when summer pruning and
training Plum trees, to lay in a good supply of
young wood at intervals all over the trees, so
long as there is space for perfect development. I
have seen good crops of fruit produced by spurs
on older branches, but the best results are ob-
tained from a succession of young wood. We
have very go^>d crops of fruit on several of our
trees, and in most cases the best are produced
on shoots one and two years old. For the present
It 13 desirable to keep the foliage clean and free
from insects, to select suitable shoots and train
them neatly to the walls or wires, pinch back
foreright, and remove any ill-placed growths.
Plum trees, like many other kinds of fruit, will
not fruit satisfactorily on thick wood, so that
root-pruning early in autumn may, in such cases,
be necessary. There is much good to be obtained
from feeding the roots after the fruits have been
gathered where the crops produced hava been
heavy. A heavy crop of fruit, coupled with dry-
ness at the roots, so frequently experienced in the
case of wall trees growing on a light, porous soU,
induce weak growths that are only capable of
producing weak flowers incapable of setting fruita.
H. Markham, Wrotham Park Gardens, Herts.

382

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June U, 1910.

WILTON HOUSE, SALISBURY.

(Concluded from page 363. J

Passing by Holbein's porch, from whence a
view of the residence is seen through a vista of
trees, a path leads through sylvan scenery to a
bridge over the river Nadder. The delightful
character of this part of Wilton could hardly be
exaggerated. The banks of the stream are planted
with Willows, raised by Lord Russell, and the
wild vegetation which reaches to the water's edge
is the home of numerous waterfowl. The scene
has been made the more enchanting, by diverting
the stream around an island formed of 6,000 loads
of mud obtained from the river's bed. The
Bamboo, and especially B. Metake and B. nitida,
thrives almost uninjured, forming large colonies.
The path along the waterside affords a view of
noble trees in the distance, including several of

trails (a plant of curious appearance), Calycan-
thus floridus, and Abies pumila were noticed as
we passed, the ground being gay with Irises,
Aubrietias, Arabis. Rumondia pyrenaica, Andro-
sace sarmentosa, Scillas, Tulips, and other spring-
flowering plants.

The lawns that stretch in front of the mansion
are extensive and timbered with Cedars princi-
paUy. There are specimens planted by kings,
queens, and emperors, but first place must be
given to the veterans that are said to have been
planted in 1640 (eee fig. 173). This date would
make them the oldest in the country and older
than the Enfield Cedar, the earliest accepted
date of this tree being 1552.

Only three of the original trees remain, b'ut the
Cedars at W^ilton number between 300 and 400,
and most of them are descendents of those first
planted. One magnificent young tree about 50

Standing on the bridge, a fine landscape
opens up on the park side, with herds of deer
grazing beneath the fine old trees. The
park is four miles in circumference. Up stream,
amongst the clumps of shrubs, patches of Cornus
JIas in flower provide masses of gold here and
there. Leaving the water, and crossing the lawn,
a notable tree of Paulownia imperalis is passed.
There is a beautiful tree of Quercus Cerris planted
by the Czar Nicholas of Russia in 1817 when
Grand Duke Nicholas. Other fine trees are
Sequoia gigantea, Cupressus macrocarpa, C. noot-
katensis, and Finns parviflora, one of the finest
specimens in the kingdom. The air in fragrant
with Penzance Briars, and everywhere the
grass is studded with flowers, a scheme of " wild,
gardening " through which devious paths lead
sometimes to a clearance where a " sweet-
scented " garden or a rosary has been made, with.

.^•AROCHRO'^

Fig. 17a. — WILTON house from the river nadder.

the celebrated Cedars, and one of Sequoia sem-
pervirens over 80 feet high. Another bridge
gives access to a garden of Roses, with rockwork
planted with Ferns and a collection of hardy-
flowering plants and spring-blooming bulbs. But
this rockery is not comparable with another
situated on the other side of the path with a pool
of water that becomes 30 warm in summer time
as to permit of tender Nymphseas and other
choice aquatics being cultivated. The pool is
planted with Nymphsea purpurata, N. FrcebeUii,
N. Gladstoniana, and N. exquisite. Aponogeton
distachyon flowers early in the year, and the
double Caltha palustris adorns the banks, sending
up its glowing blooms in profusion. The rockery
contains a very large selection of Alpines, with
Conifers of dwarf growth, Ericas, Ledums, Bam-
boos, Cotoneasters, and other suitable shrubby
epecies at points of vantage. Retinospora obtusa
Crippsii with golden foliage, and other pretty
ehrubs such as Picea excelsa var. Reraontii,
Genista prsecox, CoUetia bictonensis, Rubus aus-

years old was planted by the late Czar Michael.
Other tree planters at Wilton include King Ed-
ward YIL, Queen Alexandra, and the Emperor
of Germany.

In a nursery are healthy young Cedar trees
raised by Mr. Challis, from seeds obtained on the
place, and a note referring to some that were
sent to the Emperor William II. of Germany will
be found on p. 349.

Notable as are the Cedars, even more remark-
able is a tree of Quercus Ilex, unrivalled in its
proportions by any other evergreen Oak in the
country. It has a girth of 18 feet at a few feet
from the ground, the spread of branches measur-
ing 90 yards in circumference. The massive
branches are secured by chains in all directions,
but the growth is healthy, and, to all appear-
ances, the tree will last for m:iny years. Beneath
its shade Sir Philip Sidney is supposed to have
composed Arcadia. The river flows by the lawn,
and is spanned by a remarkable bridge, built
in the Palladian style by Inigo Jones (see fig. 172).

paths of stepping stones or bricks intersected
with low-growing Alpines.

Sometimes the path follows the river, or step-
ping stones may lead the more venturesome
across the water to the opposite bank, where
fresh scenery is equally delightful.

The river forms one of the boundaries of the
fruit and vegetable gardens, a wide border cf
hardy flowering plants skirting the bank. Find-
ing some difliculty in obtaining a plentiful sup-
ply of water in the kitchen garden, Mr. Challis
constructed, many years ago, a water-wheel from
an old wool-carding machine, the motive power
pumping the water from the river to the highest
quarter of the garden. This has served its pur-
pose well, and is still in working order. Beyond
replacing the original wooden dam with one of
masonry, the wheel exists in the form it was
originally constructed.

There are nine acres of fruit and vegetable gar-
dens with numerous glass structures. A new
range of houses is in course of erection from

Jdne 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

383

designs by Mr. Challis. The Cattleya and Den-
drobium houses and some others have been com-
pleted, and they are connected with a corridor.
The corridor is kept gay with plants in flower,
and, being cooler than the houses, visitors can
enjoy the view of the Orchids and other plants
in bloom without entering the hotter structures.
Pines, Melons, Strawberries, Grapes, Peaches,
and other exotic fruits are forced. In the middle
of the kitchen garden is a meteorological station,
the records having been tabulated by Mr. Challis
for a period of 49 years.

The condition of the gardens in all depart-
ments is a credit to Mr. Challis. His reputation
as a fruit-grower was won many years ago at the
exhibitions, but although he does not exhibit to
any great extent nowadays, he is still as keen
a fruit-grower as ever. His service at Wilton
has extended for more than half a century, and
his predecessor, Mr. Brown, was gardener there
for 33 years.

are valuable as cut blooms. The quaint Parrot
or Dragon Tulips, with deeply-notched petals,
even if appealing to a smaller number of ad-
mirers, are of very great interest.

TULIPS AT COLCHESTER.
The increasing popularity of May-flowering
Tulips is readily demonstrated by a visit to a
hardy plant nursery such as that of Messrs.
Wallace & Co., at Colchester. " Darwin " and
" Cottage " Tulips have supplied a long-felt
want in the garden. To see these Tulips
in the exhibition t€nt or hall, viewing their
flowers at close quarters, admiring their
goblet-like forms or graceful outline, now strong
in the richness or intensity of their self colours,
or elegantly margined and lined, is to get but
a passing glimpse of their beauty. It is when
growing in the garden or nursery that the waist-
high plants appeal most forcibly, where the mas-

Parisian (yellow), Mrs. Moon and Gesneriana*
lutea. The whole was bordered with Red Stan-
dard and Inglescombe Scarlet. Taken as a whole,,
the effect of the arrangement was excellent, and
on grass such a design would show to even greater
advantage.

Many novelties in these Tulips have been ex-
hibited by Messrs. Wallace for the first time this
year. Of these. Great Dane, an enormous flower
of orange-red tone ; Coralie, a most graceful Tulip^
not unlike La Merveille in colour, and having re-
curving tips ; Claudius, orange scarlet, and Nor-
man Knight, with bold, orange flowers having a
clear yellow base, are among the finest. All
these belong to the " Cottage " group. Other
good varieties of this type are Beauty of Bath,.
with long, acutely-pointed flowers of soft-yellow
colour, flushed on the outer sides with reddish-
purple ; and Ellen Willmott, the long and ele-
gantly-formed flower being of two shades of yel-

NURSERY NOTES.

MAY-FLOWERING TULIPS AT SURBITON.

Tulips of one kind or another have been flower-
ing in the garden for weeks jsast, and in the
greenhouse from the opening days of the year,
but in the Cottage and the Darwin Tulips is seen
the highest e.xcellence of the flower, and their
blooming is a fitting termination to an extended
season of flower beauty.

These May-flowering kinds are easy to culti-
vate, delighting in good, loamy, yet well-
drained and moderately rich soil, and a
long season of rest each year. Drying winds
or scorching sun will spoil the flowers, hence a
position neither too wind-swept nor sun-smitten
must be chosen for their planting. In Messrs.
Barr & Sons' nursery at Surbiton they are
planted by the acre in the open field, where they
are screened from cold winds by closely-wattled
hurdles. In the private garden, a more shel
tered position will frequently present itself, and
may always be employed advantageously.

It is possible, by carefully selecting the varie-
ties, and by early and successional planting, to
have Darwin Tulips in bloom during the whole
of the month of May. For example, Glow and
Ant. Roozen, of rose shades, and two of the
earliest varieties, were, by late planting, still in
good condition at Surbiton at the beginning of
June, and these were not alone in this
respect. Of other notable varieties in bloom,
Bacchus may be mentioned, with its rich,
deep-purpte flowers on yard-long stems. La
Tulips Noire, the darkest-coloured of all, is one
of the tallest growers. Zulu is also very tall
and hand.some ; whilst Sultan has glossy-black
flowers developed fully 3 feet high. Rev. H.
Ewbank is distinct, and the shades of heliotrope
and grey are most attractive, appearing at its
best, however, when seen under cover. Prince
of the Netherlands and Pride of Haarlem, both
of rose colouring and of exceptional brilliancy,
are among the giants of the race. Loveliness,
Clara Butt, Queen Wilhelmina, of blush-rose
shading and one of the latest of these to flower ;
Mr. Farncombe Sanders, rose-scarlet, and in
every way a great Tulip, were other good and
notable sorts. Apart from the Darwin Tulips,
there were many beautiful varieties of C-ottage
Tulips, and these have their own distinctive
merits. Some varieties, such as Bouton d'Or and
the rich crimson-red Elvira, are unique in the
strength and richness of their colouring. We
never remember to have seen Bouton d'Or
more finely developed or of richer colour. To
some, perhaps, the comparatively short cups
would not appeal very strongly, but surely none
could resist its golden colouring, its sturdy
vigour, or its sx^lendour when seen in a mass.
There are others with long, tapering, and often
acutely-pointed petals, now splashed, sometimes
margined with a different colour shade, and
these produce pretty effects in the garden and

Fig. 173. — ONE OF the celebrated cedars at wilton house.

(See p. 332.)

sive flowers and broad, glaucous-coloured leafage
completes the picture. It is in the garden, too,
where the good resulting from the free use of
one colour is seen, and where the weakening
effects of inharmonious colour shades, frequently
unavoidable in the exhibition hall, finds no place.
That colour contrasts may, however, be employed
advantageously was abundantly seen during
a brief tour of the Kilnfield Gardens, where
Messrs. Wallace have arranged an Italian garden
design and planted it in its entirety with these
Tulips. The large central portion of this design
was composed of the tall and stately variety Zulu,
a nearly black flower, surrounded by such helio-
trope-shaded flowers as Erguste and Rev. H.
Ewbank, the receding waves or circles contain-
ing Inglescombe Yellow, Loveliness and Ingles-
combe Pink, Fra Angelica, Negro and Sultan,
the nearly triangular corners being fiDed with

low, which have a beautiful and refined ap-
pearance. Of other yeUow-flowered varieties
may be mentioned Primrose, Scented Gesneriana
lutea, and G. 1. pallida, also highly frag-
rant. Gesneriana lutea is late in flowering and
very tall in stature. Leghorn Bonnet, Mrs. Sloon,
Orion and Primrose Beauty are others of yellow
shades, while Golden Spire, which merges into
palest orange, has the finest thread of carmine
colour on the margins of its petals. Walter T.
Ware is also a magnificent and bold Tulip, the
massive flowers of richest orange over-topping
even those of Bouton d'Or.

The Darwin class includes Ixis, crimson-scarlet;
Claude Guillot, vermilion-red ; Henner, crimson-
maroon ; Melicette, soft lilac ; Pride of Haarlem,
reddish-scarlet ; and Duchess of Westminster, a
rare variety akin to Clara Butt, but of deeper
rose colour.

384

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 191G.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

HECHTIA.

Respecting the note by 11'. 11'. on Hechtia
argentea, in which he asks if anyone has tried to
cultivate a Hechtia under other conditions than
those of a tropical house, the following facts may
be of interest.

For many years I have cultivated four species
of Hechtia from ^lexico, namely, H. Besseriana,
H. Schottii, H. argentea, and H. montana. Three
of them I sent last year to England, and H.
montana I have still in my garden. They are
completely hardy here, although our temperature
falls as lo'w as 5° Cent, (about 10" Fahr. of frost).
The plants are in pots which are plunged
in sunny places. During the summer they
are given frequent applications of manure, and
under this treatment they soon make good
.specimens, but, being young, they have not yet
flowered. H. montana is planted in a rockery,
among Agaves, Yuccas, and Opuntias, and it has
done very well, although, on November 25, 1909,
Ihe miniature shoots of Orange trees were cut by
frost. I believe that the Hechtias can be culti-
vated in the warmer parts of England in the
open garden, and in the northern districts in a
.cool house. Of course, the leaves developed finder
such conditions will be less long than those
.on the beautiful specimen shown in the Supple-
mentary Illustration in the Gardener-s Chronicle,
.Jlay 21. The same may be said of Agaves, which
appear quite distinct if cultivated out-of-doors
and in warm houses.

!Many Cactaceous plants are very hardy. Echi-
nocactus Pfeifferi, texensis, iMonvillii, Sellowii,
•and submammulosus are cultivated in the open
ground, exposed to frost, snow, and rain during
the whole winter, and now they are covered
Vifith flowering buds. Echinocereus, Manimil-
larias, and Echinopsis are equally successful. I
believe that in Cornwall, Isle of Wight, and
some parts of Ireland they would prove just as
hardy. My whole stock of Cactacese is planted
in the rockery at Ravello. Willy Miiller, Xocera,
near Naples. [Will Mr. Miiller kindly send us
a leaf of the plant of H. argentea, and tell us
something of its origin? — Eds.]

fine floral display just now, are Cytisus scoparius,
with its varieties Andreanus and sulphureus ; C.
kewensis, C. decumbens, C. monspessulanus, and
Genista pilosa. The Syringas, or Lilacs as they
are commonly known, include S. persica, the
" Persian Lilac," and its cut-leaved form,
laciniata : also the many garden vai'ieties of S.
vulgaris, such as Charles X., Congo, Mane
Legraye, Souvenir de L. Spiith, of the single
kinds -and Alphonse Lavallee, Charles Joly, Mme.
Lemoine, Mathieu de Dombasle, and President
Carnot, of the doubles. The Weigelas or Dier-
villas should be included; there are excellent
varieties of D. rosea, including the variegated-
leaved form that is so attractive just now. The
Viburnums include V. tomentosum, with its
sterile variety plicatum, one of the most beauti-
ful of shrubs," and V. Sargentii. The best garden
Spiraeas are represented by S. nudiflorum, S.
chamffidrifolia, and S. media ; Rhododendrons,
including R. (Azalea) moUe in variety, together
with the many handsome forms of Crataegus, are
beautiful subjects planted as isolated speciinens
either in woodland or park. Many others might
be mentioned, but those I have named will, if
planted largely, produce a good effect, and they
are not at all" fickle as to their cultural require-
ments.

General loork. — Annuals sown in the open
ground will need careful thinning, and the plant-
ing of those raised in boxes must be done without
delay. Tulips which have passed out of flower
should be lifted and laid out to ripen ; the varie-
ties must be carefully labelled so that they are
kept true to name. Plants of half-hardy climbers
raised from seeds, such as Eccremocarpus scaber
and Mina lobata, will require planting out.
These are effective when trained to stout stakes
or tripods in the mixed borders. Newly-planted
trees and shrubs should, if necessary, be pruned
back to where new growth is commencing ; in
most cases these will be greatly benefited by
syringings overhead in hot, dry weather, and
liberal' mulchings, but avoid having an excess of
moisture at the roots, a mistake often made with
newly-planted trees. Neat sticks should be placed
to border Carnations and Pentstemons, whilst
Phloxes and Asters, that are now growing freely,
will need further tying. Roll the paths whenever
the gravel is in a 'moist condition. Attend care-
fully to the watering of pot plants, and whilst not
allo"wing anv to beccjme dry at the roots, bear in
mind that newly-potted plants require little mois-
ture until they produce roots freely.

The Week's Work.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. BtcKETT, Gardener to the Hon. Vicary Gibds,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Bases. — These plants in various aspects are now
producing vigorous growths. The climbers on
poles or other supports will need the strongest
growths secured, but do not give too severe atten-
tion to this detail, or much of their natural beauty
will be marred. Aphides seem particularly preva-
lent this season, and frequent syringings with ex-
tract of Quassia or other insecticide must be car-
ried out until the flowers commence to expand.
Quassia is particularly effective, and one of the
best preventives. Its use does much to check
attacks of mildew. Frequent aeration of the soil
and sprinkling with artificial manure will
stimulate growth in all Roses, and a mulch
may be applied now that the ground is
in a moist condition. Should there be any
blanks in the beds, pot plants of the particular
variety vshould be planted with care and a little
additional attention bestowed upon them in the
way of shading and syringing. Late-planted
Rf.ses are sometimes difficult to establish, espe-
cially in soil that is not altogether suited to their
requirements. Two interesting species are now in
flower in the shrubberies : Rosea alpina, a striking
subject for clothing a pole, producing single,
rose-coloured flowers, and a plant easily recog-
nized by the absence of spines ; and Rosa
spinosissima var. altaica the " Scotch or Burnet
Rose," a striking bush, producing large, single,
creamy-white flowers in great profusion.

S/irtihu. — There being such an infinite variety
of beautiful shrubs now in flower, perhaps a list
of the more striking kinds may be of interest,
i'lmongst the Brooms, which are contributing a

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Norlhaniptonshire.
Summer pinching and ! rain imj.— Most fruit
trees will now need frequent attention in regard
to pinching and training the shoots. The growths
upon Pear cordons against walls should be
pinched when they have made six or seven leaves,
pinching them to within about four or five leaves
from the main stem or spur. The leading growth
should be left its entire length for the present,
but if the trees have not covered the space
allotted them, such leading shoots that are grow-
ing strongly may be shortened some weeks hence.
Later, when the uppermost buds of the shoots
now stopped commence to push into growth,
these secondary shoots should be pinched to one
or two leaves. By carrying out these operations
graduilly, they may be done without causing the
trees any serioiis check. The effect of such pinch-
ing is t() admit sunlight and air both to the fruits
and shoots. In some gardens, from pressure of
work and other causes, the pinching of cordon
trees is neglected. The shoots are allowed to
grow nearly their full length, and, later in the
summer, these are cut away, the effect being that
the presence of so much wood in the growing
season tends to over-stimulate root action, caus-
ing the trees to become too vigorous, and later,
when they are pruned, a severe check is imposed
upon the trees at a time when the fruits should
be swelling freely. The operator sliould com-
mence pinching the most forward shoots as soon
as thev are ready, and the same treatment should
be followed in regard to pyramidal Pear, Apple,
and Plum trees, modifying the treatment
according to the habit of the different varieties.
When pinching has been completed on the wall
trees, the leading shoots and those required for
extension should be trained in the desired posi-
tions, making them secure against winds. Wall

trees should be syringed daily in fine weather
with clear water.

The Pear and Cherry tree Sawfly (Eriocampa
limacina). — This pest is usually most destructive
to Pears and Cherries, but it occasionally attacks
Apple, Plum, and Damson trees. It appears to
increase mostly in hot, dry seasons. The fly
usually makes its appearance early in June, but
sometimes a little earlier if the weather is warm.
The female deposits her eggs on the underside of
the leaves, and the larvae are hatched in about
10 days. At first they are white, but afterwards
become of a slimy, dark-gi'een colour and re-
pulsive shape. Sixin after the larvfe are hatched,
they eat their way through the leaf, and com-
mence to eat away the upper surface, denuding
the leaves of aU the soft tissue until they are
skeletonised. Trees affected with, this pest should
be syringed vigorously with arsenate of lead or
soluble paraffin. The arsenate of lead wash, being
poisonous, must not be used later than five or
six weeks before the fruit is gathered. Where
bad attacks have been suffered, it is a good plan
to apply a liberal dressing of soot or quicklime
about the roots in autumn, lightly pricking these
materials into the soil with a garden fork. If a
similar dressing is applied again early in springy
good results may be expected to follow.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Strawberries. — For affording the latest pot-
Strawberries, the variety Waterloo is exceedingly
useful. In the case of this variety not more than
three fruits should be left to ripen on each plant.
In order to prolong the supply until the ripening
of .Straw-berries cut-of-doors, the latest pot-
plants should be grown as cool as possible, merely
protecting them from frosts and cold winds, but
removing the lights from the frames on fine
days.

Alpine Strawberries. — Plants which were
raised from seed early in the year may now be
moved into 5-inch pots for autumn fruiting. A
similar compost to that recently recommended
for perpetual-fruiting varieties will suit these
Alpine Strawberries, and the potting should be
done firmly. In order to encourage a free growth
the plants may be left in the frame for a few
weeks after potting, shading them from sunshine
and syringing the foliage late in the afternoon.
As soon as the roots are fairly established in the
fresh soil, the plants may be removed to a posi-
tion out-nf-dojrs, where they will be shaded from
sunshine during the middle of the day.

Plum trees in pots. — Trees bearing ripe fruits
must be watered with extreme care or the fruits
will be liable to split, and nothing but clear
water must be applied to them. Ventilate
the house freely, using both top and bottom ven-
tilators and leaving plenty of air on during the
niglit. Examine the trees each day, and gather
those fruits which are ripe, laying them out care-
fully in a shallow box or lid, and covering them
with cotton-wool. If the fruits are placed in a
well-ventilated, cool fruit-room, they will remain
in good condition for some time.

Out-door borders. — Out-of-door fruit borders
require regular supplies of water during the sum-
mer, and liquid manure should be given wher-
ever it is likely to have beneficial results. A
mulching of partly-decayed manure will serve a
useful purpose in conserving the moisture, and
thus it will encourage the growth of surface roots.

Tnmatos. — Plants in full bearing need frequent
supplies of liquid manure, alternating this with
clear water. Encourage root-action by applying
occasional top-dressings of fresh loam and sprink-
lings of artificial manure Remove the lateral
growths and shorten the leaves sufficiently to
expose the fruits to sun and air. This latter
operation is often over-done and defoliation car-
ried out under the impression that the plants are
benefited by the treatment, but it is impossible
for a plant to produce a good crop of fruit unless
it is well provided with healthy foliage. If
white fly is troublesome, close the house in the
evening and vaporise with a nicotine preparation.
Seeds should now be sown to provide plants for
fruiting during autumn and winter. Seedlings
from this sowing .should be cultivated in cool
conditions. They should be potted in the fruit-
ing pots sufficiently early to enable them to fill
the pots with roots before the plants haDve- to be
placed in heat.

1

June 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

385

-J THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Windsor.

Tomatoi. — Plants bearing full crops, and
especially plants which are growing in pots, will
rt quire frequent applications of plant-food, and
these should be afforded either by sprinkling the
surface of the soil with artificial manure or by
watering with liquid obtained from the farmyard.
The fruits should be cut immediately they have
developed colour, placing them in a cool fruit-
room where they will keep in a good condition
loi- a much longer time than if left on the
plants. Succession plants should be given an
abundance of air during the setting of the fruits.
Remove all side shoots, and after sufficient fruits
have set, the tops of the plants may be pinched.
Afford liberal supplies of manure wattr. Later
plants require repotting, and they should be kept
near to the glass. Wake another sowing for
raising plants to fruit in autumn, and as soon as
the seedlings are large enough they may be
potted up and placed out-of-doors in a sunny
position. Stakes may be placed to them, and
the stakes secured to a wire. If the weather is
favourable, the plants will set their fruits freely,
and they may be removed to a house at the end
of the summer.

Leeks. — The Leeks raised from seeds sown in
March for the main crop should now be ready for
planting-out. If the ground was trenched and
manured early in the year, it will only require to
be forked over before drawing the drills at
18 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches in depth. The
Leeks should be planted at 1 foot apart by means
of an ordinary garden dibber. Only a small
quantity of soil should be allowed to fall amongst
the roots, the remainder being afterwards
worked in with the hoe, so that nothing may re-
tard the swelling of the stems. As the ."season
advances, the plants should be given liberal sup-
plies of liquid manure from the farmyard in pre-
ference to any other stimulant. Plants that were
put out a month ago in the trenches should have
the soil frequently stirred, and they may be
given a good watering. Leeks are gross feeders,
and, therefore, benefit from large quantities of
weak liquid manure.

Brussels Sprouts. — Continue to plant out Brus-
sels Sprouts as opportunity arises. Brussels
Sprouts should be allowed 3 feet between the
rows and 30 inches between each plant.

Cauliflowers and Broecoli. — Autumn Giant
Cauliflower and Early Broccoli should be planted
on rich ground allowing a space of 30 inches be-
tween the plants. Liberal supplies of water
should be given the plants until they are estab-
lished, but afterwards little attention will be
needed beyond hoeing and keeping the ground
clear.

Chirorij. — A good sowing of Chicory should be
made as soon as possible, in an open situation, in
light, rich soil, sowing the seeds in drills drawn
at 15 inches apart and 1 inch deep. If the soil is
dry at the time of isowing. the drills should be
watered in the evening btfore sowing is com-
menced, the effect being much better than may
be expected from a watering applied to the sur-
face of the bed after the seed has been sown.
When the young plants are a few inches high,
they may be thinned to 8 inches apart, and the
Dutch hoe should be worked between the rows
at frequent intervals. Slugs being particularly
fond of young Chicory plants, the beds should be
dusted frequently with hot lime, applying this
early in the morning.

Seaiale. — Young plantations of Seakale now
require thinning. Each plant should be examined
carefully in order that the growths may be re-
duced to one or two of the strongest crowns on
each plant. Seakale needs a moist situation, and
should be given liberal supplies of water in dry
weather. Later in the season, a dressing of arti-
ficial manure may be applied.

Mus/i rooms. — An open shed with a northern
aspect affords the best situation for the culture of
Mushrooms in summer. When a suflicient quan-
tity of manure has been prepared, it should be
trodden tightly together, and allowed to remain
a day or two before the spawn is inserted, whicn
operation should take place when the temperature
of the bed is at about 80°. The spawn should be
inserted 2 inches deep in the manure, and when
the temperature of the bed has fallen a few de-
grees, the surface may be covered with 2 inches
deep of fresh loam. This top-dressing should be

made perfectly tight, and a covering of straw
placed over the bed to hinder evaporation. In a
few weeks the covering should be removed, and a
gentle w-atering given if this is found necessary,
replacing the covering material when this has
been applied. At the end of six weeks from the
time of spawning the Jlushrooms should begin to
show, when careful attention must be given to
syringing the walls and other surfaces with rain-
water. A few mats may be nailed in front of the
shed to prevent winds from drying the at-
mosphere.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Thunia. — As the flowers commence to open,
these plants should be removed to a more cool
and airy house, and it will generally be found
that those which open in the cooler atmosphere
last longer than those which open and are kept
in the East Indian house. Where it is found
desirable to increase the stock of any ol the
following varieties, T. ilarshallii, T. Bensonias,
T. Brymeriana, T. Veitchiana, T. alba, T. can-
didissima, and T. pulchra, the present is the best
time to do so. Remove any of the back pseudo-
bulbs that are fresh and pliimp, cutting them off
at the joints into lengths of about 4 to 6 inches
and in.serting them firmly as cuttings into small,
well-drained pots in a mixture of chopped Sphag-
num-moss, small crocks, and coarse silver sand.
Place these cuttings in the warmest house and
keep them fairly moist. When fresh roots push
forth, grow the plants as quickly as possible;
they need not be disturbed until after the resting
period, when new growth commences.

East Indian House. — In this house such plants
as Aerides, Saccolabium, Angriecum, Renanthera,
Sarcanthus, Trichoglottis, V'leisostoma, Mysta-
cidiuni. Arachnanthe. Aeranthus, and other
Vanda-like plants, now developing leaves and
roots, should be given as much water as will
serve to keep the Sphagnum-moss on the surface
in a growing condition. Possessing aerial roots,
they do nut need large quantities of water to pass
through the compost, but great humidity in the
house, therefore, a moist state of the atmosphere
must be maintained till their growth is com-
pleted. The majority of these phants, like Phalffi-
nopsis, delight in plenty of sun heat, but warmth
from the hot-water pipes, if used to anv great
e.xtent, quickly debilitates them. On' warm,
bright days, the fire-heat must be kept as low
as possible, and, in order to preserve a moist at-
mosphere, the top ventilators must be kept
closed, affording the necessary amount of air
through the lower ventilators. When both top
and bottom ventilators are open at the same
time, the air dries too quickly. When the
weather is bright we close the ventilators about
4 p.m., but earlier if the skies are dull; the
house is then thoroughly damped down and the
temperature allowed to rise as high as possible.
Where the glass is covered with stippling, the
blinds are pulled up about one hour later, when
the sun is shining full on the roof. For several
months to come a temperature of about 70°
should be maintained, and. early in the morning,
should the temperature through rain or cold
weather fall below 65°, no damping should be
done until the pipes are made warm and the
proper temperature is obtained. Nearly all these
plants produce large, fleshy roots, which are very
agreeable in a young .state to cockroaches and
similar pests. These insects must be constantly
sought after and destroyed, or irreparable
damage will be done. We' keep these pests in
check by close examination of their haunts at
night, and by using " Beetlecute," sprinkling it
about the house according to the directions given
with the preparation.

Dendrobiurn. — The young growths of the de-
ciduous and semi-deciduous Dendrobiums are
now developing fast, and the amount of water
at the root must be increased, especially where
growth is vigorous and roots plentiful.' When
the plants are growing strong it is advisable to
examine them occasionally and tie or loop up the
longest of the growths, so that more light and
air can circulate freely between the plants; it
also gives them a tidy appearance. Dendrobiums
of the evergreen section, as D. thrysiflorum, D.
densiflorum and D. Farmer! , which have passed
out of bloom, should be kept cool and rather on
the dry side until growth has recommenced.
Strong-growing species like D. calceolus are now

producing their new growths, 'and those that
need repotting should be given attention at
once. Afford them ample rooting space and
plenty of drainage material. If the plants are
potted firmly in the Osmunda and Polvpodium
mixture they will last for several vears' without
repotting. After potting, tie up the tallest of
the pseudo-bulbs to strong, neat stakes, which
will assist to keep each plant firmlv fixed in its
position. Place the plants at the "warm end of
the house, and when they are well-rooted applv
copious waterings till such time as the terminal
leaf is completed.

Other species.—There are numerous other Den-
drobiums which may also be repotted at this
time, including the well-known D. Phalajnopsis
D. bigibbum, D. superbiens, D. stratioides, D.'
Parishii, D. rhodopterygium. D. macrophyllum,
and D. Bensoniae.

PLANTS UNDER 0LAS3.

By John Donoghue, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill Esq
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.
Cyclamen. Seedling plants of Cvclamen aro
ready for repotting into their final 'pots, which
may vary in size from 5 to 7 inches in diameter
the compost should consist of good, fibrous loam
two parts, and peat and leaf-mould one part each
the leaf-mould is best obtained from Oak leaves
and a small quantity of well-decaved sheep
manure may be added after it has been dried and
rubbed through a fine sieve, also sufficient broken
charco.al and coarse silver sand to keep the com-
post porous. Do not press the soil too firmlv
about the roots, or apply much water until tli'e
roots have established themselves in the fresh
compost. It is a good plan to plunge the pots
to their rims in tan bark or similar material.
The plants must be shaded from sunshine, and
they should be sprayed lightly with clear water
several times in the day. Ventilation must be
given during the hottest part of the dav, but
care ?s necessary to prevent the plants su'fterini'
from cold winds or draughts. Keep the plants
growing steadily in a good light, free from bright
sunshine, and preserve them from attacks " of
insect pests such as Aphides and thrips. If
either of these pests put in an appearance, the
plants should be vaporised with one of the nico-
tine compounds.

Primula. — Chinese Primulas are now making
rapid growth, and they need to be potted off
singly into small pots, when they should be
placed in a position near to the glass, preferably
in a frame pit provided with a cool base formed
with ashes.

Hippeasirum. — The flowering season of the
Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) is now almost passed,
and the plants are making new growth. The
lea\-es may need some support, which can be
afforded by placing two stakes in each pot and
carefully looping up the leaves with raffiatape.
Hippeastrums usually succeed best if the pots,
are plunged in a bed of tan bark, and an occa-
sional top-dressing with some approved chemical
fertiliser is given them. Syringing may be car-
ried out early in the afteruixm, and the' frame or
house should be closed whilst it still contains a
fair amount of sun-heat. When the bulbs have
completed their growth, a cooler treatment will
be found necessary and less water, it being im-
portant that the bulbs should mature.

Caladium. — These handsome-leaved plants are
most serviceable for decorations indoors when
they are in small pots, but under these condi-
tions they do not last long. If a few specimens
are required for autumn, several plants should
be repotted into larger sizes, and when these
larger pots have become filled with roots, occa-
sional applications of diluted farmyard manure
should be applied.

Edging plants. — Panicum variegata, whose-
proper name is Oplismenus Burmannii variegata,
and Fittonias are most useful as edging plants
in the plant stoves. Fresh stock is easily raised
by inserting from four to six- cuttings round the
edges of small pots and keeping them close and)
shaded for a week or two afterwards.

The conservatory. — Such plants as will be re-
quired for flowering again another year must not
be neglected at this busy season. They need
hardening out-of-doors in a suitable position, and'
whilst most of them require frequent waterings,,
some will also need to be trained.

386

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[June U, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

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

Special Notice to Correspondents.— T/ic Editors do not

undertake to pay Jar any contributions or illustrations, or
to return utiuscd cuininunications or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

l^etters for Publication, as well as specimens of plaiUs
fo) naming, should be addressed to the EDITORS,
41, Wellinsrton Street, Covent Garden. London.
Communications should be written on onk side onlv of
THR PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. If desired, the signature will not be
ptinted, but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Local News.— Correspondents will greatly oblige by sendingto
the Editors early intelligence of local events likely to be oj
intetest to our readers, or of any matters which it is desirabte
to bring under the notice of horticulturists.

Illustrations. - The Editors will be glad to receive and to select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, Jlowers, trees, &c., but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

MONDAY, JUNE 13-

Uniled Hort. Ben. & Prov. Soc. Com. meet.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15-Yorkshire Gala (3 days).
THURSDAY, JUNE 16-Linnean Soc. meet.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17— Richmond Royal Horse Sh. (2 days).

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 68'8°.
Actual Temperatures; —

LotiDoti.— Wednesday f June 8 (6 p.m.) : Max. 75*;
Min. 68°.
Cardenefs' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London —/ /lurst/dj, June 9
(10 a.m.) : Bar. 300 ; Temp. 73° ; Weather-
Sunshine.
PRovt^cE^.— Wednesday, June S; Max. 74" Cbelms-
ford; Min. 56° Scotland S.E. coast.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

WEDNESDAY—

Liliums, Hardy Bulbs, &c., at 1; Palms, Plants, Bays,
Ferns, &c., at 3 ; at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by
Protheroe »& Morris.

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY—

Absolute sale of the whole of the Orchids, Greenhouse
Plants, &c., at the Keyfield Nurseries, Watson's Walk,
St. Albans, by order of the Trustee re F. G. Young, in
bankruptcy, by Protheroe & Morris, at 1.

FRIDAY—

1,000 Imported Cattleya MossiaB, also Established
Orchids, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe
& Morris, at 12.45.

The necessity for the spraying
Spraying of fruit trees of all kinds, in

Injuries, order to check the attacks of

parasitic insects and fungi, is

■becoming recognised by all growers who are

anxious to secure the greatest yields of fruit

•of the highest quality.

It is, however, essential that the applica-
tion of sprays should be made with consider-
able caution, or serious damage to the foliage
and fruit may oc^mr. In the worst cases where
the necessarj' materials are mixed in unsuit-
able proportions the damage may be apparent
in a day or two, but even in the case of care-
ful applications injury sometimes arises, and
in such instances the mischief may not be-
come evident until two or three weeks have
elap.sed.

Perhaps the most likely materials to do
damage are paraffin and arsenical washes, but
«oft-soap, liver of sulphur and Bordeaux mix-
ture are not always free from blame. In
America, where spraying has become a com-
mon routine operation in the management of
fruit plantations, injury from the use of Bor-
deaux mixture is of frequent occurrence, and
Mr. Salmon, in the current number of the
journal of the Board of Agriculture, has
drawn attention to similar trouble with this
fungicide, after application to apple trees in
Kent, where it was employed for the purpose
of checking fungus diseases.

If this mixture is applied in large amounts,
and in the form of too coarse a spray, purplish
brown spots appear on the leaves, which ulti-
mately give rise to holes : in the milder cases
the tops and edges of the leaves become
scorched and ragged, and in others the
whole leaf may turn yellow and die.
Small black or brownish specks appear
upon the young fruits, and later in the
season- develop into corky, russet-coloured
patches, which disfigure the Apples and
greatly reduce their market value. Unfortu-
nately, little is known about the exact causes
of these Bordeaux spray injuries, and much
research is needed to determine the condition
which will render spraying an absolutely safe
operation. The strength of the solutions used,
the atmospheric condition at the time and
subsequent to the application of the fungi-
cide, the stage of development of the plant,
and certain physiological peculiarities of the
variety, are factors which affect the problem.

The solution, perhaps, of most satisfactory
nature for fungi infesting the apple orchard,
is that known as the 3-3-50 formula, consist-
ing of 3 lbs. copper sulphate, 3 lbs. of stone
lime, and 50 gallons of water, the stronger
6-6-50 solution being reserved for use in win-
ter, when the trees are at rest.

The most serious injuries, so far as damage
to foliage is concerned, are observed after
early sprayings in Spring, when these are
followed by rain during the next few days.
The likelihood of damage may be reduced by
careful attention to the kind of nozzles used
to produce the spray. Only those machines
should be used which produce the finest mist,
and the leaves should not be allowed to
get so wet that the liquid drips from them.
Some varieties are known to be more resis-
tant to the damaging action of Bordeaux mix-
ture than others : it would be well if growers
would carefully note and put on record their
experiences with particular kinds. In treat-
ing the more delicate sorts, especially where
spotting of the fruit by spraying is to be
feared, it may be found advantageous to use
lime-sulphur washes, although many cultiva-
tors consider these rarely so efficient in de-
stroying or warding off parasitic fungi as those
which contain copper sulphate.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

There are astonishing sights to be seen by the
botanist and gardener who visits for the first
time that narrow strip of country which extends
from Hyeres to Genoa, and is warmed by the
southern breezes from the Mediterranean, while
it is protected from the cold of the north by the
great wall-like range of hills which separate
the Riviera from the rest of France. It has a
climate of its own, mild and sunny in winter,
hot and dry in summer, neither purely insular
nor purely continental ; and there is plenty of
rain to satisfy the needs of roost plants. Garden-
ing is a favourite pastime of the leisured resi-
dents in the Riviera, aw* a remarkable collec-
tion of plants of all kinds, tropical as well
as sub-tropical, and even temperate, has be-
come established there. Palms. Cordylines,
Tree Yuccas, Euphorbias, Cacti, Bamboos,
Agaves, and many arboreal plants from
Australia, California, and the Himalayas, are
so abundant as to give the place a distinctly
tropical appearance. Bougainvillea is as plenti-
ful almost as Ivy is here, and Tea Roses revel
in the sunshine. It was there that the great Bur-

mese rose, Rosa gigantea, first produced its
flowers, and the Japanese Persimmon fruits as
truly in the orchards as the Apple does in Eng-
land. The most abundant trees are the Califor-
nian I'an Palm, Washington filifera and the
Canarian Date, Phoenix canariensis. Our illus-
tration is a view in a Riviera garden. The Palm
is Cocos plumosa, the two large Cacti are Cerus
peruvianus ; there is a group of Palms in the
distance ; a massive-headed Dragon tree ; the
smaller plants being chiefly such succulents as
Opuntia, Aloe, and Sansivieria, &c. Another
view from a Riviera garden is reproduced in fig,
174. The prominent feature in this in an excep-
tionally well-fruited specimen of Opuntia Ficus
indica. By its side is an Agave, with a Cordyline
at the back.

LiNNEAN Society.— The next meeting will be
held on Thursday, June 16. A paper entitled
" Male St«rility in Potatos, a Dominant Mende-
lian Character, with Remarks on the Shape of the
Pollen in Wild and Domestic Varieties," by Dr.
Redcliffe N. Salaman', will be communicated
by Mr. Arthur W. Sutton.

Sir George L. Holford, K.C.V.O.— Horti-
culturists, and Orchidists especially, will note
with pleasure that Lieut. -Col. George L. Hol-
ford, CLE., finds a place in the King's Birthday
Honours List, having been promoted to be a
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

East Burnham Park Cricket Match.—

Following their usual custom, Mr. Harry J.
A'eitch and Mrs. Veitch have sent a communi-
cation to the chairman of each of the Royal
Horticultural Society's Committees inviting the
members to pay a visit to East Burnham Park
on Thursday, July 7. A cricket match will be
arranged for those who wish to play cricket.
Members desirous of accepting the invitation are
requested to send in their names to the secre-
taries of the various Committees.

The Louis van Houtte Centenary.— We

are informed that since we referred to the sixth
list of donations to the fund raised in connection
with the celebrations of the Centenary of Louis
Van Houtte, a further sum of £68 has been
received by the Ghent committee.

Honour for Mons. Nonin. — Those of our
readers who know M. Aug. Nonin personally or
by name wiU be interested to learn that the
President of the French Republique has recently
conferred upon him the Cross of Chevalier de la
Legion d'Honneur. M. Nonin has rendered
many services to French horticulture, and is
chiefly known in this country for his work in
connection with the Chrysanthemum.

Calceolarias at Aberdeen. — Some of the
finest Calceolaria.s in the Aberdeen district have
been grown this year by Mr. J. Yule, gardener
to Mrs. Macqueen, Fae-me-well, Aberdeen, and
the group of about 50 plants has been greatly ad-
mired. Two of the finest were exhibited in the
window of Jlessrs. W. Smith & Son, Exchange
Street, Aberdeen, and they received much notice.

Peach Culture in Ontario.— Encouraged
by the success which has attended their efforts
in sending their fruit to all parts of Western
Canada, the Niagara growers talk of supplying
the British market this year. Plenty of suitable
land is said to be still available, and very good
prices are being rea]i.sed for Peach farms within
the Niagara Belt. A ten-acre Peach farm, near
B<iamsville, recently realised no less than 12,000
dollars. A trial consignment of Peaches was sent
to England in October last, and the fruits were
commented upon in our issue of October 23,
p. 282.

Jdne 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

387

Mr. W. Miles. — The Oxfordshire County
Council has appointed Mr. W. Miles as assistant
lecturer and demonstrator in horticulture for the
county. Mr. Miles entered Wisley Gardens as
a student, being later engaged on the garden
staff. For some years he has filled the office of
secretary to the Floral Committee.

Chenopodium amaranticolor. — In a recent
iseue of the BtiUetiii de la Societi d'Acdimata-
■lion de FrancP, M. Bois refers to the trials made
last year to test the adaptability of this plant to
the climate of France. In warm countries it
grows freely to a height of 3 or 4 feet, and gives
a large amount of excellent leafy produce, which
is used in the same way as Spinach. In the
southern parts of France it growe satisfactorily,
and ripens seed out-of-doors ; but for the latitude
of Paris and northern portions of the country it
would appear best to grow it in succession under
glass, the young plants being used after they

Into each bo.x samples of different species
of Collembola were introduced. The tops
of the boxes in some cases were covered
with a sheet of glass, and in others with a piece
of wood. After the experiments were completed
the soil and diseased bulbs were carefully
examined, and, apart from fungi, no other pests
were found, but in all cases the Collembola had
increased largely in numbers. In a contribution
to the April number of the Journal of Economic
Entomology, Mr Collinge writes as follows:
At the time it did not occur to me to
inijcire " where did the fungi come from?" But
since then this same soil has, in part, been used
to pot bulbs in and the remainder was thrown
on to the gai-den. In the pots and in the garden
where this soil was placed there is now arising
an abundant crop of different fungi. As none
of the fungi has previously been noticed in the
garden and does not now occur, excepting in this
restricted patch and in the pots, I think I am

Fig. 174. — OPUNTIA Ficns indica fruiting in a riviera garden.

(See p. 386.)

have grown 6 or 8 inches high, at which time
they are tender and of good flavour. Planted out
during summer in a sunny place in the garden
where the soil is rich, the plant grows to a height
of 2 or 3 feet, and gives a correspondingly large
yield of useful gi-een produce.

Collembola as Injurious Insects. — In a

communication read at the Oxford meeting of
the Association of Economic Biologists, Mr.
Walter E. Collinge, M.Sc, drew attention to
the part that various species of Collembola play
as injurious insects. He stated that during the
previous 12 months very careful observations
were made upon a series of common species which
fully established the fact that the Collembola are
distinctly injurious to Orchids, numerous bulbs,
Beans and Peas. The method adopted was as
follows : Shallow boxes, containing about 4 inches
of moist soil, were used, and into these per-
fectly healthy bulbs and Beans were placed.

justified in concluding that the spores were
originally introduced by the Collembola. Dr.
Buller in his recent work states: " The gills of
expanded fruit bodies are frequently visited,
not only by fungus gnats, but also by spring-
tails (Collembola). . . . Some fruit bodies of
Polyporus squamosus, which were growing on a
log and had not yet become fully expanded, were
infested with small black Collembola. There
were as many as 50 to the square inch, and each
one occupied a hymenial tube which was just
wide enough to hold it. The springtails (genus
Achorutes), infesting Stropharia semiglobata and
some other species of Agaricineie, were found to
contain spores. in the midgut," and it is well
known to students of this interesting order that
large numbers are found in such habitats. Hence
these minute insects, quite apart from their own
depredations, may prove a source by which
various plant diseases may be introduced by
spores which they carry upon their bodies. This

I halve proved to be actually so by washing
various species in water and then examining the
liquid, after the removal of the insects ; in such
case spores of fungi were particularly numerous.

The Neill Prize in Horticulture.— We

are informed by the Council of the Royal Cale-
donian Horticultural Society that the Neill prize
for the biennial period, 1908 to 1910, has been
awarded to Mr. Alexander Macmillan, for-
merly gardener at Trinity Cottage, Edinburgh,
where he raised a number of hybrid Rhododen-
drons. It will be remembered that the Neill
prize commemorates the late Dr. Patrick Neill,
and is awarded to distinguished Scottish botanists
or cultivators.

Publications Received. —/{oj'o/ Botanic
Gardens, Kew, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Infor-
mation. (London : Darling & Son, Ltd.) Price
^d— Cultures de Serres, by P, Pacottet and J.
Dairat. (Paris: J. B. Bailliera et Fils.) Cloth
covers, price 4s. 2d. ~~ Thirty -First Annual
Report of the Ontario Agricultural and
Experimental Union, 1909. (Toronto: Ontario
Department of Agriculture.)

COLUMBINES.

The time of the Columbine is once more with
us. The time to sow, and the time to reap the
reward of previous sowings. The young seedlings
are just coming into bloom, and there is no
greater interest for a gardener than watching
his seedlings come into flower. I always think
that the time of the Columbine marks, like that
of the Daffodil, a distinct period in the season
of hardy flowers, and when Daffodils and Colum-
bines are over nothing comes afterwards which
quite fiU their places. The Aquilegias con.sti-
tute a very interesting and beautiful genus of
hardy herbaceous plants, and they are one of the
oldest Ejiglish flowers. Shakespeare refers to
them —

"I am that flower, that Mint, that Columbine."
Love's Labour Lost, Act IV., Sc. 2.

" That's Fennel for you and Columbine."
Hamlet, Act IV., Sc. 5.

They are very easily cultivated, and their
graceful foliage and lovely flowers amply repay
any care in their cultivation. Nothing exceeds
the beauty of a border of Aquilegias, varying as
they do in colour and form, and no plant has
lent it«elf more kindly to hybridisation. Many
of the pure species are extremely beautiful, but,
as a rule, they lack the robustness of the hybrids.
To make a plant popular it must have vigour of
constitution, and beauty of flower, and many of
the finer species of Columbines cannot be said to
have both these qualities. C. grandulosa,
coerulea, vulgaris, Skinneri, &c., have all been
used as parent plants, and it is through years
of careful hybridising that the lovely hybrids of
to-day have been obtained.

To have reaUy good Aquilegias, seeds must be
sown yearly. Seedlings are always the best, the
largest and most vigorous plants, and they pro-
duce the finest blooms, both in quantity and
quality. Plants become worn out from many
causes — bad winters, dry summers, and from
being allowed to seed too freely. Many growers
sow just after the seed is ripe, but this entails
keeping the plants in a frame all the winter, ana
pricking them out into bo.xes before planting
them in the border. They are not plants that
stand shifting well, so they should be planted
where they are to grow. Leaf-mould, or very old,
rotted manure suits them; but it is better to
have the bed prepared for them in the beginning
of winter, and left rough dug. Spring sowing is
best for amateurs. The seed takes some con-
■siderable time to germinate, and sometimes comes
irregularly. The plants are not faddy as to soil
or situation, but respond liberally to good
treatment. /. S. E.

5C "
QCO

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 1910.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

(The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opitiioits expressed by correspondents.)

CrAT/EGUS punctata and C. ORIENTALIS. —

Continuing the accounts of exceptionally fine
specimens growing in this garden which 1 have
sent you on previous occasions, I now give you thj
measurements of two species of Crataegus which
were planted by my grandmother 65 years ago.
They both stand isolated on gr.ass, and are
shapdy and well-grown specimens. C. punctata is
35 feet high and 130 feet in circumference of the
branches and 5 feet 4 inches in girth of stem at
3 feet above ground. At the date of writing it is
a sheet of bright, white blossoms on all sides, and
if these set properly it should in autumn be
covered with bright-red, Cherry-like fruits. C.
orientalis is 15 feet 10 inches high, 76 feet in cir-
cumference of the branches, and 2 feet 5 inches in
girth of stem 3 feet above ground. It will be noted
that though of the same age and growing on
similar soil, it is much smaller than C. punctata,
and has indeed the appearance of having reached
its full growth. Although it is the slowest-grow-
ing Thorn which I know (and I am acquainted
with a great many), it is certainly one of the
handsomest in cultivation, its special merits
being its markedly glaucous foliage and its amber-
pink fruits. It IS not an easy plant to obtain
from the trade, for nurserymen when asked for
it have a way of supplying C. tanacetifolia, a
faster-growing, but less glaucous plant of inferior
quality. Vicary Gibbs, Aldenham House, Hert-
fordshire.

Berberis stenophylla. — The interesting
remarks by the Hon. Vicary Gibbs and ISIr. Slade
give us some idea as to the large size this
beautiful evergreen will grow, and such speci-
mens, when in flower, are very beautiful. But
how seldom we find B. stenophylla used as an
ornamental hedge plant! It is very effective in
hedges, and might be planted with advantage
in place of the Yew, Laurel, and Privet. IF. H.
Clarke.

Lucy Grieve Pear. — Referring to the
lamented death of Ltird Chelsea, and of his
burial at Culford Hall, an evening paper
retails the pathetic story told by Dr. Hogg
in his Fruit Manual of the origin of this
Pear: — " The seed was sown in a flower-pot by
a little girl, the daughter of Mr. Peter Grieve,
then head-gardener at the Hall. When the
plants were large enough, they were planted out
into the open ground, but ere the first of them
bore fruit, in 1873, the little maid was in her
grave." Mr. Grieve sent fruits to Dr. Hogg,
who liked them so much he named it Lucy
Grieve, in memory of the child. Dr. Hogg de-
scribed it as a delicious Pear, having the texture
of flesh of Marie Louise. It is significant that
this Pear, in spite of the pathetic interest which
attaches to it, is not now found in fruit cata-
logues; indeed, turning to the report of the
National Pear Conference held at Chiswick in
1885, it is noteworthy that not only is the variety
omitted from the list of Pears suitable for
Suffolk, but Mr. A. F. Barron describes it as
worthless. Possibly it never got into commerce.
A. D.

Keeping late Grapfs. — In these days whon
so much glass-covered land is occupied with
vines for furnishing late Grapes, there is not the
same interest in this subject there used to be.
I well remember, some 40 years ago, your
old correspondent, the late Mr. W. Miller,
" chronicling " the fact that he had succeeded
in " belting the year round witli a glorious gar-
land of Grapes." He was then at Combe
Abbey gardens. About tliat time I saw the
Combe vineries, and noted the splendid crops
of fruit, especially in tlie houses of Early Ham-
bro' and Lady Downes. Much interest was
then shown in fitting up rooms in private gar-
dens for the better keeping of late Grapes. One
of the first of these rooms was at Heckfield
Place in Hampshire, then owned by the late
Lord Eversley, who was, within Iiis means, a
liberal patron of horticulture from many stand-
points. It is questionable it, in the history of
gardening, two more congenial spirits ever met
as employer and employed than this nobleman
and his enthusiastic gardener, the late Wm.

Wildsmith. The room in question was impro-
vised from some existing buildings near the pot-
ting shed and bothy, and was a great suc-
cess. The point aimed at was a dry base,
with as little walling exposed to the outdoor
atmosphere as possible. Provision was made iur
supplying artificial heat when required in winter,
so that the temperature would not fall below 48^
to 50°. The next most successful room for this
purpose I have seen is at Byram Park Gardens
in this county. It is fitted up somewhat similar
to tlie one at Heckfield, and answers its purpose
quite as well. Mr. Taylor, the gardener, thinks
that his success in keeping late Grapes is
partly attributable to the thin Indiarubber
stoppers put on each bottle so as to pre-
vent evaporation of the water. It is found that
small, well-ripened bunches keep the best.
/I. J. C, Ulleskelf, York.

Carnation Lady Hermoine.— I enclose a
photograph of a plant of Carnation " Lady Her-
moine " (see fig. 175). growing in a 7-inch pot and
carrying 37 of its beautiful, salmon-pink flowers.
The average diameter of the blooms is 3^ inches.
One would almost expect small flowers from a
plant nearly three yeai-s old and carrying suc!i a

Fig. 175. — CARNATION LADY HEKMOINE AS
CULTIVATED IN UNDER FELL GARDENS.

large quantity of blooms, but in both substance
and size they are equal to the flowers of young
plants carrying onlv two or three. I have tried
this variety for planting outside, but Carna-
tions will not succeed out-of-doors here. J.
Hcrdman, Under Fell Gardens, Burton, Wesl-
moreland.

Primula anisiaca. — Being particnlar'v inter-
ested in our British Primulas, my attention has
been drawn to Mr. Reginald F.nrrer's note on p.
294, Doubtless our beautiful wild flowers are con-
temptible things from the point of view of the
average gardener, whose ideal of beauty seems to
be flowers of gaudy colouring and a size com-
parable with that of a Cabbage, but fortunately
there are some gardeners who take (1) an intelli-
gent aesthetic interest in flowers and appreciate
them for their natural beauty, unspoiled by the
deforming efforts of the florist, nurseryman and
experimenter, and (2) a scientific interest in their
natural hybridisiiigs and developments. " That
ridiculous series intervening between P. veris
and P. vulgaris " — to quote Mr. FaiTer — may be
beneath contempt horticulturally, but it is most
fascinating scientifically, when studied in its
native habitats with a due regard to the sur-
rounding circumstances. He gives no authorities
for his names, but if his P. anisiaca is .Stapf's,
then it has nothing to do with P. veris, beine a
hybrid between the Primrose (vulgaris) and the

true Oxlip (elatior). From his reference to ela-
tior further on, it looks as if his plants really
were anisiaca, premising, of course, that he
knows P. elatior, which very few people do, I
think, the common or hybrid Oxlip (veris X
vulgaris) being usually mistaken for it, although
there is practically no resemblance in any par-
ticular ; the umbellate form of the Primrose is
also confounded with it. Mr. Farrer is also wrong,
apparently, in his reference to P. pannonica.
The pannonica of Kerner is a synonym for P.
veris var. canescens (Opiz), and is, therefore,
merely a variety of the common Cowslip, and not
" another species (sic) of the same race (sic) " as
he says, meaning another form of the common or
hybrid Oxlip. C. Nicholson.

-I am sorry ray remarks on P. anisiaca

should be held to convey any contempt for our
" beautiful wild flowers," for which, in point of
fact, I have a special cult. However, there are
also beautiful wild flowers that hail from other
lands, and not necessarily on that account to be
despised. It was in the hope (being at the time
far from authorities) that P. anisiaca might-prove
such a treasure, that I originally obtained it from
the St. Peteivburg Botanic Garden, and mere gar-
deners will understand, though august scientists
may not, one's disappointment on flowering an
unknown name which proves to cover something
not far removed — except to the prying eye of
science — from an ordinary Cowslip or Primrose.
As to the nomenclature. I am afraid I cannot
claim a complete ignorance as to P. elatior ; P.
pannonica and P. anisiaca came to me, as I say,
under these names, from St. Petersburg ; and in
such matters, when botanical gardens send me
plants or seeds, I have too often a simple and
childlike faith in the accuracy of their descrip-
tions. That faith, I admit, has bad to survive
many rude shocks ; it is possible that it may ulti-
mately succumb. However, it still at present
lingers; and, having received P. anisiaca on good
authority, I plead guilty to sitting humble and
happy in the hope that it is P. anisiaca that I
liave received. As to my sentence — " another
.•-pecies of the same race " — it relies excessively,
perhaps, on the general intelligence of the reader,
and might perhaps be more terminologically
exact if I had not been so certain that no one
would fail to read it as meaning another form of
the common or hybrid Oxlip, as, indeed, Mr.
Nicholson himself has understood it. So all is
well ; for intelligibility is the one criterion of
literature. Reginald Farrer.

Acacia on French Railway Banks.—

F.uglish visitors to France may have noticed that
tlie railway banks are in many places planted
w'ith Acacia, with a view to utilising the ground.
In a recent conversation with one of the hading
French nurserymen, I learned that the railway
comnanies find, however, that this will have to be
partly discontinued, and I noticed that, on the
Northern railway, the Acacias had been cut to the
ground quite recently half-way up the banks'. The
reason my informant gave for this was that in the
autumn the leaves of the Acacia, falling down on
the rails, led to the wheels slipping or glissading,
and so impeding the pace of the train, although
he did not seem to think there was any actual
danger involved. George Paul.

Dover House Gardens.- I wns interested in
your account of these gardens and Mr. McLeod
(p. 365), as I paid an all too hurried visit to
the gardens on May 25. They are remarkable
for their " keep," a reputation enjoyed for many
years. The condition of the lawns is an especi-
ally fine feature, for it would be difficult to find
anything but soft springing turf of a close grass
texture ; not even a Daisy root could be seen.
Nowhere have I seen such gorgeous masses of
fine Tulip blooms in a private garden. Roses in
masses of one sort promise remarkably well,
especially the variety Caroline Testout. Climb-
ing varieties, too, on trellises will be a feature
ere long if present appearance of growth and
healthy foliage may be relied upon. Exten-
sive plantations of Violas in great variety are
promising. The kitchen garden is particularly
well cropped, and not a weed is to be seen.
Under glass there are many fine features.
Tcmatos are an especially fine crop in pots.
Peaches and Nectarines are most promising.
iNIelon Hero of Lockinge was extra good. Carna-
tions and Codiaeums are as fine as ever. TS. M.

Juke 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

389

Diminishing Fruit Prospects. — As the

fruit-gruwer makes the round of his orchards, he
finds, week after week, a steadily diminishing
prospect for fruit. In my article of last week I
discounted earlier anticipations considerably, but
still left the depictment of the fruit outlook far
less gloomy than it has now become. Goose-
berries have not further deteriorated, but the pro-
portion of withered bunches of Black Currant
blossom is much greater than I thought it was
when I wrote last. As for Plums, even the two
or three varieties which appeared to be setting
half crops have gone off badly, and, taking all
varieties together, there will not be a si.xth part
of an average yield. In the case of Apples, too,
the setting on most varieties is extremely dis-
appointing, while Pears are practically a failure,
apa.rt from three or four exceptional varieties,
which have a small crop of fruit set. E.xcepting
Strawberries and Raspberries, which I do not
grow for market, the fruit outlook, taking it all
round, is the worst in my experience. Similarly
gloomy accounts of deteriorated prospects have
come from Evesham, Cambridgeshire, Kent, and
Essex. There was a mistake in the last sentence
of the first paragraph of my article on " Some
Fruit Topics " in the last issue. In giving a
possible explanation of the failure of Pear
blossom to set, I mentioned that only about two
dozen of Clapp's Favourite had set on several
rows of cordons, adding " and these are on the
side where three rows of other varieties are
growing." The word " and " was made to read
" although." completely stultifying my argu-
ment, which was that Pear blossom had been
fertilised only where different varieties are
almost touching each other. A Southern Grower.

The Straw/berry Crop. — Here on the
borders of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, arid Lincoln-
shire, the Strawberry plants are very strong,
and show an abundance of bloom. From the
Viunger plantation — a fine eight-acre piece —
to the older three year-old plants all is satis-
factory. Strawing of the surface soil is now
general after a thorough hoeing, and in 10 days
or so the first fruits will be ready for the
market. Our position is rather cold for this
di.strict. but our fruits come in well for the mid-
June market. Stephen Castle. Walpole Marsh,
June 2.

SOCIETIJBS.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

June 7. — The exhibition on Tuesday last main-
tained the high standard which prevailed before
the Temple Show, full use being made of the floor
space, even in the annexes. The spreading of the
exhibits in these side rooms caused fewer tables
to be used in the hall proper, and this gave more
space for visitors. The Flora:. Committee con-
ferred no fewer than 15 Awards of .Merit. The
chief exhibit in this section was a display of pil-
lar Roses shown by Jlessrs. T. Rochford & Sons.
Hardy flowers and Alpines contributed largely
to the general exhibition.

The Orchid Co.mmittee granted one First-clafs
Certificate and two Awards of Jlerit. A
noteworthy e-xhibit before the Orchid Committee
was a collection of 180 paintings, of choice varie-
ties, shown by Hiss M. Walters Anson.

The Fruit and Vegetable Committee made
no award to a novelty. The Narcissus Com-
mittee did not assemble, the meetings being sus-
pended until next season.

At the threj o'clock meeting in the lecture-
room, the Rev. George Henslow gave a lecture on
" Survivals among Plants of the Past."

Floral Committee.

Present : W. Marshall, Esq. (in the Chair) ;
and Messrs. Henry B. May, Chas. T. Druery,
Jas. Walker, Jas. Hudson. John Green, G.
Reuthe. Jas. Douglas. W. Howe, C. R. Fielder,
J. F. iMcLeod, C. Blick. W. Bain, R. W. Wal-
lace, Herbert J. Cutbush, Arthur Turner. Chas.
Dixon. .John Jennings. Geo. Paul. Chas. E. Pear-
son, J. T. Bennett-Poe, W. B. Cranfield, W^ A.
Bilney. W. P. Thomson, E. H. Jenkins, W. J.
James. E. A. Bowles. R. G. Notcutt, A. Kings-
mill, and R. Hcxjper Pearson.

Roses and Carnations.

Never before have we seen a finer display of
pillar Roses than the exhibit shown bv Messrs.
Thos. Rochford & Sons, T^rnford Hall Nur-
series. Broxbourne. We have heard this nursery
described as a " plant manufactory " ; it would
not be an exaggeration to state that nowhere else
in the world are plants cultivated better. These
Roses were superb. The bunches of flowers hung
in such dense clusters as to present an unbroken
sheet of blossoms. Two arches entwined with
Dorothy Perkins were delightful ; they could not
have been shown better, and the small size of
the pots which contained the plants caused
general surprise. The varieties w^ere mainly
Hiawatha. American Pillir, Dorothy Perkins.
White Dorothy Perkins, Lady Gay, Delight, and
Newport Fairy. (Gold Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt,
exhibited a group of Roses in which popular sorts
of pillai- varieties were conspicuous, notably the
white hybrid musk Snowstorm, Excelsa (the new
Wichuraiana variety),, American Pillar,, Perle des
Neiges (white, semi-double blossoms), Jessica (a
large blush Wichuraiana variety), and White
Dorothy. Messrs. Paul also showed ornamental-
leaved trees and shrubs. Catalpa speciosa pul-
verulenta, Quercus concordia, Cornus stolonifera
var. Gouchaultii, Acer Negundo californica aurea
— all have handsome leafage. (Bronze Flora
I\Iedal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, Hert-
fordshire, made a fine corner group with Roses
and Buugainvillea Sanderiana. The Bougain-
villea was in the centre, with banks of blush
rambler Rose (magnificent) and Tausendschon on
either side. Along the front were baskets of
Sci^tch Roses of early-flowering varieties. (Bronze
Flora Medal.)

Messrs. G. Mount & Sons, Canterbury, again
showed a display of Roses very similar to their
exhibit at the last meeting and with equally
beautiful blooms. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. W. H. Pace, Tangley Nurseries, Hampton,
set up a pleasing group of trained Roses, Lilium
longiflorum giganteum, and pink-flowered Spiraeas
(Astilbes). They were all well-flowered plants,
with healthy foliage, such as we are accustomed
to see from this well-known market grower.
(Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. B. R. Cant & Sons, Colchester, showed
vases of garden Roses and a box of magnificent
blooms of the fine Claudius variety, of deep-rose
colour. Lady Reay. a pink seedling, was also
very pretty. (Bronze Banksian Medal.)

E. H. Johnstone, Esq.. Burrs Wood. Groom-
bridge. Kent (gr. Mr. A. T. I'askett). showed a
remarkably fine floor-group of Souvenir de la
JIalmaison Carnations, with a few plants of a
clove colour for relief. The plants were healthy,
sturdy specimens, and finely flowered, apparently
all of the Princess of Wales variety. The same
exhibitor showed vases of Sweet Peas, having a
good display of popular varieties. (Silver-gilt
Flora Medal.)

Mr. Blick. The Warren. Hayes. Kent, showed
choice varieties of " Malmaison " and perpetual-
flowering Carnations. We noted flowers of
Princess of Wales, Soult, Lady Rose, Miss Will-
mott (a perfect gem. with smooth petals, and
sufficiently double to make a good bloom),
Baldwin (a ]\Ialmaison with confused filling),
Nautilus, Outlaw. Mrs. Martin Smith, Sam
Weller, Dreadnought. Lieut. Shackleton (of a
yellowish-rose tint), and Anthony (cerise and yel-
low). Besides these, the exhibitor had some older
English and American varieties. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

Stove and Greenhouse Plants.

Messrs. .James Veitch & Sons, King's Road,
Chelsea, filled the whole of the table they usually
occupy, with a delightful exhibit of flowering
plants, skilfully arranged to produce the best
effect. They displayed several novelties, includ-
ing a fine Calceolaria named Buttercup, the result
of crossing C. Clibranii and C. Golden Glory, the
seedling suruassing either of its parents. Their
new Zonal Pelargonium White Queen will be wel-
comed. Their Streptocarpi, in batches of dis-
tinct colours, were also very fine, and, on the
opposite side of the table, they arranged some
solendid Gloxinias, of which Acis, crimson, Snow-
Queen. Gaer. white, lined with rose-red; Ovis,
richest crimson, edged with rose, and Faust,
crimson, with white edge, are a selection. Other

subjects shown finely were Lobelia tenuior,
Kalanchoe flammea, Lantanas in variety. Primu-
las Unique and Excelsior, Cannas in batches, and
Exacum macrantha. The exhibit was completed
with trusses of Rhododendrons in boxes, Magno-
lias, Philadelphuses, and spikes of Ceanothus
thrysiflorus, (Silver-gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Edmonton, staged a miscellaneous group of
flowering plants arranged in a setting of Ferns.
The plants were arranged in panels, with a num-
ber of tall Pelargoniums and Fuchsias. We noted
Geranium ardens, with bright^red flowers ; Ver-
bena Queen of the Whites, Abutilon Golden
Fleece ; Heliotrope Lord Roberts ; Abutilon tri-
umphans, a fine rose-pink variety ; Verbena Miss
Willmott, and Marguerites White Perfection and
Queen Alexandra. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

The King's Acre Nursery Co., Hereford,
staged a group of Heliotropes, having a very
complete collection of tliis useful bedding subject,
including some novelties. (See Awards.) (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

A new Ivy-leaved Pelargonium named Rose
Queen was shown by Mr. W. R. Newport, Hill-
ingdon Heath, Uxbridge ; and a batcii of the
scarlet Mnie. Crousse was shown by Messrs.
Stuart Low & Co., Bush Hill, Enfield.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Burford, Dork-
ing (gr. Mr. Bain), showed a plant of Amorpho-
phallus Schvveinfurthii, with broad, reddish-
brown spathe.

Mr. L. R. Russell. Richmond, showed, cm-
bedded in mounds of wood-moss, well-grown
plants of Ansechtochilus Petola, Bertolonia San-
dersB, Sonerilas, Cryptanthus zonatus, Smilax
argentea, Tillandsia Makoyana, and other stove
plants. He showed, also inserted in the mossy
mounds, a number of well-fruited potsful of Ner-
tera depressa, Reidia glaucescens, and Eranthe-
mum Lindenii, (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal).

Mr. Godfrey, Exmouth. showed bunches of
blooms of Pelargoniums belonging to the regal,
spotted, and decorative varieties, as well as a
few Cape species and hybrids with fragrant leaves
and small flowers. He was likewise an exhibitor
of Oriental Papavers and hardy perennials, and
Amaranthus superbus. a tender annual with red
and sometimes bronzy leaves, good for bedding
or for pot culture.

Messrs. Stu.art Low & Co., Bush Hill Park
Nurseries, showed a miscellaneous collection of
plants, including Jletrosideros floribunda coccinea
and JI. f. alba. Hydrangea Avelanche (with pure
white bracts). Gerbera Jamesonii and some of its
hybrids. Primula Hender.sonii, The Lyon Rose,
perpetual-flowering Carnations, including Prin-
cess Juliana (a new introduction of an orange-
pink tint), and a new variety of Pink named
Gloriosa, 2 inches in diameter. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Jlessrs. Peed & Son, West Norwood, exhibited
fine varieties of Streptocarpus (blue, pin'K, rose,
and white), and a large number of Gloxinias
(erect-flowering, spotted, and self-coloured). The
blooms of these Gloxinias were in every case of
large size, and the colouring excellent.

Messrs. R. Veitch & Son, Exeter, showed
Hiemanthus KatheriiiiE having flower-heads of
9 inches in diameter, the individual flowers of an
orange-crimson tint : Edwardsia (Sophora) gran-
diflora, Robinia Kelseyi (an American species),
and Abutilon vitifolium. The flowers of this last
are violet-coloured and widely expanded. A
species of Aethonia. with pendant racemes of
pink flowers, Ceanothus floribunda, Rehmannia
angulata Pink Perfection (Veitch's, a very good-
coloured variety). Calceolaria Golden Glory (new),
Weigela Eva Rathke, and W. hortensis nivea (a
white-flowered variety). (Silver Banksion Medal).

Hardy and Alpine Plants.

Messrs. W.M. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, shoved an imposing group of hardy flowers
in a well-arranged exhibit. In the centre of the
display was a bold batch of Eremuri in several
species, the most striking being the beautiful
yellow Bungii. Thore was also a pretty salmon
hybrid of E. robustus named Salmonea. At the
foot of those was a pool with Nymphseas. The
remainder of the group was made up with Pop-
pies, Lupins. Irises, Romneya Coulteri, Thalic-
trum aquilegifolium, Paeonies, and Anemone sul-
phurea. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. W. Artindale & Son. Ljeffield,
showed Violas, of which G. C. Murray (very
deep purple with lavender upper petals), JIary

S90

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 1910.

Biirnie (primrose, tipped with heliotrope), Lady
Knox (pale primrose), ilarjorie Barber (deep-
purple self), and Mrs. J. S. Brunton (white-
edged and suffused with purple) are either new
or noteworthy. Messrs. Artindalk also showed
hardy border flowers, their Eremuri and Primula
japoiiica being exceptionally good.

Mr. F. LiLLEY, Guernsey, showed bulbous
flowers, including Spa.raxis, Ixias, and Irises in
great numbers. The blooms of I. Gatesii
were notable, the grey ground of the
petals and falls being delicately pencilled and
dotted. I. pavonia is one of the gems of the
race, the bright, blue markings on the spreading,
white limbs being responsible for the name (f
Peacock Iris. The Irises also included many
beautiful vases of I. xiphioides. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Ltd., Royal
Nurseries, Maidstone, filled a large table with
hardy herbaceous flcwers, having a great assort-
ment of Pyrethrums, Lupins, Geum coccineuin,
Campanulas, Hemerocallis Apricot, Paeonies, a
dazzling display of Oriental Poppies, Ixias,
Irises, Aconitura Napellus, Heucheras, and many
other garden flowers. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Mr. M. Prichabd, Christchurch, Hants, set
up an imposing group of hardy hei'baceous
flowers, with boxes of Alpines. We noticed the
beautiful, blue-flowered Delphinium Belladonna
(in fine form), Primula Bulleyana, P. Littoniana,
Dianthus alpina superba (exceedingly pretty),
Onorpodon bracteum (a handsome-leaved Thistle),
Geum Mrs. Bradshaw (a. double variety of fine
red colour), Betonia grandiflora (with large,
lavender-coloured blooms), Ornithogalum arabi-
cum, and some choice Pfeonies. (Silver Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Dobbie & Co. showed, from their
Mark's Tey Nursery, Eseex, splendid flowers of
Aquilegia, representing a fine strain of this pretty
garden flower. The spurs were exceptionally
long and the flowers large generally ; the colours,
of numerous shades, were very clear and soft in
tone. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. H. Cannei.i. & Sons, Swanley, were
exhibitors of border flowers, such as Iris ger-
manica, I. sibirica. and I. orientalis, in variety ;
Lupinus of a conspicuous character being L.
polyphyllus albus and L. p. Triumph, with dis-
tinct-looking spikes of blue and white flowers ;
Pyrethrum Beaute de Laeken, of a crimson and
pink colour, P. Mile. Benary, a full spike of
blooms of a light pink tint; and Asphodelus
racemosus. (Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Thos. Wake, Ltd., Feltham, Middle-
sex, displayed Iris macrantha, a flower having
two distinct tints of blue, and being of large
size ; many varieties of Pyrethrum roseum, P.
Panorama (a pink, double flower), Nancy (white,
with central florets of a shade of yellow), Ham-
let (cerise-coloured florets and yellow pappus,
single-flowered) ; P. La Vestal (double, pale flesh-
coloured), and several others; Paeonia discordia
(single-flowered, with crimson petals, and yellow
anther mass) and P. Duchess of Portland. (Sil-
ver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. J. Kelway & Son, Langport. Somer-
setshire, were exhibitors of numerous varieties
of Pseonies and Pyrethrums, both double and
single-flowered. Of the fir.st-named we may
mention Paeonia festiva maxima and P. albiflora
grandiflora, a flower of great splendour, single-
flowered, and white. Very beautiful Pyrethrums
were shown by this firm. The most showy
variety was P. multiflorum, a double flower, with
crimson florets. Valeriana pyrenaica has
corymbs of small, pinkish-white flowers, the
heads of flowers measuring 5 inches in diameter.
The table was furnished with an unusual edging
of species not often employed for such a pur-
pose. These were Chrysogonum virginicum,
Silene alpestris, Linaria origanifolia, Gnapha-
lium alpinum, Betonica nivea, Erysimum cheiran-
thifolium, Delphinium nudicaule. Geranium lan-
castriense, Aster alpinue magnificus, Senecio,
Doronicum, Dianthus strictus, &c. This firm also
showed Columbines in variety. Delphiniums,
Pyrethrums, and Linaria Eria Kelway. (Bronze
Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. Peed & Son. West Norwood, showed
Alpines, Cacti, and Gloxinias. Among the
Alpines we noted Ramondia Nathalise, the pretty
blue-flowered Iris filifolia, Aubrietia "Lavender,"
Rehmannia angulata, and a small collection of
Melocacti and MammiUarias. (Bronze Flora
Medal.)

The Guildford Hardy Plant Co. exhibited
single and double-flowered Pyrethrums, Lupinus,
Thalictrnms, Verbascum Wiedmannianum (a
plant with deep pui-ple, yet bright-looking
flowers), Hieraceum villosum, hardy Cypripe-
diums, Iris germanica His Majesty, and other
varieties.

Messrs. R. Harkness & Co., Hitchin, Herts.,
showed, among other hardy plants, Lupinus
Moorheimii, a pinkish variety, and L. Roseleigh
Gem, a flower of a lilac tint ; also L. nootkaten-
sis, ,and others of the L. polyphyllus section.

Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield,
made a capital show with varieties of Pyre-
thrums, Lupins, Papavers, Iris of various species,
Hemerocallis, these all bulking largely. Papaver
Queen Alexandra and Iris Perryana were exceed-
ingly pretty varieties. His other Irises were very
choice and of pleasing colours, as were the Ere-
murus himalaicus, and Mimulus luteus hybrids.
The hardy Cypripediums macranthum, calceolus
spectabilis and montanum were capitally flowered
examples. The Papaver varieties Princess Ena,
orange red ; P. Hesperia and P. Crimped Beauty
were pleasing in colour and form. (Silver-gilt
Banksian Medal.)

an Award of Merit. We noted the i-ather raro
blue-flowered Salvia Tenorii, Inula glandulosa,
Trollius Caucasia, a number of Shirley Poppies in
variety, and Anchusa ital'ca Pride of Devon.
(Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Jlessrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, showed
Papaver orientalis in variety, the showiest being
the well-known Prince of Orange ; the salmony-
scarlet Queen Alexandra is also very pretty. Ad-
joining the Poppies was a large exhibit of Lupins.

Jlr. Chas. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough,
showed varieties of Papaver orientalis, Pyre-
thrums and the fine white single Pseony Snow
Queen. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Geo. Jackman cS: Son, Woking, staged
a table group of hardy flowers such as Pyre-
thrums, Irises, Aquilegias, Inula Hookeri, Dic-
tamnus Fraxinella, Campanula glomerata, Incar-
villea Delavayi, Oriental Poppies and Lupins.
(Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Clarence Elliott, Six Miles Nursery,
Stevenage, showed a rock-garden exhibit planted
with Oxalis enneaphylla. Cypripedium calceolus,
Geranium argenteum, Dianthus neglectus, Aspe-
rula Gassonii, a very dwarf rose-flowered species,
and others in flower.

Fig. 176. — mertensia echioides lanceolata : flowers gentian-ulue.

(Obtained Award of Merit from R.H.S. Floral Committee on Tuesday last.)

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, showed
varieties of Iris. The varieties Iris Caterina,
I. Laugier, I. Darius, I. Shelford, a fine yellow
flower; I. Albert Victor, I. Victorina, and the
Iris sibirica shown were very pleasing in their
forms and colouring. The varieties of Lupinus
polyphyllus were also noteworthy. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

Mr. G. Reuthe, Keston, showed choice varie-
ties of hardy and Alpine plants, together with
flowering shrubs. We observed Rhododendrons
Keysii, Pink Pearl, beautifully flowered, and
Doncaster; a hardy Cypripedium or two. Ourisia
coccinea. Azalea amcena Hexe, and flowering
shoots of Embothrium coccineum. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

The Misses Hopkins, The Mere Gardens, Shep-
perton, exhibited a small rockery planted with
Alpines and made gav-looking with Azalea rosse-
flora, Oriental Poppies, Lupins. Iris and other
flowering plants. (Bronze Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. G. & A. Clark, Dover, made a showy
exhibit with Pyrethrums in single and double-
flowered varieties : Ranunculus, the variety Even-
ing Star, a well-formed yellow bloom, obtaining

Messrs. Reamsbottom & Co., Alderborough
Nurserv, Geashill, King's Co., showed Anemone
coronaria in variety, all double-flowered. King
of Salmons is comparatively new, and Lord Bat-
tersea, white, with greenish-yellow centre, is new
this year. Evardine is pretty, the mauve-lilac
centre being set in a creamy perianth.

Messrs. Bare & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden. London, showed a large assortment of
Irises. Lupins and Pyrethrums. The Lupins
were coloured varieties in rose, blush, pink and
blue shades.

Mr. A. J. Harwood, St. Peter's Nursery, Col-
chester, showed seasonable hardy flowers, includ-
ing Irises.

A gi'oup of Pseonies was .shown by Geo.
CiiuRCHER, Esq., Woodcote, Alverstoke (gr. Mr.
G. Mew).

Miscellaneous.

Vases of Sweet Peas were shown by Miss
Hemus, Holdfast Hall, Upton-on-'Severn.
There were about 40 vases in all, and of the
varieties 20 were new to the show bonrd. The
finest novelties were Guy Hemus, a fine, clear
lavender ; Elizabeth Hemus, pink and buff

June 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

391

colour; Linda Hemus, blue; Marjorie Hemus,
white, flushed with purple ; Cerise Paradise ;
Paradise Pearl, white; Coccinea Paradise, and
Orange Paradise. The flowers were gathered
from plants in the open, raised from autumn,
sown seeds. (Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. S. Bide & Sons, Ltd., Alma Nursery,
Farnham, Surrey, showed vases of Sweet Peas.

Messrs. Carter, Page & Co., 52 and 53, Lon-
don Wall, London, staged Cactus and Paeony-
flowered Dahlias, a selection of Zonal Pelargo-
niums, and several annuals. Anagallis in
various shades were very pretty, also Salpiglos-

Henry Agnew, Frederick Waterer, Gomer
Waterer, Delicatissimum, Lady Clementina
Walsh, and Countess of Tankerville. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

AwAKDS OF Merit.

Awards of Merit were made to the following
subjects : —

Carnation Edith Waters. — The flowers of thia
perpetual-flowering or tree variety are 3 inches
or more in diameter, whilst the colour is that of
Mrs. T. W. Lawson. The habit of the plant ap-
pears excellent. (Shown by Mr. C. F. Waters,
Balcombe. )

Fig. 177. — robinia kelsevi : colour of flowers rose.

Obtained an Award of Merit from R.H.S. Floral Committee on Tuesday last.)

•is. Antirrhinums, Viscaria oculata, and Phlox
Drummondii.

Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, displayed
flowering and ornamental-leaved shrubs, and a
batch of their rose-coloured Lupin. The front
of the display was comprised of trusses of Rho-
dodendrons.

An imposing exhibit of Rhododendrons was
shown by Messrs. J. Waterer & Sons, Ltd.,
Bagshot, Surrey, who are specialists in these
flowering shrubs. The collection represented tin
pick of the varieties, such as BaroneFs Schriider,
Viscount Powerscourt, .James Mason, Doncaster,
B. W. Elliott, Pink Peal, Fastuosum fl. pi., John

Carnation Mrs. E. Martin Smith. — One of
the best white, border varieties ever exhibited.
The flowers are very large, of good form, and
slightly fragrant. The stems appear a little weak,
owing to the weight of the bloom. (Shown by
Mr. Charles Blick.)

Carnation Queen Mary. — Two excellent quali-
ties belonging to this novelty are rich colour
and strong perfume. The colour is a deep
maroon-crimson, and the perfume is nearly equal
to the Old Clove. A very desirable border
variety, and, one which is said to possess a per-
petual-flowering character. (Shown by Messrs.
W. Cutbush & Son.)

Clivia King George V. — A yellow-flowered
variety of Clivia was shown by Mr. Miller, Wis-
bech, which some thought to be identical with
the variety citrina that gained an Award of Merit
from the Floral Committee in 1907.

Heliolrope " Favourite." — The flowers are
very large, pale in colour, and the habit of
plant and foliage excellent. (Shown by The
King's Acre Nursery Company, Hereford.)

Iris Italia. — A large-flowered hybrid, raised by
the late Sir Michael Foster. It has the appear-
ance of a hybrid of germanica and pallida, but
the parentage was not given. The falls are lilac-
purple, and the standards bluish-purple set off
by a bright yeUow beard.

Iris Isoline. — A large, bold flower, apparently
of the pallida type, raised by Sir Michael Foster.
The falls are coloured old rose and suffused with
orange at the sides and top. The standards are
blush margined with bronze. The beard is bright
orange. (Both these Irises were shown by Messrs.
R. Wallace & Co.)

Mertensia echioides var. elongata (see fig. 175).
— This variety produces Gentian-blue flowers on
stems 9 to 12 inches in height in May and June.
In habit it resembles M. echioides and M. primu-
loides, and it increases rapidly by underground
stems, quickly forming a dense tuft. It thrives
in a moist, sandy-loam with the addition of de-
composed leaf-mould. Shade should be afforded
from mid-day sun, and the plants must not be
disturbed during the resting season, although
lifting and division may be caiTied out in the
growing season without harm. (Shown by Messrs.
Baker's.)

Pelargonium " White Queen." — This new
variety has perfectly white, single flowers. The
habit of the plant is good, and the leaf petioles
and flower stems are whitish. (Shown by Messrs.
James Veitch & Sons.)

Pi/rtlhriini " Snow Queen." — This variety has
very large, pure-white, single flowers, and the
lemon-coloured disc forms an excellent contrast.
(Shown by Messrs. Kelway & Son.)

Bohinia Kelseyi (see fig. 177). — This new species
was shown by Messrs. Veitch & Son, Exeter,
who had a small plant in a pot under the nam©
of Acicia Kelseyi. Robinia Kelseyi was intro-
duced into commerce in 1901 by the discoverer,
Mr. Harlan P. Kelsey. It is a North
American shrub of compact habit, similar to R.
viscosa var. macrophylla, the flowers being of
the same colour, but smaller. The species is in
cultivation at Kew, and Mr. Bean regards it as
having affinity with R. hispida, but differing in
habit. It flowers in June or .July on the shoots
of the previous year. The flowers are rose-col-
oured, and they are produced on short racemes;
the fruits are also ornamental.

Sweet Pea Marjorie Hemus. — This is a fine,
waved flower of various shades of heliotrope or
pale purple.

Sweet Pea Paradise Cerise. — A first-rate sal-
mon-pink or perhaps cerise-coloured flower with
excellent standard. (These two varieties of Sweet
Peas were shown by Miss Hemus.)

Stveet Pea Prince of Orange. — A magnificent
flower of a shade of cerise. (Shown by Mr.
Stevenson. Woburn Place Gardens, Addlestone.)

lianunrulus Evening Star. — A variety with
deep-yellow flowers, as regular as a Pompon
Dahlia. (Shown by Messrs. G. & A. Clabk,
Ltd., Dover.)

Orchid Committee.

Present : J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair), and Messrs. Jas. O'Brien (hon. sec.), Sir
Jeremiah Colman, Bart.. Harry J. Veitch, H.
Little, W. Boxall, W. Thompson, de B. Craw-
shay, C. Cookson, R. Brooman White, Gurney
Wilson, C. H. Curtis, W. P. Bound, H. 6.
Alexander, F. Sander, F. J. Hanburv, F. M.
Ogilvie. A. A. McBean, A. Dye, W. H.' Hatcher,
J. Cypher and J. Charlesworth.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Haywards
Heath, were awarded a Silver-gilt Flora Medal
for a very bright and affective group, in which
the prevailing feature was made by a large num-
ber of their showy Lselio-Cattleya Fascinator, the
plants varying in tint from those with whit*
sepals and petals and crimson lip to the rose-
tinted forms with light purple labellums. The
most distinct were L.-C. Fascinator Princess Ena
with a bright purple lip; L.-C. F. King Arthur,
whose lip w-as a glowing shade of ruby purple ;
and L.-C. F. Constance, a uniformly, pale-rcse
form. A grand specimen of a white-flowered
Lselia purpurata, fine white Cattleya Mossisa

392

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 1910.

Wageneri, and other white Cattleyas ; some deep
red Odontioda Chailesworthii and 0. Brad-
shawiae ; ; the elegant Oncidium pulchellum, the
new ;Mihonioda Argus (JI. Schnideriana X C.
Noezliana), and some pretty hybrid Odontoglos-
sums were also included.

Lieut.-Col. Sir George L. Holford, K.C.V.O.,
\Vestonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), showed
two grand examples of varieties of Miltonia
vexillaria (see Awards), and a fine specimen of
Lajlio-Cattleya Lustre superba (L.-C. callisto-
glossa X C. Luddemanniana), with a fine .spike
of very large, ro.'sy-lilac coloured flowers with
deep-claret labellums veined and mottled with a
darker tint; and L.-C. Kranzlinii (L.-C. elegans
X C. Mossis), a good hybrid, and very finely-
grown.

Fergus Wenteith Ogilvie, Esq., The Shrub-
bery, Oxford (gr. Mr. Balmforth), staged a very
pretty group of Cypripediums, chiefly C. callosum
Sanders, of which there were some 60 flowers.
Prominent among them were several plants of the
fine Cypripedium Lawrenceanum Hyeanum Bank
House" variety, with 12 flowers of a bright
emerald green and white colour, and of fine sub-
stance.

Sir JEREMI.4H CoLMAN, Bart., V.M.H., Gat-
ton Park (gr. Mr. Collier), staged an interest-
ing group, inchiding a fine plant of the
bright-red Cryptochilus sanguineum with three
spikes; Dendrobium Alpha (X euosmum var.
Eleanor X regium), the first cross with D. re-
gium and with the same general aspect, but the
flowers are tinged with lilac ; Masdevallia radiosa,
a verv pretty "hybrid Odontoglossum, and a sin-
gular" Pleurotha"llis with erect spikes of white
flowers.

Mis.-i iL^-UD \V .ALTERS Anson, The Studio, 3,
Broadway. Streatham, was awarded the Society's
Gold Medal for a fine exhibit of numerous beau-
tifuUv-executed and faithful-coloured drawings
of Orchids, all of natural size and showing de-
tails of colour and form in a marvellous degree.
The collection occupied the whole of the staging
at the end of the hall.

Henry Little, Esq., Baronshalt, Twickenham
(gr. Mr Howard), was awarded a Silver Flora
Medal for a splendid group of Lalia purpurata,
every shade from nearly white to lilac with deep-
purple labellum was represented, the whole of
the plants being excellently well grown and pro-
fusely flowered. With them were several good
LiElio-Cattle\as. including a very fine and dark-
coloured L.-C. Schilltriana and three of the yel-
low L.-C. G. S. Ball.

Mr. W. H. Smith. The Gardens, West Dean
Park. Chichester, was awarded a Silver Flora
Medal for an effective group of Vanda teres, the
flowers on the plants being unusually large, well
developed and of a dark-rose tint.

Mrs. NoRM-iN CooKSON Oakwood, Wylam (gr.
Mr. H. J. Chapman), showed a very finely-
blotched Odontoglc-isum crispum rai.-ed between
0. c. Mundyanum and 0. c. Chapmanii. The
flowers were finely formed, white, and closely
blotched with dark reddish-purple.

H. S. Leon, Esq., Bletchley Park, Bucks, (gr.
Mr. G. Cooper), sent a well-flowered plant cf
Cattleya Mossiae superba, pure white with orange-
coloured disc to the lip.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. JNIr. Hopkins), sent Cattleya " Queen tf
Sheba " (Hardyana x Schilleriana), a pretty
rose-purple flower with purple marbling and vein-
ing on the lip ; and C^attleya Jlossiae Grahame-
White, a very large flower with pink-tinted
sepals and petals, and fine labellum, with a deep-
rose front having a blu.sh-white margin.

Messrs. Sander & Sons. St. Albans, were
awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an extensive
and interesting group. The prevailing features
in the group were contributed by a very fine
selection of Laelio-Cattleya Canhamiana and L.-C.
Fascinator of great beauty and varied colour-
ing. With them were several fine Brasso-Cat-
tleya Digbyano-Mos.si!e, the large-flowered Maxil-
laria Sanderiana, a selection of good Odontoglos-
sums, two Aerides Houlletianum. Phalaenopsis
amabilis Rimestadiana, various Dendrobiums. in-
cluding the pretty I), chrysocrepis with flat-
tened pseudo-bulbs nnd yellow flowers with a yen-
tricose lip. v Among the Epidendrums were E.
raniferum. now rather rare, and several pretty
garden hybrids.

Messrs." Stuart Low h Co., Bush Hill Park.
Enfield, secured a Silver Flora Medal for a good
and varied group, in which the varieties of
Cattleya Mossise, including several white forms,

and C. Mendelii were well represented. At one
end was a fine specimen of a supposed new
Coelogyne, allied to C. Massangeana, but different
in habit, and with larger and more closely-
arranged flowers. Others noted were Bulbo-
phyllum Lobbii, with 12 flowers, good Lcelia pur-
purata, and L. tenebrosa, a selection of Cypri-
pediums, very fine Odontoglossum Pescatorei,
various Oncidiums, and Epidendrums.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, C<x)ksbridge,
were awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for an
effective group of well-grown Orchids, among
which the most remarkable were a very large
and distinct Odontoglossum harvengtense, of
peculiar colour ; the very finely-shaped white
Odontoglossum crispum Magnum Bonum II.,
which iias a few dark spots on its broad petals ;
the large-flowered Miltonia vexillaria rosea; and
a hvbrid Miltonia of the M. Hyeana section, of
good size and colour.

Mr. A. W. Jensen, Lindfield, Sussex, was
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for a group of
his fine Cattleya Warscewiczii, chiefly of the
dark, purple-lipped type, but with two of the
lighter and larger-flowered C. Warscewiczii
gigantea.

Messrs. Stanley & Co., Southgate, staged a
selection of Cattleya Mossi:e, including several
white forms.

Mr. E. V. Low, Vale Bridge, Haywards
Heath, staged a small group, in which were two
fine white forms of Odontoglossum crispum and
one pretty spotted form ; 0. luteo-purpureum
Vuylstekei, Odontioda Goodsonise, Cypripedium
Maudise magnificum, and good C. callosum
Sander*.

M. Mertens. Ghent, showed a selection of
hybrid Odontoglcssums.

Mr. H. A. Tracy, Twickenham, sent Cattleya
Mossia? colorata, a pretty, light form ; C. Mossiae
Fairlawn, white, slightly tinged with lavender,
and with distinct slate-blue marking on the lip ;
and C. Mossiae delicata, also a pretty, light-
coloured variety.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed
their very interesting and pretty Anguloa dubia
superba (Clowesii X uniflora superba), with well-
formed, yellowish flowers, tinged and spotted in-
side with rose colour.

Mr. Harry Dixon, Spencer Park Nursery,
Wandsworth Common, sent Cattleya Mendelii
Dixonae, a very pretty and attractive blush-pink
variety.

De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks
(gr. Mr. Stables), showed two remarkable
Odontoglossum harvengtense, showing what
variation may be obtained from seeds, the
lighter form being like a large, sparsely-
spotted 0. crispum, with the ground colour
canary yellow at first, changing to cream-white ;
also two other hybrids. (See Awards.)

AWARDS.

First-class Certificate.

Odontioda Si. Fusci('7t rar. Imperafor (Coch-
lioda Noezliana X Odontoglossvm Adriavm),
from M. Henri Graire, Amiens. A very fine
hybrid, with a strong spike of 15 flowers, each
as large as an ordinary Odontoglossum crispum,
and of a peculiar red tint, with some slight white
markings on the sepals and petals.

Awards of Merit.

Miltonia vexillaria var. Snowflalce, from
Lieut.-Col. Sir George L. Holford, K.C.V.O.,
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander). A
superb variety, with large, snow-white flowers,
with a small, pale-yellow mask at the base of
the lip.

Odontioda Gaffonipn.<!s I?o.!ipfipldiensi,i (Odon-
toylosxjim Ke(/eljanii X Oorlilioda Noezliana),
from de B. Crawshay, Esq. (gr. Mr. Stables).
A very fine form of this interesting hybrid, the
original of which was raised in the gardens of Sir
Jeremiah Colman, Bart., and described in the
Gardeners' Clironide, January 9. 1909, p. 17.
Mr. Crawshay's variety well displays the wax-
like fcxture of 0. Kegeljanii (polyxanthum). the
lemon-yellow tint of which appears through the
scarlet surface-colour of the flower. The lip is
cream-white in front and tinged with red.

Cultural Commendation.

To Mr. H. G. Alexander, Orchid grower to
Lieut.-Col. Sir George Holford, K.C.V.O., for

two superb forms of Miltonia vexillaria densely
set with fine flowers, viz., j\l. vexiUaria Snow-
flake and M. vexillaria virginale, with pink-
tinted sepals and petals, and broad, white label-
lum.

Fruit and Vegetable Committee.

Prexent: A. H. Pearson, Esq. (in the Chair),
and Messrs. J. Cheal. C. G. A. Nix, F. Perkins,
W. Bates, J. Willard, C. Foster, E. Beckett, J.
Jaques, H. Parr, A. Dean, G. Woodward, 0.
Thomas, G. Wythes, W. Poupart, H. S. Rivers,
J. Lyne, P. C."M. Veitch, and J. Davis.

Mr. S. .Mortimer, Swiss Nursery, Farnham,
staged a dozen fruits of a fine new Cucumber
named Aviator, obtained from crossing Market
Rival with Improved Telegraph. The fruits
were long, smooth, and very green. Mr.
Mortimer was desired to send seeds to Wisley,
where it is hoped a full trial of Cucumbers will
bo conducted next year.

Mr. W. Palmer, Andover, showed a box con-
taining several dozen Peaches. The exhibitor
claims that it is the product of seed, or a sport,
and that it is " several weeks " earlier than any
other variety. No account of the treatment
afforded the tree which produced the fruit was
given. The variety was named King Edward.
BIr. P.ALMER was invited to send a young tree to
Wisley Gardens for trial there against other weU-
kuown early Peaches.

Messrs. Stu.iht Low & Co., Bush Hill Nursery,
Enfield, showed growths carrying ripe fruits of
their Lowberry, also some gathered fruits under
a bell glass. It is claimed that this fruit is
much superior to the Loganberry. The fruits
shown had been ripened under glass, and were
soft, juicy, and very pleasant to the taste. It is
promised that fruits from the open will be shown
later. Fruits of the red Phenomenal, also a
long berry, were shown by Messrs. Low.

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, staged
on a table aoine 30 feet long a remarkably high-
class collection of vegetables, set up with con-
siderable skill, the whole displaying high merit.
It comprised some 60 dishes, baskets, or moundd.
Pyramids of Cauliflovyers were prominent of the
varieties Snowball and Early Forcing ; there
were Cabbage Earliest of All, EUam's Early
Dwarf, and Veitch's Incomparable, Cabbage Let-
tuces Golden Queen, Stanstead Park, Early
Favourite, All the Year Round, and Marvel ;
Superb White Cos ; Potatos Express, May Queen,
Midlothian Early, and Duke of York ; Peas Se-
lected Gradus ; Beans Improved Long Pod,
Wythes's Early Gem, and Centenary ; Butter
French Beans ; Cucumbers Sensation and Per-
fection ; TomatOB Perfection, Sunny Bank, Ham
Green and Golden Jubilee ; various Marrows ;
JNIatchless Scarlet Carrot ; fine Mushrooms ; Paris
JIarket and Early White Mil.an Turnips; Rhu-
barbs, Spinaches, Radishes, and other kinds.
(Silver-gilt Knightian Medal.)

ROYAL COUNTIES AGRICULTURAL.

June 7, 8. 9. 10.— The Royal Counties JubOee
Show, held at Winchester on these dates, in-
cluded many features of interest to horticul-
turists.

Classes were provided for forestry to show the
qualities of certain trees, and the use of their
timber in estate work, such as gate-making.

Messrs. Toogood & Sons, Southampton, had
an interesting display of Salpiglossis in pots,
very fine specimens of their Princess Ena Stocks
in large and variously-coloured spikes. Gladiolus,
Sparaxis, Ixia^, Marguerites. Ferns, and other
flowering subjects. They also showed Tomatos,
Melons, Cucumbers and French Beans.

Messrs. Toogood were also responsible for the
decoration of the exterior of the Council's tent,
which they carried out with Roses trained to the
pillars. On each side of the entrance were mas-
sive banks of Salpiglcssis, most admirably grown
and profusely flowered. Corner groups of Mar-
guerites, Pansies. Coleus, &c., completed an at-
tractive embellishment.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons. Reading, arranged, in
handsome groups on the outside of their build-
ing, Nemesia struraosa, Cineraria stellata edged
with an extremely good dark-blue Lobelia ;
single Petunias, dwarf forms of double and
single Chrysanthemum coronarium, Lilium
longiflorum, and Rhodanthes, Inside the
structure were bold groups of double Begonias,

June 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

393

Gloxinias, Calceolarias, Schizanthuses, and
Mignonette. Vegetables were a feature, and
Tomatos, Broad Beans, Potatos, Cucumbers,
Globe Artichokes, Peas, Kidney Beans, Lettuces,
Mushrooms, Asparagus, Cauliflowers and Melons
in first-class condition completed a most impos-
ing exhibit.

ftlessrs. E. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, arranged
bold groups of Calceolarias. Cineraria stellata,
Clarkias, Gloxinias, and Ranunculuses of their
well-known strains. Vegetables from this firm
were represented by Early Mammoth Cauliflower,
Tomat-os, Kidney Beans, Cucumbers, and other
kinds.

Mr. C. W. Beeadmoke, Winchester, staged
three dozen bunches of Sweet Peas in grand con-
dition. Especially noticeable were Mrs, Towns-
end (pale blue), A. N. Dickson, Dusky Monarch,
Mrs. C. W. Breadmore, Canst-ance Oliver, Prin-
cess Juliana, Elsie Herbert, Winsome, Freda, im-
proved Etta Dyke, and Lavender George Her-
bert,

Messrs. E. Hillier & Sons, Winchester, deco-
rated the entrance to the president's (Earl of
Northbrook) private tent, arranging an old-Eng-
lish garden containing flag paths, a sundial, and

SOCIETE NATIONALS D'HORTI-
CULTURE DE FRANCE.

In our report of the Paris spring show last
week we made but little reference to the Roses
and to the Rose conference. The details of this
latter gathering wiU be published in the Journal
of the National Horticultural Society of France.
The whole proceedings appear to have given the
greatest satisfaction to those concerned either as
visitors or as organisers.

In the Show itself Roses were exhibited in
large numbers, but, as stated by Mr. Geo.
Paul, the flowers were not of the high
excellence to be seen in English collections.
Novelties would appear to have been scarce, for
in the proces-verbal of the Floral Committee
there does not appear to have been a new Rose
certificated.

There were 13 classes devoted to Roses, the
most important being for 100 standards. In
these classes 29 exhibitors entered. The famous
firm of MM, LevSque et Fils made a large dis-
play, for they had two long borders filled with
standards on each side of the show, besides
several beds of various shapes in the middle filled

Brown, Dean Hole, Mildred Grant, Mme. de
Watteville, Mme. Jules Grolez, Mme. Ravary,
Frau Karl Druschki, Mme. Hoste, Capt. Christy,
Caroline Testout, Mme. Viger, Gladys Harkness,
Ma Tulipe; Camoens, !\Ime, Abel Chate-
nay, John Hopper, General Jacqueminot, Horace
Vernet, Dupuy Jamain, Merveille de Lyon. Marie
Van Houtte, Mrs. E. S. Hill. Lady Wenlock,
La France, Etoile de Lyon, Viscountess Folke-
stone. Grace Darling, Liberty. Jules Margottin,
Paul Neyron, Jean Ducher. Her Majesty, Magna
Charta, Ulrich Brunner, Richmond, and Gabriel
Luizet.

From an artistic point of view the exhibit from
M. Aug. Nonin must be accorded the palm (see
fig. 178). It was most tastefully arranged in two
divisions with a central path, the entrance at
each end being decorated with a rambler-covered
arch. Quite a variey of pillar and Rambler Roses
were staged, mingled with standards and large
bush plants in pots. The advantage of the di.s-
V>lay was that, besides having two ends, there
Were also four sides to the exhibit, two inside
and two outside. We noted Phyllis, Lady
Gay, Tau.sendschon. Dorothy Perkins, Mrs.
Flight, Hiawatha, White Dorothy Perkins, &c.

FlO. 178. — RAMBLER ROSES EXHIBITED AT THE PARIS SHOW BY MONS, AUGi NONI.V,

Alpine plants growing between the stones of the
paths. In front cf the tent climbing Roses were
arranged on rustic tree branches, encircling a
Yew hedge, with beds of Viola*. Adjoining this
was an extensive collection of Conifers, flowering
and foliage shrubs and trees, with a water-gar-
den. They had also Anchusa italica Dropmore
variety, and " Opal " ; Olearia st-ellata, Eremuri,
Azaleas, Acers. Irises, Water Lilies, with a re-
presentative collection of new Chinese plants,
mainly introduced by Mr. E. H. Vv'ilson, such as
Davidia involucrata. Ilex Pernyi, Viburnum
Harryi, Cotoneaster Henryi. Berberis Wilsonae.
Viburnum rhytidophyllum, Rubus lasiostylus, the
climbing Aconitum Hemsleyanum, and species of
Vitis.

Messrs. B. Ladhams & Co,, Shirlev. South-
ampton, arranged, under the shade of a large
Chestnut tree, a rockery with Lily-pond, effec-
tively planted with Aster alpinus, Aubrietias,
Hemerocallis phlomis, Saxifragas. Edehveiss,
Irises in variety, Incarvillea grandiflora. Heuch-
era. Trollius, and Aquilegia Stuartii, with cut
spikes of Pyrethrums, Poppies, climbing Roses,
and manv other flowers

with dwarf, bush plants. The varieties were too
numerous to mention, and comprised all sections.
At each end of two of these middle displays were
quite a collection of Polyantha Roses, includ-
ing Mrs. Cutbush, Mme, Norbert Levavasseur,
Phyllis, and Orleans Rose (new).

M. T. Niklaus showed a long border of Roses,
having standards in variety at the back, set off
with some small, bush plants in front.

M. HoNORE Defresne arranged his exhibit
right and left of the show hall. At intervals
he had some huge standards, or parasols, as they
are termed, composed of small-flowering varieties
with the heads trained to a wire support.

Next to his exhibits was the display sent by
M. Geo. Boucher. This exhibit included Mrs.
Cutbush in quantity, Mme. Norbert Levavasseur,
a large collection of standards, and a front edg-
ing formed of a single row in pots of various
Polyantha varieties.

In these collections we noticed the following
varieties among those shown most frequently : —
Prince de Bulgarie. Killarney, Beaute Incon-
stante, Lyon Rose, LTnnocence, Etoile de
France, Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, Bessie

At one end, M. NoNiN had some large plants of
Anthemis " Perfection " (white). A. "' Perfec-
tion " (rose), and A. Etoile Blanche, most attrac-
tive in appearance, while at the other end right
and left were some good plants of Hydrangeas
La Lorraine, Avalanche. Mile. Renee Gaillard, La
Fraicheur, and Souvenir de Mme. Chautard.

A great feature of the Rose show was M.
Graveeeaux's Retrospective Rose Exhibition.
In a rectangular portion of the great hall, fenced
off specially for the purpose, was a garden with
neat divisions containing living specimens show-
ing the Rose from its earliest ancestors down to
the present time. To the right, at the far-
ther end of the hall, were the literary, historic
and artistic exhibits, most of them being enclosed
in glass cases. On the walls all round were many
prints, engravings, oil and water-colour drawings
and pictures of many subjects relating to the
Roses. To satisfy the curiosity of the visitor and
to give him the fullest information of the con-
tent* of this Rose museum. M. Gravereaux had
compiled a neat little octavo guide, which must
certainly be of great service to all those who
have an interest in the evolution of the flower.

394

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 11, 1910.

In the glass cases we noted many old books on
the Rose, a plan of the Empress Josephine's Rose
garden at La Malmaison, textile fabrics, laces,
wallpaper designs, porcelain, knick-knacks of
many kinds, in all of which the rose formed an
important part of the design. There were many
botanical plates of Roses, coloured drawings of
the flower by the great Redoute, the Rose a/S de-
picted in postage stamps, in book plates, in
numismatics, old Rose-growers' catalogues, and
books referring to the Rose in history, in poetry,
in fables, in popular songs ; there were even re-
mains of Roses which are stated to have been
taken from the coffin of an Egyptian mummy
buried at Necropolis in the 2nd or 3rd century.
Finally, and without by any means exhausting
the catalogue of this interesting collection, were
some specmiens of pre-historic Rose leaves im-
printed or petrified in pieces of stone.

The historic Rose-garden was not less interest-
ing. It was divided into four sections, there
being living examples of Rose types from the
earliest records to the present time.

ROYAL NATIONAL TULIP.

(NORTHERN SECTION.)
June 4. — This show was held at Middleton,
near Manchester, on this date, being in many
respects a counterpart of the Southern one held
at Harpenden, and reported on p. 371. It
appeared an out-of-the-way centre for a
" National " society to hold its annual gather-
ng. If, however, the history of the Florist Tulip
s traced, it will be found that when the
South of England lost its prominence in the
'forties of last century, the work was taken up
with renewed zeal in the North and Midlands,
and we find such names as Slater, of Manchester,
Gibbons, of Chellaston, Hcadly, of Cambridge,
and Willison, of Whitby, taking the lead. Their
successes stimulated cultivators to still further
efforts, and then, later, there were Storer, of
Derby, Hardy, of Warrington, Hepworth, Parker
and Hardwick, of Wakefield, Battersby, of Mans-
field, Ashmole and Jackson, of Middleton, and
Dymock, of Stockport. It is the flowers of these
raisers, " together with the survival of the fittest
ef older times, which practically constitute our
collections of the present day." The seedling
raisers of to-day can almost be counted on the
fingers of one hand — when we have mentioned
Messrs. .J. W. Bentley, C. W. Needham and A.
D. Hall we have left very few names out — and,
for some reason which they cannot account for,
their seedlings are almost all of them below the
old standards. It may be hoped that better
success will attend Mr. Needham's "Dr. Cooper,"
a wonderfully beautiful orange breeder which was
included in the raiser's stand of six dissimilar
Breeder Tulips which won the 1st prize. To the
erdinary lover of Tulips, this variety and a pale-
lavender variety known as Bridesmaid or
Alice Gray, seemed the most lovely flov/ere
in the whole show. There was a purity and re-
finement of colour about them which are seldom
met with among the Cottage and Darwin sec-
tions. It is plain that latterly the Tulip centre
of England has been in the north, and, as unfor-
tunately, the number of cultivators became less,
it was found about 12 or 14 years ago that with
the exception of Wakefield, there were probably
more Tulip growers within a radius of 20 miles
round Middleton than anywhere else. Hence for
the last few years the northern show has always
been held here.

One of the " veterans," Mr. J. Knowles, of
Stalybridge. informed us that he had been show-
ing Tulips since 1860. and well remembered the
time when, in Stalybridge alone, there were
four annual shows. Now the annual show of the
National Society only brings together a mere
handful of exhibitors, and although they are all
enthusiasts, they must feel a certain sadness when
thev remember the great times of the past.

The schedule is divided into " Rectified
Tulips " and " Breeder Tulips." For the infor-
mation of those who do not understand the dif-
ference, it may be well to say that every Tulip
plant begins its life with self-coloured flowers,
which are called "" Breeders." and which, to
come up to the florist standard, must have a per-
fectly pure white or pure yellow base. In the
course of time the flowers become striped or
" rectified." the white base ones with some shade
of purple or rose and the yellow base ones with
■ome shade of brown or brownish-red. This

marking may take one of two forms ; either it
may be confined altogether to the edges of the
petals, when it is called a " feather," or else
there is a wider or narrower bar of colour down
the middle of each petal as well as that around
the outside, in which case the flower is said to
be flamed.

In the rectified section the most important class
was one for 12 dissimilar Tulips, two feathered
and two flamed in each class. Mr. J. W. Bent-
ley, of Stakehill, Castleton, was placed 1st. He
had Sir Joseph Paxton and Samuel Barlow, both
flamed bizarres, in capital condition. This last
flower gained the prize offered for the premier
flamed Tulip in the show. He also had a good
byblojmen in Adonis. Mr. J. Knowles, of Staly-
bridge, was awarded the 2nd prize. A remark-
able flower in his collection was Robert Guest. It
is a beautiful yellow- Tulip with chestnut-red
feathering, an old variety, but very scarce, as it
seldom makes any offsets. There are now only
two bulbs in existence, and both of them are in
IWr. Knowles's collection. Julia Farneese was
another striking bloom on account of its peculiar
marking. In technical tulipology it is called a
" plated " flower, that is the feathering around
the petals is much wider than usual, and looks
more like a solid mass of colour than the edges
of a feather or the teeth of a comb.

Mr. C. W. Needham, of Hale, was a good
third. His exhibit showed, in a marked degree,
the three great characteristics of regularity of
size, uniformity of marking and diversity of type,
which should be only less important in a judge's
eye than the purity of base, the correctness of
form and the evenness of marking in the indi-
vidual flowers. It seemed to us a moot point
whether the 1st and 3rd prizes should not have
been reversed. Sir .Joseph Paxton was probably
his best flower. The 4th prize was awarded to
Mr. G. Etre, of Ripley, Derbyshire,

In a class for smaller growers, Mr. J. Weight,
of Wakefield, was placed 1st. He had a very
fine flamed Tulip in Sir J. Paxton and a
feathered bybloemen in Stockport, or, to give it
its longer and original name, " Trip to Stock-
port." Mr. W. Stringek, of Rhodes, won the
2nd prize, and Mr. J. Fillingham, of Blackley,
the 3rd prize.

In the Breeder section the chief class for six dis-
similar Tulips was well filled, Messrs. Needh.im,
Eyke, and Bentley being followed by Mr.
I. Whitworth. Wakefield : J. Wood, Middleton ;
and J, Knowles, Stalybridge, in the order
named. Two of the most beautiful of these
flowers have been referred to alx>ve.

In the single bloom classes there was a keen
competition, both among the rectified varieties
and the breeders. Stockport took two of the first
three prizes in the feathered bj'bloemen class,
and Alfred Lloyd, as a bizarre breeder, carried
off all three prizes. Modesty being equally suc-
cessful in the class for feathered roses.

At the southern show there were classes for
Darwin and Cottager Tulips, but here these were
conspicuous by their absence. The old ways and
customs still remain unaltered, for up to the
present " modernism " has knocked at the door
in vain, but we learn that important, and what
can only be called revolutionary changes, are in
contemplation with regard to both the shows.

A National Tulip Society should embrace every
section of the genus, including, as well as florist
flowers, the species and Cottage and Darwin
kinds. Surely there is room for all, and all
would be the better for the Sucietv'.s recognition.

We sincerely hope these rumours have some
foundation, and that the old society, like the
fabled Phoenix, is about to renew its youth and
regain the important position in the floral world
it occupied in the past.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

June 2.— The President stated that he had ap-
pointed Sir Frank Crisp. Mr. H. W. Monckton,
Prof. F. W. Oliver, and Prof. E. B, Poulton, to
be vice-presidents for the ensuing ses,sion.

Mr. H. W. Monckton, treasurer and "V^-P.,
then referred to previous exhibitions of Witches'
brooms or Witch-knots in Conifers, instancing
those by Dr. Masters on March 18. 1886. Mr.
James Saunders. A.L.S., on Aiiril 21. 1907, and
the Rev. T. R. R. Stubbing on April 21 of the
present year. He showed by lantern .slides simi-
lar erowths on Pinus sylvestris growing near
Wellington College, in Berkshire,

Dr. Stapf, on behalf of Mr. J. F, Waby,
F,L.S., of the Botanic Garden, Georgetown,
British Guiana, exhibited lantern slides from
photographs of male and female specimens of
Lodoicea Sechellanim, Labill., which were flower-
ing and fruiting in that garden. He stated that
of 36 nuts specially imported in 1893, only three
plants survived, the two in question, and a third
which had not yet flowered. It is of interest as
l>eing the first occasion of this palm flowering in
the New World, and for its precocious develop-
ment.

Sir Frank Crisp showed fresh .specimens in
flower of Linnaea borealis from his garden at
Friar Park, Henley.

The General Secretary placed on the table for
inspection a living specimen of the rare and local
Orchid, Ophrys aranifera, received that morning
from Mrs. Mann, of Temple Ewell Vicarage, near
Dover ; it had been procured from the neighbour-
hood of Folkestone.

The Floe.i of Gazaland.

The paper of the evening was entitled " A Con-
tribution to Our Knowledge of the Flora of
Gazaland ; An Account of Collections Made by
Mr. Swynnerton, F.L.S., by Members of the De-
partment of Botany, British Museum, with Notes
by Mr. Swynnerton."

The collections which form the subject of this
paper were made by j\Ir. C. F. M. Swynnerton
chiefly in the high country which forms the boun-
dary Ijetween Eastern Rhodesia and Portuguese
territory. It consists of a number of detached
masses of highland separated by river-valleys,
which ultimately unite to form the Buzi, an im-
portant river running eastwards through the
lower-lying Portuguese territory to enter the
Indian Ocean near Beira, Mr. Swynnerton has
supplied an interesting account of the phyto-
geographical character of the district. There is
evidence that the place was once covered with
dense forest. which has, however, been
largely destroyed by the annual forest fires
during some former period of dense popu-
lation. At present the forest occupies the
more protected uplands, forming great patches :
such are the great forests in the Chimanimani
Mountains in the north, a rugged range reaching
a height of 8.000 feet, and the Chirinda and
Chipete forest patches closely adjoining each
other, in the south. Chirinda is described as a
virgin forest of enormous and mostly evergreen
trees, covering about 12,000 acres of the higher
portion.s of the hill. Its larger trees range from
80 to 170 feet in height, and the undergrowth,
with Mosses, Ferns, epiphytes, and lianas, is of
a thoroughly tropical character.

The collection has proved rich in novelties,
especially among the gamopetalous orders of
Dicotyledons, including a new genus of Asclepia-
dacete. Swynnertonia. There are also a large
number of Rubiaceje new to science, especially in
the genera Gardenia and Pavetta ; several new
Senecios and Helichrysums, some new heaths,
several new species of Acanthacese. and others.
Among the Polypetalie several new Meliacefe are
especially noticeable, also an Anemone from Mt.
Pene, a new Polygala, and others. A new Leu-
cospermum foi-ms the first record from Tropical
Africa for this well-known South African genus.
The IMonocotyledons include several new Orchids
in well-known African genera, such as Eulophia
and Angrsecum. and a number of new Liliaceae
and other petaloid groups

As was to be expected from the geographical
po.sition, the botany of these highlands shows a
strong South African affinity, and several of the
genera and a considerable number of the species
have not been hitherto recorded beyond South
Africa. A large proportion of the plants are
identical with those previously known from
Nvassaland, including the two Conifers, the
Milanji Cedar (Widdringtonia Whytei) and Podo-
carpus milanjianus. There is also a well-marked
Angolan element. An interesting novelty is
Pseudocalyx africanus ; Pseudocalyx is a Mala-
gasy genus not hitherto known from tropical
Africa.

The introduction was read by Dr. Rendle. with
a review of the new Monocotyledons. Mr. E. G.
Baiter and Mr. S. Sloore particularising the
plants, which had been investir'nted bv them.

Dr. Stapf, Dr. A. P. Young. Mr. F. V. Covillo
(visitor). Mr. Clement Reid. and the Rev. T. R..
R,. Stebbing took part in the discu.ssion, and Dr.
Rendle replied to the questions a.sked.

June 11, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

395

IVEARKSTS.

W COVENT GARDEN, June 8.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furnisiied 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 tlie 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. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers, &c.: Average Wholesale Prices.

E.d. s.d.
10-16

Anemones, p. doz.
Azalea, Ghent, per

bunch 0 6-09

— Fielderi, per

dozen bunches 2 0-30

Bouvardia 4 0-60

Calla (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.

blooms, best

Aujerican (var.) 2 0-30
Carola, and other
special varieties

— second size ..

6 0-90

1 6-
1 U-

4 0-50
16-20

— smaller, per

doz. bunches 12 0-18 0
Catiieyas, per doz.

blooms
Dafiodils, best, per

doz. bunches...

— seconds

— double, per dz.
bundles

Eucliaris grandi-

tlora, perdozen

bloouis
Freesias, per dozen

bunches
Gardenias, per dz.
Gladiolus, Colvilei

varieties, \et

do/en buncl es
Gypsophila elegaiis,

p. dz. bunches 2 0-30
Heather (white),

per bunch
Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches ..
Lilac, per bunch ...
Lilinm auratuni

per bunch

— candidum

— lon^illorum ...

— lane 1 f o 1 iuin
rubru:n

— 1 an ci f o I i uni
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...

10-16

4 0-50

10-16
10-20

6 0-90

1 0

5 0-80
10-20

2 0-

2 0-

3 0

2 0

3 0

1 6-

2 0

1 6-

2 0

6 0-90
10 0-J2 0

s.d.s.d.
.Marguerites, p. dz.

bundles white

and yellow ... 3 0-50
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 3 0-40
Narcissus poeticus

(Pheasant'sEye),

per doz. bnchs. 10-20
O d o n to glos sum

crispiim, per

dozen blooms 10-20
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60

— Zonal, double

scarlet 4 0-60

Poppies, Iceland,

per doz.bches. 8 0-10 0
Richard ia atncana

(Calla). p. doz. 16-20
Roses, 12 blooms,

Ni^)lietos ... 10-20

— Bridesmaid ... 16-26

— C. Teslout ... 16-26

— K a i se r i n A.
Victoria ' ... 10-30

— Capt. Hayward 16-26

— C. Mermet ... 16-^0

— Liberty ... 16-26

— Mme.Chatenay 10-26

— Richmond ... 2 0-40

— The Bride ... 10-20
Spirsea, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60
Slephanotis, 72

" pips " ... 3 0-40

Stocks, per doz.

bunches ... 3 0-40

Sweet Peas, per

dozen bunches... 2 0-50
Tuberoses, p. gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 4-06
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 6 0-90

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, per doz.

bunches ... 16-20

Parma, per bcb. 16-26

Cut Foliage,

Adiantum ciinea-
tum, per dozen
bunches

Asparagus plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz,
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per
dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen
bunches (Eng-
lish)

Ac: Average Wholesale Prices,

Ferns (French) ...

Galax leaves, per
doz. bunches

Hardy foliage
(vaiious), per
dozen bunches

Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

(English),

small-leaved... 4 0-60

— French ... 10-16
Smilax, p. dz. trails 4 0-60

s.d. s.d.

4 0-60

12 0-18 0

12 0-18 n
9 0-12 0

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-30

S.d. s.d,
0 G- 0 9

16-20

3 0-90
2 0-26

10-16

10-20
3 0-40

Plants In Pots, ftc. : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d

Anipelopsis Veit-

cliii, per dozen 6 0-80
Aralia Sieboldi, p.

dozen 5 0-80

— larger speci-
mens 9 0-12 0

— Moseri 6 0-80

— larger plants ... 12 0-18 0
Araucaria excelsa,

per dozen ... 12 0-80 0

— large plants,

each 3 6-50

Aspidistras, p. dz.,

green 15 0-24 0

— Tariegated ... 30 0-42 0
Asparagus plumo-

sus nanus, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— Sprengeri ... 9 0-12 0

— lenuissimus 9 0-12 0
Bo ron ia hetero-

phylla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— raegastigma ... 18 0-24 0
Calceolarias (her-
baceous), per

dozen ... ... 6 0-80

— yellow, per dz. fi 0- 6 0
Cinerarias, per

dozen 5 0-80

Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... 18 0-24 0
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
Coleus, per doz. ... 3 0-50

s.d. s.d.
Crassulas, per doz. 8 0-13 0
Crotons, per dozen 18 0-30 0
Cyclamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Cyperus alterni-

folius, per doz. 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-60
Orac^nas.perdoz. 9 0-24 0
Erica candidissima,

per dozen ... 18 0-24 0

— Cavendishi,per

dozen 24 0-36 0

— persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

— ventricosa ... 24 0-36 0
Euonymus, perdz.,

in pots 3 0-80

— from the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0

— in small and

large 60"s ... 12 0-20 0

— in 48's, per dz. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

— in 33"s, per dz. 10 0-18 0
Ficus elastica, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Fuchsias, per dz. ... 6 0-90

— standards, each 2 0-40
Grevilleas. per dz. 4 0-60
Heliotrope, per dz. 5 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6 0-90

Plants In Pots, «c.: Average Wholesale Prices rCo«/rf.;.

s.d. s.d.
Hydrangeas hor-

tensis, per doz. 9 0-18 0

— Thos. Hogg ... 12 0-24 0
Isolepis, per dozen 4 0-60
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18 0-24 0

— Fosteriana, per
dozen 18 0-30 0

Latania borbonica,

per dozen ... 15 0-21 0
Liliuni longi-

florum, per dz. 24 0-36 0

— lancifolium, p.
dozen 18 0-30 0

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen ... 12 0-18 0
Marguerites, white,

per dozen

Mignonette, p. doz.

s.d. s.d.
4 0-60

Pelargoniums
(show), per doz.

12 0-18 0

— Ivy leaved, per
dozen

— Zonal

6 0-80
5 0-60

Petunias, per doz.

— in 60's

Selaginella, p. doz.

6 0-80
2 0-30
4 0-60

Spiraea japonica,
per dozen

8 0-10 0

Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz. ...

5 0-80

Tulips, in pots,
special

6 0-90

Verbena, per doz.

6 0-90

Apples {Australian},
per case :

— Monro's Fa-
vourite _ ...

— (Tasm a n ian),
per case :

— Ribston

— New York

— Scarlet Pear-
main

— Crews Egg ...
Wellington

5 0-80

Fruit: Averale Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d. I

s.d. s.d.

10 0-12 6
10 0-13 0

9 6-11 6
9 0-10 0
13 0

— Slurnier Pippin 10 0-12 0

— French Crab ... 10 0-12 0
Apricots (French\

per box

— per case
Bananas, b,inch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Kxlra ,, ...

— Giant „ ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles...

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (French),

per box

— i bushel
Custard Apples, p.

dozen

Figs

Grape Fruit, case :

— 96's ...

— !-0's ...

— 64's ...

— 54's ...
Grapes, per lb.

— Black English,
(new)

Grapes (.Australian)
Der 20 lbs. ...

— Black

Lemons, per case :

— (Messina), se-
lected, 300

r I 3- 1 6
2 3-40

8 O-IO 0

8 0-10 0

10 0-14 0

14 0-18 0

4 6-60

8 0-90
0 6-10

2 0 —

9 0-10 0

6 0-12 0
2 0-80

20 0

16-36

18 0
20 0

14 0-16 0

Lemons (Naples)

420

22 0-25 0

— (Messina), 15(

8 6 10 6

Lycliees, per liox..

16-19

Melons (English)..

16-26

— (Guernsey) ..

16-30

— (French', Can

taloupe, each...

7 0-12 0

Nectarine?, dozen

— selected

12 0-16 0

— seconds

4 0-80

Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag .,

36 0-42 0

— Brazils, new,

percwt.

45 0 —

— sorted

50 0 _

— Barcelona, per

bag

32 0-34 0

— Cocoa nuts, 100

10 0-14 0

Oranges—

— C ali f orn ian

Navel, box (80)

— „ case (SO)

— „ „ (112)

14 6-16 0

— M „ (1261,

— Denia, per case

(420)

18 0-20 0

— (714) selected

24 0 —

— Murcia (200) ...

12 6-17 0

— (300)

10 6-16 6

Peaches (English),

per doz.

8 0-18 0

— seconds

8 0-60

Pears (Avacado),

per doz.

6 0-12 0

— (Tasnianian) ;

— Vicar of Wake-

field, large

cases

13 0-14 0

Pineapples, each ...

2 0-50

Strawberries, p. lb.

2 0-30

— seconds

0 9-13

— (Southampton's

,

per basket ...

6 6-86

— (French), per

crate of 4 bas-

kets

8 0-12 0

— selected, large 16 0-20 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d. s.d, s.d.

ArtichoUesiGlobe),
per dozer.

— Jerusalem, J
sieve

.Asparagus, Eng-
lish, per bdle,
100 sticks. ...

— Giant

— Montauban ...

— Touloui^e
Beans (English and

Chan, islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
per pad

Beetroot, per bushel
Cabbages (spring)

per hamper ...
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches 4 0-50

— (French), per

dozen bunches 5 0-60
Cauliflowers, ham-
per (24-30) ...

— per doz. (large)

— Dutch, p. crate
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30's

— 36's

— 42's

Endive, per dozen

Greens. Spring, bag 10-16

— Herbs (sweet),
packets, per
gross

Gooseberries, ^ bus.

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

per bushel
hamper

3 0 —
0 9-10

2 0-26
7 6-20 0
19-20
16-20

0 9-10

2 6-36

2 6 —

2 6-36

4 0-60
3 0-40
3 6 —

6 6

6 6

5 6
: 6

7 0 —
5 0 —

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

0 9-

1 6-

Lettuce (French)

Cos, per dozen

2 6-50

Marrows, per doz
Mint, doz. bunches

4 0-80

3 0-60

M ush rooms, per

lb

0 8-10

— broilers

0 6-08

Mustardand Cress,

per dozen piui.

0 6-08

Onions(spring),dz.

bunches

1 6 —

— Egyptian, bags

7 0 —

Parsley, ^ sieve ...

16-20

Peas (French), pad

4 6-50

— (Jersey) per lb.

13-16

Potatos (Algerian),

cwi

14 0 —

— (Channel Is-

lands), per lb.

0 U-0 2

— (Teneriffe), per

cwt

6 0-90

— (Lisbon), case

4 0-40

Rhubarb, Natural,

perdz. bundles

2 0-30

Radishes (English),

per dozen

0 8-0 10

Spinach, J sieve ...

16-20

Stachys tuberosa,

per lb

0 4-05

Tomatos —

— (English), per

dozen lbs.

6 0-66

— small selected

5 0-60

— seconds

2 6-30

— (Guernsey), per

dozen lbs.

6 0-66

— (Teneriffe), per

bundle

8 0 16 0

Turnip=, 12 bun-

ches

2 0-30

— (French), per

dozen bunches

6 0-80

Watercress, p. dz.

6 0-66

bunches

0 3-06

quality IS only fair. English and Guernsey Tomatos are
meeting a moderate demand. English Peaches and Necta-
rines are a steady market, whilst griipes are selling well.
Ihe demand for fruit and vegetables has improved. E. H.
Rules, Covcnt Garden, Jtine 8, f9lo.

Potatos,

Blacklands..
Dunbars—

Maincrop
Up-to-Date-.
Lincolns—
Evergood „

percwt.

s.d. s.d.

... 2 0-29

... 5 6- 6 9

... 4 0-46

...2 3-2 6

Lincolns—

Sharpe's Express..

Up-to-Date ,

Dalmeny Beauty
Royal Kidney
Maincrop ...
King Edwards

percwt,
s.d. s.d.

2 3-26

3 0-39
3 6-39

... 2 0-26
— 2 9-36
... 3 0-36

Hew Potatos.

8 0-86
7 0-76

Teneriffe, per cwt. 7 0-861 Jersey, per cwt. .

Lisbon, per case 4 0 | Cherbourg, per cwt.

St Malo, per cwt. ... 8 0

Remarks.— Trade in old Potatos is fair. New Potatos
are much cheaper. Edward J . Newborn, Covcnt Garden and
St. Pancras,June 9, ISW.

— Cos. per dozen 2 0-40

Remai^ks.— Hot-house Strawberries are meeting a better
market, and prices have been firmer for both best and
second quality berries. French Strawberries are arriving
in a sounder condition, and are meeting a better market
generally. French Cherries are a good supply, but the

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET. '

Supplies of most subjects are plentiful, bedding plants
being a great feature; also plants for window boxes Lo-
belia, Marguerites, Mignonette, Lysimachia, Zonal Pelar-
goniums, and Calceolarias are well flowered, but calceo-
larias are not making quite such good prices this season as
usual. Verbenas are well flowered and plentiful. Stocks
are still very good. Petunias in 5-inch and einch pots are
plentiful, and of good quality ; many of the fringed-edged
type are now grown. Fuchsias are well flowered and plen-
tiful. Hydrangeas vary in quality ; some are very good. The
variety Thomas Hogg is not abundant, but there are large
supplies of H. horteiisis. Some plants of Erica hyemalis
are seen. E. ventricosa magnihca, also E. Cavendishii in
all sizes, are well flowered. Herbaceous Calceolarias are
very good; also the ordinary yelloiv sort, in 6-inch pots.
Roses of the Rambler type are abundantly flowered ; they
are rather too plentiful, and do not make such good prices as
they did a few years ago. Ferns are abundant in all sizes;
their prices remain fairly constant, although some growers
clear their stock to costers at sucb prices as they ofler.
Palms of all sizes are well supplied ; also Aspidistras, Dra-
cxnas, and various other foliage plants.

Cut Flowers.
Supplies of all subjects are abundant and trade is rather
quiet. It is difficult to quote accurate prices, for they
fluctuate so much, and to clear the stocks the salesmen
greatly reduce the prices late in the day. Souvenir de la
Malmaison Carnations are very good, also the American
varieties. Mr. Burnett's pink variety is a favourite, also a
scarlet kind from Mr. Smith (Enfield). White Perfection
is one of the best for flowering all the year through. A
few Camellias are seen, but in warm weather the petals
fall, even before they are fully expanded. Liliums are
well supplied, and include L. auratum (of fine quality),
L. candidum and L. longiflorum. Richardias (Callas)
are also plentiful. Gladioli of various sorts are good;
G. Co.vilei bemg most in demand. Some good Daffodils
are seen, but they will soon be over for the season. Sweet
Peas are abundant ; in warm weather they do not keep
well. Poppies have become favourites, especially the best
varieties of the Iceland type. Double Zonal Pelargoniums
sell fairly readily, but during the summer the single bloom
IS of little value, except where it can be cut, gummed, and
put into water without being packed. The same applies
to the show varieties. Stephanotis and Gardenias are
plentiful. Roses include some fine flowers— Mrs. J. Laing
and other Hybrid Perpetuals ; among Teas— Niphetos.
Bridesmaid and Madame Chatenay are most appreciated.
Tulips consist chiefly of the Darwin type. Mignonette is
very good. Liliums have been plentiful save one day
last week, when supplies were short. Yesterday, however,
they were abundant, and the prices were much lower.
Hardy foliage needs to be purchased with care, as the new
growth is not well matured. Asparagus, with the exception
of A. Sprengeri, is also a little doubtful. Ivy is also
making its new growth, and the foliage is not yet well
matured. A . H., Covent Garden. June S, 1910.

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

ELSTREE AND BOREHAM WOOD HORTI-
CULTURAL.— A meeting was held on Tuesday, the 31st
ult., in the Dining Hall, Elstree Schools. Mr. W. J.
Pritchard, the honorary secretary, gave a paper on " Floral
Decorations for the Home." To illustrate his remarks he
had arranged various displays, including a dinner table
decorated with Carnation Enchantress and Asparagus
Sprengeri ; also another with Azalea mollis and numerous
vases of Roses, Carnations, &c. Mr. Pritchard treated his
subject in an exhaustive manner.

NEWBURY GARDENERS'.-The first outing of the
members took place on \\'ednesday, June 1, the excursion
being arranged to Highclere Castle, and the famous shrub-
beries at Milford. The weather, which appeared none
too promising in the morning, proved pleasantly fine, and
the gardens and grounds were seen in their early summer
beauty. The party numbered aboufeigUfc', members of the
Association. Mr. A. \V. Blak^ gardener St Highclere Castle,
acted as conductor. At five»o'clock a return was made
through the park to the '* Carnarvon Arms," where, in the
Magistrates Room, through the hospitality of the Earl and
Countess of Carnarvon, tea was provided. The party next
visited Milford for inspecting the famous shrubberies. The
Rhododendrons .vera in the full beauty of blootn, and their
delicate tints, set amid surrounding greenery, made a
charming picture. Standing at the picturesque Milford
House, the visitors looked out over the shimmering surface
of the lake, on which many waterfowl disported themselves,
across to the classic outline of the Temple, and they could
not fail to be impressed with the beauty of the spot.

396

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

rjUNE 11, 1910.

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout tlie British Islands, for the
week ending June 4. is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather.— Ovet the kingdom generally the conditions
were mostly cloudy or overcast, while showers or periods of
steady rain occurred rather frequently, especially in the
western districts. Thunderstorms were experienced at
many places in the north-west, north, and north-east of
England on Tuesday and Thursday; thunder was heard at
Durham on Wednesday, and at Southport, Lancaster and
Douglas on Saturday.

The temperature was above the normal in the eastern half
of England, the greatest excess being 15" in England E.,
elsewhere it was below it. the greatest deficit being 2-9'' in
Scotland W. and Ireland N. The highest of the maxima
were recorded on rather variable dales, but mostly between
the 1st and 3rd. They ranged from 7'2'' in England N.E.
and 71"^ in England E. and the Midland Counties to 62° in
Ireland N. The lowest nf the minima varied greatly in the
date of occurrence. In Scotland E. the thermometer fell to
30'' lat Balmoral on May 29th), in Ireland N. to 35", and in
several other districts to a little below 40°. In England E.
and N.VV. the lowest reading was 43", and in the English
Channel 46". The lowest grass readings reported were 27*^
at Crathes and Balmoral, V'9" at Markree Castle, 30° at West
Linton and Hereford, 31" at Llangammarch Wells, and
33= at Sheffield.

The bright sunshine was less than the normal except in
Scotland N. and E., the deficiency being considerable in the
western districts. The percentage of the possible duration
ranged from 33 in Scotland N. and England E., 37 in Scot-
land E., 36 in the English Channel, and 35 in England S.E.
to 26 in Ireland S. and Scotland W., and to 23 in England
N.W. and Ireland N.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week enJiJig June 8.

Frequent thunderstorms on one day. — During the past week
there occurred only one cold day and but two cold nights.
On the warmest day the tempc^ratiire in the thermometer
screen rose to 67'', and on the coldest night the exposed
thermometer fell to within 4-' of the freezing point. The
ground is at the present time 2"^ warmer at 2 feet deep,
and 4*^ warmer at 1 foot deep, than is seasonable. Rain fell
on the first and last days of the week, and to the total depth
of about half-an inch. Nearly the whole of this amount,
however, fell during thundtrstorms on the 7ih inst. Late
in the evening of that day tlie rain was falling for five
minutes at the rate of IJ inchas an hour. Shortly before
eleven o'clock in the morning one of these thunderstorms
passed almost immediately over Berkhamsted. A few drops
of rainwater have come each day through the bare-soil per-
colation gauge, but none at all throut^h that on which short
grass is growing. This is the first time this year that there
has been no percolation through the latter gauge. The sun
shone on an average for 5J hours a day, which is three-
quarters of an hour a day short of the mean duration at
this period in June. On one day no sunshine at all was
recorded, whereas on another day the sun was shining
brightly for 14 hours. Light airs have alone prevailed. In
the early part of the w*eck they came from some southerly
point, and afterwards mostly from the north-ea-t. The mean
amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. exceeded a season-
able quantity for that hour by five per cent. A large bush of
the wild dog Rose growing in my garden came first into
flower on the 3rd inst,, or two days earlier than its average
date for the previous 24 years, and one day later than last
year.

May.

Rather warm, wet and s»nji>'.— During the first fortnight
the weather remained cold, but during the rest of the month
there were but few cold days, and no cold nights. Taken
as a whole this was a rather warm May. On the three
warmest davs the temperature in the thermometer screen
rose to 75°, which is about the average extreme maximum
for the month. On the two coldest nights the exposed
thermometer registered 11° of frost— which is the lowest
extreme minimum in May since 1892, or for IS years. In
May last year the extreme minimum was, however, very
nearly as low. Rain fell on as many as 19 days to the aggregate
depth of 2J inches, which is only about a quarter of an inch
in excess of the average for the month. The sun shone on
an average for fiihours a day, or for half-an-hour a day longer
than is usual in May. The winds were, as a rule, rather high,
and in the windiest hour the mean velocity amounted to
20 miles— direction west. The wind came from some point
between north and east for altogether 344 hours, or for 14
days. The average amount of moisture in the air at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity for that
hour by four per cent.

The Spring.

Rather warm and dry, and somewhat siuwiy.— March and
May were both rather warm, while April on the other hand
was about seasonable in temperature. As regards rainfall
March proved very dry, April dry, and May rather above the
average. There was a splendid record of sunshine in March,
but a very poor one in April, whiie in May the record was
rather above the mean. E. M., " Rosebanb," Berkhamsted,
June 8, 1910.

GARDENING APPOlNTMENTSi

Mr. L. E. Bailev, for 2J years Assistant Gardener to Lord
AsHnv St. Ledgers, as Superintendent of Park and
Pleasure Grounds for the Aberlillery District Council,
Monmouthshife.

Mr, J. W. PoiNToN, for the past 2 years Foreman at Hartham
Park Gardens, Corsham, Wilts., as Gardener to O. F.
Waterfield, Esq., Cuddington Grange, near North-
wich, Cheshire.

Mr. H. Todd, for the past 5 years Gardener at Owston Hall,
Doncaster, as Gardener to Colonel T. H. Morris, The
Lodge. Halifax,

Mr. R. Stevens, for the past 5 years Foreman to E.
WoRMALD Esq., Grass Farm House, Finchley, as Gar-
dener to Captain Clive, M.P., Whitfield, Allensmore,
Hereford.

ENQUIRY.

Machine for Cleaning Seeds. — Can any
reader inform me where I can obtain a small and
inexpensive machine for cleaning seeds? W. S.

Jo
Trej.bondenU

Almond Leaf with Curious Growth : T. t'.
The leaves are affected with " blister." See
reply to C. H. under Peach leaves, in the last
issue, p. 375.

Beech Bark Infested with Insects : 11'. /.
The trees are affected with the felted Beech-
coccus. Scrub the bark with caustic alkali
wash. This pest attacks the main stem prin-
cipally, so that the smaller branches and shoots
will need no treatment.

Book on the Fig : G. C. P. The Fig, Mulberry,
and Quince, in the " Guide to Gardening
series published by Mr. L. Upcott Gill, The
Bazaar Office, Drury Lane, W.C.

Black Currant Fruits Dropping: R. S. L.,
Jemey. We find no trace of disease, and can-
not suggest any reason for the failure of the
fruits to set.

Carnation ; H. B. The white flower you de-
scribe as a sport from the yellow variety Ce-
cilia po.s3es3es good form and excellent petals,
but it is not possible to determine its value
from a single flower. You should exhibit a
plant or plants at the Royal Horticultural
Society's meetings held in the Royal Horticul-
tural Hall, Vincent Square, We.s/tminster.

Cattleya Leaves : //. E. The brown appear-
ance of the'leaves is due in a great measure
to yellow thrips, but it appears likely there is
.something wrong with the heating and ven-
tilation of the house in which the plants are
grown. The house has probably been kept too
warm at night and not sufficiently ventilated.
Cut off all damaged leaves and bulbs and burn
them.

Fertilisation of Melons and Cucumbers :
Correnpundtnt. You will find further par-
ticulars on the production of Cucumbers in
the absence of fertilisation on reference to
Gard. Chron., April 1, 1905, p. 201.

Insects Devouring Beans: .-1. H. The pests
are millipedes. See reply to C . P. under wire-
worms in soil, in the last i.ssue, p. 376.

Melon Seedlings and Fig Leaves : G. W . The
young plants of Melon have been killed by a
fungus — Mycosphserella citrullina. Water the
plants with a solution of sulphate of potash,
using 1 oz. of sulphate to two gallons of water.
Over-feeding causes the appearance presented
by the Fig leaves. No disease is present.

Names of Plants : G. 11'. it- S. Lonicera in-
volucrata (syn. L. Ledebourii). — T. N. 1,
Acsena macrostemon; 2, Saxifraga decipiens
Rhei ; 3, Saxifraga rotundifolia ; 4, S. hyp-
noides ; 5, Viola septentrionale ; 6, Sedum ter-
natum. — G. 11'. P. We do not undertake to
name garden varieties of Pelargonium (Gera-
nium). The shrub is Kerria japonica fi. pi.
— ^'. A. Sempervivum urbicum. — B. G.
Renanthera Imschootiana. A very good variety
and well flowered. — A'. F. P. Potamogeton
crispus. — IF. //. C. 1, Pyrus Torminalis ; 2,
Cupressus sempervirens ; 3, Lonicera in-
volucrata ; 4, Retinospora pisifera aurea ;
5, Populus albus (Abele) ; 6, Cassinia
fulvida. — /. ./. 1, Ruscus aculeatus ; 2, Lavan-
dula dentata ; 3, Colchicum autumnale ; 4,
Asphodelus luteus ; 5, Veronica gentianoides
variegata ; 6, Crepis aurantiaca ; 7, Celsia
cretica. — Bridge. 1. Cephalanthera grandiflora ;
2, Habenaria bifolia ; 3 and 4, Orchis pyra-
midalis ; 5, 6 and 7, forms of Ophrys musci-
fera ; 8, Neottia Nidus-avis ; 9, Aceras anthro-
pophora ; 10, Orchis Morio ; 11, Orchis,
probably 0. militaris. — H. B. We cannot
name varieties of Pelargoniums. Send
flowers to someone who grows a collection and
who is able to compare them. — .4. '.7. H. 1,
Next week ; 2, Choisya ternata ; 3, Piptanthus
nepalensis ; 4, Corydahs lutea ; 5, Linaria Cym-
balaria ; 6, Mimulus glutinosus ; 7. Alonsoa in-
cisifolia ; 8, not recognised, send when in
flower.

P.«.LMS and Bay Tiske Killed; II'. 0. Only
those on the spot could determine the cause of
the treeo dying. Ascertain if strong disin-
fectants are employed in the house, as these, if
mixed with the sewage used as manure, might
be responsible for the trouble.

Peaches: .-1. .S'., A. Brox., and F. Dunn. The
trouble is due to an excess of moisture at the
roots. Overhaul the borders in the autumn,
and see that proper provision exists for drain-
age.

Peach Leaves: Anxiou.^. The leaves are
affected with the shot-hole fungus, Cercospora
circumcissa. Spray the trees occasionally vvith
the ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate.

Slugs, Woodlice and Cockroaches in Orchard
Houses: Inquirer. See answer to Inquirer
on page 376 in last week's issue.

ST.A.RTING A FlORIST's AND FrUITEREr'S BUSI-
NESS: -Y. Y. Z. Seeing the competition that is
to be encountered in every large town and sea-
side resort, you will do well to give the matter
serious consideration before actually embark-
ing in the business. However, we have known
of cases where new businesses have been started
in towns supposed to be already amply catered
for in that particular branch ot commerce, and
in which the uewcomsr, through good business
experience and the exercise of tact and applica-
tion, has succeeded in getiting together a good
connection. Success in a great measure de-
pends upon the business quai'-iiications and
tactful manner of the proprietor and his assist-
ants. There are well-known and reliable s:iles-
men in Covent Garden Market, as well as
in large provincial towns in the north and
Midlands, whom you could reply upon for the
prompt execution of orders for choice flowers.
As to the amount of capital required
to fit up a shop such as you would require for
the class of business you mention, we are
unable to give you any idea as to the probable
cost of same without being furnished with par-
ticulars. Your better plan, however, will
be to obtain specifications from two or three
local builders, contracting to do all the
necessary work for a certain sum within a
specified time from the date of receiving the
order. Your capital should include a sur-
plus (after the fittiug-up of the shop is paid f(jr)
sufficient to carry on the business for six
months or longer from the time of opening the
shop, independent of the daily takings. Your
previous experience in the florists' business
should prove helpful to you, although we note
that several years have elapsed since you ob-
tained that experience.

Uncommon Laburnum: 11'. J. The tree is
Cytisus X Adamii, a graft hybrid. It is said
to have originated from grafting Cytisus pur-
pureus on to the Laburnum, the result being
the production, after a time, of branches on the
same tree, some bearing foliage and flowers of
the Laburnum, other.s those of Cytisus pur-
pureus, and yet others showing interme-
diate forms between the two. See Gard.
Chron., Sept. 24, 1904, p. 217.

Yellow Thrip on Vines : .7. E. TT. If the
Grapes are set and have swelled to the size
of large Peas, the most effective way to deal
with this pest is fumigating with a nico-
tine compound, but it will not be advisable to
fumigate if the Cirapes have commenced to
colour, and the varieties Lady Dovvne's Seed-
ling and Muscat of Alexandria must not be
fumigated with nicotine in any case. After
the crop is cleared, syringe the foliage occa-
sionally with an insecticide, and during the
winter, when the vines are dormant, a good
remedy is to burn sulphur in the house. No
effort should be spared to clean the vines of
this pest during the dormant season, as when
once established on the young growth it is
verv difficult to eradicate.

Communications Received,— C. N.—K. & Son— J. ^^.
— W. K. (Aberdeen) -A. E. E.— W. F. (Maidstone)—
H. C. C— J. D.-J. G. W.— F. J. K. (Cincinnati-O.—
A. P.— S.C.— W.- A. D.— C. T. D.— C. F. B., Dublin— T. M.
— H. F.-J. G. W. -W. B.-C J.— W, S. B.— H. J. C.
Ullesdplf— T. C.-B. & Sons -Director of Botanic Gar-
dens, Rio de Janeiro— R. Caledonian Hort. Boc. — C. N. —
E. M.- A. P.— T. B. -L. G, P.— R, L. C.-P. IH.— E. A.-
M. L. D.— A. M.-Plaiinus-A. B.— W. J. V.-T. H.—
W. P. R — H. G. A.— Rev. J — R. G. W.-L. O.-H. E.—
M. M. K.— M. Mc N.-H. R.-A. W.-G, L.-G. W. W &
Co.— W. M.-Enquirer-P. B.— A. R, P.— A Eeader-
Anxious.

Supplement to the " Gardeners' Chronicle."

A View in a Riviera Garden.

Printed by Temple Press Ltd., London, E.C.

Jdne 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

397

< 2 geiiera-
The result

THE

1^0. 1,335.— SATUBDAY, June 18, 1910.

CONTENTS.

Acacia on railway banks

409

Li%-erpool, presentation

Alpine gartlen, the —

at

407

Raniiricalus parnasai-

Marguerites, new varie-

folius

403

ties of

403

Ranunculus Seguieri

403

Munro, Mr.Wm., retire

Two uncommon Saxi-

ment of

408

frages

403

Neill prize, the

406

Ampelopsis and Ehus

Obituary—

Toxicotlendron, co-

Cannell, Henry, Junr.

414

louring of

409

Nutting, V.'m. James

414

Apple blossom, colour iu

409

Olearia cbathamica and

Barberry, a large

409

Leptospermum Chap-

Benevolent Institution,

manii

409

Gardeners' Royal ...

40fi

Ostrowskia magniflca..

400

Berberis stenophylla ...

409

O lip, the true ,,.

409

Books, notices of —

Plants, new or note-

Botanical Magazine,

worthy-

the

408

Aster Falconeri

393

British Floral Decora-

Rosary, the —

tion

3D9

Selected new Roses

Pansies, Violas, and

of 1909

4C2

Violets

399

Saugliton Park, Edin-

Publications received

408

burgh, opening of ...

407

Celmisia spectabilis as a

Societies —

weed

408

Birmingham Botani-

Cymbidium eburneo-

cal »& Horticultural

411

Lowianum

406

Perpetual - flowering

Cytisus X Dallimorei

Carnation

413

and heredity

397

Royal Horticultural...

410

Edelweiss

407

Scottish Horticultural

410

Electricity for forcing

Yorkshire Gala

411

plants

406

Spade work

410

Foreign correspondence

—

Stephanotis seedlings,

Control of pests

402

variation in

403

"French" garden, notes

Trees and shrubs-

from a

410

Rhododendron Thom-

Fruit prospects dimin-

sonii

402

ishing ...

409

Vegetable culture for

Holyrood Palace Gar-

exhibition

409

dens, opening of

407

Week's work, the—

Horticultural Clnb

406

Apiary, the

405

Invention, new

416

Flower garden, the ...

405

Irises, nuLes on —

Fruits under glass .-

405

Iris Acutiloba x I.

Hardy fruit garden, the

405

Korolkowii

399

Kitchen garden, the ..

404

Iris X Cengialti

39D

Orchid houses, the ...

404

Iris hybrida Isolene...

409

Plants under glass ...

404

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Agave Franzosinii, flowers of 408

Aster Falconeri 398

Cannell, Junr., Henry, the late 414

Carnation Empire Day 413

Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum 407

Iris X Cengialti 399

Macmillan, Mr. Alex 406

Nutting, Wm. James, the late 414

Ostrowskia magniflca 400, 401

Stephanotis, variations in seedlings of 403

CYTISUS X DALLIMOREI
AND HEREDITY.

AT the Temple Show an Award of Merit
was given to Cytisus X Dallimorei, a
very pretty purple-flowered hybrid
which was exhibited bj- the Director of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The plant has
a most interesting history. It was raised by
Mr. Dallimore, when foreman of the Ar-
boretum, from the crimson-winged Cytisus
scoparius var. Audreanus, crossed with the
jxjllen of the white Broom, C. albus. Two
seedlings were raised, one being the purple
C X Dallimorei above-mentioned, the other
having bright yellow flowers, like those of
the common Broom in colour, but intermed-
iate between the parents is size and other
respects. The diversity in colour is remark-
able, and is only paralleled among secondary

hybrids or among the offspring of primar

hyln-ids when self-fertilised — the F^

tion of Mendelian notation.

naturally raises the que.stion of the origin

of C. Andreanus, to adopt the name under

which it is usually known in gardens.

Cytisus Andreanus was found in N<n-mandy,
among plants of the common yellow Broom, by
M. A. Pui.s.sant, who transferred it to his
garden, and in 1886 described it in the Vevue
Horticide (p. 372) under the name of Genista
Andreana, a coloured plate being also given.
The general opinion is that it is a seedling
variety of Cytisus scoparius, and a careful
comparison of the two reveals no difference
except in the colour of the wings of the
flower, which are of a brilliant deep crimson
brown, probably resulting from a suffusion of
purple with the yellow, and the significance of
this will l)e seen presently. There is also
a tinge of the same colour at the tip of the
upper petal. A suspicion that the plant might
possibly be a natural hybrid is not borne out
by comparLson, and there is every reason to
believe that it is a seminal variation or nui-
tation of C. scoparius. It .seeds freely when
self-fertilised, and the greater number of seed-
lings retain their character, many others re-
verting to the common yellow form, while the
remainder show various intermediate condi-
tions. It may be added that a few seedlings
are more crimson than the original, and
several named varieties of C. Andreanus have
been distributed.

Both the purple C. X Dallimorei and the
sister yellow hybrid, which, for the sake of
distinction may be called C. X Dallimorei aur-
eum, have been self-fertilised at Kew, and
three seedlings obtained from the latter have
already flowered, and show marked di.ssocia-
tion of character. One has the flowers of a
yellowish white or pale primrose shade, with
a very faint tinge of purple at the tip of
the upper petal — the latter character, by the
way, being seen in some forms of C. albus,
to which it shows a marked reversion. The
other two are bright yellow, but showing a
considerable difference in the size of the
flowers. The purple seedlings are less vigor-
ous growers and have not yet flowered, but
the results should be specially interesting,
because of the apparent absence of yellow
from C. X Dallimorei.

Surpri,se has been expressed that the Fi
generation from the intercrossing of C.
Andreanus and C. albus should show this
marked dissociation of character, in other
words that it should behave like the F^ gene-
ration, but a little consideration will show
that the case is less remarkable than might
at first appear. The well-known permanence
of specific character has to be taken into ac-
count. Species have acquired constancy and
uniformity of character by descent through
countless generations of individuals. A
hybrid has not acquired this character. It
may be described as a mosaic, with its com-
ponent parts in a state of unstable equili-
brium, hence the tendency to dissociation and
reversion. A mutation may equally be re-
garded as a sudden production which has not
acquired stability, hence the liability to re-
vert to the normal. So far as its distinctive
character is concerned, Cytisus Andreanus
may be regarded as the Fj generation, and
when crossed with C. albus it behaves like a
species crossed with, a primary hybrid, in

which a similar dissociation of the characters
of the hybrid parent takes place.

A hybrid is a combination of two diverse
ancestories, and its mosaic character may be
shown when it conies to form the reproductive
cells, pollen and ovules, which unite to form
the new individual, but which are not uniform
in character as in the case of species. The
cause may be .sought in the imperfect blend-
ing of tlie hereditary particles, resulting from
incompatibility between the diverse elements
derived from the two parents, or what has
long been called dissociation of the parental
characters. A mutation is a sudden departure
from the normal, and may combine the ten-
dencies to normal and abnormal development,
resulting in dissociation of character in the
offspring, as in the case of the wing-colour
of Cytisus Andreanus when self-fertilised.
This purple wing-colour is an abnormal de-
velopment, and tlie t*'ndency to return to the
normal would naturally manifest itself when
crossed with another species, just as it does
when self-fertilised. The remarkable thing
is that in C. X Dallimorei the purple colour
has not only dissociated itself from the yellow,
but under the ditt'erent influence of C. albus
has sufl'used itself more or less throughout the
other petals of the flower. It will be interest-
ing to see if the yellow returns in any of the
C. X Dallimorei.

This is not by any means an isolated in-
stance of the heredity of an abnormal charac-
ter, and there seems no reason why the pre-
disposing cause of the original abnormal de-
velopment should not be handed on, like more
normal variations. The history of evolution
is progressive variation through succeeding
generations along definite lines of develop-
ment, and evolutionary enquiry now chiefly
takes the form of ascertaining the courses
and machinery of this progressive develop-
ment. Heredity may be regarded as a form
of inertia, a development of the organism
along the lines of lea.st resistance, which may
operate through countless generations of in-
dividuals, giving permanence of specific
character. A departure from the normal
indicates some change in the balance of the
opposing forces, which may lead to permanent
modification of the course of development.

This brings us to the question of the per-
manence of specific character, and the rever-
sion of hybrids. Tlie appearance of seed-
lings showing pure specific characters among
batches of hybrids has often been recorded,
and has sometimes occasioned no little sur-
prise. Such cases are spoken of as reversions,
and may be regarded as examples of the dis-
sociation of mixed specific characters. A hybrid
of mosaic composition, when it conies to form
its reproductive cells, may be regarded as
producing certain cells in which the charac-
ters of one specific parent alone are re-
presented, and the union of two such cells
would result in a reversion to the characters
of that parent in the F^ generation. In-
stances of the kind are not rare among the
literature of hybrids, and cannot all be ex-
plained away as errors of observation. Here
we see how such ca.ses might and probably
do arise.

The case is one of considerable biological
interest, and continued experiment might
lead to further developments, not to mention
the po.ssibility of obtaining plants of in-
creased decorative value. E. A. Holfe, Kew.

398

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

ASTER FALCONERI.*

The handsome Aster illustrated in fig. 179 was
exhibited before the Floral Committee at the
Temple Show on May 24 by Mr. W. Marshall,
Auchinraith, Be.xley, who obtained it from seeds
which iMessrs. Barr & Sons received from a corre-
spondent in Kashmir, India. On comparing the
plant sent to Kew for identification with the
specimens in the herbarium, it was found to be
identical with A. diplostephioides, Benth., var.
Falconeri, C. B. Clarke. It was evident, on ex-
amining the typical form of A. diplostephioides.
figured in the ISotan'ical Magazine, t. 5718, that
var. Falconeri differed in many points, and, con-
sequently, ought to have a specific appellation.

The most salient features which serve to dis-
tinguiish the two species are shown in the follow-
ing :—

A. diplostephioides, Benth. emend : radical
leaves, narrowed to a long, slender petiole, mar-
gin quite entire ; flowering stems bearing small
leaves which do not continue to and encircle the
capitulum; involucral bracts in a single series,
narrow, scarcely overlapping, only slightly hairy :
disc-flowers purple.

A. Falconeri, Hutchinson : radical leaves gradu-
ally narrowed to a very short, stouter petiole,
niargin denticulate ; flowering stems leafy to the
apex, about four of the upper leaves surrounding
the capitulum ; involucral bracts in two or three
series, broadened towards the base and strongly
imbricate, very densely and long pilose towards
the margin ; disc-flowers yellow.

The leaves of the A. diplostephioides figured in
the Botanical Magazine from a Sikkim speci-
men are shown as having closely denticulate mar-
gins. This, however, is due to a mistake of the
draughtsman, the original in the herbarium hav-
ing entire leaves, shortly pubescent on the mar-
gin and on both surfaces.

A. Falconeri appears to have a fairly distinct
geographical distribution when compared with
that of A diplostephioides. It is found at hi;:li
altitudes in the mountainous regions surrounding
the valley of Kashmir, reaching its western limit
(so far as known) in the Kamri Pass in the Kishn
Ganga Valley, south-east of Gilgit, and it has not
been recorded east of the river Sutlej. On the
other hand, what I regard to be true A diplo-
stephioides has so far only been found in Sikkim
and on the Sikkim border of Nepal. It is very
probable, however, that it is common in the lat-

*Aster Falconeri, Hutchinson, sp. nov. Planta cir-
citer 40 cm. alta. Folia radicalia numerosa, oblongo-
oblanceolata vel oblanceolata, inferne sensira aucnuata,
apice subacuta vel mucronulata, 15-20 cm. looga, 4-5 cm.
lata, tenuiler chartacea, remote denticulata, dentibui
circiter 12 mm. distantibus, nervis lateralibus utrinque
6 supra paulo immersis subtus leviter elevatis, nervis
transversis paucis cum costa subparallelis. Caulis
monocephalus, ad apicem dense foliatus, cijciter 40 cm.
Sihus. Folia caulinia lanceolata ad apicem acutum sensini
acuminata, basi rotundata ct semiamplexicaulia, majora
S cm. longa, 3 cm. lata, minora 4 cm. longa, r cm. lata,
Integra, utrinque parce pubescentia, nervis lateralibus
utrinque circiter 5 e costa crassa ascendentibus.
Capitulum bracteis foliaceis exterioribus 4 cinctum,
9 cm. diametro. Itivolucri bracteis sui>3-seriatje, e.\-
teriores virKles, lineari-lanceolata?, acutas, circiter 2 cm.
longa, 3 ram. lata;, extus dense pilosse, intus glabrae,
inleriores leviter pubescentes, margine paulo scarios^
apice ftliformes. Flores radii numerosi ; tubus 2.5 mm
longus, viridis, adpresse pilosus ; lamina linearis, apice
trilida, 4 cm. longa, 2.5 mm. lata, basin versus albida,
cetera subcoerulea; stylus exsertus, bilobus, 5 mm.
longus ; achasnia subcylindrica, 3 mm. longa, i mm.
diametro, parce pilosa ; pappus biseriatus, e.\ternus
tenuis et paleaceus, lineari-lanceolatus, acutus 2.5 mm
longus, minute serrulatus, internus filiformis, 6 mm.
longus, minute barbellatus. Flores disci aurantiaci ;
tubus 5 mm, longus, in medio dilatatus et pilosus',
ceterum glaber, interne albo-viridis : anthera: 2,5 mm,
longs ; pappus ut in floribus radii ; achania 3 mm. longa,
subquadrangularia, parce pilosa; stylus exsertus, lobis
1 nira. longis.— .4. diflostcpliioides, var. Falconeri,
C B, Clarke, Composit. Indie, p. 45.

India. Kashmir : Southern range, Falconer, 561 '
Tragbol, alt. 10,200 feet, C. B. Clarke, 29241 ! Pir
Panjab, D,. Stewart, 418! Gulmarg, Aitc/nson. 55!
Kaniri Pass, alt. 11,000-13,000 feet, Giles, 683' Ward-
wan Valley, Lance, 138 1 Asian Marg, Liddar Valley,
/, F. Drummond's collector, 14302 ! in Herb.
Drummond. Described from a living specimen grown
by Mr. W. Marshall, Auchinraith, Bexley, and from
a plant growing in the Kew rock. garden.

ter territory, the Alpine regions of which ha>ve
not been much explored.

A few specimens in the herbarium collected in
Garhwal and Kumaon, and several from Kuna-
war, gathered by Mr. J. R. Drummond's collec-
tor, and in his possession, appear to me to repre-
sent a third uudescribed species with the habit
of A. diplostephioides, but having broader leaves
and the basal ones often toothed like those of
A. Falconeri.

A. subcoeruleus, S. Moore, has much the

late, gradually narrowed to the base, subacute or
slightly mucronate at the apex, 6-8 inches long,
I5-2 inches broad, thinly papery in texture, mar-
gin remotely denticulate, the teeth about i inch
apart ; lateral nerves about six on each side of
the midrib, slightly immersed on the upper side,
a little raised below ; transverse nerves sub-
parallel wiLh the midrib. Stem one-headed,
rather densely leafy to the apex. Stem-leaves
lanceolate, gradually acuminate to an acute apex,
rounded and half-surrounding the stem at the

♦

Fig.

179. — ASTER F.^LCONERI, A NEW HAR
DISC FLOW

general appearance of A. diplostephioides, but the
disc-flowers are yellow and the setse of the pap-
pus are very short and arranged in a single
series, not double as in the latter species.
It is only known in cultivation, but it is supposed
to have come originally from Hazara, in the ex-
treme north of the Punjab, on the western
borders of Kashmir.

The following is a description of A. Falconeri :
Herbaceous, about 15 inches High. Radical
leaves numerous, oblong-lanceolate or oblanceo-

DV PERENNIAL PLANT: RAY FLOWERS, BLUE;
ERS, YELLOW.

base, the larger ones 3i inches long, 1| inch
broad, the smaller 1^ inch long, ^ inch broad,
entire, sparing pubescent on both sides ; lateral
nerves about five on each side, ascending from
a thick midrib. Capitulum surrounded by four
leafy bracts, Sj inches in diameter. Bracts of the
involucre in two or three series, the outer ones
green, linear-lanceolate, acute, about | inch long,
^ inch broad, densely pilose on the outside, gla-
brous within, inner ones pubescent, with a slightly
scarious margin, tapering to a filiform ape.x.

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

399

Ray flowers numerous ; corolla-tube l-12th inch
long, green, adpressed pilose ; limb linear, trifid
at the apex, 1^ in. long, ^ inch broad, white
towards the base, the remaining part sky-blue ;
style exserted, bilobed, ^ inch long ; achenes
sub-cylindrical, ^ inch long, sparingly pilose ;
pappus in two series, the outer thin and palea-
ceous, linear-lanceolate, acute, ^ inch long,
minutely serrulate, the inner series filiform,
i inch long, minutely barbellate. Disc-flowers
orange-yellow ; tube ^ inch long, dilated and
pilose in the middle, the remaining part glabrous,
greenish-white towards the base ; anthers i inch
long ; pappus as in the ray-flowers ; achenes
i inch long, sub-quadrangular, sparingly pilose;
style exserted, the lobes nearly l-12th inch long.
Dr. Aitchison, on the label accompanying his
dried specimen of A. Falconeri, states that the
roots are extensively used by the natives in Kash-
mir in washing clothes, and that the plant grows
profusely at an altitude of from 8,600 to 11.500
feet. The local name is " Sahaur." J . Ilulchin-
son.

The flower itself looks at first sight like an I.
tectorum of somewhat sombre colouring. The
sefjments are all approximately equal, and the
standards are spread out at the same angle as
the falls. The colour is the curious dull pur-
plish-lilac found in I. Loppio, and the mottlings
always found in I. tectorum are entirely absent.
Befoi-e the bud opened, my chief curiosity was
to see whether the beard of Loppio or the
crest of tectorum had prevailed, and I was
not a little surprised to find that neither has
really proved itself dominant over the other.
The white, purple-mottled crest of tectorum is
there on a reduced scale, and the beard of Loppio
appears in the brownish-yellow, hair-like pro-
cesses, which crown the top of the crest. The
verdict of ilendelism on this result would appear
to be that the beard and the crest do not form
a pair of Mendelian characters.

On the whole, I. tectorum, the pollen parent,
has had a much more marked influence than the
I. pallida seed parent. It would no doubt be
interesting to go on to the next generation by

Fig. i8o. — iris x cengialti.

{I. pallida var. Loppio x I. tectorum.)

NOTES ON IRISES.

IRIS X CENGIALTI.

When, in June, 1908, I pollinated with pollen
of Iris tectorum a flower or two of the dwarf I.
pallida, which Sir Michael Foster obtained from
Monte Loppio, I hardly expected to get any result,
for experience has shown that among Irises it is
only members of the same group that hybridise
at all I'eadily. However, I obtained a pod of
sound seed, and from this seedlings were raised
early in 1909. Of these, the strongest has just
come into bloom for the first time, and it is
obvious that the tectorum pollen has had very
considerable influence.

The leaves attracted my attention from the
first, for, although they are similar in shape to
those of Loppio, in colour and substance they
resemble those of tectorum. Of the inflorescence
it is unwise to speak until the plant has had a
chance of more complete development after an-
other year or two's growth. The spathe valves
are narrow, pointed and keeled, green at back
and scarious at the edge, thus combining the
characteristics of the two parents, the spathes of
I. tectorum being green and pointed, and those
of Loppio blunt and scarious. The perianth tube
is short like that of I, Loppio, but of the deep
violet-purple colour found in I. tectorum.

self-fertilising the present plant, but, unfortu-
nately, the anthers contain no pollen, as I also
found to be the case in another inter-group
hybrid, namely, I. olbiensis crossed with pollen of
I. Korolkowii.

I. ACUTILOBA X I. KOROLKOWn.

The result of this cross is a group of particu-
larly pleasing plants. The seeds ripened in 1907
and germinated freely for an Oncocyclus in 1909.
The young plants came well through last winter
quite unprotected, and several have recently
flowered. In habit the plants resemble small
specimens of I. Korolkowii, the brown-purple col-
ouration at the base of the leaves being present
in some cases. The stem, about 12 in. high,
bears a two-flowered spathe, and the flowers re-
tain the characteristic shape of I. acutiloba, with
connivent standards and almost horizontal falls.
All the segments are pointed, as in acutiloba, and
boldly veined with a warm shade of chocolate-
brown on a white ground.

It is noteworthy that in this case the influence
of the pollen-parent has been strong enough to
produce a two-flowered, instead of a one-flowered,
spathe, and the theory that the Oncocyclus and
the Regelia groups of Irises are closely related
would seem to be siipported by the fact that
hybrids between their members appear to be fer-
tile. W. R. Dykes, Charterhouse, Godalmii)g-

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Pansies, Violas, and Violets.*

This is one of a series of volumes on Present-
Daij Gardening, now being prepared under the
editorship of Mr. R. Hooper Pearson, and editor,
author, publisher and printer are to be con-
gratulated upon so excellent a start. The beauti-
ful coloured plates from colour-photography are
the most successful by this process I have seen.
The form and colours of the flowers are faithfuly
produced to the minutest detail.

There are many treatises, both ancient and
modern, on Pansies and Violets. Their story is a
simple one, as simple as their cultural require-
ments, although it is quite easy to make mistakes
in both. Mr. Cuthbertson is an authority on the
breeding and growing of Pansies and Violas, but
he does not go back far enough in tracing the
present highly-developed races to their origin.
Philip Miller (1720-70) wrote of varieties with
" very large, beautiful flowers," and with regard
to their colours he says, " Some have the two
upper petals with a deep yellow colour and a
purple spot in each, the two middle of a paler
yellow with a deep yellow spot, and the lower
petal like velvet; in others the petals are white
with yellow and purple spots ; in some the yellow
is the most prevailing colour, in others the
purple." Thompson's ."itatement therefore that
nothing in the way of blotches on the flowers had
been secured before 1830 must be an error.

Bedding Violas had their origin in V. lutea, the
yellow mountain Pansy- Violet. That this had been
improved and used as a garden flower long before
Grieve, Fleming and others worked on the species
is proved by Sowerby (1835), who says of V.
lutea, " This should appear to be the origin of
some of the garden perennial Pansies." We pre-
sume Mr. Cuthbertson has good grounds for the
statement (p. 21) that " pollen taken from V.
cornuta, for instance, will, if put on the common
garden Pansy, only give seeds which will produce
bedding Pansies," whilst if V. cornuta is made
the mother parent, the result will be different.
Or does he mean by " cultivated species of
Pansy " the true V. tri -color? With regard to
the number of species of Viola known to
botanists. Sir Joseph Hooker gives 100 as the
maximum, although there are many more names.

Such questions are, however, of small account
in a work intended for fanciers and growers of
Pansies and Violas, and their thanks will
no doubt be freely awarded to Mr. Cuthbertson
for the business-like way in which he has dealt
with his subject. The book is one for every gar-
dener, amateur as well as professional ; for the
Pansy family is dear to everyone to whom flower
growing is a pleasure, and, to have from a past-
master in the art, full directions for their perfect
cultivation is worth a great deal more than
eighteenpence, not to mention the illustrations.
A chapter on the Sweet Violet is contributed by
the Editor. W. Watson.

British Floral Decoration. f

Those who know Miss Maling's Flowers and
How to Arrange Them and March's Floiver and
Fruit Decoration, both published in 1862. and
take the trouble to compare them with the
volume now under review, must be astonished
at the advance which has been made. Never-
theless, March had an extraordinary popu-
larity, and the flower-stands he invented
were everywhere in request, yet to look at
the pictures in his book we can but wonder
that such was the case. Some 35 years or more
ago the late Miss Francis Hope contributed to
the Gardeners' Chronicle some papers on cut
flowers, and these were the first published essays
we have seen that treat the arranging of flowers
on sensible lines. With others of that gifted

• Pansies, Violas and Violets, by William Cuthbertson,
with eight coloured plates. (T. C. and E. C. Jack. Price
Is. 6d. net.)

t British Floral Decoration, by R. F. Felton. 7s. 6d,
(London: A. and C. Black.)

400

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

lady's contributions to the literature of garden-
ing they were republished in book form under the
title of Gardens nnd Woodlands, a volume that
every lover of flowers should possess.

Mr. Felton approaches his subject from a dif-
ferent standpoint than that of Miss Hope, who,
to use a common expression, kept flowers in
their place. Mr. Felton is apt to lose the
sens© of proportion, and would like to
make floral decorations — of the dinner table,
for instance — a dominant feature. Plate and other

we are hurried on, unable to make a pause till,
after perusing the lines Mr. Felton has taken
from some vmknown author to make his
peace with any difficult reader, we regretfully
close the book. At the same time, it would be
too much to say that the book is perfect. In at-
tempting to give reliable lists of plants the author
has perhaps erred in giving so many names that
the number is embarassing. This is especially
marked in Roses ; but it occurs also in Car-
nations and Sweet Peas, where the lists

[Phoicf^raph by IVyruihaJu Fitzhcrbtrt,

Fig. i8i. — ostrowskia magnifica flowering in Devonshire.

accessories dear to the head of the family he
would relegate to the sideboard, and we sympa-
thise with him, because we know that if this prac-
tice were usual it would render the decorations
more effective. At the same time, the tankards
and cups maintain their ancient positions in
many establishments, being regarded by their
possessors with some pride. Jlr. Felton's
singleness of purpose gives him an advantage
in securing the attention and approbation of his
readers. Moreover, the style is all his own, and

are very much shorter. There is much
need, too, for revision in the purely botanical
names. In regard to methods of producing
results there should have been fuller notes
on operative matters, the manipulation, for ex-
ample, of bouquets and other formal designs, or,
to put it in another way, Mr. Felton seems to
have written the book for experts rather than
for those whose knowledge of floral decoration is
not far advanced.
Scattered throughout the book are many in-

teresting remarks, of which may be cited the im-
mense quantities of flowers required for the
Metropolis. It is interesting to be told that
first-class Violets are not produced in suffi-
cient quantities to meet the demand, and
that great profits await the investment of
capital by grower.s who could meet that
demand. Our insular pride is gratified by
the statement that nowhere in Europe or in
America are finer flowers produced than in Eng-
land, and that France, which long held the pre-
eminence for artistic beauty in floral decorations,
is now. in the author's opinion, surpassed by the
productions of English artists. Mr. Felton de-
cidedly leans to dual colour effects, although he
does not condemn the use of a variety of flowers
of different colours in floral arrangements. It
cannot be doubted that one, two and three colours
can be arranged with the expenditure of less
thought and generally with more pleasing results
than a greater number, and it is a point that
private decorators should bear in mind when,
with the laudable desire of making a decoration
specially effective, they are tempted to launch
out into profusion in colours and material. In
connection with this part of the subject very full
lists of flowers that associate well together are
introduced, and nothing in the book surpasses
these lists in practical value. All the blends are
characterised by simplicity and good taste, and
if there is one thing open to criticism it is the
too free employment of green. Green may
strengthen an arrangement if the proper tone,
yellow, grey or other tint, as the case may be,
is employed ; but to use green just because it
is green, without duly considering that point,
is not to be commended.

Regarding the arrangement of the volume, it
may be remarked that a few principal flowers,
Roses, Dahlias, Carnations, Orchids, Sweet Peas,
Daffodils, Chrysanthemums, Violets and Lily of
the Valley are treated in detail, while in further
chapters many flowers are grouped together.
Table decorations have a chapter to them-
selves. The coloured and half-tone illustra-
tions are beyond praise. It ought to be
added that Sir Albert K. Rollit has written an
introduction, and several specialists have aided
Mr. Felton in the selection of varieties of the
different flowers. B. P. Brotherslon.

OSTROWSKIA MAGNIFICA.

This hardy perennial plant from Eastern Bok-
hara is the most stately member of the Cara-
panulaceee, an Order containing an infinite
number of showy garden plants. The species has
been known in English gardens since 1888. In
,July of that year Messrs. James Veitch & Sons
exhibited a plant from their Combe Wood Nur-
sery, and the Floral Committee gave it a First-
class Certificate. The .■species grows 5 feet or
more in height, and its flowers measure as much
as 5 inches in diameter. The colour of the corolla
is generally a shade of pale lilac, the
veins being of a darker, bluish-lilac colour.
The tint varies, but in most cases this may bo
due to the different conditions in which the
plants are grown. So far as cultivation is con-
cerned, the species needs a deep-rooting medium,
in which its long, tuberous roots may extend
freely, the best soil being a rich, sandy loam.
It produces seeds in an average season, and seed-
lings can be raised easily in unheated frames,
provided the seed be sown soon after it is ripe.
The species is seldom propagated by division, it
being difficult to divide the plants without in-
juring the thick roots. The illustration in fig.
181 (reproduced from a photograph by Mr. Fitz-
herbert) shows a group of plants flowering in
Devonshire, and the illustration in fig. 182 repre-
sents the flower at its largest size.

OstiNDwskia maenifica was discovered at an ele-
vation of 7,000 feet in the Eastern Bokhara by
a son of the late Dr. de Regel, who for a long
time held the position of Director of the Im-
perial Gardens of St. Petersburg. The name
Ostrowskia, as stated in the Botanical Magazinp.,
commemorates the services of an illustrious
patron of science, N. ab O.strowsky.

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

401

} M/'

%^

Fig. 182. — osTROwsKiA magnifica, a hardy perennial plant : colour of flowers pale-lilac.

402

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

CONTROL OF PESTS.

T HAVE just read with much interest your sum-
mary of the International Congress of Horticul-
ture, and especially your remarks on Dr. Ritzema
Bos's report (Gard. Chron., May 7, 1910).

It has seemed strange to me since my visit to
parts of England in 1904 that the Government
has not seen fit to establish an efficient service
of inspection, demonstration and other means of
educating cultivator^ in the control of injurious
insects and diseases. My observations in Devon-
shire at that time impressed me that the farmers
were badly in need of instruction in orchard
management.

I can vouch for the work of Dr. Bos and his
assistants, so far as concerns the importations of
trees, plants, etc., into this State for the past two
years. I have caused all the imported stock
from Holland to be inspected, and it has been
found to be in first-class condition.

I have found in this State — Maryland — that
public spraying demonstrations for different pe.sts
constitute the best means of educating the
growers as to the importance of such operations.
Thomas B. Symons, State Etitomolorjist of Ind..
U.S.A., College Park, Maryland, May SO, 1910.

THE ROSARY.

SELECTED NEW ROSES OF 1909.

Roses not already in commerce, or that have
not been distributed earlier than the November
of the previous year, are eligible to compete for
Gold Jledals or Cards of Commendation at the
National Rose Society's exhibition. I wiU give
a brief account of those varieties which were
honoured during the year 1909.

Nine received the Gold Medal ; 12 received
Cards of Commendation. It may be well to
mention that three blooms were to be shown,
also a plant lifted from the open ground. Of
course, in some few cases an exhibitor has con-
siderable choice of selection, and we may be
quite sure the strongest and most promising are
brought before the judges. The object of ex-
hibiting a plant is that the adjudicators may
form an idea of its growth, and this is a very
wise precauti<m. for, beautiful as many Roses
are, their indifferent growth quite takes away
from their usefulness.

Gold Med.^l Roses.

Countess oe Shaftesbury has erect growth,
and is a free-flowering variety. It is claimed
that the flowers last a longer time than most
Roses, and it promises to be valuable both for
the garden and for exhibition. The colour is a
light silvery-carmine, and the petals are edged
much after the manner of a Picotee.

Mrs. Maynard Sinton has a faint touch of
blush ; otherwise it is a shining white. It is one
of the largest Roses grown. This is a vigorous-
growing and stout Hybrid Tea, but it wall
probably be of more use in the exhibitor's box
than for general culture.

Lady Pirrie has a habit of growth that
promises to make it one of the best bedding
Roses, and it is evidently very free in blooming.
The colouration is a combination of reddish-sal-
mon, copper, and apricot most difficult to de-
scribe.

Claudius is a self-coloured Rose, with a most
delicious scent. The growth is upright and stout,
The variety is one of the freest bloomers so far as
can be judged by present experience.

Mrs. Cynthia Forde. — This is a most distinct
shade of bright rose-pink, and very promising.

From its habit of growth and free-flowering
qualities it is likely to prove the best bedder in
its colour.

Mrs. Hubert Taylor is ivory-white, with just
a touch of the soft pink found in a new-laid egg
when looked at towards the light. It is free-
flowering, and has a vigorous, upright growth.
Doubtless this will prove a better exhibition Rose
than one for garden decoration.

Mrs. E. J. Holland. — This is a deep salmon-
coloured Rose, but, like many others, it becomes
lighter in colour as the flower ages. It is a
strong and upright grower, branching from the
main growths very freely. Flowers have been
exhibited already in grand form.

Leslie Holland is a really grand crimson
Hybrid Tea, probably the best of that colour,
and of good size and shape. The growth is about
norma,l for this class, neither weakly nor vigorous.

Ethel InIalcolm has the growth of the Caroline
Testout class, and will prove one of the best all-
round Roses. The colour is a rather dull white
in the early stages, but it becomes pure white
as it opens, when there is just a suspicion of
pale pink in the centre.

Commended Roses.

Cards of Commendation were awarded to the
following sorts : —

Theresa is one of the most charming of Roses,
and its habit in every way pleased me when
growing here last summer. It is one of the most
variable-coloured Roses. Deep orange-carmine,
and veined with varying shades of pink is the
best description I can give. I believe it will make
a grand bedder, because the growth is suitable ;
the plant is free-flowering and the flower fragrant.

Climbing Lady Ashtown, in every respect ex-
cept growth, is identical with the well-known
dwarf form.

Muriel Jamison is deejj-orange coloured when
young, with a much warmer shade as the flower
expands. In growth it resembles Irish Elegance,
but the flower itself is distinct. The blooms are
single.

Thelma is one of the Hybrid Wichuraianas,
and, like them, makes extra vigorous growth,
with the typical glossy foliage, and little (if any)
tendency towards mildew. The leaves are large
for this section, and so, too, are the blossoms,
being quite 3^ inches across. The colour is clear
rose, with a touch of yellow at the base.

Mrs. Herbert Stevens has the reputation of
being an exceptionally hardy Tea, and the raiser
.says it has passed through 30" of frost without in-
jury. Very free-flowering, and, if well thinned,
'will make a good exhibitor's flower. It will be
one of the best whites (with a touch of peach
colour at the base) available for bedding.

Sheila Wilson resembles Carmme Pillar in
many respects, but the colour is clearer, while
shape and stoutness of petal are decided improve-
ments.

Duchess of Wellington is a purely decora-
tive variety, and one of the best for that purpose.
The colour is a deep saffron-yellow, with a touch
of copper. It will suit any purpose except to
climb, and may now and again produce a show
flower.

Mrs. a. E. Coxhead possesses a peculiar
blending of claret and vermilion, with a glowing
shade. The flowers have a good, pointed form,
and they are carried boldly upright. Of good
habit, this free-flowering, sweet-scented Rose
promises to be useful in any form.

Jessie is one of the most continuous bloomers
we possess. This belongs to the dwarf Polyantha
section, and has been shown beautifully in pots.
It will take first place as a contrast to such varie-
ties as Mrs. Cutbush and Phyllis, and perhaps
prove the best crimson bedder where quite dwarf
plants are wanted

INIrs. Frank Bray, a yellow and apricot Hy-
brid Tea, that apparently has no fault in habit
and freedom of flowering. It may prove to be the
best of its colour for massing.

Alexandra Zarifi is a grand single, of dwarf
but vigorous branching habit. Colour : apricot,
edged with bright chestnut-red, paling as it ex-
pands. A good Rose for massing.

Mrs. W. Christie-Miller, like Mrs. E. G.
Hill and Grand Due A. de Luxembourg, has its
deepest colourings on the outside of its petals ;
clear vermilion-rose on the outside, with the in-
side of petals' soft blush and salmon ; altogether
a fine Rose, that attracts the eye at once. It
is one of the largest blooms and very showy.
The h.abit is vigorous and branching, and in every
way the variety is first class.

It may be added that a new rule comes into
force this year. Instead of three, not fewer than
six trusses are to be staged. There is also a
Silver-gilt Medal to be awarded, in addition to
the Gold Medal and Card of Commendation.
Grower, Sussex.

TREES AND SHRUBS.

RHODODENDRON THOMSONII.

The different Himalayan Rhododendrons vary
considerably in their frost-resisting qualities, R.
Thomsonii being hardier than several others.
Even in districts where it will just pass the win-
ter unscathed, it is apt to present a thin and
gaunt appeai-ance, and to see it at its best, out-of-
doors one has to go to a Cornish garden, or the
sheltered spots along the west coast. It forms a
rather upright-growing specimen, somewhat
sparingly clothed with oblong leaves from
3 inches to 4 inches in length, very deep green,
above and glaucous underneath. The flowers are
borne in loose trusses, and are very striking, by
reason of their deep blood-red colour. Another
notable feature is the large, cup-shaped calyx.
As might be expected of a species with such
richly-coloured flowers, Rihododendron Thom-
sonii has been employed by the hybridist in the
production of new forms. One of the oldest is
the variety Ascot Brilliant, raised by the late
Mr. Standish, of Ascot, between R. Thomsonii
and a garden variety. It is a very striking, hardy
kind ; but, inheriting as it does the early-flower-
ing qualities of R. Thomsonii, the blooms are
sometimes injured by late spring frosts.

At Tremough, in Cornwall, some splendid
varieties have been raised claiming parentage
from R. Thomsonii. Particularly noticeable is
Gill's Triumph, one of the grandest of all Rhodo-
dendrons. It is a hybrid between the particularly
large-flowered R. Griffithianum or Aucklandii, as
it is frequently called, and R. Thomsonii. In
size of bloom this variety more nearly approaches
R. Griffithianum, while the colour resembles that
of R. Thomsonii.

Rhododendron Shilsonii is another Thomsonii
hybrid, obtained by association with R. bar-
batum. The general appearance of R. Shilsonii
is about midway between its parents, the colour
of the flowers being rich blood-red. A very in-
teresting and showy exhibit of these Rhododen-
drons was made by Messrs. Gill, of Tremough, at
the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society
in April last. Among the many gems was a par-
ticularly fine form of R. Thomsonii, raised at
Tremough, to which the varietal name of grandi-
florum was appliid. It is certainly a very appro-
priate name for a beautiful Rhododendron.

In connection with R. Shilsonii, mention is
made of R. barbatum. This derives its specific
name from the large hairs with which the leaf-
stalks are furnished. In this respect, however,
individual plants vary. A few years since
I sowed the contents of one seed pod, and
the young plants from these .seeds varied from
ver,y hairy forms to others quite smooth. 11'.

June 18, IdlO.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

403

VARIATION IN STEPHANOTIS.

In the autumn of 1908 a ripe fruit was ob-
served on one of the Stephanotis plants in a
greenhouse, and four of its seeds were planted.
Of the seedlings which were raised from the seeds
three have developed alike, but the fourth pre-
sents now a striking contrast with the others.
(See fig. 183.)

The former plants have become good climbers,
are approximately 12 feet in length, have about
47 internodes, and are showing flower-spikes
in the axils of some of their leaves.

The fourth seedling is erect and sturdy, shows
no sign of a climbing habit, is 1 foot in height,
with only 17 internodes, and has no flower-buds.

All the seedlings present the peculiarity that,
unlike most climbers, their first internodes are
not elongated. It is only after the ninth inter-
node that the well-marked elongation charac-
teristic of the internodes of most climbing plants
makes its appearance. Thus the internodes 1 to
9 (reckoning from the collar of the plant) are
each J inch in length. After the ninth, in the
three normal, climbing seedlings the lengths of
internode increase rapidly up to 9 inches.. In
the erect, dwarf specimen, on the contrary, the
later — younger — internodes show no greater
length than the older and earlier internodes ; but
remain from about ^ inch to 1 inch in length.

The fact that none of the seedlings shows any
sign of the climbing habit till it hag developed a
considerable number of internodes is interesting,
and may be of either biological or evolutionary
significance. If of biological interest, this be-
haviour would seem to indicate that in their
natural conditions it is desirable that the plants
should get some way up before commencing to
twine round the stems of other plants. If of
evolutionary significance, it would appear to in-
dicate that the climbing habit ha-s been developed
comparatively recently in the life-history of the
species. On this view the peculiar behaviour of
the erect, dwarf seedling is of particular interest,
for in it the climbing habit would appear to be
suppressed" altogether. It remains to be seen,
however, whether the seedling will flower, and,
if so, whether it wiU give rise to a race of erect,
dwarf plants of Stephanotis. P. G.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

TWO UNCOMMOiM SAXIFRAGES.
The more interesting and handsome of the
two plants I have described as uncommon is
Saxifraga pedemontana cervicornis, which
suggests a dwarf form of S. Wallace!. The
leaves are much more deeply cut and the
flowers a trifle smaller than in S. WaJ-
lacei, but the bloom.s being less in size in no
way detracts from the plant's beauty, and its
comparison to S. Wallacei is saying a great deal,
considering that S. Wallacei is admitted to be
the finest of the mossy Saxifragas in cultivation.
S. pedemontana is recorded as having been intro-
duced from Piedmont in 1824, but if this is true,
it must have been lost again to cultivation till
recently. The variety merely differs from the
type in having longer stalks to the Summer
foliage, more pointed segments, more promi-
nent nerves to the leaves, and more pointed
sepals. The variety is a native of Sardinia and
Corsica, being found at elevations on mountains
ranging from 4,800 to 7,500 feet, and may, there-
fore, be expected to prove perfectly hardy in
this country. The plant is not more than 3 inches
high. It produces its large, white flowers in corym-
bose panicles, and in such numbers that even
small plants are conspicuous for a considerable
distance. a!/The flowers are erect and bell-shaped,
as in S. WaUacei, this form being determined by
the long claw to the broad petals. The form of
the leaves is more suggestive of the horns of the
fallow rather than the red deer. The plant is of
densely tufted habit, and with me proves per-
fectly amenable to pot culture, for which its

short, leafy shoots render it eminently adapted.
At the same time it makes a charming subject for
the rock-garden. The whole plant, with the ex-
ception of the petals, is covered with a dense,
glandular pubescence, which gives oft a strong,
aromatic or musky odour that is by no means
disagreeable. It is more glandular than usual,
but that is a character that varies considerably
in S. geranioides, S. pedatifida, S. Wallacei, and
possibly others.

The other plant to be mentioned is variously
named S. pedatifida Prostii, S. geranioides angus-
tifolia and S. Prostii of Sternberg. It is so distinct
from the first two that Sternberg's name might
well be kept up. A specimen I have had in culti-
vation for the past two years has grass-green leaves
that are perfectly smooth except for a fringe of
long hairs on the petioles, being quite devoid of
the glands covering the leaves of its near rela-
tions above mentioned. S. pedatifida has leaves
of a dull, glaucous hue and a musky odour, while
S. Prostii is quite scentless. The form of the
flowers and the attenuated base to the petals
show, however, that its relationship lies with
the above-mentioned. The densely-tufted habit
is similar to that of S. pedemontana cervicornis,
but it is less showy. J . F.

RANUNCULUS SEGUIERI.
This valuable plant has only this year become
known to me, for, while R. glacialis is commrjn

Fig. 1S3.-

-VARHTION IN SEEDLINGS OF
STEPHANOTIS.

enough in cultivation, its Dolomitic counterpart,
R. Seguieri remains unaccountably rare. It re-
places glacialis in the limestone Alps which the
glacial Buttercup avoids, and is easily recognis-
able, at first glance, as being a very close rela-
tion. I first saw it in unfavourable conditions,
where its beauty was eclipsed by the solid, snowy
glories of R. parnassifolius in a splendid form.
This was on a high, shingly ridge in the Misurina
Dolomites ; and R. Seguieri, clustered on the
slopes, seemed a poor, obscure thing beside the
other. R. Seguieri seems by preference to haunt
rather drier places than R. glacialis ; its habit is
different, too, forming not so much a clump as a
colony, connected by a tough, resistant root-
system. The foliage differs greatly from that of
R. glacialis, being scarcely succulent, finely
divided, bright green, and even fern-like in gen-
eral effect. The flowers are large, abundant,
and of an unvarying purity of white. Under cul-
tivation it is a very amenable species, flowering
from the smallest crowns, and showing, to my
mind (or fancy) a curious reversion towards R.
glacialis, for the young leaves seem darker now
and fleshier and more " glacial " than they were
on the ridge : unfolding, they are almost exactly
like those of Viola pedata. This species, less im-

posing, but quite as pure and lovely as R. glaci-
alis, is clearly going to be a first-class plant for
the moraine, and, so far, seems more patient of
pot culture than the other glacial Buttercups.
Not, indeed, that these die or languish in pots ;
but, in my idea, their demand for root room is
so enormous that, when confined in pots, their
fibres die away yearly and new ones have to l.e
made afresh in spring, so that the crowns of the
plant never increase. In open moraine, my plants
of R. alpestris are clumps by now of some dozen
central stocks or more ; contemporary plants in
pots, from the same batch and shingle-bed, are
still, at their best, two or three small and un-
increasing crowns ; planted out, they immedi-
ately " ramp."

R. PARNASSIFOLIUS.
I must add here, too, a note on R. parnassi-
folius. This species, at its finest, is, to my mind,,
the king of its family — dark, succulent, heart-
shaped leaves and enormous snowy flowers com-
bining to make it the prime glory of the moraine-
garden, where it blooms and flourishes abun-
dantly. But the pL^it has " forms " to be-
ware of. The Dolomites give the great and'
grand parnassifolius, but my original lot came
from the high saddle of Piz Padella in the Enga-
dine. Here the species grows on scarred earth-
pans on the hillside, in dense loam, where it
develops big, clustered clumps, and seeds freely.
On the shingles above Misurina, on the contrary,
parnassifolius occurs in wet and very heavy clay,
growing as a single plant, or with two or three
loosely-connected crowns at the most. Its root-
system here, too, is not such a big tuft of fibres,
but starts from a curious, premorse root-
stock. In its whole habit this form is mag-
nificently superior : its superiority in flower
may be judged from the fact that while the Misu-
rina plant makes a not unsuccessful effort to rival
Anemone Honorine Joubert, the Padella plant
abundantly produces only the poorest apology for
flowers — little diaphanous affairs, totally devoid
of any petals, so far as a casual eye can discern.
The first year they did this I was humble, though
grieved, and attributed the fault to myself. Now,
however, that they are repeating the trick, while
Misurina plants are gloriously snowy at their
fide, I am forced to convict the Padella form,
of incurable ugliness, and to stigmatise it
a^ an. unworthy claimant to the august
name of Ranunculus parnassifolius. Beginald'
Farrer.

NEW VARIETIES OF MARGUERITES.

When I first saw Covent Garden Market, now
40 years ago, the Marguerite was unknown there.
Early in the 'seventies, however, the original
Chrysanthemum frutescens was taken in hand
by the late Mr. Herbst, of Richmond, and he
grew good-sized bushes for furnishing flowers.
The plants proved so successful that a large num-
ber of Camellias were sacrificed in order to pro-
vide accommodation for the Chrysanthemums.

After a while other forms made their appear-
ance, showing a great improvement both in habit
and in flowers, and now, both as a pot plant and
for bedding purposes, the Marguerite is grown to
an enormous extent, and charming examples may
often be seen on costermongers' barrows in the
streets of London. Among the poor it forms
with the scarlet Pelargonium the most popular of
all window plants, while in the fashionable dis-
tricts of the West End it is just as common.

Yellow-flowered kinds have put in an appear-
ance, but at no time have they been grown to-
any great extent.

Some seven or eight years ago a variety was
distributed under the name of Coronation, which
showed a decided break away from any form then
in cultivation. Tlie peculiarity consisted in the-
flower having more or less of an Anemone •Iiker>

40i

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

•centre, formed of short petaloid-like segments.
Another in the same way, and known as Queen
Alexandra, was put into commerce soon after-
wards. Some flowers of this showed the
Anemone-like centre well developed, but in this
respect there was a good deal of variation, on
account of which this particular variety declined
in popular favour.

JIatters stood thus till a couple of years ago,
but since that time new varieties have been
numerous. The first, known as Pink Queen
Alexandra, was given an Award of Jlerit by the
deputation from the Royal Horticultural Society
at the York Exhibition of 1908. In a good form
this is a striking plant by reason of the central
segments being pink, but it has proved so vari-
able as to disappoint many. Next an Award
of Merit was given at the Temple Show last
vear to a variety bearing the name Perfection.
The best examples of this have an Anemone-like
centre, which, surrounded by large guard florets,
forms a striking head of bloom. This variety,
pretty though it is in some instances, has not
given satisfaction, as the blooms are not always
true to character. Soon after the variety Perfec-
tion was distributed a pink-centred form of it was
put into commerce under the name of Pink Per-
fection. It, too, is somewhat variable in charac-
ter, but when seen at its fcest it is very pleasing.

A few good examples were noted at the recent
Temple Show, but the Marguerite that attracted
all attention there was the new Mrs. F. Sander,
which was given an Award of Jlerit. With the
group of this variety was shown a plant of Per-
fection in order to demonstrate the distinctness
and superiority of the new comer. The variety,
Mrs. F. Sander, is of more sturdy growth than
Perfection, while the foliage shows more of a
leaning towards the typical Chrysanthemum
frutescens. The flowers are, in the largest ex-
amples, quite 5 inches across, with a large
cushion-like centre, the whole bloom suggesting
a very refined example of double Pyrethrum. The
long stems of this Marguerite should make the
flowers specially useful for cutting purposes. W.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

By W, H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Milton ia vexiHaria. — In many collections
plants of this species and its varieties will have
passed their flowering stage and entered upon a
short period of rest. Immediately the spikes are
removed the plants should be taken from the
Cattleya house to a cool, shady position in the
intermediate or cool house. During the next
month or six weeks they will require but very
little water. Miltonia vexillaria is best repotted
or top-dressed in August. Plants of Miltonia
Phalaenopsis that require more root-room may be
repotted as soon as the young breaks appear.
Place the plants in pots or shallow pans as small
AS possible, as they do not care for much root-
room or any great depth of compost. Afford an
extra quantity of drainage and a compost consist-
ing of Osmunda fibre and Sphagnum-moss. Place
the plants in a shady position at the cool end of
the Cattleya house, and, when fresh roots appear,
apply water copiously overhead till growth is
completed.

Masdevallin. — All plants of the Chimsera sec-
tion of Masdevallia should be removed at once
from the intermediate house to a shaded positioti
near the roof glass in the cool house. These plants
require plenty of water during hot, dry weather,
and they should be taken down every day in
order that the foliage may be well washed or
syringed with clear rainwater.

Odonloglossum ritroinrtim and 0. Z'ro-Skin-
neri. — Plants of Odontoglossum citrosmum may
be repotted as they pass out of bloom if
repotting is neces.sory. Use rather small re-
ceptacles, such as shallow pans, and make them
■quite half full of drainage. The potting compost
may consist of Osmunda and Polypodium fibres
in equal parts. Pot very firmly, as by making
the compost solid the pseudo-bulbs retain their
plumpness better and longer during the season
of rest. • The plants should be suspended close
to the roof of the Cattleya or Mexican house,
and be kept well supplied with moisture through-
out the growing season, spraying them overhead
several times a day during hot weather. 0. Uro-

Skinneri and its variety alba thrive well on a
rather dry shelf in the cool house ; they will soon
show their flower-spikes. From now till growth
is finished afford them an abundance of water at
the root, but after the flowers fade and growth is
complete, keep the compost on the dry side.
Every care should be taken to protect the spikes
while in a young state, as they are very brittle.

Ccvlogi/ne. — Plants of C. asperata (Lowii) that
have passed out of bloom and have their growths
well advanced should now be repotted. Select
rather large pots, which should be about half full
of broken crocks, making the drainage secure
with a thin layer of rough Sphagnum-moss. Pot
firmly, using Osmunda and Polypodium fibres in
equal parts and cut up moderately finely ; plenty
of small broken crocks may be mixed with the
compost. C. iNIassangeana and C. tomentosa
may also be supplied now with the same rooting
materials, but as these species produce pendulous
flower racemes, shallow pans or baskets, that
may be suspended to the roof of the house, are
preferable to pots. Place the plants in a warm,
moist corner of the East Indian house, and keep
them well shaded from strong sunshine. Afford
but little water after repotting, but immediately
new roots push out from the base of tire young
growths, give an abundance of moisture. The
rare C. Foerstermannii, when suspended in a light
position in the Cattleya house, is a free-grownig
plant, but a difficult one to bloom. C. Sanders
must be well watered till growth is completed.

Calogyne jiandurata thrives well in a warm
temperature, but it is not a compact grower, and
it is difficult to make the whole plant conform
to pot culture. My method is to pot each piece
separately soon after growth has started, and
by leaving two pseudo-bulbs only behind each
leading growth, a strong plant may easily be
placed in a moderate-sized pot or pan, and, if of
sufficient strength, will bloom just as freely, or
perhaps better, than when all the pseudo-bulbs
are allowed to remain oir the plant. This species
may be grown and potted exactly in the same
manner as advised for C. asperata.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Royal Gardens, Wnidsor.

Coleworts. — Sow seeds of Coleworts in order
to raise plants for use in November and Decem-
ber. Seeds may be sown a week later for raising
plants to afford a supply early in spring. Rosette
is the best variety for the first sowing, but for
plants that will have to stand through the winter
" Hardy CJreen " is to be preferred. This last
variety will yield supplies just before the first
batch of autumn-planted Cabbage is fit for use.
Colewort seeds sliould be sown in an open situa-
tion, and in ground that is not excessively rich.
As soon as the seedlings are large enough, and
ground is available for them, they should be
planted in rows 15 inches apart, allowing 1 foot
between the plants in the row.

Celery. — Plants to form the main crop of Celery
should be planted in the trenches as soon as they
are large enough, and before they suffer in the
least through having exhausted the soil in which
they are now growing. Apply a good watering
to the bed before lifting the plants, and be care-
ful in lifting them to retain as much soil as
possible about the roots. In the cultivation of
Celery the chief requirement is a liberal supply
of rich and thoroughly decomposed manure. In
order to get the best produce. Celery should be
planted in single rows, because the plants can
be attended to more easily and in such condi-
tions they are not so likely to become drawn.
At the same time, if large quantities are re-
quired, it may be desirable to place two or three
rows in each bed, allowing a space of 12 inches
between the plants each way. Celery plants must
never be allowed to get dry at the roots, as this
causes an immediate check to growth and they
become more liable to attack from the Celery fly.
The best preventive measures for this pest is to
syringe the plants frecjuently with tobacco water,
lightly spraying the liquid over the foliage at
least once a week some time during the evening.

Ce/eriae. — This plant does not require a
trench, but it needs as liberal a treatment as
Celery. A liberal quantity of manure should
be dug into the ground some time previous to
planting, and the plants should be put into rows
18 inches apart, allowing a distance of 1 foot

between the plants in the row. During the
growing season it will be necessary to remove all
the side shoots, and apply liberal waleruigs
during dry weather, keeping the soil free from
weeds by frequent hoeings.

Late Peas. — The latest sowings of Peas should
be made at about the middle of June. For this
sowing trenches should be made at least 9 inches
deep, and a quantity of decomposed manure
should be dug into the middle of each trench
until they are filled to within 3 inches of
the ground level. The seeds may then be sown,
covering them with 3 inches of soil, thus
leaving the ground perfectly level. Peas treated
in this manner are not likely to suffer greatly
from the effects of dry weather. When the
plants have been staked a mulch of long dung
should be applied, covering the whole surface
between the rows. Autocrat is one of the best
varieties for late sowing, and it seldom suffeis
from mildew.

F?-eni:/i Beans. — Make successional sowings of
French Beans. This crop requires rich ground
in an open part of the garden. " Canadian
Wonder " is a good variety for present sowing.
A few rows of dwarf Butter Beans should also
be sown and treated in the same manner as
French Beans, allowing 3 feet between the i-ows
in each case.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghce, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Fuchsia. — Plants which are not required to
flower very early should have the shoots pinched,
and some training will be necessary if well-shaped
specimens are required. If the plants are not
already in their flowering pots, they should be
given this shift without delay, using a rich com-
post, and one that will allow the water to drain
through quickly. Select the strongest-growing
varieties for the largest pots. A thin shading
may be necessary for a few days after the re-
potting is done.

Canijjanula jii/ramidalis and C. isoiihijlla. —
Although this species of Campanula is cultivated
frequently for the purpose of placing in vacant
positions of the herbaceous border, a few speci-
men plants, if arranged on the ground floor of
the greenhouse or conservatory, are usually
appreciated when they bloom in autumn. As
soon as the plants commence to develop their
flower-spikes, they should be provided with
a neat green stake, and the flowers may be care-
fully looped up to the centre. Weak liquid
farmyard manure may be given at each alternate
watering. C. isophylla is a beautiful species for
suspending in baskets or pots or for using as an
edging in the conservatory, This species also
requires a manurial stimulant at this season.

Adiatitiiiii. — A. cuneatum and similar species
of Fern having made considerable leaf growth,
may be given somewhat cooler conditions. A free
circulation of air should be maintained, but cold
draughts must be prevented from reaching the
plants ; such treatment w ill have the effect of
making the fronds more lasting in a cut state.
Plants which have already filled their pots with
roots may be given alternate waterings with
clear soot-water or weak manure water. Moderate
exposure to the sun will cause the foliage to
assume a lighter shade and harden it somewhat,
which is a desirable quality in plants required
for winter decoration,

Fre"iia. — A batch of Freesia bulbs should be
potted up as soon as bulbs are obtainable, in order
to procure a display of flowers as early as pos-
sible. Select the bulbs for each pot even in size
so that the flower-spikes may be uniform. Pots
5 to 6 inches in diameter may contain eight bulbs
each, and the bulbs should be covered only very
lightly with the finest particles of the compost.
The potting compost should consist of turfy loam
and coarse sand, and each pot should lae supplied
with ample drainage. After potting, the pots
may be plunged into sand, and when growth has
commenced they should be removed to a light posi-
tion in a cool frame. The subsetjuent treatment
will consist chiefly in careful watering and atten-
tion to proper ventilation, as Freesias cannot be
forced successfully by the employment of much
fire-heat. The plants should be kept always near
to the glass, and when the roots have quite filled
the pots a top-dressing of some approved chemi-
cal fertiliser will prove beneficial.

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

405

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searle, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire.

Thinning of fruits. — If the Apricots have not
ah-eady been given their last thinning, this mat-
ter should be attended to immediately, being
careful not to allow any overcropping. If the
fruits are left at distances of 8 or 9 inches apart,
there will still be a sufficient crop for a healthy
tree to mature. Ascertain that all the fruits left
have ample room to develop perfectly. In some
cases it may be necessary to loosen the ties or
shreds a little from the wall for this purpose,
placing pieces of virgin cork between the
branch and the wall. E.\amine the trees fre-
quently for maggots, which appear to be more
numerous this year than usual, and be on the
watch for other insects such as earwigs and
woodlice ; these should be trapped immediately
they are found to be attacking the fruit. See
that the roots are supplied with plenty of water
and afford occasional applications of liquid
manure to specimens which are freely cropped.
Failing the manure water, a soluble artificial
manure may be applied, and a watering with
clear water given immediately afterwards.

Plums. — The Plums on wall trees may be
thinned if this is necessary, removing first of all
the smaller and deformed fruits. Gather any
that may have fallen and burn them, as these
may contain injurious insects.

Peaches and IVeclarines. — These fruits arc
now swelling fast, and it can easily be seen
which are most likely to develop best ; in cases
where thinning is necessary, remove first those
fruits that have set at the back of the branches,
or any that would be injured by contact with the
wall or wires during the process of swelling.
There is not much fear that any fruits will drop
during the stoning period, provided the trees are
in a healthy condition. Therefore, it is not
necessary to leave many more fruits than are
required tO' ripen. A distance of 12 or 14 inches
apart will yield a sufficient crop, but this dis-
tance may be varied according to the variety
and vigour of the individual trees, taking care
at all times to provide against overcropping.
Train in the young shoots carefully, and leave
the ties sufficiently loose to provide for the free
swelling of the shoots. If the shoots are trained
in too thickly, it will mean failure another sea-
son. Syringe the trees with clear water fre-
quently and with vigour, using a syringe with a
jet nuzzle, which can be made to give the
required spray by the operator placing the fore-
finger on the nozzle. I find that the undersides
of the leaves can be syringed best by the use of a
jet nozzle syringe. The remarks as to the water,
ing of Apricot trees are equally applicable to
Peaches and Nectarines.

General work. — Give frequent attention to the
w'atering of all trees bearing crops. Use the hoe
freely, for the double purpose of destroying weeds
and for maintaining a layer of loose soil on the
surface. Some soils are ajit to get hard and
cracked after watering, but this can be prevented
if the hoe is used frequently.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Pineapples. — Plants now swelling their fruits
will require much heat, and the atmosphere
should be saturated with moisture by syringing
the walls and paths many times ' each day.
Syringing is to be preferred to throwing buckets
of water about the house, causing the paths to
remain in a waterlogged condition. Any suckers
not required for propagating purposes should be
removed as soon as they are large enough to be
twisted out with the finger and thumb, being
careful not to use a knife for this purpose. It is
not too late to repot any plants which were not
in a fit condition for this operation when the
rest of the plants were treated. Employ a similar
compost to that previously advised, and select
a dull day for carrying out the operation. Do
not apply any manure water to the roots of the
plants which have fruits already showing signs
of colouring, but, on the contrary, decrease the
supply of water, doing this gradually. If this
change is brought about too suddenly" the leaves
will flag, and the fruits, in consequence be-
come tough. When the fruits are about half-
coloured, the plants may be removed to a cool,
well-ventilated structure in order that the fruits

may finish ripening in conditions that are most
conducive to the development of good flavour.
The autumn-fruiting plants should soon be-
gin to show the inflorescences. Any which ap-
pear inclined to continue growing instead of
fruiting should be kept wet and dry at the root
alternately, as checks of this description tend
to throw the plants into a fruiting condition.
Winter-fruiting plants may now be given a rest
by keeping the house cooler and by withholding
water from the roots, doing this, however, iii
a degree that will not cause distress to the plants.
Successional plants will require very careful
attention as to watering and ventilation.
There need be little use made of fire heat at this
season of the year, but every endeavour should
be made to use the sun heat by closing the ven-
tilators early in the afternoon, keeping just
enough heat in the water pipes to prevent the
temperature falling below 70° at night. Ventila-
tion should be commenced early in the day,
gradually increasing it as the sun gains poweV.
In the afternoon the ventilation should be re-
duced also in a gradual manner, it being un-
desirable to subject the plants to sudden increases
or decreases of heat. Keep the plunging material
pressed firmly round the pots, otherwise the soil
will dry quickly, and watering will need to bo
done very frequently.

Grapes. — This is the season of the year when
scalding of the berries is liable to take place,
unless particular care is given to ventilation and
to the re;;ulation of the atmospheric conditions.
Some varieties are more often damaged in
this way than others, such, for instance, as
Madresfield Court, Muscat of Alexandria, and
Lady Downe's. There is no better preventive
measure than paying attention to the ventilation
and keeping the vinery rather cooler during the
period which precedes the stoning stage. Later,
when the berries commence their second swelling
after the stoning stage, there will be no further
trouble in regard to scalding. Some gardeners
shade the glass, but this is not necessary, for it
will be found that scalded berries are burnt on
the side away from the sun just as much as on
the near side. Ventilation during the night
serves to toughen the skin, and in this way is
useful in preventing scalding.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicarv Gibbs,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Camellia. — Although Camellias cannot be re-
garded as perfectly hardy in all localities, never-
theless in many districts they may be grown suc-
cessfully out-of-doors if sheltered positions,
screened from hot sunshine, are selected for their
culture. The present time is suitable for trans-
ferring pot plants to the open ground in the
case of those specimens which have finished
flowering. By placing them out-of-doors early,
they have a longer season for growth and a
better opportunity to become acclimatised before
the approach of winter. They require a rich-
rooting medium and good drainage, the most
suitable soil being one of loam, peat and leaf-
mould with some road sand and decayed manure
mixed with these materials. If pot plants are
used, see that the balls of earth are thoroughly
soaked before the planting is done. Immediately
after planting apply a liberal watering, and
afterwards spread a mulch of litter over the
ground, continuing to spray the plants in dry
weather for some time to come.

C'istus. — The species and varieties of Cistus
are very closely allied to the Helianthemum,
which they resemble in general appearance, but
are more shrubby in growth. The different
species vary greatly in habit ; many of them are
adapted for the flower garden, others for clothing
a wall, whilst those of lesser growth provide
beautiful objects for the borders and rock-gar-
den. They have flowers of rich and varied col-
ouring, which usually meet with admiration.
Cuttings should be inserted in sandy soil to-
wards the end of July ; they will make roots
readily, and may be e.xpected to produce flower-
ing plants next year. The following sorts are
specially worth cultivation : — C. algarvensis, C.
corbariensis, C. florentinus, C. hirsutus, C. lada-
niferus, C. laurifolius, C. lusitanicus, and C. pur-
pureus.

Gourds. — Ornamental gourds, when properly
cultivated and trained, make interesting and
beautful objects for clothing arbours, pergolas

and other positions where strong supports
can be afforded them. It is quite time the
plants were placed in their permanent positions.
When this has been done they will require fre-
quent attention in regard to tying and regulating
the growths, and copious waterings during the
season. Syringing with clear water late in the
afternoon will encourage them to make extra
good growth and may keep the foliage clean.
Applications of chemical manure from the farm-
yard in a sufficiently diluted form are beneficial.
If the fruits are carefully harvested they will
retain their ornamental characteristics for many
months.

Sea.sonable notes. — Now that the summer oed-
ding has been completed, time may be obtained
for picking off any dead flowers to'prevent seed-
pods forming, as this will enable the plants to
make growth much more quickly. The plants in
pots, vases or window-boxes will need daily at-
tention as to watering owing to their restricted
rooting medium. These plants frequently suft'er
most during showery weather, it being sometimes
thought that the roots are sufficientlv moist
without examination, whereas most of the rains-
may be thrown off by the foliage, and, in nearly
all cases, the rains are insufficient to thoroughly
soak the soil throughout the pot. It must also
'-.e remembered that the receptacles are fre-
quently constructed of very porous material.
These plants will need careful staking and tying,
that they may have a decorative appearance from
all points of view. Strong-growing herbaceous
pereiniials planted in shrubberies and borders
may be given a mulching, and if the ground is
of a close nature, it should be forked up before
the mulch is applied. In the quarters provided
for Dahlias it will be necessary to set traps for
earwigs. Supply copious waterings to Sweet
Peas when in flower and remove the flower-spikes
as they fade, this being necessary to prolong the
flowering season. Seeds of Polyanthuses and
similar plants which it is intended to save,
should be gathered and placed in trays to dry.

THE APIARY.

By Chloris.

Increasing stocis artificially. — Many bee-
keepers who are away from home all day, or
whose bees are some distance from home, would
often be glad to increase their stocks artificially
if they knew how to do this. The following is "a
good method of obtaining three stocks from two.
Choose a fine day, when the bees are flying freely,
then take two good colonies, having stores of
honey and an abundance of brood. If one hive
contains ten frames of brood, take half of them
and, with a goose quill, brush off all the bees.
Place these frames containing eggs and sealed
brood in the centre of the new hive, and fill in
the space on both sides with full sheets of wired
foundation. The hive from which the frames
have been taken must be made up in the same
manner. The new hive should next be placed on
the site of the second strong stock, which is re-
moved to another part of the apiary. The flying
bees will take charge of the brood and eggs, and
from these latter will raise a new queen. The
second will suffer very little, as the nurse bees
and hatching brood will soon bring it up to a
good strength. Thus one hive has supplied brood
and another sufficient bees to carry on the work
successfully in the new hive. It will be a great
advantage if the beekeeper has a spare queen in
a nucleus hive. This can be caged in a pipe
cover cage on one of the centre combs, and in
24 to 35 hours she may be liberated. If the
queen is liberated at once the bees may " ball "
and kill her. In fact, they may not take kindly
to her after the time named, so that it will be
necessary to note the behaviour of the bees to-
wards her when she is liberated, and if they tug
at her legs or attack her in any manner, she must
be caged again until the next day. Failing this,
a sealed queen cell may be cut out of another
hive when the bees have commenced to build
queen cells in the new hive. Cut out a circular
piece of comb from the centre comb and in it
gently fix the sealed queen cell with the aid of
pins. The new queen cells may be destroyed
when it is found that the added cell has not been
injured. If a number of queens are easily ob-
tainable, bees may often be induced to accept one
in the evening by liberating her at the entrance,
and using no smoke ; a virgin queen introduced in
this manner is almost certain to be accepted.

406

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1010.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be seat to the PUB-
LISrtER, 41, Wellington Street, Covent (larden,
W.C.

Special Notice to Correspondents.— TA*; Editors do not
undertake to pay for any conlrtbittions or illustrations, or
to return unused communicalwns or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
lesponsible for any opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
for naming, should be addressed to the EDI TORS,
41, Wellln^on Street, Covent Oarden, London.

Communications should be writtkn on one side only of
THE PAPER, sent as early in the week as possible and duly
signed by the writer. 1/ desired, the signature will not be
prtnted,'but kept as a guarantee of good faith.

Local news.— Correspondents will greatly oblige bysendingto
the Editors 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 Editors will be gladto receive andto select
photographs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gardens, or of remarkable plants, flowers, trees, (S-c, but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

Newspapers.— Correspondents sending newspapers should be
carefulto mark the paragraphs they wish the Editors to see.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21—

Roy. Hort. Soc. Corns, meet. (Lecture at 3 p.m. by
Mr. \V. Cuthbert5on and Mr. Jas. Grieve on " Fifty
Years among Pansies and Violas.") Horticultural
Show at Liverpool in conjunction with the ,\nnual
Show of Roy. Agric. Soc. (3 days.) Roy. Oxfordshire
Hort, Soc. Sh,

'FRIDAY, JUNE 21-Midsunimer Day. Quarter Day.

AvRRAGE Mean Temperature for the ensuing week
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 60*5°.
Actual Temperatures: —

LoKDou.— Wednesday, June 15 (6 p.m.) : Max. 67°;
Min. 49".
Gardeners' Chronicle Office, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London.— 7 /mwrfa^', June 16
(10 a.m.) : Bar. 30-0 ; Temp. 62" ; Weather—
Overcast.
Provinces. — Wednesday, June 15 ; Max. 62" Chelrns-
ford; Min. 56" Scotland S.E. coast.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

THURSDAY—

Hardy Bulbs and Bedding Plants, at l.SO ; Palms,
Plants, Ferns, Bays. &c., at 3 ; at 67 & 63, Cheapside,
E.C., by Protheroe & Morris.

Evidence is forthcoming from

Forcing time to time that plants sub-

Electrfcity. jected to the influence of

electricity grow faster and
mature more quickly than others cultivated
without this influence. Though we are far
from understanding the nature of the effects
produced by an electric discharge on plants,
the large-scale experiments recently made at
Evesliam and elsewhere would appear to in-
dicate that in the intensive cultivation of
the immediate future electric culture will
find a place. Many years ago, Lemstrom
claimed to have demonstrated the accelerat-
ing influence of the electric discharge on the
growth of crops, and now the recent experi-
ments made by Mr. Newman on land belong-
ing to Mr. Raymond Bomford, at Salford
Priors, near Evesham, appear to justify
Lemstrom's conclusions.

Mr. Newman's experiments, a summary of
which is published by Mr. J. H. Priestley,
in a recent issue of the Journal of the Board
of Agriculture, were carried out by means
of a better apparatus than has been used
previously for the purposes of electrifying
the experimental plants. Into the technical
details of the electric-installation we need not
go; it will suffice for our present purpose to
say that a continuous high-tension current
was conducted along wires stretched at con-
venient heights above the plants, and, that

the arrangements were devised by Sir Oliver
Lodge, in co-operation with Mr. Newman.
The overhead wires were charged " posi-
tively," and thus the current which leaks
away from them passes to earth through the
plants growing beneath them. When the
current, which traverses the plant, thus
reaches -a certain amount, the germination of
seeds and the growth and development of the
mature plant show a marked acceleration. If,
however, the current exceeds this optimum,
a checking of the plant's activities subvene.s.
To give an idea of the magnitude of the
results which have been obtained in large-
scale trials: — At Bitton, in 1905, Straw-
berries subjected to electrification showed, in
the case of five-year-old plants, an increase
of 36 per cent., and, in the case of one-year-
old plants, an increase of 80 per cent. At
Gloucester, where, as at Bitton, the wires
were charged by means of an influence-ma-
chine, Beets yielded 33 per cent, and Carrots
50 per cent, more than the control, unelectri-
fied plants. The experiments with Wheat,
made at Evesham in three consecutive years,

MR. ALEX. MACMILLAN.
(Neill Prizeman.)

showed 29 per cent. (1906), 29 per cent. (1907),
and 24 per cent. (1908) in favour of electrified
crops. Finally, in experiment* under glass in
five houses. Cucumbers responded by a
markedly larger yield of fruit ; for instance,
in one house unelectrified, 2,477, in one house
electrified, 2,753. Though the cost of in-
stallation is considerable, for example, the
installation of the necessary electrical plants
for a greenhouse amounts to about £50 ; yet,
if subsequent experiments confirm the results
hitherto obtained, we shall yet live to see
enterprising growers adopting electric-cul-
ture as part of their routine practice.

In the meantime, w© hope that those in-
terested in science and in practice will con-
tinue these interesting experiments, and that
they will succeed not only in demonstrating
the practicability of this new method of forc-
ing, but also in discovering whether the
effects of the current are duo to the direct
action of electricity on the living substance
of plants, or whether the beneficial effects
are of a more indirect nature.

Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum (fig. 1S5).
— While some growers are at their wit's end to
make certain species of Orchids grow satisfac-
torily, others are equally troubled to make the
same species keep within reasonable bounds. In
the latter category must be placed Mr. H. G.
Alexander, Orchid-grower to Lt.-Col. Sir
George Holford, Westonbirt. Our illustra-
tion represents one of a pair of plants of Cymbi-
dium eburneo-Lowianmii, for which Mr. Alexan-
der obtained a Cultural Commendation at a
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on
March 23 last year, the one specimen having 32
spikes bearing together 155 flowers, and the
other 39 spikes with 91 flowers, both plants
being comparatively young. These plants had
been kept growing from the seedling stage
in an intermediate-house temperature. In the
.specimen illustrated, as with many other of the
Westonbirt specimens, the large number of
flowering growths in proportion to the pseudo-
bulbs is remarkable. Such a condition affords
one of the best indications of good cultivation.
Cymbidium eburneo-Lowianum is described iu
Gardeners' Chronicle, March 23, 1889, p. 363.

The Gardeners' Royal Benevolent
Institution. — We desire to remind our readers
that the 71st Anniversary Festival dinner in aid
of the funds of this Institution will take place
on Wednesday, June 22, at the Whitehall Rooms,
Hotel Metropole, under the presidency of the
Hon. H.4RRY Lawson, M.P. The Institution is
in great need of increased support, and we hope
that a large measure will be forthcoming in con-
nection with this event. Subscriptions or dona-
tions are earnestly solicited, and will be thank-
fully acknowledged by the treasurer, Mr. Harry
.J. Veitch, or the secretary, Mr. Geo. J. Ingram,
175, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.

Horticultural Club. — The next house
diiuier will take place on Tuesday, June 21, at
6 p.m., at the Hotel Windsor. Mr. C. T.
Deuery, V.M.H., will open a discussion on
clouds, rain, rivers, &c.

The date fixed for the summer excur-
sion is Saturday, July 30. At the invita-
tion of Mr. N. N. Sherwood the members will
visit Preston Hall, his residence in Essex.
Ladies are specially invited. Communications
relating to the " Summer Excursion " should be
addressed to Jlr. H.arrt J. Veitch, Royal Exo-
tic Nursery, Chelsea, S.W.

The Neill Prize. — We announced last week
tbat the Council of the Royal Caledonian Horti-
cultural Society had awarded to Mr. Alexander
Macmillan, Westfield Road, Edinburgh, the Neill
Prize for the biennial period 1908 to 1910. Mr.
Macmillan, whose portrait is reproduced, was
born in 1835, and his first experience in gardening
was gained in a market garden near Port Glas-
gow, where he served his apprenticeship. He
afterwards went to various nurseries and gardens
in Scotland and England. During the last 16
years of his active life he was gardener at
Trinity Cottage, Edinburgh, and it was here that
he did most of his cross-breeding with greenhouse
Rhododendrons. Among the varieties he raised
may be mentioned " James Whitton, " Nathaniel
Bryson," and " Mrs. Macmillan." Mr. Mac-
millan gained a Banksian Medal at Keswick in
August, 1392, medals at the International Exhi-
bition in 1892 and Gardening and Forestry Exhi-
bition iu 1893, and prizes for Chrysanthemums at
the Royal Aquarium, London, in September,
1903. He holds silver medals and five first-class
certificates from the Royal Caledonian Horticul-
tural Society, also medals and five cultural
certificates from the Scottish Horticultural .\sso-
ciation.

•Tune 13, 1010]

THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE.

407

Presentation at Liverpool. — A pleasing
function took place at Childwall Abbey Hotel
on the 8th inst., when the committees of the
Liverpool Horticultural Association and the
Liverpool Auxiliary of the Gardeners' Royal
)3enevolent Institution met to do honour to Mr.
T. Foster, who, for 14 years officiated as chair-
jnan of the committee of the association. iMr.
W. AMERCER occupied the chair. On behalf
■of the members he acknowledged the valu-
able services Mr. Foster rendered the asso-
ciation during a period of adverse finan-
cial circumstances. As a high token of their

to five o'clock. The gardens are at present in
the care of Mr. W. Smith, who has maintained
them in excellent order since his appointment
there from the Edinburgh Royal Botanic
Gardens.

Opening of Saughton Park, Edinburgh.

— Since the closing of the 1908 exhibition,
Saughton Park has been undergoing the neces-
sary work to prepare it for a public park and re-
creation ground. The opening ceremony by Lord
Provost Brown took place on the llth inst.,
in the presence of many thousands of people.

Rose garden will add immensely to the en-
joyment of the public. On the day of the
opening the grounds presented a fine light
with the bright beds of flowers, the foliage of the
shrubs and trees, and the well-kept grass of the
place. Bailie Inches, the convener of the Parks
Committee, related the history of the estate so
far as it could be learned, and paid a well-merited
tribute to the wox'k of Mr. M'Hattie. Lord
Provost Brown spoke warmly of the work per-
formed by the Parks Department, and expressed
the opinion that even more parks and open
spaces would be required in the future.

esteem, they presented him with their good
wishes and a gold keyless watch. Messrs. J.
Stoney, J. Guttridge, and C. A. Young sup-
ported the remarks of the chairman.

Opening of Holybood Palace Gardens.—

In accordance with the usual practice, his Majesty
the King has given orders for the opening of the
gardens of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, to the
public on Monday of each week, from June 13 to
the end of September. The entrance will be by
the Palace by way of the quadrangle and the
chapel, and admission can be obtained from two

tlG. 1S5. — CYMBIDItjM EBURNEO-LOWIANUM.

A large part of the property has been laid out
for purposes of recreation, but a considerable
portion will be purely ornamental grounds. The
whole of the work has been carried out by Mr.
J. W. M'Hattie, the City gardener. The horti-
cultural features are excellent, and others which
are in contemplation will make this one of the
most attractive public parks in Edinburgh. As
far as possible, the horticultural features con-
nected with the old mansion house have
been carefully preserved, but many new ones
have been added. Among these are the
rock and the American gardens, while the

[PKtJtij'zrAph Oy H. T. uumb.

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum).
— In Le Moniteur du Jardinicr, Mons. F.
CoMTE gives a useful account of the method he
adopts for the successful cultivation of this plant.
The seeds, when sown under glass, gerrain.ite
very rapidly in sandy, well-drained soil, but the
young plants are exceedingly liable to damp <~,ff
soon after the appearance of the cotyledons. C To
avoid this difficulty the young plants should he'
pricked out very carefully as soon as postiLle
after the first leaves are developed and kept
somewhat dry. After the growth of five to eitiht
I saves the plants may be transferred to small

m

408

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

lJune is, 1910.

pote and placed out-of-doors in a sunny place as
soon as they have recovered from the necessary
disturbance in the potting operations. After the
first frost in autumn they are best removed to a
cool greenhouse, where they should be kept dry
all the winter, little or no water being given
them until the small, white central bud shows
signs of awakening in February or March. Soon
after this they may be planted out in the rockery
or open border in a warm, sunny aspect, care
being taken to supply lime to the soil ; unless the
latter precaution is observed the plants do very
badly. Plants cultivated in the above manner
flower freely in May and June. They should be
divided every second season in March or April.

A Gardeners Retirement.— Mr. William
MuNRO, gardener, Kininvie House, Dufftown,
Banffshire, was recently presented with a purse
of sovereigns by the tenantry and employees
on the Kininvie estate. For the long period of 55
years, Mr. Munro has acted as head gardener.
The past 37 years lie has spent in the service
of Colonel Leslie, of Kininvie, at Kininvie
House, and the previous 18 years with Colonel
Mabshall, of Dandaleith, Banffshire. In hand-
ing the gift to Mr. Munro, the chairman said
that Mr. Munro resigned office amid every mani-
festation of respect and esteem. Those present
hoped that he might yet have before him a long
and pleasant eventide. Mr. Munro, who also
received gifts from Colonel Leslie, returned
thanks for the kindness shown him.

Celmisia spectabilis as a Weed.— The
Journal of the Agriculturists' and Planters'
Association of New Zealand for April, 1910, con-
tains an interesting article by Dr. L. Cockayne
on the spread of Celmisia spectabilis as a
" weed " in its native country. Celmisia is a
characteristic genus in the Alpine and sub-Alpine
flora of New Zealand, and comprises between
40 and 50 species, confined, with one exception,
to New Zealand and the outlying islets. C. longi-
folia, one of the commonest species, is also plenti-
ful in the mountains of Tasmania and South-east
Australia. The ornamental C. spectabilis, of
■which there is a figure in the Gardeners'
Chronicle, vol. xlv., 1909, p. 1, and a coloured
figure in the Botanical Magazine, t. 6653, like
many of its congeners, is a herb with a large
rosette of thick, rigid, undivided le=).ves, densely
clothed with a white felt on the under surface,
and the large Aster-like flower-heads are borne
singly on stout scapes overtoppina the laaves.
According to Cheeseman (Manual of the New
Zealand Flora, p. 308), this species has an alti-
tudinal range of from 500 to 4,500 feet, but it may
possibly not have been so great before the natural
conditions of the vegetation were disturbed by
sheep farming. Indeed, Dr. Cockayne states
that it has " descended from the higher levels to
which, in primeval New Zealand, it was almost
confined, until now, in many places, it occupies
a, large percentage of the ground." The zone to
which it has descended was formerly tussock
pasture land, the vegetation of which was com-
posed largely of tussock grasses, which sheltered
other herbaceous plants of more or less valuable
feeding properties. Fires and overstocking have
destroyed the tussock grasses in vast areas, and
Celmisia spectabilis has descended and taken
possession. This has taken place to such an ex-
tent as to present a serious problem to the farmer.
Unlike the tussock grasses, the Celmisia is able
to withstand fire, " its abundance of cottony
hairs reiiderjng it specially inflammable." From
the context there seems no doubt that Dr.
Cockayne intended to write uninflammable, or
possibly the fire exhausts itself so quickly that it
causes no permanent injury. At least it would
appear so, because he states that the burnt plant

soon becomes as vigorous again as ever. As to
the remedy, there seems nothing for it but to grub
up the Celmisia and foster the tussock grasses or
such other plants as would restore the pasture.

"The Botanical Magazine."— The follow-
ing plants are figured in the issue for June : —

Agave Franzosinii, tab. 8317. — This species
was first introduced to cultivation by Mr.
Francesco Franzosin, the date being a little
uncertain, although it is known to be prior to
1878. The habitat is also a matter of some con-
jecture, there being doubts as to whether the
plant belongs to Central America or Mexico.
Mr. Vicenzo Ricasoli. who first described the
species in 1888, gives Mexico as its home. A year
later it was mentioned by Mr. Philip Sewell in
the Gard. Chron., vol. vi., p. 539 (not p. 69, as
stated in Hot. Mag.), who gave some very inter-
esting particulars cf a plant in the late Sir
Thomas Hanbury's garden at La Mortola. The
writer estimated that the total weight of the

long stamens. The bark assumes an_ r_.nen-grey
colour as it becomes old.

Kalmia cuneata, tab. 8319.— This is a rare
species, discovered in South Carolina by MicHAux
prior to 1803. It was met with again in 1818 by
NuTTALL, being afterwards lost sight of until
1893-94. Seeds were presented to Kew in Janu-
ary, 1904, by Professor Sargent, and from one
of the plants of this batch the illustration in the
Bot. Mag. was prepared. The species promises
to be hardy in this country, and it blooms in
July, when few other shrubs are in blossom.
The flowers, like other species of Kalmia, are
produced in clusters, being white vi'ith a ring
of red dots at the base.

Scutellaria violacea, tab. 8320. — This species
forms a useful pot plant for the greenhouse cr
stove, the violet-coloured flowers being very
attractive, and produced opposite on the rachis,
not scattered, as in S. discolor, its nearest ally.
The plant has been in cultivation at Kew since
1900, and a note on species appeared in Gard.
Chrnn., June 18. 1904. n. 389.

Fig. i86. — flowers of agave franzosinii.

stem and branches of the La Mortola plant was
nearly one-sixth of a ton. It flowered and pro-
duced between 70 and 80 seed capsules, the
whole estimated to contain 1,500,000 seeds. He
further stated that " although other species of
Agave have flowered, none branch so gracefully
nor are any quite so superb in their dimensions."
This appreciation of the plant is held by Mr.
J. G. Baker, who terms it " the Prince of the
Agaves." The individual flowers are greenish-
yellow.

FouQUiBRiA SPLENDENS, tab. 8318. — This is also
an American species, extending through Mexico,
Arizona, Southern California, and southwards.
It forms a shrub, armed with nearly straight
spines, and it makes an effective and almost
impenetrable hedge. The poorer families of
Jlexico plant it closely in a rectangle, leaving
an opening at one end, covering the top with
brush, thus forming a hut in which they
live. The plant thrives well in the Cactus
House at Glasnevin. producing narrow, terminal
inflorescences about 4 to 6 inches long, with red-
dish, tubular blo.ssoms crowned with a cluster of

CiRRHOPETALUlI BIFLORUM, tab. 1821. — This
plant is a native of the mountains of Java, and
owes its specific name to the constantly two-
flowered scape, a character which forms a link
between those with solitary flowers and those
having umbellate inflorescences. The long,
lateral sepals are purple-dotted ; the upper ones
being concave and furnished with a long seta.
At Kew the plant thrives in the tropical Orchid-
house in a teak basket, containing Sphagnum-
moss and osmunda fibre.

Publications Received. — Thirty - Fifth
Annual Report of the Ontario Agricultural
College and Experimental Farm, 1909,

(Toronto : Ontario Department of Agriculture.) —
The Victorian Naturalist. Vol. xxvi., No. 11,
March 10, WW— Imperial Department of Agri-
culture for the West Indies. Sugar Cane experi-
ments in the Leeward Islands. Report on experi-
ments conducted at Antigua and St. Kitt^, 190S-9.
Part I., Experiments with varieties of Sugar-Cane.
Price Is. Part II., Manurial Experiments. Price
6d. (Barbados: Issued by the Imperial Com-
missioner of Agriculture for the West Indies.)

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

409

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{Tlic Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

Large Barberry. — The dimensions of Mr.
Vicary Gibbs's large Barberry, noted in the issue
for May 28, set me to measuring this morning a
bush of Berberis dulcis (buxifolia) growing here.
It is HI feet in circumference, between 17 and 18
feet high, and it was planted about k^ years ago.
The fragrance exhaled during the brief — too brief
. — flowering period is delicious. Herbert Mcix-
weH, Monrcith.

Berberis stenophylla.— It may be inter-
esting to cite a specimen of this shrub, of similar
dimensions to that mentioned by the Hon. Vicary
Gibbs (see p. 345). It was planted about a
quarter of a century ago by the late Mr. C. R.
Bick, gardener to Walter Chamberlain, Esq. (a
younger brother of the Right Hon. Joseph Cham-
berlain), at Harborne Hall, Harborne, Birming-
ham. The site is well sheltered from north and cast
winds by a screen of tall shrubs in the extensive
and beautiful pleasure grounds. From an early
period of its installation I have had the privilege
of frequently admiring and noting its annual
growth, and, some months ago, I found it to
measure about 98 feet in circumference and
14 feet in height. It would, however, have
attained to even a greater size had it not been
curtailed by the too close proximity of an im-
mense bush of the Mock Orange (Philadelphus
coronarius), and by frequent cutting to prevent
too rapid an encroachjnent upon the narrow
flower border. But in recent years it has been
allowed to extend on to the sloping lawn, where
it finds a more appropriate setting than that of
the b .re earth. The original growth of the dense
■centrt of the bush is exhibiting evidences of
decay. Wi/liaiii Uardhier, Ifrirborne.

Acacia on Railway Banks. — The Acacia
mentioned in Air. George Paul's note is, I believe,
Robinia Fseudacacia. The reason for planting
this variety on the banks of the French railways
is that the fibrous roots may keep the ground in
position and render landslips impossible. They
are grown as bushes to leave a clear view of the
metals. The flowers are well known as a table
delicacy. They are dipped in batter, then fried
in butter, and served with sugar sifted over
them. P. Aquallaf.

Colour in Applf Blossom. — The .4pple
mentioned by Mr. W. Earley, on p. 371, was de-
cided to be Costard by the committee of the Apple
Congress in 1883. I have no doubt, from his
description, that he refers to the same variety.
It is the finest I have seen for the colour of its
blossoms. A large tree of this variety formerly
grew at Burghley, and the late Mr. R. Gilbert
esteemed it very highly as an early kitchen
.\pple, chiefly on account of its heavy and con-
tinuous croppin.g. I remember this tree bore
9 cwt. of fruit in 1881, and most of the crop was
sold wholesale, when gathered, at 10s. per cwt.
This WIS a good return from a piece of gi'ound
about 120 square yards in extent. The tree
flowered abundantly every year, and it was a
beautiful picture when in bloom. Unfortunately,
it was cut down a short time after Mr. Gilbert's
death. There has been much confusion about
the name of this variety. It had been called
Catshead at Burghley previous to the Apple Con-
gress, as Jlr. Earley distinguishes it now. The
■Catafoijuc of the JHorticultural Society, by R.
Thompson, 1842, makes Catshead and Costard
synonymous, and then gives Catshead Round,
which, I presume, is the variety now under dis-
cussion. Scott's Orr/ior;}ixt, 2nd edition (1874),
describes Catshead as round and irregular in out-
line, and Costard as " long and somewhat
square." Thus he is in opposition to the com-
mittee of the Apple Congress. Unfortunately,
the compilers of the llcporl of the Congress give
only meagre descriptions, and omit the chief
characters for identification, viz., the eye and
the carpels. The Fruit Manila/ [5th edition,
1884] describes Catshead as " three inches
and a quarter broad, .md the same in height,
oblong, nearly as broad at the apex as at the
bSse.' This is in agreement with the Ihporl
of the Apple Congress ; but I cannot find Mr.
F.arley's Apple in the Fruit Manual. It is
neither Ciloucestershire Costard nor Hereford-
shire Costard, as described in that work. It

says, " The true Costard is now rarely to be met
with, but at an early period it must have been
very extensively grown, for the retailers of it
were called Costardmongers, an appellation now
transformed into costermongers." It is men-
tioned by William I^awson, in 1597, who, in his
quaint style, says: "Of your Apple trees you
shall find difference in growth ; a good Pipping
will grow large, and a Co.stard tree, stead them
on the north side of your other Apples." This
character of free grovfth corresponds with the
large tree at Burghley, and I conclude that it
and Mr. Earley's were the old Costard mentioned
by the above W. Lawson in 1597, which Dr.
Hogg said " is now rarely met with." If this
Apple is in existence anywhere, it is worth some
trouble to preserve it, on account of its beautiful
flowers. I quote a description of the fruit
which was written in 1887 from fruits off the
tree at Burghley : " Eye closed, set in a narrow,
ribbed basin ; stalk long and thin ; skin light
green on the shady side, dull purplish red next
the sun, changing as it gets riper; fruit some-
times much ribbed and very uneven ; tree a
strong grower and a sure bearer ; bloom a beauti-
ful deep red and large; flesh white, soft, juicy,
moderately acid when ripe ; a good cooking
Apple; ripe at Burghley early in October, 1887."
In the collection here, which numbers 173 varie-
ties, I have nothing to equal the above variety
for beauty of blossom. The better varieties, in
their proper order, are : Lincoln Holland Pippin,
Sandringham, Lane's I^rince Albert. Golden
Spur, W inter Hawthornden, and Rosemary Rus-
set. II'. //. Divers, Belcoir Ca.<lle Ganlens,
Grantham.

OlEARIA CHATHAMICA AND LePTOSPERMU M

Chapmanii. — Olearia chathaiuica is now in
full flower in my garden. It is one of a number
of beautiful plants introduced into this coun-
try by Capt. A. Dorrien Smith in 1908. JMy
I-Uint is from 3 to 4 feet high, and as
much through. Its leaves are from 4 to 6 inches
long and about 2 inches broad, lanceolate, very
thick and coriaceous, glabrous above, and soft-
wliite tomentum beneath. Its flower-heads are
solitary, 2 inches in diameter, ray florets laven-
der, disc florets dark purple. It is a plant well
worthy of a place in the milder parts of this
country, and it is quite distinct from any of the
Olearias I have yet seen. It grows best in a some-
what damp position in partial shade. Another in-
teresting plant I have now in flower (also from
New Zealand) is Leptospermum Chapmanii. Its
leaves are .somewhat similar to L. scoparium, but
of a more coppery colour. The flowers are crim-
son, and, therefore, a pleasing contrast to the
ordinary white forms, and quite distinct from
Leptospermum Nichollii, which has blood-red
flowers. This I flowered last year. A. 11., Ludg-
van, Cornwall.

Exhibition Vegetable Culture. — I can

assure Mr. Gooding that I am not out of sym-
pathy with my employer in respect to vegetable
culture. What I tried to put before the readers
of the Gardeners^ Chronicle (see p. 296) was the
fact that the present method of cultivating vege-
tables for exhibition was so artificial as com-
pared to that practised with the crops for
home consumption, as to be misleading to the
ordinary person. I stated, that in consequence
the exhibits provided grounds for friction
between employer, gardener, and seedsman, be-
cause those who do not realise the methods
adopted to obtain vegetables of exhibition
quality are likely to be dissatisfied with their
own produce. Mr. Gooding would have the
readers of this journal to think that vegetables
grown for exhibition do not entail much ex-
pense. I am afraid that what Mr. Gooding says
on this point will not be accepted by those who
know even a little on the subject. Mr. Gooding
says he has never heard of the use of glass tubes
and miniature boxes for Leeks. I note that
Exhibitor differs with most exhibitors in re-
gard to the preparation of the ground for
special crops. He says: "If the ground
is thoroughly prepared " (not especially pre-
pared) " specimens will be obtained, not in-
ferior but probably better suited for cook-
ing than exhibition produce." Is not this
strong evidence coming from an exhibitor, too?
What does this exhibitor mean about the pre-
paration of the land? I should have thought that
ground specially prepared was thoroughly pre-
pared, but it seems I am wrong. I fancy I see

such men as Messrs. Beckett and Gibson smils
when they read that if Leeks are planted in
proper trenches they will develop 6 to 8 inches
long, and approaching 2 inches in diameter ! I
wonder what Scotch growers are thinking who
produce Leeks 20 inches long! A. U. should
know better than say that exhibition Cauliflowers,
Potatos and Beans need only ordinary culture.
Does he mean Cauliflowers planted 4 "feet apart
mounted about the stems with manure and daily
supplied with water, or Potatos 4 feet apart,
Tomatos thinned from 12 fruits on a bunch to two,
and Beans planted 15 inches apart in the rows?
Is this ordinary culture? Is it economical? Are
small men on an equality in such matters with
those who control the larger gardens? Another
exhibitor (p. 339) says in criticising my remarks:
" Mere size is of little importance with present-
day exhibitors or judges, but high-class quality
is insisted upon." I would ask what is high-
class quality in Onions, Leelcs, Celery, Runner
Beans and Peas if size does not count?" In every
instance size stands first, but it must be con-
nected with other attributes. Exhibitor, in con-
clusion, admits there are two sets of vegetables — •
those for table use and the ideal type of vegetable.
It is to this I take objection, the artificial pro-
duction, by the lavish expenditure of space and
time, of vegetables that are not the best for
house consumption, as admitted by Exhibito):
Practiral.

Colouring of Ampelopsis and Rhus
Toxicodendron (see p. :31S).— If Mr. Smith
will call here in the autumn I will show him a
specimen of colouring in Ampelopsis upon (ur
church tower, with a full northern exposure, that
may perhaps surprise him, or if he will call on
Mr. E. Beckett at Aldenham in September (and
I am sure he will be welcome) he can see Rhus
Toxicodendron growing on a northerly site that
could scarcely be excelled in its colouring. My
experience leads me to say that it very often
happens that some plants colour much more
richly on other aspects than they do on a southern
exposure. On a west wall here, Ampelopsis
hederacea has a much richer tint than plants
growing on a southern wall. Has not .soil some-
thing to do with colour in leaves, flowers and
fruit? When I grew Chrysanthemums I thought
blooms from this district were a shade or two
deeper in their various tints than the same varie-
ties contributed from some other locality. I find
it the same in Apples. Bramley's Seedling and
Worcester Pearmain become quite crimson in
some seasons. E. Moli/neux, Hwanrnore Park,
Bishop's Waltham.

Iris hybrida Isolene.— In your report of the
R.H.S. meeting (p. 391), you state that Iris
hybrida Isolene, for which we received an Award
of Merit, was raised by the late Sir Michael
Foster. Doubtless, we ourselves gave your re-
porter this wrong impression. The variety,
however, is one introduced by Messrs. Vilmorin
& Andrieux, of Paris, and we shall be glad if
you will mention this fact, as we do not wish to
rob them of any credit in the matter. li.
Wallace <t- Co.

Diminishing Fruit Prospects. — Our fruit
prospects here are somewhat similar to those of
A Southern Grower. Although Currants and
Gooseberries are a good average crop, Apples
and Plums are very patchy. In regard to
Apples and Plums, some varieties did not flower
at aU ; but in other cases, where the trees
flowered well, much of the fruit has since fallep.
Cherries, especially Jlorellos, have set well
and look promising for a heavy crop. Pears
are a moderate crop, while Strawberries
and Raspberries bear heavy crops. Wihnot
H. Yates, Rotherfield Park Gardens, Alton,
Hants.

The True Oxlip. — Should not a protest be
made against the custom of calling Primula
elatior (Jacq.) the " true " Oxlip? Oxlip is an
English word which for centuries has been used
to designate the hybrid between P. vulgaris and
P. officinalis. It is the Oxlip of Gerarde, Parkin-
son and Ray, the " bold Oxlip " of Shake.speare,
for he would be bold indeed who would dare to
apply that adjective to P. elatior with its droop-
ing trusses of rather insignificant flowers. To
almost the middle of the last century whenever
the Oxlip is mentioned we can safely refer it to
the common hybrid form which crops up where
Cowslips and Primro.-;es grow together. B.

410

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

Spade Work (see p. 318).— Certainly a team
of U a-side would be a novel competition at a
village flower show. There are several reasons
though why this suggestion could not be carried
out. In some gardens a spade is almost un-
known. I rarely see one in this district, be-
cause the soil is quite unsuited for such
a tool. A four-pronged fork has to be used,
owing to the presence of many stones and
to the heavy soil. I know the Liscard dis-
trict well, and there a spade is the universal
tool. Men in that locality are experts in the
use of the spade, therefore I am not surprised to
see Mr. Canning's note. In his district speed in
digging is an important matter, as the soil is
mainly composed of sand; expert diggers there
never think of putting their foot upon the
spade. It matters but little whether the
ground is dug 6 inches or 18 inches deep for
some crops — Radishes, for example, and they are
or were largely grown. Circumstances are quite
different here. To move the soil 2 feet deep, or
more, is a gain, but the bottom soil must be left
where it is after loosening it to admit of a free
percolation of water. These are the salient
points in land cultivation here, and a spade is
a useless article. A small shovel is better for
taking out the loose soU. E. Mcli/neux.

NOTES FROM A "FRENCH" GARDEN.

All the old manure beds have now been
cleared of their last crop, which consisted of
Cauliflowers. Two beds have been thrown into
one bed of 11 feet wide by digging the path in
the centre level with the sides. They are either
planted with Endive (La Rouennaise), 12 rows
in a bed, at 10 inches apart in the row, or with
Celery Chemin or Winter Green, putting 10
rows to a bed, 14 inches distant in the row.
Cauliflowers sown in j\lay will be planted among
the Endives when these are well established.
Some growers insert one row of Cabbage Let-
tuces or Cos Lettuces between each row of Celery,
but this is only done where there is a demand
for these crops late in July or early in August.
The crops require frequent, but light waterings
early in the morning or late at niglit.

The crop of Carrots grown on the old cloche
beds has nov/ been cleared. The Carrots are to
be followed by the Cauliflowers set among them
after the first batch of Cos Lettuces in the middle
of April. Cauliflowers need abundant and heavy
waterings when the heads are forming. They
will be ready by the middle of July, and the
ground will then be available for a late batch
of Carrot (Bellot) for the October market.

The batch of Cos Lettuces outside has been
marketed with little profit, though they were
splendid specimens. The ground is now prepared
in trenches as for the Melons, for planting Tele-
graph Cucumbers under cloches. These will be
replaced with the frames and lights from the
Melons whenever possible.

The Cucumbers receive careful attention as to
watering and pruning to encourage a rapid
development of fruits, as the period of fruiting is
very short, say, till September 20 or 25.

Melons are now swelling and give every pro-
mise of a prolific crop. The pruning takes very
little time, as the swelling of the fruits prevents
much growth. The soil is kept just moist in
Older to avoid splitting of the fruits in the ripen-
ing stage. Ventilation is given freely day and
night, and no covering is necessary. Where this
crop is extensively grown, great difficulties and
losses may be incurred, as no gixids can be de-
spatched to the market from Friday night till
Monday night, and there is possibility of a glut
at Tuesday's market.

Although it is premature to draw plans for
next season's work, those contemplating an in-
crease of material, especially imported cloches
and mats, should place their orders so that the
manufacturers can deliver the goods before Sep-
tember. The mats are sent dry after the sul-
phating, and this cannot always be guaranteed
when ordering in the winter.

Where an extension of the ground or an altera-
tion in the laying out is intended it will not be
too early to start laying the irrigation and the
drain pipes to have everything in readiness when
the season of sowing starts in October. P.
Aquatias. ^

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.
Scientific Committee,
June 7.— P/'f.-i'»<.- E. A. Bowles, Esq.. M.A.,
F.L.S. (in the Chair); Sir Albert RoUit, D.C.L.,
Sir Arthur Church, K.C.V.O., F.R.S., Dr. A. B.
Rendle, F.R.S., Messrs. J. Eraser, F.L.S., W.
Hales, R. H. Pearson, J. T. Bennett-Poe, M.A.,

E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., W. Fawcett, F.L.S., and

F. 3. Chittenden, F.L.S. (hon. sec).
Nomenclature of garden plants. — It was re-
ported that the recommendations sent to the
Horticultural Congress at Brussels, at which
the R.H.S. was represented by Mr. E. A.
Bowles and Dr. A. B. Rendle, had been ac-
cepted with scarcely any modifications. These
recommendations followed the rules for the
nomenclature of flowering plants passed at the
Vienna Congress of 1935, with the additions nects-
sary to make them apply to garden varieties and
hybrids. They will be published in extenso in
due course.

Rose de Madera. — Sir Albert Rollit showed
a specimen of the " Rose de Madera " or " Rose
de Palo " from Guatemala. The specimen was a
woody growth somewhat resembling an open Rose
about 3 inches in diameter, at the end of a branch
about Ij inch in diameter. These formations are
the result of the attack of a parasite, in this case
probably a species of Phoradendron, on a flower-
ing plant, inducing a considerable development
of tissue in the host. Later, the parasite dies and
decays, leaving the tissue of the host intact,
showing the impressions where the sucker-like
organs of the parasite were in intimate contact
with the host. The growths are well figured in
Engler's Pflanzenfamilien, Abt. I., p. 161.

Fungus on roof. — Mr. Hales showed a speci-
men of a fungus w-hich was growing in quantity,
depending from the roof of Chelsea Old Church.
Dr. Rendle took it for further examination.

S'axifraga Geum, die— Mr. John Fkaser
showed seedlings of Saxifraga Geum var. Col-
vilei, illustrating the great range of variability
possessed by seedlings, and the probability of the
hybrid origin of some forms. There were 78
seedlings in all, of which some had yet to flower.
Of those that had flowered three were like the
seed parent, two were hybrid forms of S. um-
brosa, 20 were broad-leaved forms of S. Geum
dentata, two had the primary flowers i inch in
diameter, 17 had creamy-white ovaries, two^were
like S. Geum elegans, and five were like S. Geum
serrata. Considerable difficulty was often experi-
enced in classifying the forms of this section,
since the plants produce two sets of leaves, unlike
one another in the spring and autumn respec-
tively, and botanists had described foliage with-
out reference to the season.

Iris with bearded standardi'.— 'SU-. Bowles
drew attention to an Iris shown by Mr. Peery, a
seedling raised by the late Sir JIiohael Foster,
having the spathe valves of Iris pallida, and
probably a seedling from that species, but with
a forked stem. The standards were somewhat
drooping instead of being erect, and each had on
its upper surface a small amount of bearding
similar to that on the falls, but less in extent.

Hybrid Friniula.?.— Messrs Jas. Veitch &
Sons, Chelsea, sent hybrids of Primula pulvcru-
lenta and P. Cockburniana, together with the
parents for comparison. The series was as fol-
lows ; — •

1. P. pulverulenta ? x P. Cockburniana n
= P. X "Unique " ; and (2) the reciprocal
cross, giving P. X Unique and P. X
Unique improved.

3. P. Cockburniana ? X P. Unique <f = P.

X " Excelsior." This form has bright
flowers nearly approaching P. Cockbur-
niana, but distinct and, like the other two
before mentioned, perennial, whereas P.
Cockburniana is biennial.

4. P. pulverulenta ? X P. Unique S = an

unnamed form approaching P. pulveru-
lenta in colour, but of a shade intermediate
between its two parents.

5. P. X " Excelsior " S x No. 4 J = an

unnamed seedling almost exactly like P. X
Unique, and as its history shows the result
of combining P. pulverulenta and P. Cock-
burniana in equal proportions.

6. P. X " Excelsior" s x P. Cockburniana <?
= an unnamed seedling almost identical
with P. Cockburniana, but whether peren-
nial or not has not yet been ascertained.

Cheiranthus hybrid. — J. S. Arkwright, Esq.,
of Lyonshall, Herefordshire, sent a hybrid be-
tween Cheiranthus Allionii ? and C. alpinus'
Five or six flowers had been crossed by him in
1908, but only one pod, and from that only one
plant, had been obtained. The plant was very
vigorous, being bushy, and measuring about
18 inches through ; it had been flowering for
a month. The flowers were bright orange, but
not so deep as those of C. Allionii. In the bud
they were dark purple, like those of C. alpinus,
contrasting markedly with the orange coloured
flower. The plant was shown under the name C.
X Arkwrightii. It may be readily increased by
cuttings.

C'rotus .iatiriii. — In reply to a request for in-
formation regarding the cultivation of the Saffron
Crocus, Mr. A. W. Hill, M.A., sent the follow-
ing report : —

The Saffron Crocus is said to have been in-
troduced into England during the reign of Ed-
ward HI. (A.D. 1327-1377). Two centuries later
English Saffron was even exported to the Con-
tinent, for in a priced list of the spices sold by
apothecaries of the north of France, A.D. 1565-
1570, mention is made of three sorts of Saffron,
of which " Safren d'Engleterre " is the most
valualjle. It was evidently produced in consider-
able quantili:.?. for in 1532 we find in the
tariff of the Apolheke, of Celle, Hanover, Crocus
austriacus optimus, and Crocus communis an-
glicus.

In the beginning of the 18th century (17^3-28),
the cultivation of Saffron was carried on in wdiat
is described by a contemporary writer as " All
that large tract of ground that lies between Saf-
fron Walden and Cambridge, in a circle of about
10 miles diameter." The same writer remarks
that Saffron was formerly grown in several other
counties of England. The cultivation of the
Crocus about Saffron Walden, which was in full
activity in 1594, had ceased in 1768, and about
Cambridge at nearly the same time. Yet the
culture must have lingered in a few localities, for
in the early part of the 19th century a little
English Saffron was still brought every year from
Cambridgeshire to London, and sold as a choice
drug to those who were willing to pay for it.

At the present day, this product is chiefly
produced in Spain, the commercial variety dis-
tinguished as Best Valencia realising from 42s. to
42s. 6d. per lb. (April 23 last).

According to the latest reports from Spain,
supplies are difficult to obtain, and as a large
proportion of the bulbs have been destroyed by
drought, the outlook for the next crop is serious.
A considerable quantity of Saffron is annually
produced in Persia, but little or none of this
finds i.s way into European commerce.

SCOTTISH HORTICULTURAL.

June 7. — The monthly meeting of this associa-
tion was held on this date. Mr. Whytock, the
president, presided, and there was an attendance
of 70 members. Before commencing the business,
the Chairman referred to the great loss which
the nation had sustained in the death of King
Edward VII., and it was agreed to send to his
Majesty King George V. a letter of condolence
with his .Majesty and of congratulation on his
accession to the throne.

A lecture on insect pests, with limelight Ulus-
tratious, was delivered by Mr. Geo. E. Green-
how, Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of
Agriculture. Mr. Greenhow gave an exhaustive
account of the life histories of the chief insect
enemies of the gardener, and of the means which
had been found most effective in combating them.
He pointed out the necessity for distinguishing
between biting insects, like caterpillars, whose
food required to be poisoned, and sucking insects,
like aphides, which required to be asphyxiated.
He explained the formulae for the most effective
sprays and w'ashes.

Awards of merit were granted by the Adjufli-
cating Committee to Regal Pelargoniums Exmuuth
Rival, Dairymaid, and Lady Decies, exhibited by
Mr. John Downie, Edinburgh. The other ex-
hibits were : — Collection of Regal Pelargoniums

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

411

from Mr. Downie ; Calceolaria Clibranii from
Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Edinburgh ; Ox-Eye Daisy
Early Queen, from Mr. E. Baillie, Stenhouse,
Midlothian ; Fuchsia Gertrude de Pearson, from
Messrs. Dickson & Co., Edinburgh ; May-fiower-
ing Tulips, from Mr. E. Matthews, Manor
House, Musselburgh ; flowers of Primula ob-
conica hybrids, from Mr. D. W. Thomson, Edin-
burgh ; Ferns, from .Messrs. James Grieve &
Sons, Edinburgh ; Streptosolen Jameeonii, from
Mr. W. STAW.tRD, Belford, Northumberland ;
Heuchera gracillima var. " Posie " from Mr. A.
PoRiu, Davidson's Mams ; various flowers, from
Mrs. Algie, HoUymount, Co. Mayo.
Eleven new members were elected.

YORKSHIRE GALA.

BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL AND
HORTICULTURAL.

June 8. — The Hrst of two special shows ar-
ranged to be held at the Botanical Gardens,
Edgbaston, during the present summer, took
place on the above date. The weather was fine
and warm, and the show was well supported.
The outstanding feature was a splendid ex-
hibit of Orchids, from W. Waters Butler,
E q., Southfield, Edgbaston (gr. Mr. R. H. Jones).
Noteworthy examples were Miltonia Bleuana, M.
Phalsenopsis with 22 spikes of flowers, Cattleya
Mossia; Golden Sheen, V. Wellsiana, C. Skinneri,

C. Mendelii White Lady, Laelio-Cattleya Aphro-
dite, Cypripedinin bellatulum, C. concolor,
Thunia Alarshaliiana, T. Winniana, Cymbidium
Lowianum, Odontoglossum crispum Jeannette, 0.
triumphans nigrescens, Calanthe veratrifolia, and
Masdevallias. (Gold Medal.)

The Right Hon. Josei'H Chamberlain, M.P.,
Highbury, Birmingham (grower Mr. John Mac-
kay), sent a group of Orchids consisting princi-
pally of Cattleyas, Miltonias, Epiphronitis
Veitchii, JIasdevallias, Lycastes, Odontoglos-
sums, Cochlioda Noezliana. and a very well-
flowered plant of Anguloa Clowesii. (Silver-gilt
Medal.)

Sir George H. Kenrick, Whetstone, Edgbas-
ton (gr. Jfr. J. V. Macdonald), showed a hand-
some group of Miltonia vexillaria. (Silver
Medal.)

Richard Fen wick, Esq., Edgbaston, showed a
group of well-grown and well-arranged Odonto-
glossums, together with a number of pans of in-
sectivorous plants. (Silver Medal.)

Jlessrs. IMansell & Hatcher, Rawdon, Leeds,
hud a well-arranged group of Orchids, in which
superb varieties of Odontoglossum crispum and
0. Pescatorei formed a bold centrepiece. Pha-
la;nopsis Rimestadiana, Coelogyne pandurata, a
large unnamed Acinata, Dendrobium velutinum,

D, thyrsiflorum, Lcelio-Cattleya Canhamiana,
Brassia verrucosa, and Physosiphon Loddigesii
were exhibited in splendid condition. (Silver-
gilt Jledal.)

Robert Sydenham, Ltd., Birmingham, showed
a selection of Sweet Peas in rustic silver stando..
(Bronze iledal.)

Jlessrs. Gunn & SONS. Olton, Birmingham, ex-
hibited a large group of tall pillar Roses, covered
with great clusters of floivers. In another part of
the hall, ilessrs. Gu.NX showed a selection of
Pyrethrums. Poppies, Sweet Peas, and Viola
cornuta purpurea in good condition (Silver-gilt
Medal,)

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, had a large
and effective exhibit of Oriental Poppies, Pyre-
thrums, Lupins, and Violas. (Silver Medal.)

Mr. George Prince, Longworth, Berks., sent
a well-arranged group of cut Roses. The best
varieties included Marechal Niel, Laurette, Lady
Ashtown, and Queen Mab. (Silver Medal,)

filr. C. H. Herbert, Acocks Green, Birmini;-
ham, .showed a group of plants and cut flowers of
perpetual-flowering Pink " Progress." together
with Violas and miscellaneous border flowers.
(Silver Medal.)

A Cultural Commendation was awarded to Miss
Gertrude Cope, Manor House, Northfield, for
profusely-flowered specimens of a seedling Cal-
ceolaria named " The Tiger."

Awards of Merit.

Mai-gucrite Mrs. F. Sander. — For description
of this noveltv see Gardeners' Chronicle, May
28, 1910, p, 360. Shown by Messrs. Sander &
Sons, St. Albans.

Pi/rctJirum Quern Mary. — The flowers of this
variety are large, double, pink, and borne with
freedom. Shown by Mr. G. Miller, Wisbech.

June 15, 16, 17. — This important provincial
exhibition, the 52nd in succession, was held on
these dates in Boutham Park, York. The show
was a marked success, being, in the opinion of
many, the finest of the series. The entries were
more numerous than even at the Jubilee show.
Beautiful weather prevailed, so that the attend-
ance on the opening day was large. The groups
of plants were exceptionally fine, also the exhibits
of hiU'dy flowers, Gloxinias, Begonias, Sweet
Peas, Calceolarias, and fruits, ilessrs. T.
Rivers & Son had a noteworthy group of fruit-
ing trees in pots. The Council and the secre-
tary, Mr. Fred. Arey, are to be congratulated on
the excellent management and arrangements.

Groups of Plants.

The lai'ge groups of plants and the rock-
garden exhibits are the features of a York show.
On this occasion there were five groups in the
largest class, the best being equal to any pre-
viously seen at these exhibitions — a bright
assembly of beautiful flowere and foliage admir-
ably arranged. It was shown by J. Pickers-
gill, Esq., Weetwood, Leeds (gr. Mr. J.
Donoghue). At the back hung tall, weeping
Roses, with finely-coloured Acalyphas in asso-
ciation with Dracieua Victoria, Alocasias, An-
thuriums. Begonia Rex, and similar ornamental
foliage plants. In the centre arose tall Codifeums,
excellent in every respect, set in a ground of
various subjects, with here and there a showy
Orchid. The front had a bold mass of Odonto-
glossums afi a centre-piece, with Lily of the
^^ alley, Caladiums, and Crotons as a border, eacli
corner being flanked by a tall plant of Huniea
elegans. The 2nd prize went in favour of Mr.
W. A. Holmes, West End Nurseries, Chesterfield,
who also had a fine display, using similar sub-
jects, rather less imposingly arranged, but beau-
tiful nevertheless. \\ ell-coloured Codiseunis (Cro-
tons) and Caladiums, with a great wealth of
Coleuses, Lantanas, Ferns, Begonias, Orchids,
Draca>nas, and Roses made up the principal fea-
tures of the e.\hibit. 3rd, Mr, \Vm. Vause, The
Nurseries, Leamington. 4th, Jlessrs. H. Simp-
son & Son, Selby.

There w-as a class for a similar 'display to
occupy an area of 200 square feet — one-third
smaller in area than the largest class. There
were five displays, each one being very pretty.
The competition was keen, and the judges had
no light task in making their awards. In the
end the prizes were given as follow : 1st, James
Blacker, Esq., Thorpe Villa, Selby (gr. Mr.
Walton Curtis) ; 2nd, W. A. Holmes, Esq., West
End Nurseries, Chesterfield ; 3rd, J, Pickersgill,
Esq., Leeds (gr. Mr. J. Donoghue) ; 4th, Mr.
Wm. Vause. 'J'he 1st prize group had a fine
background, not overdone with subjects, and the
body was well broken up with Roses, Liliums,
Codiaeums and Coleuses, with a pretty gi-ound,
the front having Orchids aid Gloxinias peeping
from between Ferns, Sonerillas, Caladium argy-
ritcs, and Ficus radicans. The back was domi-
nated by a tall Kentia and Dorothy Perkins
Rose. Plants of Filicium decipieiis (not oft*n
seen at exhibitions) were included in the group.
The 2iid prize group had a pleasing foreground
and a rather finer background than the one to
which the 3rd prize was given, otherwise there
was but little to choose between them.

Prizes to the value of £20 were offered in a
class for a collection of plants, in or out
of bloom, arranged with foliage plants for
effect on a table. The class brought seven
exhibits, and these made a beautiful floral dis-
play. They were arranged in various styles,
and it was a matter of individual taste as to
which was the prettiest. The 1st prize was
given to a light arrangement put up by Mr. H.
Ward, Scarcroft Nursery. Y'ork. There was
nothing remarkable in the quality of the subjects
employed, but they were arranged gracefully.
2nd, .1, Bl.acker, Esq,, Selby (gr. Mr. W.
Curtis), who employed Roses, Carnations, Cordy-
lines, Codiseunis, Anthuriums, &c.. in a bed of
dwarf ornamental-leaved stove plants.

Specimen Plants.

The large, trained plants are always popular
with the public, but they are not so finely shown
at exhibitions as in former years. On this occa-
sion there were two exhibits of nine stove or

greenhouse plants in bloom, the exhibitors being
Messrs. Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, and
Mr. W. Vause, Leamington, who won in the
order named. Messrs. Cypher had by far the
finer plants, these being Anthurium Scherzeri-
anum, A. S. major. Azalea Modele, Ixora Wil-
liamsii, Pimelea diosmifolia. Erica Cavendishii,
Ixora Shawii, Frauciscea eximia, and Erica ven-
tricosa magnifica.

For six stove and greenhouse plants there
were three entries, Messrs. Cypher & Sons
again winning the 1st prize, with Statice inter-
media, Franciscea exiniia. Erica ventricosa mag-
nifica, Anthurium Scherzerianum Wardii, and
others; 2nd, Mr. W. Vause, with good Statice
intermedia, Clerodendron Balfouri, and Erica
Cavendishii.

In the class for three stove and greenhouse
plants in bloom, there were five exhibitors, and
Messrs. Cypher & Sons were again placed 1st ;
Mr. Vause showed the best single specimen stove
plant, and Jlessrs. Cypher excelled in the classes
for a specimen greenhouse plant and six orna-
mental fine foliage or variegated plants.

Rock-garden Exhibits.

Visitors to the York Gala are accustomed to see"
fine effects produced in the class for a group of
hardy flowers, with pool of water, arranged for
natural effect. The displays usually consist of
large rock-gardens furnished in a most liberal
manner with Alpine and hardy flowers, backed
with pillar Roses and other tall-growing jjlants.
This year there were four exhibits, Messrs. Back-
house & Son, Y'ork, winning the 1st prize with
a rockery carried out in a bold manner, with
huge stones, too newly-hewn to please some
critics, but purposely employed with the idea of
throwing the flowers into greater relief. In the
centre, a narrow path led over a stream, which
extended the whole length of the display. There
were nooks at either end ; these contained such
subjects as hardy Cypripudiums, Primulas, Irises,
with Ferns in crannies. The top was lined with
tall Roses, Eremuri, Bamboos, Acers, and other
shrubs. -At points of vantage was disposed a
wealth of Alpine and herbaceous plants in
flower. 2nd, Jlessrs. Wm. Artindale & Son,
Sheffield, with a rock-garden and water pool, the
latter spanned by a stone arch, rather unnaturally
decorated with Roses clinging to the rocks. In
the general collection of this group, the hardy
plant lover had a wealth of choice subjects pre-
sented for inspection. 3rd, Mr. S. Pickep.ing,
Rosslyu Street, Clifton, Y'ork. A remarkably
elfective exhibit, the more so as Mr. Pickering
employs no gardener, being an amateur in the
strictest sense of the word.

Roses.

The exhibits of Roses, both as cut blooms and
pot plants, were large, but the quality was not
above the average. For a collection of Roses in
pots, grouped for effect, in a space of 15 feet by
7 feet, there were two entries. The 1st jirize was
awarded to Jlr. John E. Skaife, 60, Clarence
StreeC, Y'ork, for a charming display, rectangular
in shape, with an undulating front, margined
with the dwarf Polyantha variety Jlrs. W.
Cutbush. At each corner was a well-flowered
standard of Dorothy Perkins, the same variety
forming a pyramid in the centre, with a row of
Hiawatha at the back. The body was made up
of finely-bloomed H.T. varieties. 2nd, Jlr. Wm.
Todd, "Vyner Street, York, with a similar
arrangement, but rather weaker blooms.

In a class for a smaller group of Roses there
were three competitors. 1st, Jlr. Hy. Pybus,
Monkton Jloor, Leeds, who arranged a semi-cir-
cular group with many good blooms ; 2nd, Mr.
John E. Skaife, Clarence Street, York; 3rd,
J'lr. W. Langstaff, Burton Lane, Y'ork. Jlr.
Skaife arranged a background with arches of
Crimson Rambler over balloon-shaped plants of
Dorothy Perkins, the group falling to almost the
floor level at the front, and with two prominent
corners surmounted by piUar Roses.

The largest class for cut Roses was for 72
blooms, in not fewer than 36 varieties. Some
choice flowers wjre shown, there being five com-
petitors. The 1st prize was won by Jlr. J. D.
Hutchinson, Crown Square, Kirbymoorside.
Some of his better blooms included Caroline

412

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

Testout, Mrs. John Laing, Frau Karl Druschki,
Duchess of Bedford, Bessie Brown, Victor Hugo.
Mrs. J. Cocker, Souvenir de Pierre Notting, Ma-
man Cochet and Mme. Jules Gravereaux. 2nd,
Mrs. M.\iN\v..VEiNG, Bembridge, Isle of Wight,
witli many choice blooms, and the others showing
considerable damage in the outer petals. Frau
Karl Druschki, Comtesse Nadaillac, White Ma-
nian Cochet, and Lady Ashtown were very good.
3rd, Messrs. Geo. Mount & Sons, Canterbury.

In the class for 48 blooms, four exhibitors com-
peted, the 1st prize going to Messrs. D. Prior &
Son, Colchester. There were many good blooms
amongst others of mediocre (juality. A few of
the choicer flowers were Lady ftlary Fitzwilliam,
Bessie Brown, Lady Ashtown, W'hite Maman
Cochet, Richmond ^excellent), and Medea.

There were four e.xhibitors in the class for
36 blcMims, but the flowers were generally very
moderate. The 1st prize was won by Messrs.
W. & J. Brown, Peterborough. Queen of Spain,
Captain Hayward, Mildred Grant, and Hugh
Watson may be instanced as being specially
good. 2nd, Mr. Geo. Mount, Canterbury.

The best exhibit of 24 varieties was put up by
Mr. Geo. Prince, Longworth, Berkshire; this
exhibitor also had the winning stand of 18 varie-
ties, and the best stand of 12 white and yeUow
varieties.

There was competition amongst five exhibitors
in the amateurs' class for 18 distinct varieties,
Mr. W. Hutchinson, Kirbymoorside, winning
the 1st prize with flowers of moderate quality.

C.\rn-1tions. — Five exhibitors arranged groups
of Carnations. IMuch the best display was
made by J. Pickeesgill, Esq. (gr. Mr. .J.
Donoghue) who showed '' Malmaisons " of the
Princess of Wales variety, bordered with yellow
and scarlet varieties, all the plants being
splendidly flowered. 2nd, Duke of JS^ewc^stle,
Clumber (gr. Mr. S. Barker), w'ith " Mal-
maison " and border varieties intermixed.

Fuchsias. — The class for a group of Fuchsias
brought some good plants, especially those shown
by J. W. Clarke, Esq., York, he having pyra-
mids 5 or 6 feet high laden with blossoms from
the pot level. Mr. Geo. Lee, York, won the
2nd prize. Mr. W. Kettlewell showed the
best specimen Fuchsia.

Pelargoniums were good and very numerous.
Mr. J. R. Wedgwood, Y'ork, showed the best
group of show Pelargoniums ; whilst Mr. Geo.
Lee, also a local exhibitor, had the finest six
plants of these Pelargoniums: Mr. Gladstone,
Kingston Beauty, and Mme. Thibaut being
among the choicer varieties. Mr. W. F. Crow-
ther, York, was 2nd in this class with taller
plants, not so effectively bloomed. Mr. Henry
Pyeus, Monkton Moor, excelled in the classes
for 12, and six Zonal, or Nosegay, Pelargo-
niums respectively.

Gloxinias were well shown, a magnificent
collection put up by iMrs. Cr.^ven, York
(gr. Mr. W. Walls), gaining the 1st prize, an
almost equally fine display winning the 2nd prize
for Capt. Walker, York (gr. Mr. H. Clark).
In the class for eight Gloxinias another fine
display was forthcoming, this being from the
gardens of P. Stancliffe, Esq., Northallerton
(gr. Mr. George Jarvis).

Begonias were as remarkable as the Gloxinias.
There was good competition in the cla.-is for a
group of tuberous-rooted varieties. Large
plants, with magnificent blooms, shown by
Mr. Thos. Winn, were placed 1st ; those shown
by H. G. Akenhead', Esq., Acomb (gr. Mr. R.
LeadiU), were not so big, but more numerously
flowered. For eight Begonias of this type, Thos.
Winn, Esq., York, was awarded the 1st prize,
having big specimens.

The finest display of Calceolarias as a group
was made by A. Lef.th.vm, Esq., York (gr. Jlr.
C. F. Atkinson). We greatly admired the finely-
blotched Calceolarias shown by P. St.\nclifke,
Esq.. Northallerton (gr. Mr. Geo. Jarvis), in the
class for eight plants.

Orchids.

The exhibits of Orchids were above the
average for a York show. In the class for a
table of Orchids there were two entries. Messrs.
Jas. Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham, won the 1st
prize easily. The display was set up in good
taste, and included fine varieties of Cattleya
Mossiae, Vanda teres gigantea, choice So-
bralia, and large, graceful spikes of Odonto-

glossums, both species and hybrids, together
with hybrid Cattleyas and BrassoCattleyas, On-
cidiunis, Cypripediums, Miltonias, Anguloas, &c.
2nd, Mr. VV. Bolton, Warrington, with a
moderate display set up in a Japanese design,
suggesting a rock-garden. There were plants and
cut flowers of Miltonias, Odontoglossums, Cypri-
pediums, Cattleyas, and Oncidiums,

JNIessrs. Cypher were also placed 1st for 10
Orchids in bloom, having well-grown specimens
of Livlio-Cattleya Canhamiana, L.-C. Aphrodite,
Miltonia vexillaria, Lffilia tencbrosa, Cypri-
pedinm Lawrenceanum, Odontoglossum luteo-
purpurcum, Oncidium macrauthura and Cattleya
gigas, a very fine display. 2nd, W. P.
BuRKiNSH.AW, Esq., Hessle (gr. Mr. J. T.
Barker), with Cattleya Mendelii, C. Mossia;,
Lielio-Cattleya Aphrodite alba, L.-C. Canhami-
ana, Cattleya Jupiter, Odontoglossum Petca-
torei, Renanthera Imschootiana, and Miltonia
vexillaria.

Six Orchids in bloom : 1st, Messrs. J. Cypher
& Sons ; 2nd. W. P. Burkinshaw, Esq. The
same exhibitors won in this order for three
Orchids in bloom, Mr. J. Sunley, Ashleigh,
South Milford, being 3rd.

Single specimen Orchid in flower : 1st, Mrs.
Grey, with a finely-flowered plant of Vanda
tricolor; 2nd, W. P. Burkinsh.aw, Esq.; 3rd,
J. ROWNTREE, Esq.

In Class 25, for si.x Orchids in bloom (ama-
teurs), W. P. Burkinshaw. Esq., won the 1st
prize, and Mr. M. Furness the 2nd prize.

Single specimen Orchid (new or rare) : l.<t.
W. P. BuRKiNSH-iw, Esq., with Lselia lenebrosa
Walton Grange var. ; 2nd, W. Bolton, Esq.,
Wilderspool, Warrington, with Cattleya Par-
thenia Prince of Wales.

Hardy Flowers.

The principal cla.=s in this section was ar-
ranged for collections of hardy border flowers,
to be shown in slices not exceeding 15
fe.et by 6 feet. Four groups were staged,
making a grand floral effect. Messrs. Wm.
Artindale & Son, Sheffield, excelled, hav-
ing a bank of gaily-coloured flowers represent-
ing choice varieties of these easily-grown sub-
jects. 2nd, Messrs. Haekness & Sons, Bedale ;
3rd, Messrs. G. Gibson & Co., Leeming Bar,
Bedale.

iMessrs. Gibson won the 1st prize in the class
for 24 bunches of hardy flowers. Pyrethrum
Mme. Munier (creamy centre and pink ray
florets), Lychnis viscaria. Geranium ibericura,
and Papaver Mrs. Perry were all remarkably
good in his collection. 2nd, Messrs. G. Long-
ster & Sons, Malton.

There was a cla.ss for 12 bunches, and this was
of great extent. Mr. W. Hutchinson, Kirby-
moorside, beat his numerous competitors, taking
the 1st prize with a grand collection, marked by
great refinement of colours ni the blossoms. 2nd,
Mr. W. Furness, South Jlilford.

Fruit and Vegetables.

The class for a decorated table of ripe fruit,
not exceeding 14 nor fewer than 10 dishes, was
the most important of the fruit classes. The
decorations were a strong feature to be con-
sidered by the judges. There were four deco-
rated tables, and these, with their complement
of fine fruit, made an imposing display. The
Earl of Harrington, Elvaston Castle, Derby
(gr. Mr. Goodacre), won the 1st prize, obtaining
114^ points out of a possible 136; the Duke of
Portland, Welbeck (gr. Mr. Jas. Gibson), fol-
lowed, with 110 points; the 3rd prize going to
the Marquis of Northampton, Castle Asliby (gr.
Mr. A. R. Searle), with 97^ points.

The premier exhibit was strong in Nectarines,
Peaches, Cherries, Figs, and Melons. Grapes
were weak, being only awarded 17j points out of
32. The decorations secured 27 out of a pos-
sible 30 points, and consisted mainly of showy
Orchids. The Duke of Portland showed better
Grapes, and he had fine Peaches, Melons, and
Nectarines, and one splendid dish of Cherries,
which secured the maximum number of marks.
The floral decorations employed by Mr. Gibson
were mainly of pink Carnations and Odontoglos-
sums. The Nectarines in the 3rd prize group
were choice fruits.

In the class for a collection of 10 kinds of
fiuits, there were four entries, the Earl of
Harrington again winning the 1st prize, fol-
lowed by the Duke of Newcastle, Clumber,

Worksop (gr. Mr. S. Barker) ; 3rd, Baron DE
Forest, Market Weighton (gr. Mr. J. C.
McPherson).

For a collection of six kinds, the 1st prize was
awarded to John Buennand, Esq., Baldersby
Park, Thirsk (gr. Mr. J. E. Hathaway). Early
Rivers Nectarines and Peregrine Peaches were
splendid, and there were good Grapes. 2nd, Lord
Savile, Rufford Abbey, Ollerton (gr. Mr. J.
Doe). Grapes in this exhibit were a feature,
also a dish of Early Silver Peaches. 3rd, Earl of

H.ARRINGTON.

There was good competition in the class for
four kinds of fruits, the best exhibit being shown
by Mrs. A. Wilson, Tranby Croft, Hull — some
good produce, ineffectively staged. 2nd, Mr.
John Brenn.vnd; 3rd, Earl of Harrington.

Tho best Black Hambro' Grapes were shown
by Lady Hawke, Wighill Park, Tadcaster (gr.
Mr. H. T. Bray). The best white Grapes were
Buckland Sweetwater, of magnificent finish,
shown by W. D. Cliff, Esq., Meanwood Towers,
Leeds (gr. W. N. Hague).

Peaches were shown finest by Mr. Brennand,
Thirsk. the variety being Royal George; 2nd,
Lord Bexper, Kingston Hall, Derby (gr. Mr. W.
H. Cooke), with Hale's Early.

The Harl of Derby, Prescot (gr. Mr. E. F.
Hazelton), excelled in the class for Nectarines,
with Lord Napier ; 2nd, Lord Helper, with Early
Rivers.

Melons were numerous. The best scarlet-
fleshed variety was Sutton's Scarlet, exhibited by
A L. Lawson. Esq., Aldborough Manor,
Boroughbridge (gr. Mr. A. Nicholson). This
exhibitor had also the best green-fleshed variety
in Emerald Green. Lord Belper had the finest
white-fleshed variety in Eminence.

The Marquis of Northampton had the finest
Figs ; Messrs. Thos. Rivers & Sons the best
Cherries; and Francis Samuelson. Esq., Thirsk
(gr. Mr. G. F. Brotherston), the best Straw-
berries.

Vegetables. — The Duke of Portland, Wel-
beck (gr. Mr. Jas. Gibson), won the 1st prize for
six kinds (the prizes being offered by Messrs.
Sutton & Sons), with a superb collection.
Potato Ideal, Tomato Princess of Wales, Pea
Early Giant, and Cauliflower Magnum Bonum
were all of grand quality. 2nd, Mar-
quis of Northampton (gr. Mr. A. R. Searle),
who won the 1st prize in Messrs. W'ebb & Sons'
class, with fine produce; 2nd, W. D. Cliff,
Esq., having large Walcheren Cauliflowers.

First-class Certificates.

Tomnto ticarlet Drop. — A dessert variety, the
long, narrow, red fruits being about the size of
a Plum. Shown by Mr. G. T. Watson.

Iris Duchess Sarah. — A refined variety, of tho
Germanica type, the colour clear blue, with a
gold crest. Shown by Mr. G. Yeld.

Sweet Pea Orange Paradise. — A variety with
orange-coloured flowei's ; one of the best ia
its class. Shown by Miss Hemus.

Carnation Ladi/C. M'aring. — A Fancy variety
of the perpetual-blooming type ; colour pale buft,
striped with rose-pink. Shown by Messrs. W.
CuiBUSH & Son.

Non-Competitive Exhibits.

Messrs. Ed. Webb & Son, Wordsley, Stour-
bridge, arranged a table exhibit of fruits and
flowers of imposing appearance, having Gloxinias,
Sweet Peas, Aquilegias, and Iiiliume, with a back
row of Hydrangea hortensis, and a centrepiece of
pink Spiraeas, facing fine vegetables.

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, put up a beautiful group of flowers, princi-
pally Carnations and Roses. Their dwarf Poly-
antha Roses were charming, and the Carnations
included most of the best varieties, all shown
well. At the corners were imposing plants of
Dracsna Victoria, set in clumps of the red-
leaved Coleus Cordelia,

Messrs. E. J. Batchelor & Sons, Harrogate,
staged a group of Ferns, having large specimens
of the plumose varieties of Nephrolepis exaltata,
and others of Platycerium alcicorne.

Messrs. Seagrave & Co., Sheffield, showed
Zonal and Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, and Hydran-
geas ; also a very large assortment of Pansies and
Violas.

Messrs. Gilbert & Son, Dyke, Bourne, Lin-
colnshire, showed Anemone King of Scarlets, and
a few other double-flowered varieties.

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

413

Messrs. W, H. Rogers & Son, Ltd., Red Lodge
Nursery, Southampton, diisplayed their hybrid
Pelargonium James T. Hamilton.

Messrs. Walsh.aw & .Son, Scarborough, staged
a new Pelargonium named Jacqueri, with large
trusses of crimson flowers, and a yellow Calceo-
laria labelled Northern Triumph.

.Messrs. James Backhouse & Co., Ltd., York,
put up a splendid group of miscellaneous green-
house plants, including Roses, Carnations,
Hydrangea paniculata (very fine), Caladiums,
Coleus, Liliums, and other showy subjects. They
had also, outside the tent, a large group of shrubs
and hardy flowers.

Messrs. Bees, Ltd., Liverpool, showed
Primula Bulleyana, some new Delphiniums, and
an assortment of garden flowers.

Messrs. .Jaeman & Son, Chard, showed Zonal
Pelargoniums, Carnations, Sweet Peas, and their
beautiful Centaureas, in white, yellow, and
mauve shades.

Messrs. R. H. B.^th. Ltd., Wisbech, staged
hardy flowers, their Paeonies being magnificent.
They also showed vases of choice Carnations,
with a row of .Sweet Peas and Iceland Poppies.

fruits. Their seedling Nectarine, No. 101, is a
variety of much promise. The large, well-fruiled
Cherry trees were a feature of the group.

Messrs. John Forbes, Ltd.. Hawick, had
Phloxes, Pentstemons, Pyrethrums, and Pansies,
with other hardy flowers.

Mr. C. Engelmann, Saffron Walden, Essex,
had vases of his beautiful Clove Carnation Carola,
with other sorts.

Messrs. E. W. King & Co.. Coggeshall, Essex,
made a delightful exhibit with Sweet Peas.

A grand show of Sweet Peas was made by
Miss Hemus, Holdfast Hall. Upton-on-Severn,
most of them being of her raising.

Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, had
a largo group of hardy flowers.

Messrs. Young & Co., Hatherley, Cheltenham,
showed an artistic stand of Carnations, amongst
them being a seedling named Golden Glory.
White Perfection was extra good

Jlr. E. J. Hicks, Twyford, Berkshire, showed
garden Roses.

Mr. Chas. W. Breadmore, Winchester, had
a collection of Sweet Peas, well arranged and
in great a.ssortment.

Fig. 187. — carnation empire day: colour rose-salmon.

Messrs. Dicksons, Chester, had a fine display
of hardy flowers and a golden-leaved Ribes.

Messrs. W. & J. Brown, Peterborough, showed
Roses and garden flowers, making a bright ex-
hibit.

Mef.srs. W. Artindale & Son, Sheffield,
showed a very large exhibit of Pansies and
Violas, the front having arches decorated with
pillar Roses.

Messrs. Kei.wat & Son, Langport, Somerset,
showed a bold group of hardy flowers, such as
Pseonies, Delphiniums (very fine), Lupins, and
Pyrethrums.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, had a de-
lightful group of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Gloxinias, Calceolarias, Sweet Peas, JMelone,
Peas. Toraatos, and other subjects were daintily
arranged.

Messrs. Thos. Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth,
Herts., showed a magnificent group of pot fruit
treee. They had Nectarines, Peaches, Grapes,
Apples, Oranges, and Cherries, all superbly
fruited, with a number of baskets of gathered

Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedfrrd, showed varie-
ties of Strawberi'ies.

Mr. C. F. Wateus. Balcombe. Sussex, showed
Carnations grandly, the beautiful variety najned
Edith Waters being particularly good.

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, showed
their fine strain of Aquilegias ; also a brilliant
display of Oriental Poppies and Pyrethrums.

Messrs. Sander & Sons, St. Albans, showed
Orchids, principally Lselio-Cattleyas, Odonto-
glossums, and Dendrobiums. \\ e noticed a
well-flowered plant of Stanhopea oculata grandi-
flora with seven fine blooms. Dendrobium
regium was also good.

Messrs. Mansell & Hatcher, Leeds, showed
a large group of fine Orchids, amongst which
we remarked Cattleya gigas. Brasso-Cattleya
Digbyano Mossise, Odontioda Bradshawise, very
fine spikes of Odontoglossum crispum and Mil-
tonia vexillaria gigantea.

Mr. H. W. Ellison, West Bromwich, showed
Ferns in variety.

Messrs. Clibrans, Altrincham, staged a bold

group of Rhododendrons, pillar Roses, species of
Vitis, golden Oaks, Aralias, and Ivies,

Mr. G. Yeld, York, exhibited hybrid Ivies
and Hemerocallis.

Messrs. Robt. Sydenham. Ltd., Birmingham,
displayed Sweet Peas in rustic flower holders.
Mr. Arthur Edwards, Nottingham, also showed
flowers in metal holders.

Messrs. W. & J. Brown. Peterborough, put up
a group of miscellaneous flowering plants.

AWARDS.

Premier Prize. — Thos. Rivers & Son, Saw-
bridgeworth, for fruit trees in pots.

OoJd Medah.—Man&eW & Hatcher, Ltd.,
Leeds: Wm. Cutbush & Son. Highgate ; J. Back-
house & Son, Ltd., York: Thos. Rivers & Sons,
Sawbridgeworth ; Sutton & Sons, Reading ; E.
Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge.

Silver-gilt Medal. — Clibrans, Altrincham.

Silver Medals.— 'Messrs. Wm. Artindale &
Sons, Sheffield ; C. W. Breadmore, Winchester ;
J. Backhouse & Son, York; Batchelor & Sons,
Han-ogate ; R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech ; G. Bun-
yard & Co., Ltd., Maidstone; Bakers, Ltd., Wol-
verhampton ; Clibrans, Altrincham ; Charlesworth
& Co., Haywards Heath: Duksons, Ltd., Ches-
ter; C. Engelmann, Saffron Walden; John
Forbes, Ltd., Hawick; E. W. King & Co.. Cog-
geshall ; Kelway & Son, Langport ; F. Sander &
Sons. St. Albani; Seagrave & Co., Sheffield; C.
F. Waters, Balcombe, Sussex.

R.H.S. Silver-yilt Flora Medal. — Miss
Hemus, Holdfast Hall, Upton-on-Severn.

If. U.S. Silver BanHian Medal.— G. Yeld,
Clifton Cottage, York.

Av'ards of M'.rit.—W. & J. Brown; Stam-
ford; H. N. Ellison, West Bromwich; Gilbert &
Sons, Bourne, Lines. ; Hodgkins & Co., We,st
Didsbury, Manchester; E. J. Hicks, Twyford,
Berks.; Young & Co., Hatherleigh, Cheltenham.

Firsi-class Certificate. — Laxton Bros., Bedford.

PERPETUAL-FLOWERING CARNATION.

June 9. — The Society's eighth exhibition, ori-
ginally fixed for May 19, but postponed in conse-
quence of the death of King Edward, took place
un this date in the Royal Horticultural Society's
Hall, Westminster. The show was an advance
tin the previous spring displays of the Society,
the number of entries being one-third more
numerous than last year. But, still, there was
ample room for more exhibits, notwithstanding
that several large groups of other subjects re-
mained over from the R.H.S. exhibition held on
the preceding Tuesday. The Carnations ex-
hibited by nurserymen not in competition were
remarkably good, contributing largely to the suc-
cess of the show. The weather was beautifully
fine, and the attendance was moderate.

Mr. Brunton. on behalf of the Society, pre-
sented the honorary secretary, Mr. Haywaid
-Mathias, with a purse of gold and a piece of
plate in recognition of his services to the Society
since its inception.

The show arrangements were admirably car-
ried out by Mr. E. F. Hawes, the show super-
intendent, and the secretary.

The class for a group of Carnations in not fewer
than 12 varieties, arranged on a table measuring
10 feet by 3 feet, was one of the features of the
show. There were six exhibits, the whole pre-
senting an imposing display. The first prize was
awarded to Mr. \V. H. Lancashire, Guernsey,
who arranged big sheaves of large, finely-
coloured blooms, relieved w'l Asparagus
Sprengeri and A. plumosus. Tlj stalks were
especially long and wiry, so that the blooms
showed up well. Notable varieties were Mikado,
Enchantress, Winsor, Black Chief, Mrs. H. Bur-
nett, President Beacon, Rose Dore, and After-
glow. (Gold Medal.) The 2nd prize, the
Society's Silver-gilt Medal, was won by Mr. C. V.
Waters, Balcombe, Sussex, whose blooms, hav-
ing shorter stalks, presented a more solid appear-
ance. Still. they were excellent blooms,
especially Edith Waters (a fine, cerise variety),
Georgie (white, with laced petals). Princess of
Wales, Britannia, Enchantress, Glendale (a
fancy having red stripings on a white ground).
Victory, and White Enchantress, 3rd, Mr, A. F.
Dutton, Iver, Bucks.

414

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

A Challenge Cup was offered by the chairman,
Mr. J. S. Brunton, for the best exhibit of three
vases, each containing 12 blooms, of British
novelties distributed by the trade since January
1, 1908. Mr. Lancashire was the only exhibi-
tor, and he was awarded the 1st prize for Black
Chief, Rose Dore, and Empress, a good, white
bloom, striped with dark red.

In the similar class for American novelties, the
1st prize included a Challenge Cup presented by
the American Carnation Society. There was a
better competition in this class. The prizes were
awarded as follow : — 1st, JNIr. W. E. Wallace,
Eaton Bray, Dunstable, with May Day, After-
glow, and Pink Delight; 2nd, Mr. Bertie Bell,
Guernsey, with the same varieties; and 3rd, Mr.
H. T. Mason. Hampton Hill, with May Day,
Afterglow, and Mrs. J. Vaughan (white).

The next class was for two varieties of
market Carnations, 50 blooms of each variety,
to be shown in two boxes and two vases,
the boxes to be packed as for market. The 1st
prize consisted of the Covent Garden Bowl and
a Silver-gilt Medal. There were five excellent
exhibits, Mr. Lancashire being successful in
carrying off the trophy with sterling blooms of
Marmion and White Perfection. 2nd, Mr. C.
Engelmann, Saffron Walden, with White Per-
fection and Carola.

Special Varieties and Colour Classes.
Certain varieties of special colours were re-
C|uired in collections of 25 blooms, in classes open

THE LATE HENRV CANNELL, JR.

to all, similar classes with six blooms being pro-
vided for amateurs. These were as follow : —

Twenty-five blooms of either Enchantress,
Melody, Fair Maid, Mrs. Chas. Knopf, and simi-
lar colours. — This brought the finest novelty in
the show in Empire Day (see fig. 187), much richer
in colour, and, as staged, superior to Enchan-
tress, of which four, of the five, exhibits con-
sisted. The exhibitor was Mr. A. S.mith, Enfield
Highway, and he was awarded the premier posi-
tion. 2nd, Mr. G. Lange, Hampton ; and 3rd,
Mr. Bell, Guernsey.

Six blooms, ditto. — 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Enchan.
treas, showed y Lord Howard de Walden.
Saffron Walde. (gr. Mr. James "Vert) ; Sir R!
Baker, Bart., Blandford (gr. Mr. Usher) ; and
O. F. Raphael, Esq., Shenley (gr. Mr. A.
CSrubb).

Twenty-five blooms of either Mrs. H. Burnett.
Pink Delight, May Day, and others of similar
colour. — 1st Mrs. H. Burnett, shown by Mr.
Lancashire ; 2nd and 3rd, Winsor. shown by Mr.
Wallace and Mr. Bell respectively.

Six blooms, ditto. — There were six exhibits,
apparently all of Sirs. H. Burnett, shown by
Stuart Robinson, Esq.. Kingston: E. J. John-
stone, Groombridge ; and Sir R. Baker, Bart.,
vho won in the order of their names.

Twenty-five blooms of Rose Pink. Enchantress,
iWinsor, Winona, and similar colours. — There

were five exhibits, all of Winsor. 1st, Mr. Bell;
2nd, Mr. Lange; 3rd, Mr. Wallace.

Six blooms, ditto. — Three exhibitors showed
Rose-Pink Enchantress. 1st, Lord Howard de
Walden; 2nd, Sir Randolph Baker; 3rd, E. J.
Johnstone, Esq.

Mrs. T. W. Lawson, Afterglow, Alvina, Aristo-
crat and similar colours. — There were six entries,
principally of Afterglow, which was placed 1st
and 3rd, Autocrat being 2nd. The exhibitors were
Messrs. Wallace, Bell and Lancashire re-
spectively.

Six blooms ditto. — The 1st prize went to a
vase of Afterglow, shown by Mr. Johnstone ;
and 2nd to Superior, shown by Lord Howabd de
Walden.

White. — In the class for 25 blooms, there were
two exhibits of White Perfection, shown by Mr.
Wallace and Mr. Lange, who were placed 1st
and 2nd respectively.

In the amateur class four exhibitors also
showed White Perfection, the best by Lord
HowAR,D DE Walden ; 2nd Sir R. B.akeb, Bart.

Scarlet. — There was good competition in the
open class, there being six vases of Britannia
and one of Beacon. The latter, shown by Mr.
H. T. M.isON, was adjudged the finest.

In the amateurs' division for six blooms,
Britannia, shown by C. F. Raphael, Esq.. was
the best ; 2nd, Victory, shown by Lord Howard
DE W.^lden.

Crimson or Clove.— The fine flowers of Carola
shown by Mr. Engelmann were the best amongst
five exhibits. President being placed 2nd and 3rd.

In the amateurs' class. Crimson Glow, shown
by Lord Howard de Walden, was awarded the
1st prize in competition with three others.

Any other Self. — Open : 1st, Rose Dore, shown
by Mr. Lancashire ; 2nd, Mikado, shown by Mr.
Bell.

Amateurs. — 1st, Mikado, shown by Sir Ran-
dolph Baker, Bart. ; 2nd, Red Lawson, shown
by Lord Howard de Walden.

Any fancy variety. — Open : 1st. Mr. W. E.
Wallace, with Bay State, a fine bloom having
rose markings on a white ground.

Amateurs. — The 1st and 2nd prizes went in
favour of Jessica, shown by Sir Randolph
Baker, Bart, and Lord Howard de Walden
respectively.

The new Empire Day (see fig. 187) was awarded
the special prize presented by Mr. Fred. Blake
for the best 12 blooms of any variety not in
commerce.

The Silver-gilt Medal offered for the best vase
of Carnations in classes 5 to 16 inclusive was
also given for this novelty.

In the amateurs' classes, an important one
was for a group of perpetual-flowering Carnations
arranged in a semi-circle having a space of 25
square feet. The 1st prize was Lord Howard de
Walden's challenge vase with 30s. in money.
There were three exhibits, C. F. Raphael, Esq.
(gr. Mr. A. Grubb), the winner on former occa-
sions, being again successful. He showed a good,
bright group of compact plants, the outer ones
being the scarlet Britannia, with Marmion, White
Perfection. Rose, Enchantress, Winona, and
other well-known kinds in the centre. The 2nd
prize group, shown by E. J. Johnstone. Esq.
(gr. Mr. Paskett). was composed of taller plants.

Mr. Johnstone was the only exhibitor of a
collection of Carnation blooms in the amateurs'
section, being awarded the 1st prize.

In the decorative classes there were many
pretty exhibits, including six tables arranged
with Carnations, the winning one being ar-
ranged with Winsor and trails of Selaginella.
There were numerous other classes in the ama-
teurs' section, the exhibitors being mainly those
already mentioned.

AWARDS.

The Society's First-class Certificate was
awarded to May Day, and Awards of Merit to
Pink Delight and Superior, these being the best
of recent American-raised varieties.

Non-competitive Exhibits.

Gold Medah to Mr. G. Lange. Hampton ; Mr.
H, Burnett, Guernsey ; Mr. C. E. Engelmann,
Saffron Walden; and E. J. Johnstone, Esq.,
Groombridge.

Silrer-qilt Medal to Messrs. Stu.irt Low &
Co., Enfield.

Silver Medals to Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son,
Highgate ; and Mr. J. Green, Wisbech.

(i^bituari).

William James Nutting. — It is with regret
we announce the death on the 12th inst. of Mr.
W. J. Nutting, at Bromley, Kent, in his 83rd
year. Mr. Nutting was the senior member of the
firm of Messrs. Nutting & Sons, Ltd.. whole-
sale seedsmen, Southwark Street, London, S.E.
The firm was founded in 1882 by the father of the
deceased, who formed it into a private company
in 1909. Mr. Nutting was well known in the
provinces, having travelled for his firm for a con-
siderable number of years. Mr. Nutting
was formerly a member of the Fruit and Vege-
table Committee of the Royal Horticultural
Society. Until eight years ago he was also a
member of the committee of the Gardeners'
Royal Benevolent Institution. He was always a
liberal supporter of benevolent institutions, espe-
cially of those connected with horticulture, and
he possessed a most kindly disposition, that en-
deared him to all who had the privilege of his
acquaintance. On retiring from the committee
of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution,
his place on this body was filled by the election
of his nephew, Mr. "H. W. W. Nutting. The
principal members of the firm now include Mr.

THE late WILLIAM JAMES NUTTING.

Whitpaine Nutting, at present a member of the
Executive Committee of the Royal Gardeners'
Orphan Fund, and two nephews of the deceased.

Henry Cannell, Junr. — Jluch sympathy
will be felt with Mr. Henry Cannell, the
well-known florist and nurseryman, of Swan-
ley, Kent, in the sorrow that has over-
taken him in the untimely death of his eldest
son, Henry. It appears that deceased was kicked
recently on the arm by a pony he had been
in the habit of driving from Swanley to the
Cockmanning Nurseries at St. Mary Cray. The
wound healed quickly, but later a clot of blood
that was hidden in the fleshy part of the arm set
up blood poisoning, and death resulted on Sun-
day last. It wiU be remembered that Mr. Can-
nell's youngest son, Ernest, died in 1907, there-
fore Mr. Robert Cannell, of Eynesford. is the
only son now surviving. Mr. Henry Cannell,
jun., had sole charge of the clerical work con-
nected with the business, and this included the
drawing up of catalogues, descriptions of new
plants, and general office work. He was of a
most retiring nature, and, mainly for this reason,
he was not in the habit of attending the horti-
cultural shows, but those who knew him best
respected him for his kind, unassuming manner
and his business integrity and straightforward-
ness. Deceased's wife died seven yeajs ago,
leaving one son and one daughter.

June 18, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

415

THE WEATHER.

The Following Summary Record of the
weather throughout the British Islands, for the
week ending June 11, is furnished from the
Meteorological Office: —

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather was generally very fair to fine and bright in
Scotland. A predominance of fair weather was experienced
also in the north-east and east of Ent;land, but elsewhere the
conditions, although occasionally tine and bright, were
mostly dull and close. Thunderstorms of considerable
severity, and accompanied in many places by heavy fails of
rain and hail, occurred in some parts of England every day,
but were rarely experienced in Ireland,

The temperature was above the average, the excess
amounting to between 4° and 5° over the greater part of
England and also in Scotland VV, The highest of the
maxima were registered either on the 8th or 9ih at the
majority of stations, and ranged from 80* in England N.E.,
and 79^ in Scotland E. and England E. and N.W. to 72'' in
Ireland S. The lowest of the minima, which were regis-
tered on the 5th or 6tb, varied from 33*^ in Scotland E., and
34'' in Scotland N. to 49'-' in England E., and to 50'' in
England 5.E. and the English Channel. During the latter
half ot the week the minima over the south-east and south
of Etigland were very high. The lowest grass readings
reported were 31'^ at Balmoral, 32'^ at Crathes, ^b" at West
Linton, 37* at Newton Rigg and Glasgow, and 39** at
Marchmont and Sheffield.

The rainfall varied greatly in diflFerent localities. In
Scotland and the north-east and east of England it was
below the average, but elsewhere it was in excess, the difi^er-
ence from the normal being large in most parts of England.
Falls of an inch or more were very common on Sunday and
Thursday over a large portion of England and Wales, and
similarly large amounts occurred on some other days. The
heaviest falls reported Sunday were 2'6 inches at Cardiff,
1"85 inch at Bristol, and about 1-5 Inch at Clifton and Llan-
gamniarch Wells; on Monday 1*66 inch fell at Aberystwyth,
while at Salisbury nearly the whole of a measurement of
3-53 inches fell between 1 and 4 a.m. On Thursday about
1-55 inch was recorded at Bath and Clifton, 1'3 inch at
Jersey, and between 1 inch and I"2 inch at many places in
the southern half of England and Wales. More than an
inch also fell at Bristol and at some Welsh stations on
Friday.

The bright sunshine exceeded the normal in Scotland, but
was deficient in England and Ireland. The percentage of
the possible duration ranged from 56 to 49 in the Scottish
districts and from 39 in England N.W. to 21 in the Midland
Counties, 15 in the English Channel, and 13 in England S.W.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

Week ending June 15.
A ^^ record'' rainfall.—The warm and cold days were
about equally divided, but on only two nights, and those at
the end of the week, was the temperature below the average.
On the coldest night, however, the exposed thermometer
fell to within 4" of the freezing point. These cold nights
have caused the temperature of the ground to fall, so that at
the present time it is only about 1° warmer than is season-
able, both at 1 and 2 feet deep. Rain felt on three days, to
the total depth of 2i inches, which is about the average fall
for the whole month. The tirst rainfall of the week
occurred during a thunderstorm on the 9tb, and proved a
very remaikable one. The aggregate measurement was 1^
inches, which is equivalent to 7J gallons on each square
yard of surface— IJ inches of that amount was deposited
between 3.40 and 4.15 p m. —during which time the rain was
falling at the rate of 2i inches an hour. This is the heaviest
rainfall I have recorded here for 35 minutes in the last 25
years. In order to show the very exceptional character of
this fall of rain in 35 minutes I may state that it is seldom as
large a quantity is registered at any time of the year, even in
a day. In fact, in those 25 years there were 11 years without
the total rainfall of any day being as heavy, and in the
remaining 14 years there was only one year in which
the total rainfall was on more than one day a< heavy.
At 3.45 p.m. the storm was almost imQiediately over-
head. On the following day nearly three-quarters of
an inch of rain fell, of which quantity haif-an-inch,
equivalent to 2J gallons on each square yard of surface,
was deposited in little over an hour. The percolation
gauge on which short grass is growing had been quite dry
for sis days until the storm above mentioned, but in the
next 48 hours 6* gallons had passed through it, and in the
same time seven gallons entered the bare-soil gauge. The
sun shone on an average for five hours a day. which is more
than an hour a day short of the average for the month.
Calms and light airs have alone prevailed during the week.
The mean amount of moisture in the air at three o'clock in
the afternoon exceeded a seasonable quantity for that hour
by as much as 10 per cent. E. M., '* Rosebank'* Bcrkhavi-
sted, June 15, 1910.

im: A R k: £ T s.

Plants in Pots, ac: Average Wholesale Prices fConW.?.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

County Borough of Hanley's Fourteenth Annual
Show, to be held on July 6, 7. Secretary, Mr. W'm.
Poulson, Town Hall, Hanley.

Women's Agricultural and Horticultural Inter-
national Union's show of farm and garden produce, live
poultry, and objects of art, to be held at the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Regent's Park, on Thursday, July 7. Show secre-
tary, Mrs. Margetts, 64, Lower Sloane Street, S.W.

Potters Bar and Northaw Cottage Horticultural
Society's Forty-first Summer Exhibition, to be held in
conjunction with the seventh show of the Potters Bar
and District Amateur Rose Society, on Thursday, July 14,
at Little Heath Wood. Potters Bar. Hon. Secretary, Mr!
H. R. Darlington, Park House, Potters Bar.

Addlestone Rose and Sweet Pea Show, which is fixed
for Wednesday. July 6, promises to be exceptionally attract-
ive this year. In a class for Roses, confined to Trade Ex-
hibitors, the award is a challenge cup, at present held by
Messrs. B. R. Cant & Son.

COVENT GARDEN, June 15.
[We cannot accept any responsibility for 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 out
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. — Eds.]

Cut Flowers, Ac: Average Wholesale Prices.

Anemones, p. doz. 1
Azalea, Ghent, per
bynch 0

— Fielderi, per
dozen bunches 2

Bouvardia 4

Calla (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz.
blooms, best
American (var.) 2
Carola, and other
special varieties 4

— second size ... 1

— smaller, per
doz. bunches 12

Cattleyas, per doz.

blooms ... 6

Daflodils, best, per

doz. bunches... 1

— seconds ... 1

— double, per dz.
bunches

Eucharis grandi-

flora, per dozen

blooms
Freesias, per dozen

bunches
Gardenias, per dz.
Gladiolus, Colvilei

varieties, per

do/en bunches
Gypsophila elegans,

p. dz. bunches
Heather (white),

per bunch
Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches ..
Lilac, per bunch ...
Lilium auratuni

per bunch

— candidum

— longillotuni ...

— lane i f o 1 iuin
rubrum

— Ian ci f o 1 i um
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...

d. s.d.
0-16

0-3 0
0-6 0

0-18 0
0-9 0

6-3 6
0-2 0

10-16

0- 1 6
0-2 0

6 0-90

0-8 0
0-2 0

2 0-30
— 20
2 0-30

16-20

16-20

0-6 0
0-]-2 0

5.d.s,d.
Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow ... 3 0-50
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches 3 0-40
Narcissus poeticus
(Pheasant'sEye),

per doz. bnch.s. 10-20
O d on to glossiini

crispum, per

dozen blooms 10-20
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60

— Zonal, double

scarlet 3 0-50

Poppies, Iceland,

per doz. bches. 8 0-10 0
Richardia atricana

(Calla), p. doz. 16-20
Roses, 12 blooms,

Nipheios ... 10-20

— Bridesmaid ... 1 G- 2 6

— C. Testout ... 16-26

— Kai seri n A.
Victoria ... 10-30

— Capt. Hayward 16-26

— C.Merniet ... 16-20

— Liberty ... 16-26

— Mnie.Chateuay 10-26

— Richmond ... 2 0-40

— 1 he Bride ... 10-20
Spiraea, per doz.

bunches ... 4 0-60
Stephanotis, 72

"pips " ... 3 0- 4 0

Stocks, per doz.

bunches ... 3 0-40
Sweet Peas, per

dozen bunches... 2 0-50
Tuberoses, p. gross 4 0-60

— per doz. blooms 0 4-06
Tulips, singles, per

doz. bunches... 4 0-80

— doubles, per

doz. bunches... 10 0-15 0
Violets, per doz.

bunches ... 2 0-26

— Parma, perbch. 15-26

Cut Foliage, Ac: Averaga Wholesale Prices.

Adiantum cunea-
lum, per dozen
bunches

A sparag u s plu-
mosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Sprengeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per tiozen

bunches (ling-

hsh)

s.d. s.d. I

Ferns (French) ...

Galax leaves, per

4 0-60] doz. bunches

Hardy foliage

(various), per

dozen bunches

Ivy-leaves, bronze

— long trails per
bimdle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...

Myrtle, dz. bchs.
(English),
small-leaved...

— French
biiiilax, p. dz. trails

12 0-18 0

12 0-18 0
9 0-12 0

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
10-20

2 0-30

s.d. s.d.
0 6-09

16-20

3 0-90
2 0-26

10-16

10-20
3 0-40

4 0-60
10-16
4 0-60

Plants In Pots, &c.

s.d. s.d.
Ampelopsis Veit-

chii.per dozen 6 0-80
Aralia Sieboldi, p.

dozen 5 0-80

— 1 arger speci-
mens 9 0-12 0

— Moseri 6 0-80

— larger plants ... 12 0-lS 0
Araucaria excel sa,

per dozen ... 12 0-30 0

— large plants,
each 3 6-50

Aspidistras, p. dz.,

green 15 0-24 0

— variegated ... 30 0-42 0
Asparagus plunio-

Eus nanus, per

dozen 9 0-12 0

— Sprengeri .. 9 0-12 0

— te n u IS si mils 9 0-12 0
Boronia hetero-

phylla, per dz. 24 0-30 0

— megastigma ... 18 0-24 0
Calceolarias (her-
baceous), per
dozen ... ... 6 0-80

— yellow, per dz. 5 0-60
Cinerarias, per

dozen 5 0-80

Clematis, per doz. 8 0-90

— in flower ... IS 0-24 0
Cocos WeddeMi-

ana, per dozen... 18 0-30 0
Coleus, per doz. ... 3 0-50

Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
Crassulas, per doz. 8 0-12 0
Crotons, per dozen 18 0-90 0
r\clamen, per doz. 8 0-12 0
C y per u s alterni-

folius, per doz. 4 0-50

— laxus, per doz. 4 0-50
Oracaenas.perdoz. 9 0-24 0
Erica candidissima,

per dozen ... 18 0-24 0

— Cavendishi.per
dozen 24 0-36 0

— persoluta alba 24 0-30 0

— small plants
(various) ... 3 0-50

— ventricosa ... 24 0-36 0
Euonymiis.per dz.,

in pots 3 0-80

— from the ground 3 0-60
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100 8 0-12 0

— in small and
large 60"s ... ]2 0-20 0

— in 48's, perdz. 4 0-60

— choicer sorts... 8 0-12 0

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

dozen 9 0-12 0

— repens, per dz. 6 0-80
Fuchsias, per dz..., 6 0-90

— standards, each 2 0-40
Grevilleas. per dz. 4 0-60
Heliotrope, per dz. 5 0-60
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6 0-90

Hydrangeas hor-
tensis, per doz.

— Thos. Hogg ...
Isolepis, per dozen
Kentia Belinore-

ana, per dozen

— Fosteriana, per
dozen ..

Latania borbonica,

per dozen
Lilium 1 o n g i -

floriim, per dz.
• — lancifolium, p.

dozen

— martagonp.dz.
Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Mignonette, p. doz.

s.d. s.d.

9 0-18 0
12 0-24 0
4 0-60

18 0-24 0

18 0-30 0

15 0-21 0

24 0-36 0

18 0-30 fi
18 0-21 0

12 0-18 0
4 0-60

s
Marguerites, white,

per dozen ... 5
Pelargoniums

(show), per doz. 8

— Ivy leaved, per
dozen 6

— Zonal 5

Petunias, per doz. 0

in 60's 2

Selaginella, p. doz, 4
Spiraea japonica,

per dozen ,.. 8
Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz 5

Tulips, in pots,

special 6

Verbena, per doz. 5

.d. s.d.

0-8 0

0-18 0

0-8 0-
0-6 0-
0- & O
0- 3 0
0-6 0

0-10 0-

0-8 0-

0-9 0
0- 9 0

Fruit: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples (Australian),
per case :

— Monro's Fa-
vourite

— (Tasm a n i an),
per case :

— Ribston

— New York

— Scarlet Pear-
main

— Crews Egg ...

— Wellington ...

— Sturmer Pippin

— French Crab ...
Apricots (French),

per box

— per case
Bananas, bunch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra „ ...

— Giant ,,

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles...

— Loose, vier dz.
Cherries (French),

per box

— j bushel
Custard Apples, p.

dozen

Figs -

Grape Fruit, case :

— 96's ...

— tO's ...

— 64's ...

— 54's ...
Grapes, per lb.

— Black. English,
(new)

Grapes (Australian),
per 20 lbs. ...

— Black

Lemons, per case :

— (Messina), se-
lected, 300 ...

— selected, large

s.d. s.d.

9 6-11 0

9 0-10 0
9 0-12 0

9 6-11 6
9 0-10 0
11 0-12 0
9 6-10 6
9 0-11 0

10-13
2 0-3 6

8 0-10 0
8 0-10 0
10 0-14 0
14 0-16 0
4 0-66
8 0-90
0 6-10

16-19
8 0-9 6

6 0-12 0
2 0-80

20 0 —

10-36

18 0 —
200 —

14 0-16 0
16 0-20 0

Lemons (Naples),
420

— (Messina), 150
Melons (English)...

— (Guernsey) ...

— (French), Can-
taloupe, each...

Nectarines, dozen ;

— selected ... 12

— seconds ... 4
Nuts, Almonds, p.

bag 36

— Brazils, new,
per cwt, ... 45

— sorted 50

— Barcelona, per
bag 32

— Cocoa nuts, 100 10
Oranges—

— C al i f ornian
Navel, box (80)\

— „ case (96) I,.

— „ „ (112)/^*

— .> „ (126lJ

— Denia, per case
{4-iO) 18

— (714) selected 24

— Murcia (200) ... 12

— (300) 10

Peaches (English),

per doz. ... 8
~- seconds ... 2

Pears (Avacado),
per doz.

— (Tasmanian) :

— Vicar of Wake-
field, large
cases 13

Pineapples, each ... 2
Strawberries, p. lb.

— cold house ... 1

— seconds ... 0

— (Southampton's),
per basket ... 2

— (French), per
crate of 4 bas-
kets 6

s.d. s d.

0-25 0'

6 10 6-

0- 2 6

6-3 0

4 0-90

0-18 0
0-8 0

0-42 0

0 —
0 _

0-34 0

0-14 a

6-16 0*

8 0-20 0'
14 0 ~
2 0-17 0-
0 6-16 &

8 0-18 0
2 0-60

6 0-12 0

0-14 0
0-5 0

0-16

6-10

6-3 6
0-11 0

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

Artichokes(Globe),
per dozen

— Jerusalem, |
sieve

Asparagus, Eng-
lish, per bdle,
100 sticks. ...

— Giant

— Montauban ...

— Toulouse
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
per pad

Beetroot, per bushel
Cabbages (spring)

per hamper ...
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches

— (French), per
dozen bunches

Cauliflowers, ham-
per (24-30)

— per doz. (large)

— Dutch, p. crate
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30's ...

— 36"s

— 42's

Endive, per dozen
Greens, Spring, bag

— Herbs (sweet),
packets, per
gross

Gooseberries, S bus.
Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles ...
Leeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

per bushel

— hamper

— Cos. per dozen

s.d. s.d.
3 0 —
0 9-10

2 0-26
7 6-20 0
19-20
16-20

0 9-10

2 fr-3 6
2 0-26

2 6-36

4 0-50

5 0-60

4 0-60

3 0-40
3 6 —

6 0 —
6 0 —

5 0 —
2 6-30
10-16

7 0 —
3 0-40

10-16
12 0-18 0
10-16

0 9-16
16-26
2 0-40

0 8-0 10

16-20

0 4-05

5 0-55
4 6-50
2 0- 2 &

6 0 —

8 0 16 0

2 0-30

6 0-80

6 0-66

Remarks. — Hot-house strawberries have now practically
finished, but there is a good supply from the cooler houses
and outdoor fruits from the Southampton district. Prices
have, consequently, fallen much during the week. Home-
grown Peaches are a good supply, but large Nectarines are
scarce. English Grapes are selling well, also the supplies
from Australia. Foreign Apples are not selling so freely-

Lettuce (French),
Cos, per dozen

Marrows, per doz.

Mint, doz. bunches

M u sh rooms, per
lb

— broilers
Mustard and Cress,

per dozen pun.
Onions (spring), dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bags
Parsley, ^ sieve .-
Peas (French), pad

— (Jersey) per lb.

— i bus. English
Potatos (Algerian),

cwt

— (C hannel Is-
lands), per lb.

— (Teneriffe), per
cwt

— (Lis-bon), case
Rhubarb, Natural,

perdz. bundles
Radishes (English),

per dozen
Spinach, J sieve ...
Siachys tuberosa,

per lb

Tomatos—

— (English), per
dozen lbs.

— small selected

— seconds

— (Guernsey), per
dozen lbs.

— (Teneriffe), per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bun-
ches

— (French), per
dozen bunches

Watercress, p, dz.
bunches

s.d. s.d,

2 6-50
4 0-80

3 0-60

0 8- 19
0 4-06

0 6-0 8-

1 6 —
7 0 —
16-20

4 6-50
13-16
4 0-6 0'

14 0 —

0 U 0 s-

6 0-9 0-
4 0- 4-6-

416

THE GA RDENERS CHRONICLE.

[June 18, 1910.

Cherries from France are not so inferior as former samples,
and they are selling belter. Apricots are of tine qnaliiy and
selling freely. English Tomatos are plentiful and cheap.
Foreign Tomaloi have nearly finished, but still a few sam-
ples are to be had on the market. Homegrown Beans are
firmer. The vegetable market is well supplied. Peas are
to be had in quantities packed in A bushels, of very good
quality. Asparagus is plentiful. Trade generally is good.
E, //. Rid&s, Covmt Garden, June 15, 1910.

percwt.

per cwi"

s.d. s.d.

Lincolns-

s.d. s.d

Blacklands

... 2 0-29

Sharpe's Express.

.23-26

Dunbars —

Up-to-Date ...

.30-39

Maincrop ...

... 5 6- 5 9

Dalmeny Beauty...

3 6-39

Up-to-Date ...

... 4 0-46

Royal Kidney

.20-26

Lincolns—

Maincrop

.29-36

Evergood

... 2 3-26

King Edwards

.3036

New Fotatos.

Teneriffe, per cwt. 7 0-861 Jersey, per cwt. ... 80-86

Lisbon, per case ... 3 6- 4 0 | Cherbourg, per cwt. 7 0-79

St Malo, per cwt. ... 8 0

Remarks.— The trade for old Potatos still continues fair.
The prices for new tubers are about the same as last
week. Edward J. Newboii^ Coveni Garden a/id St. Panoas,
June 15, WW.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

Ascot week is usually a bad week for general market trade.
To-day it has been unusually slow, both for plants and cut
blooms. Bedding plants are getting thinned out, and some
of those now to be seen are of very indifferent quality.
The supplies of most plants are excessive. Pansies, Violas,
Wallflowers, Daisies, and other hardy flower roots ap-
pearonmost of the stands. In flowering plants there are
good show Pelargoniums procurable, but it is only the best
that sell at anything like a fair price. Zonal varieties are
good and well flowered. Herbaceous Calceolarias are good,
and the shrubby, yellow varieties in 48's. Erica persoluia
and the white variety are good, also E. candidissima and
E. magnihca, but they will not hold out much longer. Hy-
drangeas are plentiful and good. The blue-tinted H. hor-
tensis are more plentiful this season. H. paniculata, in
various sizes, are of the best quality ; also H. Thomas
Hogg-a favourite with florists, as it lasts so well. Roses
include Ramblers, Dwarf Polyanthas, Hybrid Perpetuals, and
the dwarf varieties of the "Little Pet" section. It is the
large pyramids of Dorothy Perkins and other Ramblers that
are most in demand. Mignonette is sent by several groweri;
and the plants are very good specimens. Heliotropiums and
Petunias, in various sizes ; Spiraea, in while and pink, also
Liliums are well flowered. Ferns are remarkably good, and
Palms are well supplied ; yet, from what I hear, there may
be a scarcity again later. Asparagus Sprengeri has become
a popular pot plant, and A. plumosus nanus sells well.
Genistas are well flowered, and, being used for window
boxes, they sell fairly well.

Cut Flowers.

The trade has been very dull during the past week, and it
seems likely that it will continue so for some weeks. While
flowers are most in demand, but supplies are plentiful and
prices are but moderate. Sweet Peas are abundant, also
Pyrethrums in various colours and summer flowers gene-
rally. Carnations are over plentiful, and at the close of the
mirket are offered at low prices. Good Roses sell fairly
well. Pteonies are remarkably good in various colours.
Lilium longiflorum is seen in large quantities, and prices
are rather lower than they were a week ago. L. lanciflorum
rubrum and L. I. album are good; there are also good
samples of L. candidum. Lily of the Valley from the open
ground is very fine this season. Tulips and Hyacinths are
procurable, but the supplies are falling off and prices are
uncertain. Daffodils will also be finished shortly. Pyre-
thrums are at their best, and being present in large quan-
tities. Gladioli of various sorts are good. G. Colviiei is
most in demand. During the next few weeks there will
be but little demand except for white flowers. A, H,, Covent
Garden, June 15, i910.

NEW INVENTION.

PRISMATIC ROOFING.

Our attention has been drawn to a new system
of roofing for glasshouses, the invention of Mr.
J. H. Beamish, of New Zealand. Mr. Beamish
calls it prismatic roofing, the glass being arranged
in ridges or rows like Potato furrows. The advan-
tages claimed by the inventor for his style of
glazing are the speedy and effectual disposal of all
water, either from rain or condensation, an in-
creased amount of light in the house morning and
evening, as fewer rays are deflected, and the
diffusing of the rays at mid-day thus obviating
all danger from burning or scorching by sun.

The panes of glass or other roofing material
are supported and secured on a specially chan-
nelled rafter. The glass simply rests on
channelling, is secured by metal clips, and can
be readily fi.xed and replaced. If breakage
occurs, the water from other panes, being con-
ducted directly to the channel, by reason of the
double fall, only such rain as falls actually on
tlie broken area is admitted to the interior of
the house ; thus very little drip is possible. No
putty or paint is used in the glazing.

f to
hrrubondcnU

*,* The Eiliturs will he glad to rcri'ive, fur
considcralioii, tunjc pliolograpks of hortirulluial
subjecti, suitable fur reproduction a-^ Supple-
mentari/ Illustrations in this Journal.

AsTE.lr^.^ Wallichii : L. G. P. This plant may
be flowered in a tolerably small state, if potted
into a large pot, and allowed to get pot-bound.
If the plant requires more support some turves
of loam should be placed under the pot, and
the plant allowed to root through into them.
If the size of the plant exceeds the space you
have for its accommodation, you could make a
present of it to .someone who has greater con-
venience, for the species is a really beautiful
plant when in flower.

Books: Anxious. You can obtain Laivns, by
Sutton and Sons, price Is. 2d., from our pub-
lishing department.

C.VRNATIONS : Anxious. The plants are injured
at the collar by a mining maggot. Place soot
round the stems, in order to prevent eggs being
deposited.

Cherry Tree : G. W. W. S Co. We could not
find the insect, but it is probably the larva of
the Cherry tree sawfly. To rid the trees of
these, dust the " slug-worms," as the larvse
are termed, with quicklime or gaslime. They
will throw off this, when first applied, by
exuding a coating of slime ; but they cannot
continue doing this, if the operation is repeated
several times. You may also syringe the trees
with strong soap-suds or tobacco water, or with
a wash containing 20 lbs. of soft soap and a
peck of lime to each 30 gallons of water. Dur-
ing the winter following a bad attack, remove
the surface .soil to a depth of 3 or 4 inches.
This will contain large numbers of cocoons, and
should be burned, or buried deeply, with quick-
lime or gaslime. If the soil cannot be removed,
vaporite may be inserted in it in autumn.
Many perfect sawflys can be caught by shaking
the trees over a freshly-tarred board or cloth
in the evening.

Cucumbers: Moortown. The plants are attacked
with the Cucumber and Jlelon spot fungus
(Cercospora melonis). Spraying with Bordeaux
mixture has not been found effective against
this disease, unless it is commenced at a very
early stage. In any case, all diseased leaves
should be burnt as soon as the spot is detected,
treating the whole plant in the same manner if
the attack is severe. The use of carbolic acid
for sprinkling the floor of the houses just before
closing in the evening has been found to be
valuable in some cases. The best preventive
is to take proper care to ventilate the house
sufficiently.

Employment at Kew : Correspondent. If you
write to the Director of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, he will send you a memorandum
of conditions of employment as gardener, to-
gether with a form of application. This form
of application must be returned to the
Director, accompanied by a letter in the appli-
cant's own handwriting, with testimonials in
English from employers or head gardeners.
Applicants must be unmarried, between 19 and
24 years ot age. and must have been employed
not less than four years in good gardens or
nurseries. They must be healthy, free from
physical defect, and not below average height.
Gardeners while at Kew receive an allowance
of 21s. per week to meet the cost of subsistence.
Those who are selected to serve as sub-foreman
receive 27s. per week. Extra allowances are
granted for Sunday duty, a certain amount of
which is compulsory.

Names of Plants : 71'. B. You omitted to give
your address. 1, Rhododendron Ingramii ; 2,
R. The Queen ; 3, R. Barclayanum ; 4, R.
Pelopidas ; 5, R. Princess Mary of Cambridge ;
and, 6, R. Michael Waterer.— P. B. Trifolium
minus. — A. J. H. Probably Alstrcemeria
haemanthfe. We cannot say definitely, as the
flowers are not yet formed. — .7. B. Muscari
eomosum monstrosum. — IF. J. B. 1. Budd-
leia globosa ; 2, Corydalis chielanthifolia ;
3, Asperula odorata. — 11'. J. W. Lonicera

involucrata. — 77. 7/. Muscari eomosum mon-
strosum.— G. 77. Thalictrum aquilegifolium.
— B. 77. 1, Satyrium coriifolium ; 2,
S. carneum ; 3. Eulophia ensata ; 4, E.
pulchra. — B. Eulophia Dregeana. — G. D. 1,
Iris graminea ; 2, Veronica spicata : 3, Buddleia
globosa. — A". Mimulus (Diplacus) glutinosus
aurantiacus. — ,7. R. G. Crinum giganteum
and Helxine Solierolii. — A. B. P. Ixia erecta.
— B. Hudson. The mottled leaf is Pulmonaria
saccharata, the other Dicentra eximia (Diely-
tra). — Enquirer. Spiraea chamaedrifolia.

Novelty : E. A. We cannot tell you whether in
a particular case, the circumstances of which
are unknown to us, it would be more profit-
able to sell a novelty to a seed merchant or to
exhibit it yourself and to work up a stock for
distribution. In many cases the convenience
of the raiser is served by placing the novelty
in the hands of a widely-known seedsman or
nurseryman, but in other and less numerous
cases the raiser prefers to distribute the novelty
himself. In a very few cases raisers have not
only distributed the novelty, but they have
established a business for the purpose, and the
business has succeeded owing to the advertise-
ment gained in the distribution. You must
determine the question for yourself, taking int<j
consideration the position you now fill, the
means you have for effecting proper distribu-
tion, and particularly, the estimated value cf
the novelty itself.

Onions : G. L. Your Onion plants are affected
with the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotorum. The
prevalence of the Sclerotium disease is due to
plants containing Sclerotia being left on the
land. The placing of such diseased plants in
the piggery or on the manure heaps does not
destroy the Sclerotia, which are capable i f pass-
ing through the digestive tract of an animal
without injury. The following are some sug-
gestions reci;mimended by the Board of Agricul-
ture for checking the spread of this disease: —
(1) Collecting and burning all infested stems,
leaves, tubers, or bulbs is the only certain
means of destroying the fungus. (2) Accumula-
tions of vegetable matter act as nurseries for
the growth and dissemination of Botrytis, and
.should not be allowed in a garden. (3) Gas-
lime or quick-lime should be applied to land
where the disease has existed. (4) Weeds also
enable the fungus to tide over the time be-
tween crops of cultivated plants. Ornamental
plants such as Pseonies and Chrysanthemums
are also attacked, and may furnish spores that
pass on to other plants.

Plane Trees: Plnlinus. On the one hand it
is possible that the trees are suffering from
the smoke and injurious gases in the atmo-
sphere, and on the other hand a fungus
disease may be present. You had better send
specimens for examination.

Vegetable Crops: .S'. G. I'., Kent. We are un-
able to make out your meaning. Have you
written a previous letter on this subject?

Vines : A. B. In order to improve the condition
of your vines, scatter a thin sprinkling of sul-
phate of iron over the border, and prick this
into the soil by means of a fork, afterwards
applying a thorough watering.

Violas : IT'. J. Water the plants with a solu-
tion of nitrate of potash at the strength of 1 oz.
of potash to two gallons of water. When the
Violas are removed to another site, let the soil
be given a liberal application of lime.

Wistaria: IF. A. 77. It is impossible for us to
determine what is the matter with ycjur W's-
taria unless you send a portion of the plant for
examination. You do not even describe the
conditions in which the plant is growing.

Worm : J. Ward. The worm could not be found.
Have you another specimen?

Communications Received.— Geo. O. (Your letter has
been forwarded to tlie Essex Educational Committee) —
Commissioner of Agriculture for West Indies— M. McN.
(The book does not appear to have reached us}— R. W. T.
(The photograph is not suitable for reproduction! -A. H.
—J. P.- Aria-H. M. D.— C. Bros & Co.— J. P.-W. T.—

D. B.-W. H. H.— G. B.— B. G.— S. C.-A. D.-Roy. Agr.
Soc.-R F.-J. D.— W. A. D.— W.B. H.-A. & B. Ltd.—
B. M.— W.— A. B.— C. H. H.— B. P.— W. K.-H. C—

E. P. B.— W. E.B— J. G. W.— W. P.-K. & Son.— J. W.
—A. B.E.-H. C. C.-P. J. K.— A.P.— W. P —Dr. A, B, R.
R. P.— J. P.-T. H.— E. H, J.-Dr. J. V. P., Teneriffe —
T. H. B.-S. & S.-W. H, P.— T, A. H.— Wm. C —
E.A.C.L.-G. P.— O. R. S.— W. M.— J. H.— A. P. Lady
G. D.— R. H. W.-MiasD.Y.— W. J, B.-F.H.D.— W.W.
— H. C.-F. M.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

417

THE

#arbencrs'Cbroniclc

No. 1.32G.— SATURDAY, June 25. 1910.

CONTENTS.

Agave Scolymus and its

Obituary—

alles

422

Crichton, A. B.

434

Agricultural science,

Culverweil. Wm,

434

committee on

427

Seelisch, Otto

435

Alpine garden, the—

Ononis fruticosa

420

Senecio Doionicum ...

424

Ordnance surveys and

Anona reticulata

419

salaries

427

Beaumontia graudiflora

Pansies and Violas 428

432

superba

423

Phalaenopsia in Cali-

Benevolent Institution,

fornia

421

Gardeners' Riyal ...

43i

Plants, new or note-

Berlin Botanical Gar-

worthy-

den

428

Irises, Wilsonii,

Books, notices of —

Forrestii, and Bul-

" Pansies. Violas, and

leyana

418

Violets-

423

Rhododendron show, a

427

Botanical nomencla-

Rhododendrons, culture

ture

426

of

429

Brent Valley bird sanc-

Rothamsted Experi-

t'lary, the

427

mental Station

427

Cabbages, trials of

Snake and thrttsh

423

spring

423

Societies -

Carnation show, novel-

Manchester Orchid ...

432

ties at the

428

Royal Agricultural -■■

433

Colour • inheritance in

Royal Cornwall

432

Foxgloves

417

Royal Horticultural ..

430

C 0 r y p h a umbraculi-

Royal Oxfordshire ...

433

fera ...

426

Yorkshire Gala

4;i7

Fernery, the—

Spring in the Eastern

Temporary variation

419

counties

429

Floral pictures

428

Trentham as a public

Flowers in season

427

resort ...

427

Fream memorial prize

426

Vegetables-

Fruit notes-

AsparHgus

419

Early Strawberries ...

420

Exhibition vegetables

429

■Glasnevin, note from -

Vegetation, the effects

Lupinus argenteus ...

421

of last winter upon ...

422

■Gooseberry diseases ...

428

Ward. Mr. H. AV.

427

Kew, hardy flowers at...

420

Week's work, >.he -

Law Note-

Flower gardin, the ...

425

Sale of poisons

435

Fruits under glass ...

424

■"La Vie a la Cam-

Hardy fruitgarden. the

424

pagne"

427

Kitchen garden, th3 ..

426

L.C.C. Parks, changes

Orchid houses, the ...

424

in the

427

Plants under glass ...

425

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Carnation ** Mrs. E. Martin Smith '* 422

Corypha umbraculifera (Talipot Palm) (Supplementary

Jiiystratmn)

Crichton, A. B., portrait. of the late 494

Oulverwell, W., porirait'bf the late 434

Irifi Forrestii 418

Ixia " Lady Slade" 425

Ononis fruticosa in Messrs. Robt. Veitch & Son's

nursery 420

Phaleenopsis Schilleriana, an importation. o! 421

Hanunuulus " Evening Star " 429

COLOURJNHERITANCE IN
FOXGLOVES.

EXPERIMENTS performed within the last
few years on the inheritance of flower-
colour have shown that, among white-
flowered varieties, considerable diversity of
^constitution exists. Experiments on white-
ilowered varieties of Antirrhinum majus,
Primula sinensis, and other species, show
that some, when crossed with coloured
"types, give plants with coloured flowers in the
first generation. On selfing the hybrid plants,
coloured and white plants, in the pro|X)rtion
of 3 coloured: 1 white are obtained. White
varieties that behave thus on crossing with
colour are completely unpigmented, both as
regards stem and flowers, and it is evident
that they are lacking in at least one of the
elements necessary for the production of
colour. They are called recessive whites, and
they behave with respect to colour as a simple
Mendelian recessive to colour. Besides the
recessive whites, there occur in Primula
sinensis other white varieties which, on cross-
ing with colour, give an exactly opposite
result. These plants possess a completely
pigmented stem, of a reddish colour, as op-
posed to the green, unpigmented stem of the
recessive whites. When crossed with coloured
flowers, they give white or faintly tinged-
flowered plants, which, on selfing, produce

white and coloured-flowered plants in the
proportion of 3 white : 1 coloured. These
white varieties are therefore called dominant
whites. It is supposed that such dominant
whites, with fully pigmented stems, carry all
the elements necessary for the production of
colour, and, in addition, a factor which in-
hibits the development of colour in the petals.
In the aljsence of the inhibiting factor, the
petals are coloured, the presence of this factor
being dominant to its absence.

Experiments on the inheritance of colour
in Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), published
in a recent issue of the New Phijtulogist, show
that, in this species also, two kinds of white-
flowered varieties occur. The varieties used
were white with red spots, magenta with red
spots, and white with yellow spots. It may
be noted that the yellow spots are due to
localised groups of chromatophores, and, so
far as has been observed, no Foxglove is alto-
gether devoid of such sjKits, which may, how-
ever, be of so faint a colour as to be only just
distinguishable. Also it has been observed
that no flower with a magenta ground colour
is devoid of red spots, and it would appear
probable that the red colour of the spots is
caused by the presence of the same factor that
is responsible for the magenta ground-colour
of the corolla, and that the red spots are due
to local action of magenta colour factor on
the yellow spots.

As the result of various crosses made be-
tween these three varieties, it was found that,
of the two kinds of whites, that with yellow
spots breeds true, and is recessive to the
magenta type. It, therefore, behaves as a
recessive white. The white with red spots
may, on selfing, give rise to white like itself, to
the magenta type, and also to the white with
yellow .spots. Such a plant may be supposed
to carry a dominant white factor, inhibiting
colour, at all events except in the spots. This
factor we may represent as W. As the plant
does not breed true to whiteness, it must be
heterozygous for this factor, or Ww. Tliat a
colour factor is carried by this plant is also
evident, for it possesses red spots, and pro-
duces coloured offspring, but as it also pro-
duces recessive whites (unpigmented plants)
it cannot be pure (homozygous) for this
factor. The colour factor may be represented
as M, its absence by m, so that the complete
gametic constitution of the plant as regards
flower colour is Ww Mm. It follows that the
gametic constitution of the white with yellow
spots, which is homozygous both for the
absence of the dominant white factor and the
absence of colour factor, is ww mm.

It is evident that the progeny of a cross
between plants of the constitution Ww Mm,
and WW mm, should, if this explanation of the
facts be correct, consist of all three types,
viz., white-red spots, magenta-red spots, and
white-yellow spots. White with red spots =
Ww Mm, should bear gametes in ecjual num-
bers as follow: — WM, Wm, wM, and wm.
The gametes of the white with yellow spotB =
wmwm, will be all wm. The zygotes result-
ing from the union of such gametes are : —
WwMm = white, red spots; Wwmm = white,
yellow spots; wwMm = magenta, red spots;
wwmm = white, yellow spots. The three types
should appear in the following proportions : —
1 white, red spots, 1 magenta, red spots, 2
white, yellow spots. The results actually oK
tained in this experiment are as follow : —

White, red spots, 11 ; magenta, red spots, 10;
white, yellow spots, 25.

A close approximation to the expected
numbers was thus obtained. Among those
white plants with yellow spots resulting from
this cross, some should be of the constitution
Wwmm, and others should be wwmm. Plants
of the former constitution have not yet been
identified experimentally in Foxgloves. Cer-
tain unpigmented, white-flowered plants of
Primula sinensis have been found to carry the
dominant white factor, or inhibitor of colour.

Other experiments confirm these conclu-
sions concerning the factors involved in the
production of flower-colour in Foxgloves.
The existence of a dominant white factor,
capable of inhibiting ground colour, and not
spot colour, though both ground colour and
spot colour are due to the same colour factor,
may prove of importance in interpreting the
origin of spots, bars, and stripes, both in
plants and animals. Given the existence of
specialised areas, the addition of a ground-
colour factor would produce a uniformly-
coloured surface, on which the specialised
areas might, or might not, stand out con-
spicuously. Wa.sh over that surface with a
partial or complete inhibitor of colour, then
the general ground colour will be suppressed,
and conspicuous splashes of colour in spots or
stripes will stand out on a light ground. It
may well be that this differentiation of a
dominant white factor, inhibiting ground
colour, but not colour in spot or stripe areas,
may provide a clue to the behaviour of such
striped types as are known to produce, occa-
sionally, self-coloured offspring.

Turning to the experiments on peloria, it
is of special interest to find that Darwin
(18G8), working with Snapdragon (Antir-
rhinum majus), obtained results which indi-
cate for this phenomenon a simple Mendelian
mode of inheritance. He found that peloric
plants selfed, gave plants all peloric. Peloric
X non-peloric and the reciprocal cross gave
plants all non-peloric, showing that the
normal form is dominant to the peloric form.
On selfing the hybrid plants, non-peloric and
peloric offspring were obtained in close
approximation to the ratio of 3 : 1. The actual
numbers, in Darwin's experiments, were 90
non-peloric : 37 peloric.

In the Foxgloves used in the present experi-
ments, peloria is confined to the terminal
flower of the inflorescence. The peloric flowers
are bell-shaped and erect, as opposed to the
irregular and pendulous, lateral flowers. They
may develop to an abnormal size, may possess
eight or more anthers, and the stigma may
have five stigmatic surfaces. The results of
the experiments may be summarised briefly
as follow : —

Peloric. plants salfed yield all peloric. This
was the case not only when a peloric flower
was selfed with its own pollen, but also when
a lateral flower of a peloric plant was selfed.
Non-peloric plants selfed may throw both
types in the ratio of 3 non-peloric ; 1 peloric.

Thence it is evident that peloria in Fox-
gloves is recessive to the normal form. This,
perhaps, is not surprising, for peloria is
chiefly characterised by the absence of the
zygomorphy of the normal flowers, and
evidence is accumulating that the relation
between Mendelian dominant and recessive
members of allelomorphic pairs is of the
nature of the presence and absence of a single
factor.

418

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

NEW OR NOTEWORTHY
PLANTS.

THREE NEW CHINESE IRISES.

The richness of the Chinese flora is indeed
extraordinary, and, thanks to the enterprise of
Jlr. Wilson and Mr. Forrest, our gardens are
rapidly being enriched by some of its treasures.

For some years I have been hoping that sooner
or later we should obtain a yellow-flowered rela-
tive of Iris sibirica, for there appears to be con-
siderable evidence that the blue-purple colouring-
matter of many Irises is of very nearly the same
composition as the yellow of others. I am told,
and I can well believe, that the chemical ques-
tion involved is extremely delicate and compli-
cated, but its solution might be of great valus.

In the Kew Bulletin for 1907, p. 321, Mr.
C. H. Wright described Iris Wilsonii from speci-
mens sent to him by Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea.
Last year this firm very kindly allowed me to
have a plant of this Iris, which on June 7 began
to bloom freely. By a lucky chance another
Chinese Iris, collected by Mr. Forrest, and sent
to me by Mr. A. K. BuUey, also came into flower
on the same day, and this plant I propose to
name I. Forrestii. Both these Irises have yellow
flowers, and they are both closely related to 1.
sibirica and I. Clarkei. They are distinguished,
however, by the following characteristics. In
I. Wilsonii the flowers are borne on long pedicels,
as in the western forms of I. sibirica ; in 1.
Forrestii the pedicels do not exceed an inch in
length. In the former the styles are very
narrow and the standards spreading, as in I.
Clarkei, with the edges of the blade curiously
crimped ; while in the latter the styles are
broader than the haft of the fr.lls, and tlio
standards almost erect with smooth blades. The
foliage also of the two plants is quite distinct,
that of I. Wilsonii resembling the growth of the
Oriental forms of I. sibirica, while the leaves of
I. Forrestii are narrow and grassy, and, more-
over, have the polished upper surface and glau-
cous under-surface, which are so marked features
of I. Clarkei. Moreover, I. Wilsonii grows to
twice the height of I. Forrestii.

IRIS WILSONII.

The hollow stems are about 2 feet in length,
barely overtopping the leaves, bearing a reduced
leaf, usually below the centre, and a two- flowered
spathe, above the pointed green valves of which
the flowers rise on solid pedicels 2 to 4 inches
long. The ovary is small, trigonal, dark green,
with a shiny surface, and the tube of the usual
sibirica shape, of about the same length as the
ovary.

The falls have a broad haft much veined with
red-brown on a bright yellow ground. This
colouring extends in a semi-circular patch on to
the oblong blade, which then becomes pale
yellow, with faint purplish veins. The standards,
which are poised at an angle of 45°, have a very
narrow, deeply channelled haft as long as the
much crimped blade, the colour of which is pale
yellow, with faint purplish markings. The
narrow styles are bright yellow, and the crests
small, quadrate and overlapping.

IRIS FORRESTH.*

The leaves are grassy, linear, about 10 to
12 inches long by i inch broad, with a smooth
polished upper and glaucous under surface. The

• Iris Forrkstm, sp. n. — Rhizoma gracile ; folia linearia,
subpedalia, i poll, lata, supra nitida, infra Rlaticescentia ;
cauHs pedalis, foliosus, fistulosus; spatha 1-2 flor^, valvis
viridibus, acutis, 2-3 poll, longis ; pedicdlus 1-lJ longus ;
cvarium tri[ionum ; (i(6i(S latiis, i poll, loneus; ses^nenta
omnia pallida lutea; cxterwra depressa, oblongo-ciineata,
ungne ca'^taneo-ven:)So; intcri^ra erecta oblongo-lanceolata,
unRue canaliculate ; styli rami saturatius lutei ; criitis
quadratis, sese tegentibus.

numerous stems are about 12 inches in height,
bearing one or two reduced leaves below the
centre and a single head of one to two flowers ;
they are hollow, but owing to the thickness of
the walls, the central space is much smaller than
in its allies. The spathe valves are green,
pointed, keeled, 2 to 3 inches long, containing
one to two flowers on solid pedicels about 1 to
1^ inch long. The ovary is pale green, trigonal
witli markedly hollow sides, slightly longer than
the broad, many-sided tube.

The falls have a short (1 inch) horizontal haft,
bearing broken veins of dark red or purple-brown

IRIS BULLEYANA.t

The third new Chinese species, to which I pro-
pose to give the above name, supplies a link
between Iris sibirica and Iris Clarkei, for it has
the hollow stem of I. sibirica, although in foliage
and growth it is very similar to I. Clarkei.

The plant that I received from Mr. BuUey last
autumn has not flowered, but he has very kindly
sent me a flowering specimen. However, as the
plant was uprooted some days before the 'bud
opened, I hesitate to give its full description,
and will merely describe it provisionally as an
ally of I. Clarkei, with flowers of whicli the

Fig. 190. — IRIS FORRESTII, A NEW SPECIES FROM CHINA.

on a yellow ground. This colouring projects, as
in I. Wilsonii, in a half circle on to the oblong
blade (li inch long by 1 inch broad), which is
separated from the haft by a sharp constriction.
The blade droops perpendicularly and is of a
pale lemon-yellow, sometimes slightly marked
with faint purplish veins. The standards are
erect, with channelled haft and oblanceolate, pale
yellow blade. The styles are also pale yellow,
somewhat di.scoloured with purple, broader than
the hafts of the falls, much arched and bringing
the broadly triangular stigma close down on to
them. The crests are small quadrate and over-
lapping.

standards are blue-purple and the falls mottled
with the same colour on a creamy ground.

As regards habitat, I. Wilsonii was found by
Wilson at Fang, in the province of Hupeh, in
Western China ; I. Forrestii, in open mountain
meadows on the eastern flank of the Lichiang
Range in North-west Yunnan. At present I am
unable to state the precise locality in which I.
BuUeyana was collected, although, if my recol-
lection is right, it was in Yunnan. TI'. Ji. Dykes,
Charterhouse, Godalming.

t Iris Bui levana. sp. n. I. riarkei simillima sed cauln
fistuloso facile distingnenda. — Khiznuta Rracile, late repens :
foHa ensiformia supra nitida, infra gtaucescentia ; cauJii
subpedalis, fistulosus ; spatha biflorae, valvis viridibus acutis.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

419

THE FERNERY.

TEMPORARY VARIATION.
One of the more puzzling facts among many in
•connection with the phenomena of plant varia-
tion is that of intermittent changes of form, that
is. of varietal characters which appear, disap-
pear, and sometimes reappear, apparently quite
independently of change of environment. In
the study of Ferns, to which I have devoted my-
self for some 30 years, several instances of this
have cropped up which I venture to think merit
record. The first instance which I recall was
■that of a form of Lastrea filix-mas, which I found
Tiear Kilmarnock, L. f.-m. polydactyla, Druery.
This was found as a large, well-established
plant, with a number of fronds, the terminals of
which and of the side divisions were beautifully
■tasselled, some of the latter having as many aa
30 pointed strands to the tassels, which were
evenly developed throughout every frond.
Colonel Jones, of Clifton, to whom the plant was
shown as found, pronounced it to be the finest
form of polydactyla he had seen. As my search
on the roadside coppice where the plant was found
was, unavoidably, a very brief one, I suggested
a further search by relatives who resided close
Tdv, and two other large plants, similarly charac-
terised, were found in the same coppice, but quite
separate from each other. The following season
all three plants, grown in three different places
— Aberfeldy and Kilmarnock in the open, and
London under glass — become erratic and defec-
tive, with depauperate fronds hardly showing a
trace of the polydactylous character, and despite
the most careful treatment, have never re-
assumed the apparently thoroughbred form.
Naturally my first care w'as to sow the spores of
such an apparent acquisition : the result was a
large batch of plants, all, with a single excep-
tion;, irregular and depauperate from the outset,
while the one exception, happily, turned out to
be a replica of the form as found, and has, after
many years, never shown a sign of retrogression.
This case is rendered the more remarkable by the
fact of three separate plants being found, all alike
and yet all of the same ephemeral type of varia-
tioPj It is to be assumed that these were of
like origin, i.e., derived either from spores of an
apparently normal form or that one of them was
the parent, through its spores, of the other two,
although, as we have seen, the spores, when sown,
all yielded defective progeny with the one excep-
tion cited, representing probably one in about 200.
A still more remarkable case, since it involves
the temporary assumption of several characters,
is that of a Polystichum angulare, found by me
three years ago in Devonshire. This had only
two very large fronds, bearing bipinnate side
divisions, of a thick leathery character, of which
the lower series in the centre of the frond were
distinctly truncate, ending abruptly and squarely
with the midrib projecting about half an inch as
a translucent thorn. The frond tips were simi-
larly characterised. We have thus three dis-
tinctly abnormal characters, greater subdivision,
a stouter texture and more lucent surface, since
normally the pinnce are thin and nonlucent, and
finally a truncation which is very uncommon in
this species and was very marked. On extracting
the plant, I was surprised to find five of the pre-
vious season's fronds attached, brown and
shrivelled, but absolutely normal, without a trace
of variation, and the following season, though
the plant assumed full size, not a trace of any of
the three abnormal features was perceptible, per-
fect normality being reassumed, as is the case
this season also. A sowing made from the trun-
cate fronds has yielded but a few plants, which
are still very small, but so far appear to be
normal, though one extremely ramose and
crested variety has appeared in a very mysterious
way, and is so very abnormal that I cannot bring
myself to consider it as other than a stray spore-
ling, though it resembles nothing in my collec-
tion. Here then we have two instances of very
abnormal characters being only temporarily

asoumed. Athyrium filixfoemina setigerum,
found in the Lake District, is of normal outline,
but, with all the minor divisions, fringed with
translucent bristles. This, despite its normal
outline, has, through its spores, produced a great
number of cristate and even percristate varieties,
apparently per se, though the possibility of
cresses with crested forms cannot be excluded.
Of this a percristate form in my possession has
produced two crowns by simple fission of the
original one, one of these has retained its original
form perfectly ; the other is of the same percris-
tate character, but utterly devoid of the bristly
one, and this difference is seen in all the fronds
of each form. This I am inclined to ascribe to an
original cross between setigerum and cristatum,
but it is none the less a curious fact that simple
duplication of the crown by fission should result
in the throwing out of one parental character so
thoroughly in one division and its retention in the
other. It must, however, be noted in this con-
nection that a number of the setigerum seedlings
have been known to revert, the bristly character
proving itself thus to be somewhat fugitive or
intermittent. A cross between setigerum and
A. f.-f. Victoria has been recently shown to me
which has become true Victoi'iae, without a trace
of the original bristly feature. The pulcherri-
mum character in Polystichum angulare, which
consists in a falcate elongation of the inferior
pinnules, whose tips extend and form prothalli
(apospory) has occurred in wild plants several
times, only to disappear entirely under cultiva-
tion, e.xcept in the case of the Mr. Molys varie-
gated find, which is quite constant. Another form
of variation of a temporary character is evidenced
in such Ferns as Polypodium vulgare elegantissi-
mum and A. f.-f. Kalothrix, in which very marked
typical characters are now and again thrown off
as it were in parts of the fronds, the normal in-
fluence asserting itself sufficiently to determine
growth on normal or nearly normal lines, and yet
in such a form as to constitute portions of fronds
which have started on the abnormal ones, and it
is a curious fact that no amount of breeding
through the spores appears capable of eliminating
this tendency, since sooner or later it persists in
appearing. In the P. vulgare it has even sur-
vived hybridising with P. glaucum, since
Schneider's remarkable hybrid, P. glaucum
Schneideri, is a true replica on a large scale of
P. V. elegantissimum, with all its vagaries. In
such cases the eccentricity is obviously in the
blood, and its occasional assertiveness is com-
prehensible, but the cases first cited belong to
a different category, for there we have the whole
system of the plant pervaded for a season or
seasons with a varietal influence, which is subse-
quently discarded entirely. Chas. T. Druery.

THE NETTED CUSTARD APPLE.

ANON.t RETICULATA is a native of tropical
America, including the West Indies, where it has
been cutlivated for a long period. Though
grown in the stove house at Hampton Court as
early as 1590, the plant neither fruited nor
flowered in this country till 1829. With more
regular and speedy communication between our
shores and the West Indies there is less need for
cultivators attempting to fruit the tree in
this country, where few can afford to grow
trees 15 feet to 25 feet in their stoves. The
specimens figured in the Botanical Magazine,
tabs. 2911, 2912, were prepared from dried speci-
mens and drawing sent from St. Vincent, in the
West Indies. The generic name Anona is the
tiative one applied to the plants in St. Domingo.
Fruits may often be seen in Covent Garden mar-
ket and first-class fruit shops in London. They
are globular or heart-shaped. In ripe fruits the
skin is reddish-brown and marked more or less
with angular reticulations. Specimens sent to
this country are green, being gathered before
they are ripe. J. F.

VEGETABLES.

ASPARAGUS.

At the present time many growers may be con
sidering in what way they can best assist the
plants, with the view of obtaining finer or
stronger heads next year.

At no other time may the plants so fully benefit
from generous treatment than just now and dur-
ing the rest of the growing season. Especially
if the summer should prove a dry one. Few,
perhaps, ever give a thought to the surface-root-
ing nature of the plants, or certainly more en-
couragement would be given to the new set of
roots which form at the base of the stem and
above the old ones each year. The amateur
grower should realise the mistake made last
autumn in allowing the old growths to remain
on the plants until the berries were fully mature
and fell to the ground. The seeds germinate
only too freely in spring, and, if an early clear-
ance is not made of the self-sown seedlings,
which crowd the surface of the bed, their pre-
sence greatly hampers the permanent stools or
roots, as they rob the ground of both moisture
and nourishment. It should be the aim of the
grower to relieve the bed of these without delay,
using a small hand fork to raise the roots should
they not draw out freely after rain.

It is common in many gardens to find that as
the season advances and the shoots begin to
" feather," the beds are allowed to get infested
with rank-growing weeds. This is bad practice,
but what perhaps proves even more harmful ia
setting a careless workman to clear off the weeds
with a drag hoe. There is not only the very
likely danger of mutilation of the young roots of
the Asparagus, since they are situated near the
surface, but they are apt to be left exposed, as
much of the soil covering them may be drawn into
the alleys with the weeds, and perhaps wheeled
away with them. Only hand weeding should be
practised, and this should be closely attended to
so as not to allow weeds any headway. The
small hand fork will prove of assistance to the
workman, not only in extracting strong-rooted
weeds, but, in diligent hands, serving for mould-
ing up any crowns which have become too fully
exposed, ,ind thus helping to develop the basal
buds forming on the new stems.

Beside keeping the bed free from self-sown
plants and weeds, each plant should be sup-
ported as carefully as one would a tall-growing
plant in the hardy flower border. Certainly
one great reason for the inferior " grass " to be
seen in some private gardens is that in the pre-
vious seasons the shoots were beaten down and
broken off by wind and rain long before they
had attained their fuU height and strength. The
shoots having been thus bruised or de-
stroyed prematurely, the basal buds could
not mature properly, hence the v/eakly growths
in the following season. To obtain really
good Asparagus, staking, or some other means
of preserving the shoots intact until they ripen
naturally, is necessary. This rule must be
observed with newly-planted stock just as with
established clumps. Perhaps the neatest sup-
ports are stout canes about 5 feet in length.
One at least should be placed by the side of each,
stool, and the different shoots looped to it with
tar cord. Very strong clumps may require three
such stakes to keep the strong growths upright
and secure. Another means of support is ia
straining stout tar cord along the line of the
plants 3 or 4 feet from the ground, with inter-
mediate supports, tying the various shoots to the
cord. Pea sticks placed about the plants would
be of some benefit.

Asparagus plants make new and very sti'ong
roots during one season, and these are greedy
feeders. The annual, spring, surface dress-
ing of manure, though materially helping
growth, proves insufficient- This should be

420

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

supplemented by copious and frequent waterings
with liquid manure during the summer and until
growth is completed, especially in the case of
raised beds. If a dry summer threaten, the planvs
would be further assisted by spreading a good
thickness of short, well-decayed dung about them.
Seaweed proves an excellent mulch for As-
paragus, but this is not procurable in all
localities. I recommend very light dressings of
agricultural salt on light, porous land during
showery weather, but its use on naturally reten-
tive ground tends to form a hard crust on the
surface of the beds, making it difficult for the
growths to push through should the season prove
bright and dry.

Asparagus should not be cut after the third
week in June, for the earlier the cutting ceases,
the better chance have the plants of producing
stout growths, and a longer season to become
properly matured. When other choice vegetables,
such as Peas and Beans become plentiful, in, say,
the third week of June, then we should be con-
tent to allow the Asparagus plants to recoup
themselves. R. P.

FRUIT NOTES.

EARLY STRAWBERRIES OUT-OF-DOORS.

In private establishments, where there is a
constant demand for dessert fruit, difficulty is
sometimes experienced in tiding over the gap be-
tween the indoor and outdoor crops of Straw-
berries. This difficulty is lessened here ty
planting annually a batch of young plants in a
border about 12 ft. wide at the foot of a south
wall. From these one-year-old plants we gather
fruits from 10 to 12 days earlier than from plants
in the open. The soil at the back of the border
is raised, giving the whole border a rather pre-
cipitate slope, in order to expose the plants more
directly to the influence of the sun's rays.
Before there is any danger of the flowers being
iniured by frost, the plants are bedded down
with clean straw and a temporary trellis is
erected over the whole of the border. Canvas
blinds are fixed at the top, with cords on pul-
leys, so that they can be drawn conveniently.
The blinds are drawn over the plants every night.
This precaution not only protects the flowers
from frost, but it afterwards assists the swelling
of the fruit. It is important that an early start
be made with young plants. Therefore, some of
the earliest runners must be secured for this
purpose. These should be ready to be planted at
the end of the month of July to enable them to
become well established by the end of the season.
The varieties we plant for this purpose are Noble
and Royal Sovereign. The former variety is not
so good as the latter in point of flavour, but it
ripens a day or two earlier, which is a considera-
tion. We gathered our first fruits this year on
Juce 12. H., Frogmore.

ONONIS FRUTIGOSA.

There are but few dwarf shrubs better suited
for planting in the rock-garden than Ononis fruti.
cosa. The specimen illustrated at fig. 191 gives a
good idea of its compact habit of growth. It
measured about 3 feet across, although but little
more than 12 inches high.

The pea-shaped flowers are produced in abund-
ance on large trusses during the whole of June.
The standards are of a pale-rose colour, with a
dark stripe through the centre, while the keels
and wings are blush-white, diffused with pink.
The leaves are 1 inch to 1^ inch in length, and
about 4 inch wide ; they are lanceolate in shape,
and have deeply-serrated margins. The shrub
is perfectly hardy. M.

HARDY FLOWERS AT KEW.

In the closing days of spring, Kew Gardens
may be seen at their best. The Azaleas are mar-
vellous in their superb colouring, masses of
white, creams, flesh-pink, pale sulpliur, chrome,
rich gold, brilliant oranges in every shade,
bright crimson and scarlet arresting the eye
on every side. In the Rhododendron dell
great bushes are loaded with countless flower-
trusses ranging in colour from white, through
pink to richest crimson. At the end of
May. Magnolia obovata and M. Lennei were
in full bloom, and M. Fraseri, M. Soulan-
geana and M. conspicua. were expanding their
blossoms. Beds of Viburnum tonientosum plica-
tum were a pretty feature, and a small Fir
smothered in Polygonum baldschuanicum pro-

being taken by Primula sikkimensis and Cypripe-
diums. The white and pink varieties of Dode-
catheon media were pretty, as was Maianthenjum
convallaria, with hundreds of little spikes
of white flowers. The scarlet-blossomed Ourisia
coccinea was doing well, and two forms cf
Melittis MelissophyUum, pure white and white
with a pink lip, were present. There were
masses of Ranunculus aconitifolius by the water-
side. Of Phloxes there were to be seen P.
divaricata and its white variety, P. amoena,
P. subulata (pink), and P. stellaria lilacina
(lavender). There was a fine collection of Saxi-
frages in flower, these including S. palmata, S.
irrigua. S. lingulata var.' lantoscana, S. coch-
learis, S. c. minor, S. Portse, S. Cotyledon Hostii,
S. Macnabiana, S. pyrenaica, S. cai'tilaginea, S.
Hostii altissima, S. Andrewsii, S. cuneifolia, S.

Fig.

igi.

-ONONIS FRUTICOSA IN MESSRS. VEITCK AND SON's NURSERY, EXETER;
FLOWERS ROSE-COLOURED AND WHITE.

mised to be a beautiful sight. At the side of the
temperate house there was a splendid colony of
Celmisias. These New Zealand plants succeed here
without protection, and are the very picture of
health, 50 or more specimens being in profuse
bloom, some bearing flowers quite 4 inches
across. It is found that they thrive better where
they are not exposed to continual sunshine, these
examples getting no sun until four o'clock in the
afternoon.

The rock-garden was very interesting. Hun-
dreds of Ramondias were in full bloom in the
perpendicular rock-work, the white as well as the
lavender-coloured forms being represented. In tha
adjoining bed the Meconopsis family were this
year conspicuous by their absence, their ^lace

Burseriana (looking very well, but out of flower),
the pale-yellow S. Aizoon flavescens. S. ^izoon
Malyi, S. Aizoon notata, S. Guildford Seedling,
S. crustata, S. Wallacei, S. taygetea,. and S.
sponhemica.

Of Primulas, there were present the bril-
liant orange-scarlet P. Cockburniana. a fine
clump of the rare P. Palinuri nearly 3 feet atjtiss,
P. japonica, P. farinosa, and P. sibirica. There
were several Achilleas. including A. rupeatris, 'A',
macedonica, A. argentea, A. ageratifolia. A.
Huteri, and A. lingulata. yEthionema graii-
diflorum was a cloud of bright pink ; JE.
Kotschyi (pale pink) was very dwarf, being
scarcely 2 inches high, and the pink JE.
schistosum was pretty, while a colony of /E.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

421

pulchellum on a ledge was a sheet of pale flesh-
pink. Vicia pyreniica is a charming little plant,
forming a dense mat, with bright, carmine-red,
pea-like flowers. A large sheet of Cornus
canadensis was covered with white blos-
soms. The greenish-white Anemone balden-
sis was not very attractive, A. alpina, A.
narcissiflora and A. sylvestris being prettier.
The white Daphne caucasica was pleasing, but
D. Blagayana was not doing at all well. Of the
Pinks, Dianthus callizonus, D. deltoides, and D.
alpinus were in bloom, as was a large colony of
the bright rose-pink D. neglectus. There was a
large patch of Geum hybridum, with red flowers,
and other species of Geum were G. elatum, from
the Hinialayas (with yellow blooms), G. chiloense
(orange-red), G. triflorura (red), and G. Ewenii
(orange). Lathyrus hirsutus was a dwarf grower,
with flowers of two shades of pink, and Linaria
pallida was a sheet of purple, yellow-spotted
blossoms. Dicentra eximia was attractive with
its pale-pink flowers, as was D. formosa. Poly-
gonum sphserostachyum, with deep, rosy-crimson
flower-spikes, was a pretty plant, and a large
patch of the deep-purple Viola gracilis was lovely,

tiacus (deep-orange), E. leiomerus (pale-lavender,
very dwarf), E. philadelphicus (mauve), Erodium
gultatum (white flowers with a purple blotch on
the two upper petals), Potentilla nevadensis
(bright-yellow, dwarf, and pretty). Orchis macu-
lata. Iris gracilipes (with beautiful pale-lavender
flowers). Gladiolus anatolicus (2 feet high, with
attractive pink blossoms), and Asperula Taurina
(with small clusters of white flowers).

One of the most pleasing and instructive spots
at Kew now is the Alphie house, for here can
be seen many delicate rock-plants in full
flower, unharmed by the devastating gales and
torrents that ruin the beauty of the plants in the
open air. At the end of May there were in
flower in this house Meconopsis heterophylla.
from California (a very handsome plant, 2 feet
high, with brilliant orange-coloured flowers),
Linum arboreum (yellow), Calochortus Maweanus
(white), C. pulchellus (yellow), C. amoenus (pink),
C. Benthamii (yellow, with reddish-brown
blotch at base of petals), Viola gracils, V.
hederacea, from Australia (white, with purple
centre, pretty). Hesperis humilis (lavender-pink),
Wahlenbergia K-taibellii, Sedum ternatum, Rho.

Fig. 192. — PH.\L.«NOPsis schilleriana in a san Franciscan nursery.

while Androsace foliosa, bearing flesh-pink
Bowers with carmine centres, was delightful.

Other noteworthy plants were the yellow Trol-
lius pumilus from the Himalayas, the white
Potentilla tridentata, the pink Valerianella con-
gesta, Veronica pectinata rosea, Parrya Men-
ziesii (pink, 5 inches), the blue Lithospermum
Gastonii, the yellow Erysimum rupestre, Ver-
bascum phoeniciiim album, Tiarella unifoliata,
Cytisus Kitaibelii (a dwarf, creeping plant, with
briehtyellow flowers), Oxalis enneaphylla, of
vhich here were several fine plants just
coming into bloom), the blue Veronica pec-
tinata, Lathyrus luteus (about 18 inches in
height, with orange flowers), Valeriana tripteris
(with little heads of flesh-pink blooms, about
9 inches high), Lonicera pyrenaica (a little bush,
with small, ivory-white flowers), Cytisus decum-
bens (a fine carpeting plant, with pale-yellow
flowers), 4renaria montana. Geranium subcau-
lescens (c<warf, pink), G. incisum (a strong
grower), G. vinereum (blush). Phyteuma orbicu-
lare (bearing heads of purple-blue flowers about
a foot in height), the yellow-blossomed Morisia
hypogsea. Polemonium humile (pale-blue, dwarf,
and pretty). Ranunculus monspeliacus (bright-
yellow, very like R. nyssanus), Erigeron auran-

dodendron kamtschaticum (rose), Gypsophila
cerastioides, Senecio aurantiacus, Hyacinthus
amethystinus. Aster Stracheyi, Campanula spicata
(purple-blue, 6 inches), C. Portenschlagiana,
Achillea ageratifolia, Corydalis thalictrifolia,
Asperula hirta (with tiny, white flowers), Brodiaea
ixioides splendens (very pale-yellow), Scutellaria
indica (lavender flower-spikes). Aster alpinus bal-
densis, Corydalis tomentosa, Globularia vulgaris,
Potentilla nitida grandiflora (pale-pink). Litho-
spermum proetratura (deep blue), Cypripedium
ventricosum (brown and yellow), Dodecatheon
Jeffreyi (tall, pink), Corydalis Wilsonii (deep
yellow), Asperula suberosa (pale-pink), Phyteuma
Michelii, Erodium corsicum (pink), Cypripedium
pubescens (yellow), Potentilla ambigua (rich
yellow), Arenaria gothica (very dwarf, with
small, whit« flowers), Trientalis europsea (small
starry, white blossoms), Dodecatheon pauci-
florum, Alyssum spinosum (with closely-set heads
of minute, white flowers), A. condensatum (yel-
low), Veronica filifolia (small white blossoms,
striped with purple, pretty), Gentiaiia verna and
G. bavarica (brilliant blue), Lychnis LagascoB
(pink), Arenaria muscosa (a close mat of tiny
white flowers). Symphyandra Warmeri (purple),
Pentstemon humilis (blue), Saxifraga Hauss-

mannii (yellow), S. nutkeana (with branching
stems of small, white flowers), S. punctata (little
white flowers), Pentstemon Eatonii (scarlet, 18
inches, very handsome), Saponaria Boissieri
(pink). Allium Erdelii (white), Veronica austriaca
(light-blue), Biscutella coronopifolia (yellow),
Arenaria foliosa (white), Myosotis rupicola
(blue), Oithionema persica (pale flesh), Erodium
Wilkoramianum (pale-pink, upper petals heavily
leticulated with purple), Sedum spathulifolium
(bright-yeUow), Claytonia parvifolia (pale-pink),
Wahlenbergia tenuifolia (purple), Lithospermum
canescens (orange), Rehmannia Henryi (white,
6 inches in height), a pretty variety of Phlox
pilosa (white flowers with pink centres). Anthe-
mis montana (white), Heliantheraum italicum
(yellow), Incarvillea grandiflora (deep rose-
crimson), Dianthus sub-acaulis (very small pink
flowers), D, frigidus (bright-pink), D. Freynii
(white), D. fragrans (white, fringed blossoms). D.
neglectus (rose), D. alpinus (pink), D. orbelicus
(small, white flowers). Primula verticillata (yel-
low), P. malacoides (with branching stems of
small, blush-pink blossoms), P. Vialii (tall, pyra-
midal heads of pale, lavender-blue flowers), and
P. BuUeyana, having orange-coloured blooms
borne whorl above whorl. W'yndham Fitz-
hcrbert.

NOTE FROM GLASNEVIN.

LUPINUS ARGEXTETJS.
This rare and beautiful Lupin is now in flower
at Glasnevin in a cool, unheated house, and the
delicious fragrance of the flowers scents the whole
structure. It forms a rather loose-growing, strag-
gling bush, at present 3 feet high. The flowers
are borne in racemes about 6 inches long and
disposed in irregular bracteolate whorls of fives,
four to six whorls being produced on each raceme.
The vexillum of the flower is purplish-blue,
veined with a deeper blue and a yellow base.
The wings also have the veined bluish appear-
ance, while the keel is white tipped with deep
purple. Even when not in flower the plant is
beautiful, for the leaves, stem and petioles are
covered with whitish hairs which give it a more
silvery appearance than the leaves of Geranium
argenteum. The leaves consist of seven to nine
oblong-lanceolate leaflets an inch long, and com-
pare favourably with Leucadendron leaves.
Throughout the winter the foliage is retained,
but the older leaves are shed in spring just before
the plant comes into flower. This Lupin was re-
ceived at Glasnevin as L. lepidus, which is of
herbaceous habit. Both are natives of North
America. L. argenteus is difiicult to obtain true,
as there are two more plants which are under
the same name, L. argenteus, Agardh = ornatua,
and another is a synoym of L. laxiflorus. C F
Ball.

PHAL^ENOPSIS IN CALIFORNIA.

The accompanying illustration shows a very
fine importation of Phalienopsis Schilleriana in
the nurseries of the IMcRorie McLaren Co., near
San Francisco, and a note sent by a correspon-
dent gives some interesting particulars of this
speciality of the company, which imports and
grows the large-flowered species extensively, both
for sale as plants and for supplying flowers for
cutting.

Our correspondent states : — " The varieties
which I noted in the greatest quantity were P.
amabilis (? Aphrodite), P. Schilleriana. and P.
Stuartiana. A large batch of P. amabilis, num-
bering five or six thousand plants, looked remark-
ably well, all balled up in Osmunda fibre and full
of long, healthy roots. Many of the plants in
this lot had leaves 18 inches m length. Among
other remarkable specimens in this nursery, I
noted a splendid plant of Vanda Sanderiana, with
15 large growths."

422

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

THE EFFECTS OF LAST WINTER UPON
VEGETATION.

The winter of 1909-10 having been more try-
ing to plants on the border line of hardi-
ness than any we have experienced since 1894-5,
a few notes on its effects may be of some ser-
vice as a guide to gardeners on the west coast of
Scotland. Many plants which withstand severer
frost than we experienced last winter succumbed
to the rapid alternation of mild wet with sud-
den cold. An early frost in the beginning of
November caught things still growing, and a late
frost in the first week of May kiUed some
that had struggled through the winter, and
nipped the young growths of many of the early
Rhododendrons. The following notes apply to
plants either of recent introduction or of doubt-
ful hardihood. In every case, except where
noted, they were in the open lx)rder, in some
cases protected by an armful of Fern. Although
the garden here is not more than a mile from
the sea, it is 130 feet above the sea-level, and not
nearly so favourable to tender growths as others
in the district. For instance, I cannot succeed
with Dicksonia, but on the other side of Luce
Bay it grows luxuriantly.

KILLED OUTRIGHT.

Abutilon viti folium
Rhododendron Falcone ri
Rhododendron calophyl-

lum
Olearia nitida

Eiica lusitanica
Correa cardinaHs
Metrosideros coccinea
Gaura Lindhiemeri

INJURED.

Eugenia apiculata
Rhus cotinoides
Tricuspidaria lanceolata

(uninjured on east wall)
Eleagnus macrophylla
Eucryphia cordifolia (May

frost killed young

growth)
Buddleia globosa (some

were unhurt)
Berberis nepalensis
Olearia macrodonta (in

some cases)

Embothrium coccineum
(about 4 feet high, three
out of four killed, the
fourth growing vigor-
ously)

Arbutus Menziesii

Viburnum Sieboldii

Hydrangea Lindleyanum

Rhododendron Aucklandii
(some plants unhurt)

Rhododendron Kewense
(some plants unhurt)

Erigeron mucronatus

UNINJURED.

H

Clianthus puniceus
Buddleia Colvilei
Berb.ridopsis coral-
Una
Carpenteria califor-

nica
Mutisia decurrens
Aloysia citriodora
Sophora tetraptera
Solanum crispum
Ceanothus Vcitchii
Myrtus communis
Solanum jasminoides
Eccreniocarpus scab::r ^
Nothofagus obliqua
Cupressus sempervirens
Buddleia variabilis
Buddleia himalaica
Leptospermum scoparium
Coriaria terminalis
Coriaria japonica
Azara microphylla
Desfontainea spinosa
Cordylime australis (young
plants killed to ground,
older ones unhurt)
Davidia involucrata
Corylopsis spicata
Erica arborea
Indigofera Gerardiana
lUtcium religiosum
Enkianthus japonicus
Olearia nummularifolia
Olearia. sielltilata
Romneya Coulteri
Eucalyptus coccifera
Eucalyptus WhittingbaTTiii
Eucryphia pinnatifolia
Rhododendron grande

VaigeiiXeumj
Rhododendron Thomsonii

Rhododendron Shilsonii
Rhododendron Hodgsonii
Rhododendron Smirnowli
Rhododendron ciliatum
Rhododendron glaucum
Rhododendron cinnabari-

num
Rhododendron arboreum
Rhododendron fulgens
Rhododendron barbatum
Rhododendron campanu-

latum
Rhododendron campylo-

carpura
Notospartium Carniicbaelii
Chamserops excelsa
Phormium tenax
Fuchsia Riccartonii
Fuchsia globosa
Styrax japonica
Kniphofia caulcscens
Lilium auratum
Lilium giganteum
Crinum Moorei
Criouim Powellii
Crinum capense
Sparaxis pulcherrima
Sparaxis pendula
Meconopsis Wallichii
Meconopsis aculeata (true)
Incarvillea grandiflora
Incarviilea Delavayi
Libertia grandiflora
Chry-sobactron Hookera
Roscoea purpurea
PancTatium illyricum
Arum crinitum
Campanula fragilis
Parochetus communis
Omphalodes Lucilize

Out of a large collection of Cistns, several
were killed, some injured, but the majority
w-ere unhurt. Among the Veronicas there were
many deaths, but many varieties of the shrubby
Bpecies survive unhurt.

The above is not a complete list, as it takes
some time to realise one's losses, but it is
faithful so far as it goes. Herbert Maxwell.,
Monrelth, June 20.

AGAVE SGOLYMUS AND ITS ALLIES.

Some years ago, about 1890, the late Prof.
Todaro, of the Botanic Garden in Palermo,
published a description, accompanied by plate
35 in his Ilorlus Botanicus Panormitanus, of
Agave multiflora. This Agave he put under the
subgenus Littsea on account of the flowers being
on very short branches, arranged along the scape,
similar to those of this subgenus.

In 1892 Prof. Wm. Trelease, the director of the
Missouri Botanical Gardens at St. Louis, so well
known through his classical studies on Yuccas
and Agaves, published and figured another plant
as A. Engelmannii (Rept. Miss. Hot. Gard., 1892,
167, t. 55-56). Though this plant exhibited the
same kind of inflorescence as Todaro's plant.
Prof. Trelease did not hesitate to consider A.
Engelmannii as an Euagave. In this he wa« cer-
tainly right, as the flowers of both species in
form and position are those of Euagave and not
of Littaja.

their affinity with those of A. Scolymus is evi-
dent.

This year another new plant flowered at
Florence, with a similar inflorescence and
leaves almost of the shape of A. grandi-
bracteata, Ross (Jc. et descr. pi. nov. vel rar.,
Hon. Bot. Pan., t. 1).

There was further last year a plant in flower
at La Mortola with a panicled inflorescence,
exactly similar in habit to A. grandibracteata as
represented by Dr. Ross (1. c. t. 1, fig. 1), which
came very clcse to the original description of A.
Scolymus. In our plant, as in Dr. Ross' figure,
the upper lateral branches of the inflorescence
were very short, showing thus how the littseoid
inflorescences of the former species can be ex-
plained.

All these plants show great resemblance be-
tween them as regards their ecape, the shape o£
the bracts, and their lateral flowering branches.
These branches have the pedicels arranged at
their top, almost in an umbellate way ; thus

Tig. 193. — CARNATION "MRS. E. MARTIN SMITH": A WHITE BORDER VARIETY,
(.deceived an Award of Merit on June 7. See p. 391.)

The two species besides are very closely allied,
a fact which can easily be ascertained by a close
examination of the descriptions and figures of
both species. The differences seem mainly — not
exclusively — to consist in the shape of the leaves
and the form of the bracts, which are both
narrower in A. multiflora. The two species can
be kept distinct, if the dividing characters are
not broken down by intermediate forms. To
judge from the leaves alone, they seem to be-
long to the group Rigidse, and to be similar to
A. polyacantha, were it not for the robust spine.
Their relationship is, however, quite a different
one.

In 1909 Prof. Pampanini described another
species, which had flowered in the Botanic Gar-
den of Florence and which exhibited the same
strange littaeoid inflorescence as those above,
under the name of A. littaeoides. The leaves of
this new species bear much stronger spines, and

the flowers stand in very characteristic, dense,
and almost globular clusters. This is quite a
striking feature, if the inflorescences of these
Agaves are compared with those of other species.
The littfeoid form of panicle is caused through
the abbreviation of the lateral branches.

I am convinced that all these species are closely
allied, though so far my observation is only
based on the characters given above, but I feel
sure that the shape of the flowers and fruits will
show this to be the case. They form a distinct
group under Euagave, easily recognised also by
their leaves, less by their dentation, for which I
propose the name Agave Scolymoides.

A. multiflora and A. Engelmannii flowered at
La Mortola several years ago. I am sorry
I did not preserve their flowers. None
of them has produced capsules or offshoots ;
neither has A. littaeoides done so at Florence.
The plant mentioned above as " quasi — A,

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

-42a-

Scolymus " made a few capsules at La Mortola.
They are oblong-clavate, with a short beak, about
4 cm. long. The seeds are rather small, half
round or nearly so, shining black, and about
6 mm. long.

As to A. Scolymus, Karw., it is not at all
clear what this plant really was, and whether we
still have it in our gardens, though thei'6
are plants which bear this name, and it is not
unlikely that some of them may after all prove
to be the i-ight thing. According to the original
description, republished by Sahn-Dyck (Bon-
plaiidia, 1859, 89), there seems to be no doubt
that A. Scolymus has the same structure of the
inflorescence. The description runs : sca^w striclo
apice paniculato, ptdmicuUs hrevihus adsccn-
dtntihns, floribiis fascicutntis.

A. grandibracteata, Ross, and the plant from
La JMortola seem to agree better, especially as
regards the leaves, with the original description
of A. Scolymus, than the two plants figured by
Fitch, one of them described by Sir J. D. Hooker
in Hot. Mcuj., t. 5493, as A. Saundersii ; the other
by Mr. J. G. Baker as A. Scolymus in Ucf.
Hot., t. 328. No doubt they belong to these
Agave Scolymoides, although the empty bracts
on the scape in both figures, chiefly in iirf. liol.,
do not quite correspond to the type represented
on Dr. Ross' plate.

A certain relationship e.xists between these
Agave Scolymoides and A. Wildingii, Tod., and
its allies, as already pointed out by Todaro
under this species (1. c. t. 32). I think, however,
that these latter species form another different
group, for which I have used in my manuscript
notes, the term Agave Antillares. A. B.

SPRING CABBAGES.

The following is a report of the National
Vegetable Society's Committee on the trials of
auLumn-tsown Spring Cabbages, conducted re-
spectively at Twickenham, Middlesex, Sutton
Green, Surrey, and Romford, Essex.

Autumn, 1909— Spring, 1910.

In response to the invitation of the committee
to various well-known seedsmen, 39 stocks of
Cabbage seeds were sent in by 19 diverse firms.
The seeds were all forwarded to Mr, G. Wythes,
V.JI.H., treasurer, who, with Mr, Owen Thomas,
V,M.H., kindly undertook to divide, num-
ber and forward them, under number only, to
the respective triiil stations. The various desig-
nations of the stocks sent were absolutely with-
held from all by these gentlemen. The instruc-
tions sent to each station were that one portion
of each stock should be sown on July 31, 1909,
and a second sowing be made on August 14, thus
enabling duplicate plantings and trials of each
variety to be made. These dates, for such pur-
poses, were carefully observed, and in each case
plantings were performed almost simultaneously
so soon as the seedling plants were fit for such
purpose. The trial sites were in open fields, in
very exposed situations, and were conducted on
strictly market-garden lines. The Twickenham
soil was of a fairly retentive loam on a deep base
of gravel, that of Sutton Green a very sandy
loam on a base of yellow sand, and that of Rom-
ford on clay. Distances apart in rows, lengths
of rows, 30 plants in each, and general culture
were identical, no special treatment having been
furnished.

Mr. G. Hobday, of Romford, having reported
that, on his stiff, wet clay, his earliest planting of
the Cabbages had failed, visits by the trial sub-
committee were paid first to Twickenham (Mr.
William Poupart's field) on April 21, and to the
Times Experimental Farm, Sutton Green, Surrey,
on April 22, their observations then made being
chiefly limited to the first sowings and plantings
for the trials. On both occasions very full notes
were taken by the members of each stock, and,
after careful comparison, the following marks
and classification, based exclusively on the first
sowing or first early merits of each variety, were
unanimously agreed to. The members also agreed
that, to secure quite early, firm hearts in the
spring, sowings of the best varieties should
always be made at the end of July or early in
August. It is specially worthy of notice that

several varieties bolted to flower badly from the
first sowing, but evidenced that defect very
slightly from the second sowing.

It is interesting to record that the later or
Augu.st 14 sowing of all the previous-named varie-
ties should have shown, in the first place, much
later hearting, and, generally, much more leafy
production, but also that, in scarcely a single
case, did any of the plants bolt to flower. Even
those varieties of which, when sown on July 31,
every plant bolted, gave not more than 5 per
cent., and, in some cases, not more than 1 per
cent., of bolted examples when sown at the later
date. None the less, there can be no doubt but
that such varieties are better suited for spring
than for autumn sowing. Visits to the trials in
all three cases, .some two to four weeks later,
showed that, while all those varieties selected as
the best and earliest maintained their character,
some others were in very good form, though aU
distinctly later and more leafy. Some two or
three varieties w^ere specially so, and hardly merit
garden cultivation.

The Romford trial, from the second sowing, on
Mr. G. Hobday's stiff soil, practically reproduced
the results of the second sowing and planting at
both Twickenham and Sutton Green, although
growth was, perhaps, rather more leafy. In
every case the trials were most ably, admirably,
and impartially conducted.

In presenting this return of the respective
merits of each variety, not only in relation to
earliness of hearting and to trueness of stock,
but also in relation to bolting to flower ten-
dencies, the committee strongly emphasise the
importance of securing stocks that are very early
he.irters, but are also rigidly true in character.
Still further, having regard "to the fact that no
fewer than 11 stocks bolted off to flower prema-
turely under the earliest conditions of planting,
and that several others showed that from 5 per
cent, to 10 per cent, of bolters, as well as being
very irregular in character, seedsmen are strongly
advised to specially catalogue all such for spring
sowing only. It would greatly help customers
were Cabbages classified as small hearting and
first early, medium hearting or maincrop varie-
ties, and if all those which bolt to flower freely
from autumn sowings were classed as best fitted
for spring sowing and summer hearting. In rela-
tion to the two first-named sections, it should be
stated that small, first early-hearting Cabbages
may be planted as close as 12 inches apart, the
breadth being cleared from the ground as fast as
cutting proceeds. The second or stronger main-
crop section should be planted in rows 24 inches
apart, as with these the stems can remain to
sprout till the following spring.

The committee desire to mention that the trials
of 72 stocks of Onions sent in by the before-
named seedsmen were duly sown under number
on August 20 last in long rows, and plants from
each row have been lifted and replanted in dupli-
cate rows, thus presenting every appearance of
providing first-rate trials of bulbs in July next.
Similar trials are conducted at Twickenham and
at Sutton Green. At the latter place also will be
extensive trials of early Dwarf Peas and early
Potatos,

Alexander De.in, V.M.H. (Chairman).
May 30, 1910.

Three Marks or Highly Commended.
For Special Earlinas and Excellence.

First and Best, Messrs. Hurst & Sons, Hoimds-
ditch.

Harbinger, April, and Flower of Spring,
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading.

Ellam's Selected Early and Wheeler's Imperial,
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons. Chelsea.

Early Market, Early Feltham. and Myatt's
Offenham, Messrs. Watkins & Simpson, Covent
Garden.

Wheeler's Imperial, Messrs. Wheeler & Son,
Warminster.

Early Evesham, Messrs. Yates & Son,
Evesham.

Two Marks or Commended.
All Best Suited for Later Hearting.
Heartwell Marrow and Mammoth Beefheart,
Messrs. James Carter & Co., Holborn.

Harbinger (not Sutton's), Messrs. Dickson &
Robinson, Manchester.

Milecross Marrow and Improved Excelsior,
Messrs. Dickson & Son, Belfast.

Select Early Rainham and -Selected Wheeler's.
Imperial, Messrs. Hurst & Sons, Houndsditch.

Blackwell Early, Messrs. Kent & Brydon, Dar-
lington.

Conqueror, Messrs. Pearson & Sons, Notting-
ham.

Ellam's Early Dwarf, Messrs. Robert Veitch
& Son, Exeter.

Nonsuch, Messrs. Watkins & Simpson, Covent.
Garden.

Birmingham Market, Messrs. Yates & Son,.
Evesham.

The following varieties received one mark
only : — Earliest and Best, First Crop, Flower of
Spring (not Sutton's), Emperor, and Market
Garden.

The following stocks very largely or entirely
bolted to flower prematurely from July 31 sow-
ings : — Express, Model, Early Garden, Little
Queen, Early Conical, Early Express, Earliest
E.xcelsior, Earliest of AU, Paris Market, and Ex-
press Extra Early.

The following lists are appended by Mr. Charles
Foster as indicating the results of his observa-
tions of the growth of each variety from the later
sowings and plantings on his sandy soil.

Extra-early hearting for early August .sowing
and September planting. Recommended to be
grown 1 foot square. Varieties : Ellam's Early
Dwarf, Sutton's April, Veitch's Selected Ellam's,
Birmingham Market (Yates), Early Market (Wat-
kins & Simpson), Harbinger Extra Early (Sutton),
Wheeler's Imperial, Improved Excelsior (Dick-
son's) Early Rainham (Hurst & Son), Johnson's
First Crop, Conqueror (Pearson), Early Offenham
(Watkins & Simpson), and Blackwell Early (Kent
& Brydon).

Early hearting for August sowing, medium
size, for planting 18 inches square. Varieties :
Heartwell (Carter's), Beefheart (Carter's), Mile-
cross JIarrow (Dickson), Johnson's Market Gar-
den, First and Best (Hurst), Early Evesham
(Yates), Nonsuch (Watkins & Simpson), Early
Feltham (Watkins & Simpson), Flower of Spring
(Sutton & Sons), Emperor (Webb & Sons). Ear-
liest and Best (Dickson & Robinson), and Har-
binger (Dickson & Robinson).

The following varieties are recommended for
spring sowing or for autumn sowing after
August 14 in the South of England. Sown on or
after August 14. These are. May 19, excellent
m every way, good hearts and very even stocks,
equal to the best of the other varieties sown on
the date named. They are worth three marks,
being compact in growth, with conical hearts.
Carter's Model, Extra Early Express (Vilmorin),
Earliest of All (Veitch, Exeter), Dobbie's Ear-
liest, and Little Queen (Daniels).

The following varieties were not so good, with
outer leaves more spreading : Early Garden,
Early Conical, Excelsior, Paris Market, and Early
Express.

PLANT NOTES.

BEAUilONTIA GRANDIFLORA SUPERBA.

In a recent issue of the Gardeners' Chronicle
a correspondent remarks on the lack of appre-
ciation shown by horticulturists generally to-
wards a certain section of tropical exotics, instanc-
ing the Bromeliaceae. While it is true that the
enthusiast sees in the object of his own particu-
lar penchant a fascination which is not so ob-
vious to others, it is w'ell that attention should
occasionally be drawn to the merits of certain
plants which are likely to be overlooked in the
specialisation of to-day.

Beaumontia grandiflora superba is a very
handsome, warm, greenhouse evergreen shrub.
Well adapted for covering a pillar, or rafter, it
succeeds best when planted out in a restricted
border of loam and peat, with ample drainage,
copious supplies of water being required during
the growing season. When in good health the
foliage is dark glossy-green, and is retained until
new growth commences in the spring. The
flowers are large, trumpet-shajjed. white and de-
licately scented. They are produced on the
short-jointed, well-ripened growth of the previous
year. If treated to an excess of heat and mois-
ture, a rank, flowerless growth will result. The
subje<^t under notice recently flowered in the
long plant corridor in Glasgow's leading public
park. Fred. 11', Jefery, Lanrjside, N.B.

424

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

THE ALPINE GARDEN.

SENECIO DORONICUM.

Undeb this name I grow a plant which is gen-
erally very well known, and which occurs usually
in stone slopes at considerable elevations. It is
what may be called a conspicuous tourist plant
of striking beauty and unvarying character. As
such it finds its place in all floras, and I now
translate JI. Correvon's description: "Plant
■covered with faint, woolly down, which is shed
.at maturity: leaves thick, toothed, oval-oblong."
The remaining sentence describes the two or
three flcwer-heads to each stem, which are large
.and of a singular rich orange. I would add that
the leaves are, in my experience, of a dark iron-
grey on their upper surface, glabrous in general
effect, and of a dense, almost-succulent texture.
The tomentum, too, is more marked than this de-
scription suggests. On the reverse of the leaves
it is conspicuous. The plant grows as a single
crown usually, or with two or three individuals
laxly gathered together at the most : it never
spreads into a wide, united patch. This is Senecio
Doronicum of the Alps, a plant I have grown for
many years from repeated batches collected in
different stations. I have never found it under
^cultivation to vary in the least degree from the
above description. What, then, I write to ask,
is the history of the " Senecio Doronicum " which
is grown in big patches at Kew and at Oxford
under this name, and under this name was shown
the other day at Vincent Square? For this S.
Doronicum, almost, if not quite, indistinguishable
in flower from the Alpine plant (perhaps a trifle
less rich in the tone of its orange), is almost com-
pletely lacking in tomentum, has thin-textured,
flaccid leaves of a clear green, and, stem and
leaves alike are hairy to the point of being hispid.
Further, this plant grows on and forms a wide,
den.se, luxuriant mass, prolific of flower-stems.
Is this alteration simply due to long cultivation,
then, or is it specific? For my Alpine plants re-
tain their Alpine character, as I say, without
swerving. Austere, solitary, with its white-lined
leaves of sombre waxy-grey, and its wonderful
flowers of deep orange-gold, the Alpine S.
Doronicum is a beauty and a treasure. This
other development of it, lush and lax and showy,
has lost all the well-bred and elegant magnifi-
cence of the mountain plant, and developed into
a mere spreading golden weed. I should like
to know more about the history of this de-
gradation, if degradation there has been. Beg't-
iiald Farrer.

The Week's Work.

THE ORCHID HOUSES.

.By W. H. White, Orchid Grower to Sir Trevor Lawrence,
Bart., Burford, Surrey.

Cool-house sjJecies. — Beside the ordinary occu-
pants of this house, which consist principally of
Odontoglossums and Oncidiums, there are other
.species of Orchids which are well worthy of
attention. Among them is the sweet-scented
Trichosma suavis, an epiphytal Orchid of dwarf
iabit, and without pseudo-bulbs. The partially
developed stems are now making new roots,
and, if repotting is needed, this should be done
at once. Fill the pot to three-quarters of its
■depth with drainage, and use a compost consist-
ing of equal parts of Osmunda and Polypodium
fibres, with which plenty of small crocks has
been mixed. The plant should be kept moderately
moist throughout the year. Ada aurantiaca is
another very desirable species ; its showy cin-
nabar-orange-coloured flowers produce a lovely
■effect when arranged with the long, arching
spikes of white Odontoglossums. The plants
have just gone out of bloom, and the half-formed
growths will quickly produce fresh roots. New
growths will also be pushing from the base,
therefore, any plant requiring a larger receptacle
should be turned out of its pot and be repotted
afresh, following the directions given for the pre-
ceding species. After repotting, afford but little
water for a few weeks, as the growths are liable
to damp off before the plant is thoroughly estab-
lished, but when well rooted, copious supplies of
moisture may be given. A little gem amongst
the cooler-growing Laelias is the bright, orange-
scarlet flowered L. monophylla. It is a difficult
plant to "tiblish, but if well rooted in a suitable
■ compost H'ipt onol and moist, it grows satisfac-

torily and flowers freely from every slender stem.
At the present time plants of this species are
producing their flower-spikes, and it is advisable
to elevate them well up to the roof glass, but a
draughty position or where they will dry too
quickly should be avoided. Afford plenty of
water to the roots, and carefully shade the plant
from all sunshine. Such well-known Orchids as
Laelia autumnalis and L. albida, that have been
rested in this house and are now starting to
grow, should be suspended at once in a light posi-
tion in the Jlexican house ; they will need plenty
of water wliilst the growths are developing. Any
repotting required may be done at this time.
After flowering return the plants to the cool
house. The singular Epidendrum (Nanodes)
Medusae is now growing freely and will require
an abundance of water. Suspend the plant close
to the roof, it being necessary that a strong
light should be behind the flowers, in order
that the colours may be seen to advantage. The
rare and pretty Odontoglossum Galleottianum,
a dwarf species much resembling in habit
0. Cervantesii, is now commencing to grow,
and, if necessary, may be afforded fresh root-
ing material. The plant should be suspended
over the cool Odontoglossums in quite small, well-
drained, shallow pans, with Osmunda and Poly-
podium fibres as a rooting medium ; cut the
materials up rather finely and pot moderately
firmly. In order to obtain flowering growths,
afford plenty of water till the growth of the new
pseudo-bulbs is completed, but in the resting
season keep the compost moderately dry. These
remarks are also applicable to 0. Cervantesii and
0. Rossii. The natural hybrids 0. Humeanum
and 0. aspersum may also be included. Such
cool-growing Pleiones as P. humilis. P. Hookeri,
P. pogonioides. and P. yunnanensis, are now in
full growth and need sufficient water to keep the
roots thoroughly moist. The plants should be
suspended in the lightest position available, for
when grown in too much shade they do not re-
tain the tips of their leaves healthy nearly so
long as is desirable.

Cool-house Dendrobiums. — Among Dendro-
biums that thrive well in this house are the fol-
lowing species : D. Kingianum, D. K. album, D.
delicatum. D, speciosum, D. Hillii, D. fusiforme,
D. terttifolium, D. linguiforme, D. tetragonunl,
D. subclausum, D. glomeratum, and D, japoni-
cum. Any of these plants now starting to grow
may have fresh rooting material afforded
them ; they prefer a shallow layer of com-
post to root in. consisting of Osmunda and
Polypodium fibres. All of them thrive best when
suspended in a strong light. D. teretifolium is
best grown on a teak raft with a little of the
compost packed closely between the bars, under
the bars, and under the base of the plant ;
suspend the receptacle so that the foliage hangs
down naturally. D. Victoria Regina seems to
prefer rather more shade and thrives best
on a raft with plenty of Sphagnum-moss
added to the compost, suspended in an almost
horizontal position. These cool-growing Dendro-
biums should be well supplied with water at the
root when growing freely, but they require to be
kept rather on the dry side after their growth is
completed.

THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.

By A. R. Searlf, Gardener to the Marquis of North-
ampton, Castle Ashby, Northaniptonshire.

Gooseberries. — In these gardens the Gooseberry
crops will be very light, except upon a few
bushes trained against walls. Such plants
seldom fail to bear well, and for this reason
it is desirable to have some Gooseberries
trained against walls in the shape of a grid-
iron or as double and treble cordons. By
planting in favoured aspects the wall trees pro-
duce ripe berries vei-y early in the season, when
culinary fruits are by no means plentiful. In
case any particular bushes are heavily cropped,
those who require extra fine fruits for special
purposes must thin out the berries and apply
frequent waterings in dry weather, also dilutee!
liquid manure from the farmyard. Manure of
any description, however, must not be afforded
after the berries have commenced to ripen, as
this will affect the flavour of the fruits.

Summer jrruninr]. — The summer pruning of
Gooseberries and Red and White Currants should
now be carried out ; this will admit more sunlight
niid air to the interior of the bushes, and the
fruits will swell to a larger size. Trained Goose-
berries or Currants should have the leading

shoots laid in intact unless they have already
covered the allotted space. In this latter case the
points should be pinched out. Pinch all other
shoots at the fifth leaf and all secondary shoots
that form later may be removed entirely. Bush
plants may be treated similarly, pinching the
points of all the leading shoots. Red and White
Currants are often affected with black fly at the
ends of the shoots, and for this reason the tips,
after they are pinched, should be removed to the
fire heap and burned immediately. If an attack
of aphis or other insect pest is very bad, it may
be necessary to syringe the bushes with quassia
extract or some other insecticide. This dressing
should be carried out at once, selecting the late
afternoon for the operation, and being careful to
wet thoroughly the under sides of the leaves.

Pears. — In cases where there are heavy crops,
thinning must be carried out in order to obtain
fruits of special size for table use. It will easily
be seen which fruits are att.acked with the Pear
midge, and these should be burned together with
those which have fallen from the trees. Apply
copious waterings to trees growing against vvarrn,
brick walls, and occasional applications of liquid
manure from the farmyard may be given to any
trees that are bearing crops.

General work. — Tie in the young canes of
Raspberries required for cropping next season,
and remove all the weak and surplus growths
in order to allow the others as much light as
possible. Raspberries promise to be a very good
crop in these gardens, and copious sup-
plies of water must be given, especially to those
plants which are growing on light and porous
soils. If manure water is available this may also
be applied. The same remarks apply to the
Loganberry. Continue to shorten the young
shoots of Plum and Pear trees according to pre-
vious directions, tieing in all shoots required
for filling the wall space. Endeavour to keep
the trees clean from insect pects.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

By B. GooDACRE, Gardener to Sir Ernest Cassel,
G.C.B., Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket.

Young vines. — The young plants which were
placed in 10-inch pots some time ago may be
stopped when the canes are about 6 feet long.
Pinch out all the lateral growths. They require
more air and less shade now, in order that the
canes may harden gradually before they are
placed out of doors. Syringe the foliage once or
twice daily according to the weather. Keep a
sharp looli-out for any mildew or insect pests,
taking prompt measures for their eradication.

Newly-planted vines. — These should have the
points removed when they have made 6 feet of
growth, stopping the laterals at one or two
leaves. Ventilate the house freely whenever the
weather is favourable, and syringe the foliage
each day. A mulch of thoroughly decomposed
horse manure will prevent the surface of the
border drying rapidly. The shading may be re-
moved by degrees from the roof glass, and the
foliage will then be strong enough to stand full
sunshine.

Lale vineries. — The Grapes in the latest houses
having been thinned, the vines may be given
liquid manure both in inside and outside bor-
ders. Both top and bottom ventilators may
be used when affording air, leaving a " chink
at the top of the house open all night.
Damp the paths .several times daily to maintain a
moist atmosphere. Such dampings should be
mainly on the paths and any bare walls, as if
water is applied frequently to the borders it
makes the surfa<!e soil sour. Liquid manure
made from horse dung may be used to charge
the evaporating pans, and to damp the paths
in the evening. Very little fire heat will be re-
quired, except in dull weather, and at nitzht,
when a gentle heat in the pipes not only helps
to dissipate excessive moisture, but also tends to
cause a circulation of air. Attend regularly to
the pinching of lateral growths.

Fruit trees in pots. — The trees from which the
fruit has been gathered may now be placed out-
of-doors. Plunge the pots to the rim in an open,
sunny position, allowing each tree ample room
in order that the wood mav mature. Give regu-
lar attention to watering, supplying liquid
manure and sootwater occasionally During
hot, dry weather, a good syringing with clean,
soft water at about 4.30 or 5 p.m. will be very
beneficial.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE

425

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

By John Dunn, Kitchen Garden Foreman,
Koyal Gardens, Windsor.

Asparaijux. — It will soon be necessary to dis-
continue cutting Asparagus. This must depend
to some extent on the districts, but the
middle of June is late enough for the southern
counties. Beds containing plants intended for
forcing .^ihould he left uncut as far as possible,
£0 that the plants may have time to mature
their growths. They should be given a good
dressing of agricultural salt during showery
weather, and, in dry weather frequent waterings
with liquid manure from the farmyard will be
beneficial. It is advisable, when the plants be-
come 3 or 4 feet high, to afford them support
against rough winds by having a number of stout
stakes driven into the ground along the rows, so
that by .stretching a wire along the rows of
stakes the plants may be secured by ties of ordin-
ary matting. Little further attention will be
necessary beyond keeping the beds free from
weeds during the growing season.

Beetroot. — The earliest batch of Beet should
now be ready for use. Thin successional crops,
and make a sowing of Egyptian or New Globe
Beet for use during the winter and spring months.
Select a rich and light soil, so that the plants
may make quick growth. If the ground is in
good condition, this batch will produce roots
quite large enough for ordinary use, and they
will be more tender than those from sowings
made a month earlier.

Carrot.^. — A sowing may be made in light, rich
soil, selecting the varieties Early Scarlet Horn,
Early Gem, or Jlodel. More than half the Car-
rot crop in these gardens is sown here after
this date, with the result that a supply of ten-
der roots is available throughout winter and
spring. As soon as the plants are large enough,
they should be thinned freely, so that the topf.
may not become drawn. The width allowed be-
tween the rows should be at Iea..st 15 inches.

Etulire. — Endive sown a month ago will now
be ready for thinning. The plants removed from
the seed rows should be planted at distances of
1 foot apart on a cool, north border to come into
use a fortnight later than the plants allowed to
remain in the seedling rows. Make further small
sowings for use in September.

Vegetable Marrows. — The plants should le
ceive copious supplies of manure water while
setting their fruits, and these latter should be
cut for use while in a small state, for if they are
allowed to remain on the plants until their skin
becomes hard they will be of little value for cook-
ing purposes. Avoid overcrowding by the re-
moval of all worthless growth and old. decaying
leaves. Fresh plantations may be made for late
supplies in any part of the garden where the
plants will be exposed to full sunshine.

Herhs. — All seedling herbs raised under glass
should be planted in an open border. Jlarjoram
may be planted in rows 15 in. apart, on a west
border, where the soil is light and rich. These
plants should be ready for potting-up in the early
part of October, when they should be placed in a
cold pit and kept as near the glass as possible,
until frosts occur. It will then be necessary to
remove them to a pit with a little heat. Sweet
Basil may be planted in the same wav for pro-
viding a summer supply, but, for winter use,
it should be sown about the middle of August
and pricked oft as soon as large enough, putting
four plants in a 6-inch pot. These may be grown
through the winter in a Cucumber-house near to
the glass. Thyme raised from seed mav be
planted on a south border at 1 foot apart. These
young seedlings will pass through a rough win-
ter better than plants two or three years old.

PLANTS UNDER GLASS.

By John Donoghce, Gardener to Joseph Pickersgill, Esq.,
Bardon Hill, Weetwood, Yorkshire.

Bouvardla. — Bouvardias should now be re-
potted into their final pots, selecting them in
sizes proportionate to the strength of the plants.
As a rule, pots 4 to 5 inches in diameter are large
enough for ordinary stock. Either a day or two
before repotting, ;->or a day or two after the
operation is carried out, the plants may be trans-
ferred to a pit or frame, provided with good
means of ventilation, and in such a structure
they may remain during the summer season.
They will need a little shade in bright sunshine,
and should be sprayed overhead with clear

water in the afternoon, taking care to close the
pit or frame sufficiently early to enclose a moder-
ate amount of sunheat. The shoots should be
pinched until the second week in July, but not
afterwards. Place a neat, green stake through
the centre of each plant, and carefully loop up
the flowering shoots with thin raffiatape. When
the flower-buds commence to form, occasional ap-
plications of some approved chemical fertiliser
and waterings with clear soot water or diluted
manure water from the farmyard will be bene-
ficial.

Euphorbia (Poinsettia) puhherr'ima. — This
species grows so rapidly that young plants raised
according to the instructions given in a previous
calendar should not be allowed to suffer the
slightest check from the roots being cramped.
Considerable experience seems to show that this
plant prefers soil which contains a moderate
quantity of iron, and I would recommend that
any soils lacking this ingredient will be improved
if some iron filings are incorporated thoroughly
with the compost used for the final potting.
When the potting has been done, the plants
should be kept in a close frame or shed until the
roots are again active. After that stage they
may be hardened in cool pits or frames, arranging

Fig. 194. — iXiA "LADY slade": flowers,

BRIGHT PINK.

the plants evenly on a base composed of ashes.
Any overcrowding will cause the foliage to be-
come weakly and bad in colour, and such leaves,
falling from the plants, will rob them of their
decorative value. A further batch of plants may
be raised from cuttings inserted according to pre-
vious instructions.

Codiamm (Croton). — Continue to insert cut-
tings of the best varieties of Codiseum. There
is still time for such cuttings to attain a useful
size before winter. Specimen plants which may
have become leggy through loss of foliage at the
base may be propagated by the " ringing " pro-
cess. Each of the stems should be notched, or a
little ring cut through the bark, and the portion
so treated should be bound thickly round with
moss, which should be kept moist at all times.
After a few weeks, the stems will produce roots
from the injured part, and when the moss is
filled with these, the newly-rooted plants should
be separated from the parent and potted up so
as to become established before winter. C^dia-uras
need an abundance of heat and sunlight in order
that they may perfectly develop the briUiant
colouring characteristic of the foliage.

Billbergia rhodocyanea (.Echm.ea fa.sciala). —
This interesting Bromeliad is well worth a place
in the plant stove for its handsome foliage. Pro-
pagation may be effected by means of suckers
obtained from the specimen plants during
summer.

Ixia. — The Cape bulbous plants known as
Ixias are very beautiful for conservatory or green-
house decoration at this season of the year, and
the flower-spikes are pretty in a cut state, the
long stiff stems enabling them to be arranged to
advantage. There are numerous varieties, one of
the finest being that named after Lady Slade (see
fig. 194) and having bright pink flowers.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

By E. Beckett, Gardener to the Hon. Vicary Gibbs,
Aldenhani House, Hertfordshire.

Hardy ornamental vine.<. — Few hardy
climbers are more beautiful or effective than the
species and varieties of Vitis. They are quick-
growing plants, therefore can be used to cover
various objects, such as arches, pergolas, old-
tree stumps, or summer-houses. Many of them
are particularly effective in autumn, 'owing to
their brilliantly-coloured foliage. They are self-
supporting, or nearly so; but at this" season of
the year, when growth is very quick, it is de-
sirable to give them some little training, and
take measures to make the growths secure against
wind. They vary in habit greatly ; some of
them have bold, handsome foliage, suitable for
covering large spaces, whilst others have
very small leaves, and the plants themselves can
easily be restricted to small areas. They
usually succeed in ordinary soils ; but, in
common with plants of similar nature, they re-
quire copious supplies of water during dry
weather in summer, whilst occasional syringings-
late in the afternoon serve to keep them clean.
If the presence of insect pests make it necessary
to use an insecticide, care must be taken to
dilute it very considerably, or the young growths
will suffer injury. In showery weather, a sprink-
ling of artificial manure over the soil will greatly
stimulate growth. Some of the best for planting
are Yitis armata and its variety Veitchii, V.
Coignetiae, V. flexuosa and its v;; ifties major and
Wilsonii ; V. Henryana, V. hi.lLiophylla, V.
megalophylla, V. repens. V. Thomsonii, V. Thun-
bergii, varieties of V. vinifera, the " Grape
vine," and V. hederacea, the " Virginian
Creeper." If the plants are placed in sunny
positions, the leaves will develop better colour
in autumn.

Riibiis. — The ornamental forms of Rubus are
interesting, even when there are no flowers or
fruit, and thev continue every year to produce
young growths of distinct and handsome appear-
ance. They are suitable for the woodlands or
pleasure grounds, also for covering fences or for
grouping together in beds. R. deliciosus is one of
the earliest to flower, and it forms either a neat-
shrub or a good specimen against a wall. Other
species worth cultivation are R. bambusarum, R.
biflorus, R. flagelliformis, R. fruticosus and its-
varieties ; R. innominatus, R. laciniatus, R.
Henryi, R. leucodermis, R. nutkanus, R. odora-
tus. R. phoenicolasius, R. hirtus, R. corchori-
folius, and others.

Summer-flowering Cliryxantliemums.- — Most of
these plants are now growing in their permanent
quarters, but in some places, perhaps, a few
late-rooted plants have still to be planted. This
work should be done immediately. Those plants:
which are already planted should be af-
forded stakes, and the soil should be kept
clean and well stirred with the hoe. In
dry weather the plants will need waterings.
Keep a sharp look-out for aphis, and syringe or-
dip any affected shoots in a weak insecticide.
Plants "of tall growth that do not show a natural
tendency to produce side shoots should be-
pinched. Chrysanthemums deserve careful cul-
ture, as the flowers are indispensable in autumn.
They may be intersper.sed -with other plants in
the mixed border, but are scarcely so effective
in that manner as when they are grouped to-
gether in a border by themselves, and each plant
neatly labelled. If this is done, it is desirable
to plant three specimens of each variety, forming
these into triangular groups.

Seedlingg. — Any seedlings recently raised for
spring bedding should be transplanted directly
they can be handled.

426

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

EDITORIAL NOTICE.

ADVERTISEMENTS should be seat to the PUB-
LI5MHR. 41, Wellington Street. Covent Garden,
W.C.

special Notice to Correspondents.— TAa Editors do not
undertake to pay for any contributions or illustrations, or
to return unused comniunicalions or illustrations, unless by
special arrangement. The Editors do not hold themselves
responsible for atiy opinions expressed by their correspon-
dents.

Letters for Publication, as well as specimens of plants
tor naming, should be addressed to tin EDI I ORS,
41. Wellington 5treet, Covent Qarden, London.
, Communications should be written on onk 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.

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

Illustrations.- 'I'he Editors will be glad to receive andto select
pfiologtaphs or drawings, suitable for reproduction, of
gaidenz. or of remarkable plants, iloivers, trees, &c.^ but
they cannot be responsible for loss or injury.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

TUESDAY, JUNE 28-Isle of Wight Rose Sh.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29—

Richmond Fl. Sh. Southampton Rcse Sh. Roy. Soc.
Ann. Meet., 4 p.m. Darlford Rose Sh.
THURSDAY, JUNE SO-Canterbury & Kent Rose Sh.
SATURDAY, JULY 2—

Sutton Rose Sh. Windsor, Eton, and District Rose Sh.

Average Mean Temperature for the ensuing week
deduced from observations during the last Fifty Years
at Greenwich— 61'5°.
Actual Temperatures: —

l^OKOOK.— Wednesday, June 22 (6 p.m.): Max. 6S°;
Min. 55".
Gardeners' ChronicU O^ce, 41, Wellington Street.
Covent Garden, London — 7 hnrsiiay, June 23
(10 A.M.): Bar. 299: Temp. 66"; Weather—
Sunshine.
PROVtNcEs. — Wednesday, June 22\ Max. 65^ Chelms.
ford ; Min. 55° Scotland S.E. coast.

SALES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

FRIDAY—

Imported Cattleyas, received direct, also Established
Orchids, at 67 & 68, Cheapside, E.G., by Protheroe &
Morris, at 12.45.

Botanical The principal work of the In-
Nomenola- ternational Botanical Congress,
tupe, which met at Brussels last

month (May 14 to 22), was the completion of
the Rules for Systematic Botanical Nomencla-
ture and the consideration of the subject of
Phytogeographieal Nomenclature. At the
Vienna Congress of 1905, when a code of rules
based on the De Candollean laws of botanic
nomenclature was formulated, commissions
were appointed to consider special points re-
lating to cellular cryptogams and palfeo-
botany. A series of recommendations arising
from the reports of these commissions formed
the subject for debate by the Section of Syste-
matic Nomenclature at Brussels. The chief
point to bo decided was whether the nomen-
clature of the various groups of cellular
cryptogams should start, as in the case of
Seed-plants and Ferns, from 1753, the date of
publication of Linnpeus's Species Flantarvm,
or whether later dates corresponding with
important systematic works on the groups in
question should be adopted as starting points.
After some informal discussion among the
workers on the various groups present at the
Congress, it was decided to accept 1753 as the
starting point in the case of the Mycetozoa,
Algse (excepting the Oedogoniacese and Nos-
tocacefe, to which later dates were assigned).
Lichens, Hepatics, and Sphagnacese. In the
case of the Fungi, it was agreed to start from
Fries' Sijstema M;icologicum, 1821-32, except
for the Uredinese, Ustilaginepe, and Gas-
teromycetes, for which Persoon's Synnpsts.
1801, was adopted as the starting point. For
mosses, Hedwig's Species Muscorum, 1801,

was agreed upon. In order to avoid, as much
as possible, changes of name which would arise
from adhering to the principle of priority,
especially where so early a date as 1753 was
adopted, special committees were appointed
to draw up lists of yiomina conservanda, that
is, generic names which are to be retained
because they are generally recognised, and
have the advantage of long-established usage,
but are not admissible on grounds of strict
priority. These lists will be prepared and
put before the next Congress of 1915, which
it was decided to hold in London.

The questien of the nomenclature of pleo-
morphic fungi was also discussed. As is well
known, many fungi which pass through suc-
cessive states bear names for each state, these
having been often known apart without the
connection between them having been recog-
nised. Such, for instance, is the comiaon
Wheat-rust (Puccinia gramini.s), which, in an
alternative state of existence, lives on leaves
of Barberry and was described as a di.stinct
species, ^Ecidium Berberidis. It was agreed
that henceforth these fungi should be known
by one name only, the earliest given to the
" perfect state," provided such name con-
formed to the rules. The perfect state is
that which produces the ascus, the basidium,
the teleutospore, and the spore in the respec-
tive groups Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Ure-
dinese, and Ustilaginese. Thus the Wheat-rust
will bear throughout its different stages the
same name, Puccinia graminis. A useful recom-
mendation to workers on fungi was the addi-
tion of figures, including microscopical details,
when describing new genera or species.

A matter of importance to palpeobotanists
was the formulation of a rule to avoid the use
of the same name for living and fossil plants.
For general guidance, a double list of nnmina
conseri-anda is to be compiled, including in
the first those names of genera of living plants
which clash with earlier names of fossil
genera, e.g., Bucklandia — the name of the
living plant takes precedence here — and, in
the second, those names of genera of fossil
plants which have also been used for living
plants, but are now relegated to synonymy ;
these names cannot be restored for the living
plant.

Some discussion seemed likely on the pro-
posal to modify the list of nomina cnnsen'ancla
accepted at Vienna for Seed-plants with a view
to avoid as far as po,ssible changes of names
from the strict application of the rule of
priority. The list contains a large number of
names of genera, which have been in general
use for many years, but which are inadmissible
on grounds of strict priority. It is, however,
not a complete list, and botani.sts working
according to the rules since 1905 have, in
several cases, been bound to make a change
of name ; these changes have been recog-
nised as nece.s.sary. An additional list
had been prepared 'which some workers
wished to see embodied in the original list
— this would have necessitated in certain
cases the upsetting again of changes which
had already been accepted, though in other
cases, such as the genus Persea, the insertion
of the name in the list would have prevented
the unwelcome change of name of a large
number of species. It was ultimately decided
to accept the new list with the exclusion of
those names wliich had already been the
subject of change since 1905.

The section of Phytogeographieal Nomen-
clature had liefore them for discussion a series
of recommendations drawn up by Prof.
Flahault, of Montpellier, and Prof. Schroeter,
of Zurich, the reporters to the commission
which was appointed at Vienna to consider
the subject of plant-geography. These re-
commendations arose from the consideration
of a number of documents and suggestions
which had been forwarded by various eminent
plant-geographers. There w-as considerable
diversity of opinion on the various aspects of
the subject, but it was generally felt that the
Congress could not pass rules, but should
merely put forward recommendations for the
guidance of workers. The following were
agreed to without opposition : — (1) That every
author should explain exactly what he under-
stands by the terms he uses. (2) That the
popular names of units of vegetation in the
various languages should be retained. (3)
That the principle of priority in phyto-
geographieal terminology' is inadmissible. (4)
That a polyglot, .synonymic dictionary of phy-
togeographieal names should be compiled by
a special commission. (5) That the colour
scheme suggested by Prof. Engler for maps
of tropical vegetation be recommended for
adoption. (6) That Ecological Phytogeography
may be defined as the study of the relation-
ships of plants and plant-communities with
the environment.

Before and during the Congress herborisa-
tions and other expeditions were arranged by
the Brussels Committee ; these included a
visit to the fine new Colonial Museum at Ter-
vueren, the University of Liege, and Antwerp.

Our Supplementary Illustration. —

Corypha umbraculifera, the Talipot Palm, is a
native of Ceylon and S. India, and it forme one of
the noblest specimens of the vegetation of those
regions. Though, like the majority of its
allies, it is a slow grower, it attains to a great
height, and, when reaching maturity, bears a
magnificent crown of enormous leaves. So large
are the full-grown leaves, that one or two suf-
fice for the roof of a hut. Indeed, it is no un-
common sight in Ceylon to see a whole family
of Tamils marching along in a tropica! shower
."ilieltered beneath a single leaf, which serves
them as an improvised and gigantic umbrella.
Though the Talipot reaches a height of some 90
or 100 feet, it is a monocarpic — that is, a once-
flowering plant. For 70 or more years its ener-
gies are devoted to building up its massive
tissues. Then, bursting into bloom, it forms a
splendid spectacle, which attracts curious visitors
from far and wide. Its bloom faded and its fruits
set, the whole inflorescences topple over, the
leaves wither and hang down, and the tree dies.
The three photographs reproduced in the illus-
tration represent the youth, maturity, and old
age of this remarkable Palm. The cultivation
of the species in Europe is attended with con-
siderable difficulty, and at Kew it has never been
possible to get specimens of even a moderate
size. The present plants are only about 3 feet
or so in height, but these are proliably equal to
any to be found in Europe

The Fream Memorial Prize. -The Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries have awarded a
Fream Memorial Prize of the value of £7 Is. 9d.
to Mr. James Bernard Garnett, Brampton-eu-
le-Morthen, Rotherham, a student .at Leeds Uni-
versity, who obtained the highest marks at the
examination held in April last for the National
Diploma in Agriculture.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

427

Flowers in Season.— From Messrs. Kelway
& Son we have received a few specimen flowers
■of the choicer varieties of Pyrethrum roseum.
These include Langport Scarlet and General
Pr°nch, both having single, crimson flowers;
Evelyn, a double pink flower, with whitish
■centre, of very excellent form ; Lord Jlilner,
single flower, colour rose-pink ; Souce, a large,
■dcuble white flower ; Snowwhite ; Goring Thomas,
a single flower, pink ; Queen of the Whites,
single ; and Lord Rosebery, a large, double flower
of purplish colour. If Pyrethrums are given
liberal cultivation they are amongst the showiest
flowers in the border during June, whflst the
blooms have great decorative value in a cut
state.

Chances in the L.C.C. Parks. — Mr. J. W.

Moorman, the superintendent of Victoria Park,
relinquishes his position on June 30, his retire-
ment on pension being in accordance with the
Council's rules as to age limit. It is expected
that Mr. D. Carson, of Southwark Park, will
succeed to the vacancy, in which case he will
be promoted from second to first-class super-
intendent, and that Mr. F. W. Wright, chief
of the Thames Embankment gardens, will suc-
•"xjeed Mr. C.\kson as superintendent of South-
wark Park. Mr. G. Warren, at present in
charge of Ruskin Park, will probably be offered
the post vacated by Mr. Weight.

Yorkshire Gala. — The attendance on the
opening day constituted a record, the number of
persons who passed the turnstiles being 11,281,
against 10,311 last year, and 11,171 on the occa-
sion of the previous record three years since,
increases of 970 and 110 respectively. The re-
ceipts totalled £620 2s. The attendance on
Tliursday was 27,349, an increase of 127 com-
pared with last year. But despite the continued
favourable weather, the attendance and receipts
on Friday both showed a falling off compared
with those of the third day last year. The num-
ber of tickets sold was 9,653, or 626 fewer than
the corresponding total in 1909. and the receipts
were £234 17s. 9d., or £15 Os. 3d. less than on
the concluding day 12 months ago. This year's
totals have been excelled 12 times as re-
gards attendance and on eight occasions as
regards receipts. In our report last week of
the non-competitive exhibits we omitted to men-
tion the fine display of Orchids put up by Messrs.
Charlesworth & Co., Hay wards Heath. It con-
sisted principally of choice Laelio-Cattleyas.
Messrs. Kelway & Son inform us that a Silver-
gilt Medal was awarded for their exhibit of
hardy flower.s and Sweet Peas, and not a Silver
Medal, as given In the list of Awards furnished
us by the secretary.

Mr. H. W. Ward. — We regret to bear that
our valued correspondent, Mr. H. W, Ward, of
Rayleigh, Essex, has sustained a bereavement
in the unexpected death of his elder son in
Johannesburg in his 34th year. Mr. A. H.
Ward, who lived at Cape Town, was the
esteemed manager of the South .\frican Branch
of the Northern Assurance Co., in whose service
he had been engaged for 18 years.

The Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary. —

The Selborne Society has issued the third of a
series of leaflets on the Brent Valley Bird Sanc-
tuary. This deals with curious nesting-places,
and, like those previously issued, is profusely
illustrated, having been reprinted from Thf
Couvtry Home. Copies of the leaflet may be ob-
tained from Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, Hon-
orary Secretary of the Selborne Society, at 42,
Bloomsbury Square, W.C., post free, for thi-ee
halfpenny stamps.

Trentham as a Public Resort. — The Duke
and Duchess of Sutherland have decided to
throw open to the public the gardens at Trentham
Hall, Staffordshire. They were opened for the
first time on the 16th inst., and a charge of six-
pence was made for each visitor. Those who
knew Trentham in the days of Fleming and
Stevens would find a great difference in the
place to-day, for not only are the collections of
plants more or less distributed, but the famous
statuary has been removed, excepting the large
work of Benvenuto Cellini. At the same time,
Trentham has still many in-esistible charms, and
Mr, Peter Blair had everything very attrac-
tive on the opening day.

A Rhododendron Show. — The annual dis-
play of Rhododendrons, made by Messrs. J.
Waterer & Sons, Bagshot, in the Botanic
Gardens, Regent's Park, is an institution of
considerable horticultural importance. The
plants are dug up from the nursery in April and
conveyed by rail to Regent's Park, where they
are replanted in beds and borders and tended
until the flowers expand, when the whole are
covered with two large marquees, open at the
ends and sides, thus providing conditions that
are favourable to the flow-ers and make their
inspection convenient and agreeable in all kinds
of weather. It is much more satisfactory to
see the plants in flower set out as they would
appear in the garden than the choke-muddle ar-
rangements at ordinary flower shows, and we
recommend this method to nurserymen in a posi-
tion to afford it as one that is likely to attract
gardeners and others who wish to see together
a selection of the best, from which they
can make their own choice. It may be that
Rhododendrons lend themselves to exhibitions of
this kind better than most plants ; they
certainly look quite at home in the tents in the
Botanic Gardens, and they are returned to Bag-
shot but little the worse for the outing. That
the every-day gardener does not know the best
Rhododendrons is abundantly evident in the
poor quality of the varieties that are usually to
be seen. There is as much difference between
these latter and the best of the modern seedlings
as there is between the old garden Roses and
the new. Needless to say, there are no indif-
ferent sorts among the many shown by Messrs.
Waterer. As to which are the best, the choice
would depend on one's colour preferences. We
liked the following on account of their richness
or delicacy of colour, their fulness of truss and
the good habit of the plant : Gomer Waterer,
Lady C. Walsh, Dorothy Fortesque, Mum, Vis-
count Powerscourt, John Walter, Kate Waterer,
Mrs. John Penn, Mme. Carvello, Jlrs. Tritton,
Lady Hillingdon, .John H. Agnew, W. E. Glad-
stone, and Pink Pearl.

Committee on Agricultural Science. —

The President of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheiies has appointed a committee to advise
the Board on all scientific questions bearing
directly on the improvement of agriculture, and
especially as to the methods to be adopted (a)
for promoting agricultural research in univer-
sities and other scientific schools ; (b) for aiding
scientific workers engaged in the study of agri-
cultural problems ; and (c) for insuring that new
scientific discoveries are utilised for the benefit of
agriculturists. The committee will consist of his
grace the Duke of Devonshire, P.C. ; the Rt.
Hon. Lord Reat, G.C.S.L, G.C.LE. ; Sir
Edward Thorpe, C.B., F.R.S., Mr. David
Davies, M.P., Dr. J. J. Dobbie, F.R.S. (prin-
cipal of the Government laboratories), Professor
J. B. Farmer, F.R.S., Dr. S. F. Harmer. F.R.S.
(Keeper of Zoology at the Natural History
Museum), Dr. R. Stew.art McDougall, M.A.

(Technical Advisor in Zoology to the Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries), Mr. T. H. Middle-
ton, JI.A., M.Sc. (one of the assistant secre-
taries to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries),
Mr. Spencer Pickering, F.R.S., Lieut.-Col.
David Prain, C.I.E., F.R.S. (director of the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Mr. H. S.
Staveley-Hill, M.P., Mr. Stewart Stockman,
M.R.C.V.S. (chief veterinary officer of the Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries), Dr. J. J. H.
Teall, F.R.S. (director of the Geological Survey
and Museum), and Dr. David Wilson, M.A. Mr.
MiDDLETON will act as chairman of the com-
mittee, and one of the officers of the Intelligence
Division of the Board will act aa secretary.

Rothamsted Experimental Station.— A

meeting of the society for extending the Rotham-
sted experiments was held at Rothamsted on
June 16, under the presidency of the Duke of
Devonshire. The society has been incorporated
with the object of obtaining additional funds for
the development of the agricultural investiga-
tions which have been carried on so long under
the late Sir John Lawes and the Lawes Agricul-
tural Trust which he afterwards founded. The
immediate object of the society is to obtain a
sum of £5,000, in order to secure about 200 acres
of land adjoining the present experimental fields,
and erect thereon the buildings required for f.'ed-
ing experiments with the crops under investiga-
tion. An appe.al for subscriptions towards thus
securing a small, self-contained farm for the
Rothamsted Experimental Station is now being
circulated, and, at a recent meeting of the
society, a first list of donations was reported
from the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Iveagh, Sir
J. T. Brunner, Col. E. H. Carlile, M.P., Mr.
J. F. Mason, M.P., and Mr. J. Martin White,
amounting to £1,450. <"

Ordnance Surveys and Salaries.- The
President of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries has appointed a Departmental Com
mittee to enquire into the pay and classification
of the civil assistants, temporary civil assistants
and labourers employed on the Ordnance Survey,
and to report whether, having regard to the con-
ditions of their employment and to the rates cur-
rent in analogous occupations, their remunera-
tion is adequate. The committee will be con-
stituted as follows;— The Rt. Hon. Sir Walter
Foster (chairman). G. L. Barstow, Esq. (a prin-
cipal clerk in the Treasury). Col. J. W. Greio,
M.P., Geo. D. Kelley, Esq., and F. Newman
Rogers, Esq. Major W. C. Hedley. R.E., of
the Ordnance Survey, will act as secretary.

" La Vie a ua Campagne." — This excellent
publication has recently devoted considerable at-
tention to gardening. Its special spring number,
published on March 15, was entitled " Four
Centuries of French Gardens," the principal
writers being MM. Albert M.aumene, Achille
Duchene and Georges Gibault. The work was
very freely illustrated ; among the many pictures
and reproductions from old garden books were
views of gardens in the Middle Ages, plans, par-
terres, views of the Maison de Sceaux, Versailles,
Chantilly, &c., and a fuU-page portrait of Louis
XIV., a great patron of horticulture. The
literary matter was varied and niteresting. More
recently the issue of May 15 was devoted to the
subject of how to get up a horticultural show.
Portraits of the contributors and of the members
of the jury of the Paris Spring Show were given.
Many views of shows and different exhibits oc-
cupied a large portion of the issue, to illustrate
articles by such eminent authorities as MM. P.
DE ViLMORIN, J. MoSER, L. ChAURE, D. BoiS,

A. Truffaut, Abel Chate.n.iy, Jules Vache-
EOT, G.AB. Debrie and about a dozen other dis-
tinguished French horticulturists.

428

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

yuNE 25, 1910.

Floral Pictures. — During the next two
weeks a small collection of water-colour
paintings and decorative panel pictures on
silk may be seen at Coldrum's, Sloane
Street. The paintings are by Mrs. Haetrick,
R.S.W. (Lilt Blatherwick), who exhibits
them, and they number 45. With the exception
of Cypripedium grande (Selenipediura grande),
C. GodefroyiE, Oncidium Papilio, and 0. leuco-
chilum, which are faithfully drawn and coloured,
the remainder consist of out-of-door flowers.
Although the treatment is somewhat that
of the impressionist, the different sub-
jects are readily recognisable, and the irn-
pression of truth that they convey is
deepened by their tender colouring. Over, and
around all of them, there rests a delicate misti-
ness that is not unpleasing, indeed it is distinctly
gratifying in " Bed Poppies," " Oriental Pop-
pies," " Winter Cherry," and " Sweet Peas."
The subjects which pleased us most were Iceland
Poppies, Christmas Roses, Wistaria (of this two
panels were shown), Cornflowers, some Shirley
Poppies (at dawn), and a hedge sparrow's nest
containing four eggs, the design being accom-
panied by some blooms of Japanese Anemones.
The subjects chosen for panels were prettily sug-
gestive of the uses of such things in decorative
art.

Two New Diseases of Gooseberries.—
In the Annahs MijcoJoglei (vol. viii.. No. 2,
1910) Messrs. Brooks and Bartlett give an
account of their investigations into the nature
and causes of two diseases of Gooseberries which
have killed off large numbers of bushes in the
fruit-growing districts in Cambridgeshire. The
heaviest-cropping kinds, such as Whinham's In-
dustry and Keepsake, are most frequently
attacked, and as many as 20 per cent, of the
bushes are affected in some plantations. The
general characters of the two diseases are very
similar. Evidence of the attacks are most
obvious in spring and early summer. The leaves
wilt and soon turn brown, and the branches
bearing them die very rapidly; in bad
cases the whole bush is killed somewhat
suddenly. One of the diseases has been shown
to be due to the common fungus, Botrytis cinerea,
the conidiophores of which are found breaking
through the bark of dead branches in spring.
The authors were able to produce the disease by
inoculating branches with the young mycelium of
the fungus. They conclude that .the parasite
gains an entrance into its host at the ends of
young shoots which have been damaged by frost
or by aphides. The second disease closely
resembles that produced by Botrytis cinerea, but
is apparently caused by Cytosporina Ribis, a
species which has been .considered hitherto a
saphrophyte and only able to live on dead wood.
Further investigations are being made with this
fungus. In regard to remedial measure's, Messrs.
Brooks and Bartlett recommend the immediate
destruction by fire of all affected bushes as soon
as the disease is discovered, so that the formation
of the sclerotia of the fungus and the subsequent
distribution of the conidia may be prevented.
The present practice of leaving dead and dying
bushes in the plantations for some time ensures
the continuance and propagation of the disease.
Something mi^iht be done to check the influence
of aphis by -suitable spraying.

The Berlin Botanical Garden.— Many of

those who were present at the International
Botanical Congress at Brussels accepted an
invitation to Berlin from the Director of
the Royal Botanic Museum and Garden, to
visit the new botanical establishment at
Dahlem. (An account of the Garden, with
some illustrations, appeared in the Gar-
deners' Chronicle ;in 1508 and 1909.) It was

most interesting to explore the gardens and
houses under the guidance of Prof. Engler, the
Director, with the help of Proi. Urban, the
Assistant Director, and other members of the
staff. The whole establishment is a model of
scientific organisation for educational purposes.
Perhaps the most impressive object to a visitor
for the first time are the miniature mountain
ranges, representing the Alps, Pyrenees, Hima-
layas and others, with characteristic plants, some
of which have become very much at home. An-
other feature is the large phyto-geographical sec-
tion, admirably planned, but to the outsider sug-
gestive of an enormous amount of industry and
care if the different geographic areas ai'e to
retain their special characteristics. The museum
contains a large herbarium, which is specially
rich in plants of tropical Africa, a lecture theatre
and workrooms, and a series of exhibition
galleries illustrating systematic botany, plant-
geography, biology, palseobotany, economic
botany, and the products of the German
colonies. A visit was also arranged to Potsdam
and Sans Souci, where the guests were conducted
round the royal park and gardens by Dii-ector

FiNTELMANN.

HOME CORRESPONDENCE.

{The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for
the opinions expressed by correspondents.)

"Pansies, Violas, and Violets" (see
p. 399). — I have read the review of this book by
Mr. W. Watson in last week's Gardeners'
Chronicle with some interest, having recently
been engaged upon a literary and historical re-
search in connection with the Pansy, the result
of which will be found in La Tribune Horticole
of Brussels for January 1 last. Mr. Watson,
quoting from Philip Miller, seems to consider that
the word spot is identical with blotch, and con-
cludes by saying that Thompson's statement that
nothing in the way of blotches on the flower had
been secured before 1830 must be an error. I am
going to use another tei-m for the purpose of
differentiation, and will say that " dabs " of col-
our, either on the upper petals or the lower, do
not constitute a blotch. That is to say, a blotch,
as understood by the old florists, when referring
to that peculiarity in a show Pansy. As I un-
derstand the term, the blotch is that marking in
a Pansy immediately round the eye, and must
be as nearly circular' as possible. It is confined
to the three lower' petals, and although some
varieties of the old Pansies had dabs of colour
elsewhere, which might, by some persons, be
described as blotches, they are not blotches in the
vocabulary of the Pansy fanciers. Thompson, of
Iver, was certainly the father of the moderm
Pansy. He had. of course, contemporary
workers, but I think he knew what he was talk-
ing about when he said that nothing in the way
of blotches had been secured before 1830.
Neither Philip Miller nor any man of his day
and generation ever saw a blotched Pansy, for
the excellent reason that this peculiar marking
had not been evolved by the florist. Viola tri-
color is rayed, and not blotched, and that was
the species mostly known in his day. If we turn
to Professor Wittrock's coloured illustrations ac-
companying his Coiitrihution to the History of
the Pansy (Stockholm, 1896), we find no blotched
flowers in his figures of V. tricolor, V. arven-
sis, v. latisepala, V. cornuta, "V. calcarata, V.
lutea, or V. norvegica ; they ai'e all rayed, but in
a few cases there are some whose upper petals
have what I prefer to call dabs of colour on
them. And so the early and improved forms
of the florists' Pansy were marlced by these fine
pencillings or rays on the lower petals. The
Floricultural Cahinel, first published at a time
when the Pansy was a popular show flower,
gives many figures of these early seedling varie-
ties. There is no suspicion of a blotch an many
of them. The same may be said of those figured
in Westley's Hortlrv/titral Journal and
Florists' Register. There are some pretty varie-
ties, but all with rayed centres. What I take
to be the elementary form of a blotch appears in
a variety Sir Francis Burdett (1837). If we

turn to Sinclair and Freeman's work on the
Pansv, containing 24 coloured figures of the
choicest sorts (1835), many of them being Thomp-
son's seedlings, we find even then that the
majority are rayed and not blotched, or, to be
exact, eight are blotched, or partly so, the others
distinctly rayed. It is evident that the Pansy
raiser had one great object in view, and that was,
by culture, to drive these rays or pencillings
into a solid blotch of colour round tlie eye. In
the Florists' Museum (1836) we find an early
instance in Count de Sellis. in the description of
which it says. 'The pencilling on the three lo\yer
petals is condensed into a very remarkably rich
spot." And in another place, " The colours
should be brilliant and clear, and the eye of the
flower small and neat, and the pencilling is most
esteemed when in the form of a spot at its base."
This spot is technically the blotch, and any other
spots of colour elsewhere are not blotches in the
sense intended by Thompson, and to which Mr.
W- Watson takes exception. C. Harman Payne.

Novelties at the Carnation Show. — I

saw the Carnation Show on June 9 as a grower
who is more interested in Avhat is to come
than in what we know to be. Empire Day, the
seedling shown by Mr. A. Smith, who gave us
Britannia, attracted the most attention. It won
the premier award as the best vase of flowers in
the show, as well as chief honours in the classes
for pink flowers. Those who know it as a growing
plant can testify to its good qualities better than
those who have only seen the cut bloom, but
Mr. Smith has no intention of distributing his
variety at present, perhaps not for years ! Mr.
Waters showed a large-flowered cerise seedhng
named Miss Alice Waters, and if this variety is
equally good in winter it should have a future.
Mr. Engelmann had hundreds of blooms of his
crimson seedling, Carola. Messrs. Stuart Low
& Co. had several dozen blooms of Princess
Juliana, their orange-coloured Perpetual Mal-
maison, which is a decided break. Roseate
Dawn, a novelty from the same firm, lacks size,
but it has a perfect shade of old rose colour and
other good qualities. Mr. Burnett had his pale
pink seedling. Countess of March, in good condi-
tion. The colour- and build of this variety is good,
the size again not being large, if indeed this is
any disadvantage. Of course there were many
more novelties shown, but from a purely market
grower's point of view these constitute the
choicer ones. The American novelties, with two
exceptions, were shown in small numbers.
Pink Delight -was represented by a very fine
vase, but those who are familiar with its thin,
shy habit realise that even this cannot atone for
its shortcomings, and whUst May Day was not
largely shown, those who know it have nothing
but praise for its exceptional qualities. Some
day all will grow this beautiful, free-flowering,
pink variety, with its somewhat small, refined
flowers. Bay State was shown well, and if I
thought it would yield such quality of bloom in
the dull month of December I should wax elo-
<4U6nt in its praise, but I cannot forget past ex-
perience. Ruby was represented by several ex-
cellent blooms in various parts of the hall. I am
sure it is a descendant of the old variety, Harry
Fenn, and inherits the bad, winter qualities of its
parent, but its autumm and spring bloom
may win for it a place in many collections. 0. P.
Bassett, the scarlet American novelty, has
some votaries, and several good blooms were
shown, but I am afraid our dull winters will
never suit this variety. A Market Grower.

Snake and Thrush. — An interesting inoiden
was witnessed in these gardens a few days ago.
A nest of fully-fledged thrushes was disturbed
and one of the" brood, in its flight just over and
near to some long grass, was seized by a large
common snake which was basking in the sun and
grass. The snake suddenly threw up its head
above the long grass and seized the bird in its
mouth, carrying it across a ten-foot gravel path
into some more long grass, the snake keeping
its head erect with the bird in its mouth and
wriggling along quite easily and rapidly. Curi-
osity tempted me to follow quietly and watch
the result. The snake made a hole in the neck
of the bird, sucked its blood, and thus killed
it. The snake then beat a retreat, and
■n-as allowed to do so, being recognized in other
ways as the gardener's friend. W. Crump,
Madresfield Court Gardens.

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

429

Exhibition Vegetables.— I was interested
to read I'ractical's reply, on p. 409. If he
ib so much concerned about the expense
caused by what he calLs artificial treatment (I
should like to know where this commences and
where it ends), why does he not attack the in-
tensive or French system of gardening? This is
certainly artificial ; the outlay is enormous,
yet this is done, with a view of making
large profits. Unless Practical be opposed to
horticultural shows altogether, perhaps he will
tell us how and on what lines vegetalDles should
be grown and exhibited. I agree entirely with
every word .1. D. says in regard to the produc-
tion of vegetables. The finest and best Cauli-
, flowers and Broccoli are produced in the market-
gardens, and under what may be generally
termed good cultivation. The same applies to
Potatos on soil which are suitable for their
production. The very best tubers possible may
be produced by ordinary field cultivation, it
being merely a matter of selection. When Prac-
tical talks about Cauliflowers, planted 4 feet
apart, mounted about the .stems with manure and
watered daily, he must, I think, be more imagina-
tive than real; certainly such treatment is the
exception rather than the rule, as I have never
practised and never known such a case, and my
experience is fairly wide. In relation to Run-
ner Beans. I am prepared to prove that these,
planted from 10 to 15 inches apart, will produce
much heavier crops and finer quality than those
grown in what he would call the ordinary way.
Practical runs away from his argument in his
previous article on Brussels Sprouts, and falls
back on Onions, Celery, Runner Beans, Leeks,
and Peas. Now every one of these mentioned can
hardly be grown too large, providing, of course,
the produce possesses high-class quality. So it is
with a few other vegetables, for instance, Aspara
gus. If Practical will take the trouble during
the season to enquire the price at the leading
greengrocers' shops, he will find that a bundle of
the largest and best English-grown Asparagus
will fetch five or six times as much as the same
number of heads of smaller growth. And the
same applies to large, well-grown Onions, Celery,
Beans, Peas, &c. ; but what about many other
kinds of vegetables? I am old enough to re-
member when mere size did count at the vege-
table shows, large size in Marrows, Turnips,
Cucumbers, Carrots, Beetroot, Cabbage, Brussels
Sprouts, Savoys, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Potatos,
and many others. Now, what do we see? At
all the leading exhibitions, refinement and high
quality are the points given the first considera-
tion. Practical need have no fear for the gar-
dener who exhibits high-class vegetables. Though
I know there are many men that cultivate good
vegetables, but never exhibit, nevertheless the
exhibitor can and does supply the table at
home with high-class produce. It is only fair
that the man who exhibits should be judged by
his employer, and no one is more capable to do
this, by the standard on which he cultivates not
c-nly the kitchen garden, but the various branches
which come under his ccmtrol. Until recent years,
vegetable culture lacked much, and I am confi-
dent that nothing has done so much to raise this
important branch of horticulture as the cottage
garden and other horticultural exhibitions
throughout the length and breadth of the coun-
try. Not only is there emulation amongst pro-
fessional gardeners, but among amateurs and cot-
tagers also. Exhibitor No. 2.

— Why does not Practical answer my

question relating to the cottagers' class. If
exhibition culture is such an expensive pleasure,
why do cottagers indulge in it so freely? I
have every good reason to believe (being a
member of the committee of a very promising
horticultural society and having enquired of
other societies) that the cottager will be more
in evidence in the future at all the leading
exhibitions. With regard to glass tubes and
miniature boxes, can Practical state where these
are used, as I should be very interested to see
them? In any case they are not necessary for
the production of exhibition Leeks. I should
also like to know who the manufacturer
is. > He certainly cannot be a very enterprising
tradesman, otherwise we should have seen his ad-
vertisement in the Gardeners' Chronicle. I was
surprised to read PrncticaVs criticism of A. D.,
as I consider that the latter is one of the most
able judges, with a practical experience. With
respect to Practical's remark on Runner Beans,

I rnay say that 12 to 15 inches is quite aiv
ordinary distance apart to plant, as by
this method better results are obtained
than by planting 4 inches apart, for you
only want one-third the quantity of seed
and you gain more and better-quality Beans,
with less expense for sticks. I think this should
prove to Practical that A. D.'s advice was both
practical and economical. ^4. Gooding, Eartham.
House Gardens, Chichester.

Culture of Rhododendrons. — We have a
considerable collection of Rhododendrons at this
place, including varieties of the Himalayan
species. Amongst the older plants, some of 'the
varieties of R. arboreum have grown to
30 feet or more in height. These seem to be
thoroughly established, and take good care of
themselves. We have, however, some difficulty
with the younger plants. The soil is in most
cases shallow and inclined to be sour. Where it
is deep, it is almost pure peat, and although R.
ponticum and some of the coarser hybrids seem
to thrive luxuriantly in this, the Himalayan
species do not succeed in it as well as could be
desired. I should be grateful for any informa-
tion as to the cultivation of R. arboreum, and
such types as R. barbatum, Rozlii, Aucklandii,
grande, Falcoueri, Thonipsonii, &c., under the

Fig 195. — n.\NUNcnLUs "evening star":

FLOWER YELLOW.
(See note on p. 391.)

conditions which I describe, and particularly as
to the possibility of rendering a black and re-
tentive peaty soil, recently reclaimed, more suit-
able for the growth of Rhododendrons of the
above class. We have abundance of seaweed
manure. Can any of your correspondents tell me
whether this can be successfully used, or whether
it is likely to be harmful? I should also be glad
to know whether, when the young plants show
a tendency to produce a very heavy crop of
blooms, it is desirable to pick off the young buds
before the flowers have opened, and, if so, at
what stage? 11'., Kenmare, Ireland. [It is
always advisable to disbud young plants of Rho-
dodendrons that are too prolific. The best time
to remove the buds is early spring before they
start to unfold. — Eds. J

Spring in the Eastern Counties. — A very

interesting article having appeared on spring
flowers in the south-western parts of England
(see p. 341), it has occurred to a resident in
Suffolk that there perhaps might be some value
in a similar one written on the less varied
flora of the Eastern Counties, and specially
as regards the cultivation of Alpine plants in that
locality. Our winter was unusually wet, and it

was not till the middle of February that we first
saw the little white bells showing between the
sharp points of the Snowdrop leaves, then the
yellow Aconite with its green ruff growing in
considerable numbers on the sides of our moat,
followed by an occasional Crocus. We had not
much more till the middle of March, till one
joyous day I found a bud of Soldanella alpina
peeping from among its large, heart-shaped leaves
on the rockery ; it developed fast, having once
begun, and before the end of March I had 13 or
14 beautiful flowers on one root and a few single
flowers on seedlings. It was followed quickly
by Chionodoxa Lucilias, which came up all over
the rockery, as did a variety of Aubrietia, the
double red Hepatica, Primula rosea, Arabis al-
pina, a blue Primrose, Dryas octopetala, and the
courageous little lonopodium, which flowered all
through the winter, sometimes covered with snow
and sometimes not. On April 6 glorious rows
and sheets of Daffodils began to show, and the
grass of the lawns was covered with Crocuses,
Scilla sibirica, Hyacinths and Tulips, and a
glorious line of scarlet Anemones appeared. On
the rocks we had a variety of Prmiroses and
Saxifragas, and the lovely Gentiana verna ap-
peared in great beauty, followed in a few days
by Gentiana acaulis, which was covered with
bloom and lasted in full glory for nearly three
weeks. On May 20 they began to fade, but other
flowers were out — Veronica rosea, Wahlenbergia,
Saxifraga hypnoides (which is rather difficivlt to
keep in bounds), S. Aizoon, S. Aizoon m,inor,
S. sarmentosa, Androsaces, Cytisus Ardc\inii,
and Arenaria balearica. The Auriculas w-Vich
came out in April were then going off, Vut
a great bed of Wulfenia carinthiaca at the top
of one of the mounds was covered with purple
spikes; Cistus florentinus produced its flowers of
a day. Phlox Little Gem came out, and Ery-
simum pulchellum. Many of these are over, but
the Saxifragas are still in the fullest flower, and
in addition we now have a plant of Ramondia
pyrenaica with 13 flowers, two beautiful speci-
mens of Calceolaria plantaginea in full bloom,
the amusing little Bellis minutus, Lithospermum
prostratum, and Cyclamen eui'opsEum. A flower
or two of the fine Dianthus alpinus is starting,
and near it the pale, delicate, little Cheddar-pink
and the curious Chrysoplenium oppositifolium.
The wall garden is covered with Ivy-leafed Toad-
flax and the little Dianthus prolifera, and the
hedgerows are lovely with Roses, blue Speedwell,
and pink Lychnis. So far as the Alpine garden is
concerned, I am the humblest of amateurs, but I
started mine 18 months ago with four tons of
sandstone from Messrs. Pulham & Co., a small
quantity of peat and ordinary garden soil.
■The only plant I cannot manage to keep is Silene
acaulis. I wish someone would advise me on this
point. I had six plants last spring, which all
flowered well ; only one lived through the winter.
I had six more, but one has suddenly withered,
and there is no appearance of flowering
in any of them. Silene Schafta flowered last
summer perfectly, and seems inclined to do so
again, and Gentiana septemfida and G. asclepi-
adea also look most promising. The taste for
rock-gardening is much on the increase, and the
plants appear to like the air and the soil of the
Eastern Counties. A. Grant- llvff.

Oaks Dying.— During at least 30 years the
leaves of Oak trees in the coverts here have been
eaten annually in June by a caterpillar. The
woods have now the tint of April, and I enclose
a specimen of a small branch. All the Oaks-
some thousands — are beginning to die, and this
year the trees, under fifty years old, are
attacked. Is this plight at all widespread, and
are all the Oaks in England doomed to gradual
extinction? Basil Levett', Wychnor Park,
Burton-on-T rent.

Vine Affected by Lightning. — Has any

reader knowledge of a similar case to the follow-
ing? A vine in this locality was, to all appear-
ances, quite healthy up to a few weeks ago, but
since a rather severe thunderstorm occurred, with
vivid lightning, it has died away. A trained
Plum tree on a wall a few yards from the vinery
has one large branch similarly affected, and it
has occurred to me that the trouble may be due
to the lightning. The vine is at the extreme end
of a lean-to vinery facing due south. H. A.
Coleman, Wolverhampton. [We should rather
suspect root trouble than the lightning. — Eds.J

430

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

SOCIETIES.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL.

June 21. — -Another beautiful floral display was
seen at the meeting, held on Tuesday last, in the
Society's Hall, Westminster. The weather was
fine, and a large number of visitors attended
the exhibition, although they were not so numer-
ous as to cause crowding. There was a great
array of hardy flowers, including Pseonies, Del-
phiniums, Lilies, and other border subjects shown
in large groups ; there were also important exhi-
bits of Roses, Carnations, Sweet Peas and green-
house flowering and foliage plants. The Fi.ok.4L
Committee had many novelties submitted for
award, and this body granted six Awards of
Merit.

There were fewer Orchids than usual, and only
one Award of Merit was granted by the Orchid
Committee.

The Fkuit and Vegetable Committee gave an
Award of Merit to a new Strawberry ; the chief
groups consisted of displays of pot fruit trees.

At the three o'clock meeting in the lecture room
papers by Mr. W. Cuthbertson and Mv. Jas.
Grieve on " Fifty Years among Pansies and
Violas " were read by the former gentleman.

Floral Committee.

Pi-csent: W. Marshall, Esq. (Chairman), and
Messrs. Henry B. May, A. KintjsmiU, Chas. T.
Druery, G. Reuthe, W. B. "Cranfield, Jas.
Douglas, Jno. Jennings, W. Cuthbertson, Ed.
Mawley, Chas. E. Shea, Chas. E. Pearson, E. H.
Jenkins, W. J. James, Geo. Paul, J. W. Barr,
R. C. Notcutt, George Gordon, James Hudson,
"Walter T. Ware, F. Page Roberts (Rev.), R. W.
Wallace, E. T. Cook, Chas. Blick, Charles Dixon,
and R. Hooper Pearson.

Mr. L. R. Russell, Richmond, exhibited an
imposing collection of choice stove and green-
house plants, the plants being remarkably well
grown. There were richly-coloured Codiseums
(Crotons), Caladiums, Anthurium Veitchianum,
A. regale (very fine), Dracaena Sanderiana,
Ananassa variegata (a beautiful example of this
coloured-leaved Pineapple), Maranta regalis, M.
insignis, Alocasia argyrea, Cyanophyllum mag-
nificum, plants of Gloriosa Rothschildiana at in-
tervals and a well-pitchered Nepenthes on a
tall stand. (Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., King's
Road, Chelsea, again made a fine display with
miscellaneous flowering plants. The Cannas
were excellent, especially the varieties rosea
gigantea and J. B. van der Schoot (bright red
spots on clear yellow). Tlie blue-flowered Sola-
num Wendlandii was displayed as small pot
plants, all profusely flowered. Sollya Drummondii
has pretty, small blue flowers like those of
Lobelia compacta. Kalanchoe kewensis excelsior,
Aristolochia elegans, Ereraurus Warei, standard
Fuchsias and other subjects were mingled with
pleasing effect. The same firm also showed some
delightful English Irises and a collection of Car-
nations. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. John Peed & Sons, West Norwood,
made a large display with Gloxinias, having
well-bloomed plants in a large variety of colours.
Adjoining these they staged a collection of
Alpine plants, and small specimens of Cactaceous
species.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, The Nurseries,
Upper Edmonton, showed choice stove and
greenhouse Ferns, principally Davallias, Adian-
tums, Gymnogrammas and Polypodiums. The
plants were very handsome with their new sea-
son's fronds. Among the finer we remarked
Adiantum Veitchii, a tinted kind, A. Farleyense,
Pt*ris tricolor, Nephrolepis exaltata var. Mar-
shallii, Lomaria discolor (an elegant miniature
tree-Fern), Polypodium Knightise, and P. sepul-
tum. Messrs. May also showed a magnificent
specimen of Ceropegia Woodii. (Silver Banksian
Medal.)

Carnations of the border and perpetual-bloom-
ing types were exhibited by Mr. Chas. Blick,
The Warren Nursery, Hayes. Mr. Blick is a
well-known raiser of these flowers, and he had
several new varieties, all of great beauty.
Amongst these Donald McDonald, a rose and
yellow variety of great size, attracted our notice ;
others that were especially choice were King
Arthur, Ebony, Honeymoon (white), Marma-
duke, R. Morton (orange suffused with rose).

Solfaterre (yellow). Max Ridley (slaty buff with
rose-coloured bars). Lady Grimston, and Daunt-
less, these being all of the border class. (Silver
Flora Medal.)

Some exceedingly choice Carnations of the
yellow Cecilia variety were shown by A. C.
Hammeksley, Esq., Bourne End, Buckingham-
shire (gr. Mr. T. Waller). They consisted of pot
plants arranged as a floor group with a border of
Sweet Peas in vases and a row of Adiantum
Ferns. The blooms of the Carnations were some
of the largest we have observed of this variety.
(Silver Banksian jMedal.)

Another group of Carnations was displayed by
Lord Hillingdon, Uxbridge (gi\ Mr. A. R.
Allan). It consisted exclusively of the white
variety of the Souvenir de la Malmaison type
known as Nell Gwynn. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Stuakt'Lovv & Co., Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, showed a pretty group of Carnations,
arranged on the floor, their new Souvenir de la
Malmaison variety Irene, of pink colour, being
largely represented. There were also large
sheaves of Maggie Hodgson, Juliette, Lady Grim-
ston, Duke of Westminster, and others. (Silver
Banksian Medal.)

Mr. H. Burnett, Guernsey, set up a display of
Carnations, having large bunches of well-known
sorts, arranged with Asparagus Sprengeri.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries,
Slough, showed Souvenir de la Malmaison and
border Carnations in variety. Of the latter
type we may mention Purple Empress, a flower
with a dense purple edge to the petals ; Lady
Desborough, rose-edged, neat and perfect cf
form ; Voltaire, red-edged ; Horace Hutchinson ;
Sunbeam, wire-edged ; Cecilia, canary yellow ;
and Jocelyn, of a darker tint than The Mikado.
Mr. Turner also showed the new pink Rambler
Rose, an exceedingly free-flowermg variety.

Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley Junc-
tion, showed a new trailing Lobelia, with cheer-
ful blue flowers. The plant has much of the
habit of the variety gracilis, but it is more robust
and enduring. This firm also showed Caimas ;
the better ones, as regarded colouring and sub-
stance in the flowers, were Dr. H. Dohrn, Andre
Magre, Gwaikar of Baroda, Mrs. J. Wigans,
Frau E. Siebert. Rosea gigantea. Aurea J. B.
van der Schoot, Graf Tolstoi, and R. Wallace.

Roses were well shown by Messrs. Wm. Paul
& Son, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. We
noticed a fine stand of the variety Margaret, also
some choice blooms of Hugo Roller, the soft,
yellow petals of the latter being suffused at the
margins with rose-red, Bianca, Liberty, Alice
Cory Wright, and Paul Lede were well repre-
sented, with- many other sorts. (Silver Bank-
sian Medal.)

Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Braiswick, Col-
chester, showed cut Roses in great beauty, in-
cluding many varieties of the Rambler "class.
Others noted in good condition were Gruss an
Teplitz, Richmond, Gustave Regis, Mme. Abel
Chatenay, Mme. Jenny Gillemot, Gen. Gallieni,
Una (a single-flowered Rose 4 inches in diameter),
Laurent Carlo, Rhea Reid, Mme. Melanie Sou-
pert, Mrs. Aaron Wood, and Lady Battersea.
(Silver-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. D. Prior & Son, Colchester, exhibited
Rose blooms, mostly in boxes, a few being
in epergnes. Dean Hole was prominent, a box
being wholly filled with this variety. Lady Ash-
town, J. B. Clark, Konigin Carola, General
MacArthur, Florence Pemberton, Lohengrin,
Lady Mary F'itzwilliam, and Mrs. Theodore
Roosevelt were other conspicuous varieties.
(Silver-gUt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Ben R. Cant & Sons, Colchester,
showed Roses in variety, the top row being of
large, single sorts, such as Lady Curzon (pink),
Maharajah (crimson), Una (whit«, with golden-
coloured stamens, very effective), and Irish Glory
(rose). The others were principally well-known
H.T. varieties. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Messrs. G. Stark & Son, Great Ryburgh,
Sweet Pea specialist, exhibited these flowers
largely. Besides well-known favourite varieties,
we noted Improved G. Stark. Aurora Spencer,
Suffragette, Mercia, Queen Victoria, and Mrs.
Duncan. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, made a
bold show with large, bright blooms of Paeonies.
Lord Derby (crimson), Kam no Kegorome (rose,
with a fine gold centre), Duchesse de Nemours
(white), Her Grace (soft pink). La Tendresse
(white, very large), Chas, Leveque (blush). Lady

Anna (rose) and Mons Dupont (cream) are a few
of the choicer sort exhibited in the collection.
(Silver-Gilt Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Paul & Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt,
showed a large collection of Paeonies with a row
of Delphiniums and Irises at the back. A selec-
tion of the Paeonies includes Jules Lebon, crim-
son ; Gloire de Douai, dark crimson with golden
centre ; Loise, carmine ; de Verneville, pink ;
Lady Carrington, blush pink; Lucie Mallard,
lilac ; and Bastein Lepage, carmine with silver
sheen. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, Lon-
don, N., showed a group of hardy flowers, em-
bracing a wealth of fine subjects. They had
bold spikes of Eremuri, many kinds of Irises,
Peonies, Poppies, Lupins, Gladioli, Delphinums,
Campanulas, and other showy subjects in great
variety. They also showed their new Carnation,
Lady C. Waring, that received a Certificate last
week at the York Show (see p. 412). (Bronze
Flora Medal.)

A noticeable exhibit of Lilium croceum was
shown by Sir Albert Rollit, St. Anne's Hill,
Chertsey. The trusses of blooms were exceed-
ingly fine.

Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent
Garden, showed varieties of English and Spanish
Irises, Ixias, Heucheras, Gladioli, Poppies,
Lilium monodelphium Szovitzianum, Nymphseas,
Brodiies, &c.

Mr. H. C. PuLHAM, Stanstead, Essex, showed a
selection of rock-garden and border flowers.
Orchis latifolia and Rhododendron ferrugineum
were well shown.

G. Ferguson, Esq., Weybridge (gr. Mr. F. W;
Smith), showed seedling Delphiniums in mors
than 100 sorts. There were varieties in all shades
from .white to dark blue, some being of mauve
and lavender tints. Most of them had bold
spilces of large flowers. (Silver Flora Medal.)

Delphiniums were also shown well by Messrs.
Kelway & Son, Langport, who had also large
banks of Paeonies and vases of Sweet Peas.
Delphiniums True Blue, Queen Mother, John
Thorpe, Neil Gow, Queen Alexandra, Prince
Andrew and Athos are all magnificent varieties.
(Bronze Flora iledal.)

Mr. Amos Perry, Hardy Plant Farm, Enfield,
occupied a considerable amount of tabling with
cut blooms. Novel, or of especial merit, were
the following subjects, viz., Papaver Mrs. Perry,
a pale red flower 6 inches in diameter, single-
flowered variety ; Delphiniums, of which the "fol-
lowing possessed spikes of great size and fine
colouring : Lamartine (dark blue), Mrs. Brunton
(sky blue). Masterpiece (bright blue). Persimmon
(light blue). Belladonna semi-plena and King of
Delphiniums ; Heuchera in variety ; Lupinus
polyphyllus roseus. Gladioli, Iris Brodiseas,
Mimulus Lewisii, a great mass of Achil-
lea alpina, Pieonias in variety, including the
bright scarlet Mrs. Perry, and Lilium van
Houttei, not unlike L. umbellatum, but much
smaller, (Silven-gilt Banksian Medal.)

Mr. R. C. Notcutt, Nurseryman, Woodbridge,
Suffolk, likewise showed hardy flowers exten-
sively. We noted the fine Campanula persici-
folia alba ; Alstrocmeria aurea, and the more
rare A. braziliensis, Lilium Hansonii, Lysimachia
velutina, Gillenia trifoliata, Lilium umbellatum.
Iris in variety, and Delphiniums. (Bronze Flora
Medal.)

Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, showed a
fine strain of Aquilegias in almost every variety
of colour found in these flowers.

Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Edinburgh, showed
Pansies and bedding Violas. The best of the
Pansies were Mrs. McCallum, J. H. Whitley,
Dr. Marr, Lizzie Storer, Bronze Kintore, Baillie
Watt and Grieffie Smith. Of Violas, which were
many and good, Lilacina, Royal Scot, Peace,
Maggie Mott, True Blue, Redbraes Yellow and
Seagull were excellent varieties. Antirrhinum
Cottage Maid had flower-spikes of a length of
Ij feet, with rosy-tinted flowers.

Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., The Nurseries,
Feltham, Middlesex, showed flowers of herba-
ceous plants, including Paeonies in variety, Del-
phiniums, including Polestar and Persimmon
especiallv fine in colour and size of flowers
and spike ; Achillea Boule d'Argent, and Aster
sub-ca;rulea major, which has lavender-blue rays
and a yellow disc. (Bronze Flora Medal.)

iSIessrs. G. Jackman & Son. Woking, showed a
quantity of hardy herbaceous flowers, such as
Irises, Campanulas, Delphiniums, Dianthus,

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

431

Scabious, Clematis recta, Dracocephalum japoni-
cum. and Pseonies.

Mr. A. R. Upton, The Guildford Hardy Plant
Nursery, was another exhibitor of garden flowers,
l:aving Paeonies, Poteutilla, Escallonia Langley-
ensis, Pentstemon, Delphiniums, and some potsful
of the rarely-grown Campanula puUa.

Mr. A. J. Harwood, St. Peter's Nursery, Col-
chester, showed Gladiolus Colvilei rosea, Inula
glandulosa, Heuchera micrantha, H. brizoides,
iris in variety, and Campanula.-;.

Messrs. R. W.4LLACE & Co., Colchester, dis-
played some choice Irises, also Ixias Grand Duke,
rosea alba, Vulcan, a red-flowered variety, and
Achievement, a pretty rose-coloured flower.

i\Iessrs. G. & A. Cl.\rk, Ltd., Dover, showed
many species and varieties similar to the fore-
going exhibits. Other than these were flowering
shoots of Rubus virginica, a plant which has
pui-ple-coloured blossoms ; Pyrethrum Pericles,
Veronica teucrium, Rodgersia podophyUa, Incar-
villea Delavayi, Qinothera Youngii, Phlox Lap-
hamii, Geum coccinea Mrs. J. Bradshaw, Cam-
panula Grossekii, Paeonia General Nogi, of a
crimson colour ; Iceland Poppies, and excellent
plants of Gilea coronifolia, furnished with its
bright, scarlet flowers.

Mr. G. Reuthe, Fox Hills Nurseries, Keston,
exhibited a large quantity of flowers, including
Paeonia herbacea, Eremurus, Iris, Azalea myrti-
folia and other dwarf-growing kinds; Incai'villea,
Ericas of hardy species, including E. cinerea alba,
several of Lemoine's Philadelphuses, hardy Cypri-
pediums, Magnolias, Rhododendrons and other
interesting species. (Silver Banksian Medal.)

Mr. F. BonsKELL, Market Bosworth, brought
seedling varieties of Verbascum Chaixii, having
brown, white, yellow and copper-coloured flowers.
The crosses were of various character. Celsia pon-
tica being employed in some cases as a parent.

A small but choice collection of Iris of the
Spanish and English types came from Messrs.
W. Bull & Sons, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W.
Grand Maitre, Lord Duncan, Agrippa and Lady
Roberts being especially pleasing in regard to
colouring.

Mr. G. W. Miller, 'Wisbech, displayed a
batch of a new double, pink Pyrethrum labelled
Queen Mary.

Mr. James Box, Lindfield, Sussex, showed a
fine floral display, having banks of Delplriniums,
Irises, Poppies and other garden flowers as a set-
ting to a collection of Sweet Peas and Pansies.
(Silver Banksian Medal.)

The Misses Hopkins, Shepperton-on-Thamea,
again contributed a rock-garden exhibit planted
with seasonable subjects (Bronze Banksian
Medal.)

Mr. R. Gill, Tremough, Cornwall, showed
plants of Primula imperialis in flower, the spikes
of yellow flower being disappointing compared
with the great vigour of the foliage. A new
variety of Chrysantliemum maximum named Mrs.
Leigh was extensively shown by this exhibitor.

Awards of Merit.

Awards of Merit were recommended to the
following subjects ; —

Del/ihiniuin Purple Velvet. — This new variety,
exhibited by Messrs. Kelway & Son, has large,
single flowers, of an intense shade of blue, the
margins of the petals being of purple.

DelfJiiniiini Theodora. — This variety has large
flowers, which may be described as ivory-white
with yellow centre. Shown by G. Ferguson,
Esq., 'Weybridge.

lr'i.s a!bo- purpurea Colchestercn.si.<. — The type
of this .lapanese speciee, figured in the Botanit-al
jUai/azme. tab. 7511, has very pale-coloured
flowers. Messrs. Wallace & Co. now showed a
form which they call Colchesterensis, which ex-
hibits very rich blue with purple shade. The
colour is especially rich in the curiously-drooping
falls. It is said that this form was introduced
from Japan when the lighter-coloured type first
came here, and that it was known then as
ccerulea. If this was the case, it must have
dropped out of cultivation afterwards. It is ex-
ceedingly pretty.

Iris X fulvala. — This is a hybrid from a
cross between I. fulva and I. hexagona Lamancei,
carried out in 1907 by Mr. W. R. Dykes, Char-
terhouse, Godalming, the exhibitor. The hybrid
resembles I. fulva in growth, but is distinctly
more floriferous, while the violet-coloured flowers
show the influence of I. Lamancei, the pollen

parent, both in their shape and in the presence
of the pubescence along the central ridge.

Kalanclioe X hewensis var. Excelsior. — K. x
kewensis was obtained from a cross between K.
flammea and K. Pentii, and the new variety Ex-
celsior is a sport from K. kewensis. It has a
more compact habit than the type, being 1 foot
less in height at time of flowering, and the flowers
are of brilliant rose-purple colour in place of the
pale shade in K. kewensis. Shown by Messrs.
James Veitch & Sons.

Bose Freda. — This is a promising hybrid Tea
variety exhibited by Messrs. Paul &"Son, the
Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. The form is good, and
the flower promises to have a fair amount of
substance, while the colour is rose, with just a
little violet shade. Slightly fragrant.

Sweet Pea Ivanlwe. — This is a very pretty
mauve-coloured Sweet Pea of pure Spencer form
and large size. Shown by Jlessrs. Dobble & Co.

Sweet- Pea Sunproof Crimson. — Messrs.
DoBBLE & Co. showed splendid flowers of this
brilliant, crim.son-flowered Spencer type. It is
the best of its section, and the least liable to
burn of all varieties of similar colour.

Orchid Committee.

Present: J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the
Chair) ; and Messrs. Harry J. Veitch, \V. Boxall,
F Sander, C. H. Curtis, A. A. JlcBean, Walter
Cobb, R. G. Thwaites, de B. Crawshay, W H.
Hatcher, A. Dye, H. G. Alexander, W. H. White,
H. A. Tracy, Gurnev Wilson, J. Wilson Potter,
C. J. Lucas, W. Bolton, F. J. Hanbury, J;
Charlesworth, and Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Hay wards
Heath, were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for
an effective group, in which excellent varieties
of Laelio-Cattleya Aphrodite and other showy
hybrids were prominent. Among Cattleyas, the
charming and delicately-tinted C. Mossiie Arnol-
diana, of the original form, was the best. Of
other things noted, Odontioda Charlesworthii, the
new 0. Corneyana, and 0. Vuystekes gave bright
scarlet colour; a very fine specimen of Bulbo-
phyllum virescens ; Zygo-Colax Charlesworthii,
Cypripedium bellatulum Queen of Spain, with
large cream-white flowers spotted with pale rose ;
the green Cirrhsea saccata viridissima, Miltonia
vexillaria Cobbiana, and other rare things were
in excellent condition.

Messrs. Stu.vrt Low & Co., Bush Hill Park,
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for an ex-
tensive and very pretty group, in the centre of
which a fine example of Acineta Humboldtii, in
a setting of yellow Oncidiums, produced a telling
effect, on each side being batches of white Odon-
toglossums, and beyond them fine specimens of
Ccelogyne Dayana, with many long, drooping
spikes. With them were a selection of Masde-
vallias ; Bulbophyllum tremulum, B. Claptonense,
B. Lobbii, and other pretty botanical Orchids. A
nice Cattleya Mendelii, with blush-white sepals
and petals ; C. Mossise Wageneri, and Reinecki-
ana ; Chysis Sedenii, Dendrobium nobile virgin-
ale, some pretty Lselio-Cattleyas, Odontoglos-
sums, Oncidium Lanceanum, 0. pulchellum. 0.
monachicum, the elegant little Vanda parviflora,
&c.

H. S. GoonsoN, Esq.. Fairlawn. Putney (gr.
Mr. G. E. Day), showed a good specimen of the
rare Dendrobium Williamsianum, with two spikes
of large, violet-tipped flowers; Odontoglossum ar-
dentissimum xanthotes Fairlawn variety, a good
white flower with a few yellow spots ; a Lslio-
Cattleya, near to L.-C. Gottoiana, and two dwarf
Zygopetalums.

William Thompson, Esq., Walton Grange,
Stone (gr. Mr. Stevens), sent an interesting selec-
tion of Odontiodas and Odontoglossums, includ-
ing several of his Odontioda Nevense (Odontoglos-
sum nevadense x Cochlioda Noezliana), with
light scarlet flowers ; varieties of 0. Vuylstekese,
the Walton Grange form of which secured the
only Award of Merit given at the meeting ; Odon-
toglossum eximium Centuary, and 0. amabile
Graireanum.

Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfield, Woking
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), sent Cattleya Mossiae Ban.=hee.
a good white flower near to Wageneriana ; C. M.
Michael, a large flower of the typical colour, and
Laelio-Cattleya Mrs. W. Hopkins (L. lona x L.-C.
Haroldiana), an intensely dark claret-purple
flower, the lip being the darker.

Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O. (gr.
Mr. W. H. White), sent good examples of Physo-

siphon Loddigesii ; Octomeria diaphana; a fine
form of Odontioda heatonensis, and a grand speci-
men of Odontoglossum Vuylstekei.

Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., V.M.H., Gatton
Park (gr. Mr. Collier), showed Odontoglossum
crispum "The Hon. Marguerite Joicey," a pretty
variety with white flowers delicately tinged with,
rose-pink.

Walter Cobb, Esq., Normanhurst, Rusper (gr.
]Mr. C. J. Salter), showed Dendrobium Dearei
Cobb's variety, with pure-white flowers, having
a green base to the lip and apparently a stronger
grower than the ordinary form.

Messrs. J. & A. A. McBean, Cooksbridge,
staged a small group, in which the best plants
were Cattleya Mossiie Rosita, a good rosy-lilac
flower with unusually pretty, crimped labellum
veined and spotted with purple ; a distinct, blush-
white C. Mendelii, with a purple-feathered line
on the petals, and a good C. Mossiie Wageneri.

Mr. H. A. Tracy, Twickenham, showed
Cattleya Mendelii ccerulea Tracy's variety, a.
white flower with a blue-tinted front to the lip ;
Laelio-Cattleya eximia magnifica of good size and.
with a dark reddish-purple lip, and Odontoglos-
sum Eleanor (cirrhosum x Uro-Skinneri).

Mons. Mertens, Ghent, showed a small selec-
tion of hybrid Odontoglossums, with a large-
flowered Cattleya ISIossiae.

W. H. St. Quinton, Esq., Scampston Hall,
Rillington, Yorks., sent Laelia Wilfred (cinna-
brosa X Dayana). with reddish-orange sepals and
petals and purple lip ; and Cattleya Gaskelliana
Scampston Hall variety, white, with a lilac tinge
on the front of the lip.

F. W. Moore, Esq., Royal Botanic Gardens,
Glasnevin, Dublin, sent a fine inflorescence of
Luddemannia Sanderiana var. Kranzlin, now
placed under Laciena bioolor, the only diffc'renca-
being the absence of purple spotting on the lip.

AWARDS.
Award of Merit.
Odontioda Vuylstekece Walton Grange varietif
(0. Pescatorei X C Noezliana), from William
Thompson, Esq., Walton Grange, Stone (gr. Mr.
Stevens). — A very fine form of this beautiful
hybrid, having handsome scarlet flowers, with a
few indistinct, whitish markings on the sepals
and petals.

Cultural Commendation.

To Mr. H. G. Alexander (Orchid grower to
Lieut. -Col. Sir George L. Holford, K.C.V.O.)
for a finely-bloomed plant of Lielia tenebrosa
Walton Grange variety, with four flowers on a
spike.

To Mr. James Hudson (gr. to Leopold de
Rothschild, Esq., Gunnersbury House, Acton)
for a noble plant of Cattleya Warscewiczii gigan-
tea, with six very fine flowers on one spike.

To Mr. W. H. White (Orchid grower to Sir
Trevor Lawrence, Bart. K.C.V.O.) for Odon-
toglossum Vuylstelfei with two spikes, each bear-
ing 10 very large, yellow flowers blotched with
purplish-brown.

Fruit and 'Vegetable Committee.

Present: J. Cheal, Esq. (in the Chair), and
Messrs. W. Bates, E. Beckett. A. Dean. H. Parr,
G. Hobday, A. R. Allan, J. Vert, P. D. Tuekett,
J. Jaques. J. Davis, C. Foster, 0. Thomas, and
W. Poupart.

Mr. F. B. White, Old Netley, Southampton,
sent Strawberries ilark Twain and Hampshire
Beauty. The former is described under Awards.
The latter was a large, red-fruited variety, ob-
tained by crossing Noble and Royal Sovereign.

Mr. T."A. Smiles, Dartford, Kent, sent Straw-
berry Excelsior. The berries are long, tapering,
and pointed, bright in colour, but of medium
size. It was decided to ask the raiser to send
plants for trial at Wisley.

Messrs. Laxton Bros., Bedford, sent numerous
fruits ot their varieties of Strawberries British
King, Utility (having long fruits and of the
colour of Waterloo), Bedford Champion, Rival,
and Profit.

Lord Howard db Walden, Saffron Walden
(gr. Mr. Jas. Vert), showed a box of fine, richly-
coloured fruits of Strawberry Waterloo, from pot
plants in a cold house.

Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone, staged
a collection of Cherry trees in pots, mostly of
10 inches diameter, the trees ranging from 5 feet
to 6 feet in height. There were 17 of them.
White varieties included Napoleon, Emperor

43£

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

lJdne S5, 1910.

Francis, Monstreuse de Mezel, Elton Heart, and
Kentish Bigarreau. Reds and blaclis were Belle
de St. Trouc, Empress Eugenie St. Margarets,
Florence, Ludwig's Bigarreau, Guigne d'Anno-
nay, and Black Eagle. (Silver Knightian Medal.)
Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons, Chekea, had a
collection of some two dozen trees in pots,
comprising Peaches, Nectarines, and Figs. The
Figs, staged at the back of the group in large
tubs, were fine bushes of St. John, each carrying
from 30 to 50 large fruits. Younger trees, in
10-inch pots, were also freely fruited, as also
were those of Pingo de Mel. The Peaches in-
cluded a large, flat-trained standard of Duke of
York, carrying two dozen fruits and bushes of
that variety and Hale's Early. The Nectarines
comprised Cardinal and Early Rivers. All the
trees were in robust health, and in each case
finely-fruited. (Silver-Gilt Knightian Medal.)

Award of Merit.
Strawherry Mark Twain (Royal Sovereign X
Keen's Seedling). — The fruits are of medium size,
and greatly favoured Keen's Seedling in appear-
ance. They are of a good, dark colour, and
possess a firm flesh, solid, and of excellent
flavour. Shown by Mr. White, Old Netley,
Southampton.

LECTURES ON PANSIES AND VIOLAS.

At the afternoon meeting of Fellows, there
were two papers on " Pansies and Violas,' one
by Mr. James Grieve and another by ilr.
William Cuthbertson. Mr. Grieve was unable to
be present, but Mr. Cuthbertson was there, and
showed flowers to illustrate the subject under
discussion. The chair was occupied by Mr.
Alexander Dean.
t

Mr. James Grieve s Paper.

It was in 1854 that I began my gardening
career, and, from the beginning I took an interest
in the Pansy. In those days, the English Show
Pansy was the only type cultivated. 1 can well
remember the noted English growers of that day,
Charles Turner and W. "Bragg, of Slough, Henry
Hooper, of Bath, and William Dean. Scotch
growers were also turning their attention in
;earnest to Pansies at Vmt tmie. Mr. John
Downie had, a few years pi'eviously, resigned his
situation as gardener at Southbank Park. Edin-
burgh, and had, with Mr. Laird, established the
firm of Downie & Laird. Mr. John Laing was
.still gardener at Dysart House ; Messrs. Dicksuns
& Co.. Edinburgh" Handyside, of Musselburgh,
Lightbody, of Falkirk, White & Sinclair, of
Paisley, Syme and Middlemas, of Glasgow, were
all trade growers of Pansies.

In the amateur classes of these days two men
who were to become famous were competing
against each other — Dr. Stuart and James
Dobbie. The varieties in vogue in these days
were, among dark selfs, Duke of Perth and St.
Andrews. White selfs were a poor strain, and
yellow selfs were not much better. Cherub, a
yellow self, sent out about 1850 by Hooper, of
Bath, was the first really good, yellow self that
appeared. In these days there were no cream or
blue selfs. Our great aim was to get flowers
with solid blotches and distinct markings, with
an eye in the centre of the flower.

After five years' experience in private estab-
lishments, I entered the service of Messrs.
Dicksons & Co., Edinburgh, in 1859. In Febru-
ary, 1860, Messrs. Dicksons' Pansy grower,
Daniel Hafferman, an Irishman, left them to be-
come nursery manager to Messrs. Inirie, -^yr,
and I was promoted to take charge of the Pan-
sies. This charge I held for 36 years. In
1860, all the best Pansies were grown in pots,
mostly 3-inch, plunged in ashes in cold frames.
Great pains were taken to secure Ihe best loam,
which was mixed with old cow manure. Arti-
ficials were almost unknown then, and I often
think it would be better if they were unknown
still. It would be better, I am sure, for the con-
stitution not only of our Pansies but of our
Potatos.

I was the first to introduce the practice of
planting Pansies out in cold frames to obtain ex-
hibition blooms, and this plan is now followed
universally. The Show Pansy continued to be the
leading type of Pansy up till about 1870, great
improvement in its form, substance, and mark-
ings being made. The Fancy Pansy made its
appearance in Scotland about 1861, when it was
grown by Downie, Laird, & Laing. I well re-

member the first two varieties — Dandie Dinmont
and Du Hamil. Messrs. Downie, Laird, &
Laing showed them in the Experimental Gardens,
Edinburgh, at the show of the Royal Caledonian
Society. " I recollect this so well, because they
were shown in rows of six blooms, each variety
alternating with the other. Many strange and
forcible phrases were used to condemn the new-
comers by the old florists, but their novel and
gaudy colours and great size of^ bloom
gradually gained the favour of the ladies, and,
with the usual result, that the men had to follow
suit. From a roughness almost like that of a
Scotch terrier, the Fancy Pansy was selected
into shape, and, by 1880, had almost eclipsed the
Show Pansy and become a universal favourite.

The Fancv Pansies were bred entirely from
the Continental introductions. They were never
crossed with the Show Pansy. That would have
made confusion worse confounded. The method
adopted in raising new varieties was simply to
take seed from the best-formed and gayest-
coloured.

From the very beginning of my career, I have
been specially attracted to the Viola, and began
by crossing," when I was very young, all the
species I could get my hands on, embracing
lutea from the Pentland Hills, cornuta from the
Pyrenees, stricta from India, per Miss Hope, of
Wardie. and amoena from Moffat. I started to
cross-fertilise all these with pollen of the Show
Pansy, and the results were highly satisfactory. I
never got any good results with the reverse cross.
In those days there was a battle between the so-
called bedding Pansies and the Violas (I use the
word Viola here in its modern application), and
it is still going on. To illustrate the state of
matters. 40 years ago we had Bedding Pansies
(which were simply Show Pansies with good bed-
ding habits), such"as Blue King, Lilacina, Holy-
rood, Tory, and Regina (white), and Henderson's
Golden Bedder ; and Violas such as Golden Gem,
Alpha, and Grievei. The march of development,
so far as varieties raised by me is concerned, is
represented by Sovereign, Pilrig Park, Scotia,
Acme, Royalty. Edina, Formosa, Virginalis,
Bullion, Dawn of Day, Merchiston Castle, and I
consider I reached the high -water mark recently
with Redbraes Vellow and Redbraes White,
Royal Scot, and Redbraes Bronze.

In the beginning, as I have already said, my
varieties were all obtained by crossing the wOd
types with pollen from Show Pansies. For ex-
ample, V. cornuta X Dux Show Pansy gave Van-
guard (purple) ; V. stricta X Sovereign gave
.■\riel and Bullion : V. cornuta improved (named
Perfection) x Sunray Fancy Pansy gave
Lilacina ; V. cornuta (Perfection) X Dux Show
Pansy gave Tory.

.\11 my recent varieties have been raised with-
out the aid of cross-fertilisation. I have simply
saved seed fi-om the best varieties existing in
their respective classes, selected those which I
considered improvements in colour or habit, and
tried them for several years.

Contemporaries with my early work were few,
as the Viola was scoffed at by many traders. I
remember my first exhibit of Violas in Lon-
don. It was in 1870, at the Crystal Palace. I
staged, for Dicksons & Co., 48 varieties, in
bunches, of Bedding Violas and Pansies. and,
instead of booking orders, I had to stand the
scoffs and jeers of many, including George
Glenny, who gave me a terrible dressing for
bringing such weeds such a distance. But I
was not discouraged ; in fact, I rather enjoyed
the castigation, and went home determined to
persevere and work out my ideas of what was
wanted as a bedding plant, with the result that,
when the boom came, we were ready for it, and
Mes.sr3. Dicksons' reaped a rich reward, for
many seasons selling a very large stock com-
pletely out at 25s. per 100 for general varieties ;
for new varieties 2s. 6d. each, and many seasons
we could not meet the demand. In those days
(1870 to 1885) we cultivated all the Violas in
thumb pots. The cuttings were put in in Sep-
tember in frames, and, when rooted, potted up
into small pots, being sent out in this way to
the gardeners in spring.

In Scotland, Messrs. Dicksons & Co. had no
serious rivals in the raising and introducing of
Violas until Messrs. Dobbie & Co. took up their
culture about 1890. although good work had been
done in the way of raising by Dr. Stuart and
Mr. John Baxter.

(To he conlii\ued.)

MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF
ENGLAND ORCHID.

June 2. — This was the closing meeting of the
Society's year. A magnificent display was made
by the members who were in competition for the
valuable cups.

Messrs. Charlesworth & Co.'s Cup for new
plants was won by J. T. Clifton, Esq. (gr. Mr.
Float).

Messrs. Sander & Son's Cup for Cypripediums
was won by H. J. Bromilow, Esq. (gr. Mr.
Morgan).

Messrs. Stuart Low's Cup for Cattleyas and
LaBlias was won by J. jMcCartney, Esq. (gr. Mr.
Holmes).

Mr. Robson's Cup for Odontoglossums was won
by A. Warburton, Esq. (gr. Mr. Dalgleish).

Mr. Ward's Cup for amateurs was won by Mr.
N. Galloway, the conditions in this competition
being for plants grown without the aid of a
gardener.

The annual general meeting of the Society was
also held on this date. It was satisfactory to note
that the work of the Society was advancing, and
that interest in Orchid culture was improving.
P. W.

ROYAL CORNWALL.

June 8, 9. — This year's show of the Royal
Cornwall Society w-as held at St. Ives, which
is built literally upon the cliffs and over-
looks a beautiful bay on the north coast of the
county. Escallonia niacrantha grows wild
amongst the rocks ; F"uchsias grow into small
trees, and the whole of the native vegetation is
remarkable for its luxuriant and semi-tropical
character.

The exhibition was remarkable for the hono-
rary and competitive exhibits of Rhododendrons
and other flowering shrubs, which had been
grown in the open. Mr. H. Hodge showed 100
vases of Rhododendrons of beautiful colours and
fine forms. T. B. Bolitho, Esq., of Trewidden
(gr. Mr. G. Maddern), showed a most interest-
ing exhibit, including Magnolia Wat.sonii, M.
hypoleuca, Chorozema Lowii, Buddleia Colvilei,
Viburnum tomentosum Mariesii, Allium MoUii,
Embothrium coccineum, Myosotidium nobile,
Tricuspidaria dependens, Europsis virginicus,
Calceolaria violacea, Corokia macrantha, Diosma
ericoides, and many other interesting things
which grow in this favoured locality.

Mr. W. J. Godfrey, Exmouth, put up a stand
of varieties of Oriental Poppies, some Pseonies,
a very fine show of Pelargoniums, Zonal Pelar-
goniums, Cannas, &c.

The Devon Rosary Co. showed a fine lot of cut
Roses, which, considering the earliness of the
show, made a remarkable display.

Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon, Bath, staged
double and single Begonias, relieved with cut
flowers of the American and " Malmaison " Car-
nations.

E. Hain, Esq. (gr. Mr. Madge), and T. Robins
Bolitho, Esq. (gr. Mr. C. Creek), showed many
interesting plants.

As may be expected, there was a good show
of vegetables, for the whole countryside is com-
posed, of market gardens. Large quantities of
fruit, flowers, and vegetables are sent to the
great central markets from this district every
year. There were splendid samples of Cauli-
flowers, Turnips, Carrots, Asparagus, Onions,
Marrows, &c.

CROYDON & DISTRICT GARDENERS".

About sixty members and friends of this
society paid a second visit to the gardens of Sir
Everard Hambro, K.C.V.O., Hayes Place.

The rock garden claimed first attention, and
many interesting features were found here. Com-
ing next to the lawns, the grand specimens of
trees were much admired, as also were miniature
Water-Lily ponds, looking pro..iising for a good
display in a few weeks' time. • In the conserva-
tory a plant of Pelargonium, 30 years old, at-
tracted attention. In the pleasure grounds the
bold masses of Rhododendrons were very strik-
ing. The kitchen garden, and the early crops
of vegetables and herbaceous borders were full
of interest.

June 25, IDIO.

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

433

ROYAL OXFORDSHIRE HORTI-
CULTURAL.

June 21. — This exhibition was held, as usual,
in the grounds of Trinity College, Oxford, in
delightful weather, and pixived a great success.
The grounds are in exceptionally good condi-
tion. A note given me by JMr. W. Greenaway,
secretary to the Society, states that Trinity Col-
lege was founded towards the close of the 13th
century by the Priors of the Benedictine Abbey
of Durham as a imrsery for that society, and
it was called Durham College. Its gardens con-
sist of spacious lawns with outside borders
overshadowed by Yews, which are, in fact,
merely the sprouting of the ancient topiary
alcoves which were carried around the boun-
daries. It has a " Lime Tree Walk," origin-
ally an avenue of 48 trees (two or three of
which have died), 24 on either side, the upper
boughs being skilfully interwoven to provide a
canopy of continuous leafage. Although the
trees are regarded as 300 years of age, yet the
regular pollarding of the roof-like portion has
prevented the boles attaining a bulk larger than
a man's body.

As at most flower shows, the non-competitive
groups at Oxford provided an imposing floral
display, and on this occasion was seen a most
artistically-arranged group of Orchids re-
lieved with Mosses, Ferns and other foli-
age plants. The exhibitor was F. Menteith
Ogilvie. Esq., The Shrubbery, Oxford (gr. Mr.
Balmforth). The group was superior in artistic
merit to the fine display for which Mr. Ogilvie
secured the Royal Horticultural Society's Gold
Medal at the recent Temple Show. Tfie group
was arranged on the grassy surface in the centre
cf the large show tent : it had an irregular,
conical centre, with dell-like depressions on each
side, the centre being connected with the
higher part of the end sections by bridges. At
appropriate places specimens of finely-flowered
Orchids were displayed on raised stands, the
whole being covered with green Moss. Every
point in the arrangement had been carried out
in the most admirable manner, the colours tf
the foliage with which the plants were arranged
being selected to harmonise with the colouring
of the flowers. On the centrepiece were ar-
ranged Lselio-Cattleyas, principally fine forms
of L.-G. Canhamiana, and L.-C. Aphrodite, with
good specimens of the finely-coloured L.-C.
W. Balmforth, also L.-C. Epicasta and L.-C.
Olive, with two pure-white Cattleya Dussel-
dorfei Undine, and the fine white C. Mrs. Myra
Peeters with six flowers. In the centre of "the
lower spaces on either side were more than 100
flowers, the emerald-green and white Cypripe-
dium Maudise, C. callosum Sanderse, and C. Law-
renceanum Hyeanum Bank House variety, be-
side which were many arching spikes of the
white Moth Orchid, Phalsenopsis amabilis. the
centre of the bridging above being of Epiden-
drum O'Brienanum and E. Boundii. Thunia
Winniana with fine terminal heads of rose-purple
flowers, good Odontoglossum crispum. 0.
Harryanum, and some exceptionally fine hybrids ;
the deep scarlet Odontioda Charlesworthii, a
grand specimen of Epidendrum prismatocarpum
with 12 spikes; the pure white Trichopilia Back-
housiana, some profusely-flowered Miltonia
vexillaria. M. Bleuana, and M. Hyeana ; elegant
spikes of the rose and white Disa" Luna, a very
fine Cypripedium 'Vipanii, C. Laurebel Shrub-
bery variety, and other fine specimens were pro-
minently displayed. Among the foliage plants
the variously-coloured Acalyphas. Codiaeums,
Caladiums, and Amaranthus salicifolius gave a
pleasing effect. The group was awarded a Gold
Medal.

Mr. John Johnson, Garsington, staged a large
display of hardy perennials, Pseonies and Car-
nations, for which a Silver-gilt Medal was
awarded.

Carnations were also well shown in a non-
competitive group by Capt. A. G. Russell, Hol-
ton Park, Wheatley.

In the competitive classes for Roses the 1st
prize for a collection was won by Mr. John
Mattock, The Rose Nurseries, New Heading-
ton, Oxford, in whose collection Harry Kirk, His
Majesty, Lyon Rose, Mrae. Melanie Soupert,
Mrs. E. J. Holland, Rhea Reid, and others were
admirably shown ; 2nd, Mr. George Prince,
Longworth, Berks., who had also a very fine col-
lection.

One of the tents was well filled with table
decorations and other florists' designs.

Mr. W. T. Mattock was awarded the 1st
prize for table decorations: Mr. H. Mount, Uni-
versity Park, showed excellently in the class for
British Ferns ; Mr. C. B. Anstey for six exotic
Ferns ; and Mr. George Prince for 24 Roses
and 18 Tea Roses.

Jlessrs. R. Sydenham, Ltd., Birmingham,
showed a fine stand of Sweet Peas. Rock-gar-
dens were well arranged by Messrs. Heath &
Sons, Cheltenham and Messrs. Tucker & Son.

Fruits were fairly well represented. Mr. S.
Brown, Aynho Park Gardens, won the 1st prize
in each of the classes for Grapes, Peaches and
Melons ; and the Right Hon. L. Harcourt,
Nuneham Park, Abingdon (gr. Mr. C. E. Mun-
day), in those for Nectarines and Cherries.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL.

June 21-25.— The 71st annual exhibition of the
society was held on these dates in the spacious
Wavertree playground, Liverpool. The site is in
every respect a most suitable one, the extent
being 108 acres and the place within easy reach
of the railway goods yards, whilst the "visitors
can reach the show ground from all stations with
a minimum of trouble. Following the custom of
the past few years, the society promoted a flower
show. This exhibition filled three large mar-
quees. Mr. Peter Blair was superintendent of
the horticultural section.

Competitive Classes.

In the class for a group of miscellaneous plants
in and out of bloom in a space of 350 square feet,
Messrs. James Cypher & Sons, Cheltenham,
were awarded the 1st prize for an artistic com-
bination of Palms and single-stemmed Codiseums
(Crotons), Dracaenas, Cattleyas. Phalienopsis and
other subjects; 2nd, Mr. W. A. Holmes, Ches-
terfield, with highly-coloured Codiseums and
good Odoiitoglossums ; 3rd, Mr. W. 'Vause,
Leamington ; 4th, Mr. Joe S. Sharp, Almond-
bury.

Messrs. Cypher & Sons also excelled in the
class for a collection of Orchids arranged for
effect in a space of 100 square feet. They staged
a rich display, having especially good plants of
Odontoglossum amabilis splendeiis, Liclia Latona
superba and Laelio-Cattleya Canhamiana magni-
fica.

There were several groups of Carnations ar-
ranged for effect. The Earl of Derby, K.G. (gr.
Mr. E. F. Hazelton), won the 1st prize
with well-flowered plants; 2nd, Messrs. Young,
West Derby, with varieties of the Souvenir de la
Malraaison type ; 3rd, Mr. C. Alcock, Liver-
pool.

Tuberous Begonias were shown by Messrs.
Blackmore & Langdon in a class for a group of
these plants, being the only exhibitors. They
staged a charming group, which included especi-
ally good specimens of Rt. Hon. J. Chamber-
lain, C. E. .Small and Mrs. G. F. Fry.

The class for a collection of hardy cut peren-
nials brought an imposing display. Messrs.
Harkness & Co., Bedale. led with gorgeous
Poppies, Gaillardias, &c. ; 2nd, Mr. G. Gibson,
Bedale.

The best collection of cut Roses was put up
by Mr. Geo. Mount, Canterbury, who had
choice blooms of Frau Karl Druschki, Ulrich
Brunner, Mrs. J. Laing, Crimson Rambler and
others ; 2nd, Mr. George Prince, Longworth,
with somewhat smaller flowers ; 3rd, Messrs.
W. & J. Brown, Peterborough.

Messrs. James Cypher & Sons won the 1st
prize for a collection of stove and greenhouse
plants in a space of 20 feet by 10 feet with
choice examples of Ixora Williaiiisii, Statice in-
termedia Clerodertdron Balfouri, Pimelea dios-
maefolia, Anthurium Scherzerianum and Erica
Cavendishii.

For a collecfeon of Sweet Peas Miss Hbmus,
Upton-on-Severn, was well ahead with a taste-
fully-arranged exhibit, especially fine being Helen
Lewis, Primrose Paradise, Scarlet Paradise,
Purple Paradise, and Paradise Suziana ; 2nd,
Messrs. E. W. King & Co., Coggeshall.

Vegetables and Fruit.

For a collection of eight kinds, the Duke of
Portland, Welbeck (gr. Mr. J. Gibson|, was
the only exhibitor. He showed excellent White
Leviathan Onions, Sutton's Favourite Car-
rots, Princess oi Wales Tomatos, Magnum Bonum
French Beans, and Sutton's Centenary Peas, &c.

The Duke of Portland also led in the class

for eight kinds of fruit with fine examples of
.Muscat of Alexandria and Black Hamburgh
Grapes, Seedling Melon, Early Rivei-s Nectarine,
Brown Turkey Figs, and Dymond Peaches : 2nd,
the Earl of Harrington, Elvaston (gr. Mr. J.
Goodacre); 3rd, the Earl of Derby, K.G. (i;r
Mr. E. F. Hazelton). ^

N0N-C0MPETIT1\-E EXHIBITS.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, showed a
fine group of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They
had Melons in many varieties, with many of their
well-known varieties of Tomatos, Peas, Aspara-
gus. Carrots, and other culinary produce. Tube-
rous-rooted Begonias, Gloxinias, Lily-of-the-
Valley, and other pretty flowers wxre arranged
in the central position o"f the display. This firm
also showed nature study objects set up on card-
board, with a brief description attached.

Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holbom,
London, contributed groups of Liliums, Rosee,
Cannas, Verbenas, &c., arranged in beds and
banks, also Sweet Peas and English Irises, with
an assortment of leading types of vegetables.

Messi-s. Ed. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, arranged
beds of Hydrangeas, Spirasas, Verbenas, &c.,
with good Melons, French Beans, Tomatos, and
other kitchen-garden produce.

Messrs. Dickson's, Chester, held the position
of honour with a fine, oval bed of Rhododendrons,
Spirteas, Conifers, &c., immediately in front of
the Royal pavilion, whilst the stand was fur-
nished with Irises, Pa^onies, Delphiniums, and
other flowers.

Jlessrs. Little & Ballantyne, Edinburgh,
staged climbing Roses, Liliums, Ferns, Ivies, &c.

Messrs. Dickson & Robinson, Manchester, had
a charming display of climbing Roses, well-
flowered, also Carnations, Pyrethrums, and many
others.

Messrs. Clibrans, Altrincham, had Mar-
guerites, Conifers, Verbenas, and other hardy
flowers.

Messrs. Toogood & Sons, Southampton, were
well represented by fine IMelons, Tomatos,
Spiraeas, Lupins, and choice Sweet Peas.

Messrs. Harrison & Sons, Leicester, had a
pleasing lot of cut flowers, and vegetables in
variety.

The King's Acre Nursery Co., Hereford,
showed an assortment of trees and shrubs grown
in boxes and an exhibit of fruit trees.

The Government of Western Australia con-
tributed a collection of Apples of average size,
but highly coloured.

Messrs. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, staged stove
and greenhouse plants and Hippeastrunis.

Messrs. John Waterer & Sons, Bagshot,
staged Kalmias, interspersed with Maples and
Oaks.

Messrs. Godfrey & Sons, Exmouth, showed
border flowers.

Messrs. Dickson, Brown & Tait, Manchester,
exhibited fruit and vegetables.

Messrs. R. H. Bath, Ltd., Wisbech, had a
fine display of Paeonies and Carnations.

Messrs. A. Dickson & Sons, Newtownards,
showed Roses.

Messrs. Blackmore & Langdon, Bath, put up
a fine group of Begonias.

Messrs. Stuart Low & Co.. Bush Hill Park,
Enfield, contributed a display of Carnations and
Orchids.

Mr. H. jMiddlehurst, Liverpool, displayed
Sweet Peas, pillar Roses, and Irises.

Mr. F. LiLLEY, Guernsey, staged Irises and
Gladioli.

Mr. A. J. A. Bruce, Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
showed Marguerite Alexander and a collection
of insectivorous plants.

Messrs. H. B. May & Sons, Upper Edmonton,
contributed a group of choice Ferns.

Jlessrs. Bees, Liverpool, arranged cut flowcM
and floral devices.

Jlessrs. Hogg & Robertson, Dublin, had Ger-
man and Spanish Irises, Ijfias, Pyrettrums, &c.
Messrs. Bakers, Wolverhampton, staged Bam-
boos, Water Lilies, Sarracenias, Irises arid
Poppies.

Messrs. R. Wallace & Co. , Colchester, showed
Water Lilies, with Delphiniums, Liliums, &c.

Messrs. Jarman & Co., Chard, had Zonal
Pelargoniums and Roses.

Jlessrs. Barr & Sons, London, showed
Japanese pigmy trees and hardy flowers.

434

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910,

Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, contributed
a group of Pseonies and Delphiniums.

Messrs. Dobeie & Co., Edinburgh, staged
Sweet Peas and Aquilegias.

Mr. H. N. Ellison, West Bromwich, dis-
played a group of Ferns.

Mr. R. Bolton, Warton, made a bright display
of Sweet Peas, including Nancy Perkins, of vivid
colouring.

Mr. E. W. King, Coggeshall ; Mr. J. Unwin,
Histon, and Miss Hemus, Upton-on-Severn, all
displayed Sweet Peas.

Messrs. Thos. Davies & Co., Wavertree,
showed Ferns, bulbous flowers and Rhubarb.

Hon. ViCARY GiBBS, Aldenham (gr. Mr. E.
Beckett), staged a choice collection of vegetables,
having 70 dishes in all.

THE LATE A. B. CRICHTON.

Messrs. Bees, Liverpool, arranged a rock-gar-
den exhibit, and Mr. W. Rowlands showed

Messrs. Thos. Green & Sons, Leeds, showed a
large number of their well-known lawn mowers,
worked with petrol, horse, and manual power.
Messrs. Ransome, Sims & Jkfferies had a simi-
lar stand of these implements.

Greenhouses, boilers, frames, and similar gar-
den appurtenances were contributed by such
well-known houses ^s Messrs. Messenger,
Loughborough ; W. Tucker & Sons, Tottenham ;
HalIiday & Co., Middleton; .J. Webster &
Sons. Wavertree; W. H. Skilton. West Derby;
and Skinner, Board & Co., Bristol.

AWARDS.

Gold Medals: King's Acre Nursery Co., John
Wat«rer & Sons, Alex. Dickson & Sons.R. W.
Wallace & Co., Dickson, Brown & Tait, and
Hon. Vicary Gibbs.

Rilver-gilt Medals: Bees. Ltd., Dobbie & Co.,
Dickson '& Robinson, and Hogg & Robertson.

Silver Medals: Miss Hemus, Godfrey & Sons,
Unwins, Dicksons (Chester), W. and J. Brown
and Barr & Sons.

GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT

INSTITUTION.

FESTIVAL DINNER.

June 22.— The 71st anniversary festival dinner
of the friends and supporters of this gardening
-charity took place on Wednesday last in the
Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole. The
Hon. Harry Lawson, M.P., presided, the com-
pany numbering 170.

Those present represented all branches of
■horticulture, with many notable patrons of gar-
dening. Supporting the chairman, on his
right, was Colonel Mark Lockwood, M.P.,
and on his left Sir Walter Smythe, Bart.,
virith Messrs. H. J. Veitch, N. N. Sherwood,
Geo. Paul, W. Bilney, Geo. Bunyard, H. B.
Mav, L. Salamons, 'E. A. Ebblewhite, W.
Jeffries, Geo. Barr. J. W. Barr. T. Lamb, Owen
Thomas, W. A. Baker, Geo. Monro, R. Piper,

Donald McDonald, H. Morgan Veitch, Ed. Sher-
wood, Wm. Sherwood, H. J. Adams, B. S.
Faudell-Phillips, N. L. Cohen, Henry Jones,
and others.

As usual the tables were beautifully decorated
with flowers, principally Roses, Carnations, and
Orchids.

After the loyal toasts had been observed, the
chaii-man proposed " Continued Prosperity to the
Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution."
.4.fteT referring "u> the pleasure it gave him t<j
propose this toast, he said that all kinds of charity
were excellent, and especially so when associated
with thrift. The fund might bo termed a
national institution, for, although it might raise
the wrath of some to be termed an agricultural
labourer, no one would object to being termed a
gardener, for everyone was a sort of a gardener,
at least all pretended to be gardeners. In con-
tinuing. Mr. Lawson said, whatever our claims
to this "pretension, whether real or unreal, gar-
deners have made this country, for beauty and
ntility, the garden of the world. After referring
,^0 Evelyn's words about the life and felicity
of a gardener, he spoke of Dean Hole,
whom he preferred as a gardener above all otherf,
for Dean Hole did much to impress all with the
love of flowers. The Dean's decided preferences
for the true, simple, English form of gardening
have impressed themselves deeply upon tho
British public. Referring to gardening in the
East End of London. Mr. Lawson spoke of those
who live in the mean streets, but love flowers,
which they learn to cultivate well. Gardeners
have achieved much in spite of Nature. Our
climate, said Mr. Lawson, is always bad, but our
singleness of purpose has carried us through, and
the Englishman is the best gardener in the
world. There is no pleasanter feature of London
life or city life than the flowers. The
public bodies have done a great work in the
beautifying of our public places and parks, and
even the daily papers devote their columns to
gardening matters. All this praise led him to
speak of the men who have rendered possible this
great love of flowers. Gardeners suffer, pecu-
liarly so, from their own mi.'fortunes as well as
those of their employers, and it was on their
behalf he pleaded the claims of the charity.
Each ye.ar £4.000 is required to carry on the
good work, and altogether the Institution had pn-
pended £130,000. Only £1,000 was assured each
year, so that £3,000 rnust be obtained annually
"by subscriptions.

Mr. Harry James Veitch, the treasurer, re-
plied. He Ibanked Mr. Lawson for his eloquent
speech on behalf of the Institution. During the
past year they had lost many supporters, includ-
ing King Edward VII. , who had contributed sinco
1852, and Baron Schroder, a generous donor,
who had left them a legacy of £1,000. Tho
Council of the Royal Horticultural Society we»3
desiious of establishing some memorial to the
late Baron, and they had decided to provide a
pension in perpetuity, the recipient to be known
as the Baron Schroder pensioner. In Scotland
a fund is being raised to perpetuate the name of
the late David Thomson, and it is also proposed
in this case to establish a " Thonv5on pensioner."
Mr. Veitch said that a gardener has to live a
strenuous life, and his work was more difficult now
than 50 years ago. Like other persons, he was
liable to "all kinds of illness and disease. A gar-
dener might also be unfortunate in other wavs.
and he cited a case of a man who had lost all his
invested savings, claiming aid and sympathy from
the charity. In asking for increased support,
Mr. Veitch said that last year there were 46 un-
successful candidates, and the number is increas-
ing. He referred to the valuable help of the
auxiliaries, mentioning especially those of Wor-
cester and Reading, which have contributed
£1 000 each.

The toast of " Horticulture in all its branches "
was proposed by Mr. E. A. Ebblewhit*. J. P.,
Clerk of the W'orshipful Company of Gardeners,
who referred to some interesting history of his
C-ompany. Mr. N. N. Sherwood and Mr! Robert
Piper responded. Mr. Piper spoke of the exces-
sive competition and extravagant taxation to
which the commercial Iiorticulturist is subjected.
He offered advice to the chairman and other
members of Parliament who were present as to
the best means of remedying the trouble.

At this stage of the proceedings, the secretary,
Mr. Geo. Ingram, announced the amount received
during the evening as £1.900, including the fol-
lowing contributions : — The chairman, Hon.

Harrv Lawson, £105 ; Messrs. Rothschild & Co.,
£105*; N, N. Sherwood and his two sons. £100,
and £25 to the Good Samaritan Fund ; Mr.
A W. Sutton, £100, and £10 to the Samaritan
Fund ; Mr. E. A. Ebblewhite, £106 4s. ; Mr.
H J. Veitch, £26 5s. ; Messrs. Jas. Veitch & Sons,
Ltd , £26 5s. ; Mr. McKellar, £33 ; Mr. Donald
.McDonald, £50; Mr. Ed. White, £21; Mr.
Antony Waterer, £21 ; Mr. C. R. Fielder, £20 ;
Air. Leopold Salamons, £21 ; Mr. James Douglas,
£17 lis. 6d. ; Mr. A. Porteous, £11; Mr. David
Thomson, £13 8s. ; Mr. H. G. Cove, £15 (in-
cluding 5 guineas from the Gardeners Chronicle,
Ltd.); Mr. B. Lane, £13; Mr. H. W. Nutting,
£10 10s. ; Mr. N. F. Barnes, £10 lOs. ; Messrs.
Barr & Sons, £10 lOs. ; Mr. H. Parr, £10 10s. ;
Mr. Geo. Paul, £10 ; Mr. T. Lamb, £10 10s. ; Mr.
Herbert J. Adams, £10 10s. ; Lord Llangattock,
£10 ; Mr. R. Jones, £10 ; Mr. W. Mackay, £10
10s. ; Mr. G. Randell Higgins, £10 10s. ; Mr.
Robert Sydenham, £10; Mr. Henry Jones, £10
10s. ; Country Life and Garden, £10 lOs. ; Mr. J.
jNIcKerchar, £10 ; Mr. T. H. Payne, £10 10s. ;
and Mr. A. Metcalfe, £10 lOs. The Covent
Garden salesmen contributed £200, including
£160 collected by Mr. Geo. Monro and £40 by
Mr. D. Ingamells.

The toast of ■' The Chairman," proposed by
Col. the Rt. Hon. Mark Lockwood, M.P., con-
cluded the proceedings.

William Culverwell. — The death of this
well-known hybridist took place on the 19th inst.
Jlr. Culverwell w ill be remembered for his in-
tercrossing of fruits, his most remarkable plant
being a hybrid between the Black Currant and
Gooseberry. He also crossed the Raspberry with
the BlacklDcrry, and claimed to have crossed the
Strawberrv with the Raspberry (see Gardener's
Chronicle'. July 15, 1899). But this was
not his only work in hybridising, for he makde a

THE LATE WILLIAM CULVERWELL.

multitude of crosses between culinary Peas, two
of his best-known varieties being Invincible and
Telegraph. For more than thirty years he worked
on the Polyanthus, producing great improvement
in the colour of the flowers and habit of these
plants. Mr. Culverwell was amongst those in-
vited to attend the Hybrid Conference, held un-
der the auspices of" the Royal Horticultural
Society on July 11 and 12, 1899. The funeral
look place in the churchyard at Fencote, Bedale,
Yorkshire, on the 22nd inst.

A. B. Crichton.— We regret to announce the
death of Mr. A. B. Crichton, on the 4th inst.,
at the age of 83. Mr. Crichton's early

June 25, 1910.]

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

43&

days were spent in Edinburgh, where he
was educated, and later apprenticed to Messrs.
Dickson & Co., of Edinburgh and Leith. He was
afterwards in the service of Messrs. Alex. Cross
& Sons, of Ula.sgow, Messrs. Drummond & Sons,
of Dublin, and Messrs. Wigham & Co., of Dublin.
He became manager of the seed department of
Messrs. J. and G. Boyd, of Limerick, and, leav-
ing there, he travelled for a number of years for
Messrs. Charlwood and Cummins, of Covent Gar-
den. About 1864 he started in business as a
seed merchant on his own account, but his part-
ner, Mr. Alfred Smithers, dying suddenly in
1876, he transferred the business first to
the late Mr. Robert Cooper, with whom
he remained till Mr. Cooper's death in
1887, and then to Messrs. Nutting & Sons, for
whom he acted as traveller in the United
Kingdom and Ireland for some 23 years. Mr.
Crichton was actively interested in religious and
philanthropic work of all kinds, and was one of
the founders of the Commercial Travellers' Chris-
tian Association.

Otto Seelisch.— We regret to record the
death of Mr, Otto Seelisch, senior partner of the
firm of Messrs, Seelisch, Meyer & Co., Queen
Victoria Street, and Barge Yard, London,
E.G., at the age of 52. He was one of the
pioneers of what is now known as the Japanese
Bulb Trade. In the course of business he tra-
velled very widely over the Continent of
Europe, as well as in the East. Mr. Seelisch in-
troduced the once highly popular " Jlakart "
bouquet into this country, which had a large sale
for many years, besides the decorative Pampas
and other dried grasses, which were much used
some 20 years ago. The business will be carried
on under the same title by the other member of
the firm, Mr. W. Meyer.

ivi: A R K S X s.

Plants in Pots, Sc. : Average Wholesale Prices rCon<i2.J.

LAW NOTE.

THE SALE OF POISONS.

The first of a series of cases instituted by the
Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain for the
recovery of the penalty imposed by section 15
of the Pharmacy Act, 1868, for the illegal sale
of poison was decided at the Kingston County
Court by Judge Harington yesterday.

His honour, in giving judgment, said the
Act of 1868 was parsed to safeguard the public
against the sale of poisons by persona lacking a
competent and practical knowledge in respect of
them. From the passing of the Act of 1868 until
April 1, 1909, when the Poisons and Pharmacy
Act of 1908 came into operation, nobody but
a duly registered pharmaceutical chemist could
sell poisons scheduled under the Act. The Act of
1908, section 2, provided that section 15 of the Act
of 1868 should not apply in the case of poisonous
substances to be used exclusively in agriculture
or horticulture for the destruction of insects
'* if the person so selling is duly licensed fur the
purpose under this section by a local authority,
but nothing in this section shall exempt any per-
son so licensed from the requirements of any
other provision of the Pharmacy Act. 1868. or of
the Arsenic Act, 1851, relating to poisons." He
could not think that it was the intention of the
Legislature to relax the public safeguards in con-
nection with the sale of poisonous substances.
All that the Act of 1908 appeared to him to do
w'as to enable persons other than pharmaceuti-
cal chemists to sell poisonous substances for agri-
cultural purposes, but under restrictions equally
stringent with those of the Act of 1868. And
those restrictions were that the person who sold
must be duly licensed by the local authority. In
his opinion the defendant in this case had in-
curred the penalty, and he cave judgment in
favour of the Pharmaceutical Society for £5 and
costs.

Mr. Dobbs asked leave to appeal, and his
Honour granted the application.

Thunderstorm in Vincent Square. — One

of the chimney stacks at the R.H.S. Hall in Vin-
cent Square was struck by lightning during a
thunderstorm which occurred shortly after 2 p.m.
on Wednesday last. We are glad to state that
no serious damage was done to the roof of the
building.

COVENT GARDEN, June 22.

[We cannot accept any responsibility for the subjoined
reports. They are furnished to us regularly every
Wednesday, by ilie kindness of several of the principal
salesmen, who are responsible for the quoiaiions. It
Diust 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
sainpies, ttie 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. — Eds.]

Cut FlowerB, ftc: Average Wholesale Prices.

Lily of the Valley,

per dozen
Marguerites, white

per dozen
Mignonette, p. doz.
Pelargoniums

Anemones, p. doz. 1

Bouvardia 4

Calla (see Richardia)
Carnations, p. doz,
blooms, best
American (var.)

— C ar o I a, and
other special
varieties ... 4

— second size ... 1

— smaller, per
doz. bunches 12

Catdeyas, per doz.

blooms ... 6

Eucharis grandi-

flora, per dozen

blooms ... 2

Ga rde n las, per

dozen 1

Gladiolus, Colvilel

varieties, per

do/en bunches 6
Gypsophila elegans,

p. dz. bunches 2
Heather (white),

per bunch .„ 1
Iris (Spanish), per

doz. bunches .. 3
Lilac, per bunch ... 1
Lilniiii auratuui

per bunch ... 3

— candidum

— loHfjilloruin ...

— lane i f o liuin
rubruni

— Ian ci f oli um
album

Lily of the Valley,
p. dz. bunches

— extra quality ...

d. s.d.
016
0-6 0

1 e-2 0

0-5 0
6-2 0

0-18 0

0-9 0

0-3 0
0-2 0

I 0- 9 0

; 0- 3 0

0 —

10-60
,020

0-3 6

— 20
! 0- 3 0

6-2 0

6-2 0

10-80
I 0-12 0

Marguerites, p. dz.

bunches white

and yellow ...
Mignonette, per

dozen bunches
O d on to glossum

crispuni, per

dozen blooms
Pelargoniums,

show, per doz.

bunches

— Zonal, double
scarlet

Poppies, Iceland,

per doz. bches.
Richardia atricana

(Calla), pi;r

dozen-
Roses, 12 blooms,

Niphetos

— Bridesmaid ...

— C. Testout ...

— Ka i se r i a A.
Victoria

— Capt. Hayward

— C. Mermet ...

— Liberty

— Mme.Chateuay

— Richmond

— The Bride ...
Spiraea, per doz.

bunches
Stephaaotis, 72

•'pips'*
Slocks, per doz,

bunches
Sweet Peas, per
dozen bunches ..
Tuberoses, p. gross

— per doz. blooms

2 6-36

2 0-30

16-26

4 0-60

3 0-50
9 0-12 0

16-20

10-16

16-26
10-16

10-16
10-20
10-16
10-16
10-26

2 0-40
10-20

4 0-60

3 0-40

3 0-40

2 0-50

4 0-60
0 4-06

Cut Foliage, Ac: Average WholeBale Prices.

Adiantuni cuiiea-
liim, per dozen
biiiicfies

Asparagus plu-
inosus, long
trails, per doz.

— medium, doz.
bunches

— Spreogeri
Berberis, per dozen

bunches
Croton leaves, per

dozen bunches
Cycas leaves, each
Ferns, per dozen

bunches (Ung-

lish)

s.d. s.d.
4 0-60

9 0-12 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

2 6-30

9 0-12 0
1 (>- 2 0

10-20

s.d.
5 0-

s.d.
6 0

9 0
2 6

Ferns (French) ...

Galax leaves, per

doz. bunches 16-20

Hardy foli ag e
(various), per
dozen bundles 3 0'

Ivy-leaves, bronze 2 0-

— long trails per
bundle

— short green,
perdz. bunches

Moss, per gross ...
Myrtle, dz. bchs.

( E n g I I s h),

small-leaved ...

— French
Sniilax, p. dz. trails

10-16

1 0-
3 0-

4 0-

1 0-
4 0-

2 0
4 0

6 0
1 6
60

Plants In Pots, Ac. : Average Wholesale Prices.

Aralia Sieboldii, p.
dozen

— larger speci-
mens

— Moseri

— larger plants ...
Araucaria excelsa,

rer dozen
a rge plants,

each

Aspidistras, p. dz.,
green

— variegated
Asparagus plume-

sus nanus, per
dozen

— Sprengeri

— ten II issi mns
Boronia hetero-

phylla, per dz.

— megastigma ...
Calceolarias (her-
baceous), per
dozen ...

— yellow, per dz.
Cinerarias, per

dozen

Clematis, per doz.

— in flower
Cocos Weddelli-

ana, per dozen...
Coleus. per doz. ...
Crassnlas, per doz.
Crotons, per dozen
Cyclamen, per doz.
Cy peru s aiterni-
folius, per doz.

— laxus, per doz.
Erica candidissinia

per dozen

s.d. s.d.

5 0-80

9 0-12 0

6 0-80
12 0-18 0

12 0-30 0

8 6-50

15 0-24 0

30 0-42 0

9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0
9 0-12 0

24 0-30 0
18 0-24 0

6 0-30
6 0-60

5 0-80

8 0-90
18 0-24 0

18 0-30 0

4 0-60

5 0-12 0
12 0-18 0

8 0-12 0

4 0-50
4 0-50

... 18 0-24 0

Erica Cavendish
per dozen ... 24

— persoluta alba 24

— small plants
(various) ... 3

Euonyinus.per dz.,
in pots 3

— from the ground 3
Ferns, in thumbs,

per 100

— in small and
large 60's ... 12

— In 48's, per dz. 4

— choicer sorts... 8

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

dozen 8

— repens, per dz. 6
Fuchsias, per dz... 6

— standards. each 2
Grevilleas, per dz. 4
Heliotrope, per dz. 5
Hyacinths, per dz.

pots, 3 in a pot 6
Hydrangeas hor-
tensis, per doz. 9

— Thos. Hogg ... 12
Isolepis, per dozen 4
Kentia Belmore-

ana, per dozen 18

— Fosieriana, per
dozen ...

Latania borbonica,

per dozen
L i 1 i u m I o n g i •

florum, per dz,

— lancifoUum, p,
dozen

— martagon per
doz2n ...

s.d. s.d.

0-36 0
0-30 0

0-6 0

0-8 0
0-6 0

8 0-12 0

0-20 0
0-6 0
0-12 0
0-18 0

0 —

0-8 0
0-9 0
0-4 0
0-6 0
0-6 0

18

0-12 0
0 24 0
0-6 0

0-24 0

0-30 0

0-21 0

0-36 0

0-30 0

0-21 0

s.d. s.d.

12 0-18 0

5 0-80
4 0-60

felargoiiiums

(show), per doz. 6 0-80
— Ivy leaved, per

dozen
— Zonal

6 0-80

5 0-60

Petunias, per doz.
_ in 60"s

Selaginella, p. doz.

Spiraea japonica,
per dozen

Stocks (Intermed-
iate), per dz. ...

Tulips, in pots,
special

Verbena, per doz.

s.d. s.d.
0 6-16
2 0- 3 0
4 0-60

8 0-10 0

6 0-90

5 0- 9 O'

Frutt: Average Wholesale Prices.

Apples (Australian),
per case :

— Monro's Fa-
vourite

— (Tasm a n ian),
per case :

— Ribston

— New York

— Scarlet Pear-
main

— Crows Egg ...

— Wellington ...

— Sturmer Pippin

— French Crab ...
Apricots (French;,

per box

— per case
Bananas, bunch:

— Doubles

— No. 1 „ ...

— Extra ,, ...

— Giant ,, ...

— Red coloured...

— Red Doubles ..

— Loose, per dz.
Cherries (English),

Early Rivers,
per peck

— (French), p. bos

— j bushel
Custard Apples,dz.

Figs

Gooseberries, ^ bus.
Grape Fruit, case :

— 9fi-s ...

— f-O's ...

— 64's ...

— 54's ...
Grapes, per lb

— Black English,
(new)

Grapes (.'\ustralian)
per 20 lbs. ...

— Black

Lemons, per case :

— (Messina),' se-
lected. 300 ...

s.d. s.d.

9 6-11 e

9 0-10 0
9 0-12 0

9 6-11 6
9 0-10 0
11 0-12 0
9 6-10 6
9 0-11 0

10-13
2 0-36

8 0-10 0

6 6-70

7 6-80

9 6-12 0
4 0-56

8 0-90
0 6-10

8 0 —
10-26
6 6-80
6 0-12 0
10-50
2 3-30

18 0
20 0

14 0-16 0

Lemons, selected,
large... ... 16

— (Naples), 420.. 22

— (Messina), 150 S
Melons (English)... 1

— (Guernsey) ... 1

— (French), Can-
taloupe, each.., 3 6-50

Nectarines, dozen :

— selected

— seconds
Nuts, Almonds

0-20 0
0-25 0'
6 10 6.
6- 2 6
6- 3 0

0-15 0
0-2 6

32

— Brazils, new,
percwt.

— sorted

— Barcelona, per
bag ...

— Cocoa nuts, 100 10
Oranges —

— C a 1 i f orn ian
Navel, box (80)

— „ case (96)

— M „ (112)

— ., ,. (126).

— Denia, per case
(420)

— (714) selected

— Murcia (200) ...

— (300) ...
Peaches (English),

per doz.

— seconds
Pears (Avacado),

per doz.

— (Tasmanian) :

— Vicar of Wake-
fi el d, large
cases 13

Pineapples, each ... 2
Strawberries, p. lb,

— cold house ... 0
(Kent), p. peck 2

— (Southampton's),
per basket ... 0

36 0-43 0

0 —
0 _

0-34 0
0-14 0

14 6-16 0

8 0-20 0
4 0 —
2 6-17 0
0 6-16 fr

8 0-18 0
2 0-40

6 0-12 0'

0-14 0
0-5 0

8-10

0-30

Vegetables : Average Wholesale Prices.

s.d. s.d.
3 0 —
0 9-10

10-13
7 6-20 0
19-20
16-20

0 9-10
2 6-36

2 6-3 6

Artichokes(Globe),
per dozen

— Jerusalem, ^
sieve

Asparagus, Eng-
lish, per bdle,
100 sticks. ...

— Giant

— Montauban ...

— Toulouse
Beans (English and

Chan. Islands),
per lb

— Broad(French),
per pad

Beetroot, perbushel 2 0-26
Cabbages (spring)

per hamper ...
Carrots (English),

dozen bunches 4 0-50

— (French), per

dozen bunches 5 0-60
Cauliflowers, ham-
per (24-30) ...

— per doz. (large)

— Dutch, p. crate
Cucumbers, p. flat

— 30's

— 36's

— 42*s

Endive, per dozen

Greens. Spring, bag 10-16

— Herbs (sweet),
packets, per
gross

Horseradish, for-
eign, new, per
bundle

— 12 bundles
I.eeks, 12 bundles
Lettuce (English),

per bushel

s.d. s.d.

2 6-50
4 0-80

3 0-60

0 10 1 0
0 4-06

0 6-08

16 —
7 0 —
16-20

4 0-
3 0-
36

1 0 —

5 6-60

6 0-56
2 6-30

7 0-

10-16

12 0-18 0
10-16

0 9-

1 6-

2 0-

Lettuce (French),

Cos, per dozen
Marrows, per doz.
Mint, per dozen

bunches
M ushroonis, per

lb

— broilers
Mustardand Cress,

per dozen pnii.
Onions (spring), dz.
bunches

— Egyptian, bags
Parsley, \ sieve ...
Peas (French), per

pad 4 6-50

— (Jersey) per lb. 0 9-10

— \ bus. English 3 0-36
Potatos (Algerian),

cwt 7 0-80

— (Channel Is-
lands), per lb. 0 1-0 IJ

— (Teneriffe), per

cwt 6 0-90

— (Lisbon), case 4 0- 4 6>
Rhubarb, Natural,

perdz. bundles 2 0-3 0-
Radishes (English),

per dozen
Spinach, A sieve ...
Siachys tiiberosa,

per lb

Tomatos —

— (English), per
dozen lbs.

— small selected

— seconds

— (Guernsey), per
dozen lbs.

— (Teneriffe), per
bundle

Turnips, 12 bun-
ches

Watercress, p. dz.
bunches

0 8-0 10'

1 6- 2 O

0 4-0 5-

4 0-50

3 6-40
16-20

4 0 —
8 0 16 ©■
2 0-30

6 0-66

— hamper

— Cos. per dozen

Remarks. — A few English Che.ries of Early Rivers
variety in the market this week have sold at 8s. per peck.
The supply of English Cherries this season is expected to be
very limited; in some of the Kentish districts the crop is
almost a failure. Home-grown Tomatos are more plentiful.
Strawberries are arriving from the Southampton district in
increa?:.ed quantities ; and there are some from Kent in peck
baskets. Green Gooseberries are a shorter supply, the
growers having stopped picking as the prices were un-
remunerative. The last shipment of Tasmanian Apples for
this season has arrived, and there has been a slight improve-
ment in the demand. Orances continue to be dear for sound
fruits ; many boxes are arriving with fruit in an unsaleable,
condition. Melons of medium size continue to meet with a
fair trade. £. H. R.. Covent Garden, yVedfUsday, June 32,.
1910.

436

THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE.

[June 25, 1910.

Potatos.

Blacklands -
Dunbars—

Up-to-Date ..
Lincolns—
Evergood ..

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

4 0-16

.20-26

LIncolns —

Up-to-Date ...
Royal Ividney
Maincrop ...
King Edwards

per cwt.
s.d. s.d.
.29-36
.20-26
.29-36
.30-36

New Potatos.

Teneriffe, per cwt. 6 6- 8 0 I Jersey, per cwt. ... 7 0-76
St Malo, per cwt. 6 9- 7 0 | Cherbourg, per cwt. 6 0- b b
Remarks. -The trade in old tubers is nearly finished,
although the sale of new Potatos is not brisk. Next week
it is expected that many new Potatos will be received
from Kent and Oxfordshire. Edward J. Newbotn, Covent
Garden ami St. I'ancras, June 22, 1910.

COVENT GARDEN FLOWER MARKET.

It is difficult at this season to give accurate prices or to
say what subjects may be procurable. Supplies generally
are plentiful, and very few things make more than normal
prices. Carnations are plentiful, but the quality of the
Bowers varies greatly, and at this season the blooms do
not keep fresh for long, so that the surplus, after the
ordinary demands are met, are cleared at reduced prices.
Some salesmen will not sell to casual buyers at prices
below what their regular customers have paid. On one
occasion the prices having fallen after I had bought, a
grower allowed me the difference, and that man did as much
business as any who attended the market, for it was always
saf? to order from him without the risk of any extortionate
prices being charged. Those who take advantage of a
shortage to put up the prices to regular customers are left
alone when supplies are plentiful. Most growers still have
supplies of seasonable plants on hand, but there may be a
few things dilficull to procure. I find that some growers
have cleared out of the best quality bedding plants, and late
orders may he difficult to execute. Lobelia is worth more
than it was early in the season. There are still some good
Rambler Roses, also Hybrid Teas, and others. Those not
far advanced in flowering usually make the best prices.
Spirjeas are still very good ; the pink varieties are appre-
ciated by most florists. Unfortunately they vary in colour.
Hydrangeas, both the white and pink flowered, are still
very good, and with the changeable weather they are amona
the most useful of plants. Foliage plants are well supplie. >

Cut Flowers.
Supplies are in roost instances abundant, and the prices
uncertain. Roses are good and sell out fairly well, yet
there is a surplus of some sorts ; it is much the same with
Carnations. The old style of sending Carnations to market
with short stems is a thing of the past ; we have to thank
the Americans for this. The varieties with lonfj, stiff stems, of
which President Roosevelt was one of the first to create a
sensation, and still remains one of the most useful, are much
appreciated. White Perfection remains one of the best,
but the white sport from President Roosevelt is, perhaps,
more useful, as it does not grow so tall and is as free as the
type. Hardy flowers are a great feature : there are a few
Carnations from the open. Centaurea cyanus is good ; also
Myosotis, Gladioli in several sorts, Gypsophila elegans, G.
paniculata. and Sweet Peas. These latter blend well with
Spanish Irises. Lilium longiflorum is fairly plentiful,
and several other sp2cies. Tuberoses are good. Growers
now cut Poppies in the bud state which is an advantage, for
they soon onen in water and last longer. Supplies of almost
all seasonable subjects have been rather excessive. It is
a bad lime for good foliage, the new growth in some
instances being very soft, and the older, dull in colour.
A.H.,Coveiil Garden. June 22, WW.

THE WEATHER.

THE WEATHER IN WEST HERTS.

IVeek ending June 22.

Warm, dry, and remarkably sunny. — The days w^e as a
rule warm, and also the nights. On the two warmest days
the temperature in the thermometer screen rose in the
hottest part of the day to respectively 78° and 79"— both
being the highest readings so far of the year. The ground
is now very warm, the temperature both at 1 and 2 feet deep
being 4" warmer than is seasonable. No rain has fallen for
nine days, and for the last two days there has been no per-
colaiion at all through either the bare soil gauge or that on
which short grass is growing. The sun shone on an average
for ai hours a day, which is as much as 3J hours a day in
excess of the average for the middle of the month. There
were two very sunny days, on each of which the duration
of bright sunshine was only a few minutes short of 14 hours.
Calms and light airs alone prevailed during the week. The
mean amount of moisture in the air at 3 p.m. fell short ol a
seasonable quantity for that hour by 8 per cent. E. M.,
•• Koscbank," Berkliamsted, June 22, 1910.

SCHEDULES RECEIVED.

Chester Paxton Society's annual exhibition of fruits and
Chrysanthemums, to be held in the Town Hall, Chester, on
Wednesday and Thursday, November 16, 17. Hon. secre-
tary, Mr. G. P. Miln, Grosveiior Museum, Chester.

Brighton and Sussex Hortlcuitural Society's Show

will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 5 and 6, in
the Dome and Corn Exchange. The Mayor and Corporation
of Brighton offer a silver bowl to the most meritorious com-
petitive exhibit in the show. The most imponai t prize for
Roses is the society's silver gilt medal; a silvtr cup and
£5 in money are offered for a group of Roses, and a
challenge cup for a collection of Sweet Peas,

At the Finchley Horticultural Society's Show, to be held
at the Manor House, Finchley, on July 14, a silver challenge
shield, valued at 25 guineas, is offered by the presi.Ient,
A. W. Carnage, Ksq., for the best collection of 20 bunches of
Sweet Peas. The class is open to all growers in En'^iland
and Wales, except trade firms. The schedule, giving par-
ticulars, can be obtained from the secretary. Mr. W. Speller,
4, Phcenis Cottages, Dollis Road, Church End, Finchley.

GARDENING APPOINTMENTS.

Mr. William Currfll, for the past 4 years as Second
Gardener to Mrs. H. Sebag-Montkfiore, East Cliff
Lodge, Ramsgate, as Gardener at the same place.

Mr. James A. Cook, formerly Gardener at Arnage Castle,
Aberdeenshire, as Gardener at Altries House, Mill-
limber, Aberdeenshire.

Mr. John Stephen, for some time Gardener-Assistant at
Nunthorpe Hall, Yorks., and latterly at West Park,
Mand, Aberdeenshire, as Gardener and Overseer at
Meethill, near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, the seat of
Kenneth Smith, Esq.

Mr. C. Crooks, for the past 15 years Gardener to the late
Dowager Lady Hindlip, Hadsor House, Droitwich, as
Gardener at Impney, Droitwich.

DEBATING SOCIETY.

GUILDFORD AND DISTRICT GARDENERS'.

—The second outing of the members took place on June 9,
when, by the kind invitation of Mr. F. Baring Gould, a
p.iily of 34 visited Merrow Grange. The choice and rare
collection of shrubs, for which these gardens are noted,
was first inspected, after which the members sat down
to tea, provided by Mr. Baring Gould. After tea the
glasshouses and kitchen gardens were visited, and the
pleasant outing concluded about 8 p.m.

-^^
orrejboTidenk

Beetles Destroying Rose: Aria. The insects
sent are not in any way related to the Bean
weevil. They are a small species of Rose chafer
(Phyllopertha horticola) known as "Bracken
Clocks." Collect the beetles by shaking the
trees over an inverted umbrella. Vaporite is
said to be effective in destroying the grtibs,
which latter live upon the roots of plants.

Cherry Branch: ..-1. H. The eggs are those of
a mite belonging to the genus Bryobia. Some
of the acarids are also present upon the
branch. Prune out all the dead wood in
autumn, and wash the trees in February with
paraffin emulsion or liver of sulphur.

LiLiUMS Failing to Flower : O. H. P. and
(J. M. The buds are attacked by. the Lily
fungu.s, Botrytis. Excessive dampness favours
the disease.

Maggot in Chrysanthemums : Mum. You
probably mean the leaf-miner. For preventive
mea.sure.s spray the plants freciuently with quas-
sia e-xtract or other distasteful liquid, so as to
prevent the females from depositing their eggs
upon the leaves. Remove badly-affected leaves
and burn them. The grubs should be pinched
between the finger and thumb.

Mildew on Vines: A. B. The only effective
way to deal with your Grapes is to dust the
affected parts with flowers of sulphur. This
can easily be washed off the bunches when
they are well advanced in colouring. The
pest will not spread after this stage. You
must endeavour to find the cause of the at-
tack. Dryness at the roots, on the one hand,
or a stagnant rooting medium on the other,
will quickly bring on an attack of mildew.
Defective ventilation, too, is known to favour
this pest. Make a careful examination of
the border when the crop is cleared, and if
the soil is found to be in a stagnant condition
through bad drainage lift as many of the roots
as practicable, remove as much of the old soil
as can be done with safety, and see that the
drainage is clear and ample, or you will ex-
perience the same trouble again next year.
The roots must be carefully preserved and laid
in fresh soil near to the surface, and the
vines must be shaded till the roots are again
active. Fumigate the house two or three
times in the winter when the vines are dor-
mant.

Mushrooms Failing : B. The trouble is due to
some wrong treatment, apparently keeping the
bed and its surroundings too dry.

Names of Plants : T). W . 1. Sedum roseum ;
2, Mesembryanthemum mutabile. — Clarh Brrrn.
d' Co. Festuca ovina. — Frank- Dihhins. Lilium

pyrenaicum. — W. H. Holah. A seedling Pink.
— G. Booker. 1, Cupressus Lawsoniana ; 2,
Thuya plicata ; 3, .Juniperus virginiana var.
Schottii ; 4, ^sculus flava ; 5, Thuya orien-
talis ; 6, Cephalotaxus pedunculata ; 7, Abies
Pinsapo ; 8, Juniperus communis ; 9, Acer
Negundo variegata ; 10, Gasteria verrucosa. —
Puzzled. We do not undertake to name varie-
ties of Roses. Send them to some grower, who
can match them. — H. P. A very distinct form
of Cattleya intermedia. — A. C. H. 1, Masdeval-
lia ignea ; 2, Masdevallia Harryaua (coccinea) ;
3, Brassia verrucosa. — Tipperary. 1, Billbergia
nutans ; 2, Reseda lutea. Impossible to name
the seeds sent. — L. J . G. Hieraceum auran-
tiacum. — T. C. C. 1, Primula japonica ; 2,
Lonicera japonica variegata ; 3, one of the
garden hybrids of Begonia semperHorens ; 4,
Sedum Sieboldii variegata ; 5, Carex japonica
variegata. — Foreman. 1, Octomeria diaphaiia ;
2, Brassia brachiata ; 3, Oncidium sphacela-
tum ; 4, Masdevallia simula ; 5, Pleurothallis
macroblepharis ; 6, Oncidium crispum. — H. 1,
Lastrea dilatata ; 2. 3, and part of 4, varieties
of Athyrium Filix-foemina ; 4, part of Lastrea
Filix-mas ; 5. Adiantum formosum ; 5, Poly-
stichum angulare. — B. J. E. Phlomis fruti-
cosa. We do not undertake to name varieties
of florists' flowers. — Zebra. Limnathes
Douglasii.
Peach Leaves : 0. J. A. The tree is affected
with " Silverleaf," for which no remedy is
known.
Pe.\ch Leaves Diseased : A. SheUon. Nos. 1,
2, 3 are stages of shot-hole fungus. Use the
solution recommended to T . IJ. in the issue for
June 4. It should be used again next season,
commencing when the leaves are unfolding.
Peaches and Nectarines Not Thriving : King-
stone. There is no trace of disease present. It
is a root trouble.
Phloxes Unsatisfactory : /. C. P. The stems
have been destroyed at the collar by a mining
maggot. In future, place soot around the
plants early in the season.
Proliferous Roses : J. M. In such cases as
yours the central axis of the flower, from some
cause at present undetermined, continues to
develop leaves, and in some cases a second
flower.
Rose Leaves: J. P. The damage has been
caused by a small, green grub, which you will
find in the roUed-up leaves. Spray the plants
with tobacco-water or some other insecticide.
RosF.s Withering : S. Deron. There is no
disease present, the trouble is due to an excess
of moisture which has caused damping off.
SpiRiEA Leaves: J. P. No disease is present.
The leaves have been damaged by some exter-
nal agency and appear as if scalded by sun-
heat. Have you applied strong doses of liquid
or chemical manures to the plants?
Strawberry Leaves Diseased : J. P. The
plants are affected with Strawberry leaf -spot.
After the crop is gathered sprinkle straw over
the plants and set it on fire.
Tomatos : W. M. The Tomatos have been im-
perfectly fertilised. If you sprinkle a little
table salt on the soil at intervals it will check
the gumming.
Tricuspidaria dependens : T. A. H. The rea-
son of the shoots suffering seems to be due to
imperfect ripening of the wood. Remove a
few of the overcrowded shoots so as to admit
light and air. The soil in which the plant is
growing should be pressed firm, and as growth
matures water should be given rather spar-
ingly.
Vine Leaves in a " Suttons " Seedbox. Some
vine leaves, sent without a letter, have been
received, apparently for examination. The un-
healthy condition is not due to disease, but to
some error in culture.

Communications Received.— N. N. a., Kendal— A. D —
W. C.-.J. D.-B. G.-J. C.S.-.J. R.D.-P. W. W. C-
A. \V.-J.M.-D.&Co.,Ltd.-W. H.B.-W. E.T.— W. A.
_A. P.— P. M.— C. P.-Mrs. H. B. Y.— H A. G.— B. & Sons
— R. C— W.— A. B -E. M.-A. & B.. Ltd.— B. F.-W.T.
— R. H. B.-J. G. W.-H. F.-J. W.-J. G. W., East
Barnet-W. K.-H. C.-R. P. B.-B. & S.-W. B. G.,
Queenstown-J. B.. Ghent-R. H. S.-L. & N.— F. O.—
H. P. P.— J. S.-H. C. Geneva— M. McK-J.H. H.—
W. C— C P. D.— J. H. (too late for this issue)-W. M. D.
-.7. H.-O. R S.-W. H. Y.— D. W.-W. M.-E. A. C. L.
— W. W.— G. F., South-wesli China.

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